How do you collect?

I like to look at dolls and think what niche they could fill in my doll family. Are they the pale one? The one who always wears dark clothes? The ginger freckly one? Etc. that way I already have an idea when they arrive. But I don't really like ordering stuff BEFORE they come for some reason, which leads me on to...
Given the choice, I prefer fullsets, just because I like my doll to arrive and already have something to wear that suits her. However, as time goes on and I get more confident and build up stock of wigs and clothes, I feel more able to find my dolls 'look' without worrying so much!
I like to have one doll's default look ready before I move on to the next, unless a limited arrives that I can't resist! And if I get a doll and I don't fall head over heel with them, I want to find them a new home. There's no point me keeping a doll that someone else could be enjoying more than me!

 

Depends on the doll. Hoshi had clothes, eyes, and a wig before i bought her, aria came with all her stuff, apollo only has eyes and wig, abadon has clothes and a head, but no body yet haha.

 

I like to have complete dolls. I don't like them floating around half naked and bald or blank. All of my accessories finally came in so everyone will be complete upon arrival (except I need shoes for Parker but I'm not worrying about it yet). I'm a little anal about it I guess.

 

My dolls are never 'complete' anymore than I am - ie multiple clothes; shoes; wigs; even eyes. What I have are a group of cosplayer dolls who have their own 'identities' as well. So when I started ordering dolls I started buying up wigs that I knew I'd need for various cosplays - same w/shoes & eyes. I also started making clothes & costumes. At this point (having gone a bit shoe/wig crazy) I've a huge box of both plus lots of clothes that I've made or bought cheap off the Marketplace (or when one of the doll companies had a sale). I have bought full-sets as well. So when one of my wishlist dolls gets here I go to my box o'wigs/shoes/outfits & try stuff on till I like the look.
I change their outfits/wigs/shoes ALL the time as well. Although each of my dolls does have a certain style to them!
Right now I've got ten completed cosplay outfits LOTS more to go LOL

 

I sort of do it like this:

I decide on which dolls I intend to buy, then begin to save for them and meanwhile I look for clothes, shoes, accessories, eyes and wigs for them . So even if I can just buy one doll at first I still look for items for the other ones I intend to buy later. So lets say I own doll A but find the perfect pants for doll C which I don't own yet. Then I will buy the pants anyway because I know they will be used when I can afford the doll they are meant for.

I am very focused when it comes to my dolls. So if I have decided a certain order to get them then I stick to that. The only time that might change would be if the doll that is at the top of the "to buy" list will still be available for a long time but I receive a notice that a doll that's perhaps second on the list will be discontinued. In such a case I will buy the one that won't be available any more first .

 

I used to be so good at making sure my dolls were clothed before I bought a new one, but now I had a guy lying around without an outfit for like six months or something.
I want to get better at buying clothes again, so I've promised myself no more dolls until I have some of my "grail outfits" home. Let's see if I can keep that.

 

I was thinking recently and was wondering how you all decide on how to do your doll hobby collecting?

I tend to first wait for a doll to "wow" me that fits my personal aesthetic and will add a new element to my existing collection. Then, I think about the face-up. This can take a day or a year. It really depends on the doll. It is not something I force or expect to adhere to a particular order. Instead, I prefer it to naturally flow and reveal itself with time. I take the same approach with eyes, because once I find the right pair I do not change them. Sometimes, I get the eyes first. Other times, I do the face-up first. And, then, sometimes I do both at the same time. I prefer to let things fall into place in their own time.

I am always on the look-out for wigs, shoes and clothes. I will buy used or new, and I am always looking for mix and match pieces that will work for a variety of looks. That way, old clothing can work for new dolls. I am also big on socks, because a pair of socks can transform an outfit and give it a fresh look. I tend to have a monthly budget for these items and buy them as they come up. The dolls are budgeted separately.

I did run into a few snags lately with doll additions. It seems that dolls have been popping up like mushrooms telling me to pick them before they are gone. December was the FCS offering the origin body. Then, January was a Volks AE where I bought a YoSD. Then, I had to adopt a Tenshi in March since it was indicated that it would be impossible to do so later on. And then? A wish list YoSD appeared. I decided not to get the wish list YOSD and felt that if it were meant to be it would wait for me. I simply do not want anymore dolls to deal with at the moment, and I want to invest more time with what I have. My joy comes from "playing", not adding new additions, and I really had to take a step back from buying.

Sometimes, the timing does not work out, but I have learned that with patience anything is possible.

 

Before buying I always review all my collection (what I have, what I don't), then I always have lo-o-ng search period (when I watch different photos, read about authors (it's very important for me) and so on).
Usually I have an idea about doll before owning, I do spontaneous shopping never.
I don't like small childish dolls.

I haven't got enough skills, but try to do all things on my own: make up, wigs, clothes.
I can buy ready staff or order make up only when I'm curious.
Sometimes It's just way of travelling.

 

If collecting ball-jointed dolls follows earlier patterns of mine, I am definitely one who is enabled by others with my collecting! I will see a photograph, or have an idea that inspires me to look for other examples of something. That leads to my own interpretation, and bit by bit I will gather my pieces until I feel that what is in my hands accurately portrays the image I had in my mind. My projects tend to be drawn out because I like to research and learn new information, but I think that is where much of the fun comes from - it's the journey, and not always the destination (although that's definitely always an exciting promise).

 

I certainly prefer to have the ones I have at least have wig/eyes/outfit/shoes before I get a new doll... but the problem I run into is limiteds. I think it's an issue with everyone who likes limiteds, or companies (like Volks) who do most releases that way. I was going to get that girl her own body, or get that one another outfit, since it's been nearly two years and she only really has the one... but then some newbie pops in and says "you must buy me" and there go those plans. I could get them in the aftermarket, but only if I love them so much I'm willing to pay 3x the original amount.

Sooo, in reality, I'll get a doll, usually fullset or floating head depending on finances, and they must wait their turn to become the character I want. The fullset dolls will not be naked, yes, but I rarely bond with a fullset doll in full default state. I don't even post pictures, because they look the same as everyone else's. I'm usually not happy until I've at least changed their outfit and wig, and while I have some extras around, they aren't enough.

Maybe once I've secured all the dolls currently on my want list (excluding project dolls that I intend for time consuming makeovers) then I'll be able to focus on clothes and shoes more. It's not like I have none right now, I just don't have as many as to make a full wardrobe for every doll.

 

I can't seem to stop adopting dolls that are looking for a new home. The ones I've gotten already had their faceups since I'm new to this hobby and was afraid to even think of getting a blank doll.

Blueboy57, I think I'm a lot like you - I have several BBB dolls that I gradually started with, which turned out to be a great decision for me. I wasn't afraid to take them apart for restringing or sueding or switching eyes. I have no set idea of who the doll will become, so I search the internet for things that will work with a particular size doll. None of my dolls are what I would consider finished, but I'm still looking at dolls to add to my family.

I've never ordered directly from a factory so my dolls have arrived very quickly. When they get here they tell me who they are, usually starting with their names. As I work with them they start to get a personality, so I know what items they need. I recently started touching up faceups, and I have a couple blank dolls now that I'm going to experiment on.


Minn (BBB tan March), Pinn (BBB tiny Erin), JoJo (BBB green elfkin), Luna (BBB NS elfkin), 3 other BBB elfkins who are unnamed, Kimmi (Bambicrony elf), Julie (OnlyDoll yo-sd), Lu (Volks Tanpopo), Amber (FastasyDoll), Izzy & Amelia Thimble, Quinn (Orient Doll 20cm Joong Wol), Jenny (Souldoll Eun Jin), Annie (Pukipuki)

 

I'm a slow and relatively small-scale collector. It was over two years before I got my second and third doll, and one was a tiny girl that cost less than $100 and the second was a gift from a friend. It was somewhat recently, within the last half-year, that I bought three more dolls for myself, but I recently realized that two of these dolls (the gorgeous, expensive ones of course) weren't right for me, so once I sell them, I'm back to four dolls, and only two left on my wishlist.

I want a small collection so that I can shamelessly spoil the few dolls I have, and I do. I've bought my first girl several pieces of clothing and shoes, though many pieces don't work out and end up in a sales thread. I often buy things for future-planned dolls, so my girl on the way already has two outfits, eyes, shoes, and a wig. I like buying full outfits if it's something I really love, but I also like buying individual pieces to mix and match. And I prefer to buy 'in bulk', rather than just a couple pieces here and there from a company, because I hate to waste on shipping. I now use Pinterest boards to keep track of my wishlists categorized by company, and even give star ratings to prioritize what things I want most/soonest. Sometimes I also check the Marketplace for a few chance finds, but it takes a lot of energy to comb through thread by thread, haha. I don't buy faceups because I do them myself, and I usually prefer a basic nude doll over fullsets so I can use the saved money on clothes and things that fit the doll's concept.

I can't really buy a lot though right now, since I'm unemployed and live with my parents, eheh ^^' . My highest priorities are getting the last two dolls on my wishlist, and after that, it's all about shoes, clothes, high-quality eyes, and wigs! All the rest after the dolls aren't as urgent, and they can wait until I get a job. I also 'categorize' my dolls in my mind; half of them are 'light priority' and the other half, which I consider a set, are 'heavy priority'. So I also plan what to buy based on that. Basically 90% of my browsing and purchasing focus are on my 'heavy priority' set, haha.

ali

 

I choose dolls that fit my characters, and I usually try to shell them either in order of favorites, or in the order characters are created. I try to get the doll first (or head and body, if it's a hybrid), then get wig, eyes and first outfit while I'm waiting. Once that is done, I can move on to the next doll. I don't think a wardrobe is ever fully complete, so I just fill that in as I find suitable stuff.

As for what screws up plans? Finding a doll i know I want at a great deal sometimes makes me put others off to get that one while I can. Also, if I find that perfect body or head and may not have another chance to get it. Also buying a doll and not liking the head or body in person, then selling it to get something better. The doll may end up in parts for awhile. Mige was a floating head for 7 months until his body arrived, then I decided the head was all wrong, but the body was perfect, so now he's been a floating body for 4 months and counting. Poor guy! But it will all be worth it when he's finally right.