Because of you... The bright side of doll life

I started to learn to use a sewing machine so I could make my girls clothes. I also started to pick up crochet. Has also made me think more about photos I take and how I use my camera. It also brought me here to DOA. Another thing that it has sparked off is a news series of paintings and drawings based around my dolls.

 

I've made a LOT of friends through the hobby, people I never would have spoken to or even seen at all without the dolls. In fact, I've met MOST of my close friends through the hobby!

I've learned to do faceups, worked with art mediums I wouldn't have otherwise, improved my photography skills, started role play ( a hobby I love every bit as much as the physical part of the hobby), tried my hand at sculpting (It was major fail, but I at least tried!!) and travelled to places I'd never been before to do photoshoots or meet other doll owners.

 

I've learned how to be more patient thanks to BJDs. I've also learned how to use sewing patterns and learned how clothes are designed and put together.

 

I'm more social because of BJDs.

I can sew better and draft patterns in both doll and human size now.

I can paint better on 3-D surfaces.

I learned how to brush pastel and can blend colours better than ever.

I can colour-match inhumanly well. I call it my super-power.

Props and small items now have great meaning to me.

 

1. I've been more social because of my dolls.

2. I've learned what real friendship is like because of my dolls.

3. I've gotten much better at photography because of my dolls.

4. I found new things I believe in because of my dolls.

5. I've learned how to draw more proportionate people because of my dolls.

 

Take care of them are helping me getting relieved from all the stress of college, work and personal issues. Also, I could get to know lots of nice people who I would never know otherwise. I also get much more excited to take pictures (I even bought a better camera and started learning how to photograph for real), write stories or draw stuff related to them. And, for the hobby itself, I found a new way to express myself artistically, because they made me want to try new things, such as face up and body blushing.

 

I've learned more about carpentry from building a coffin for my doll. Cutting angles, measuring for screws and figuring out hinge options are all new to me. I learned about buying and cutting leather so I could cover the coffin. Though I did outsource most of the sewing I did learn a lot about fabrics and actually used some of them in photos. Though I'm an experienced photographer I never shoot people so learning to shoot Celine has been a been a constructive experience. I'm still trying to get better at that. I'm starting to work on a couple costume pieces that I'll likely sew myself since it will need a "rough and medieval" look. As Momobou says above, you develop new ways to express yourself and it does offer a different space away from other things. As an artist it has a more personal feel than the other conceptual work that I do and as a result doesn't have the same pressures.

 

I'm looking forward for a reason to learn how to sew! I've been keeping an eye out for a sewing machine, and already having a hard time finding clothing that will fit my girl, for me it's an excuse to start something I've been wanting to do for ages.

I'm also excited for the photos and meeting new people.

 

Started writing again
Taking more photographs
More laughing and smiling

 

I have learned so much about photography (positioning, lighting, editing, etc) and have improved immensely. I have learned how to sew. I have met many wonderful people through this hobby. My BJDs have become inspirations for my drawing and writing. They give me so much enjoyment and are definitely a positive thing in my life!

 

Because of my dolls, I've learned how to ...
... sew doll scale
... do my own faceups
... do some basic modding (separating doll fingers, beveling out a neck hole to create a hybrid, adding mods with epoxy putty)
... make doll eyes
... make props
... give polymer clay a realistic look and texture

I'm starting to learn how to take better pictures (would be easier if my camera wasn't second-hand and I had the manual ...), and I'm re-writing the story my dolls' characters come from so it will one day make a photostory people could actually be interested in reading.

And there's also the way they make me smile ... they remind me that there's beauty in my life, even when things don't go all that well sometimes, there's always beauty.

 

I have gotten back into drawing now that I don't have to rely on models or longsuffering family members to pose for me. It is much less expensive to practice sewing for dolls versus myself, and I have learned to paint or brush pastel on 3-D surfaces. I used to work with the human face and makeup, but I enjoy the techniques so much more with a doll.

 

This is a very encouraging thread. I've also learnt a lot from owning bjds.

- taken up photography more seriously (to the extent I neglected my poor crew for almost a year)
- learnt how to crochet
- learnt how to sew clothing for my bjds
- do my own faceups (I had never touched pastels or MSC in my life)
- met lots of new friends/got to know some acquaintances better
- strengthened my arm muscles (because of all doll-carrying, both overseas and when going for meets)
- made me look out for doll-sized items anywhere I go

 

i've learned how to save big amounts money...
i've learned how to sew, do embroidery, knitting, crochet and all sort of other crafts that require the exercise of patience and dedication

 

Ah what a nice forum! I've definitely learned patience from this hobby. My initial wait for my very first doll felt like forever but now that I'm nearing the end of my second doll's layaway I learned that it wasn't nearly as painful! It has also spurned my creativity! I'd look at random objects and think of how I could utilize them for my dolls c:

 

My photography has defintely gotten more active. I'm learning to be creative with using props and sewing without patterns. I'm so glad I have a reason to be arts and craftsy again. My doll has shown me that I can accomplish anything if I set my mind to it. He's brought out the kid in me. And the best part is that there is still so much more to do with him!

 

Because of you ... I was able to make it through some very hard times. When no one else understood and the world was too loud, you were quiet and beautiful and the only thing in my life I had complete control over.

Now because of you I am a better, more confident and more creative seamstress, I have been learning more about photography and discovered the joy of taking pictures. I love my three little muses, who inspire my writing, cause me to draw, and have even made me a bunch of new friends!

 

I've learned to like dolls! Before bjds, no dolls...period. Now I sew wigs, clothes, make shoes, face ups, and am having so much more FUN!

 

I learned the joy of saving up for something by working incredibly hard and then finally being able to put that hard-earned money toward something I loved. I also learned about using a forum and am using BJDs to work on my social skills. I also learned how wonderful it is to have a hobby that truly love. I am hoping to continued to learn, mostly about photography and the artistic side of BJDs. Although I am an artist, I haven't done much in this area. In addition, BJDs have forced me to conquer my anxiety. I forced myself to attend a meet, which was so nerve-wracking, and although I was so worried about restringing, I figured out how to do that too, even though I was afraid. BJDs are a god-sent. This hobby is very meaningful to me and it so wonderful!