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

When people ask me what kind of dolls I make, I say that they are adult looking dolls, with realistic proportions. I tell them that their size ranges from approximately 20cm to 80cm and that they have ball joints for every joint in our body, so that they are very posable.

Although this isn't completely true, I say that they are made of plastic (instead of resin), because resin isn't really known in our country.

 

I explain that they are dolls with elastic tension inside their bodies which allows for very natural and realistic poses, and then go over the reasons why people collect them.

 

99% of the people that solicit such specific about my dolls are non doll people, and do not know me very well. That being said, I always start the pitch with 'Unlike Barbies, Tonners or porcelain dolls, that are pieced together, these dolls are made of resin pieces and are held together with string.' If they still seem interested, I go on with 'And they also come completely blank, so with the right accressories, I choose how they look. If I wanted a doll to look you, I can do that, or if I wanted it to look me, that is also an option.' Usually by then, I go into more specific detail, and said person is amazed.....I love this hobby.

 

It would vary a little depending on the context - to other doll people I'm more likely to say that they're more articulated and more adult/realistic in style. To a more general audience I'd probably say "like a giant customizable action figure".

Other people can call their toys by whatever names they want - it's really not my business. Although that said, I do raise a bit of an eyebrow at people who say either "anime doll" because that's so very narrow and specific (and can mislead people into assumptions about other interests) and people who insist that BJDs are better than (rather than just distinct from) fashion dolls/baby dolls (because there's no need to be insulting to other collectors).

 

I'm having trouble explaining to my hubby why I want a BJD! Possibly the fact I'm 66 might play into it Also the fact they are so expensive.

 

I just say they're collectors dolls. Unless the person really really wants to hear about the dolls haha or if I'm really close to the other person.
I do collect a lot of other dolls as well anyways :p
I'm never really confident about explaining a lot of things about me unless I'm comfortable with the person.

 

I usually go with art dolls from Asia. If the person wants more information I will talk about the customization and sizes and all that. But art doll seems to work for most.

 

Haha I go to the other extreme and basically say "its a cool doll i got from the internet" and that's that.

 

I generally try to avoid speaking to people about my hobbies, but when the topic comes up I usually just say that I customize dolls and leave it at that. If people want more details, I explain that I paint faces, make clothes, etc. I don't bother going into detail about things that non-doll-people wouldn't understand/care about anyway.

 

When I go about introducing my Zhu-qing illusion spirit (named Dyi) I just tell them he's a toy, and let them play with him, and let them ask the questions they think are important. The #1 question I get is "does he have a penis? I always respond by pulling down his pants XD

 

This is a really nice thread. I like reading how you all handle a situation I usually find very awkward myself. I have a hard time justifying spending so much money on "toys", even to myself. I find it much harder to explain to other people.

Usually I just go "It's just these asian dolls that I paint and make clothes for. I like sewing..." and try to change the subject. Unless I'm speaking with people I know are into other similar crafts.

 

I don't really explain to people, because I don't show them off. For me, my dolls are private. At leat in real life!

 

I tell people that I collect Asian dolls that aren't made for children. If they don't run away I tell them about how customizable they are and sometimes how much they cost. I've gotten mixed responses.

 

Usually I just spend my time answering the stranger's questions-- they always seem to ask enough that I don't have to go digging for selected information to tell them! "Wow, these are cool! Are you selling these here? Where are they from? Did you make them? Do you make the clothes yourself? How much do they cost? What are they made from? I like THAT guy there." (For some reason, male viewers tend to groove on the big Dollshe & Iplehouse men. XD)

The answers usually go in call-and-response format. "No, we're not selling them, we're just a collector group having a get-together. They're jointed dolls from Asia. Mostly Japan & Korea. We usually get them online. No, it's not porcelain, it's cast urethane resin, which sorta looks & behaves like porcelain. They're strung on elastics. They're pretty pricey. Some people make their own clothes, but I can't even sew a button so I buy mine." Whatever they ask, I figure that's all they want to know.

 

"They're fairly realistic dolls in a wide size range with fully articulated joints, and the ability to customize them to anything you can imagine." People aren't usually interested, but the few that are I just answer whatever questions they have and direct them here to DoA for further info. The only questions I've gotten outside an anime convention (the only place I carry my dolls around) are from my Aunts and no matter how many times I tell them that all I do is paint, make clothes for, and sometimes mod my dolls that translates in their mind to "she makes dolls!" and they tell people, and then my aunts and those people they told get $$$ in their eyes and are like "ou should SELL them "

 

When I explain it to my family (uncles, aunts, cousins...) they get surprised since when I was little I HATED dolls like barbies, nancys, bratzs...I prefered plushies or plastic toys, and they always ask me: but you hated dolls! how is it that now you want to spend hundreds of euros in one!?, I try to explain them that are not similar to barbies since this ones are fully customizable and posable and they are oriented to photography, art, sculpting...

When I explain it to friends they get surprised of how beautiful and realistic they are and all the possibilities. One of my friends is in love with the Iplehouse Carina since the day I showed to her.

 

"Customize-able, high quality artisan dolls from Asia."

I have to bring my Souldoll into my English class soon for mentioning it during the "meet everybody" portion of class, lol

 

I try not to explain and do not show they who do not know about them

 

"They're kind of like expensive porcelain dolls with more realistic proportions. Rather than a toy they would fit more along the lines of collectible art. You know, like human sculptures? Well, these dolls are sculptures I can keep 'editing'."

Then if they ask more about it and why I like them I say: "I love how I can customize every doll to make them 'my own'. They're pretty expensive, but I wouldn't buy them if I didn't think they were worth it. Kind of like... There are people that buy brand-name bags worth several hundreds of dollars right? I'm happy with my cheap backpacks, but those people would feel happier than me when they get a new bag. I happen to be happier buying dolls than bags."