"PRETTY please?": the art of obtaining.

Well for me it went like this:

*Minding my own business in Flickr, uploading stuff
*Notice a picture of a doll in explore section, clicking on it
*Squeal of finding something that cool and show a friend
*She shows another picture of said doll and I understood it's way off proportions (Blythe)
*She throws me a link for another doll (offtopic one, porcelain BJD)
*Squeal even more
*Find someone mention DoA there, no idea what that means
*Few days to figure out what that meant and running towards DoA
*Mind almost explodes at the multitude and rainbows of pretty
*Open Narae thread cause the name is cool
*Fall infinitely in love
*Two weeks of intense research
*Order (didn't leave a say in the matter for the significant other but turns out he was all go)
*Squeal some more
*Wait
*Order Souldoll Ponette because of that instant love thing
*Scratch my head cause now I'm broke
*Wait some more
*Wait
*Wait
*Start to lose my mind
*Wait

And that last sequence pretty much continues for the next two months. And that is how I came to want a doll at the tender age of 23.

Edit: wanted to add that the oh-gosh-it-costs-sooo-much was not there because I saw them as art. Which they are. So yeah, even though I'm not rich at all (I have been saving for 5 years and figured the best I can do is finally buy myself something nice, never done that before, feels weird but nice) it didn't freak me out. I'm a sort of a closet artist so yeahh.. I drool in art stores on a regular basis.
Buut the most difficult part was explaining to my 5 year old why I want them. She's a kid with razor logic - "but mom, you're too old to play with dolls and besides you never want to play with mine!" I'm like ee... yea but... She takes a look at them and says "they ARE pretty though. Like the girls you draw. But if you buy one, you have to play with it" At this point I was o.0 "Yes mommy"

 

Lol. This how it goes for me. XD This happened like last year.

First Doll:
- Was searching through DA and saw one person cosplaying Tender Shall
- Was curious, liked the dress then saw the reference link
- Got lead to DoD site, saw the dolls and went, "Oooo, pretty."
- Look at price and went, "... No way I'll be getting one. Heck, no money."
- After a few months, somehow got led back to DoD site once more.
- Saw Sha. Instant
- Went back to site everyday, found myself wanting him home more and more.
- After one month, I finally broke and decided I'm going to get him.
- One problem. How the hell am I going to get the money?
- Remembered, ".. Ohh, how about my account where I saved all the money I collected every Chinese New Year? XD"
- Check account. Squeal. I love Chinese New Years. T^T Plenty money to get him.
- Then realized, how to pay? O.o
- Asked Mom to let me use her CC to pay.
- Begged like mad for two hours. Mom finally said, "Fine."
- Had problems with Paypal.. Finally went to do a CC payment.
- Wait. Wait. Thought would be long. But only after 4 weeks and 3 days, shipment notice.
- My boy arrives. Parents find my boy 'alright-looking'.
- He's with me now and I love him too much.

Second Doll:
- Saw DoB section and saw Pisce.. Fell in love with the cute face. But can't find a character.
- Forgotten about DoB until saw my closest friend's DoB Libra. Instant again.
- I blame her for poisoning me to get a Yo-SD.
- Asked Mom. Mom said asked Dad.
-Asked Dad, told him the price, he winced. >.<;;;; But he reluctantly agreed. T^T
- Ordered, paid.
- And now currently waiting for arrival. T^T
- But now my father banned me for buying more dolls. Me ish sad. T^T

 

For me, so far:
-Go looking for Rozen Maiden stuff, find Shinku SD. Swoon.
-Read more about those pretty doll things. Faint over cost.
-Start seeing DDs pop up on various blogs. Want.
-See price tag. Whimper. Wonder about more viable alternatives.
-Get to DoA from Wikipedia. Lurk. Discover tinies.
-Decide I want a Latidoll.
-No, decide I want a Puki.
-No, maybe a LTF. Or a MNF. Or...
-Spend long hours with my online banking open in one tab and a doll store in the other.

I've got a job, so I can conceivably save up for one- I can actually afford one already, in fact- but with Anime Boston coming up and then college, I don't know how much money I should be spending right now. (When I do, my parents will NOT be informed just how much I've decided to spend. >_>; ) So for now I must wait and admire various dolls, trying to decide which will be my first.

 

Well, being twenty one and out on my own for years when I got into dolls, I had to get mine on my own.

My scenario, See friends doll, play with doll. FALL IN LOVE WITH DOLL! friend gets Puki. Play with Puki. Wannnnt puki.

Friends boyfriend suggest GO. Scrape for a month for enough money. have enough money. Worry that I'll need said money for emergency, but order doll. Get doll three weeks later. SQUEAL WITH JOY AT NEWLY OBTAINED PUKI PIPI! (which I've since sold).


With my other doll, my BBB mei.

Scenario? See mei. Sell Nasia to buy mei. End up between jobs for two weeks. Need Nasias money for bills. Sulk. Sulk. Try and save. End up taking trip to Canada for funeral. Money gone again. Give up. Still want doll. Save again. End up having to move in with dollie friend and her boyfriend and others.. Money gone again. Sulk. Sulk. Sulk. Christmas day. Dollie roomie and her boyfriend give me HUGE present. Say it's wrapped according to excitement level. Open. BBB Mei, WS, gorgeous. Squeal with joy. Play with constantly. :3

 

Gwaa, you guys are so lucky to get help from your parents!
Here's my story:
-Discover dolls (years ago)
-See price
-Cry
-Wait a few years
-Rediscover dolls
-Show parents
-Parents go "Nowaiexpensiveyoucrazychild."
-Die
-Save money.
-Save money.
-Save money.
And I'm still saving money. xD

 

This thread is great XD Here's my own story (for my first, anyway):

- See BJD's at anime convention, curious but slightly creeped out.
- Still curious a few weeks later, start wandering the interwebz for info.
- Discover DoA, do research.
- See price tag(s). O__O Say "no way, I can't afford that!"
- Can't seem to get them out of my head, spend weeks mulling it over.
- Hop back on DoA and do Research Like Whoa.
- Break down and decide I want CP Lishe.
- No, she's too darn big. But look! They come in MiniFee size! And they're cheaper!!
- Spend next 6-7 months saving money.
- Nervous about blowing so much money at once.
- Find 2nd-hand MNF Lishe in pristine condition on ebay for good price.
- Sold!
- Immediate buyer's remorse! OMFG I just spent how much on WHAT!??
- Wait a week.
- Arrival day, open box, instant
- I now have 3 BJD's, and no regrets!

 

No parental help (money wise), but I definitely got lots of encouragement! Anyways, here's my story:

-See BJD on cosplay.com, become curious
-Google Search doll name from picture
-Eventually discover Volks
-Fall in love with one of their limiteds!
-Die when I discover the price
-Find DoA
-Find DOD
-Fall hopelessly in love with Camine
-WANT
-Apply for many jobs (teenager with sparkley new drivers license at the time!)
-Is hired!
-Saves all money
-Orders doll 8 months after initial discovery!
-LOVE

Absolutely no regrets of any kind! ^__^

 

1. A friends shows a DZ Shoyo she's getting. Tell's the price. Die.
2. Month or so later I register in a finnish BJD-forum.
3. Collect information about the dolls
4. Discover that dolls ARE worth that money.
5. LOVE Bluefairy's.
6. Join a group order and buy some doll clothes.
7. Convince my dad give my christmas present as money.
8. Buy two heads (BF Xiao and Jerome) from marketplace
9. Convince dad to give birthday gift as money.
10. Buy a body.
11. Doll come's home SQUUUEE
12. Saving for another body ^_^

And all that happened in 6 months :O

 

Haha I love these. Here's mine:
-2003: Notice b/w tiny Megu photo in the back of a magazine. "wtf is that?"
-frantically Google "asian dolls" until stumbling upon Volks site. "WTF!!!"
-freaked out and dislike them at first. Leave.
...
-1 month later, peek back in. LOVE!
-research like crazy, pining over a million different molds
-show mom. She hates them. Hopes crushed.
...
-2 years later, peek back in. WANT!
-repeat earlier process of researching and discovering new companies
-realize that my part time job at school could never pay for one. Hopes crushed.
...
-3 years later, peek back in. OMG tons of new dolls.
-realize that graduation $$ can afford one but worry about saving for the future.
-wander onto Elfdoll site. Hazy. End of conversation.
-purchase
...
-3 months later, FINALLY got shipping notice.
-received package on the one day of the year my mom comes to visit. She tries to not ruin my happiness by not calling her a "freaky doll" (aww nice mom)
-swear I'll never buy another one.
-3 months later, waiting for #2, scoping for #3. LOL!

 

Er... Mine is rather pathetic, I think. xDDD

- Spots new dA uploads and weird, creepy people-looking-doll things...
- Innnnnnnnnteresting. -goes to Volks-
- -spots price- Er... yeah, no. -leaves-
- -much later in the year- -sees favorite cosplayers holding weird doll-
- It looks familiar... hmmm.
- -six months laterish- OMG! WHAT IS THAT!
- -intense research- OMG! I WANT ONE!
- -more intense research- JULIEK! MY LOVE! .... Eh, you're so much though... -tear-
- Plans that have yet to get into order.

I haven't even told my parents about him. I feel so guilty about money - I just convinced my mum to buy my sister a $225 Van Gogh reproduction for her 18th birthday. And she's going to a private college soon! And I just got a laptop! And the Stimulus Package is draining our economy!
... Needless to say, I am now entering writing contests, hoping that I'll get first place to buy him.

 

Here's mine.

-Sees BJDs on deviantart.
-Adores for about a year.
-Realizes that these things aren't mythical. AND THAT I CAN GET ONE IF I EARN THE MONEY OBOY!
-I work for my parents. Alot.
-Tell my father that I want my dolls (Migidoll Miho and Ryu)
-My dad freaks out about the price, and says I can only get one of them, even though I can afford both.
-I lie and say they'll never be sold again and that I need to buy them both now xD And I work extra hard.
-He gives in! Hurray!

 

Mines something like this:
-Friend shows pictures for her DOD. me: O_o Wtf, no!
-Friend constantly IMs more pictures of dolls over and over. Me: Ah, no more creepy- hey, that ones cute!
-Me: *searches through countless sites, finds AS Kana* LOVE *shows to mom* Mom: NO! Me: If I save? Mom:...okay...
-Me: *saves money for months, finally have enough* I can get her! Mom: Just Kidding! Its too expensive. Me: *hopes crushed*
-Me: *Sees Pipos Ringo, only half of what Kana is* Mom?: Mom:... okay ^_^

 

Well, For me I never really knew what a bjd was. So the first time I was actually introduced to one was at the Anime Detour '08 in Minnesota. Someone has these crazy realistic dolls dressed up like the Cabbits from Tenchi Muyo! They were adorable! The next time I saw them was at Kakkoi Con '08 in Minnesota and EVERYONE had them. What's great s that the convention was holding a face-up workshop and my business partner went to it (I had to watch the booth -_-) About four hours later she came back with this cute little bjd head and I'd never actually seen let alone hold a doll! Since I've lived on my own for the better part of two years, I couldn't very well ask my parents for one for my upcoming birthday. Lo and behold for christmas '08 I got my cute little dollzone Mo head from my business partner!! I now have the body and my kid is dressed up in a pretty crazy getup until I get him his new clothes. I haven't named him yet, but he is super cute and I'm really proud of his faceup (it was my first...)
Overall my experience in obtaining Daichiro (that's his name until further notice) was pretty painless, but as far as obtaining your own doll I'd would continue to drop the hint to your parents. If they don't get it for you eventually just assume that it won't be coming from them and 'forget' about the next few birthdays/christmases on them. Or you could always save up! I've seen some super cute heads for under 100 bucks, nobody ever said you have to buy the whole doll at once! That's what makes them distinctive and unique for you! You can put them together however you want! =^_^=
M.Akiko

 

Ahhh, the doll-story. Okay. Karie tries.

~Friend has doll (Allister), shows with new baby. A lot. Is pretty, Karie wants.
~Looks up online. Price?! *death*
~Resigns to distant looking and wishing.
~Many years pass, still with random 'I still kinda like those'.
~Get new friends, misses friend with doll.
~New friends have dolls?! Piccus ensue.
~REALLY wants now, has been three years!
~More years pass, still desires to own doll.
~Gets job! Yay, happy wriggle dance!
~Workworkwork, watches dolls of friends. Still never met real resin.
~Friend with favorite doll directs to DOA. Karie dies.
~Finds dollie people in INDIANA?! Gasp! One is current work-aquaintance!
~Meets new friend with doll Reita on '08 christmas. Spends all night playing with Reita.
~Determins to order doll with tax return come hell or high water. Mentions to mother, lives with her, she's disabled.
~Dives head-first into perfect doll hunt. Finds DZ Mo-2 fullset. Grabby hands.
~Counts days til tax return drops into bank.
~Tax return comes in! Happy wriggle dance!
~Doll is ordered immediantly.
~Money-orders go out for doll, and also bills. Happy wriggle dance!
~Friend is unhappy with new doll, too many people think he looks like Mana. Karie does not want it to go to horrible bad owner, makes offer.
~Friend accepts, sells doll. Karie gets second doll long before first one. Friend even face-up'd and blushed it for free.
~Karie owns her own resin person(s)! Super happy wriggle dance!

XD It took me five years to go from "Awww, I wish I could have one...." to "*super hapy wriggle dance* I HAS RESIN PERSON!" and it was all my money, since I got a job and got tax returns. XD

 

My personal story goes as follows

- Mom: this is ______. She likes these....dolls...things.....She says you can borrow magazine.
- Kays. ooohhh magazine with person....doll? what? @__@ *flip flip flip*
- Barbie, barbie, barbie.....wait, what IS that? What horrible person would do that to a doll? *quick flips*
- *passes BJD* SCRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH *flips back* Whoa....thas pwetty..... says BJD.....I want it.....

 

Well, it happened.
OceanMoon's new Seo-lin was posted today, and the instant I saw her, I fell in love.
I was going to keep it to myself and try to fight it off until at least the preorder was officially announced and the inner conflict really began (their other dolls of that size seem to go for $300? come to think of it, that doesn't include wigs and clothes.. better not mention that part), but later today (just now, actually) my mom mentioned what kind of graduation present she ought to give me.
Without thinking, I blurted out, "how bout a 300 dollar doll?"
The first reaction was obviously "no way!" but then she realized her alternatives were probably a camcorder or a nearly-as-expensive figure. She actually seems to be considering giving me cash to go toward it instead- probably not all of it, but enough that I'll definitely be able to cover the rest myself.
I'm so excited! I hope the preorder info comes out soon.. I wonder if I'd still be able to get it in June, though? I guess I can't bother her about it in earnest till I know this stuff.

 

I'm still not in possession of my first BJD, but the story thus far...

- Got into Anime (over 10 years ago)
- Learned about some kind of gorgeous expensive doll
- Learned it's called BJD
- Started collecting Pinky:St figures
- Met a friend through that hobby
- Saw a Pullip on said friend's photostream
- Thought it was a BJD
- Asked her and found out it wasn't a BJD.
- Bought a Pullip anyway.
- Got into the doll hobby
- Saw many people from the Pullip community buy BJDs
- Felt the craving
- Visited Luts (to buy SD sized wigs for my Pullips)
- Saw Bory and Ani
- Melted a little inside
- Forgot about BJDs for awhile
- Was reminded of them through a friend
- Visited Fairyland
- Fell hard for Woosoo and Shiwoo
- Saw a random BJD "Ace"
- Googled him
- Ended up at DIM
- Found Happy Ace
- Died a little inside
- Saving up now...

I'm glad I don't have to ask my mom or dad about my dolly purchases. I get a monthy allowance to buy food, clothes and whatever I need for a living (still a student, not spoilt xD) and then it's up to me what I do with it. Mom usually only reminds me to "think wisely", but she doesn't really care if I bring home a doll or two... Or three... She actually really loves my 1/6 fashion doll collection so far.

 

My mother - though she does spoil me with clothes, computer stuff and snacks and that sort of necessity etc (*cough*)... Would NEVER Consider getting me a doll! She thinks I'm possessed because she saw me mumbling a few words to myself when I was brushing Sarang's hair one night! -____-;;; But it's not like I mumble to myself ONLY with my doll... Anyway I digress - I bought my doll myself and sadly, I will probably have to pay for any future dolls myself too...

 

Sakura: I'm sorry, but that is really funny to me >_<

Ok, I've been into these dolls for 2 years (dolls in general my whole life). I'm way past the age when one asks one's parents to pitch in, so I work and save for everything I buy (this past year has been particularly good to me fortunately). However, my mother and I are very close friends, so she of course gets the brunt of all my doll/art random jabber. She thinks they're beautiful and, while not a doll person herself appreciates my interest in them/sees them as art.

Me: hey Mum, I think I found my first bjd *shows her the online shots*
Mum: can I see him without the faceup (yes, she officially rocks)
Me: Here's the sculpt, and I want to put him on this body *draws up another site*
Mum: I like it, how long are you going to save before you get him?
Me: I can do it by my birthday with no impact on the rest of my life
Mum: so do you want me to get you the random stuff I find along the way for your birthday or would you like me to help you pay for him?
Me: O_O

Lol, she surprised me so much, he'll mean that much more to me because of her thoughts though.

 

Before i got meh dolls i was literaly "drooling" over photos O_____o Well here's what happened last year

My thought: Ok , meh birthday coming soon.... i wonder what my family will get me....

Me: Mom, since you don't know what to get me for my birthday.....Can I get a Doll?
Mom:A DOLL???
Me: yeah It's called a ball jointed doll
Mom: Ok...how much are they
(Shows the price)
Mom:So Expensive!?!?!
Me: It's because they are hand made and..(Convincing reasons kicking in....)
Mom: Ok let me get my credit card
Me: WHAT!?!?(wow that was simpler that I expected)

Later at dinner my mom told my family and my oldest bro was like "So ExpEnsive!"
xD