Preparing for a New Arrival

I've got a lot of stuff on hand already; for the ones on their way now, I'll pull out some appropriate clothes for them, find wigs and eyes in the "temp supplies" to use until I order the final ones, and make sure they've got a space to sit with the others.

If we're talking first doll, the only thing I wish I'd done was get clothes for him ahead of time, so he didn't have to sit around in ill-fitting stuff for so long.

 

You seem pretty well prepared. The only thing I would suggest is to maybe look for a safe place to display your doll (if that's what you have planned, otherwise just a safe place to keep it in its box).

I wasn't nearly as prepared as you, I had eyes a magic eraser and I order eye putty and extra elastic with her as well as an outfit from the MP the day after I ordered her. The only thing I wish I had done before getting my first BJD was buy her shoes, she was totally barefoot for over 3 months and it was so annoying!

 

I think you're pretty well-prepared for the pending arrival. I did not have a lot waiting for my earliest dolls, because I was still learning sizes and styles. As my later dolls came in, I gave them things from my stashes of stuff, and if nothing was just right, then I'd try to get them things. I try not to buy too many things ahead of time because I can go a lot crazy with it.

 

I currently have a doll on the way and have everything I could need ready. Of course, whenever I order a doll I make sure it's not going to take over two months to get here, if it does take that amount of time I will not buy it. So I don't have as much time to order clothes and such, I just have a pair of pants and a shirt lying around, fingers crossed they fit her!

 

For my first, I only had a wig, eyes, boots, and the bare minimum of faceup supplies since I wanted to take on everything myself.

For new dolls now, I usually try to get eyes, wig, shoes, at least one basic outfit.

I try to refrain from buying a lot of clothes and accessories because I want to see the doll in hand first and check sizes. I once spent $150 on clothes for an incoming doll body, and none of them fit since she was an odd size, and the body ended up fitting the head so poorly (it was a hybrid) that I sold the whole doll. Such a waste of money. I think it's better to be minimal and make sure you like the doll and want to keep the style you'd planned for her before spending a fortune. Also, measure the doll yourself because I've noticed some companies aren't very accurate in their measurements, while others are spot on.

Other stuff, I just keep around the house. I would recommend magic erasers, faceups supplies if you intend to do faceups, maybe extra eyelashes and string, Aileen's craft glue (for eyelashes and 'piercings' if you want those). I use floral wire and needle nose pliers for stringing and haven't needed any other tools. What you need really depends on what kind of collector you are. If you buy fullsets and keep them in the box or on display, you're going to need a lot less stuff than someone who plays with their dolls, does faceups, sewing and mods, likes to do photostories with room box and props and handles their dolls often.

 

Prepare to be amazed and say ooh and ahh at how amazing the doll is when you first open the box. I believe most people here would agree that your first doll opening will be one of the most memorable feelings you'll get.

 

Go look around pottery stores. Depending on the doll a lot of things can work. I bought planters that looked like furniture and they make great MSD seats. As for if you're getting a smaller one... Michael's, Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby, shop small. ALl of those places have planters too so look there too.

 

I'll usually order a eyes, a wig(s), and a selection of clothes/commission clothes to prepare. If I really know the look I'm going for I'll go all out on those things. I try to get all of that done right after I order my doll, so I have something to play around with at least when I get it or a little after.

 

It sounds like you're well prepared, like other members have said. Personally, I always have eyes, a wig, eye putty, rubber bands (in case the wig is too large, you can slip that around the head and the wig will stay on better), and string (or something on-hand in case I need to lift the main s-hook to put the head on) at the bare minimum. I also start planning the outfit and check measurements online carefully with the doll I'm getting, and try to make sure I have at least one outfit for the doll. Having a shoeless doll bothers me, so that's another thing I get rather quickly. Planning which artist to send the doll to is also a great idea, and it sounds like you have back-up artists just in case. I've actually had two artists I had my eye on completely stop accepting commissions before one of my first dolls arrived, so it's good to build up a list just in case something like this happens. I would also keep a camera handy if you're the type that would like to do a box opening and document it. I did, and it is fun looking back on it! Again, it sounds like you've done a lot of research, so kudos to you! I'm sure it'll be a great experience

 

Your list sounds very thoughtful and well prepared. Personally I am a nut for doll props. The trick for acquiring fun stuff for your dolls is very simple. Always be on the look out. I recently listed all of my dolls on my phone as contacts and under the note section listed all of their measurements, so I would always have them with me in case I find something and want to know if it is the right size. I even list things like the height a chair or table needs to be, or the size of a teacup or wine glass. It has been very helpful. If you are wanting props and furniture, second hand shops, flea markets, pet stores and craft stores are great places to find things for them.

 

You are way more prepared than I was when I started! I'd think about getting a wig cap if you don't already have one (they're super cheap and they prevent staining AND keep hair in place), and you might want to get a head puller so you don't have to grab the S hook with pliers ( I did that the first time and it was tricky )

 

Honestly, I'm not too big on shoes. As of right now, I only have one pair of shoes, but I'm planning on getting a couple more for my trip to Colorado in February.

I usually shop for clothes and wigs. Those two items are things I can shop for for HOURS. It's quite amazing.
I also create their background, or stories, to go along with the doll. Everything my dolls wear reflects their personality.

 

I'm very impressed with how well prepared you are! I honestly don't remember if I had anything before getting my first doll here. I know I didn't know what to expect, so it was really an experience. At this point when I get a new doll, I just get him, and see what eyes I have that might work when he gets here, and maybe he'll be able to borrow another doll's wig until I figure out his style. Buying things ahead of time usually doesn't work for me for some reason.The dolls always go a different direction than my plans for them while waiting for them to get here. I thought I had learned that lesson, but once again committed to expensive boots for my Dollshes that neither one will wear.

 

I was too worried about the fit of clothes to have much for my first doll because I was inexperienced. I had eyes and a wig (neither of which worked out lol) and a yukata (because I knew that one would fit). I had eye putty which I now don't like using and a hot glue gun which I used to make a temporary wig cap. I ended up hot gluing the eyes in because I rarely change their position. I must say, you are very prepared!

 

Sounds like a good kit, as others have said. One thing that is really nice to have around: wooden chopsticks! I end up using those more often than hemostats because the wood is soft so less potential for damage, and it tends to hold better, you just take off the head or hand or whatever part and stick it through the loop of elastic. I did my first complete restringing not long ago and man, those things are useful (and usually free.)

A metal hook string puller is also really useful but not totally necessary, before I had one I took my dude apart and put him back together several times with just some nylon twine from the hardware store and a bobby pin. Some of the string pullers have a hook that's a little bit too large to get through the tunnels without a bunch of clacking and scraping, I modified mine by carefully pinching it a bit narrower with pliers and now it works fine.

Another not completely necessary thing: I personally like to wear nitrile gloves to string dolls just because my hands get so dang sweaty, and not only does it make things slippery, well, it's sweat. The gloves help with grip and to keep the doll clean.

For clothing when my first doll arrived I did the oft-ridiculed sock dress thing that I think a lot of people do. It was a hell of a cute sock, though. No shame. This time around there are lots more clothes. Let's see if even a single thing fits!

Anyhow, it sounds like you're well prepared, so good luck! If you do end up doing your own faceup, coating or mods, check out the info on proper safety gear, there are some good resources here for that.

 

You're ready to go!

When I was waiting on my first doll, I got her some clothes, since I knew she'd be coming with her wig, eyes, and shoes that I ordered with her from Leekeworld. After I got the floating head for my second doll, I ordered a ton of stuff for her to get a body eventually! My next doll was also a floating head, and even after she had a body, she was borrowing clothes from another doll. However, I had an entire box of wigs for her! I was completely prepared for my Delf Miyu, I had an outfit, wig, eyes, shoes, and even a hat ready for her! But my Liria is stuck wearing the super pink outfits from my elf girl because I haven't gotten her any of her own clothes!

 

You're totally prepared. Much more than I was. Just sit back and and enjoy yourself when your doll gets here! And take pics! Lots of pics!

 

Wow you are really prepared for your first BJD! Congrats too btw. I would buy wigs ahead of time, but usually I would start buying clothes and whatnot after I get the doll so I have a better image on what I want him/her to wear, what their personalities are, etc. The company pictures isn't the same as when you first see your doll so that's why I wait. But things like putty, extra hands, forceps are good to buy ahead of time.