Choosing your first doll - How hard was it for you?

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
After looking through so many dolls, I made a list of things I was ultimately looking for to narrow it down, set a price range for myself, (Because I go through hobbies like my mother does clothes and didn't want to purchase a very expensive doll for a hobby I wasn't yet sure about) and made a list of dolls I liked that fit my criteria. In the end, though, I tossed my list entirely when I found Freya--it was impulsive, but she just seemed like the perfect doll for me.
And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
I'd really like to say it was as soon as I saw her, and it sort of was, but I kept weighing all of my choices then, too. It wasn't until my father and stepmother offered to pay for half the price of whatever doll I wanted--and order it that day--that I tossed caution to the wind and decided on Freya. (Who was supposed to be a different character, actually, haha.)
Did you get unhappy with your choice? Do you wish / did you wish that you've ordered another one?
Not at all. For a little while I was upset because Freya wasn't fitting her character, but I realized that the character I wanted her to fit just wasn't going to be her, so she became another character entirely.
Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
Iplehouse's JID Tatiana, and yes, I still own her. ^^
extra question: Were you even able to choose it? Was it a present?
Yes, I was able to choose, but I did have limitations on price--and gender, since my stepmother wasn't sure an anatomically-correct male doll would be great to have in the house at the time. (She's changed her mind once seeing Iplehouse's EID boys, though. ;3)

 

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
I didn't want to buy a doll until I saw her. (I was only researching to make my own when she seduced me.) So there was no difficult choice.

And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
It took a while. I saw her and thought she was nice, but then I kept going back and noticing more things and loving her more every time I saw the pictures, until I couldn't resist pressing "checkout" even though I should have waiting 'till I had more money and there was an event on or something. (And usually I have amazing willpower to not buy stuff.)

Did you get unhappy with your choice? Do you wish / did you wish that you've ordered another one?
No, I ordered one of the best, I'm very sure. :3 I have held her up to many other amazing dolls and she pales to none.

Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
Minifee A-line Ruth. I only just got her but I definitely intend to keep her! Even if I get tired of the head in the distant future, (not saying I will.. I haven't given her a faceup or wig yet so I don't know how much I love it, but I'm thinking she'll be really cute) this body is so well-made... it's definitely a keeper.

 

My first doll, I didn't buy a complete doll I just purchased a head from migi dolls. It was really hard though, at first I didn't know which one I liked the most. There are so many dolls that I liked, but then I saw the Migi doll head that just caught my attention. I loved the sculpt and so I just purchased it from someone. After I bought it I kind of felt regret because I could have bought a full set for the same price. But later I started to realize after I the order came that it was perfect. This is my first doll (head) that I will have and always love. Seriously after seeing it, I was just so happy to have it. That's when I really did know that it was the perfect first doll. I still own the doll and now I've just bought a body for it too.

 

When I finally decided to purchase my first doll, I was very fortunate to have a friend who had been involved in the hobby for several years /and/ was familiar with the characters I wanted to represent. Oddly, she was able to suggest dolls for the one char I thought would be very hard to /ever/ find a representation for. When I saw the Soom Corvi, I knew he was perfect right then. The hardest part was clicking the 'checkout' button for such a large purchase! In spite of having some initial difficulties with posing him, I don't regret buying him at all. I've only had him since December, and cannot imagine ever willingly selling him.

 

My first doll was an orientdoll IL. I chose him because.... well, because he was small and cute and had fluffy white hair, and he looked so pleadingly at me, I thought. I just had to buy him ^^
And it was a good thing he was rather cheap and he came with wig, eyes, clothes and everything, so it was easy; which was good, since I didn't really know anything about these dolls back then.

I've had Zasha for one and half a year now. I know there are better sculpts, and it's rather hard to find wigs and clothes that fit him since he's so small. But that doesn't matter. Zasha is my baby, and I spoil him and love him to bits

 

My first doll is an Angelhiem Luka the Pan. Originally I had a huge list of things I wanted, but most of those things were only avaliable in SD size, and are much harder for MSDs. Like, a more mature face, hooves, elf ears and so on. (My mum is scared of the dolls so I'm not allowed an SD until I leave the house ). I remembered seeing a DZ Megi on the site when I first started looking into BJDs, and decided that he was 'the one', and that was pretty soon in. (Like, 5 weeks of going from, 'wat am r bjd?' to knowing about them). Then after a few months more of research, I decided to go through every site linked on the company database here, and every doll. That was a mission, lol. Doesn't need to be said it took me a while.
But as I was going through the links, I discovered Angelheim, and the doll that had everything I wanted. Well, a slightly more immature face, but I love him anyway.
I went from being slightly unsure of what doll I wanted, after flipping between a KDF Bory, DIM Odelia and a DZ Megi to getting a Luka by the end of the week.
And at that point there wasn't any owner pictures of him. That may have been a total disaster! But the risk is well worth it, I adore him. Even if I was a bit uncertain, even to the point where I first held him; I knew I would have to get one that I was certain it would grow on me, I'm far too flippant for my own good.
But I still own him, and have now fallen into the 'character trap', as I consider it. I have one from the story - so why not get another to match? This is gonna get costly, even for BJDs, lol.

 

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
My friend and I have an ongoing story with two RP characters who are very special and important to us. I've always been interested in BJD and wanted one and it occurred to us that we should make Iris and Saphier. We ended up choosing Luts because as a pair we wanted two that would be compatible in size and make and ones that fit their character descriptions. We had looked around at several companies but the minute we saw the Luts Blanchet and Abadon we knew they were the two for us.


And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
I knew the minute I saw the Luts Blanchet that it was Iris. I was very picky, wanting a mature looking girl that didn't seem too young or too old. Iris herself is a very demure and at times a shy character and the Blanchet that was displayed suited her in every way from her facial structure to the body type.

Did you get unhappy with your choice? Do you wish / did you wish that you've ordered another one?
I never questioned my choice, even after they were ordered and when we started looking at more doll companies and other models.

Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
Luts Blanchet was my first BJD (I now own a FL Puki Sugar as well). I can definitely say I will never give either away. There's so much behind the character she was meant to be when I bought her that she's essentially become that character in every way, if that makes any sense. XD

 

Not very difficult actually. I knew some people who collected BJDs and had so many pretty pictures of their dolls until one of them showed pictures of their Elfdoll Alice Cherry Blossom doll. Instantly fell in love! But it took some time for me obtain her. When I got my job and attended FanimeCon in 2008, I saw the doll in person and I just wanted to have it so I purchased her. I'm still very much happy to own this doll She'll probably be my first and only doll for a long time.

 

Hi all!

I recently fell in love with Ball-jointed dolls. I still don't have one, but not for long I hope! I would love to welcome my first doll into my home and heart within not too much time. But there are oh-so-many types, all very, very pretty, and it's really hard to decide.

After having spent lots and lots of hours looking at pictures I narrowed myself down to fairyland-dolls, I'm thinking to start with a Pukifee. But that still gives me a hard decision between all those cuties. My favourites right now are Ante, Bonnie and Zoe.

The reason for me posting this thread is because I would love to know how you made this really hard decision. Was it love at first sight, did you do anything special (like flipping a coin...), or something else? What's your secret? How did you get to meet that special first doll? I hope that all your stories will make choosing a little bit easier!

I'm looking forward to reading all your stories!

- Wiske

 

When I bought my first doll, a Minifee, I loved her at first site. I had others that I was planning on getting but when I saw her I just forgot all about the other dolls and just had to get her. That's about it XD

 

Existing thread here: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...osing-your-first-doll-How-hard-was-it-for-you

 

Question:

For your first doll...should I getthe affordable one or the one who's design I like best?

I don't wanna buy an expensiveone and not use him all the time but Idon't want to get the cheap one and wish I had gottenthe one I fell in love with. haha

 

Queen Obvious, I think you should research what you want the most out of a doll. Are you in it for the posing? The aesthetic? The customization? Even if you get a less-expensive doll the accessories and clothing will add up. It's probably best to buy what you want. That said, I like a lot of different sculpts and I thought I'd go for a less-expensive DF doll for a couple of reasons.

One, many of the dolls I liked aesthetically were from Head-only companies and I really wanted my first doll to come as complete as possible. Two, the bodies are double-jointed and for the posing ability this guy has quite a bit of bang for the buck. Three, because he is less-expensive and non-limited I'm more likely to customize him into something really special. Finally, I had just enough to cover a doll, a wig I liked, and an outfit I wanted and I'm very poor at making decisions. I took the plunge because I had the exact amount needed. XD

 

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
I wanted a doll that gave off a particular vibe. I don't really know how to explain that...I was looking for a spark? A glimpse of personality that spoke to me or felt right in my hands. Other than that, I knew that I wanted to actually see the doll in person first and I wanted to find out if they made any with dark brown skin.

And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
The vibe was right, I could see the light in her eyes, and in my hand she felt...familiar and fit perfectly. The little face was cute without being candy sweet and it looked friendly. The "scary" part is that right after wondering about dark brown skin, I found her! I think that's a pretty good sign, lol!

Did you get unhappy with your choice? Do you wish / did you wish that you've ordered another one?
I'm not un-happy with her at all. I do wish she was easier to find shoes for, but that's not a real complaint.

Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
My first doll is a Bobobie March with chocolate brown skin, and yes, I still own Josslyn.

extra question: Were you even able to choose it? Was it a present?
Yes, I got to choose her. There were several other Marches in different colors, but I wanted her.

Depends on you and depends on what you mean by cheap, hehe. I actually fell in love with Josslyn before I knew her price. I'd only ever looked at Volks dolls before so I nearly died when I realized she was something I could actually afford. Would I like an expensive one? Eh, yeah if I like how s/he looks (like Iplehouse's ebony Ashanti ) Additionally, is there a reason why you can't have your cake and eat it too? If you love both the dolls, buy the less expensive one first and continue saving for the doll of your dreams. You'll have someone you can learn with while you wait.

 

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
I searched through website upon website for like a week and I just couldn't find the right one. It seemed so hopeless but I knew that I wanted to get one but I wanted one that fitted my tastes and filled my expectations...cause apparently I'm really picky when it comes to dolls XD But I was talking to my friends that talked me into them again and are getting some soon too. That's when I saw him! I nearly cried and my chest hurt looking at his picture. I knew that he was the one for me 8D
And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
When...I fell in love with him 8D
Did you get unhappy with your choice? Do you wish / did you wish that you've ordered another one?
I haven't gotten one yet, the first one I fell in love with I know that I'm going to get.
Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
I'm going to to be getting a Crombi doll for my first doll and I hope to have him for a long time!

 

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
I picked my first doll because well, my friend made a picture of my OC using a BJD picture and I thought she was fantastic since I first saw it, so when a friend showed me the picture unedited and the doll modeling the wig the picture was off I knew she was the doll for me.

And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
I knew it had to be her the first time I saw the picture, I had been looking for her for years (the friend and I lost contact so I couldnt ask her about it) and then well it was just instant I guess.

Did you get unhappy with your choice?
Not yet xD She isnt even home yet! I dont think I will, shes already very special to me.

Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
I'm getting a Luts Soo Special (the one that comes with two heads) and I plan to own her till I'm long and gone!

 

This is a great thread for people like me... who are still without dolls, but confused at the huge range of options ^_^;;

 

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
I actually didn't ever say "I want a doll, which one should it be?" For me it was, "oh look, dolls. OMG look at that one, I have to have him!" Before that, I'd never really intended on owning a doll.

And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
The moment I saw his picture.

Did you get unhappy with your choice? Do you wish / did you wish that you've ordered another one?
No, never.

Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
My DOD Wi was my first, and yes I still have him. He and I have a special relationship. =3

extra question: Were you even able to choose it? Was it a present?
No, I didn't choose him. He chose me. .^^

 

How did YOU decide which doll should be your first?
There were several factors and several dolls that I considered. I had already decided that I wanted my first to be a female, as I previously had only male obitsus and knew that finding clothes for another male would be quite difficult, and I wanted to make dresses without feeling guilty.

For me, I had a limited range of money I could spend ( Nothing over $275 without shipping), and I wanted to have a relatively normal doll at first, so no elf ears, hooves, etc. I knew I wanted something MSD sized also. In the end, I narrowed it down to my top 3 (AoD Fei, Doll-Catch Elysia and AoD Rao) and began to look up owner pics. From there, I decided that Rao didn't quite fit my tastes and found the few pictures I could find of a Fei gorgeous.

And when did you know that this doll should be your first?
When I had decided on my final three, I showed each of them to my boyfriend, as he'd have to see her as well. He looked over some owner pictures and admitted that out of the three he also liked the Fei sculpt the best.

Did you get unhappy with your choice? Do you wish / did you wish that you've ordered another one?
Right after ordering, I started reading about horror stories of dolls not matching with company photos, and noticed that most of the owner pictures of the Fei sculpt were not recent. I began to worry that maybe I would've been better off ordering one of the other two. However, once she arrived those worries were long gone.

Which doll was your first and do you still own it?
AOD Fei, named Helena is currently my first and only doll (expecting the twins to come in any day now).

 

When my sister first told me about BJDs for more than 1½year ago, I started searching a bit on the web. I found some really adorable dolls on the sites I got to mostly through Google. Then I somehow got linked to BlueFairy, and they had the most wonderful dolls! I instantly fell in love with Sarang. I continued to search around for some more weeks, and I still enjoy browsing for diffrent dolls, but Sarang has remained the cutest. So now I've decided to finally save money for a Sarang!

So for me, it hasn't been much of a question which doll I want the most, and which doll will be my first. ^^