Props and clothes for the idea of them

I think it’s nice character building- and you never know you may one day use these items!

 

I bet a few thousand years ago someone had almost exactly this thought while burying a Pharoah.

I'm just glad there isn't nearly as much in 1/4 scale. Don't get me wrong, I'm disappointed when I'm looking at AliExpress, but later on I'm glad.

 

I also have a dolly first aid kit... I think I used it in one picture only so far. I am a bit of a prop addict, tents, furniture, little art supplies, cameras, computers, food, oh my! I can't name all the tiny props I have for them. Their chest of drawers over flows with clothes, some that I sewed badly. I have a large toy chest full of doll furniture, and a bin filled various holiday goodies. I just can't resist cute doll props when I see them.

Who knows, you might be all ready to take a photograph and really need that first aid kit as your skateboarding doll needs a a dolly friend to patch up his scrapes and bruises for a picture.

I think props are a ton of fun!

 

I definitely buy cute shoes, hats, or clothes without intent of using them, wigs too. It’s usually because I find something I like and it fits so I buy it in every available color that I like whether it suits the doll or not, oops!

 

I do this sometimes. Like finding a prop or accessory or piece of clothing that I just love even if I don't have a doll to wear it. Each of my dolls has a plastic tub with their things, and an I have extra tub for "nobody will wear this, but I must keep it". In the past, I've sold things that I didn't need at the time and regretted it when I could have used it later, so now if there's any chance I might need it again, I save it!

 

I hardly take photos of my dolls at all, but it is very important that everyone has their accessories!! All of mine have at least an item or two that the doll's character would have or appreciate.

 

I have hoarder collector tendencies, from way before I got into collecting these types of dolls. I have loved dolls and toys of all sorts all my life and collected miniatures as well. I will purchase some accessories or props sometimes with the intention to use them, and sometimes just to know I own the item, because it might not be the right size for any doll/figure I own. However, most of the time, those props or accessories end up not being used at all (even stuff like fashion packs, shoe packs for Barbie, end up being left in their packaging forever -- although with those, I mostly never intended to use them at all). I don't do that with eyes, wigs or clothes for these types of dolls -- I don't purchase clothes for BJD in general. Wigs and eyes usually get at least a hand-full of uses, even if they are not meant to go with any doll nor fit any particular character.

I don't mind owning tiny props; they don't take up too much space (can hardly say that about scaled or prize Anime/Video-game figures). I would own a million tea sets in 1:6, if most didn't look "toy-like" at that scale. I would want to own one that works with each of my different doll sizes. Un/luckily, it's hard to find simple/modern looking ones without roses or unicorns on them or that don't look realistically scaled to the particular doll-size I need them for.

 

This happens to me all the time... orz

I have so many doll props that I got because they looked too cute and 'would be perfect for so-and-so' but haven't yet got round to using them. Same for clothes, I just can't resist getting some as 'they are so so-and-so's style'!

 

I have a couple of boxes of largely unused acessories - but they're there, come the day I do need them.

Clothes... I have a house full of dolls of alls osrts (not just BJD) and many of them can share clothes (with the BJDs too) so like having a lot of options:

That long middle shelf of smaller boxes and bags is the main storage for clothes and accessories (there are others). There's another row of boxes behind the ones you can see.

Teddy

 

I briefly did that during the pandemic, but I realized that it was (to me) a waste of money since a lot of the things that came only were used once or not at all, often because they were "good enough but not perfect" and were sold at a loss. Since then, I am much more selective in what I allow myself to buy. Basically, I need to have clear plans for each object. XD

 

I largely make my own props. The only exceptions is glassware like bottles and plates or if I find metal ones for dinnerware. The kits and furniture for any of my dolls I would make from scratch if I needed them.

I have a doll project who will likely need a monster hunting kit like Van Helsing, so I'll be making all those tools from random bits and bobs

 

I almost always use the props I buy, once.

Sometimes they get used over and over but the most common situation
is I use them once. I really need to get some of them ut and use them
again....

 

(New doll owner) I found a set of 8 miniature antique glass bottles at the thrift store (about 1.5 inches high). Did I need a set of 8 miniature antique glass bottles? No, probably not... Do I have any idea what I'm going to do with them? also no.

but am I ecstatic that I now own 2!!! mini fish-shaped glass bottles.. yes, yes I am.


I've definitely been thinking of props I'd want, and what would my character/doll use in her day-to-day life. most of the things I'd like are turn of the century, so I have a feeling I'm going to end up making a lot of them.

P.S.
If anyone knows where or how to make 1/4 feathered quill pens, let me know!

 

Every time I go to the store I keep an eye out for things I can use as props. Not necessarily because I know what I'll do with them but mostly because I just... want them. Like miniature bottles from Michaels! No idea what I'm going to do with them, but they fit my doll so why not?

I also will eventually have a doll that cosplays/dresses up as a character from a video game so I'm on the lookout for props that will work for her. There's not many but that's not going to stop me from picking up anything and everything I see that might work!

 

Oh miniature bottles ...I want to buy them every time I see them. I just contain myself because I literally have nothing to do with them, but I do get the "want them" feeling! I mean, it's your money, your hobby, as long as it makes you happy and you can afford it, and eventually do something with the things you buy, even if it's just stare at them because they provide a much needed release of happy feels, I say go for it!!