Is your doll habit a dirty little secret?

My dolls aren't a secret either. I don't broadcast it to everybody I know however; if anybody asks what my hobbies are I'll tell them straight up.

 

It started out this way. I have never been a doll collector or even a collector, really. I do, however, go through phases where I'm super interested in something like a new hobby. Well, this "hobby" has lasted over 3 years, which probably means it's something that will stay. At first, I didn't tell anyone because I didn't know what they would think. But then it got to the point that I didn't really have a choice. I felt bad for concealing it from one of my best friends. She would come over and spot a doll something or other and I didn't want to tell her because I didn't know what she would think. But I started to feel guilty for hiding it from her so one day when she was over I just came out and told her. Then showed her all my dolls. She loved them and was super respectful. After that I realized that people don't really care. And if they think badly of you, whatever, they're not your true friends.

 

I have some family that I don't want knowing because I don't trust them around any of my stuff that's worth anything. That being said, I would love to take my dolls out and take pictures and go to meets and all, but I don't even feel comfortable going on a walk/gardening/checking mail, let alone doing a photo shoot outside where the whole world can learn my interests. It's not that I am ashamed of the dolls, I just don't like people knowing what I'm doing if that makes any sense. I could be drawing a picture, but I don't want people looking over my shoulder to see what I am drawing.

 

I think it is just that stigma of being an adult who owns "dollies" My partner, Mum and brothers know of my hobby and are great about it but I don't see any reason for anyone else to know, i like keeping things seperate. My dolls are for me

 

I don't take them out much at all and when I do they're in a box. I don't exactly keep then a secret because I really don't care what others think.
I have a friend who isn't in the hobby at all but we'll talk about the dolls and she likes looking at them. Pretty much all my friends and co-workers know about them too.
The other day I was in a store showing her pictures of a doll and this little old lady came up being us and started looking at it and made a few comments. My first experience with a stranger commenting on my hobby which was actually kinda fun.

 

I have one good friend who got me into the hobby and everyone else thinks it's kind of odd. I refer to them as creepy dolls because I think mine are cute and sweet but there are definitely angles where they look malevolent!

 

It's not really a secret that I collect them (doll collecting isn't that unusual a hobby after all) but I still feel self-conscious when I take my dolls out in public places. I'd like to get over it though, as it's fun to take pictures in unique locations and stuff.

 

It's not a secret, as my doll is on full display on my desk. But it's not something I openly talk about either, besides to my husband.

 

Two of my family members know obviously because I got the dolls in the mail! My boyfriend, and two of my friends know because I trust that
they won't judge me for it. Besides them, no one who isn't in the hobby needs to know about my dolls and I like it better that way.

 

I'm still waiting for my first doll to arrive, so i haven't own one yet, but just the fact that i'm into this hobby is a secret to my friends. No one around me is a BJD collector and i always get a negative reaction from people when it comes to dolls (even just by looking at the pictures many of them think BJDs are creepy). I wonder what would they react if they knew about the prices '__' So i just decide to keep this hobby to myself and only share it to those who understands

 

Most of my family knows and also my close friends.
But my family in law doesn't know and neither do my colleagues at work.
I guess i'm quite open about it, but some people just don't have to know it!
For my family in law... i guess it's a money question.

 

I want to go out and scream it but no i tell i only in my friends and family!

 

I am not entirely sure if I would call it a secret. My family knows, some friends know, and my husband is in the hobby with me. I wouldn't go as far as displaying them in my house out in the open, nor would I really talk about my hobby in a work setting, but that usually goes for most of my hobbies. Not that they are a secret, it is that the discussions don't come up unless others are interested or if it is a common ground.

 

I have no problem sharing my dolls with friends who I know would be accepting of them, but I don't take my dolls out in public. I am considering taking them to the park for one photo shoot, but would probably feel uncomfortable doing that.

I'm not embarassed about my dolls or any other hobby, but I've learned through 60-odd years of life experience, that I can enjoy what I do without broadcasting it to the world. I don't like setting myself up for criticism. That's just me though. I've become a bit guarded due to some bad experiences in the past.

 

No its not a secret, but I am cautious (after some unkind sneers) about who I let into my studio room where they're on display. I don't think I'll ever admit to anyone what they cost either, so that part definitely ISN'T for public consumption!! But if people ask I tell them I've always loved dolls, from being a little girl, and that's never changed. Its just that now I'm grown up enough to admit it and enjoy it and not care (much) about other people's opinions of them.

I've got a friend who collects capodimonte figurines and I think they're hideous, but I would NEVER say so, and always try to show an interest when she gets a new one. It makes her happy, and that's all I need to know.

 

It's been a secret for a long time, my ex knew about it and that's it. I am active on facebook bjd pages and here now, and I'm really trying to tell people about my hobby but I guess I am ashamed, worried that my friends will laugh/don't get it. I've told my 2 best friends and they thought they were freaky, creepy, and they indeed laughed. I am ok with them not liking them now, but I didn't like the conversations...

 

No; their the first thing you see when you come into my room. I'm not ashamed of collecting dolls. I love defining/making their characters, dressing and slowly working on their diorama.

 

Yeah I'm in the same boat... Slowly trying to tell people about my hobby. So maybe they'll be less judgmental when they do come over and see them.

 

Nope, i'm very open about my hobbies but i don't really behave weirdly or obssess over it so people are pretty respectful

 

Its not quite a secret but I don't go out of my way to tell anyone, apart from my family and my two besties (one of whom introduced me to the hobby in the first place) no one else knows. I'm not quite comfortable in taking my dolls to public places....but I am trying to muster the courage to take them on holiday...I would love to get the confidence to take them out to meets and conventions more! Its just that a lot of my family and friends think dolls are weird or scary mainly due to a lot of the documentary's where people are obsessed with Barbies or porcelain dolls (which to me isn't a bad thing!).

I love all of my dolls a lot and I wouldn't be without them...but I'm just worried how people will react. Especially if people asked how much they cost, even though I lie my face off and say they cost a fraction of what I paid my family still think thats too expensive...imagine if I told them the real price!