How relevant is it for you that others like your dolls?

I often don't care what others think of me or what I do. However, I do like others to like my dolls and feel the enjoyment I get from them. I think in turn this attitude and love I have for my dolls comes through, which causes others to like them too. I know my Yder has caused many others to buy Yders, and I'm flattered with that. ^_^ I don't really have 'photostories' as of now, nor do I share many pictures, but I am happy with my close friends loving him, and others appreciating him as well.

So, it is not very relevent for me for my doll to be greatly liked. My only goal is to have a collection of beautiful, creative dolls with personalities that really reflect their soul. If I can share that with others and they enjoy it, then it's all the better.

 

I do like to be remembered, and when people do seem to take note of my doll and remember her, I feel happy. It's less about ME getting attention, and more about my doll being remembered as an individual. And since I put so much of myself into her, its rewarding.

But I'd be happier for the most part to blend in with the rest. I feel more of a 'belonging' when I'm regarded as everyone else, when I'm treated as a member instead of a newb or celebrity. I doubt I'd feel comfortable at all being pointed out and seperated from the rest. I like to stand out... but I don't want to stand alone.

 

Interesting points/topic. Let's see....me, I normally am VERY disconnected from people in general. That means, I'm pretty nochalant to their opinions of me. I hide most of my hobbies from the world to avoid arguments and having to defend myself. I like joining in the BJD online community on and off, but I'm pretty lazy myself lol So my website progresses slowly and I don't post photos as often as I take them! But it doesn't bother me. My dolls are mine, for my enjoyment, and so I do things like make scrapbooks and frame pictures more often than put stuff online. I like doing things on my own time, to my own beat, and if praise comes, I adore it, and if it doesn't, I don't notice lol It's probably not good to be this way, but....I am!

 

I do get a warm, fuzzy feeling when somebody seems to genuinely like my doll, and I'm hurt when somebody is blunt about disliking her. So I guess the approval of others means more to me than I like to admit, but despite that I'm pretty sure that I would love my doll even if the rest of the world hated her. I'm not really trying to make her more popular, either.

 

In real life I'm a busy person, and there is a lot of pressure, especially since combining efforts with StephG, both from my cohort and from adoring fans to "keep up" with their desire to see things.
I often feel I've really disappointed people because I just don't have time to pump out photostories as fast as they'd like to see them... plus I don't really like pumping out photostories for the sake of just putting something up to please other people.

I've got to be pleased with it myself to want to share it with others... it's a bit of a perfectionists stance... but I don't want to just start slinging junk around because there is pressure for me to do so.

I really enjoy when people enjoy what I'm putting up for them to look at... and you can definately say that some of my dolls are more popular than others, but that doesn't stop me from posting about the others... it's more of a "who am I inspired to photograph and tell stories about right now" ... I'd probably still be taking pictures of Grimm the most if he were here... because he fascinated me when it came to photographing... but now I've got the challenge of making my other dolls fascinate me just as much... and I'm really looking forward to it.

I don't need people to drool over my dolls for me to keep posting. I much prefer drooling over other peoples photostories, and seeing what creative things they can come up with anyways.

One thing I *really* have to say saddens me... is seeing other people who have dolls that I really love make posts about how perturbed they are with random people making suggestions on how they should tell their dolls stories.

I've gotten this about Grimm... and it is a bit annoying to have a complete stranger tell you that you're telling your own story wrong... and it really, really, really saddens me when I read about someone who writes things I love to read... and how they're thinking about leaving the community to make their dolly stories private... because they're sick of people telling them that they're telling their own dolls stories wrong.

Sorry if that sounded mean, or rude... but that really annoys me.

 

How relevant?

...Very.

I need encouragement to do what I do; otherwise I kinda pine away. I'm too hard on myself to do everything - photos, websites, stories, anything creative at all - without some kind of "push". And, for good or ill, approval from the BJD community is often that push. Otherwise, what's the point? I can see my dolls myself, I can play with them, I can pose them, I know their entire story already. A lot of what I do isn't so much for me as to share with everyone else.

But, of course, there's a point at which that "push" becomes the shove down the stairs into insanity. Constantly being hounded for photos or stories is an awful, awful feeling - knowing that others are looking forward to my work is one thing, but feeling like a slave to that knowledge is so not enjoyable. Sometimes people need to calm down, take a chill pill, and accept that eventually I do need sleep or at least a break to just recharge, because I only have so much energy, so much creative juice. No battery lasts forever.

But in the end...yes, approval is important to me, more than I could ever possibly explain. I think everyone needs encouragement and support at some point; even if it's not the case, silence usually seems like disapproval rather than invisible approval.

Disapproval does not, however, stop me from winning very expensive auctions from Yahoo!Japan in order to get something that I feel is right for my dolls. So I guess the line is... I don't necessarily need others' approval of my decisions about my dolls (ie: what they look like, the clothes they have, their personalities) so much as I need approval of the creative work I do involving them (photos, stories, websites). If that makes any sense...my eyes are so tired right now, I've been pushing myself like crazy to catch up on my self-imposed photo story deadline, and I think I've just about reached my limit (without reaching my goal). Alas. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. =-__-=;;;

 

I always look forward to your threads here... your topics are always so interesting and thought-provoking, and I really enjoy reading and replying to them. ^^

As for me, I'm pretty content to enjoy my dolls in my little corner (... chateau? ) of the universe, and the notion of being well-known or even appreciated outside of that doesn't concern me too terribly much. I share my photos and my stories because I love my dolls and I love doing things with them. So I post these things because I want to share a little bit of that joy, if I can. I've had gallery posts that got lots of replies (well, two pages is a TON for me, haha) and I've had some that didn't get any, but either way, I'm happy to think that people looked and maybe got something out of it.

That said, when I do get responses, even if they're just little one or two word things, they really make my day. If something I shared moved someone enough that they took the time to comment on it, I consider it a very deep compliment. I try to thank everyone who replies on my threads because it really means a lot to me that people enjoy my dolls and my art. But it's just as well if I don't hear anything at all. If I'm happy with what I did, then it's fine with me either way.

This'll be my fourth year in the BJD hobby, and I'm not famous or even well-known by any stretch of the imagination (unless it's some big secret). But I have my friends and I have my dolls, all of whom I love dearly, so I'm happy. I couldn't ask for anything more.

(Although a dear friend of mine really blew my mind the other day... he goes to Savannah College of Art and Design, and he told me that a lot of his friends there have been to my site and supposedly love it. :shock: I had to ask him "REALLY?!" at least twice because I just couldn't fathom it. I was pretty much glowing for the rest of the night... after I managed to get over the initial shock and pick myself up off of the floor, that is.)


~Kalmia

 

It is relevant that others like and appreciate my dolls and hobby. I really do not know any one in "real" life that even really cares about my hobby. It is nice to have an outlet where I can show off the dolls to others who know how rare and special they are. As for other people on line NOT liking them...well it doesn't really hurt me. I mean, it is their problem, not mine. If they wanna hate and be full of negativity and bring themselves down, then go for it. If I see a doll I really do not find attractive, I keep it to my self because I know there is some one out there who really loves that doll and that makes the doll beautiful in a very special way.

 

I really enjoy sharing my dolls, and thinking that others like to see them as well. I love getting comments on my posts and stories. If someone tells me that one of my dolls is among their favorites, or that they look forward to my posts, it just makes my day. I do love the attention my dolls receive.

Having said that, I don't think I'd stop posting and sharing if no one commented. While it makes me feel connected to the community to have people say they like my dolls, I wouldn't feel left behind or left out or disliked if I didn't get that affirmation. Because after all, I mainly post my dolls because I love them, and they make me happy.

As for the flip side, I don't think I really have the problem with demanding fans. ^^; But I have had people ask for more, or when I'm going to post a new story, but I've never felt pressured, mainly because I know that I'm not posting for the sake of others. I don't let it affect me in that way.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I do love the attention, but when it comes down to it, I post my dolls because it makes me happy.

 

In that case Gimmie more!!! Your wonderful and your dolls are so pretty!!! :: stares at them :: ^__^;


As for me....I'm kinda weird....When people remember me or my doll I'm sort of shocked and it makes me happy, but really I don't mind if my doll is unloved by others. I love my girls just fine and thats good enough for me. One of my best friends in fact is very creeped out by my dolls. I tell her when she comes over I'll put them in another room if she doesn't want to be in the room with them even. It makes me happy when people see my MSD or other dolls and think they're cute or comment on my photos or things, but I don't get an overwhelming saddness because they're relatively unknowns. The only time I get really emotional about how people feel about my dolls is when they are rude about not liking them.

 

Yay! Another intellectual post! shimmeringcat keeps me on my toes with these tough questions XD

Yes, very.

Saying that it does matter makes you sound like a whiny attention whore doesn't it? I wish it weren't that way. I'm being totally honest when I say that I feel pretty hurt when no one appreciates my dolls.

I guess it's not so much that I want attention, it's that I want other people to see how beautiful my dolls are too. I love them so much. They mean the world to me and I see so much beauty in them, it's enough to make my heart explode with joy whenever I see their pretty faces smiling at me at the end of a bad day. I want so much for everyone to feel that too. It's like, if you saw something really cool and you said "look, look at that!!" to a person with you but they looked too late and didn't see it. You feel bummed cause they missed something really great.

It's nearly impossible for me to convey in photos exactly how amazingly wonderful Cecilia is, for example. She looks cute in her pictures, but I just can't quite get across in photos the attitude and aura she has. But, when someone comments on her and they kinda catch the feeling I was trying to convey, it means so much to me!! I love to share. I want everyone to see what I see in her.

So no, I don't love her any less if someone tells me they don't like her, but yes, I would be very very hurt. ;_;

 

Well, gee, Shimmeringcat, that's what you get for starting thoughtful topics encouraging an exchange of honest opinions! ^_-

Not very important; I've got enough on my plate without competing in any popularity contests. ops: It is a nice, warm feeling when people express appreciation of photo stories I've done or compliment me on the dolls, but this is a secondary hobby for me. (And I have actually gotten complaints from my readers that I spend too much time on it.)

I do the photo stories collaboratively with my girlfriend, and we do it because we enjoy it. It's our shared story, and their story. It's fun to make it available to other BJD fans who may feel the way we do, but the story would still go on for us even if there were no audience.

I'm involved because I enjoy it; otherwise, I wouldn't still be here, but as for succumbing to peer pressure about the pace, quality, or frequency of my photo stories and character development, that's not subject to outside influence.

The more people there are who like your works, the greater the chances there are people who think that they have "ownership" of it, as if the exchange of commentary and support gives them authority.

People can think what they want about our dolls and stories; I'm always pleased to hear good things. But I'll do what I like regardless. :grin:

 

Well, it's nice when people like Kazutaka. I mean, I love to do photostories and for the past couple of days I have been so incredibly happy and active. I wouldn't say it's a must though, because I would love him even if no one else cared he existed. He's given me new life.

So...it's not important, but it does make you feel good when people like them, too.

 

Just the fact that I am lucky enough to have found the dolls that I loved most is really more than enough for me. Anything else is just a bonus

 

The most important thing to me is that *I* love my dolls. I love them dearly, so it's always nice when other people like them too, but I don't expect it. I want to do more photography and stories--partly because I want other people to be able to get to know my guys, but even if they get no attention at all, I'll still enjoy myself quite a bit : ) This is a hobby that I ultimately do for myself and not for other people.

 

Hm. Perhaps I don't quite count, seeing how my doll has yet to arrive. But I'd just like to share my two cents worth.

I think that it is pretty relevant to me. Having spent so much money on him, woe be unto me if I don't end up liking him (but I’m sure I’ll love him ^^;; ). However, it’d be nice if others appreciated him too, especially those who matter more to me.This might sound strange, but I just want the best for him when he arrives, and somehow, that translates into approval from others, be they in the BJD community or in real life.

I’m also fond of dabbling with what people like to call ‘artsy things’ and on occasion share my work for critique/comments. I think may of us would willingly agree that most BJD look fantastic in real life, but the translation into photographs/stories/etc. can make or break a doll. So if, say, after finally introducing him to the online community people decide that they dislike him, I would start wondering if I had done something wrong, whether I was not up to standard, not talented enough etc. I’d also feel as though I had let my boy down in some way by not presenting him in the best light possible. To me, it’s not quite the same as critique, which indicates that there might be some measure of hope. Not liking doll = no hope for him and I = I must have screwed up somewhere and it’s too late to do anything because I’m just lousy; or at least that’s how my mind tends to work.

I know it’s unfair to expect everyone to like any particular doll because everyone has different tastes, so I’m definitely not going to roam around trying to ram my opinions down the throat of every single person I meet. I’d probably still love my doll when he comes even if the whole world disliked him, but the approval would be nice – just a little added bonus and a form of affirmation that I’m not some odd outsider trying to fit into a place I do not belong

Right now, I’m quite content with just admiring the dolls of others from afar. I do not expect my boy when he comes to become a minor celebrity. I’d be very surprised and flattered if he does acquire such a status, but I don’t see myself explicitly pushing for it, nor do I see myself languishing with disappointment if I fail to achieve it. I won’t know about ‘too much adoration’, but I think in such an event, I’d probably be extremely flattered as well.

Alright, I’ll shut up now. *scuttles back into the woodwork*

 

Hmmm...this is a tough question.

On one hand, I love my dolls even if no one else does and I can be content with that, but, at the same time, it's wonderful when someone says "Oh I love your dolls" and it makes me all giddy ^__^

I'm silly though and as much as I strive not to care, I really do care and while I don't know how well I'd handle the popularity of some of the people I absolutely adore and avidly follow (like Valentine ^^; and a few others), I think it would be really fun to achieve minor notoriety (in a good way ^^; ), but I'm still starting out and my photos aren't great, my stories need work, and a dozen other things, but the idea that maybe one day I might achieve something worth noticing is a very shiny lure (and I like shiny things ^^; )

Now if I got comments about how much people disliked my dolls that would upset me, I wouldn't love my dolls any less, but I'd probably be less likely to share them.

This fandom is really a very scary roller coaster ride sometimes, y'know?

 

Well I certainly don't want people to hate my dolls or think they are ugly.
It's the same as having a pet or kid (NOT in the text of owning...just hear me out)...you don't want anyone to say they are ugly because it does hurt but in the long run it doesnt matter because you will love them unconditionally.
I just want them to be normal. To get people to think they are hot or to remember them would be a bonus but they are here for me and as long as they make me happy, thats what matters ^_^

 

I definately enjoy it when others find enjoyment in one or more of my dolls, but it surely is not a prerequisite.

I think Fyredancer said something to the effect that regardless of whether or not people are interested in my dolls or storylines, the storylines would still be there developing anyway, so what's most important is whether or not "I" am enjoying them.

I do like it when people appreciate a costume I have made, but I guess that is more about enjoying it when my creativity is appreciated, rather than when my doll is appreciated.

And something else, Wee Little Fairie said
"
I've gotten this about Grimm... and it is a bit annoying to have a complete stranger tell you that you're telling your own story wrong... and it really, really, really saddens me when I read about someone who writes things I love to read... and how they're thinking about leaving the community to make their dolly stories private... because they're sick of people telling them that they're telling their own dolls stories wrong."

ITA with you. I think that is completely out of line and uncalled for. And all I can say here is sometimes we just need to have a thick skin in a way. Try to ignore those that get pushy, demanding and judgemental. It's not always easy when we are pouring our hearts into something like a storyline, or series of storylines, but we can't control what others choose to do, only how we react to it.