How exactly do YOU go about 'explaining' BJD's?

I just say they're ball jointed dolls that are fully articulated are made in vinyl and resin and are fully customizable. One of my friends on dA was like "Lol I hate dolls I used to break my Bratz and barbies." after I was telling her about my dolls...Kind of made me uncomfortable because she was still asking questions so I was like: "Well they're not barbies or bratz they're totally different and I like it, it's a good hobby for people to enjoy because not every doll is the same, you can get different wigs, eyes, make characters, do photostories AKA comics...It's fun."

 

I'd pretty much second that. I tend to explain things from the "creative" point of view - e.g. how they're customizable and all the things you can make for them and do with them. If people ask how much they cost I'll give them the general price range - $100 to $1000 or more - and leave it at that. But I'm used to explaining LARP to people, so explaining BJDs doesn't feel that complicated.

 

I just say "I'm a doll person" - It runs in my family. I don't talk about it most people, but I don't hide it either- it's a part of me.

 

I just say they're fully articulated and customizable action figures that are better and cheaper than the ones Wollowitz made.

 

I usually go with some variation of what they're made of, how they're built, that they're super customizable, name a couple of famous companies, and mention something about the price. The only thing that changes is how much detail I give -- someone who seems to be interested gets a lot more details than someone who is clearly just asking to be polite. I stopped caring a long time ago about how people judge or stigmatize me for my hobbies. Sure, I wish most people wouldn't automatically associate it with "weeaboos," but in my opinion most people who throw the 'weeaboo" label at other people will do it for any reason, so while those people are annoying and I with they weren't out there influencing others, their opinion has zero validity in my life. Beyond that, I don't really have any pet peeves about how others explain the hobby.

 

I have actually said that they are like marionettes with the strings inside made of elastic.
This makes them realize just how different they are from "dolls" they think of.
Then I tell them about the artistic side of them...

 

The few people who have asked me about it when I've been out with Kori, or alternatively, when I started talking about my hobbies in a conversation weren't too interested. They didn't want a lot of information about them really, so I just told them that they're ball-jointed and fully customizable. Also that they range in size and price.

 

Well usually it depends on the situation, whether said person(s) are really interested or just bored...when telling my parents about them for the first time it bored them until I told them how much they cost hahaha But I recently discussed my bjds in an art class and people were for sure interested so I went into depth on how easy it was to customize, why do it etc... So I think it really depends on the situation... when telling strangers I usually cover the bare minimum and if they continue to ask questions and are truely interested then I might go into more detail but I'm not really peeved over it... well I guess sometimes I am if the said person is like the 10th person to come up to me and ask me what they were...

 

i usually say they're artist dolls, or an art form. It depends on the person. If they state that they like dolls and are very interested, I'll explain how they're strung, how they pose, let them hold the doll, explain all the work that goes into them.....if it's just a "What's THAT??" comment, I just say it's an art doll I customized myself and there are online photography contests for prizes, so I'm trying to get good backgrounds (if I'm in public). I don't bore people, but I'm happy to explain if they actually want to hear. In any case, I make it sound like a form of art and expression, not like I'm an overgrown child playing with toys.....even if that's true too. :P

 

I usually explain bjd's in terms of artistic things, because people are used to that sort of thing from me. Depending on who I'm talking to I might also say that I will make clothes for them I can't afford to make for myself (like regency and medieval gowns) and use them as models for my art, and that tends to work.
The more curious get the fully-customisable explanation too, which I've found my friends accept quite readily. It probably helps that most of them are into wargaming.

 

I just say that I collect fancy dolls. If they ask more about them, I try to describe what they look like, but that's about it. I've never really had anyone ask me too much about them.

 

Hmm... I think the easiest way is to explain that they are Asian customizable art dolls. If one is willing to listen I can also go on to explain about their articulation and why that makes them so special and how the customization happens and other random tidbits.. but that's generally it.

 

I go about the artsy way of explaining. Everyone I know irl knows I'm crafty so I explain how I can paint their faces and make them clothes and how fragile they are and unlike a normal doll.

 

Hmm...I usually just say they are dolls that have further mobility than a Barbie does...then I go on a little about the artistic side of it, although most people don't seem to really get it ^ ^;;;

 

I would say something like "They are giant barbies made of a special plastic. You can change their looks to make them personalized" or "They are like really high quality porcelain dolls, but made of a special type of plastic. They are highly customizeable." and if they gawk at the price tell them they are hand made to order to your specifications. I guess "big, articulated, customized barbies" is a good way to go about it.

 

I usually say that they're fully articulated artist dolls. I've never gotten any grief when I offer up this explainantion as it seems to cover all of the bases and legitimizes BJD as an artistic pusuit In fact, I've gotten nothing but postive reactions and curiosity when I say that lol. I also make sure to let anyone know who is very unfamiliar with them and is viewing them for the first time, (whether in person or online), that they are 'not like barbies or babydolls' as, inevitably, people who are only casually familiar with dolls or who have only played with dolls as children, will automatically assume that these dolls will resemble them...and they don't XD So I like to soften the shock a bit if I can

 

"Well, you see, they're these really expensive dolls that come from Asia and they arrive all bald and naked and you have to customize them and give them names and treat them like your children."

*intense stare*

*people backing away slowly*

 

I think how you explain bjd's depends on who you are explaining them to, and who you are. I am in my early 50's and I make my living as an artist. I can pretty much be eccentric if I want to, which helps. I explain them as an art form. If the listener has a genuine interest, I might explain more. If they don't, I don't waste my time. At my age, I do not have to justify my purchases, and because of my business/profession/reputation, I do not have to justify my choices in "art".

I did not know there were trolls who tried to make others wary of bjd owners, but if I came across one, I would do what one must do with all trolls! I would ask them who was minding the bridge while they were away, of course!

I think everyone has to explain it in a way that "works" based on who they are. The only thing that bothers me is when collectors don't feel confident in their own choices, and feel that they must somehow explain it, beyond, "this is an art form I love". That's all the explanation that is needed. People either fall in love with them, or ignore them...or, they have a bridge to watch, and should be getting back to it!

 

I say they are similar to collectors porcelain dolls only they are made out of resin which is easier to mod and harder to break, strung with elastic for better posing. They customizalble art pieces, and if people get confused or freaked out I explain that art comes in different forms and all of them should be respected. That last part gets some pretty good responses. I show off the really original things like I show them how their joints are strung and how difficult it is to string, the way faceups are painted and the detail in the skin and features that are small like lips and ears and hands. Hands always impress people that havent seen a bjd before.