Is BJD really just for adults? And adults, what do you think of kids who like them?

Hmm... I think that it's more about how mature the kid is than it is about the age. xD That is on terms of weather or not they'd shove the BJD in a corner and forget about it, or appreciate and care for it.

I'm always told I look and act at least 3 years older than I am (When I was 12, people used to call me I was 16. lol). I just turned 15, and I just got my little baby Yuki (DoC Too) and I'm getting Ichi, my DoC H. Ivan for Christmas. ^_^ I'm so excited for Ichi to actually come home!

Really it's the price that's causing me to not get any more dollies, because $500 is just... way, way more than I can ever afford. Lol. I don't have any money right now! I'm lucky enough to have parents that buy me everything I really want/need (not to sound as a spoiled brat, because I appreicate everything they do for me. I work around the house and things to pay them back too.) Still, I feel bad asking them to buy me stuff that I didn't really earn, so I'm not going to ask for any more dollies untill I can actually pay them back with real money.

I know that when I get a job though, I'll pay for everything myself. Right now my only income is allowence, and the occational money from drawing portraits for people. XD

Anyways, I'd love my dollies even if I was younger or if I was older. It's just that some little kids don't really appreciate the amazing-ness of bjds.

 

I have 3 girls, 10, 10 and 8 years old. They LOVE BJ dolls. I have not bought them SD13s yet for them because they are so expensive. They are getting DIM dolls for Christmas. Cheaper on my wallet!! Dolls are considered for children per say, but they appeal to children of ALL ages! Doll represent human perfection, fantasies, etc. No one outgrows that! (even though they say they do, but then they are not in touch with their inner selves!)

 

It's more of if you can afford them and a hobby like collecting. I know plenty of children who just want to play with them, but with the price it's scary to see one of the larger ones in the hands of a child. So much money...

 

I really does depend on the maturity of the person. I am turning 17 tomorrow and am recieving a Homme Ducan doll for Christmas this year. He was very expensive and I think that is why most kids shy away from them. But that doesnt mean they arent interested. I have admired the larger dolls for a long time and never thought I would actually recieve one! But wow, I mean hes actually in my house, barely 20 feet away RIGHT now. It is taking all of my willpower not to just see his beautiful face right now... (Only a few more days!!!!!!!)

lol. But no, I think the bottom line is: Admired by everyone, collected by few.
~Shelby

 

I never really liked it when people categorized others as either adults or kids. Someone who is young may actually even be more mature than some who are really old. (Like my dad's friend who is 50+ but still makes me constantly want to ask myself, "And how old is she again?!")

So, yeah.

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with someone younger having a bjd. I guess I do tend to think of it more as an adult hobby, simply because of the money involved. Since I know my parents would never spend that much money on a doll for me, I've always viewed it as something that came along with working and being an "adult." But as long as someone is mature enough and doesn't see bjds as just another fad that they'll get over in a month, I don't think age should matter.

 

When I was 13 I would have treated these dolls with the same respect as I would now that I'm 23. I was a very mature child in some ways.

But I do believe that this hobby can also *influence* maturity. Because, as I said, I'm 23, and only now that I'm saving up am I starting to learn the value of money, and how to handle it well. I've been a bit of a spoiled rich kid up to now. XD

 

Considering that I'm old enough to be the grandmother or at least the mother of most people on this board, perhaps the question for me is "are you too old to play with BJDs?" But seriously, I think it's wonderful that younger people are interested in them but I can't understand how anyone in their teens can afford these dolls.

Doll collecting runs the gamut of ages & interests & with the popularity of anime amongst the young kids it doesn't surprize me that these dolls appeal to them. I don't think there's a set age limit. It's just whatever you can afford or can talk your parents into buying for you.

 

I think that as long as the person wanting to own a BJD is mature enough to handle the fact that they're anitomically correct, then it shouldn't matter the age. I'm 29 and have no human kids, but if I were a mother, I wouldn't let my kids have these dolls until they reached 2 markers. #1- Your age in the double digits and #2- You save the money to buy the doll yourself. That way the kid would truly appreciate their doll. One of the reasons why I say this is because of my 8 year old niece. She's sweet, but I squirmed uncomfortably when she handled my dolls and their wigs. It took forever to get Rodhlan's wig untangled! Plus, she has so much stuff that cost family members a lot of money, but she doesn't pay any attention to them. I think if she told my sister that she wanted one of those dolls, she would absolutely have to save for one herself!

 

Things sure have changed these past few years. I remember when Barbie used to dominate. And that's for kids. Little did I realise that years later, there'll be dolls so beautiful and so pricey that only working adults will be able to afford. So it's a good thing that I checked into the doll community before I missed out on a lot of things. I've already missed Elf Ducan.

 

I would have loved to have had a bjd as a child. Because of the prohibitive cost, I don't think it likely that children will be prominent at meetups and conventions, but I have met a few who came with a parent and they were very nice. I am extremely fond of kids, but would probably not want to be involved in a child-dominated hobby (ever been to an American Girl doll store?). I have no problem with pleasant, well-behaved children being involved. Incidentally, the only people who have ever been openly rude to me at a meetup were about my age (50's). The children, teens, 20, and 30 year olds have always been unfailingly polite and lots of fun.

 

I didn't get into the dolls until I was sixteen and now I'm...sixteen. >.< But um, I know lots of people on this site that aren't adults. I think people say it's an adult hobby because of the price and because most kids than afford $600 doll...

 

All my kids don't really like my dolls (I think they're jealous), but a sweet little 9 year old I babysit loves my Lishe and has told me she wants her when I die! This little girl is young and innocent enough to get away with a request like that, and since she's so sincere, I will see to it that she does become my Lishe's godmother Not that I'm planning on going anywhere soon lol.

 

Like others said befor me, all ages can like bjd's but I think the aboults are the ones that can afford it (if you buy them from your own money). And if we dont count the money problem, then I think it's right to kids to have these dolls as long as they handel them with care. And if you doing faceups and clothes at your age then I must say you must be talented

(hope all makes sence in this, it's really early in the morning )

 

I started heavy into doll collecting at 14. I'd convince my parents to take me to shows and sales and such, because I didn't drive. Vendors didn't know what to think of me. Things changed a little when I graduated college and had 'positive cash flow'. Not to mention my own checking and CC accounts.

Meanwhile, I got into antiques, vintage/modern, and ultimately discovered BJDs as well (prior to a business trip to Japan I googled for Japanese dolls, and here I am!).

That being said, among most of the people I know in the (general) doll collecting hobby, I'm by far the youngest at 31. I started going to conventions at 28. Conversely, in the BJD world I think I might be 'over the hill'.....

Either way--I know it's kind of corny, but 'you're only as old as you think you are'.

Marseille

 

I got into Barbie collectables when I was 10 years old. Though the label says, "for collectors 14 and over" that did not stop me. My parents were cool with it. Mom was against the idea of deboxing, but since most of those special edition Barbies look better displayed, why the hell not? I'm such a deboxer. All the more reason why I like our resin kids.

If I see a young one with a doll, I won't bat an eye. As long as they're mature and responsible, I'm cool with it. Believe me, I've ran into immature doll people at gatherings who were over 18. No matter what age, remember to be polite and use common sense. That's all I have to say about that.

 

I'm 15 ^_^
I worked my arse off and affored my first abjd. Though i do get called hun alot, it kinda makes me giggle. I don't mind people thinking i'm childish at times, or too young. So long as they don't call me a child. I'm sorry but i've worked and done alot of things most fifteen year olds wouldn't dream of (and also have not done alot of immature things most teenagers do) At home i'm more responsible than my 18 year old brother (that's not hard >,>) so alot of people think my parents buy me the dolls, But no, i earn them.

Infact, because i cant pay for my recently ordered dolls, i've been working even harder around the house because my evil boss won't call me back in. I've earned $30 today by cleaning the anti christ bathroom of mine (the enamel is all peeled off, so it's like washing the road) XD

I think if you can afford it, and buy the doll with most of your own money than you can be in the hobby. But those who just get every doll they want by saying "mommy i want that" and getting it, those people IMHO don't deserve to be in this hobby. (i understand one or two dolls like that, but not everyone of them)

My family is far from rich, so i get $100 for xmas from my grandparents (3 sets) and $50 from my bday, $25 per big holliday (like easter or turkey day) than chores i tend to get around $10 a week for. Sadly though, i only can pay off my debuts with my chores, my family wont take gift money to pay off bills ><!

ah well... anyway, I understand barrowing $ from your family to buy a doll, so long as you pay them back i don't see that much of a problem with kids getting into it >,>;

also, BJD collecting has changed my opinion on expencive things..like collage...Only 22 dolls! XD

 

Not every 14-year-old has no money. I got virtually no allowance (50 cents or $1 a week, in the late 80s/early 90s) but babysat. I'd pull in about $200 a month during the winter, and sometimes $400+ in the summer. Most went into savings for college, but that was about the time I got into dolls--my first 'major' doll purchase was a circa 1915 bisque doll. I was 14, and paid for it with babysitting money. Of course that led to more. And I had no housing/food/clothing type expenses, but still.

But it was my money, and I was responsible, and I did the research. I don't think there should be any age restrictions for dolls. For internet, maybe. But kids have to be given responsibility at some point. And I know kids who are more responsible and careful than a lot of adults I know.

And, as far as responsibility--taking care of your dolls isn't even on par with minding someone's children. And lots of people hire babysitters who are 13 and 14.

Marseille

 

well im 18 so im not sure if im classed as adult or what(probably to immature to be classed as adult but anyway..)

I dont really see this as an age defined hobby, if younger people can afford it and are old enough to understand the value of an item and how to care for it why not.
After all age doesnt define how old you are mentally, you could be young and very mature or old and immature.

 

Hmm well I don't think that BJD's are for a specific age group and all.
I'm 17 now, going on 18 in August...
And I've been interested in them since I was about 13 as well.

But I guess I don't really see it as adults liking them or kids liking them. I see it more as a person who is interested in such finally crafted pieces of art. That and so much more. I see them as more of an expression of who you are, customizing them and all, just to your liking.

I always played with dolls when I was younger. From Barbie to the American Girl dolls. So I guess dolls are just my thing. ^_^

BJD's are so expensive therefor, like everyone is saying, it's "adult" because of the cost. (I can barely afford any right now. ;

But young or old I think everyone can own a BJD. It's all in the intrest of the doll. =D