BJD and other hobbies

As well as BJDs I am also into fashion (that's not cheap, either!), 1-inch button collecting and an avid gamer girl (my current obsession is 5-boxing World of Warcraft, meaning buying 5 boxes of the games and each expansion, having 5 accounts, 5 subscriptions and playing 5 characters at once).

I honestly don't think anything of those sorts of comments and commonly make comments like that myself. If I were to say "My uncle's hobby is collecting cars", it's not that I am looking down on that hobby. I'm just stating the facts - my uncle does collect cars, I don't see why I should have to omit information when having a conversation with someone online just because someone might twist that phrase to make themselves feel victimized (please let me state that I'm not saying you are, I've just had this sort of thing happen to me a lot online) and that sort of thing is kind of a pet peeve of mine to begin with.

Those sorts of comments don't effect how I enjoy this hobby one way or the other. I'm not very easy to influence in any way, either positively or negatively. I have used those sorts of justifications for doll collecting before, but not to defend it to anyone else. I used it to help defend it against myself. When I was new to the hobby and was talking about it with my father, who totally supported the idea from the beginning and often gives me 'doll money', I felt like saying "I want to spend $$$ on a doll" was a 'bad' thing to say at the time, so I followed it up with "But I already spend $$$ on gaming stuff, so it's a fair trade off".

I am lucky that I am not friends with anyone who is so misunderstanding as to make me 'defend' anything about myself or my life to them. I and everyone I know are very accepting to the differences that make us humans unique, anyone who isn't that way I just cannot be friends with, that sort of friendship won't last long if there is constant hostility between us.

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?
Yes.

If yes, what is it?
Reading, role-playing, video games, watching anime, ...

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby?
I usually understand "A Person has X, Y, Z, I have my dolls." different than you do. I never thought that it makes the dolls look "better" than the other hobby. When I use statements like these it's more a way to defend myself and to justify dolls as a valid hobby, equal to anything else, be it sports, video games or stamps collecting.

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own?
I don't have a spouse/SO but I have family and friends. With friends I did use their hobbies to defend my own, but they don't seem to understand. I think to them a fulfilling life can only be led outside of ones house, and if I have hobbies that only take place inside, something has to be wrong with me.
With family I justify the money I spend on dolls and other hobbies by saying things like "I'd rather spend my money on something I really like than on cigarettes and alcohol" That always works.

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?
I think it is. Everbody should accept that different people have different hobbies, so it's alright to say "I have my dolls, you have something else you enjoy, and I accept it, so why can't you?"

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?
Yep!

If yes, what is it?
Cosplay is my main other one [bigger than my doll hobby, actually], and I'm also a gamer. [I like anime and manga too, but I've stopped collecting it so idk if it still counts for this, and I haven't been into it as of late...] Also I'm into drawing, reading, sewing and such.

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby?
It doesn't bother me at all. People have different tastes and interests and that's okay. If they think any of my hobbies are stupid or boring that's fine, they're totally allowed to think that and it's not like they're calling me stupid or boring. Everyone has things they think are a waste of money, that's normal. It's not personal or anything, so if I read a comment here saying cosplay was stupid and a waste of money that would be fine; it's how they feel about it. But if someone were to direct that at me specifically I guess it'd be kind of annoying, although that would be pretty childish and not the first time I'd heard it so I doubt I'd care. I'm happy with my hobbies so whatever.

If you don't have another hobby, what is your opinion on how those comments affect the BJD community?
Not applicable~

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? (Either to others or to yourself.)
Well, I don't now, but recent got out of a relationship. My gf wasn't really into them, but she liked me enough to support my hobby so I didn't need to defend it.

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?
I do. I'm a "live and let live" type, so as long as it's not personal there's no reason to let it personally effect you [general you], in my opinion.

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?
Yes I have other hobbies besides collecting dolls (BJD).

If yes, what is it?
I make medieval clothing (for myself), go out with my dog, photography, writing short-stories, running, singing, movies etc.

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby?
I have to say, that every hobby I have is equally important to me. If someone else does not understand it, then it´s their problem, no mine. And I also respect everyone elses hobbies, not thinking that mine is the only right one. Some hobbies take more money, and some don´t cost anything but money should not be a way of grading hobbies.

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? (Either to others or to yourself.)
Well my boyfriend likes buying expensive technology, so it´s quite easy for me to defend my hobbie by saying, that he uses his money on a new TV (only because he wants a bigger and better one, not because there is anything wrong with the old one) and I use my money on dolls. But basically, I haven´t had any bad comments about my dolls or my hobbies ever. As long as I enjoy it, it really doesn´t matter to me what others think.

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?
Yes, why not? i have my hobby you have your hobby. You can´t really say one hobbie is better or smarter then another. At least I think so

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?
Oh yeah, my major #1 hobby is sewing, it's why I got a bjdin the first place. I like so many other things too, like video games, guinea pigs, bicycling, and painting.

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby? No not at all, I think that's it's just a side-effect of us being in a bjd forum. That's the one thing we have in common here, some people are more diverse than others. Not everyone is going to enjoy your other hobbies here

If you don't have another hobby, what is your opinion on how those comments affect the BJD community? I think everyone should have other hobbies and interests, or they will stagnate. You can't maintain creativity without feeding it from other sources.

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? Lmao! No, my Husband, Mom and daughter all got addicted to bjd's with me. Spending money should never be competitive.

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?
I'm assuming you mean "Well you bought this, so I deserve this..."
No, I think that's awful. That either stems from insecurity, or is just plain greedy. I can get a bjd without worrying that my husband will try to get even or hold it against me. He bought a motorcycle and I never wanted compensation or made him feel guilty. It's good to practice being happy for others.

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?

I am on hobby overload-- I haven't collected comics (western or manga) for a while now just because of the expense, but I still consider myself a fan even if my spending in that area is much more limited now. I also collect action figures and other toys, as well as anything maneki neko related. I'm a book junkie, especially if I find a book related to one of my other hobbies.

I'm a trivia nut, a literature buff, I'm into musicals (even opera), I fangirl over a few shows and movies. I've been heavily involved in theatre in the past, though I haven't been in a show in a while now. (My interest in theatrical costuming segues nicely into making dolly costumes, though!)

I make small felt plush things now and again when I'm not sewing for my dolls or myself. I love Steampunk and Dieselpunk and do a lot of character design/concept art as a (traditional media, visual) artist. I write fanfiction in between working on my serious writing projects. I game-- video and tabletop (am about to start DM-ing a campaign).

I bake. I take non-doll related photographs as well as getting shots of my guy. I obsess over just about anything, really-- collections, activities, or just topics.


How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby?

I guess I've never really gotten those kind of comments directed at me... Certainly never heard that kind of thing in a dismissive way.

I suppose I'd bridle a bit at it if I felt like someone had a superior attitude, but I'm pretty non-confrontational most of the time.


If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own?

Never had to-- not just out of not having a spouse/SO, but because most of my relatives collect toys of one kind or another, so we all just understand each other.
=^__^=
Anneko

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?

Reading, crocheting, miniatures, cooking, drawing

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby? (By which I mean, do the comments make you second-guess your other hobby, or do they not affect you in any way? Do they make your experiences in the BJD hobby less enjoyable by creating a hostile atmosphere, or do you see them just as a commentary on the different ways people spend their money? Or anything else, as well.)

It doesn't bother me either way. I do believe that since this is a BJD board, most of the people on it are passionate about doll collecting and that's what they're focused on when they're here. When I want to enthuse about books, painting, etc. I do it elsewhere. If someone thinks I'm a raving lunatic for enjoying something other than doll collecting, I can respect their opinion. It's not going to make me feel guilty or ashamed to go to my book club or cooking class, though.


If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? (Either to others or to yourself.)

As long as we're both responsible about our hobbies, I say we should do whatever makes us happy!

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?

It's not an attitude I could justify for myself, but everyone lives in their own set of circumstances. Just because it's not the way I operate doesn't mean that it's wrong for other people to do it.

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?
Yes. I also build dollhouses, in a variety of scales, and doll furniture, as well as photography, reading, golf, etc.


How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby? (By which I mean, do the comments make you second-guess your other hobby, or do they not affect you in any way? Do they make your experiences in the BJD hobby less enjoyable by creating a hostile atmosphere, or do you see them just as a commentary on the different ways people spend their money? Or anything else, as well.)

I don't really use the statements of other peoples' hobby expenditures in a negative light- meaning that some people spend tons of money on video games, music, etc. --it is usually used as an example that explains the expense of bjd collecting, I think. For instance, I love everything connected with tea- teacups, china, etc. and having teas...I'm pretty sure here alot of people would think that was kind of useless items to collect...

If you don't have another hobby, what is your opinion on how those comments affect the BJD community? (See explanation above)

I don't know, but I see some people are a little oversensitive about the insensitivity of non-bjd collectors, ,
If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? (Either to others or to yourself.)

I've never had this problem, as my husband loves the hobby as much as I do- and looks at the dolls as scale model people since we build together, and enjoy the hobby together.
Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?

Yes, I play Irish traditional music (tenor banjo, flute, tin whistle), I collect model dogs and model horses, and I'm pretty much Doctor Who obsessed. Admittedly, I'm not as into model horses as I used to be, and I'm seriously considering a major sell off with the exception of a few favorites. That decision has a little bit to do with dolls as it would give me more money and space to use for them, but mostly I'm just not getting as much out of them as I used to. I also like anime and manga a lot (that's what got me into abjds). I buy much less manga in favor of buying dolls, but I still do enjoy it and get to the occasional convention.

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby? (By which I mean, do the comments make you second-guess your other hobby, or do they not affect you in any way? Do they make your experiences in the BJD hobby less enjoyable by creating a hostile atmosphere, or do you see them just as a commentary on the different ways people spend their money? Or anything else, as well.)

They don't really affect me much -- I mean, not everybody is going to be into the same things. If someone is really putting down someone else's interest, I think that would be in bad taste, but for some people dolls are what they do, and they don't need anything else and that's ok. I see the occasional poorly thought out comment directed at some other interest, but overall that's not the vibe that I tend to get. Beware of reading too much into things. The example you gave in the first post doesn't actually seem offensive.

If you don't have another hobby, what is your opinion on how those comments affect the BJD community? (See explanation above)

NA

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? (Either to others or to yourself.)

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?

I haven't ever had to defend my hobby, I think because number one I'm an adult, so I make my own decisions regarding money and what I do in my spare time. Secondly, other members of my family collect things so they aren't likely to give me a lot of flak. I do think it's reasonable to point out to someone that they too spend a lot on their chosen hobbies if they get snippy about dolls -- not to put them down about their own hobbies, but to remind them that spending money on dolls isn't so very different.

 

I have plenty of hobbies other than my dolls - Thankfully, most of them are pretty cheap. I like to write, I paint sometimes, sew cuddly toys, go walking and (sometimes) have a Warcraft subscription. On the "expensive" hobby end, I train at aikido (New training clothes once a year or so, mat fees, crates of tiger balm), play the shamisen (A horrendous money-funnel that endlessly demands new strings, new skins, new bridges, new bachis) and collecting tattoos and piercings (Which is also a commitment to keep paying to get tattooes freshened up, buy new piercing jewellery when the old ones get too tarnished, etc)

Strangely, I'd consider dolls to be one of the less costly of my expensive hobbies; If a doll's faceup is chipped, the doll can still be enjoyed, and if it really needs re-painting it can be done at-home for the cost of a stick of pastel or a few tubes of acrylic. If a shamisen's skin is ripped, the whole shamisen is unuseable until you shell out the 20,000 yen (about 200 dollars) to get it re-skinned.

I've never had to justify any of my hobbies, though I have compared them to other people's when they've called me out on them being eccentric; I tend to mingle in dorky circles, so eveeyone has some kind of expensive, inexplicable obsession. I don't think I've ever put anyone else's hobby down in favour of my own (I shy away from the old saw of "But you go drinking all the time!" because I've got a pretty well documented fondness for obscure microbrews) but feel free to contradict me if I'm wrong. I'm lucky in that I've never felt the compulsive need to buy that so many people on here describe, and other than in very unuual circumstances I stick within my budget (One weeks' wages is the maximum I'll ever spend on single hobby-related item, regardless of what the week's wage is).

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?

Yes, I write poetry, stories, scripts and any other form of creative writing I feel like. I paint, both digitally and traditionally, I enjoy making things (often doll furniture, but sometimes people-furniture) and I love cooking.

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby?

They don't, because I'm not interested in video games, DVDs, etc. Dolls have really helped in my art and in my writing- the art, because doing faceups has taught me a lot about anatomy and how shadows fall, etc. Writing has been helped by creating characters to write with, and being generally inspired by my dolls.
I find one creative hobby tends to feed into other creative hobbies ^^ they influence each other.


If you don't have another hobby, what is your opinion on how those comments affect the BJD community?

Doesn't everyone have at least one other hobby, other than dolls? But as a lot of doll owners also enjoy many other hobbies, I don't really think it's a big deal. I certainly don't think much of making those comments.

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own?

Well, not defend, because I don't feel the need to defend it. I have likened my hobby to the hobbies of others, sure. My dad for example loves flying imaginary aeroplanes to imaginary places on his computer, and so my weird hobby doesn't seem so weird


Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?

Yes, I do. Everyone should learn to live and let live- we won't always understand why someone enjoys train-spotting or doll-collecting or brass-rubbing, but at least respect them enough to just accept it

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation? If yes, what is it?

Puttering around in photoshop. Since it's also my job, for the most part, it's probably not applicable in precisely the same way. The other is text-based RPGs, which can also be a bad comparison since they're free of charge. (Admittedly I spent $10 to register the telnet-ish software about a decade ago, but really... not really a good comparison there. )

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby? (By which I mean, do the comments make you second-guess your other hobby, or do they not affect you in any way? Do they make your experiences in the BJD hobby less enjoyable by creating a hostile atmosphere, or do you see them just as a commentary on the different ways people spend their money? Or anything else, as well.)

To be frank, I don't take them in the same way you presented it at all, so I really don't have an issue with it. It doesn't affect my enjoyment of this hobby or any other. Like the RPG people don't always think my dolls are the niftiest thing in the universe, I have no expectation that doll collectors will consider text-based RPGs the hottest hobby out there. They're different interests, and I discuss them with the people that have them -- which usually means separately. I don't expect any universality there.

I don't see it as hostile at all. I see it as a means of seeking common ground, in fact. It isn't, to me, a means of being confrontational in any fashion, but as a means of showing commonality: "You spend on A, I spend on B, even if A != B, we both spend on these things because we enjoy them; our cause for buying these things is the same (enjoyment) even if the things themselves are not."

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? (Either to others or to yourself.)

Yep. And so does he. "I have my DVD collection and tech toys, she has her dolls," comes out of his mouth as much as the reverse comes out of mine. Neither one of us looks down on the other for our choices, we just make different choices based on our interests.

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not?

I think it's perfectly reasonable behavior that doesn't require justification to be perfectly acceptable, and not as taking any sort of superior or condescending attitude at all.

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?
I play my various video game consoles/games which isnt really costly..unless you count the wii i got last year..

another quite spendy hobby is that I like to collect artbooks...a small hobby which im finally done with i'm happy to say(made a final order on some books recently and waiting for them to arrive in the mail soon.)

and the least pricey on hobbies is drawing and sewing plushies/doll clothing and doll cosplay.

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation?

If yes, what is it?
I draw, make clay pieces, jewelry and keychains, I read A LOT, watch movies, build websites, write poetry, stories, songs, and I also do extensive world building in private notebooks (the world existed years before the dolls did XD). I cook, bake, and sew, and I also enjoy the odd video game, listening to music, and dancing. I paint sometimes as well, and I also make digital and graphic art in photoshop. I experiment with the entire CS3 suite, do coding with HTML, and am currently teaching myself CSS. I make lolita top hats, and love steam-punk/ sci fi cosplaying. I also party downtown whenever it won't interfere with my studies (that counts as a hobby around here XD) I like bike riding, roller skating, the odd bowling game, going to restaurants that have been featured on the travel channel and food network, traveling internationally, collecting Sci Fi and Fantasy book series and DVDs, and learning languages. I also have a massive podcast collection, and I collect Harry Potter Paraphernalia whenever I can manage it. I'm really into arts and crafts of nearly every sort, and have recently taken up loom knitting, and posting book reviews in a new reading blog that I've started on Word Press.

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby?
Honestly, it doesn't bother me if people think that dolls are the only fun things in the world, I'm really happy with all my hobbies, and I know I'm a well rounded person. Not to mention, while I love my dolls, they are in no way my whole world- I do a bunch of things- and all that besides hanging out with a really awesome bunch of friends. Everyone's entitled to do what makes them feel good, just don't bash anyone else for doing the same!

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation? About 20...

If yes, what is it? I sing, am an avid historical (18th-19th century) and fantasy costumer, act, research museum data uses, crafting from found objects, cycling, reading, building websites, following politics, and now looking to learn how to fly airplanes...

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby? Comments don't affect me in any way. In fact, I tend to get the opposite reaction, as I'm well-known by my peers as being "eclectic."
If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? I haven't needed to defend the doll hobby from anyone, and my SO indirectly got me started in it and supports my hobby (though he'd like to see me spend less and focus on things like reading books he can debate with me about). The only thing I get defensive about is when the subject of price comes up, but I've never needed to defend the hobby as a whole. My parents and friends are just bemused.

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not? Justifiable...? Well, I can certainly give a host of reasons as to why some people would think it's a wasteful or frivolous hobby. As a "to each their own" kind of person, I think it's rude and judgmental, but I can understand the response.

 

^You know, this is how I see it too. I consider those comments as comparisons and am not at all offended by them. I use them too. Sometimes the 'hobby A vs. hobby B'-argument is the best way to explain to others why you'd ever want to buy an expensive doll, 'cause their hobby is something they understand and so they could relate.

As for my other hobbies: I love tabletop RPG, I'm an avid reader, love to walk for hours and hours, I sculpt dolls and collect dvd's. Nowadays it's tv-shows mostly, 'cause I really like how the story isn't over after 2 hours, but you can spend many more evenings indulging in the characters and the setting. I also love writing and video games - so much even that they've become my job.

Of all my hobbies, sculpting dolls is the most expensive one by far, although you wouldn't say it. It's the resin and silicone and the fact that doll parts never just want to turn out okay with the first try (grmbl...)

 

Do you have another hobby aside from doll collection and customisation? Oh yeah!

If yes, what is it? I collect all kinds of toys, aand I'm also a heavy gamer of both the Video and tabletop+RPG+TCG varieties. I also draw and go to horror/scifi conventions.

How do comments such as the above affect your experience in the hobby of your choice, and in the doll collection hobby? (By which I mean, do the comments make you second-guess your other hobby, or do they not affect you in any way? Do they make your experiences in the BJD hobby less enjoyable by creating a hostile atmosphere, or do you see them just as a commentary on the different ways people spend their money? Or anything else, as well.) I see them as the expected viewpoint of someone outside of that particular hobby. Just like some people think we're insane for playing with dolls, there are those who's sanity we question for doing perceived odd behaviors, such as skydiving, or getting gold-plated teeth. You've gotta be into it to understand it.

If you have a spouse/SO, or someone close to you who has another hobby, have you used that hobby to defend your own? (Either to others or to yourself.) I've used it to justify the amount of cash I spend but we both share most hobbies so understanding each other's interests has never been a problem.

Do you think that attitude is justifiable? Why/Why not? It's a reasonable attitude, there are bound to be hobbies that I just don't comprehend so I just leave them be. I'd never say that someone shouldn't be in a different hobby, but in certain instances should criticism be dished out in our direction then we are certainly free to criticize in return.

 

I have quite few hobbies apart from dolls. Fashion & animal welfare are my main hobbies, even `bigger` than dolls. Then there are also ; artistic make up, photography, singing and figures/vinyl toys. I never tend to care what other people think about things that I love so no, comments about my other hobbies wont change anything.