Budget bjd shopping

It's always a good day when I can find a doll-sized thing at the dollar store. LOL I've gotten canvases, chests, and tea sets from there! Not to mention, the fact that they sell art supplies means I can make things on the cheap. Other than that, so far, I've really only been on ebay.

 

I guess it really depends on what you're looking to spend? What is your max for an outfit, wig, shoes, etc? Would you be more interested in getting a full outfit, or buying clothing in pieces? Alice Collections is a good place to start if you want single pieces as well as full outfits. They also sell wigs, eyes and shoes as well as some accessories. They have Group Orders for AC often in the MP once you're able to get access. ^^

And the MP is also a VERY good place to look for clothing, especially if you can find something within your own country which will cut down on shipping greatly.

 

@Chardy We all remember that phase, but you'll get there I see that you have a Minifee so you might also want to check out the Minifee discussion thread to ask around too for that specific size

 

I've heard good things about Taobao too for cute clothes, but I haven't used it yet. It's like a Chinese eBay, I think, and typically people buy stuff on there through a separate English speaking service that will organize your order for you. Not entirely sure how all that works...

 

I try to buy from dealers in the US to cut down on shipping costs. There are a lot of Etsy sellers that make & sell nice basic pieces like t shirts for pretty cheap. And the MP here is a great place to buy from once you have access. You can buy and sell in facebook groups as well, but I think it's more risky as there isn't usually any feedback for the sellers.

 

I try my first TaoBao order with an agent last week, so I can get pretty wigs for the dolls. I check thrift stores and antique stores for doll-sized things cheap, and garage sales. Sometimes Craigslist for Barbie clothes for the skinny dolls.

 

I find Esty has a lot of very talented people selling their self made items includes: outfits, accessories, miniature food pieces. Some can get pricy, but a lot of which are very reasonable priced. And since they're all home made, the choices vary from time to time.

 

I'd suggest just keeping your eyes open when-ever you're out shopping. You can find some really interesting things in unlikely-seeming places, and they typically won't cost an arm and a leg.

My favorite little metal café-style chair... The one that's the perfect scale for my Delfs? It came from the sale table at the garden shop. It was originally intended to be a stand for a flower pot. Kaedae's little stuffed puppy, Noodles? He started out as a Christmas ornament. So did Crane's copper teapot. Kes, Pally and Rand's superhero action figures came from the toy section at the drug store. They were little random-pull things that cost about a dollar each.

There's all kinds of stuff out there if you're on the lookout for it. ^_^

 

I don't know if you have an MSD, but if you DO, I'd look at the 'Our Generation' doll furniture. Target carries it. It's sized for an 18" doll, and you can get furniture or furniture sets for pretty cheap. I got a set of furniture for about $25 that I was able to repaint to dolly perfection.

Also be sure to keep your eyes on ebay auctions. Ebayers such as Mybayer and Dollmansion occasionally put their items up for auction. I've used this to get clothes and props up to about 80% off their normal site price.

 

Etsy, however I tend to look for shops that are within EU so I know for sure that I won't have to pay taxes. Plus, shipping from and to within EU is usually cheaper too. Secondhand market can save you from emptying your wallet too, since items are often sold cheaper than from the shops. And if the seller lives in your country too, jackpot. You can save loads on the secondhand market, that's for sure!

 

If you have flea markets or thrift shops in your area, definitely check them out. A lot of what you find might be overpriced craft decor, knock off designer clothes/accessories and really junky old stuff, but I've found a lot of great deals on tiny cups/mugs, Christmas ornaments that can be altered for props, doll furniture, old clothes that can be recycled into doll clothes, and jewelry or hair clips that can be modded to doll size.

My greatest find I think was a little retro jewelry box that made an excellent nightstand for my girl. It had a lot of old jewelry in it. I used some of it to make jewelry for my doll, and pawned the rest of it. I paid $4 for that whole thing, and got $10 from the pawn shop!

EDIT: Also, when shopping online, search for "mini" or "miniature" items, cell phone charms, or jewelry, instead of "BJD item". I've found those tiny laptops and iPads for $15+ when listed as "BJD laptop", but under $5 when listed as "mini laptop mirror". Same with watches--- "BJD watch" goes for $10-20, but "watch ring" starts as low as about $2. They're the exact same thing. Things listed specifically for BJD are almost always more expensive.

 

I agree with the thrift stores. I once found a tiny chair for $1.50. Check out the wooden craft section. Sometimes, even the kids' section. I heard people are also finding a bunch of YoSD stuff doing their Christmas shopping at retail stores.

 

I've found great stuff for dolls from fleamarkets and driftstores. Things like chests, pottery, wickerchair, small photoframes, ...There are plenty of stuff that is originally something else but is perfect for dolls. I've found keychains in the shape of shoes that fit MSD's. I've also found plenty on Tupperware keychains which are like real Tupperware stuff. And so on.

Older dolls beds are sometimes good size for MSD's. In my childhood back in the 70's babydolls where size of real babies (50-60cm) so beds ment for them are bigger than todays Baby Born size.

I've also found old souvenirs that fit dolls. I have small copper coffeepot that is perfect for SD's, I found that from my mothers house. I also have found SD sized souvenir knife, small wooden boxes and small metal statues that fit the dolls. I found all those from my aunts summerhouse.

I have found wooden chairs and a metal bench from gardening section from our local market. Originally they were flowerpotholders. My friend has metalchairs that are really pincushions.

And this time of the year it is good to keep eye on christmasdecoration. There are sometimes really good dollystuff in them.

 

Yes! I bought reindeer slippers ornament from Michael 's that fit my sd17 perfectly! Always keep your eyes peeled

 

While shopping it helps to generally keep your dolls in mind. Even the salt and pepper shakers have yielded fun items -- a toaster that has a white and a brown slice of bread scaled to my SD's.
Oh, yes, always carry a measuring tape with you!