SO many Sculpts, how do you research?

For my first doll a friend of mine linked me to some of her favourite doll websites and to this forum, and basically I browsed around until I found one I liked. Maybe we have similar tastes in doll companies, because my favourites are now basically the same ones she originally linked me...

I think it helps that I'm very picky, because actually there aren't that many dolls I would buy, but when I fall for a doll I fall hard XD

I guess for advice I would say you are never going to be able to look at all the dolls ever made, or even those currently available, so don't even try. It may be better to have an idea of what companies you like first, rather than specfic dolls, then narrow it down from there. Also be sure before you buy, make yourself wait before buying. Unless it's a limited, there's no harm in waiting a couple of weeks or more before purchasing just to be sure. If you really want the doll, you'll still be obsessing, if you move on then it's not the right one for you. That always works for me anyway!

 

I browse BJDcollectasy ALL the time. I go to "Companies & Other Links" and then literally open every single company link... Then I bookmark every page that has dolls that I like.

 

If you live in an area with an active community of collectors, it might also be worth it to go to one of their "meets". (There's a section here on DoA where many of them are listed-) You don't have to have a doll of your own to attend one.

That's a great way to not only see dolls from a variety of companies in-person, but also to get a good feel for the different sizes available. It's also a good opportunity to ask questions... No one is better qualified to answer questions about dolls than a bunch of doll people, after all. ^_^

 

I have a very specific taste in dolls, leaning towards sculpts like those from doll chateau and circus kane. I usually use the DoA database to explore different companies and sculpts... There are just so many!

Good luck!

 

Bjdcollectasy and I look through flickr. Also just looking at stuff here... I learn about different companies and wind up saying "here's money!"

 

Bookmark, bookmark, bookmark. @__@ It is laborious, but I reccommend visiting all the sites you can that are reccommended by people (you can find some lists on livejournal for instance). I like to see people's dolls on deviantart or tumblr and look up that sculpt if I am interested in them, which often leads to shops with other sculpts I like.

 

Ok, this is just my weird little process; usually, this is what happens with me and the endless hours I waste on the internet. I don't really tend trust company photos of a doll, so that leaves me with the wonderful sites of tumblr, DA, Flickr, and, of course, DOA. Once I start looking I just need to find something that sticks out to me, or something that makes me think "I could do so much with this!" From that point it's just like stalking a sculpt until I realize that it isn't for me, or end up buying it (the former is way more common then the latter though). I try to find as many pictures of it as I can and see if I can find it with a really bad face-up and photo, just to see if I'd still like the sculpt like that.

 

DOA is a wealth of information, between the news threads, the databases, and photo request threads. I get emails from some companies when new things come out, as well as a bit of information on Facebook. Flickr is also really great, as I can see creator photos as well as owner photos. I still like looking even though I'm not planning on any new additions right now, but when I was buying, it was a lot of clicking around that got me in trouble. I just waited for that face that I couldn't get out of my head. When I had a literal jaw-drop over how cute or unique a doll was, then I had to have her.

 

One of the most fun ways to research has been to get with a DOA group meeting regularly locally. We have some very experienced, and some who do not have any bjd yet. Members from 18 to in their 70's. That helps me figure myself out, as well as the dolls. I first studied bjd on deviantArt, finding some amazing artists and looking through their favorites too. Then came flickr, then pinterest, and now I even knock around a little in facebook bjd groups. When I find a doll I really like (I like them all, but some stick in my head and won't go away) I then might add it to my wishlist. If I am on the verge of buying one, I go everywhere looking at it. All the places named already in this thread. I like to see the sculpt without any face up, and see what other people have done with the same doll. So far I haven't had a character in mind to shell, as people call it? I look at discussion threads for those. Doll company reputations are important to know along with the doll itself. Some of the very popular take a long time to ship, or may not have the best communication record. How important timing and these parts of the experience go may vary from person to person. How to weigh in those factors before buying is case by case. One friend of mine is selling a doll she really loved because her memories of the secondary market purchase was so distasteful to her. I didn't catch whether it was already said. Don't go over-board agonizing endlessly. Doll collecting can be an open ended thing. Some people feel a high level of responsibility to a doll's "feelings" but I think allowing them to "travel" between doll lovers is not a bad thing. So if you make a mistake, it might just be a chance to learn more and have a well rounded adventure with this hobby.

 

To me, it totally depends on your own personality.
I don't customize or play much with mine, I see my dolls as art, and it makes me happy just being able to look at them all day
When I but a doll I don't have a particular character in mind, the dolls "show" me their personality in the way they are presented on the site.
Noticed I have a tendency to only fall for fullsets, cause they often have a "fixed" personality and I don't have to make one.
I really have a thing for goths, so that's what I'll buy.
Got a lot of help from bjdcollectasy.com, scanned the site for a long time before I found a company I liked

 

If I know the BASIC look I want for my character, I think iof what companies might have a similar look, and I browse their websites and look at owner pictures. If I have no idea, I ask around... But, being myself, I don't have much trouble, since I browse so many doll sites every day! (I have a problem eheh...)

 

I appreciate your approach. I never look at dolls just in general. I always have a specific character in mind that I want to flesh out. It really is a long process, but so satisfying when I finally find the perfect one!

 

I actually use Flipboard (an App for iPad) as a wish list. I can browse on lots of platforms (Google, Flickr, Tumblr, Facebook, whatever) and flip all my favorite dolls into a single collection. It's an easy way to bookmark all the dolls I like for later. I'll usually notice that I tend to collect a particular company or even sculpt into the collection over time, and then I can go back and prioritize my list that way.

I've done that using Flickr as well, using the Galleries function. And then, I've got a handy little "shopping window" when I'm all finished, too.

 

Because companies have the expertise of advertising so well, when I see a doll on a company site that strikes my fancy I look at owner photos on forums and on flickr. Especially if I can find ones with custom faceups because it gives me a much better idea of the doll's potential; I also want to see the body and "hear" about posing abilities, double-jointedness, etc. Often times, after research, it'll turn out that I don't care much for the doll at all for various reasons. I'm very picky in that sense.

It's not just about a pretty face or great outfit. You've gotta be careful about your choices. I've purchased dolls for their pretty faces and wasn't happy with them at all. Ended up selling them back off - at a loss of course. So definitely find out EVERYTHING.

 

I poured over company websites and places like Mint on Card to see what brands I like the best. Then I decided specific molds I liked, but happened to find one that I absolutely adore, so she'll be my first doll. From there I've found clothes, eyes, wigs and such that I want for her.

I found it helps to look at sales threads and box openings as well so you can see what the doll actually looks like in action, not just from company photos.

Either way, it takes a while. There are a ton of dolls out there, so take your time and find what you really like!

 

Comparison Heaven: http://kihaku.fi/testi/
is a good place to go.

Going through the DoAWiki looking at all the companies and visiting their website.
Flickr is a great place to get pictures from owners.

 

The doll has to have a beautiful and live face. For me the beautiful body and hands is important.

 

When I find a sculpt I like I always make sure I have a look at Flickr or google images to check out some of the faceups and styles that others have come up with for the sculpt. Gives me a better idea than just looking at the company photos before I go ahead and buy

 

I searched forum and didn’t find any discussion about BJD specific information search.
If there were any improper of this topic or someone already posted a question like this, plz feel free to delete. ^ ^



I always get mess when i’m trying to find something useful about a doll i'm falling love with.
Millions of work have to do to find out whether it is suit my character. I may check its company web, and if there isn’t, i don’t know where and how to find specific information about.


For example, i want to see the owner pics of a girl i fancy. I have to search her name on forum, and only find the feedback of someone share the same name with the doll and others got nothing business with what im searching for... ,,Ծ‸Ծ,,
I may have my eyes blind to find something really helpful! ✪ω✪



What if there were some subjects about a very doll could provide all the details i need! The company pics, sales information, body measurements, and owner pics help me make my decision!
That would be perfect. XDDD

I can find such subjects on OccyWall by searching doll name. However, still more work need to do for them to collect all dolls though they already collected many dolls’ information.


So, what is the way you usually search information of a doll? Did you get what you need? How long you have to spend to know a doll well enough to make decision?
Look forward for your excellent idea~! (≖ ‿ ≖)✧

 

I do exactly what you are describing. Good research takes time and patience. It also takes creativity to think of all the possible sources for information and all the possible keywords for searching. This is true for any subject, not just dolls!