Is your doll habit a dirty little secret?

Well... my parents are supportive of it. My boyfriend... enh I've mentioned to him a couple of times I have one. He's never seen it. My ex was extremely supportive of it and thought of it as his daughter. One or two of my college friends know about it, but so far it's a dirty little secret. Soon, however, it won't be a secret and hopefully not a bad one. Once I get my doll back in my possession, I'll be using her for my fashion design as a little milliner doll. I don't think many people would have a problem with her lurking around. If they do, oh well. They know how eccentric I am anyway. It shouldn't surprise them.

 

Yes a little bit seacret.. but my father saw my dolls and he just said.. What do you brought dolls... you are not a little girl anymore.. haha... but i just say it's not like barbie dolls.. this dolls are collecting dolls...^^

 

Not at all - when I was given money by family friends for my 22nd (earthquakes two months before my 21st meant we postponed it by a year), I sent out an email to everyone who gave me money with a link to the limited FairyLand PukiFee I bought, what her name was going to be, and a brief explanation about the hobby - I said how I got into it, that I already had several dolls, that they were hand sculpted etc, and explained that to me, it was like buying myself a very special piece of art. My parents for my actual 21st gave me money for my dream doll. My partner loves my dolls, he talks to them like I do and buys them things quite often. And my friends on Fb get spammed with dolly related photos and statuses. I also have a bad habit of chatting with shop assistants about them XD
I've only ever had one reaction that wasn't either support or "eh, it's your money" which was from my Uncle, when I told him what my parents were giving me for my 21st. He kept saying that she wasn't practical, and that I could get something useful with the money. I just explained that I didn't need anything practical, and that I also normally asked for practical things, and that for my 21st I wanted something which was purely impractical. Something I didn't need, something I just wanted. He kinda understood after that, cause I likened it to when he bought a really nice (and expensive) piece of art.

 

I don't tell people about my BJD hobbie, but I wouldn't hide it if they asked. It's my hobby and my life and they should be happy for me. I am 23 years old and some people are like "How old are you? And you still have dolls?" but I don't care.
When I first started the hobbie, I wouldn't even tell a soul, but I am more open about it now. Everyone has different hobbies. Nothing to be ashamed about

 

I am pretty open about it, i just get so excited about them, and post photos on my FB too, and usually get positive comments to those pics..... the funny thing is so many friends who see these photos think i am the one making them! I must say that when i have someone come over to my house, and i really want to share them with a new person, I first carefully gauge their reactions to me approaching the subject that i "collect bjds".... It is at that point, that i feel nervous and vulnerable to judgement for sure... Usually when they see the dolls in person, they are amazed and relieved that they haven't walked into a room full of baby dollies and cabbage patch kids!!!!

 

I love showing my dolls to people! I worked so hard to bring them to life and on developing their characters. I spent a lot of time agonizing over how to afford them, how to dress them, what eyes were right, what wig was right... Plus, I consider my dolls to be beautiful representations of my hard work. Most, if not all, of my friends know of this hobby, and I've taken dolls out in public before. I can't wait until I have my little 16cm sweetheart because she'll be so easy to show off!

 

I bought my personal Sephiroth May 23 2013 and received him June 13th 2013. I love him to death, but I feel bad that I can not play with him and display him as I please. I haven't told any friends or family (what family? lol) about him. They aren't exactly as open-minded and as adventurous as I am, but this is what I wanted and thus it is what I received.

Have any of you had this experience? Hit me up!

 

I can't say I kept them a secret, but I did hesitate for awhile after I got them before I started telling my friends.

At first, they were a little weirded out. One friend literally said that she didn't understand. (it's a doll; what is there to understand?) but, ultimately, they were fine with it. They even have a bit of interest in them now. In addition, they had another friend who was interested in them that I was able to become acquainted with. Now I have a real life doll-buddy.

That said, it's your hobby; you don't have to share it with anyone if you want to keep it just for you!

 

I have an older sister that really doesn't like me having dolls. She is really funny about spending- I didn't tell her when I ordered my first doll cos I knew she would try to stop me ( to the point of convincing my parents to ban them from the house - yes this has happened with other things before). Every time she comes home, she waits till I am not in the room then will mess with my doll in some way. she has already been warned if she causes any damage she will have to buy a replacement. I haven't told her about my next doll that I ordered a few weeks ago. I keep all my doll things in my bed room as then they tend to be left alone by everyone. My parents don't really understand but they can see how happy it makes me so they just except it. I think you should show the people close to you- you got something special to you that brings you joy, they should be happy for you.

 

Not really I'm pretty much an open book. I do tend to notice that I don't really bring them up in conversation except to people who find the things I do interesting. Most of my family my aunts and uncles really just never like anything I do... They're the type of people who think art is just a waste of time and my time would be better spent being a nurse or whatever... (nothing against nurses and doctors here I think their jobs are very important... it's just not for me ( I pass out at the sight of blood...) So yeah...) They just don't seem to understand things so I don't really talk to them about it. My parents and siblings all think I'm crazy anyways so they don't really mind... and I do have some relatives who get annoyed when I discuss my dolls and stuff especially on facebook so generally I just don't care what they think... If they don't love and respect me enough to support me in my endeavors that AREN'T hurting myself or anyone else than why be around them and worry what they think?

 

I haven't kept mine a secret at all. I love my dolls, and I'm not at all ashamed or embarrassed by them. Most of my friends have been really nice. They may not understand it or be interested, but most have accepted that it makes ME happy. I don't feel that a true friend should ever put down your hobbies (unless it's dangerous, of course). There have been a few people make odd or less than polite remarks, but I don't let it get to me. It's my life, I enjoy it for me. After I got my first doll, my sister ordered one almost immediately after mine got home, and a friend has started researching to get her own. You might be surprised at who else likes your doll.

Of course, you could also always look for meetups in your area so you could spend time with others who are every bit as excited about the hobby as you are!

 

haha, I felt that way for a long time - none of my house-mates knew I had a doll for a good year, as I didn't get on well with many of them (long, unnecessary story). Anyway, I was very open about wanting a doll with my family and they eventually agreed I could have one as long as I paid half myself.
Opening up about loving dolls was certainly eased up by my going to a doll meetup. Everyone was so friendly and interested

But yeah, I've had some different housemates this year and they all know about my doll and are always curious about what I am sewing for her ^0^ They think she's pretty cool haha! I was (pleasantly) surprised by their positive reactions and now bring my sewing with me when I travel and am happy to tell people I make doll clothes. I feel significantly happier, having something I love (such as sewing and dolls) out in the open and discussable like that.

 

I kept it a secret from people I didn't trust. My friends and family were all told. But for example my neighbor has a habit of one-upping me at everything I like so I just told her yesterday after her mother offered to give me a box of porcelain doll parts. After mentioning the price first so her mother wouldn't go get her one. Eventually I tell everyone, it just depends on how much I trust you

 

I currently have one bjd and another on layaway (anxiously waiting for her) my boy is a doll I very much adore and I worked hard to buy him. I so far enjoy having him and since he is mine I see no reason to hide him away, so no I don't keep him or my hobby a secret. I have had mix reactions with friends and family concerning him but I don't let it bother me much, whether they think him creepy, cool or a waste of money won't change how I see my doll, I bought him for me and I like displaying him and he makes me happy so I rather have him out and about.

 

I'm the same way. My family does not know I have dolls. They all hide in various drawers or under my bed or in my closet. In boxes of course. They come out at night or when no one else is home. I've been contemplating telling my sister but I'm hesitant, b/c I'm afraid she might use it against me later or be worried about me and tell my parents. I have told some of my friends. None of them have seen them in person yet, just pictures. Just told a friend at work today on our long drive to Iowa. So I'm making progress. But I long to have my own place so I can have them out whenever I want and/or actually display them.

 

My family always knew from the start, but i was "preparing" them mentally, that another doll is coming. This is a serious hobby, and i made it clear that they better respect it. Usually people do once they hear the price!

 

I live on my own, make my own money, and see no reason to tell my parents what I spend my money on. I don't think they would especially care if they knew? I mean, I can't imagine myself picking up the phone and solemnly confessing "Mom, Dad, I have something important to tell you... I'm a doll collector. I collect really expensive dolls. This is just who I am. I hope you'll accept me."

My parents do know I collect antique toys, ephemera, and art books. They think it's a pretty silly/strange way to spend money and none of these things are their interests but they also respect that I'm an adult and I'm financially responsible (none of this spending is straining my budget or causing problems for my future).

 

I keep them a secret from most of my family members, cause last time they freaked out when they found out my ResinSoul Long was $200...only my sis and my friends know I got 3 dolls total.

 

It's always been a bit confusing to me, having to keep a doll a secret. I've run into some issues with family about how much they cost, and whether they believe I'm being responsible with my money, but otherwise, they don't really care. I suppose I can see it if your family or friends aren't of the kindest ilk and would potentially hurt your dolls, but having an open family or a family that just smiles and nods, I don't see any reason to keep the dolls a secret. Why not be proud of your hobby, if you're able to be? They're so creative and take a lot of care. They, in themselves, show a certain amount of responsibility because of what you have to do to keep them looking great.

 

No, I don't. I don't go around advertising them, but I don't see any reason at all to hide them if it comes up. If someone's interested, I'll tell them more, and if they get really interested I'll tell them the price and where to find them, but it's not the opening topic on them by any means, either.