Doll plans for 2025

Omg my favourite thread every year (every year full of unfilfilled promises and lies to myself.... but also some inspiration and challenge)

So, apaprently, last year (2023) I had such solid plans:
making clothes, making wigs, taking tons of photos, creating dolly profiles, cutting down on some resin.

Things I accomplished: obviously, nealry NOTHING

So, this year, I'd try to accomplish the following, but I'm less and less hopeful lol

+ make SOME clothes
+ maybe make some wigs actually
+ take just enough decent photos to create dolly profiles on DoA
+ find new loving homes for my resin crew FS
+ avoid temptation to bring home any new resin.

But the question on the "break from the hobby" is an interestting one too! This year I was sooo overworked (up to 90h per week), so there was no way in hell I could doll. I sacrificed my health for my job, and in turn, to soon by my own flat (I hope it goes well sooo much). So right now, this is my priority, obviously. That's why I've decided to part with even more resin than I'd have otherwise.

But it's been a good year anyway. I am grateful... so grateful that I managed to bring back home my OC in its original form of Migidoll Jina. I didn't know I'd been missing him so much (for like 9 years) until he go home So I hope that 2025 is sort of similar in that it doesn't need to be full of intense emotions and dollying, but I might get to have just a littl emore time for some modest dolly fun

 

for me it's currently:

• buy bodies for the floating heads I have right now (oops!)
• get wigs/eyes/clothes for the dolls who need them
• try making wigs and/or sewing clothes
• most importantly: stop buying things so impulsively LOL

 

My goals for the coming year are:
Customize dolls into my dnd character and her friend by the NYC con in March, which means:

• Making or ordering eyes for both
• Faceups for both and color matching the head of my girl to her body
  
• style wigs for both
• and making a basic outfit for each (I have designs for formal ones but they can come later)
• Bonus: make a bag to bring them to the con in (I need to come up with the pattern first, which means math ><)

Finish customizing the two boys I've been working on for probably 2 years now (eek!) This includes

• color matching the ear mods on one
• faceups for each
• making their clothes
• styling their wigs

The only doll buying plans i have (not counting crafting materials or like..shoes) is to get a body for an off topic head for a different dnd character i have on order, which will also be my first (and only it seems) 1/4 scale doll (everyone else is 1/3+). There are a couple other characters I'd like a doll of (my Rook from Dragon Age 4 mostly) but I might just dig out one of my hoard of fashion dolls for that, or wait and see until near the end of 2025, since we're hoping to buy a house in the first half.

 

I am trying to keep new dolls to a minimum and sell more to try and keep in balance. Sadly I have a lot with sentimental value which doesn't help. I am constantly in need of clothes/wigs/shoes/etc. I also splurged on a Volks FCS that won't be here until April! I keep saying just ONE more doll LOL! But my buying has slowed A LOT so I'm pleased with that.

 

2025 will be a 'focus on my current project' year and I've already done all buy and sell through 2024 so :
no buying new doll
no selling doll too

• I will mainly work on my current doll photograph project (And try to finish them)
• Doing some sewing/knitting for my doll
• Maybe take a faceup class if Volks open one, already prepare the practice head.
• Waiting for my favorite dress maker to open their store/pre-order and buy those I've my eyes on since last year.
• Edit : Ah.. Yes, and I have to continue my doll storage re-organize. I was almost finish at some point of 2024 But then the stuff increase and now I need to redo again

And that's it for 2025 !

 

2024 was not a great year for me; due to several big, stressful and expensive life events i had very little time or energy to put into my dolls or any of my other creative hobbies, and even less money to spend on any of it. really hoping 2025 will be better all the way around!

ideally in 2025, i just want to have fun with my hobby again! the majority of my dolls are finished at least to the point of being in a displayable state; i'd like to do a couple small things here and there to spruce up and refresh those ones, and make them some new clothes i have ideas for.

then i have one girl who's about half finished, and a hybrid girl that i have all the parts for but just need to do a bit of modding to and assemble. i'd like to finish both of them...

and i have one beat up old project body that i'm in the middle of modding and repairing-- i'd love to finish that project and work some more on sculpting a head for her, as well as sculpting my own head for a Resinsoul body i got just for that purpose back in 2023.

as for buying-- assuming that everything goes well and i continue to recover financially from the disaster year that was 2024, i really only want to buy two bodies for my last two floating heads. and a hand replacement for the girl who broke 2 of her fingers completely off this year. (she's my oldest doll AND the first case of broken fingers i've ever had!) i don't want to add anybody else this year-- i have enough dolls to finish to keep me plenty busy and realistically i probably won't have time to finish all of that! plus i have all the characters i really wanted to make now, my display shelf is pretty much full, and i have so many ideas for sewing and crafting for the ones that are already here.

hopefully i will get to do a lot of this-- good hobby luck to me and everyone else in this thread in 2025

 

2025 doll goals

Work on current dolls, buying them things they need, like more clothes and shoes. I want to try my hand at face ups too. Complete all layaway. 2 dolls in layaway right now. Begin sewing doll clothes.

 

It’s never too early to plan! I’ve done better than expected with my 2024 goals once I decided to fit everyone in my Free Lands world, rather than treat them as actors. It’s focused my efforts and increased my doll play & crafting.

For 2025, I will keep it simple:

• Complete 15 characters (outfit, mood board, character history, personality and Doll Profile)
• Review & update the next story chapter
• Some knitwear, if my hands are up for it

 

Ooo love these talking about doll plans threads!

For 2025 I want to:

• Keep buying fewer dolls. I was lucky enough to get some sculpts that I had my eye on since I started this hobby and the difference between my ongoing interest in those dolls and the dolls I purchased just because they were "close enough" is big.
• Buy or make shoes part 2. I did an order of mostly shoes from Alice's collections and it really helped those specific dolls feel "finished" in a way that they hadn't before.
• Clarify doll ideas for characters; original and artist inspired. Acquire materials and craft faceups, clothes, and wigs for those dolls.
• Sell some dolls that just don't fit or spark joy anymore. After finding bodies for a bunch of floating heads I noticed that the drive to do something with some of those dolls had disappeared entirely.
• Re-organize my doll display area and make a place to hang photography backgrounds.

Good luck for everybody's doll plans in the next year!

 

I've got a lot of plans, hopefully not too ambitious.

• First and foremost, organize my room so my dolls finally have an area to just live in peace. Side goal to this one is to try to find some furniture my dolls can sit on/lay on.
• Find a body for a custom Dollfie head I had made. No floating heads in 2025!!
• Design a custom outfit for my Dollfie and possibly make it myself (if I fail miserably, next step is to find someone more talented than me to do it).
• Expand wardrobe for my Luts Senior Delf. I'm probably just going to buy some because I'm too impatient.
• Buy a new wig for my Ringdoll and style it myself. Also change the eyes to new color.
• Paint a tattoo on one of my dolls.
• Figure out how to get an earring on my doll without piercing the ear.
• I would really like to buy a male Smartdoll in 2025 because I heard the new model may get released next spring/summer. Not sure if it's true, but if it is, I will be in line to buy one.
• Get my first female doll (I only have males at the moment) Though, I'm willing to put this one on hold if too many setbacks in other goals.
  
• Attend a doll meet up! I've never been to one before.

 

This is a good way to plan and later to look back to see how much of the plans were actually fulfilled.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions as they say.
Anyway: right now I have 2 dolls total, without faceups or body blush, plan to do those myself. Make their wigs. They have some clothes and shoes but need more, I have fabric and some baby clothes that I will repurpose for casual everyday wear. I started an ambitious project making a Versailles style dress for the lady and thinking of a matching outfit for the gentleman. And I have a head without a body, will need one. Haven’t decided which body I want for him.
To accomplish all this I need to finish setting up my workshop. That means I have to put a few things into the attic. To do that I need light in the attic. Etc. one thing pulls up the next. Right now the place is slowly getting in shape, I have 2 desks in there, one for computer, one for sewing machine, a wardrobe, a little cupboard style room is filled with different tools. Some shelves for materials. Looking good. I hope I can start working in there before New Year.

 

I think my plans for 2025 will be

. Actually give faceups to the various dolls that are currently blank
. Cut down the number of dolls I have and refine my collection (that’s the one I voted for) as there’s a few I’m just not bonding with at all.
. Learn to sew and make wigs
. Try not to buy any more dolls unless absolutely necessary. This would be a body for a floating head, something that epitomises a grail idea or Fairyland rerelease Realfee Pano and/or make Obi in Realfee size!
. Lastly I plan to make little detail sheets for each of my dolls with all necessary information at hand

I think that’s about it.

 

I have quite a few dolls that just need face ups, so since no skills will task that to my daughter in law, Redmaiko. But I do have a couple that need homes, need to not add more as room getting snug, as well as need to decide what props and furniture items need to go as I prefer photos outdoors with dolls and so do I really need all these bits and pieces to make fake outdoor photos? Maybe not.

 

What doll are you looking for? I have the same issue as far as too many! as well as too much doll stuff in general that I am hoping to sell some.

 

:Editing because it's still 2024 so I am letting myself change things up >:] :

• Buy new dolls/ heads / bodies -> Mostly looking for an El, but may allow myself 1 other 'temptation' doll (like Peakswood haha)
• Sell some dolls -> I have 1 full doll and a couple heads / body that I'd love to sell
• Do at least 2-3 faceups on existing dolls
• Buy or ensure that all of my existing dolls have at least one character specific outfit
• Attend a BJD con and acquire some goodies there! Really looking to replace my group's eyes with resin eyes

I'm very easygoing about the hobby though. Other than attending the con, I'd be fine if I accomplish none of these goals. The hobby brings me a lot of joy no matter what; while I don't need the stress of failure weighing on me, it would be nice to knock some of these out over the next year

 

Tw: obvious depression

Spoiler: Nevertheless, 2025 goals

I kind of assume my 2025 will continue in the way of the end of 2024, if it doesn't perhaps it will be a pleasant surprise. My negative feelings about the hobby overall have far overwhelmed the positive. I have a hard time imagining I will be involved much with my own dolls or the community. I'd like to say I plan to sell more as I leave the hobby, but nothing sells, and that just makes me feel worse.
The most positive thing I can say is that I will hope I can maybe salvage any remaining good relationship with the hobby I had loved for over a decade. I don't see myself buying anything at all. It would be nice just to keep some of my independent activities, take occasional portraits I like, maybe take a doll to the park, and have what I need to sew again so I can enjoy that aspect. I think about how much I want to sew a lot, and I know I would enjoy that as always, but then I just feel sad again for not having the time or resources, needing a new sewing machine.
My biggest goal for 2025 is if nothing better, not do anything I regret too much in the end. I've already sold many dolls that made me so sad I'm kind of numb to it now. I feel like I can imagine if I make a long move again just leaving them all behind because it's getting hard to care anymore. I just hope whatever happens works out for the best.

 

A few things:

● Commission face-up + hands blushing for my R. Hyperon
● Potentially commission color correction dye and new face-up for my Luts Salgoo.
● Learn to re-string so I can re-string (+ suede) my R. Hyperon as well as my older dolls.
● Expand wardrobe for my Souldoll Seo Jeong-U and Soom R. Hyperon.
● Purchase a new closed door glass display shelf OR clear up my bookcase to be used for display.
○ Buy BJD stands
● Take more photos!
● Create a few doll profiles!
● Maybe sell my Migidoll Cho. Still thinking about this one.
● Maybe purchase one doll. Not sure which character I want yet or if I have the space!

Primarily, I will be focusing on my current collection. Good luck to everyone in 2025, may you achieve your goals!

 

Plans for 2025, it all should be doable.

(1) The only major resin I want to buy this year is the body for the floating head. After I receive it, I want to have a time-out from buying and waiting for new dolls for at least 4 months, preferably longer (preferably indefinitely). Buying option parts for the crew is allowed. (Mar) I find myself waiting for no resin. I'm waiting for some doll body releases so I'm holding off on completing the floating head ... who knows when those parts will be available. Maybe I can start counting my time-out from now? (Jun) Well, I bought a pet BJD - only had a no-buy rest for 3 months. But I also bought the body for my floating head.

(2) Complete the two dolls (1 full doll, 1 floating head) I bought in 2024 and integrate them into the crew. By 'complete' I mean that I can already recognize them as my OCs. (Mar) The 1 full doll has arrived, and I can already see her as Zhara. I'd like to get her a certain wig, but she's basically done! Moving to goal (3) to get her wardrobe.

(3) Acquire all the themed outfits I need for the newer dolls - kimono, modern suit, and set of casual clothes. I plan to sew all kimono and most of casual, and will buy things if that works better. (Mar) In progress with ordering things and sewing clothes for Zhara. (Jun) Still haven't sewed kimono for the dolls who need them...

(4) Sew new doll covers (sleeping bags) and a new carrier. I have all the materials already and it shouldn't be too hard to do, but it's a new thing for me to learn - just gotta sit down and focus on it. Kinda high priority, because I have big dolls now and they barely fit into my existing carrier. (Jan) Finished making the sleeping bags. Carrier next. (Jun) No action on the carrier yet.

(5) Doll cosplay (1st priority): it's time I did that Star Wars Jedi cosplay that's been in my mind before I went on my long BJD hiatus! I already have an in-scale lightsabre! I'm sure my local doll friends will do another Halloween meetup like they did in 2024, so have a Jedi costume made by then. (Jun) No action on this cosplay yet - better get onto it!

(6) Doll cosplay (2nd priority, it's OK if I don't get to it): Severian (book character) cosplay. The doll is here, and I might have some clothes and the shoes already. I'll have to do a bit of sewing, and then figure out a way to make or 3d print a mask and a sword - the bigger challenge.


Other general goals:

• keep on refining my crew - I want to get new eyes and wigs for some of them. Getting new eyes for a couple dolls; thinking of new eyes for a third. Otherwise, everyone's pretty set.
• Keep on sewing and learning new patterns - get more familiar with pants and button-down shirt patterns, start learning how to make lined clothing and outerwear.
• Learn how to use things like closures, velcro, zips, elastic in my sewing. I used velcro for the first time to sew the doll sleeping bags.
• Furniture/props: I want to source a folding screen with slats, and maybe another large piece of doll furniture. But I expect to be moving house in 2025, so might hold off on this until I'm sure of my housing situation. Got a doll chair, which is welcome. Maybe I'll get a second one...
• Keep on doing what I love in this hobby: pose dolls, take pics, tell stories. I especially want to do more wuxia & flight types of photoshoots, and continue taking outdoor pics. Always in progress. Hoping to tackle flight photos in May/June.

 

My general goal of finishing the dolls I have remains the biggest, but I have a pretty clear idea of what I want to do in the coming year.

• Find and purchase the remaining bodies I need for all floating heads
• Catch up on faceups for friends as well as for my own dolls (executive dysfunction be like)
• Go through each doll in order of acquisition and do general maintenance (restringing, cleaning, etc.)
• Try to photograph and do something for dolls on their arrival anniversary!
• NO. MORE. NEW. DOLLS. (this is the most important xD No new heads or full dolls. Only bodies for heads I already have.)
• Do that one photostory I've had planned since 2015 so my characters can move on.
• Write more about my dolls' characters and stories. I have so much in my head I'd like to write down finally.

Once all my dolls are completed, or completed enough, I really want to do a deep analysis and see who I still want to keep and who can move out and move on. I know I will regret selling a doll before I finish them, because what if my feelings change once they're all done up how I originally envisioned? So it's a waiting game. I do what I can when I can.

 

My list changes every year, usually by the end of January, but my current plans:

-Get Esmeralda home and paint her
-Get Ida & Ivy home and paint them
-Find a head for a body I have coming for Christmas
-Get more clothes, shoes and accessories (especially for Vayne, Alicia, Nina, Esmeralda, Ivy & Ida...deciding exactly what I want will be the hard part.)
-Get better at making clothing, especially suits/jackets.
-Shell Geno
-Possibly add some more Nothing Sapiens creatures to my crew if I manage to have the money for the preorder
-Possibly shell Misty, Mindy or Shana (RP side characters with potential to have their own stories)