Calling All BLACK BJD Collectors, Are You Out There?

OMGoddess, you sound just like me, except I live in Ohio.

All of my Resinoyds (4 full dolls ad 6 heads) are Asian. Some are stylised and some actually look a little Asian. Do I care? No. I prefer the Anime asthetic anyway, but its nice to know that there is a company that DOES have more African-looking dolls. I do have a couple of them on my wish list, but I have to get a few more of my crew first, not to mention bodies for those in The Headbasket.

All in all, Its nice to see African features on dolls, even if I can't afford any at the moment. I just hope that its not a temporary fad and that they're still around when I can finally get them.

Ryu

 

It was a great moment and I totally empathise with you! I got told at school that I wasn't acting right and who are you trying to be? thing, because I basically enjoyed school....

 

I agree being 1/4 American Indian. I would love to see even one I have not. So I am in the works of doing my own by dyeing the tone of skin I am looking for. Not sure if I will use a reg dye or a tea base!
But also love seeing all. And yes u r right just not enough difference out there to pick from. Would love to see way more. We need to write these company and tell them how we feel. "more choice please"
And absolutly love the new Dreads M.G.
P.S. I am American Indian and English and as you already know I love all types of dolls. Yours are to die for

 

I am not black, but I have seen a surprising amount of blacks (mainly girls and women) in the picture thread 'My Doll and Me' or something along those lines. I don't think it's strange to see black people with white dolls, but I can see how that could make you feel uncomfortable. Growing up, I didn't have many friends, and I got picked on a lot even though I'm an average white female. People are cruel. I know it can be even worse for black people just because of skin color, and that's a terrible thing that people should never have to go through. But just know that there are other people who went through a similar experience and can relate on a certain level, even if we're not the same skin color

I think that the main reason why darker resin colors are limited in availability is because it is more difficult to make. They can only produce dark resin colors at certain times of the year (due to humidity and temperature, I believe), and it is harder to make the resin color even throughout. With time and perfected technique, I'm sure a wider variety of colors and ethnicities will be available. I was also interested in an American Indian BJD, G-MA. Once I recieved my Soom Chrom head, he reminded me of a strong wolf warrior/spirit, and I wanted to give him a Native American name. However, I think he looks more Asian than Native American.

I also wanted to point out that Dollshe offers some really beautiful, darker skin colors.

 

I'm not Black, But I am male. I have never met another male doll collector in person.
Most of my friends think I'm some kind of freak to have this obsession with dolls, so I keep them hidden away And Buy in secret! W
hich is sad as I would love to have a doll room again.
I have only recently go in to BJD.
I have a large collection of French antique dolls, Modern Artist bisque dolls, Revlon dolls and Almost every Billy doll.

Generally I dont have a racial preferance with them but I love the facial features of black dolls.

 

Are you, or do you know of many black collectors in the BJD hobby? I am a black collector and proud of it. To be honest I don't ever look at the race of dolls as long as they fit a certain character then i go for it. I do wish there were more ethnic bjds out there but I know resin is hard to blend without having any chemical problems. Glad im not the only one though. Oh and im a guy too so that just makes it even better lol

 

I'm black, a girl and extremely proud of it. I only go by character profile when buying dolls and because I'm a writer, I get to throw myself into finding the right doll for the character. Race doesn't mean crap to me, both in dolls and life in general. Iplehouse gets my vote on being the closest in terms of ethnic bjds imo.

 

Same here. I just gave up on trying to empathize with those kinds of people and did my own thing. I'm much happier in the process plus I loved school (not so much right now because I hate being a psyc major but too late to switch.)

 

(Raising hand)
Fluffy US based woman of color here. Our small doll club (just shy of 20) has 3 black doll collectors...myself, one wonderful gentleman from up north and my almost 12 y/o son. I'm use to being the only one, or one of a few, in most of my hobbies, though. Of course, most of my hobbies aren't considered "normal" anyway, so.... it is what it is.


As for the availability of other resin tones... I wish they were more readily available, but I'm glad that Iplehouse and others at least have the light brown/tan & ebony as an option. The extra $$ required to get them stings a bit, but I understand the (financial) reasoning behind it.


~Sonya~
Whose other hobbies are participating in the SCA and Middle Eastern dancing.

 

I'm part black and I am acquainted with one black male BJD collector.
AQueenOfAllTrades: I agree, I wish more BJD companies produced doll with resin tones aside from pale white and "normal skin" (is it weird I find that somewhat offensive?). I have noticed that Iplehouse and Dollmore have produced some dolls with skintones aside from the two mentioned above, and I'm really interested in acquiring such sculpts. As far as race is involved in my BJDs thusfar, they're all Asian, Japanese specifically. Like when I establish friendships and meet new people, race isn't an imperative factor when purchasing BJDs. If I like the doll's sculpt and I can afford it, I'm going for it. As in life and with people, I really do want resin diversity in my BJD family, and am aiming for such.

 

Okay, I'll join this one. I'm Black on both sides and white on both sides and I get mistaken for being Latino, Italian and even Asian which for the life of me I cannot figure out! My dad's dark brown while my mom's extremely fair. People ask me what I am I tell them that I'm black.
I have a lot of male doll collector friends, but even when I go to doll conventions, I only see a small handful of people of color there.
Now, I know that Granado is making an African doll and the sculpt is amazing! He's about the same height as the IH dolls with a similar build. If you go to their site and click on News and then on new sculpts you'll see it. I hesitate to put the link on here because I don't know how DoA feels about that company.

 

My 11 y/o son (whose bi-racial) answers that question with "I'm a polite human." The reactions sometimes are comical. Heehee. It usualy only comes up after people have seen him with his father, though. (sigh) My girls, who are almost 24 and 22, usually don't dignify the question with an answer.

I'll check out the site you recommended. I'm always interested in a wide variety of realistic sculpts, so thank you. :-)

~Sonya~

 

I have to confess that there are times when I get tired of being asked what I am and that I'm to "Exotic" looking to be black. I've answered the question with, "I'm the future!" That usually shuts them up and they spend the next several minutes trying to figure that one out, LOL!
To add to their confusion. My Husband is a nice Jewish guy from Brooklyn and we've been together for 24yrs now.

 

Lol. "I'm the future" Niiice! True, too. Congrats on 24 years!! It's always wonderful to hear of couples who can last that long these days. :-) Oh no!! Now I've got the lyrics of "Love Is a Wonderful Thing" running through my head. (sigh) Oh well...it is, so it's okay.

hugs,
~Sonya~

 

I'm half white, half black but since I don't look black people ask me where I'm from...they are never satisfied when I say I'm from Canada/my city! When I say I'm learning Japanese, sometimes they ask if i'm Japanese
Frankly, I don't see myself either as black or white, so I don't know what to say.

 

(sigh) Honestly, you'd think in the 21st century, it really shouldn't matter. I notice my surroundings...as in being one of a member of "the minority"...when I'm out and about more as a matter of curiosity than anything else. The rest really shouldn't matter. At least I think it shouldn't. I do wonder, though, when/if the rest of the world will get there. I surround myself and my family with like minded individuals, but I don't kid myself that everyone is like that. Someday, perhaps?

Here's hoping,
~Sonya~

 

Yeah, but that's a great song to have in your head, LOL!

 

Lol. It's a good thing that it is 'cause it's *still* stuck in my head. (snort) Every time I hear "the L word", Michael Bolton pipes up and starts singin'.

 

Well, I don't actually have any black male dolls right now, but Taregan is high high on my wishlist. I don't even have any SD sized dolls, but the first time I ever saw him, he just took my breath away. (and might I say yours is just perfect!) I would love to see more photos of him too if you ever get the chance, and of the rest of your collection too!

Anyway, I do have alot of dark skinned MSD sized girl dolls, more than fair skinned ones actually and most of the ones I have on ordered are darker too.

Hopefully this wasn't too far off this topic here. :0)