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

Hm... about pressure on buying fancy stuff... I dunno o.o'
Many people like my dolls even if they have my terrible face-ups or factory face-ups and simple clothes ^^
(Specially Chocolate and she is the one that has my terrible face-up XD)
So... I dunno ^^' once I felt like "uh... I'm not as good as the ones that can buy this stuff.." but, really? It doesn't really matter ^^ dolls can be beautiful just 'cause you love them XD

Sorry if I was wierd

kisses

Cacau

 

I think pressure for me, regarding pleasing other people comes more from my own foolishness and wanting to make everyone happy. I'll often times say "Yeah... I'll get this done by such and such a date" and then life happens, or I don't realize just long a school project is going to take me. Inevitably I don't get it done, and then get the "Hey, where is this?" messages, and I feel pressure and guilt because I thought I could.
It also comes from working with one other person... and it is mostly this one person waiting for my stories, because we enjoy them the most... because they are our dolls, together in the same story. The person doing the other side of the story has time to work on it, and I don't, so I feel like a horrible let down when I can't adjust something, or look at something, or do something right away. This isn't the other person's fault at all, it's my own, for any great number of reasons, but you still feel pressure when someone else is waiting for you to send them something or finish something up. I don't think it's conciet at all, I think it's a want to make other people happy and not being able to do it that leads to pressure.

I don't think the pressure comes from me thinking "OMG, all of these people think my doll rocks so hard... because obviously he does, I have the greatest doll ever, and my photostories are lifechanging and horribly important to the lives of others" I think pressure comes from a) Being one of those people who truly want to please other people... so if they express a happiness with what you're doing, you want them to stay happy (My thoughts are, if I can make a photostory that makes a person happy, even for a second, then it's worth it... I'm not talking life changing, pulling people back from the brink with my dolls hijinks), b) saying you can have something done by a certain time, and then not being able to, and c)being a bit of a perfectionist and having to have everything you submit be just so... and that particular aspect is far from being specific to the doll world, I do that with all artwork.

Plus I think some people are just more nervous and twitchy when it comes to social things *twitch*

 

*twitches with you*

 

I must admit I do get a little thrill when people talk about my dolls by name - even moreso when they mention a doll that hasn't appeared in a photoshoot for a while. Marius seems to have garnered his own little fanclub, but that's not entirely surprising - that seems to happen with every bermann and Hound on DoA, and I dare say there are some folks on the board who could reel off the names of all Hounds and Bermanns that have appeared on DoA.

It actually matters more to me when people remember and ask about one of my Obitsus, because the vinyl BJDs are much less popular than the resin dolls (and there's often been a fair amount of dissent over whether they should even count as BJDs). I've done my best to try and prove that a vinyl doll can look every bit as beautiful as a resin doll, and every time someone praises Taliesin or one of the other Obitsus it gives me a warm glow inside, knowing I must have got it right.

But I don't do my photoshoots for potential fans and accolades; not all my photoshoots end up on DoA. A few have been AoL exclusives, and a whole load more only ever show up on my website or my doll LJ. I do photoshoots when I find myself looking at a doll a certain way and thinking "What if...?" That's how the shoot of Marius in the blue cheongsam happened! I tacked it on to the end of another shoot as a throwaway thing, for fun; the fact that the cheongsam shoot garnered more comments than the "proper" main photostory amuses me no end! Silly shoots done "for fun" and angsty beautiful boys dressing up in drag for a laugh always get more comments than the serious stuff, I find.

I've not yet had anyone try and tell me I've gotten a story "wrong" regarding any of my dolls - and even if I did, I think that I would just calmly point out that the doll in question is mine, not theirs, and I know my dolls far better than they ever could - after all, I live with them. I've had a few eager fans ask me when the next chapter of a story would be coming out, which I always find encouraging; I'd do the story quite happily for me anyway, but knowing other people are also enjoying it gives me a nice perk.

So, I don't do this for the chance of acclaim from others - or to turn any of my dolls into BJD celebrities - but when it does happen, it's a nice bonus.

 

Oooh, a shimmeringcat question!

Liv, I think you and I are of the same mind (geez, we're so alike it's scary sometimes..).

If you know me, you would know that I am the biggest fan of my dolls (almost sickeningly so :P). Anybody else that considers themselves a fan of my dolls is just a nice bonus and a bit of an superficial ego boost. But I remind myself that while it's nice to hear compliments and hurrahs, I know that they are fleeting (prettier and more intriguing dolls will always exist). I am the only person that lives with my dolls day-to-day; I am the only person that knows their stories and personalities on a deep level, as they are my creations, so logically (in my mind) my opionion is what matters most.

I make it a point to have a friends-only doll journal because I want to avoid easy access to my dolls, because I'm the sort of person who doesn't like to share unless it's with like-minded people who would understand. That, and I'm naturally a private person. I'm actually glad I'm not one of the popular doll owners out there. I want to remain fairly "normal" because being normal is much easier And yes, it would bother me if people were so "into" my dolls that they pressured me into anything I just plain didn't want to do for any reason. Thankfully, that has not happened.

As for belonging to this community, I think posting on DoA and LJ is enough. Notoriety shouldn't be a ticket into a feeling of belonging, IMO ~ people should learn to be easier on themselves and remember to enjoy, because that's what a hobby should be about

 

OOO seeing as how I'm somebody who bugs Heather for more installments on her cool family, I feel badly now. But I hope you know I'm not ACTUALLY whining... just love seeing them is all, and am sorry you don't have more time to play too. I would have never wanted to make anybody feel badly about it. I sometimes feel the same pressure too, and I don't like telling people, either, I'm sorry I didn't have time to take these or that picture of Juniper Snowpea throttling her new dolly. I'm unbelievably pleased and flattered that people like her and want to see her.

Anyway to chime in on this question too... I'll say it does matter to some degree, not from a popularity standpoint, just because I love them SO MUCH and I'm very pleased when other people like my dolls too. I wouldn't love them less but boy if nobody ever commented on a photo thread or a new outfit picture, there wouldn't seem to be much point in spending the time to take any new pics and sharing them, would there? I'd certainly enjoy them by myself at home, but there is a lovely plus when you're able to share something you love with others and they "get it" or like what you're doing. Endorphins, baby! Gotta get me more endorphins, they are in very short supply around here all the time, so maybe the dolls DO mean too much to me. I don't know.

It's like having a pet and somebody comes along and says omg your cat is so beautiful, wow! it just makes you happy that they see something in what you love and through that, you're able to share your love and joy.

 

It makes my heart sing when people profess their love for my sweet little Kalvin My other dolls too

My bjds are all 'younger' and many people dont' like that, just as I don't prefer the more gothic dolls that others enjoy but I can still see that they are works of art and very much loved by their owners.. I agree with what sher said in that if you post pics of your own much-loved dolls and nobody comments on them it is like 'what's the point'? I can appreciate the love and beauty in each and every doll here on DoA , they are our 'kids' and we love and cherish them like the real thing:grin:

 

Heh.
Ichii is like my little friend, so if someone doesn't like him, that's their loss. (Same way I think of my real friends.) If someone says something mean to him/about him(/about Dream of Doll) I am even bitchier back. (Same way I protect my real friends.)

I was IM'ing Niomi, though, and added something else. DOD Zen is becoming more popular, and I get really angry/jelous when other people get him, and their Zen is seemingly more well liked than mine. I have a possessive I liked him first reaction, as well as a Ichii's cuter than they are, anyway. ops:

 

I never said everyone bowed to pressure, or even noticed it. XD But again, it's there, as I said, whether people admit it or not. I'm not the only one who thinks that way, so... *shrug* ^^; There's peer pressure in everything, including this hobby. To say there isn't is foolish. To say one isn't effected by it isn't, but denying it exists is. ^_^; I notice it but I don't care. XD Also... I have no idea what you spent on Justyn's head. I have neither the time nor the bandwidth to care about keeping up with DoA's latest gossip these days, between looking for a job and being on the equivalent of ISDN. XD;;; I'm sure you spent way too fricking much, and I'm sure you love him dearly to the point of not caring.. Believe it or not, I'm not saying people who do such things are doing it to be cool or that I think it's stupid.

What I mean is that I don't feel a need to do it to keep up or be cool. If something I like happens to come along, hell yes I'll go for it, and sure, I'll pay way too fricking much for it. I'm still in sticker shock over the head I won, he's more expensive than my Isao head was by nearly half. ...And still looking at his pictures every five seconds bouncing off the walls in excitement waiting. He's worth it. Every penny and he'd be worth it for twice what I paid. I have a fancy outfit from Y!J too, that I paid way too fricking much for. I liked these things. I bought them. I didn't care about the price and if someone thinks the outfit is crappy or that Iysa is ugly or balks at what I paid, who the hell cares? XP I like them.

Again, I'm not saying that anyone here is bowing to peer pressure, just that it is there, even if silently. People DO feel pressure to have the coolest, fanciest dolls on the block. People DO feel pressure to dress them fabulously and outdo everybody and take the best pictures and the like. Just some of us ignore it or don't care or don't even realize it's there. ^_^;;;

No, your photos look better because you 1. Don't have the crappiest digicam ever made and 2. Actually care. Bad camera + 'Who gives a crap?' attitude == Bad pictures, no matter how pretty the doll is. I know damn well that Iysa is going to look like crap in my photos, even if he is the most beautiful doll in the world(And don't let Lutz hear that I said that, he'll kill me for thinking someone is prettier. X3). Lutz does, Ephram does, Lukas does... XD So no, I don't think that has anything to do with your photos. (And I know ghetto clothing can look good, I had a doll wearing literally scraps of fabric tied with rubberbands and soutache for a couple of months, and I thought it looked perfect on him. XD )

I don't think fancy outfits make dolls 'better', either, but I do think there is silent pressure to own fancy clothes - People have even said as much as far as what makes dolls for them - Nice clothes. So if you were of the mentality where you wanted to do what others liked so they would like what you have, you would feel pressured to have fancy clothes, would you not? Not saying you or anyone else DOES, just that the potential is indeed there for it to happen. :

Indeed. =^n.n^= Though I wonder why my post got you annoyed, I thought it was pretty uncontroversial for me. XD;;; Poor wording maybe?

*snicker* X3 I have a dollfie that wants to escape a life of Lutz treating her like Menchi, if it will amuse him. XD

<Lutz> I'm telling you, that thing is FOOD! And what the hell is this about me not being the most beautiful doll in the world?

Eeeeeeeeeek. *runs away*

<Lutz> Oh no you don't! *nukes Ian a few dozen times, then another dozen for good measure* Mwahahaha. Revenge is mine!

<Alisa> Was that really necessary, dear? ^_^;;;

<Lutz> Well... No. But it did make me feel better. *cracks knuckles*

<Lukas> I absolutely refuse to have anything to do with either of you.

<Ephram> I'm with you, Lukas.

<Lukas> You're beneath me, too. Light, why must I put up with such uncivilized commoners? Someone rescue me, please. But only if you have a supply of very good scotch, luxury furnishings and fine clothing for me. I refuse to go anywhere as common as this.

<Ephram> Too bad you live here, eh?

 

(raising hand) Yeah...I'd be the guilty party here! Whining for more pics...begging for edits on dialog...and generally being a pain in the butt, in my quest to continue the story. It's all because I love your work, though... And it's another aspect of that "pleasing people" thing. In my enthusiasm I didn't see that you were feeling pressured. I was just frustrated and wanting to continue on. Of course, I finally "got it", that your life is so busy that there's no time for this kind of stuff...and I stopped...well, pretty much, I guess. Lol... Now I just come up with tons of questions...and I'm sure that's annoying enough. I'm pretty independent, though, at this point, in terms of doing the actual stories. Their personalities keep adjusting and they are changing, according to their life changes. Some folks can't handle change and won't read anything about them at this point, because I'm doing their photostories, instead of you. I can picture the PMs..."when is he going back to Michigan - will it be soon?!" *sigh* Ah well, you can't please everyone, right? LOL! And perhaps I shouldn't try to. It's too much pressure to satisfy everyone's ideas of what a doll's personality should be. I'm out to please myself at this point...and if what I come up with pleases other people, that's great. If not...oh well. Your stories always have a lot going on in them...and you're very good at crafting them. Mine are mainline romance and relationships. Different strokes. But it's sad when I know that some people no longer enjoy a doll's personality, because of how I "handle" them. Sometimes it's enough to make me want to stop doing photostories. But the story keeps me going...at least it will, up to the point that I have stopped writing from my end. We'll see how the wind's blowing then... Maybe I'll go back to a couple still pics instead of stories. But they'll always be "them" and together, and I know we're both happy about that. It's been an enriching experience, in general. I'm not "twitching" because the social aspect doesn't phase me...dealing with people is comfortable with me, unless I don't understand what they want from me. But the dolls...I understand the dolls, and that's all that counts. :wink:

 

I do get some pleasure if someone recognizes one of my dolls, like if out of so many dolls that are out there, they remember that my little MSD's name is Violet. That certainly is sweet to me.

But I don't really care or want my dolls to be "celebrities" or for me to be one either. I have so much to do, I don't really have the time or desire for a popularity contest. I admire those who are able to regularly do photostories and involved setups with their dolls. I wish I could do the same, but I just don't have time. :\ Mostly what I do, is, I see that it is a pretty day outside, I dress one of my favorite dolls in a pretty outfit, and I take a couple photos.
I definitely enjoy people's positive comments about those photos... but really the phototaking itself is so calming and enjoyable, that's the main part for me. But yes, I do love the compliments, just like anyone. ^_^

 

^^ well to answer the question in the title I don't really care if someone likes my future boys or not as long as they don't insult them or the face ups that will be given to them. I also think that there is sometimes being way to obsessed which I call 'Fangirlism' ^^ I don't think my boys'll have any trouble with that though... hopefully

 

Whenever I spend loads of time on a photo shoot (which is practically never!), I like getting feedback to validate the work involved in dressing and posing my doll(s), as well as setting up props and getting the lighting just so. The people who regularly post deliberately-conceived pictures and photo stories deserve all the comments they receive, definitely!

... But I'd feel weird being congratulated for owning dolls. My circumstances are not desperate; while I've done without other things in pursuit of my doll collection, I've always had the essentials such as food, clothes, and a roof over my head. Now, the people who save up for 15 months to buy the doll of their dreams, or the ones who couldn't have gotten a doll if not for special circumstances, well--happiness to them! ^__^

 

I think having your doll appreciated is like having anything else you create appreciated - my boy isn't here yet, but when I take photos and share them, I get the biggest high when someone appreciates them. Same thing with my doodles, or my writing, or my webdesign.

I mean...hey, I'd still do all those things if no one gave my work a second thought. But to me, part of the joy of art is being able to share with others and when something I create makes a person happy, I'M happy too.

So while I'd love to say that I don't care what other people think, in a way I'd be lying to myself. Because I enjoy spreading all the love I put into creating something, and I think I'll be the exact same way regarding my boys. ^-^ Of course, I'm sure it'd totally suck to have people pressuring you to do more photostories or take more pictures, but I've never been on that side of the situation before, so I can't comment from personal experience.

 

*Not trying to sound like I'm bragging or something, just explaining my side* I already have a somewhat popular site (not for BJDs), so I kind of know what it's like to have to please an audience. That said, I like when people compliment my boy and eventually a lot of my site will be about him. I fangirl over a few people here, so it doesn't bother me if anyone else wants to do it back ._.

 

I like to hear that people like my dollfies because it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who lovers them... but in the end it doesn't affect MY love for them. I got into the BJD hobby when I was still new to the net, before DoA, before having a site for them... I started in the hobby for my own sake, not for anyone elses sake.

I post pics and stories because I like to share my love of them with everyone else, but I'm actually a bit surprised to find that people pay attention, because I pretty much just do it for my own amusement and documentation.

I mean it's great to hear when someone tells me they "always love seeing my dollfies" <-- but I do get surprised by it because I honestly never think anyone notices XD

 

I enjoy my group, and taking photos when I can. When people comment on them, that's always fun. I do like it when someone notices them, former owners give a shout out to their adopted loves, or a look I find enthralling is commented on (Moira gets that a lot). But even if no one noticed them, I'd still post because I like seeing them and I like to share them with others. Even if they don't comment.

I take far more pictures than I ever post, believe me, no one sees them but me, and that's okay too--my Photobucket account overfloweth. I must have over 100 pictures of my darling Fee, most of which I've never shared--she's not a popular sculpt, but she owns my heart and fascinates me in a way the others haven't, so I am constantly taking pictures of her. I can't help it.

Most of my friends tolerate my dolls, and there are ones who actively dislike my dolls, are "creeped out" by them in a Poltergeist kind of way. Their loss, I say. They're still my friends, and we still love each other, even if they have poor taste in dolls

 

My dolls are for me. They aren't BJD celebrities, and it doesn't much matter to me whether they become "known" or not. (I'm also rather lazy about taking pictures and especially lazy about creating photostories. ^_~) If I post something and people comment and give me encouragement, that's great! But it's just icing on the cake since I did it for myself in the first place. On the flip side, if I post something in the gallery or in my LJ and no one comments, so what? Granted, people commenting and saying they enjoy what you post can motivate you to do more, but when it doesn't happen it doesn't make me love my dolls any less.

 

Hmmm...

People dont have to like my dolls. They dont have to love them. But if they dont, I dont want to know. I dont want to hear it. So, I guess that means that I'd rather people like my dolls. Like them to the point that they'll listen to me talk about them, and apprectiate them with me.

Overboard is annoying though. Overboard to the point where all they talk about is my doll NON STOP. Like all I consist of is Israfel.

Overall, I'd like to say I dont care what people think of me, but in truth I care a lot.

 

I would like to say that it doesn't matter to me at all, but of course it does a little ^^;.

My dolls are very personal to me. I paint them myself, I often sew their own clothes, many of them are based on original characters from my novel. I am somewhat still self-conscious in this hobby, no matter how hard I try not to be. I hope that people like my dolls because they are expressions of my own creativity and art and it's always nice to know that someone likes your art =)
But my dolls don't have to be famous. I used to sort of wish that they would be, but that just doesn't matter anymore. As long as I love them, that's what really matters, and if one or two people comment on my posts, then I'm happy that someone else can share my dolls with me.
Of course I could make more of an effort, but I don't. They all have huge complicated stories that I never make into photostories or talk about. They have a website that is complete crap because I am so lazy. But even if I poured my heart and soul into putting them out there and still only one or two people said something, that would be enough for me. I am grateful and surprised when someone remembers one of my dolls.
At the end of the day, the only person who needs to love them is me and I love every one of them more than I could possibly express. =)