How did you know you were ready to buy your first doll?

I looked at bjds online years ago and remember thinking that they were pretty but impractical for me at the time. Oddly enough I was reminded of their existence this past fall when someone I follow on Facebook got her first bjd (A Mystic Kids Lillian I wanna say), and I was reminded of how pretty they are. I've also hit a point where I want to practice sewing some more, and doll clothes would be fantastic practice, so I started doing a lot of research and looked at a lot of companies. I put about a couple months of research into it and waited til I got a new job before seriously considering purchasing one.

My goals were to stay on a low budget, MSD or smaller (so she won't be too big for the apartment), and have her be a fantasy sculpt. I had considered a Doll Legend Lianyin, but I couldn't find any owner pictures and I didn't want to drop $200+ on something I couldn't see normal pictures of first. After looking all over the place I fell in love with Resinsoul Bei, and the owner pictures are gorgeous. Along with meeting all of my goals she also fits Barbie clothes, so it gives me a reference to work with when sewing. So at the end of October I went ahead and ordered her, and got her last month. So far I've sewn her a skirt, working on a shirt now. I'm so glad I went with Resinsoul instead, it was the better overall option for me!

 

When I'd found a doll I really liked. Obsessed over her for a while, and agonized over the price. Finally I managed to justify the expense to myself, since I can use her to model the doll clothes I make so she'll "earn her keep" a little bit.
All together it was at least a five month process before I'd committed to getting her. ...It was worth it though, I really do like her.

 

I think getting your first bjd is scary. You always wonder "what if I don't like this hobby? What if I don't want this doll? How do I take care of it? " it's a lot to think about. I thought about it as I looked for my first doll.
I knew I was ready when I had a job to pay for the dolls. I didn't even start looking until then. When I picked my doll I just got one I really liked in my price range and I had a friend already in the hobby and she promised me help and she's kept her promise. I always was scares I wouldn't love my dolls but when I got them I'm crazy about them.

 

I really wanted a doll, and my birthday was around the corner. My first doll was cheap, and a YoSD to boot, so I didn't have many reservations about spending alot of money on a doll I couldn't manage. If you really want something, and have the money for it, you should get it!

 

I thought I was content with Pullip and Blythe, and that I could just admire BJD from afar. But the more I saw, the more curious I got. Then I found a reasonably-priced BJD on ebay through an old Dollmore agent, and just bought it. In hindsight it was pretty impulsive, and had I waited, I'd have probably just saved up for my first real BJD love faster since Volks opened their US store/site around the same time and I was pining for a Kun. So, I don't know that I ever knew I was ready, I just did it, heh.

 

I'm not sure if I ever thought about if I was ready. I definitely spent a good year browsing different doll websites, debating which one I wanted as my first, but as a teenager who wasn't paying rent I had a good amount of disposable money! I guess somebody is ready as long as they won't break their bank when buying one?

 

I almost stumbled into it to be honest! I had been working 2 jobs at the time and when my last check came a sale was going on. Now I have to say seeing a 60~ and up inch doll in numbers and in person was a really different feeling, all I was thinking was how huge my doll is haha. So if you're looking at those sculpts just be really mindful of the space you have available.

 

I had been looking through various websites for a while looking at the variety of dolls and thinking how lovely they were but I fell in love with the face on the dollzone Elsa.

I did some research reading reviews etc and looked through the owner pictures and still liked her so that was when I started saving for her. Once I had enough I placed the order. I still have no regrets about buying her.

 

I had spent time with a friend who had SD sized dolls and I knew those were too big for my taste. They were too heavy, too awkward and just not for me. Then she brought home an MSD and I started to fall in love. I liked the look and size of that type of doll so when I decided it was time to take the plunge, I took my time wandering around various sites and looking at different faces/ heads before I found the one that I just kept coming back to. So I bought my first doll (a Dollmore Suntan Asha) and I have yet to look back.

I'm apparently a total pushover too because my initial vow of never owning SD-sized dolls didn't last long and now I own two.

 

I really liked the idea of the customization of bjds as both a costume maker and a writer. I could make costumes and create my characters. At the time, I didn't know anyone who was even remotely interested in dolls (actually, most of my friends were scared of them) so I didn't buy one. Then I moved into a dorm when I transferred to a new school and on my floor, there were regular doll parties because there were so many girls with bjds. Since I had people to go to events and do photo shoots with, I decided it was time to get one.

 

Honestly, I had loved BJDs since i was in middle school (2007) and my best friend introduced them to me. Of course when i was in middle school they were too expensive and my parents would never buy them for me. Back in 2014 I really thought i wanted an Azone Doll, i ended up buying one for my little sister, but nothing for myself. Then sometime in October of 2015 i thought of buying myself a Dolfie Dream Doll,.. but then i rediscovered BJDs after browsing Pinterest for Dolfie Dreams.. and i fell in love all over again..

I finally gave up and made the leap to buy one in December and i hope i never look back! I'm totally in love with BJD beauty and many sculpts have captured my heart! now i just need the monies to buy everything i want!

 

I'd been looking at them for a really long time and hesitating because of the price. For years. And then one night, I was just having a bad day and I was looking at the sculpt I ended up buying and I just decided to do it. It was a sort of impulse purchase in terms of timing, which is unusual for me, but I don't really regret it. My doll brings me a lot of joy and I've been learning so many new skills working on her.

 

I searched for the perfect sculpt for around two years and during that time I switched around a lot in terms of what doll I wanted to buy and what was in my price range etc.. There was a lot of saving and research involved and by the time I actually found the one I ended up getting it was almost an impulse decision? Regardless I am very happy with the choice I ended up making !