Asked details about your doll - how do you feel?

I really like answering questions ^^ I'm always glad to help out, I even feel guilty when I'm unable to answer haha

 

I probably wouldn't mind sharing the info. The only problem is that I tend to forget specifics of things so I probably wouldn't be much help. ^^;

 

I am more than happy to help another BJD owner out! It's no bother to me

 

I get really irritated when people hide their "secrets"... I was looking for this one type of bottle (non BJD related) for -months- and I found someone using them for her products and I asked her nicely where she got it from. She laughed and said it was a secret. GRRR. I unfollowed her from all the social networks and I'm still mad.

I see no point in hiding where I got my _insert_thing_ from. If someone asks, I will happily tell them and link them to it if possible. I'm not worried about anyone copying my ideas... chances are they will use it to fuel their own creativity. If they're doing it to be an unoriginal git, well... I still don't care. They're only hurting themselves by not using their own imagination.

I've decided that my doll is an android and I only came to that conclusion when reading about someone else's android doll here. I have a feeling I might have figured it out sooner or later and I wish I could remember who it was so I can thank them. I don't think there's many gifts greater than sparking excitement and ideas in someone. It's not often that I get to do that for other people so when it happens it makes me feel really good and like I'm "giving back".

As for asking anatomical questions instead of admiring the doll... I can see how that could be irritating to a small degree. The end product is what I'm showing off... but I know I've asked people about parts of their dolls before while also being in awe of the doll as a whole, or it's story and photos. So I wouldn't take it personally.

 

I'm happy to talk about my dolls and their details. I don't automatically assume that somebody wants to copy my doll when they ask about his wig, eyes, clothes, etc. My first reaction when someone asks about one of my dolls' wigs or eyes is that the person likes them and might want to purchase from that company. If somebody else's doll ends up with the same wig or eyes as one of my dolls, I don't think of that as 'copying' To me, it's only 'copying' if somebody does their doll exactly (or almost exactly) like mine; same sculpt, similar faceup, same wig, eyes, eyelashes & clothing style. I think, generally, people don't ask about doll details because they want to copy, but because they like a particular detail and are genuinely curious and what to know. I think it's kind of paranoid to assume that somebody's asking for the sole purpose of planning a copy.

 

I haven't been asked anything about my girl yet, but I wouldn't mind if I was. Of course politeness and making it a request as opposed as a demand is always a prerequisite, but past that, sure, I'll tell you where I got her wig or eyes, what head sculpt she is, what body I have her on, what I used to do her faceup or how I made something for her, etcetera and so on and so forth. I've got no worries about copying... no two dolls ever look exactly alike even when they're the same sculpt, and since I do my own faceups and sew my own clothes it wouldn't be possible to make a complete duplicate anyway. I am really happy with each and every single BJD company or seller I've purchased from so far, and I've got no problems name-dropping them to others who like what I've gotten from them and might want to give them some business!

 

I don't like it when people get to in my face with questions honestly,unless i feel comfortable with the answer.I don't shear deep details about my dolls,their characters,and story. Because i have been copied before,and i work to hard,and feel to strongly devoted to them for someone to just stroll by and claim them as their own! I enjoy when others enjoy my dolls,and i do shear brief and very large parts of them,just without giving away EVERYTHING.But as far as shearing where i buy things,knowing their not aiming to duplicate my dolls or anyone elses,i try my best to polity provide links and or info.{;

 

I don't mind sharing at all. I love answering questions, in fact, whether they are where to buy, what is that, how do I... etc. Just like other doll people have been so kind in the past to provide me with whatever information I was after, I try to do the same. I will answer questions about my dolls' characters just as gladly as those about foot size and eye specs or joint function, because both sides of the hobby are important to me.

As for copying, I think it'd be rather impossible for someone to create a perfect replica of one of my guys, (I make their clothes, I try to do my own faceups and blushing when possible) and anything less than that wouldn't bother me, because it's still a different doll. However, if someone managed to get very close (to the point that it was obviously more than coincidence) AND attempted to rip off their backgrounds, I would be very annoyed. It would make me wonder what they were in the hobby for, when so much of the focus is creation and imagination, and they weren't willing to even do that much. o_O

 

I don't mind telling people, i usually put it in the Description anyway, xD

 

I don't mind providing details about my dolls and their accessories at all! The accuracy of my answers will depend on how long I've had the said accessory/eyes/outfit - it's not easy keeping track of these things after so many years in the hobby. I'm not that worried that my dolls will be copied, as I'm sure most people want to create their own unique version of any particular sculpt.

 

This! I'll tell whoever is asking everything I know/can remember about a doll since I think it's the best way to learn - ask questions!

 

What do you feel when you get asked which eyes, clothes, make up etc does your doll have?

Sometimes I feel like "Oh I should know this! How have I forgotten something that should be important??"

Is it annoying to get asked about these details, or does it make feel proud that your artistic approach has been appreciated?

Not annoying at all. I wouldn't say it makes me feel 'like my artistic approach is being appreciated' so much as I feel like people think that whatever the item is was well-made or looks nice in photos... I guess that's still appreciating my artistic choice heh

Would you prefer people would admire your doll, their story and the image you created instead of asking you anatomical questions, and feel frustrated then?

Not really... they're 2 sides of the same coin to me. To me, you really need a bit of a back-story to really know what your doll's fashion style is.

Do you prefer to write info about your doll right away when you post their pictures? Or do you feel these details take the whole fun away? Or perhaps you feel you feel fear someone will copy your doll which you would hate to happen.

I write info as I feel it is relevant. In the database thread I'd put the whole back-story up. I love reading about other people's dolls' back-stories... why and how would it "take the whole fun away"? It never really occurs to me that someone would copy my doll... a big point in this hobby is the customization.

 

For me it really depends on how the questions are asked.
I already had someone who flat out admitted they were trying to copy my doll, i.e. she bought the same doll and decided to make the same character and at some point even thought of giving it the same name.
She then started to ask me where I got his clothes, eyes, wig and so on, how I made his face-up and whether I'd do the same one for her doll too.
That was the point I stopped finding her interest flattering but actually thought of it as downright rude.

Anyway, onwards to the questions:
What do you feel when you get asked which eyes, clothes, make up etc does your doll have?

I usually don't mind that! I had to ask this myself so often already and I'm glad for every answer I got.
Since most of these things our dolls wear are mass-produced I don't get why you should keep it a secret or get angry about someone buying the same stuff. After all the base of your doll is not unique either.

It's a bit different with custom stuff, like really complicated and unusual outfits, wigs, eyes etc.; I might give an answer (which is usually "XY made it for me according to my design"), but I might also ask politely not to ask these artists to copy it/do it again.
I also do the same with my face-up commissions, if someone would ask me to copy a unusual design from a former customer I would say no to that.

Is it annoying to get asked about these details, or does it make feel proud that your artistic approach has been appreciated?

I'm not annoyed as long as the person is polite and not pushy about it. I'm always glad to help out

Would you prefer people would admire your doll, their story and the image you created instead of asking you anatomical questions, and feel frustrated then?

A tiny bit, yes. But I can understand very well that someone might not be interested in the backstory but the look of the doll itself. Getting to know a doll's character and its background is quite a lot of work, while enjoying the doll's customizing just needs your eyes

Do you prefer to write info about your doll right away when you post their pictures? Or do you feel these details take the whole fun away? Or perhaps you feel you feel fear someone will copy your doll which you would hate to happen.

It depends.
I usually write a small text about the photos (i.e. what they are supposed to show and why I decided to take these photos) and then about the doll and its background. I have a small wiki for a part of my collection that explains a lot about my doll's characters, so I usually link to that.
I always add the name, company and mold of the doll at the end and sometimes I say something about the stuff they are wearing, but only if it's special. Like, if I made a shooting to show off a custom made dress I will link to the seamstress and mention that they made it for me.

 

If it's someone within the hobby, I feel happy and occasionally even a little proud that someone liked my sense of style. The sharing of information is something I really enjoy in BJD collecting, and I have asked many other doll owners some of those same questions. Copying isn't something that's ever occurred to me and it wouldn't particularly bother me in any event (imitation is the highest form of flattery and all). Generally when posting photos of my dolls in public, I will credit the face-up artist and occasionally the seamstress or which company made the clothes, and wouldn't hesitate to post more info if someone requested it.

If it's someone outside of the hobby asking particular questions, I feel a bit embarrassed! Maybe not frustrated, but definitely very self-conscious to explain about different eyes or wigs or most especially the price of a certain pair of shoes or face-up, etc. It's always easier amongst other hobbyists because you know their curiosity is based in appreciation and not absolute bewilderment.

 

I feel comfortable answering any questions about my doll. I don't feel annoyed as it's like that for any hobby really that isn't mainstream. For me, the more that people know about ABJDs, the better! I used to feel uncomfortable about telling people how much they cost, but now it doesn't bother me as again I can relate it to explaining just another hobby. I think if the questions were asked in a mean manner or something like that, then yes, it would get to me.

I think in the beginning I used to feel a desire to have a little exclusivity with my dolls, especially starting out with just one in the beginning. But over time, I think it a compliment if someone wants to get the same dolls as me and I'll gladly hand over any information I can to anyone that wishes to know where to get one.

But! The one question that gets to me every time is, "Can I hold your doll?" It's mainly because it's at this point I cringe nervously as I debate whether or not the person I'm about to hand my doll over to is either going to hold her like a rare artifact (which I don't mind at all) or if they are going to man handle her in such a way that might warrant restringing and cleaning of her clothes and body parts. Hahahaha. You'll see what I mean once you get your first doll. In the end, I usually hand over the doll because I know that when I was a newbie, it was the best thing ever!

 

In my opinion, I wouldn't mind telling people where I get things o w o
I think it's neat that they have the same taste as you, yeah? haha.
Although, I suppose I see where some people wouldn't want to share those details if their dolls have been copied a lot, or they're scared of their dolls being copied.

 

I always ask lots of questions and I'm happy when people answer them I also like to be asked questions It means some one has taken an interest in your doll and its nice to be noticed

 

I read your questions a little differently before reading the rest of the responses. Are you asking about within the hobby or casual encounters?

I went to a small local market looking for metal or steel chopsticks to use as a place-holder in re-stringing. It was very quiet in the store, with no other customers and only one cashier who happened to be the owner. When I asked for metal chopsticks, she pointed me to melamine ones and asked why I'd prefer steel. I chuckled, embarrassed, and said, "Well, it's actually not for food... it's for a hobby, kind of arts and crafts stuff?" Her eyes lit up and she wanted to know EVERYTHING. We stood and talked for over 30 minutes about BJDs, which she had never heard of, and now each time I go to pick up some tea or seaweed for sushi she asks for pictures of my doll and what adventures we've been up to lately. So that ended up being a very positive experience for me, and I don't think my initial reaction will be frustration if it happens again! I might make another friend.

 

I'm usually thrilled when people ask about my dolls. There aren't many other collectors super close to where I live, so it's nice to make contact with other doll people...and I've gotten some really great tips from non-collectors, too! People in craft supply stores will usually come up with some good ideas...if they ask and I say "Well, it's for a doll..." they often come up with some really helpful stuff.

 

It's never happened to me, but honestly, I wouldn't mind at all! I know if I really liked a certain pair of eyes or an outfit, I would want someone to do the same for me.