So... what do they do?

it all depends on who's asking. if it's money, well ... my husband and i talk about all big purchases which includes dolls. my parents/ other family members, i say "more than i feel comfortable discussing". i work in a craft store so occasionally bjds come up in conversation for those people i say "there are several companies and prices vary."

what does it do? it brings me joy. what am i doing with it? taking pictures, making clothes, making props etc.

"i could have bought that. i bought this instead. just like i could have bought item x."

 

Luckily, I was never in this situation. My parents and boyfriend are very creative and welcoming people, but I can understand that many people do have this problem. If I were to be asked them...

"What did you buy that for?" To enjoy it? It's another hobby, just like video games are to some people.

"How much was it?" Unless you're sharing my finances I don't think that's much of your concern... But, for my parents/boyfriend I'd say that it may seem expensive, but how much do people buy a new console for in the gaming hobby? Or a set of new video games? Hobbies come at a price.

"What does it do though?" It makes me happy. It helps me express my creative side.

"What are you going to do with it?" Take photos, paint it and love it like any other art piece.

"You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!" I could say the same thing about some luxury you bought for your own enjoyment but that doesn't change the fact that you loved it, wanted it and bought it. It obviously took priority over said item because I bought this instead of that.

 

Those qeustions are pretty familiar with me.
Sadly my mother and stepfather still dot get that I spent so much money on dolls.
Especially my stepfather keeps acting like I'm a fool ect. And yes sometimes it gets me down a little but mostly I reply its somethign that makes me happy and is a better investment then spending my money on party's or whatever.
My dad thinks its okay tho, he himself is a photographer and collector of camera's. SO his supports helps me ^^

So my answers to those qeustions would be
What did you buy that for? For the beauty of the dolls, since they are pieces of art, and I love art. Besides I can costumize them and project my own artistic spirit on to them. (My mom would then prob say I should make the dolls myself, but well thats a little bit to much work)
How much was it? No ammount that I could not provide for
What does it do though? Its a little thign that makes my life feel brighter
What are you going to do with it? Unleash my dark creative power onto it mwuauahaha (okay I can see why my parents do worry a lill about the hobby)
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! Yep I culd have spent my money on alcohol/party's a car ect ect but this would not contribute to my happiness level as the dolls do.

 

I've met people who are pretty questioning about them, while others just shrug it off and don't judge me at all. I'm fine either way, because really..who are they to judge?


What did you buy that for? Because I liked it.
How much was it? I can tell most of my friends the general price range, and my SO, but when it comes to family, I'd rather not discuss things like that. I don't want to be looked down upon to be spending money on "toys". They're perfectly fine with the hobby, so I don't want to risk ruining that.
What does it do though? Well, they brings me happiness, and I can customize them to change his/her appearance, which is a fun way to switch things up.
What are you going to do with it? I might just display it, customize it, photograph it, resell it.

I'm pretty upfront and honest about them, except when it comes to the price. :3

 

I don't live with my parents but am very lucky to have a supportive partner. He definitely thought I was a little nuts at first but understands it's a hobby and brings me enjoyment. I talk to my parents about everything so as fellow artists they understood. My mom even wants one now.

These would be my answers if the questions came up:

What did you buy that for?

As an outlet for my creativity and artistic expression.

How much was it?

Factoring doll, wigs, and clothing around $800 for msd. The price will go up the more wigs and clothes I buy.

What does it do though?

It is basically like an art sculpture. You can paint it, change the eyes, wigs and clothing. Take photographs with different poses and use it as drawing or writing inspiration.

What are you going to do with it?

Everything you can do with it! Pictures, sewing, drawing, writing, painting and just generally expressing my individual creativity.

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!

I could also be going to the bar every weekend and blowing x amount of money on drugs and alcohol.




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What did you buy that for?

I felt like it.

How much was it?

How much was your purse/shoes/haircut/etc.?

What does it do though?

It comes to life in the dead of night, stalks the sleeping, and devours the souls of anyone who asks too many inane questions about things that don't concern them.

What are you going to do with it?

And this matters to you why...?

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!

But I didn't.

(I may or may not be a professional wiseass.)

 

I got some of these questions when I talked about planning to take the plunge and finally get into this hobby. Honestly along the years I asked a lot of them to myself, too. Especially the 'What do they do?' question. I deliberated on that for a long time but finally decided that, like others have mentioned, they make me happy. And that was all I really needed to know about it.
As for what I've said to others...
How much was it? "Enough."
What are you going to do with it? "I dunno yet, but I really like them and that's all I care about."
You could have bought a ____ with that kind of money? "You're right, but I didn't want that." (I actually said that to someone just today!)

People (myself included for awhile) don't understand that not everything needs to have fifty million different functional uses in order to justify it being bought. Something that makes you happy is, I think, way more important.

 

I don't live with my parents, and I rarely take my dolls out in public, but I haven't ever had anybody ask strange questions about them. The ladies at the antique store (where I sometimes shop for props), love Faith (a RS Ya). No one's seen the big guy (DF-A Zi Luo) yet--he's still waiting on his jointed hands to come in so I can blush him and give him a new faceup.
Still, I do know what I would tell nosy people.

What did you buy that for? I bought it for myself.
How much was it? Shoot....I don't remember. You can look it up online if you want, though. (chances are good that they won't)
What does it do though? Whatever I want it to do.
What are you going to do with it? Whatever I want to do with it.
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! If I had wanted a ......, I would have bought it instead.

Of course, that's if I'm feeling mean. If I'm feeling nice or if they seem genuinely interested and are asking nicely, I'll probably go into detail. I just don't have much tolerance for ignorant, nosy people.

 

What did you buy that for? "It's beautiful and it's a creative hobby~"
How much was it? "Very expensive." I will tell them if they insist.
What does it do though? "It just sits and is pretty for me to look at, paint, take photos off etc"
What are you going to do with it? *same as above*
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! "I didn't want a ......., I wanted this doll"

 

What did you buy that for? "I thought it was cute... I wanted it!"
How much was it? "The price on the website >.>"
What does it do though? "Not a lot. Sits there and looks pretty... Makes me happy."
What are you going to do with it? "Look at it? Dress it, spoil it, and photograph it."
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! "Yeah, but I already have one of them." (Car, computer, and house are usually the ones that come up)

 

What she said...ROTFL...

 

When I was telling my BF that I wanted these sorts of dolls, he didn't ask any of those questions but he did ask "Can you make money with it?" which I really hated. It seems people are constantly asking if I can make money with the things I'm interested in. This drives me absolutely nuts, but anyway...

Nobody has ever had any questions about them, but 99% of the people I talk to about them are other dolly people.

I -do- ask/tell myself some of these things though. Like seriously, I have 4 BJDs now and 3 off topic dolls and I still can't stop asking myself why I'm putting money and time into them. I'm judging myself (not others, just me!) and its really getting to me. Yes, I annoying myself lol.

"Kittydorkdork, do you realize how much OTHER STUFF you could have bought will all that money?"

"Yes, but I don't want other stuff."

"BUT-"

"I LIKE DOLLIES, LEAVEMEALOOOONE".

etc, etc.

 

What did you buy that for?
I liked it and I wanted to.

How much was it?
Pretty expensive.

What does it do though?
It's a doll--what do you think it does?

What are you going to do with it?
Own it, enjoy it, do whatever I want with it.

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
Yep, I could. But I don't WANT a ... , I want this doll. You can go buy a ... if you want to, though!

People ask all kinds of questions. Some of them are intrusive and impolite, some are just curious. If something is none of their business, I'll try and avoid answering them... politely.

People can ask questions if they want, and I'm free to answer if I want.

 

What did you buy that for? because I like it..

How much was it? I tell them it's expensive but they always want to know the exact price and I tell them the truth...usual response is:

What does it do though? they do look pretty and make me happy.

What are you going to do with it? I use them as my creative outlet and this helps me with my depression.

You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money!
Never been told that but my response would be: "So? you buy what makes you happy and I buy what makes me happy. Just because you don't like the same things I do, it doesn't mean they are not worth the money."


Luckily, none of my friends have been rude to my face. I'm proud to say I collect dolls so when they ask me what I like, I tell them "I like dolls". Then they ask me questions like "what kinds of dolls" "How much do they cost" etc etc In the beginning they are shocked by the price but when I show them the pictures from my phone they always say things like "wow they're pretty", "those eyes are beautiful" etc and that makes me so happy many of them asked me to show them my dolls but I don't like taking out my dolls in public and let alone bring them to work where they could get damaged or stolen by sneaky hands! I have a few of them come into my room and see them all. They all understand that we like what we like and we can buy anything we want with our money.

 

I wouldn't particularly feel offended had I been asked any of those questions. To be honest, I never imagined myself ever buying a doll up until just a year ago, but here I am, waiting for a doll I recently ordered. It's true that my family and friends question my decision on buying the doll but I simply tell them that I bought it because I want to. As for the cost, I try to be a bit vague about it but I'm not going to deny that it's expensive. I can only hope they'd understand.. Well it's not like they can do anything about it either- it's my money after all.

 

People don't ask me many of these...I wonder why? I do take my dolls antiquing with me sometimes, and usually the purveyors at antique stores and flea markets are the ones who ask questions. If they ask how much they cost, I usually just tell them. They handle expensive collectibles for a living; they get it.

Some people have asked why I didn't buy something else...I usually say "If you want me to have that, you could buy it for me " My mom rolls her eyes when I say this XD

 

I have been asked these questions so often as people find out about my hobbies, not just dolls. I work on doll things or cosplay pieces or drawings at work so curious people ask. Most of the time I laugh and tell them the prices or just say 'way too much'. Some of them have seen the prices when they wanted to see the sites to see what I was getting next.

When they ask why or what I do with them, I tell them because I feel like it and that I create for them. I customize them and sew for them and take photos. I create sets and pose them in displays to just look pretty. I have a large doll collection and these just happen to be the more expensive ones. I've had people ask why I don't just get a Barbie and I just laugh and tell them I have a few of those too.

When it comes to well you could have bought ___! I just had my sister point out I could have a lot more money for our upcoming con if I hadn't bought a new doll. I told her 'dolls trump cons!' and went about my business. I have money for the con and sure it could have been more, but I made the choice. I once had a male friend ask for help picking out a doll for his wife. When I informed him she came without a wig or clothes he lost it. "It costs this much and you still have to buy a wig and clothes?!" I snorted and pointed out his XBox cost just as much and he still had to buy an extra controller and games. He thought about it and conceded I had a point. Now his XBox is in storage and most of the games resold and her doll is still getting played with. Its just a matter of preference.

 

Yes, I have gotten those questions, and I hate it. I feel like people are being condescending and judgmental by questioning my personal tastes. However:

What did you buy that for? Myself. Because I wanted it.
How much was it? This depends on the person. I'm honest with my sister, husband and other doll people. With parents, I have to be a little more cautious and avoid numbers (I'm an adult, but would rather avoid a lecture). Strangers...I just tell them people in the hobby can spend anywhere between $80-$1000+ on a doll, just depends on what you want. If they seem genuinely interested in getting one, I'm more specific. If they're being rude, I avoid answering.
What does it do though? I HATE this question!! Mostly because I'm so annoyed that these days everything has to "do" something, nobody has any imagination or creativity on their own. So....it doesn't DO anything, except inspire me to write, paint, draw, photograph, sew, etc.
What are you going to do with it? IMMA PLAY WITH IT! Yes, I'm an adult. No, I don't care if it's "childish".
You could have bought a ..... for that amount of money! Yes, but I wanted the doll. YOU could have bought a doll instead of your purse/shoes/car/gaming system/jewelry/designer clothing/frappuccino a day/etc. But you chose not to, just like I chose to. My choices aren't your business.