How open are you with your BJD as a hobby?

I've been super open about it since coming back into it. A lot of my friends are beautiful and talented people who want to help make things for my doll. Just yesterday a bunch came round, we all donned breather masks and were all sanding down the doll in fixing up!

 

When I first learned of the hobby I didn't mention any interest of it to my family and friends for a long time. When I finally had the courage to mention it to my older brother a year or two later he laughed at me so I dropped the idea of getting one for awhile. When I had my first steady income as an adult I decided that I didn't care anymore and bought my first doll when I was 20. Slowly my family and close friends were told and all of them didn't mind or was supportive. I don't know if I will ever show them to anyone I'm not close to though.

 

I tend to tell people that I've gotten to know (personal friends, coworkers), but I don't talk much about it with strangers. I also have a hard time taking my dolls in public to photograph them. I've gotten some weird reactions, and these days I've just been too tired to deal with that. I would really like to get past that at some point, because photographing my dolls in new places is one of the funnest things for me about the hobby.

 

I am happy to see so many of you have lovely, supportive people in your lives! The people in my life are wonderful, and I know they'd be encouraging, but during my 10 years in the hobby, I've just never brought it up. It's been so long it feels like I'm leading a double life, haha! I wouldn't mind if anyone found out, but it's been my own little secret for so long, keeping it so makes the hobby feel even more special to me

 

I actively avoid talking about my dolls to non-doll people. I've had bad experiences sharing non conventional hobbies, and when I was a teen my family made it clear that they found my interest in dolls creepy (in fairness to them, I'd buy cheap porcelaine dolls at yard sales and take away their wigs/eyes for the dolls I was making), so I learned my lesson. Even with people who know i have dolls, I avoid bringing it up, and if possible I avoid showing them unless they ask.
I do take my dolls out in public though. Random passerbys don't matter. It's people I actually know whose reaction I don't trust.

 

Honestly at first when I tell people they think of Barbie and such, but once I show them pictures they understand. Not always but the majority do.

 

Most people are pretty chill about it! Some people definitely have stronger reactions than others but so far nobody in my life has like ever refused to let me show my dolls or talk about them.

 

Not at all very few people know I even have them , it's not something most people accept or understand or even find normal , my dolls are in my bedroom and it's not that anybody except me gets in there . My dad said you don't share with people what's not their buisness or you risk of making it their buisness it took me long to apply it in life but he was right as most times was.

 

Now, that’s a very wise man and a great sentiment, and I wholeheartedly agree. I don’t go out of my way to discuss them, but I don’t hide them either…that would be impossible since they’re displayed in artistic groupings throughout my home, incorporated as part of the decor. People seem fascinated by our little home, which is done up in an eclectic Bohemian style, so naturally as part of that style, collections abound. When I take them on the “grand tour”, I explain what they are and about their stories. But unless someone has personally been to my home, I never mention it.

 

Thank you so much!! I think he was wise too. Your home sounds like a very pretty place and wonderfully decorated!! Those people are kind and nice too with refined taste and open minds what a lovely combination!!

 

Pretty open about it. I view BJD more as an art form and purchase things more in line with it. I talk about it as an art form and nerd out about the niche.

 

I have zero cares about what other people think about my dolls, I like to take them everywhere I can and usually people are super kind about it or compliment them. I dress pretty out there compared to most people though, so maybe that’s offsetting the reactions?

 

I don’t tell anyone I don’t know very well. So far, most of my close friends have expressed that they find my dolls creepy but most of them just have a bunch of questions and they are generally supportive of my hobby. My fiancé, on the other hand, never found them creepy and loves them. He even jokingly talks to them sometimes.

 

It's no secret to the people who come into my home, even if I might want it to be. The dolls live here too and occupy lots of space in my house. I am very familiar with the "stink eye" response and complete lack of understanding for the artistry of doll sculpts, doll photography, doll clothing and props. I was an older adult when I fell in love with this hobby. All I'd ever done is WORK and try to save money. Learning to let go and do things just for fun was a wonderful experience. So, I sympathize with people who don't do any kind of hobbies and disapprove of the whole idea in general. I hope one day they will discover how much fun it can be.\

Some of the "outsiders" I've share a photo or two with usually say things like "I like dolls to smile" ... Same for most people who come into my house. Some people have hobbies but still disapprove of this one. Mostly all I have ever experienced from sharing about doll collecting is blank or clearly negative reactions.

My more artistic friends have been able to share the wonder a bit, and not dish out negativity. So, I'm selective about who gets invited into this part of my life. But it makes it all the more treasured when spending time with "MY PEOPLE" who get it.

 

I'm not open about it at all, sometimes I talk to my mom about it and she's supportive/nonjudgmental but doesn't really get it.
My friends range anywhere from apathy to open disgust so I just don't mention it to them, which really sucks, I would love to have a friend who shares my passion!

 

I don't really discuss my hobby with others outside of close friends and family. It's not really a can of worms I feel like opening around people who aren't already aware of it, especially if I know that person will never come to my house. I'm not afraid of telling others, but the amount of effort I have to put in explaining that I'm not a Barbie or American Girl collector becomes exhausting.

When I discuss the bjd hobby with others it usually involves the more crafty aspects of it. Doll maintenance and modifications, making clothes and things along those lines make for good common ground conversation points that non-doll collectors can understand and bounce off of.

 

Collecing doll is not secret to me but I don’t talk about it to not close people.
Because I know there are some people like to judge other people However I don’t hide my hoppy to my family and friends
My husband said “You should be careful when you buy dolls from strangers” but I know he just worries since I got scamed few weeks ago

 

Fairly open, I think? Family and friends know I collect dolls (with toys and bears thrown in) but I don't know how many are completely aware of the BJD side of things. My friends are, and they're pretty cool with it - they've even bought me some sewing patterns as a gift before, which was appreciated.

So yeah, I'll say 'fairly open'.

 

I talk about it when someone asks me about my hobbies, usually saying I collect dolls you can customize. People don't use to understand and asks about porcelain dolls, anyway.

 

My immediate family knows. Daughter was in the hobby for a couple of years, daughter in law has been in hobby for at least 13 years and granddaughter is interested in the dolls and has a few of them. A couple she plays with when she visits, the others are stored until she's older. She has her own room here for overnight stays. I shared with mother in law from start until she passed away. She loved the small ones. I showed one to my sister in law when we all traveled to Vegas, but she didn't say much. I don't think she has ever had a hobby.
My one cousin who follows me on Facebook knows I have them, but he doesn't know what I do with them. Lol
I am an open book to people who see me photography them, but most people just ignore me.