DoA Class of 2004 - where are you?^^

I was here in 2004, and I KNOW a lot of people who are still here were before me! I still feel like a newbie most of the time. And I'm old enough that it seems like just yesterday when I got started in all this BJD stuff!

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?
More Dolls
More types and styles and sizes of Dolls
More Doll Companies
More clothing, wigs, eyes available
More ebay listings
More people on DoA
More meetups
More of everything!!!
And More easy to get ahold of it all--directly from companies, using Paypal and CC instead of Bank Transfers and shopping services, sites in English. ... And the whole buying process seems a lot faster (despite all the angsty waiting on this forum!).

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change?

Not really. I started with my CP Elf El and added several other CP elves... Then gained a few Volks... Now am getting my first tinies--two Bambicrony elves. I still love my first boy the most and have been happy with all my additions!

Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?

Not really... I was into most all of it from the beginning. I wasn't going to get into it, but I did a few faceups and will do a few more. I've only tried sewing a few things. Mostly I buy-buy-BUY!!!!

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?^^
Well, there are new dolls all the time. And new people coming in and creating clothes and things. ... My attention span isn't THAT short! I can keep up a hobby for YEARS with no problem! We'll see after 5 or even 10 years, though! I like what I like and I don't change that much, although things do shift a bit over the years, I have to admit!

Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them!
Well... I guess I'd say that over time you can see dolls come in and out of favor and some will eventually show up in the Marketplace, no matter how rare. And that eventually someone will make the stuff you want--so it pays to be patient. That the whole hobby seems to keep growing and growing, so you never know what it'll be like a year or two from now!

 

Though I never really posted on the DoA Yahoo group, I read it occasionally. I was a lot more active on the Domuya forum, back when it was the really big BJD forum.

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?
Like April said, all of the things available has grown and diversified quite a bit. I remember when you could only order CP dolls through a shopping service! Now doll companies have realized there's a large international market and they usually make English websites for us.

Also, and I don't mean this in an offensive way, but the age of BJD owners and people in the hobby has gotten a lot younger since the beginning. Most people I saw back then were in their late teens at the very youngest. Now I see a lot of owners in their very early teens. I think it's really interesting!

We also have a lot more publicity now, I think. BJDs are showing up in movies, magazines, things like that. People outside of the hobby are becoming more aware of them.

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change?
My tastes concerning BJDs definitely changed. I remember being really into the more anime-looking dolls, and more into goth and punk fashion, but now I like more casual normal things. I used to think I only wanted one! That didn't last long. I've never really made big changes to my doll family, the only thing is that I sold one, but that was quite a long time ago. Other than that, no, not really! I've always pictured particular "characters" in my head, and they've stayed the same.

Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?
Sewing is about the only one that I've personally delved into. I always made things for myself, mainly cosplay, but then when I got an SD-sized doll, I was inspired to sew for her and experiment with sizing down patterns and making styles of clothing I wouldn't make for myself. Other than that, there haven't really been any amazingly new aspects of the hobby since the beginning, I don't think.

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?
I kind of do have the "seen it all before" feeling, and I haven't really discovered what to do about it yet. To be honest, because of it, I've really started withdrawing from the community and just sticking with my friends that have dolls. I don't really look at the gallery anymore. It's wierd, but I think it happens with most hobbies. I feel the same way about anime and television, I've become more picky about what I watch. But if I find some life-changing way to solve that problem, haha, I'll let everyone know.

Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them!
Like April said, things will definitely come and go from your favor! For those that are mad about the hobby spreading, don't stress about it, there really isn't much you can do! Imagine how us pre-DoA folks felt when a huge BJD forum emerged, haha. From what I've seen, I have a feeling that prices of dolls will slowly start to go down as they become more and more popular, because companies will have to have good prices to tempt buyers to buy their product. And I'm sure eventually American doll companies will appear (even if they may not be allowed on DoA), and they will slowly become more easy to get ahold of than they are now. That's just my impression, looking at trends I've noticed since I joined the hobby.

 

I think I joined just when Den of Angels was being made into a forum from the Yahoo group. Back when Luts, Customhouse and Volks were pretty much the only companies around. XD

I actually left the hobby entirely for about six months in early 2006, but I'm back, obviously. ^^ My tastes and opinions have changed a lot since then, which I'm glad for, since I think them a lot better now. XD

I've noticed how things have changed over the years, how things have become more or less popular, and sometimes overrun. Things are definitely much different from how they've been before.

I don't think I've seen it all yet, at least concerning sculpts and what companies produce. New companies and new molds are always popping up, so you're always being surprised.

I don't have any advice, though, if only because I'm too tired to right now. (7am, haven't slept yet XD)

 

I moved here from the Domuya forum as well.

The main thing I think that has changed is that in those days pretty much everone was dedicated to the hobby, and everyone looked out for each other. Nowadays there are a lot of more 'casual' doll owners shich is fine but, it makes things alot more impersonal.


I miss Uhelbert and her dolls!

My doll collection has changed alot since then, but I've sorta come full circle.

There are always new things, that's one good thing about it becoming more popular, there's news every day, whereas in 2004 you'd wait ages to hear about a new doll coming out.

I'm sad at how much the atmosphere has changed though.

 

I've been around since 2001 but became active a year later...

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?
- more human/realistic looking dolls
- taller AND smaller dolls
- new body types
- new resin types
- new colour resin [tanned, pink, purple, blue, etc]
- yes WAY more dolls
- more companies
- "cheaper" dolls
- more copycats
- more members who start making their own BJDs
- English company websites [YAY no more shoppingservices~!!]
- free gifts [like dolls, heads, shoes, clothes, etc]
- meetups
- and there must be soooo much more but atm I can't think of them XD

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change? Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?
Oh in these past 5 years that I have been buying dolls I've had 16 dolls and I sold 14 of them hehe. My tastes have changed to very human looking and VERY tall dolls...but a tiny would be handy >_>

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?
Of course after so many years you get the feeling that you have seen most of it, but because they come up with so many new things like new type dolls, new bodies with new systems [like squishy nipples haha]...just everything it keeps the hobby fresh

Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them!
hmm...I think what has bothered me the most is that, the secondhand value of these dolls has been dropping. New people aren't prepared to spend a lot of money on a secondhand doll, not even if they are limited.
Because of this, when sellers sell a doll for far below the normal price, the buyers [new people?] don't ask that many questions...they think it's "a lucky find". Which IMO is XXXX because why would anyone sell a doll for cheap.
So what I'm trying to say is: please watch out for these things, because if the forum is growing these things WILL happen more often and the amount of people who are being scammed increases too.


Well that's my point of view as an "oldie" ^_~*
Sabriell

 

I joined in 2004!

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?
Mostly a trend towards larger and more realistic sculpts, More new companies, more fans, alot more sources for props and clothing.

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change?
I think I invented my crew over a period of time. I no longer own any of the dolls I bought the first year. I had a variety, but when I bought my Dollshe Hound, he changed my whole viewpoint on what I like, and what I wanted for my doll family. So far, the change he started, has stuck.


Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?
I discovered photostories, and want to get better at them.



Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?^^
I am always learning, and open to new aspects of this hobby. Honestly, I still sort of feel like a newbie, even though I am not.


Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them!
Probably the only thing I can say here, is once you get started in these dolls, they have a way of influencing a whole lot of not-related facets of your life. I would alos advise newcomers to study, study, study, and don't make snap decisions regarding dolls. Buy what really moves you at a deep level, and don't succomb to having to have "the next latest thing".

In addition, don't expect everyone in this hobby to be nice, or to appreciate how you enjoy your dolls. There are alot of people who are very judgemental about the different ways people like to play, or dress, or face-up their dolls, and they can be pretty vocal about it. Don't let their negativity have any impact on what you enjoy about your dolls, or the hobby.

 

I was here back in the day - I was a member of the Yahoo group, but I never really posted much, I was good at lurking - I was pretty active on the Domuya forums back when they sold other dolls.

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls? SO many people are in this fandom now. In 04, I'd walk around a convention and see maybe one, two people who knew what my doll was - I had a well rehearsed speech that I'd give to people who asked me what it was. Now it's completely unnecessary. Also, the entire dynamic between dolls/owners seem to have changed. People don't seem to want to buy dolls to invent characters around, people seem to only want dolls to "house" characters they already have - Which isn't to say that didn't go on back in 04 and before, but it's so much more prevalent now.

Also, like everyone else has said - The sheer amount of doors that have been opened to over seas collectors. I remember when "English" versions of stores' sites were almost nonexistent, now almost everywhere offers some way or another to get a hold of their doll in America. Also, the shift in popularity from the "expensive" dolls to the "less expensive" dolls - and on top of that, the boom in dolls that are indeed less expensive as compared to what used to be available.

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change? Did you discover new aspects of the hobby? I've never personally sold a doll, however, the 'personalities' if you will, of my dolls have shifted and evolved over time - So yes, my tastes have changed I suppose, but I think that's really only a natural thing with time, not so much due to the hobby itself. As for new aspects - I think with the forum came a whole new onslaught of ideas when it comes to customization and clothes making, simply because I really had no way to see what other people were doing with their dolls outside of the 5 or 6 websites I had access to and people I talked to on the Domuya forums.

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh? In many ways, yeah, I do have that seen it all before feeling - I really try not to, but sometimes I just can't help it. I'm a cynic by nature, and with so many people posting about their dolls and characters, it's tricky not to feel like it's all becoming vaguely cookie-cutter. Though, I think this in part has to do with the demographic that dolls appeal to, and the largely similar tastes of the people who collect them. It's not a bad thing, but I would love to see things get shaken up a little now and then.

Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them!
Hm. I think the best advice I can give is not to let people get you down about your hobby - I mean, along with the growth in popularity of dolls, there's been a proportional growth in people who are rude and intolerant to us about them. It happens with everything - So, if the doll community continues to grow and evolve, I can only assume that the inverse of it will continue to do so as well - So...Just don't let the haters get you down. xD I guess, is the point of all that.

 

I joined up right about the time this place was a "new" forum. I never saw the yahoo group.

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?
Lots and lots of new dolls and companys a trend toward realism in headmolds.

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change? Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?My tastes havent really changed, though I did pick a more "realistic" style headmold for my doll who used to be a korean artist head. I also disciverd that I love taking apart dolls and blushing/customizing.

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?^^Long busy periods where I can't play with my dolls keeps things fresh.

Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them! Keep enjoying the dolls you have..howerver it is you enjoy them. Don't let the "fandom" or fans in the hobby ruin your enjoyment of it. Allways remember what it is that you loved about these dolls in the first place.

 

I'm a bit embarrassed to be posting here because although I did join ages ago, I've basically been a lurker. I have been more active in the 1/6 doll communities. (See number of posts and it's evident.)

My BJDS have come and gone during that period - I greatly enjoy looking at the larger BJDs but discovered that I gravitate towards the smaller sizes. Since there are more and more tinies being introduced lately, my interest has been rekindled after a very long dormant period.

I have a background in fashion but the career sent me over to the side of figures and marketing so these dolls have given me an outlet for my cooped up creativity - something for which I'm extremely thankful for.

I've also discovered many creative people within the doll community with whom to share and co-create, and it's a very wonderful vibe. The doll community's international feel is also a very attractive factor.

I thought this would be a hobby in the beginning (albeit expensive) but now, years later, I've come to understand it is my lifestyle.

And as long as there are new dolls, there will always be new passions.

Cheers.

 

I was part of the Yahoo group, I mostly lurked there too!

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?
I think the most major development is all the new dolls and new companies. There's a new doll almost everyday, and a new company almost every week it seems!
Back in the day it was harder to buy dolls, and even harder to buy stuff for them like clothes and wigs. Now there are so many different brands of clothing, eyes, shoes. It's really pretty easy to find what you want.
And the amount of people into this hobby now.
I remember the first meetup in Minnesota, there was 3 people and only 3 dolls, but we were so excited. Ah meetups are so different when there's over 20 people. I wonder what the newcomers think of such an oldie like me (even tho I'm towards the younger age end of the group)

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change? Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?
Well my crew has grown alot since then. But I pretty much knew what I was getting into. I don't think my taste has changed, but there's so many dolls to choose from now. Sometimes it's really hard to pick!

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?^^
No, I think the companies are trying really hard to provide unique product. Honestly a good portion seems to be all the same, but there are always really interesting dolls to balance it out.

 

Oh, wow, I completely forgot about the Domuya forums. @_@;;; I posted there as well, and a little bit on Etheral Angels.

 

Am I really an oldie? I don't feel like one really, cause there's always something new to learn!

Mandagore, I remember a lot of people who have vanished too. It makes me kind of sad...

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?
Let's see... the skin tone colors is a big thing. A widely available blue doll in 2004 would have been like, "What the?!" Even tan dolls weren't that common. A few CH uniques, but that was all.

Better company photography. Also, different styled faceups. They've become much more dramatic, even gothic styled. They used to be more popular with an airbrushed look.

Also, many many MANY more faceup artists! It used to be that there were only a few very good ones; now as the hobby gets more popular, people have more access to the supplies needed to be a faceup artist, and we're seeing more and more talent every day!

Also, many more people are making their own dolls! I love that, that's one of my favorite changes in the hobby.

I remember when hardly anyone had a Narin doll or an Unoa.

And I remember when Rasendou and Lovely House still produced BJDs.

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change? Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?
Actually, my tastes didn't change, but they became more defined. I actually prefer older dolls now(like the old Volks sculpts, etc...).

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?^^
I do get that "Been there, seen that" feeling sometimes. I keep things fresh by looking back. I look back at the good memories I have, and at the dolls I own and love and I don't feel so bored anymore.

Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them!
Don't get too cocky about your hobby: You'll only end up being unhappy if you do. More people means more ideas, which means more fun and friends!

 

O_x Oh yeah, I forgot about Ethereal Angels - I posted there too.

At Domuya I posted under the name "Megumi".

 

I've been around since 2003. I was a member of DOA when it was an email group. Because I'm an internet researcher and have never really liked a bulletin board formation, it took me a while to get back "on board" after the format changed.

What are the major changes and developments in this scene that you have experienced over the years you have spent with your dolls?

Most of the changes have been mentioned above: more variety in almost everything. I particularly appreciate the choices in skin tone, although there are also more choices with respect to size, style, and price range. The spectrum of artistry has changed, too. The biggest change has been in the age of the individuals who are purchasing (or having their parents purchase -- that's the BIGGEST change) ball jointed dolls. When I joined, the people who were purchasing these dolls were largely those who were more, er, for lack of another way to say it, settled -- people who had finished school and were involved in their professions, some who had children grown and gone already and thus had more disposable income. Now the range in collector age has really shifted.

I am saddened that the "hobby/lifestyle" has become so popular that the scalpers have moved in (although this eventually happens with almost anything that is perceived to be valuable and/or collectible) -- every person who purchases a doll and resells it significantly higher is making it that much more difficult for somebody who really wants a doll to get one. We know that emergencies happen, and so it is not about those unavoidable emergencies that I am speaking -- I added two "kids" to my collection that I would not otherwise have collected because somebody had an emergency and her plea moved me. However, please note that if you speak about being unable to bond with a doll and you haven't received it yet, we will not believe you. If you speak about loving a doll you've had for three months, and yet you're "sacrificing" him or her for double what you paid -- we will not believe you. Be honest. Or not. When we see the prices, we have some idea of what the original attraction was. Too, learn to be patient (it can take a very long time for our resin kids to come home -- sometimes in the area of six months -- Unoa preorders spring to mind here) and to be honest with yourself about what you can or cannot afford. If you wait for that Unoa preorder, your Unoa will cost in the neighborhood of $470 as a kit; however, if you absolutely positively have to have it RIGHT NOW, you'll be paying in the neighborhood of $1,000 and up. Do you really simply absolutely POSITIVELY have to have a doll, to the extent that food and your rent/mortgage payment are on the line? If so, perhaps you need to re-prioritize, and then figure out why that resin kid is so very compelling.

Did you reconstruct/reinvent your resin crew multiple times, did your tastes concerning BJDs change? Did you discover new aspects of the hobby?

No, my tastes have not really changed. I have added a few dolls to my collection that I never thought I'd purchase, but this has happened to many of the folks who became interested fairly early on. From the beginning I have seen the potential for creative play, dressing, customizing, assembling, changing, etc. However, for the record, I have only re-homed one of my resin kids, several years back. My colony has steadily grown, but the faces are all ones I recognize and love! ;-p

Do you have that *seen it all before* feeling, or how do you keep things fresh?^^

Yes, I do, but I reproduced porcelain reproduction dolls before I found Volks Super Dollfies, which were my introduction to the Asian resin kids, and so ball jointed bodies per se have not been new to me for a very long time -- composition ball jointed bodies were used on the French and German dolls (and probably others) in the 19th century. If I begin to think that the doll companies are temporarily stuck in a rut, I simply spend that much more time working/playing with my own colony of resin kids and wait it out.

Give the newcomers some outlook on what might lie before them!
Oh, the newcomers will most probably have to deal with total addiction and many meals of ramen noodles or macaroni and cheese (grin). Of course, many of our newcomers live at home with their families and can, perhaps, be prevailed upon to show common sense about doll purchases until they're living on their own dollar. After that, they're doomed.

 

Oh wow, the years pass so easily. ^^

I first joined DoA that summer before we switched from Yahoo! to here. That was back when Luts didn't have an English site, and we started getting tinies. Ah, times were pretty simple back then, ahahaha. Things were kind of difficult to buy, before most places adopted Paypal.

The biggest change is...we've gotten bigger. There are so many choices nowadays! I first learned about bjd in the fall of 2003, but I decided not to get into the hobby because at that time none of the dolls appealed to me. There weren't that many company websites to visit back then...nowadays you can spend forever looking up every doll available, not to mention different faceups and "real-life" photos.

My doll family has changed multiple times since 2004. My tastes in music, art, and TV have likewise changed, and every time I develop some new interest it is reflected in my dolls. I guess that's how it stays fresh for me; I like to try different clothing styles, and even different styles of doll sculpts.

As for newcomers...enjoy the ride. ^^ Do what you want and have fun!

 

Whoa I was there when it was still a Yahoo group, a lot has already been said, but I will admit this is a very EXPENSIVE hobby and is not for everyone. I had Volks dolls in the past and they are not really my tastes now since a lot of Korean BJD's are being made. They look more real and the varied skin tones and shapes and sizes are excellent. I am really glad to be able to get the dolls directly from the company instead of going thru a auction company, unless you want the limited Volks that show up on Yahoo Japan. So many choices and a lot of time to make them is the best I can say. Also use common sense when making purchases as well. While I love these dolls and have 5 now and maybe will add 1more, real life does happen unexpectedly at times and you will have to make choices if you want to continue with this hobby or not.

 

Been here since before 2002, before there was a DoA.

I wouldn't really consider myself "active" in the community, but I am still here. =^^=~~*