Doll research *or* Buying too soon?

I did a few months research before I brought home my first doll, but I didn't bring home any of the face up materials, or a Magic Eraser or anything like that (I've found that in all the falls my doll has had since she's gotten here, a simple wipe with a soft dry cloth will take off any smears or dirt, so I think until I get a HUGE booboo on her, a Magic Eraser is a waste of money, but that's just MHO formed from my own personal experience with my doll.)

As far as people asking about maintenance of their dolls after they have their dolls at home, well, I agree that it's going to happen. Like anyone coming into a hobby, it is their money and they can choose whether or not to bring home the doll and then try and figure it out, or try and figure it out before they bring it home. It's like buying a pair of shoes online. Yes, it's smarter to go to a shop and try them on first, but some people want to have them home immediately and will deal with any problems once they have the item in hand. Its all personal preference, so I think that trying to justify that it is wrong for some to bring home a doll before they know tons about them is kind of...I don't know...not fair.

Don't get me wrong, I of course would encourage someone to educate themselves before spending money on ANYTHING...after all, its a smart thing to do! But some people have the kind of personality where they learn better and faster when they have something tangible in front of them...yes, they may end up damaging a very expensive item in the process, but that in turn only teaches more lessons. This hobby is very much centered around learning, so we should be encouraging people to do their research and try and help them as much as we can!

 

When I bought my first two dolls, I had done little research into the actual purchasing of - I had seen heaps of really lovely ones, and when I saw the CustomHouse Bisou Ai BonBon, who is going to be called Bina, I really wanted her. She was a very good price, I had the money, and I bought her. I then asked to change my order when they went onto a sale about two weeks later, as I really liked the Muu event head. She would be Alecto. So I got the company to change my order. I was really excited, and expecting the dolls to arrive in 5-6 weeks like the site said. A friend saw my FB status mentioning it, and sent me an invite to DoA. I then realised the problems with CH, and kinda wished I had looked around more, and researched more than I had. But then again, I took the company at their word on the website, I didn't think any different of it.

Following the realisation that I was in for a long wait, I started watching every youtube video I could on BJDs. Faceups, re-stringing, general discussions etc etc. It was all I did in my spare time pretty much.

My partner bought me a second hand Puki recently, and I am super glad that I spent so long looking at videos and things. I was a little surprised at just how tiny she was - 11cm sounds so much bigger than it actually is!! But after that, it was so helpful not to be worried about picking her up wrong, or hurting her. I had only played with Ashton, my friends SD boy before I got Porridge, and I if it weren't for the research I would have been terrified of hurting my little one! I know that while faceups aren't permanent, they won't fall off at the drop of a hat. If she falls on her face, she doesn't shatter instantly, she is fine and I can just stand her back up again. (She is very good at nosediving on tables). It was a lot more calming to know that I cannot hurt her!

I too get rather annoyed with people who have dolls and don't know what to do with them. For me, a lot of the questions are things that I think of as basic. I mean, I wouldn't put Sharpie on my skin, because it isn't all that good for you. (I also have sensitive skin). Same goes for nail varnish and wood stain - you wouldn't want it on your skin, surely that suggests it shouldn't go on the doll? With not using oil paints and the like, it comes from being allowed my own paints and art materials from a young age. I knew that if I wanted to paint inside and not put newspaper down, I needed to use watercolours. If I would put paper down, I could use acrylics. Oils had to be outside on newspaper. I mean, they don't give off fumes, but it meant that I knew that they were harder to clean. Same for oil pastels - soft pastels vacuum up, oils stain carpet.
I always find it hard to see dolls with things on them that shouldn't be - I can't help but thinking "I wish I could rescue you, I would keep you safe"

 

I think you could say I 'jumped right in' with my first girl. That said, I wasn't coming from a completely n00bish background. I've been making/designing cloth dolls for around ten years and have made some Sculpey dolls too. I was looking for a 'fashion' doll that I could dress up and customise, and knew of BJDs so stumbled across Luts, saw the HDF Candy, FELL IN LOVE, got paid a couple of weeks later and hit "BUY" In the interim I did a bit of research, bought some shoes and wigs on ebay, made some little clothes, and waited for her to arrive. I *shock horror* didn't even join DoA until the day she came home.

I was never interested in doing face-ups myself, so I only did enough research on that to know how they were done for my own information and to know what to ask if I commissioned someone. For other general maintenance, such as re-stringing, cleaning, etc, I've picked that up as I go from the handy threads on this forum!

I tend to think there is such a thing as over-researching these dolls, because you might get skewed ideas or expectations, or obsess so much over an idea that the reality lets you down. Having pretty much no idea of what was coming, I was thrilled x 1 billion when I got my girl and she was ssoooo much more awesome than I could have ever hoped.

I'm all for being impulsive, but then I'm mature and have a lot of common sense and an artistic background, so I wasn't going to do anything stupid to my doll like draw on her with sharpies when she got here

 

I did research. My girlfriend and I spent quite some time looking at dolls and reading about them, then we finally joined DoA, did more reading, and as soon as we were granted marketplace access, ending up buying two dolls in the course of one weekend. We're still doing research, we read a bunch of posts about eyelashes last night, and watched a video tutorial this morning before taking a stressful and long half hour to poke them in with toothpicks. It's a really fun learning process and despite all the reading we did before the firs box showed up at her house, we still have so much to learn. Am I concerned about people who jump right in? Yes, because I'm a worrier and that's what I do, but some people make out just fine without prior knowledge, and like I've seen mentioned in this thread, there is a log waiting period between buying the doll and receiving the doll that an excited owner to be will probably find themselves reading everything they can out of anticipation.

 

The funny thing is I've studied to be a professional researcher, and had researched BJDs somewhat obsessively before I bought one. The dolls I choose, however, were on a bit of a whim. I am awaiting my first doll, a Puki Pong, which should arrive sometime next week. I knew that Pukis were small when I ordered him, but I don't think I fully comprehended just how tiny. I have a Pukifee Ante on layaway now, which I think will be a better size for the projects I'm planning. I've learned a lot more since, and I find my understanding of my research is a lot more concrete, now that I've actually become invested in dolling, so to speak. ^^;;

 

I had joined DOA before ordering (or even finding the first doll I wanted) but I couldn't focus. Upon finding and ordering a doll, got me to researching it in the three months it took for them (ended up purchasing a second at the end of the first month) to get here. I've a whole document full of notes of I'd taken of tutorials. Still in the end yet everything is trial and error no matter how much you read up.. I mean .. I can read as many face up tutorials as I want.. it's not the same thing as doing it.

If I don't know what I'm doing I look it up. If I don't know what product to use, or if the product I'm looking at is safe or not I look it up, if nothing comes up I'll just not get it and move on to something that will work to my needs. I'm careful with taking care of my dolls in what I use, but can't always handle them with kid gloves either. Reading doesn't create experience, it's the hands on that does.

 

I am a research hound and researched these dolls up one side and down the other before purchasing. I learned everything I could before jumping in because they are quite an investment, as we all know. Hell, before I buy a doll I make myself wait about 6 months to a year just to make sure I'm not just reacting to rash impulsive desires. So I encourage folks to research heavily before diving into this...because its just for the best.

 

Purchasing the doll I've finally decided on, I've been doing so much research before I finally decide to put down the chunk of change. It's taken me a good couple of weeks before I finally decided on the doll I'm going to purchase. I agree with so much that's been said. Granted, I know I'm brand new to the world of BJD collecting, but with anything else that you're going to be spending a lot of time and money on -- know what you're getting first. Less chance of buyer's remorse.

 

I'm looking into getting my first doll and have been researching and asking questions like crazy. I also watch a lot of youtube tutorials and look up things I don't think I'll ever even need to do with my doll! I think there is a standard amount of research you need to do before purchasing one. You don't need to go all out but people should know what face-ups are (basic tools used to do them), how to string your doll, the difference in sizes and resin and things like that. I also think it's a good idea , if you know exactly what doll you want, to do some research on that specific doll just incase. I have a few dolls in mind and have been asking questions about each. There are also many helpful clubs on deviantart.com that provide help/tutorial/information on specific brands. In turn I am trying to get a few other friends into the hobby and relay all my information to them.

 

You make a good point, sometimes researching is not enough and you do need to actually try doing something (face-ups or string for example) before you fully understand it. I'm sure different techniques work better for different people and you only find what'sbest for you by doing it. Though some research is needed in my opinion.

 

I find it very hard to jump into anything so expensive but I do have my impulsive moments.

I learned about bjd's through my music fandom for Tokio Hotel after seeing Bill Kaulitz bjd's in meet and greet pics. They were gorgeous! I began to google them and was amazed at the amount of customization, the numbers of different styles, and the prices! I never knew a "doll" could cost so much until I realized the amount of work that goes into one.

Since April I've been reading about the dolls, looking at different sellers, comparing resins and facial molds, spending a lot of time on deviantart looking at owner pics, and finally coming to DoA to do some more reading. I was really looking for something to jump out at me before making a decision because this is a huge investment for me. I was still on the fence, asking myself if this was really a "responsible" thing to do or not, when I saw a wig on ebay that made me squee because it fit so well with one of the dolls I had in mind and I could actually, finally, visualize the character in my head. I immediately went to MoC and placed my order for a Ringdoll Spencer, one of my 2 choices.

I'm still reading up about the do's and dont's but a lot of it seems common sense. I'll be doing a lot more reading before my baby gets here. I can't imagine jumping into this without any research.

 

Okay, I haven't actually gotten my doll yet, but I am planning on getting him by Christmas or so and, despite all that time to research and stuff, I'm scared to death about something happening to him. There are still somethings I don't understand, like how to restring him or even what sueding is exactly(Which I am still trying to figure out). But somethings I know I'm not going to understand until I have him in my hands. Like if the doll clothes at the dollar store will fit a msd or something. So it could go either way for me.

 

I have been trying to do a lot of research, i find I see a lot of terms I am unfamiliar with. I thought there was a place here with information, a BJD101 if you will?

 

I joined back in Jan, and I've been doing research ever since. :3 A friend gave me an OT doll to start, so I'm going slow. I love knowing what I'm getting into before I jump headlong into it and spend more money than I've had in a while . I still don't think I'm quite ready for one yet. I want one right now, yes, but I'm not READY for one yet.

I need to learn face-ups, I need to learn stringing, etc. I've been doing TONS of lookin' about on face-ups and the like and, thanks to you wonderful people here, I've already learned to do a lot of things! :3 I have even made a fur wig. *claps* woo. I plan on even making a lot of the clothes for my Dollie when I do, eventually, get him. :3

Funny enough, I'm even researching drawing more humanistic artwork JUST because of these little things. I want to be able to portray my dollies characters!

So.. all in all, I feel that someone should learn about the BJD's before they just plunk down $200+ on one. Don't get me wrong, I've done my fair share of jumping in, but If I'm spending this much on something, I want to know what I'm doing so that I don't do something stupid and cost myself another chunk of money!

/rambling

 

Well, I'm a newbie and I've been asking a lot of questions and reading all the tutorials I can find. I've decided on the doll I want, I'm just waiting for payday. (And hoping the rumors of a bonus check are true.)

I'm also waiting to check my local Hobby Lobby to see if I can get the testors dullcoat. If I can, then I'll be doing my own face-up too! I even think I want to make my own wig. I've customized other toys before (My Little Ponies) so I am handy with hair and paint. I'll be trying my hand at sewing some simple clothes too, though shoes I'll likely be buying.

Anyway, I got a bit off topic.. In my opinion, it is best to at least learn the basic care of such a pricey item. I mean, I've already learned so much, including the fact that sunlight can yellow the resin. I'm super glad I have been researching, because I would hate, hate, hate to ruin a $250 doll because I put her in a sunny spot or something silly!

To each their own, but I do feel research is a good thing. At least the basics of "do and do not" so that you don't ruin your doll!

 

Yes, my friend and I actually do a ton of research on our dolls, especially during the waiting time for our dolls. We want to make sure that we do NOT do something wrong when we do get our dolls. We knew there were things you had to do in order to care or to do faceups and such. But we did a ton of research and occasionally re-research everything to keep our brains fresh. I believe it's necessary that everything does this. But those that don't... O.o; I don't know how they could do that.

 

I made sure to do research even before considering buying a doll. As an artist, I all ready have most of the natural things needed for doll care (pastels, brushes, acrylic paints) and after buying the doll, I bought more needed supplies (like the cleaning supplies, so I know that what I'm getting isn't out of date and potentially dangerous.) I'm still not too sure on how to restring my dollie, but I'm figuring it out, after asking help and advice around the forums. But for someone to just jump into the hobby without even seeing what the dolls are made of and what kind of care is required is somewhat foolish and undermined. That would be like a mother wanting a baby but having no money or means of care for it (I've come to realize I use a lot of mother related analogies...) but its true. Its about careful research so your doll doesn't end up melted, broken or ruined and all of the invested time, money, energy and emotion doesn't go to waste.

 

There is much about BJDs that I learned through other dolls, and more that I am adding to, more knowledge now. I have not bought my first BJD and though I only joined a few days ago, I have been a lurker here for almost two years. ^_^ It took going to A-Con to realize that I personally wanted to make the leap. However, with such an expense, and the emotional attachment I give to every object I own (I cried when my camera got busted; Cried hard) I would not want to ruin it due to ignorance or stupidity, especially something so beautiful.

Growing up, I never owned anything nice so I'm more careful than most. Growing up on foodstamps tends to make a person that way. ^^ So I will continue to save money and research and when I have money, be scared and chicken out, and get brave and then chicken out again before I ever buy my first doll. I take none of this lightly.

So, long LONG story short, I would have to say that I agree, a person who is going to take care of a doll's entire well being needs to know what the hell they are doing. It's like having a baby and asking if you can give it straight cold cow milk as it's laying in the crib. T_T

 

I didn't start doing research until I found the doll I wanted. I then did the basic care research, then ordered the doll.

Now, as I wait for him, I'm spending time looking up faceup techniques, material preferences, and other things that occur to me and make me curious. Happily, as an artist, I already have a lot of the basic materials I'd need to work with my BJD. The only thing I'm going to order, next week or so, is MSC UV cut.

I guess I just ended up spacing out my reserahc a bit, first finding out the bare minimum, and then finding out the other things that I know I'll want to do. I know for a fact, though, that when my BJD gets here, everything will be ready and waiting for him.

Simply put: Start. Procrastinate. Do the interesting bits. Have everything ready - just barely - by the due date. Exactly like a school project, but more fun.

 

I have been doing research for a few weeks now and I can't wait to to order my doll. I still haven't decided which one to get. I'm really trying to find more info on how to do face ups and what I need for them. I really excited about my new hobbie.