In a hobby for longer than 4 years? How is it going?

How long have you been in this hobby?
Since 2004.


Do you still feel the same sort of awe/anticipation/excitement as you did when you got your first doll? If so, when?
It isn't exactly the same kind of excitement, because there's no nervousness involved--I'm much more confident about handling BJDs now than I was when my first one arrived. And now I tend to just enjoy the doll privately for a day or so before getting out the camera and sharing with the world. But it's still pure happiness when a new head or doll lands, and is even more beautiful than I expected . . . and I still spend quite a bit of time just staring at my dolls, thinking how fabulous they are.

Is there a NEED to keep it exciting? Or is just enjoying dolls and doll things enough?
Enjoying is plenty for me, though it is fun to add new clothes and dolls to the collection. But now that I've figured out what my tastes are, I'm more inclined to go through what I already have and come up with new combinations than to feel as eager as I once did about shopping for more.

 

How long have you been in this hobby? been into dolls forever, first got into BJD with OT 1/6 Obitsu in 2006, got my first resin in 2008

Do you still feel the same sort of awe/anticipation/excitement as you did when you got your first doll? If so, when? yes, actually, I do. I mean, I don't cry when I hold a new doll like I did with Amir, but i still check the tracking and mailbox obsessively when I'm expecting something, and if it requires a signature, am up waiting to sign or have my hubby do it (Sorry, dude, but sometimes a new doll is more important than sleep...>.>) I get excited when I order, more excited when I pay it off, then am anxious until it gets here, whether its a full doll or a wig or whatever I need to complete one

If not, are there any particular reasons other than the "used to it" one I mentioned above?
N/A


Is there a NEED to keep it exciting? Or is just enjoying dolls and doll things enough? I think it depends on the person. Really, as long as you enjoy it, I don't see the need to be squealing, jumping up and down, crying, posting it on every website you frequent....but if it's like "eh...new doll...yay...-tosses to side-", then maybe it's time to take a break and focus on something else that DOES excite you. Again, it's a personal thing, but to me, I wouldn't want to sink hundreds or thousands of dollars into something that I didn't enjoy and get at least a little excited over.

If you feel jaded and that it's not as fun as it was... What would you recommend to do to stir things up and try and get the excitement back? I'd say take a break from the hobby. It's possible that if you are buying too much too fast, it's killing the excitement or is more of a hassle than fun. Not quit the hobby all together, just don't buy anything for awhile, at least not until you feel that compelling urge of "must have!!" Or possibly focus on your other dolls for awhile, take time to really bond before bringing home a new one. If you are creating original characters, create the character first and get really involved with him/her to the point you just can't wait to get the doll home. For me, if I can't bond to a character, I'm less excited over a doll. So if I rp a character a lot without the doll, I start longing for the physical representation of him, which makes getting the doll home sooner more exciting.

 

I got my first bjd in the summer of 2008, but I was into them for about a year before I worked up the courage to buy.

I definitely am less excited about each new doll. I used to be beside myself from when they were shipped until when they came. Sometimes I was so worked up I would have trouble sleeping! Now I'm much more chill about the whole thing. I'm still very happy for a new doll, but I don't freak out anymore, and honestly I prefer how it is now! I would say I used to do more with the dolls, but part of that is just growing up. I have a fulltime job and a new, awesome apartment with my bf. I have less time to devote to the hobby, which is funny because I have way more cash to devote to it as a working adult (as opposed to a college student).

 

I've been in the hobby for about 6 years and I still get super stoked when buying or making or thinking about my dolls! I guess it's sort of a more private thing for me now than it used to be, though! I don't feel the same compulsion to share every little thing I do with my dolls that I did when I was new to the hobby. I'm not sure if maybe that's because I was a teenager then and now I'm in my 20s. I don't share as much of... anything now haha.

I think more than buying new things, for me I like trying to craft new things or give my dolls new faceups or just paying attention to them. My avid attention to them tends to wax and wane, which is fine. They're still there, waiting for me to pick them up and love them again when I'm not occupied with something else. I've never had a very big doll collection or bought many things for them so buying for my dolls isn't something I need to keep me in the hobby or even just interested in the dolls I already have. (Not that I don't get a giddy thrill about new dolls/doll-related purchases. ;3 I still squeal when things arrive in the mail haha...)

I think one other thing that's kept me in the hobby was meeting and connecting with people I got along with personally who also liked BJDs. It's nice to have someone to share your excitement with, who doesn't mind when you get carried away babbling. It's really important to me to connect with someone on more levels than hobby-sharing, though, so it doesn't happen SUPER often... But I really like it, it's cool. :3

 

How long have you been in this hobby?
Since late 2003.

Do you still feel the same sort of awe/anticipation/excitement as you did when you got your first doll? If so, when?
I do! Whenever I feel like"playing" with my dolls or when I feel like reworking something on them (modifications, face ups, etc.).
I also feel excited when I mange to complete new clothes for them – I am a procrastinator so that takes a lifetime to complete
but whenever I have something new for them to wear in a photo-shoot (as boring and crappy as my shoots are), I get energized.
I'm also filled with anticipation whenever I see a release of new "muscular" male dolls (for the potential use of their bodies).
Of course all my enthusiasm along with my hopes die immediately after seeing nude photos of the whole doll. XP
But for the most part I love my"ABJD" because of the customization qualities and that is what stimulates me about the "hobby"
(each time I see my current dolls or when I see new releases I might be interested in).


Is there a NEED to keep it exciting? Or is just enjoying dolls and doll things enough?
For me there is no need, because I simply love dolls, I have loved dolls practically since I was born so for me the dolls themselves are enough.
I don't need renewed excitement to keep interested in the hobby because I'll always be interested in the dolls, if there ever comes a time when
I decided to "not be part of the community"or decide not to purchase any more of these types of dolls, I'll always be interested in the ones I
already own and that is enough for me.


- Enzyme

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
For about 6 years? (I did lose interest on and off in that time)

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
Nope, I still treat my dolls the same I did when I first got them. Though, I did get better at basic stuff like restringing and head removals than I first was. Haha.


How many dolls have you got over the years?
The most I've had in this house were 3. Some were sold, traded so now there's just 2.

and the question that interests me the most:
How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
As far as yellowing goes, neither of them have been caught under sunlight, (direct or indirect). My 2004 elf shiwoo is strangely fairer than my 2005 Breakaway, so that may be due to the previous owner. In any case, yellowing with the Breakaway is even (,even with the body and head were acquired separately. Thank GOD). And the 2004 elf Shiwoo - never aged a day. 6-ish years and the most drastic change I've experienced is a single broken finger. I feel quite lucky.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
I've been into the hobby since early 2007

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I'm not as fanatic anymore like I was in the beginning. Well I've had my ups and downs when it comes to the hobby. There have been multiple occasions in which the guys stayed in their bag for a long time, months, due to numerous reasons. But everytime I get them out there is this renewed feeling of love. They all still mean very much to me and I do feel bad when I put them away for such a long time.

How many dolls have you got over the years?
I've got 6 dolls and one in co-ownership.

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
They're all doing pretty good. Okay a few of them could use a restringing but that's about it. I only have one WS doll and I guess he has yellowed a bit over time, but he's not yellow-yellow so I can live with it. The worst damage - 3 broken fingers on my first doll and his "foot screw" came undone several times, but that's about it

 

please delete~

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
Since 2006

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I don't have a lot of free time to play with them anymore, I started collecting in college. So, now they are sitting neatly on a shelf in my closet.

How many dolls have you got over the years?
I've gotten twenty-one, but I currently have six

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
Most of the dolls that I own now have been pretty recent purchases. And I haven't taken them outside since 2010, and even when they were out I didn't have them in the sun for long (most of my dolls are tan.) So, for the lost part they have aged really well.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
I found out about BJDs a little less that six years ago and got my first doll five and a half years ago.

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I tend to keep them in their boxes a bit more now as I do not want them to age too quickly and for spacial sake. Having one doll out all the time was fine, but right now I do not have enough space to display all of them.

At first I bought whatever clothing stuck my fancy to get something on my doll's bum, but once a character settled in, I got really really really picky about what to get for each doll.

How many dolls have you got over the years?
Three dolls in the first year
Two dolls (and a head) in the second year
No dolls year three
One doll (and a head) in year four
No dolls year five
Two dolls this year that I am still paying on

Eight total and two floating heads. And a BUNCH of fantasy parts for my Soom Teenie Gem.

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
They are all holding up beautifully. My oldest has yellowed a touch, but she is still a nice natural color and I only noticed when I took out a unused hand I got at the same time as her that she is just a shade different than she used to be.

I did have one dolls have a stress break on her elbow joint, but Elfdoll was nice enough to send me a new arm piece, and I was surprised to see how little she had yellowed being a paper white doll.

The worst thing has been wig stains... who knew a light silver wig with a white cap would leave a blue ring around my dolls noggin?

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
Since 2003

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
My doll collection has changed enormously. I used to mainly buy only Volks dolls. Also the early Customhouse dolls, which were wonderful.

How many dolls have you got over the years?
I've lost track of how many I've owned. I now have fifteen, plus some floating heads.

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
I have two dolls from the 'early days' - my Volks Anais I and an early Souldoll made of French resin. They have both yellowed, but not in a disturbing way (to me).

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
I've always been interested in the hobby, but this will be my 3rd year with a doll.

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I'm not so scared to handle him, and I learned so much by researching and watching the topics here on DOA. My sewing skills have improved a lot too!

I am confident and knowledgeable in what dolls I want next, and look forward to getting more dolls. No more limiteds though. >:/ My boy is a limited, and well...I'm still paranoid over it.

I also learned to be patient. Especially when saving. It's best to save for what you really want, then to snag whatever has the better price...and be unhappy. The dolls I like, are and always will be available, but they are $600+. So, I am just going to wait it out.

How many dolls have you got over the years?
Just Marc. Though I do plan to get my next doll soon, and hopefully a third. These things take time for me.

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?

Inside Marcs' head is a little scuffed up from the S-hook when I was barely learning how to get it to sit right with the magnets holding it. The neck area is also a little scuffed, but you can't really see it unless his head is off.

He's gotten a new face-up that I just LOVE. It's still holding up nicely. He's got a stain on his butt and his feet, but I can just scrub that off...I don't see any yellowing though...maybe mellowed down in color though. He was very pinkish when he arrived. He's NS from Soom, though. I've read some batches are pinker.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
This would be my fifth year in the BJD hobby. @ 0 @ wow! Time flies...

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I think I ended up playing with them less individually, since I usually find myself rotating the attention XD

How many dolls have you got over the years?
Wow...not sure if I should count this. 9 -exactly nine, but I have only kept three of them.

and the question that interests me the most:
How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
The oldest item I have has yellowed slightly, but that is because I usually give it a new coat of UV cut MSC every summer. Another thing that I have to say is that there are scuffs, chips and left undone mods on my oldest boy's body. It just shows how loved he is. ^ ^ I have really enjoyed these past years.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?

start looking in 2006, bought first one in March 2007 so just over 5 years now

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc

of course the initial sticker shock went away quickly after I started to collect Volks. They have more clothes than I thought they would ever have. I have more than what I thought I would ever own.

I now have 5 of a certain doll whom got me really started in the hobby.

I do appreciate them more than back in 2006

How many dolls have you got over the years?

probably more than 60-70 came thru here, currently about 40-50 are with me

and the question that interests me the most:
How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?

my oldest doll is from 2005 - he is a second hand One Off from Volks. He is still well, yellowed some but still nice. The original One Off face up is still intact. Same is with my very first BJD - face up is still good. He was PINK white at the beginning now the resin is a nice color. He does not have his original body any more but still good

only my Soom dolls change color to the extend that I dislike (regardless whether they have been out or not)

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?

I first got into dolls in 2006, so for about 6 years now

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc

Nothing really changed in how I treat the dolls. However, my tastes have changed a lot over the years, and my willingness to spend, has actually increased, which is odd since shortly after my joining the hobby (roughly 2008ish) the economy in America became very bad... Before, I would think 2 or 3 hundred was the most I would spend on a doll (hence my first two dolls being from dollzone, one of the cheaper companies out there, I also had 3 dolls from AOD another very cheap company, and a 2nd hand Obitsu (which is of course less expensive than a resin doll).). But I now have 2 dolls which cost over $600, which I never would have thought I would spend on a doll lol. Not including clothes and other things, just for the dolls themselves.

Also I used to be attracted to more "anime" looking molds, with big eyes, little lips, pointy noses, etc, happy looking childlike dolls. but now I find I'm more attracted to "expressive" dolls. I look for dolls who's expression seems to change at different camera angles or in different lighting. This usually means that anime dolls are ruled out because many have a "blank expression" (The eyes are just too large, including the girl (my first) in my profile pic.) I now gravitate to more realistic models with slightly closed eyes, or smaller, more realistic human like features. I also now really like pouty or slightly open mouthed dolls. The mouth and eyes to me, determine how the doll will do in photoshoots. (I take a lot of pictures)

How many dolls have you got over the years?

9. However, I have sold 2. and 2 are still "incoming". So currently have 5 with me. AOD Tan Lele, Dollzone Demi (profile pic), Obitsu Gretel, AOD Mimi, and Dollmore Model F Melissa Baul. Incoming I have Crobidoll Limited Sinbi and Soom Minigem Aren. I have plans to get several more, but just got married last week, and am now in the process of begining to look at a home with my husband. So money will not be available for dolly stuff for awhile.

and the question that interests me the most:
How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?

I have never had to restring any of my dolls yet. They are showing some yellowing, but at least thankfully it is even - I only have normal skin dolls so far (and one tan) - I think if they were white, the yellowing may be more noticeable. One of them has a stain from it's wig on it's headcap. No broken bits, scratches, or other deffects though. Overall I am satisfied with how they have held up. I don't think they are as fragile as some people think. Mine go outside all the time for photoshoots in direct sunlight and used to live in my bedroom on a dresser that probably caught the sun at different times of the day. The yellowing really is not that bad in my opinion, they were already, kinda yellow, being normal skin and all anyways.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
Since January 2008.

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I started out being very weaboo. Only yaoi boys dolls. Haha. It soon changed and I began buying my characters instead and became much more of a girl doll fan + I began to like tinies a lot.

How many dolls have you got over the years?
I've owned around 30 dolls (including floating heads), but many of them was sold. I'm down to 10 dolls right now.

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
My oldest doll right now is about 2 years, or the head is, the body is pretty new. It has some yellowing, but not too bad considering the time.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
This October will be my 6th year.

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I have more now so I get less one on one time, that's for sure.

How many dolls have you got over the years?
Bought my 6th last October.

and the question that interests me the most:
How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
They might have but they look in perfect condition to me. I look after them really well coz I love them a lot.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby?
um.. I'd say 5 years?

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
no, I treat them like treasures

How many dolls have you got over the years?
3, 2 for me

and the question that interests me the most:
How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time?
pretty good, I'd say, have to keep them in the box for now.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby? Not quite 4 years, but getting close. XD

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc If anything, I guess I'm more involved with them. I buy them more stuff and take them out sometimes.

How many dolls have you got over the years? I'm up to 7; 6 of those were bought in the past year. I had to wait a long time after my first doll. It took me a year to find the perfect sculpt for his boyfriend, but unfortunately the company (Ringdoll) was going through hard times and it took nearly a year for them to complete my order. @_@ During that ordeal I was so upset and frustrated, I thought I'd never buy another doll. But then I found one or two that I just fell in love with, and have gotten much more involved in the hobby.

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time? Most of my dolls are pretty new, and have a variety of skintones. My oldest doll from 3 1/2 years ago is also my palest, and he has not yellowed at all, insofar as I can see.

 

How long have you been in the BJD hobby? Actually, now that I think about it, it's only been three years.. It seems like much longer though!

Did anything change? like the way you treat your dolls, etc
I suppose I'm not as careful with them compared to when I first started out. When I first started I was afraid of breaking/staining them or exposing them to sunlight, but after countless re-stringings, I'm not as worried.


How many dolls have you got over the years? I am now up to ten. Eight Msds and two tinies.

How are your dolls doing? Severe yellowing..etc. How are they holding over time? Most of them are holding up pretty well, especially since some of them were second-hand when I got them. The only real difference I can see is in my white skinned minifees. The NS ones haven't changed I don't think.
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