'Cabinet Babies' or Playthings?

I am much more of a cabinet collector type than a... player, ahaha. I do like to pose the doll but only for photos, other than that I let them in their cabinets.

 

I enjoy posing them and having them out, however you can't just 'play' with them like a cheaper doll or put them in certain places, I agree it is a but of both.

 

Mine are definitely no cabinet residents. They sit directly next to my bed where I spend most of my time. And I always play around with them when I watch TV there or sit in front of my laptop.

 

Mine are now in open an cabinet(no walls). Ready to be played with or just sit and watch the family.

 

It depends on the doll. Some dolls are done up very extravigantly with a delicate face up, a fancy wig, and big flowing dress, or other attire that would make it difficult to really "play" with. Other dolls are done to be played with.
Personally, I play with my dolls. they just wear normal dresses and will watch movies with me or surf the web.

 

Personally, I treat my dolls as play things for the most part. I only keep them in their boxes or "on display" when I'm not playing with them, and when I say play I mean that I handle them, dress them, photograph them, etc. Some have received damages or some yellowing as a result but that's expected when you handle something quite regularly.

 

Mine are a bit inbetween; for the most part, my dolls are on display or even just in boxes, but I will take them out the pose and play once in a while (and I would love to take one to a convention someday!)

 

mine are play things for sure! i just love posing and dressing my girl, and i mean what fun would it be to buy these dolls if u never even touch them? :/

 

I have not made it a habit to carry my dolls around with me but now that I see how others do that and the great pictures that they get, I am going to try it. My dolls are small so it would be easy to do. That being said, I do play with hem a lot at home. I like to change their clothes and fix their hair. Sometimes I make pictures and sometimes not. I always thought they were meant to be played with though,and that is why I got them.

 

Oh I play with my dolls for sure. Why else would I spend the money. Dolls are toys, meant to be played with.

 

I do display my dolls, but they're definitely not "cabinet babies". I carry them around my house (Tyler and Sini are sitting on my desk cuddling each other as I type this) and I take them places. I love dressing them up, posing & photographing them. They're definitely play things for me. I feel as though just displaying them and never playing with them would be kind of a waste, as I love them and think they're definitely meant to be appreciated and enjoyed.

 

This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, as I've had my dolls in boxes for the better part of four years.

When I first got them, I kept them next to my bed or computer and played with them all the time. I'd dress them up and take pictures, or take them to conventions and meetups and carry them around in my arms. Over time, I'd start covering them with a thick cloth in order to avoid dust and sun damage, only taking them down occasionally for photos. I moved a lot in 2008, so they were in and out of boxes for a few months, and were in more than out due to the chaos that is moving three times in four months.

In late 2008 I got a kitten. I knew synthetic hair is a very bad thing for cats to eat, and I knew there was a chance she'd damage the dolls with claws/teeth/knocking them off of shelves. I was also concerned about yellowing resin, especially with two tan dolls and one white. So into the boxes they went, and in the boxes they stayed. They've come out probably five times in the last four years.

I guess it's easy enough to say I'm a "cabinet collector," or I've outgrown the dolls, but... I sort of miss playing with them. Maybe putting them on a shelf or in a box is a side effect of getting older and busier?

 

Technically mine aren't "cabinet babies", they're "bookshelf babies"

In all seriousness it's about a 70/30 split for my girls when it comes to this kind of thing. They all get off their shelves for photo shoots. But there are only a few that I'll bring out and have hang with me just for the heck of it and not for photographs. And that's just around the house; I haven't gotten up the courage to take any of my girls out and about with me.

 

I take mine out to just sit with me while I watch tv (and knit or crochet for them while watching). I sometimes take Molly with me as shes easy to take along (yosd) when I go to visit my mother or when we go for a ride or something. And I take them along when we go to our summer house at the camping cause I want them with me and am used to having them around so I can make something for them when theres nothing else to do. So cabinet babies... not really. During the day they lie in their sleeping bag above my laptop. Safely away from sunlight, pets and little hands (4 year old daughter). But at night when I have the chance the are sitting next to me on the couch or on their own chair.

 

I would love for Freya to have a nice glass cabinet or a book shelf set up to display her and to decorate with props, but I dont have anything like that yet. And I don't have the space currently. So, she sleeps in her box but I take her out for a few hours a day and let her sit on a bench on my desk.
I feel better about her just being in her box, because I know she's always safe and nothing can happen to her. Im very careful with her but she def gets lots of play time!

When I move though, she's def gonna have her own little space.

 

Because these dolls are jointed, I think there's always the temptation to constantly pose them and just fiddle with them in general. However, these are indeed very expensive items, and most doll owners do consider them to be pieces of art, so it makes sense to be very careful when handling/playing with them. I myself consider bjds to be like interactive art: part of bjds' purpose is to be interacted with, but it should be treated with respect and care. Then again, I would also understand those owners who solely displayed their dolls; they are beautiful to just look at.

 

I think that BJD owners should be able too do whatever they want with their dolls! If they want to have them as "Play things" or "Cabinet babies" does it really matter. It's not your doll they're doing it with. It does kinda bother me to see people playing around roughly or just leaving them in a cabinet not giving them love or attention but I just take a breather and think "Hey it's not my doll, so I should stop letting it bother me" anyone feel the same way?

 

I agree with youngbjd. But, I also think there is no purpose in having a BJD if it's just going to be bought for display. Play with them and love them! But, that's just my opinion. It's probably not even valid since I'm the one who treats her dollies as her own children. >_>

 

I didn't see another thread like this, but if there is I apologize for the duplicate and invite the Mods to do as they see fit.

Are your dolls a visual thing for you, or do you enjoy handling them and having them be something you can hold? Is it all you need to have them on display, or do you like to touch them?

 

I love to hold my doll and have her sit on my lap while I browse things online. I'm a hands on person so I wouldn't do well with a display only doll haha