I'm writing a paper on the BJD community!

1.) How did you start collecting, and why do you still collect?
I started because of my sisters' influence... I was never a 'doll girl' as a child, but got introduced to BJDs and was blown away by the artistry and the potential, that it was not just a static item to look at, but something to exercise creativity with. And that draw is just still there, even if I have to take time away from active involvement/saving due to other things in life. I always enjoy the dolls that I have, and enjoy making flexible plans for the future, even if I know it's going to take time to get there.

2.) What are your dolls to you?
Very expensive toys... but I love toys. They're physical embodiments of characters I love, they're things I can create for/around, they're objects that offer comfort on low days.

3.) How do you see BJDs in general? How do they appeal to you?
The customization factor appeals to me, and the general aesthetics. And I just like having something heavy in my arms sometimes and when the cat isn't feeling cuddly, a weighty doll will do. Plus, I've always loved miniature things, and having dolls in different scales gives me something to DO with my tiny stuff.

4.) What makes them for adults, rather then children?
Price, first of all. Long wait time rather than immediate gratification, for another. And while they aren't the most fragile dolls in the world (I certainly had a couple porcelain dolls given to me as a child that could never withstand the bumps and falls my resin dolls can!), they're not really for rough-and-tumble worry-free active playing. It's not that children can't be responsible with them, but there are plenty of dolls that children don't need to be 'responsible' with the same way.

5.) What made you want to be a part of the community?
Sometimes it's just nice to talk hobby stuff with other people. And I love to see other people's photos, plus just... knowing what out there is good and trustworthy, or what tools are best to use in building doll-related skills, instead of being limited by my own inexperience.

6.) What kind of feedback do you get from others about your dolls? [family. friends, other collectors]
I'm not one to attract a lot of attention/'rave reviews' within the hobby, but the feedback that I have gotten has always been nice, whether it's merely a few kind words or a piece of helpful constructive criticism. My family is all toy/doll collectors, so they've been great. And I had the woman cutting fabric at the craft store ooh and ah over one of my boys, when I was picking out some materials to expand his wardrobe after a local doll meet, and that was really nice, having a positive reaction from a stranger outside the hobby.

7.) How do you typically meet other doll collectors?
Through DoA, basically. Though after finding local hobbyists on the forums, I've met others at doll meets.

8.) How do you think someone on the outside sees doll collecting as a hobby? How do you tend to introduce your hobby to new people in your life?
Well... I'm pretty lucky, because the people already in my life, a lot of them are toy/doll collectors already, so even if they don't quite 'get' BJDs, they get the idea of collecting a specific type of toy, and if they don't collect, they already know someone else who does. I have gotten the 'creepy doll' reaction before from an artist friend (to be fair, on my 'creepiest' doll photo), but yeah. I tend to explain what I do with the dolls-- painting them, making in-scale costumes or props, the creative side, because people who know me do know that I'm an artist. And it mostly goes over well (though I don't mention the price tag to most people)

9.) Is there anything you dislike or would change about the community?
I don't know... I mean, I've been in fandoms and hobby communities for a long time now, though not as long as some, and while some certainly have more drama than others... I think they all have more good people than bad, even if that's not what you hear about the most loudly. So there's a lot that I don't think is too great a problem, or that would be solved by a general 'everyone be excellent to each other' that isn't any different from what I'd change about ANY community. The main problem with this one, compared to some others I'm in, is the potential for scams/theft, but that's not really the community as a whole, it's just a small segment of bad apples.

 

1.) How did you start collecting, and why do you still collect?
I started collecting barbies and monster highs. By chance I saw a ball jointed doll in my instagram. I looked into them and decided to stick to my other dolls. I can't remember why but I looked into them again and decided they were for me!
I still collect ball jointed dolls because I like them! I suppose a more in deph answer would be that they are wonderful for photography, customizing and storytelling (Not to mention writing!).
2.) What are your dolls to you?
They are art. They are characters in stories. They are dolls. They are many things, but mostly their just cool pieces of resin.
3.) How do you see BJDs in general? How do they appeal to you?
I see them as very customizable art dolls. They appeal to me because I think it really cool to have something to customize and write stories for.
4.) What makes them for adults, rather then children?
Well I suppose the cost is one thing. But really I think these dolls are for the people that want them. If a kid is responsible enough to take care of them, Then why not?
5.) What made you want to be a part of the community?
I think it's nice to have someone to talk about your intrests with, that also shares that interest. It's no different for the bjd hobby.
6.) What kind of feedback do you get from others about your dolls? [family. friends, other collectors]
Well my mom thinks Avian's ears are odd. Thats really it, Nobody really says anything about my dolls.
7.) How do you typically meet other doll collectors?
In real life? I don't.Not that I won't want to know people in real life, I don't live near any bjd people. Online? I don't really go out of my way to make doll friends. Maybe I should try.
8.) How do you think someone on the outside sees doll collecting as a hobby? How do you tend to introduce your hobby to new people in your life?
I'm starting to think that other people thinks it weird. I don't really introduce people to the hobby. They just see me carrying around this doll.
9.) Is there anything you dislike or would change about the community?
Yes there's a lot of things but I don't like to talk about it.

 

1.) I started collecting recently and I always wanted a BJD but when I was a kid my parents wouldn't get one for me because of their cost. Now that I have my own money, I can buy them.
2.) To me dolls are characters and a creative outlet. A lot of the time I'll get clothes that I would like to wear (like gothic/punk stuff) but don't have the confidence to so I'll dress my dolls like that. I just like the feeling of having a doll present too, it is like having a little friend.
3.) Some are just so beautiful and I are again a creative outlet to personify my writing. Because I write all the time and have a lot of characters to shell.
4.) The cost alone can make them for adults. But also how fragile they can be. But if a kid is responsible and has fun with them why not let them have one?
5.) I love watching video responses to prompts and I really want to do that too. Of course in every hobby there are not so nice people but there are a lot of good people in the hobby.
6.) Barely any feedback. I'll ask a few of my friends opinions but for the most part I don't have many doll friends to talk and bounce ideas off of. But I'd love to have doll friends!
7.) I don't I mostly try to convert my friends.
8.) A lot of people think dolls are creepy for some reason. It might just freak them out seeing a little tiny human like thing. To introduce people I explain that you can fully customize the doll. Like the wig, eyes, even body parts. Then I explain that many people (like myself) shell their characters into dolls, take pictures, make clothes, etc. Also it helps when they see a doll and are a full doll. Some people don't understand until they see the doll.
9.) Probably all the bullying. It is just so low to make fun of someone's creation (especially when they are first starting). There is also a way too constructively criticize but even then people get mad if the person being criticized doesn't take their advice. Also there are a lot of things that are just stupid to fight about, like saying American's have it on "easy mode", which resin color is superior, popularity and a whole bunch of other things that are ridiculous to fight about. Sorry about the rant but the bullying in this hobby drives me nuts. So besides bullying in general I would get rid of anonymous confession blogs, if you are going to do something mean at least don't be a coward and hide behind anonymous.

 

1.) How did you start collecting, and why do you still collect?

I saw photo of nice doll in the Internet and decided to make it mine. I still collect dolls because I still love them.

2.) What are your dolls to you?

Hobby. I like to watch on them, dress and make face up.

3.) How do you see BJDs in general? How do they appeal to you?

As human imitations, objects of art.

4.) What makes them for adults, rather then children?

I don't think that bjd are dolls only for adults. I am sure that kids over 6-7 years old could play with, but most of them have no ability to buy, because they are expensive.

5.) What made you want to be a part of the community?

Information, photos, second hand store.

6.) What kind of feedback do you get from others about your dolls? [family. friends, other collectors].

Members of my family like bjd, but my mother don't sympathize to demons and vampires. My friends like bjd too.

7.) How do you typically meet other doll collectors?

When I buy something from them.

8.) How do you think someone on the outside sees doll collecting as a hobby? How do you tend to introduce your hobby to new people in your life?

I think that outsiders think that bjd collectors are infantile freaks who waste their money and have a lot of psychological problems. That's why I don't like to speak about dolls with everyone. How I will introduce? It depends on attitude. As I said, I like to watch on them, dress and make face up)

9.) Is there anything you dislike or would change about the community?

As for me the main minus of community is one gender of members. But we can't change it for obvious reason.

 

1.) How did you start collecting, and why do you still collect?
I have always liked dolls and toys. I got into Pullip and Blythe 11-12 years ago and eventually started seeing BJD around as well. I thought I could live vicariously through photos, but eventually I had to have one, so in 2005 I got my own. I haven't brought a new doll home in several years, but I still enjoy the dolls I have.

2.) What are your dolls to you?
They are a release and a creative outlet. My dolls are little entities I've put together that are nice to have around regardless of whether I just want to enjoy looking at them, re-dress them, take photos, etc.

3.) How do you see BJDs in general? How do they appeal to you?
They are simultaneously works of art someone else created, and blank canvases for their new owners. I like that there are many options for them, endless ideas, and that they can bring so many different people together throughout the world.

4.) What makes them for adults, rather then children?
Resin might not be the best option for anyone who still puts toys in their mouth. The cost can be prohibitive to allowing children to play with them before they are able to appreciate them. While there are other dolls people invest in for children, like American Girl dolls, I tend to think they are better able to take a beating from play. Ultimately, they are more collectibles or art items than they are playline dolls.

5.) What made you want to be a part of the community?
I enjoy that there's something that inspires and brings joy to so many people throughout the world. I love to know so many people can have a common interest that connects us, yet we all get to express it in our own way. I love reading people's experiences and perceptions, and share in their joy of taking great photos. I'm not always active, but I like knowing the community at large will still be around when I return.

6.) What kind of feedback do you get from others about your dolls? [family. friends, other collectors]
Generally positive, but then I ignore negative people. Sometimes people have told me that they can always tell a doll is my doll, which makes me happy. I also find it interesting when people let me know which doll is their favorite.

7.) How do you typically meet other doll collectors?
I've only ever interacted with doll collectors online. I've never been to a meet, but I'd like to someday.

8.) How do you think someone on the outside sees doll collecting as a hobby? How do you tend to introduce your hobby to new people in your life?
In my experience, people who don't like dolls really don't like dolls, and those people think it is ridiculous. People who are more indifferent still don't really see the point. As for introducing people to my hobby, when I met my now-fiance I already had a lot of dolls. I told him I had a collection, and when he came over for the first time and saw them all, the end. I haven't introduced anyone else to it at this point, if they come to my house they may see I have them, and I've put a few pictures on Facebook here and there, but that's about it.

9.) Is there anything you dislike or would change about the community?
The only things that make me genuinely sad are the scammers and the bootleggers.