Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

Being influenced by friends was not a factor on my doll. In fact, all my friends think my Cae is "creepy" ;_; It hurts his feelings.

Researching, saving tips for 6 months, that was all my decision without any outside factors.

 

I think this is true. Opening that box and seeing your doll in person for the first time is very different than looking at pics on a website. Also, it can take a little time to know what to do with one, lol. I loved my boy from the moment I opened the box, but it took a little bit to feel fully comfortable handling him--I had to get to know him, I suppose.

 

Yep, guilty of getting Nikki to fit in with friends. But that doesn't mean that I didn't do my homework on him first, or that I don't love him. I read and read information about dolls from different companies, restringing, face-ups, sewing, drilling earholes for earrings, sanding, tatooing, buying wigs, comparing glass and acrylic eyes, photography, etc., etc. before I made an informed decision about whether I would be able to handle such an expensive child. And it was worth every minute.

I'd say to those people who don't do their research and end up ignoring his/her BJD dollfie because they "don't know what to do with them", to please just get a cabbage patch doll and be done with. BJDs are like pets; they need a lot of attention and responsibility.

 

Not exactly...I do give mine a lot of attention, so the pet analogy would work ok. I personally feel that the more I put into them, the more life they have (they are more than just dolls to me), but that's just me and I can't expect everyone to view their dolls the same way that I do.

More generally speaking, they don't have to be like pets. They don't need attention, and not dropping them and not displaying them in sunlight doesn't take that much responsibility--nothing like an animal that must have food, water, vet care, and attention. Nothing really bad will happen if someone buys a doll and then decides for whatever reason the hobby isn't for them.

It's also true that researching something isn't the same as actually doing. It can give you a stronger base to start from, but it's no guarantee that someone will be happy with their doll or like the hobby in the long run. Some people who are unsure at the beginning will stick with it in the end, because it just took them a little more time to bond and feel comfortable with their doll. I wasn't interested in playing with dolls as a child, so when I got Hikaru, it was a very different experience for me--a good one full of wonder that anything could be so beautiful, but also of being slightly intimidated (obviously that passed pretty quickly ).

Now if someone decides to stick with the hobby, then they will need to read up--especially if they're going to want to try faceups or modding. However, some people naturally just research as they go along rather than do the bulk of it at the beginning.

 

I don't even have any dolls yet, but since I got interested, I've been doing a lot of research, and that's part of why I joined DoA. I want to make sure I know all the basics and that I really do want a BJD before I drop $600+ on one. I've been known to impulse buy, and then end up with things I never use (just ask my Ab Lounge (exercise thing) or Rock Band drumset...), and I don't want to make that mistake this time around. I want to fully understand the attachment people develop to their dolls, how to handle them, etc. before I make this commitment. I think it's been a couple of weeks now, and I still want one, so that's a good sign! (See I really am an impulse buyer!!) I think one of the things that's really keeping me interested is the possibility of making and selling doll clothes. I am a sewing newb, but I'm finding it very enjoyable, and would love to have a use for it after my sewing class is over.

 

When I ordered my boy, I did months of research about how to take care of him and how to make sure I didn't discolor his resin. After I got him, I did MORE research about the faceup process to ensure that I didn't do something stupid (I'm still learning, but I'm getting better at it- I've redone it a few times and plan to redo it again here in the near future) but I made sure I knew what was what before I even dared to touch his face with anything colored, and I've got a good supply of magic erasers on hand to deal with everyday oopsies like a bit of discoloration from clothing.

Probably the only thing I didn't research in depth was restringing, which I already had a bit of experience in- having helped a friend restring her dollies years prior to getting mine. I knew the basic idea, but I wasn't expecting my Ducan to be strung so.... oddly, in comparison to hers or in comparison to another friends Kara Klum.

 

I've been researching these dolls since May (I saw different people with their girls and guys in the Artist's Alley and fell in love.) and I think I've finally decided. I found a sculpt I adore (B & G Freya) and a character that's been forming in my mind for awhile (Her name is Kirstin.) just sprang forward and shouted "I like THAT body!" Apparently, she was going to be my first BJD all along.

I've been looking up tutorials and care instructions for ages, so I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I don't trust my skills with a face-up as of now, so I'm paying for the company to do one. I'm also picking out a few sets of clothes for her to wear while I go through my trial and error phase of sewing for her. All I have left to do is finish budgeting our my Doll Fund, and then I'll be set to order.

I plan to continue reading tutorials and order her after Christmas, since I'm bound to get some money then. I'm really excited, since I've always loved dolls. And since I'm buying this one myself, my parents won't be able to control what I do with her. (They never did let me open those 'Collectible Barbies' they got me - Shame, since I believe that dolls are meant to be played with.)

 

Well, I haven't really done much research yet, but I wasn't expecting to own a doll for another couple months. XD Now I suddenly have a doll thanks to my best friend, but he's already got a faceup and been sealed and everything, and she's offered to do the work for all the rest of my dolls, so I have no issue with letting her. I am not artistically inclined (well, any art that involves a variation on drawing or painting), so any faceup I attempted would turn out badly. I'll stick to knitting clothes and accessories for the dolls, thanks. XD I already know to keep them out of the sun because of what she's told me. And any time I'm not sure of something, I just ask her and she tells me. So I guess I'm a bit spoiled anyway, since I can just ask her anything. I don't really need to do research. XD

 

mine can sit for weeks on end by themselves just fine. my cat cant. BJDs are not, not at all like pets. i think 'need attention' is untrue. they take knowledge to take good care of them, they certainly dont need attention - they dont actually feel anything, or breathe

i feel like researching and doing are different, but honestly when i got my dolls they were what i expected i planned for a year, was pretty much on DoA every day for months reading everything, and when i went to a meet when i didn't have a doll (even though i talked to no one) i knew more stuff than some of the owners there. that felt kind of odd. so i didn't learn much in the resin that i didn't online (then again, i guess id 'seen' BJDs before, even if i didn't interact)

 

I came to this rather backwards-I was making dolls and wanted them to move and started looking at BJDs to see how their joints worked. Then I found the Limwha site and fell in love.

I've been reading about them for months, and will continue to do so. I will start putting back small amounts, but since my heart is really set on a big doll, I don't think I'll have one for a long time. I would really like to find some folks in my area (Lexington, KY) who are having a meet so that I could see some in the "flesh" as it were.

 

I totally agree with the bit on research.

Hopefully, in December or January, I'll be able to order my first doll. One of the things I noticed was the option to order the doll with a face-up or not. Being someone who has done art for a while, I feel comfortable doing this on a $300 doll (or even more, the particular doll I desire happens to be that price). However, I wouldn't dream of doing this without using the proper materials.

Completely aside from that...someone somewhere in the world worked hard to make these dolls. It's a bit disrespectful to their labor to not do the necessary research in order to keep the doll in good condition.

 

This is something I've been debating for a while. I recently discovered BJDs and fell in love with them, but I don't know if I know enough to take care of one, let alone the time and money to invest in them.

 

They aren't that hard to take care of. If you start getting into customizing, then that takes more knowledge. Basically, don't drop them, don't leave them standing unattended without a doll stand (just in case), and don't have them displayed in a sunny spot (prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to yellowing in NS & BW dolls and fading and color change in colored resins). I handle mine a lot without any problems, though I avoid touching their faceups--I don't want dirt and oils from my hands on their faceups--the less wear and tare they get, the longer they'll last.

Make sure to completely read the description of what you're buying so you know what it comes with (a lot of dolls come bald and naked). Other than that look at lots of pics and figure out which dolls you're drawn too. The money thing, however, can be tough

 

I did a lot of research before even deciding to save money for my first doll. I'm just like that, I love information and suck it up like a sponge. It wasn't a special fit for dolls, I tend to do that for anything I'm introduced to and interested in. Before I got my Chinese Crested I read EVERYTHING about Chinese Cresteds. Same with my samoyed dog. And computer. And guitar. And...

But of course... To me, the doll hobby isn't just about the one (or two, or seventeen) doll(s) you own, it's about the whole... concept of BJD. I don't do my own face-ups (yet) but I still want to know exactly how to do it (and not to) because it's part of the hobby.

 

I am a big fan of starting simple and learning as you go. I did just purchase my first doll, but I made sure I read enough on here, and other sites, to understand what I was buying and what I would need to do with her to make her what I imagine. She was on the lower end of the price scale, which was a happy coincedence, as well.
For now, I don't plan on doing faceups or modding, so I am good. Later, if I decide to buy more dolls and feel more comfy, I might learn more about those things, but since the aesthetics I prefer are very naturalistic it would really just depend--I don't see myself wanting tattoos or piercings or unconventional makeup on my dolls. I might want to learn to do faceups, but I am such clod with that type of thing, I would be too afraid I'd mess her up.
However, I understand what you all mean about lack of preparation. I am big dog person--I love my wheaten terrier, Riley, with all my heart. I researched the heck out wheatens and puppy care. I read three or four books, talked to multiple breeders and owners, and went to a billion websites before that precious bundle of fluff landed in my lap. I was horrified talking to a girl at a party who didn't know the first thing about puppies--she just bought hers on a whim and had never had a dog before and did absolutely no research.

 

To be completely honest, I was sort of one of those "impulse buyers"
I saw so many of the beautiful dolls at a convention and 'had' to have one. I asked simple stuff...their original start, where and when...what sort of clothing is available, and how many people in the area collected as well. And the woman was amazing and gave me a buisness card with her SN on DOA so I can ask whatever I need. After attending a sort of panel about BJD's I understood their origins a lot better, but outside of that I was like "Hmm...what to do?" So I asked what a face-up was when it was mentioned, I asked what made them so special, I asked what the difference between a "fashion doll" and a "BJD" was. It was all things I probably could have researched before-hand, had I not impusivly bought. But...if I hadn't, I wouldn't have heard of DOA, nor the BJD world in general. The one girl at my school who collects as well is a closet-collector outside of Doll panels and meets, I didn't even know she collected until I went to the panel.
I know now what is bad and good for her, and I've made her clothing based on lots of helpful DIY's on here and other sites. DOA is a good learning place for that sort of thing
Though now, I've decided to do a lot more research on my next purchase. I love my BBB darling, but I want a DIM. The more I ask, the more I learn.
Why not let the sillies ask if they can use a sharpie! Best let them ask rather than do it and complain about it later! O>O

(By the way, I posted this after reading the initial question, not the comments )

 

I started researching heavily after I ordered my first doll (Lati Yellow Coco). I had seen her on the Blythe boards and thought of her as a nice complement to use in Blythe photography. However, after I came to this board and started to learn, I found out just how amazing bjds are and I like them as much (or more) than my Blythe girls. I also had an AOD mini Liu Yin at home before Coco arrived (I bought her from the marketplace). Bjds are addictive and there is always more to learn. I think whatever way people feel comfortable coming into the hobby (jumping in or lots of research first). However, they are just dolls and taking care of a living pet is a far more serious venture. Our dolls are wonderful, but they are inanimate objects, not like a puppy with a beating heart -- that is serious and needs responsible ownership.

 

The person who compared BJDs to pets, I have to say I strongly disagree with you. I have many pets and they require a lot of care and attention. I spend about 3 hrs minimum a day with my horses (caring, working them, cleaning paddock) and that's just the minimum amount. My animals are alive and they have feelings and needs that must be met.

A BJD is just an expensive resin doll. It aint going to care if I toss it in a corner for a few days and don't look at it. What it comes down to is that it is just a piece of plastic in the shape of a human.

I think people should do a bit of research before they buy a bjd but I don't think buying everything you need for a face up is needed. I think it's a better idea for 'first time' doll owners to pay for a face up to be done by a professional rather they then do it themselves. I have seen some horrific examples of first face ups. I also think that maybe if it is your first time doing a face up you should do it on a 'spare' head e.g. if your doll came with a sleeping head BUT it already had it's normal head painted by a professional.

I think that once you have the doll you can continue your learning about restringing from trial and error. I had read many tutorials before I got my first doll about restringing. I believe when the doll was in my hand I learnt more by studying the doll rather then the tutorial.

I think it is okay if a bjd is an impulse buy. It allows the owner to see if they like the hobby or not. I mean, you can do months of research before you buy your first doll and then once you get it you might realize the hobby is not for you. It's not as if it's alive or anything. If you figure the hobby is not for you then sell the doll and move on.

 

The funny thing about that is that I refuse to have a car until I know how tu change tires, repair engine, how to fill a car crash repot thingee proprely...
I think that indeed, some people buy prematurely, and I think I did on a way.
I waited nearly 6 months searching like you infos about BJD, but I still don't know how we exactly do a face-up.. Anyway I don't do face-ups.
The thing is that you have to ask your questions to yourself before crying for help. Like when I received my first doll, I had to restring it, and I didn't know how to do it. But I all learned it by myself and I'm really proud of it!
But anyway, we still have to prepare ourselves a long time before owning a BJD, that's my opinion.

 

I'm doing a ton of research, but not exactly because I want to know how to care for my dolls and whatnot, but it's just in my nature. If I get interested in something, I want to learn everything I possibly can, even if there's absolutely no reason for me to even know some things. But I only started looking at all of this about a week ago, and I plan on getting one in around a month. That's not to say I just found out about these things recently either, I've known about and have wanted a BJD for years, ever since I was looking through someone's CG drawings and came across someone's BJD gallery.

It's alright if someone doesn't know everything about these dolls, and in fact, some things you can't learn until you experience it firsthand, so no one's saying you have to know everything right away. But I think people should find out the basics if they don't know them as soon as possible, whether they looked everything up before they got one, or they just got theirs in and are looking for tips. They're very expensive, and while you'll learn some things through trial and error, it, of course, it'll be nice to be able to avoid a lot of things without having to see why for yourself