Is it worth it?

First off, this is an amazing hobby. I've been in this hobby for almost a year and I love every bit of it.

Don't worry about not enjoying the hobby. Find a doll that you really want. Before hitting that buy button, make sure to to do your research. You want to know how well, the doll poses, aesthetics, and all of that good stuff. Also if you're going to use a dealer, make sure that they're an official dealer for that specific company. Secondhand dolls are also amazing. One of my dolls is secondhand and he's one of my favorites.

The first time I put an order for my first doll, I was completely nervous. Once I clicked that buy button I got this excited feeling. When I finally received my first doll, it was a whole new experience. He was beautiful and amazing and I was completely breathless when I saw him. Now I have four dolls and two floating heads and I love them.

There's so many things you can do in this hobby. You can do faceups, make clothes, photography and whatever else you want to do. As long as you're having fun, is all that matters.

 

You're going to get a biased answer because I'm sure all of us think this hobby is amazing. But I definitely agree with Prince Monochrome. And don't worry if you pick the wrong sculpt at first. I did too but we have marketplace here where you can buy and sell dolls second hand and especially if you want to sell a doll that is new, you could get most of the cost back.

Since getting into this hobby, I have found that this is a very good "end-all" of hobbies because it can include painting, sewing, photography, sculpting, making dioramas, etc.

 

It really is up to YOU. Everyone is different. If you really want a doll, get one. If you're not sure, don't do it. It's really pretty simple. It's like buying anything... You have to decide if you think it's worth the money on your own.

Everyone worries at least a little, sometimes a lot, about whether they will enjoy the dolls they buy. It's natural. I know I had doubts. But I also know that I really, really wanted that doll, even with all the doubts. It all worked out for me. But as I said, everyone is different...

 

I think no one can really answer you that question, since everyone's different and what works for one person might not do anything for someone else.

However, personally I think things like maybe picking the wrong sculpt for your first doll shouldn't discourage you. Everyone makes mistakes and through them you learn. So, should you really find you don't actually like the doll you choose IRL, that's not a deal-breaker. If, even though that one doll isn't for you, you find you still love the creative aspects of this hobby - then just try again.
It took me buying and than selling 4 dolls (if I remember correctly) before I found the first one that stayed with me. But I still enjoyed the hobby and so I kept going and now I have 6 dolls, of which 4 are definite keepers. Sometimes it's just that way. You'll find most people have at least once bought and quickly re-sold a doll that didn't work out, it's really not uncommon.

 

It's hard to answer and I guess it depends on you. I've been in this hobby since 5 years ago (doing research ) but ordered my first doll last year. This hobby is really interesting and never make me getting bored because it links to other hobbies like sewing, photographing, designing, etc... At first, I was afraid to be disappointed because of getting wrong sculpt like you. But since I was really interested in this hobby. I decided to get one which I liked the most that time. I think if you choose your favorite sculpt which you have done some researches (watching other's doll with same sculpt on internet, taking some time to make decision, etc) before and order it, it won't make you feel regret later.

 

Don't be scared =) If you absolutely not like the sculpt you always can sell it and buy another. There is no something strange as for me.
For craft and photo - bjd are really suitable for it. If you already up for it there are a small chance that you lost the interest, but usually is versa.

 

Because you're coming at this from a creativity outlet type end I think you'll enjoy it no matter what.
Look at the dolls as another medium. Some people paint with oils, some with acrylics. some use computers. others are photographers(like you). Some people take junk objects and turn them in to amazing sculptures or 3D paintings, people take clay and form amazing things.

Dolls transfer into every single one of the above.
You can use a doll as a photography subject, or a subject for a painting. You can paint the dolls them selves. write stories with them, short comics etc. People take "junk" dolls, ones that have been broken or destroyed and restore them into amazing creations. you can re-sculpt the dolls and make them something wholly different.

Could you end up buying a sculpt you dislike down the line.. sure. But you can trade/sell or even modify it to your own liking!
I'm new to the hobby as well, I'm still awaiting my first dolls. I'm very much looking at it from a creativity standpoint. I looked over dozens and dozens of sculpts, bodies, eyes, wigs etc. before I found one that clicked with me. I instantly knew I'd transform this doll into my skyrim character.

As a few have stated, do research first. Don't just buy the first doll you come across, bookmark ones you like, and keep going back to them over several days-if not weeks, months or hell years. keep narrowing down what you like and dislike about each one of those removing ones you fall out of love with.
eventually you'll find YOUR doll.

I've seen it time and time again from various DOA members, you don't have to have a doll to be part of this hobby and community, so don't rush your first doll. Find one you love.

 

This hobby has brought more mixed emotions to me than any other hobby. I get joy when I buy a doll and then anxiety that I may not like it, pride when I make it a nice outfit, guilt when I get a doll and can't bond with it.
I wouldn't change it for the world though, I love my dolls and I love how different they are.

 

you will never know till you try, it's a very attractive hobby with lots of fields that open the creativity vision at your mind, but anyways there is no lose at BJD i mean even if you found it not enjoyable for you, still you can sell the doll with almost the same money that you have paid for.

 

This hobby is SO much more then just getting a doll and setting it on a stand and forgetting it. You take pictures, you make clothes, find wigs, make photostories, props, it's an amazing hobby!

Heck even my mom loves it!

 

In my 7 years in the hobby, I've done a ton of buying and selling. I still own my first doll, and second head, but all of the others I bought in the first two years are long gone. Tastes change, and there's nothing wrong with changing your mind about your dolls.

As for advice on picking one you like---research research research! Figure out what qualities matter most to you--posing abilities? resin color? resin type? size?realistic or anime? Look at many companies. Go to a local meet up if you can, see as many in person as you can for a better idea of what to expect. Then----go for it! Find a doll you really like. Ask questions if you need to, but base your choice on what calls to YOU. Don't let others try to change your mind, or try to get something more expensive/cheaper, more/less popular, and so on. I think letting someone else talk you into a doll you don't love is one of the biggest mistakes you can make starting out.

My first doll was AoD Chen, because I just fell SO hard for him! While researching, I had several people try to convince me to get a Bobobie as a better starter doll....or "save a little more" and get a DZ Megi. I'm really glad I didn't listen. When I opened that box, I just KNEW I picked the right sculpt. I've handled Bobobie dolls and DZ Megi many times since then, and I honestly believe if I'd chosen one of them I'd have lost interest in the hobby before I really even got started. Not that there's anything wrong with those dolls, they just aren't what I really wanted.

 

Find a doll you like the look of and keeps you enthralled. If it costs than what you have saved, hold out a little longer. You will be more excited to get a doll you truly love the look of.

As for getting bored, they are so versatile you can change one thing and it can feel like you have a totally different doll. Nearly sold two of my dolls but changed my mind after giving them new eyes/swapping their wigs.

There is also nothing stopping you from selling your doll on if you think the hobby does not suit you or even trade for a different sculpt.

 

My first doll was fairly expensive for what she was - a full set and faceup done by a doll maker . . on an otherwise cheap doll sculpt - and I was really reluctant at first. It was a great deal for what it was, and I fell in love with how she looked, but it was a sculpt I wasn't really familiar with (and the company photos were terrible) so I felt very nervous about it. It's a lot of money to just spend on a whim! Anyway, when I finally got her. . .I absolutely fell in love with how she looked, with the dolls in general, and all my hesitations faded.

 

Depending on the doll you can do a layaway.

 

The cool thing about having hobbies is that one can have many hobbies. Buying a doll is an exploration of imagination & exploration is a good thing in my opinion. I know many people who don't have hobbies, which is a total shock to me because I have always had hobbies.

Hobbies will come and go throughout life, interest will fluctuate but it doesn't mean it was a poor decision. What's important is that one still retains the sense of wonder... Exploring, trying, learning, growing and discovering…all good stuff. I think it's how we all got here...

 

The other nice thing is that you can have your "starter doll," realize you didn't bond, and find another. I've been able to resell and rehome a lot of items that weren't exactly perfect for me.

 

I think of it this way. Would you feel so guilty if you were spending the money on cloths, shoes, mobile phone, etc..? Because they are more mainstream accepted many people don't query it. Buying a doll should be the same. If you want it and can afford it why not get it? Another good thing with bjds is you can resell them if you do change your mind in the future (try doing that with a used phone!). Do your homework and look around and don't just buy the first you see. Find one you just love the look of and go for it. It's an amazing hobby for creative people and wonderful for photography. Enjoy

 

in my view,I only buy the doll I really want to have,otherwise,I won't to do,If the doll you really love it,perhaps as the time gose,you will feel you have no interesting to them,but as you see the face of the dolls.you will feel happy,I think the memory is worth to enjoy,I have four dolls and I love all them,sometimes I also think if the doll worth spending so much money,but as soon as I seen them, the feeling is disappeared.