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Social Benefits of owning a BJD?

Mar 17, 2010

    1. Hello everyone. I looked through the forums and I did not see anything like this, so I am going to post it. Sorry if this is a repeat.

      I am going to be taking part in a workshop with a friend and fellow BJD owner (Arashi222) about the Social Benefits of Collecting, at her internship. We got to thinking about it, and we thought we would ask you all here as well.

      What do you think are the benefits of owning a BJD? Do you think that collecting them has made you a more social person? Have they opened your eyes to new things? Let us know, any opinions are welcome, we are just asking this for abit of background for our workshop.

      Thanks again guys, this means alot to us.
       
    2. What do you think are the benefits of owning a BJD? Do you think that collecting them has made you a more social person? Have they opened your eyes to new things? Let us know, any opinions are welcome, we are just asking this for abit of background for our workshop.

      Benefits, I suppose it gives me more common ground to interact with other BJD and doll owners instead of just looking at pictures and cooing how pretty they are and having no idea at all. It's increased my knowledge of the hobby, of cameras, styles and just how crafty people can be. I do not think it has made me more social really, although I do enjoy meetups and have met more locales this way, my regular behaviour isn't affected and I don't do more or less than before really. I've also learned to let go of things I don't use anymore or need in order to fund my BJD hobby.

      And I'm tired so I shall shush before I ramble more. Good luck to you both on the workshop.
       
    3. They have definately opened my eyes to things i never would have known otherwise, and well....given me a hobby!
      but socialwise i deffinately have met people i would never have met if it weren't for my dolls. ReineDeLaSeine14 is a good friend of mine i would NEVER have known had it not been for the little puki's, and I met with Edyasha in Maine, and regularly talk to MikaRen (although we havent met IRL).
      through meeting these people I've learned alot. about different people, different situations and well, how to deal with them, and through them i have expanded my Suport Network which is something everybody needs.
       
    4. I've really enjoyed meeting other collectors since I became a member of DoA. I've been to several local-ish meets, and I keep up with some of those people betweentimes through email. I really like sewing and crafty things, but most of the crafts scene in my area is knitting and quilting, which I'm not so into. Most doll people are sort of crafty, so I feel like part of a craft community as well as a doll community.
      I also have some online friends in other parts of the country, which is a first for me. It's so cool to be able to bond with someone you've never met in person. I used to live in Oakland, but now I'm out in the sticks and it's kind of lonely. So being in the hobby is a nice social outlet.
      I would also like to say that the BJD hobby is really female-friendly. I know there are boys in the hobby, but they're pretty cool boys, and DoA feels like a really nice online space where it's okay for everyone to talk about something traditionally 'feminine". It seems like a really socially progressive group in lots of ways, actually. Other friends have had experiences with very creepy dudes on other, more general forums, and I like how that's not a huge issue here.

      I hope that's helpful!
       
    5. With BJDs, I have a hobby with a subculture of politeness and artistic expression attached to it, which gives me a safe and level ground on which to meet all kinds of people who also happen to love BJDs. So far the people I've met have been funloving and sweet, and very nice to a shy little artist who was recovering from a very rough time in her life. :)
       
    6. I am not a particularly skilled conversationalist... So having an unusual hobby like collecting ball joint dolls gives me something fun and interesting to talk about with the people I meet.
      People are often really interested when I explain how customizable the dolls are and all of the different styles of clothes available. It can be a really good conversation starter!
       
    7. I've made some new friends online and in person after discovering these dolls and I'm very happy about that. I've really enjoyed the fun people I've met in the doll world.
       
    8. The bjd hobby have not made me a more social person but it have made me meet alot of great friends that I'm very close to. so I'm very thankfull to the hobby also It have just made me a happier person overall
       
    9. BJDs have certainly got me socialising with a wider number of social groups (for example, the Goth/Emo/Loli crowd are not a heavy presence in my other social activities but seem to outweigh every other group within BJD fandom - at DoA meets I've been to at least, and on DoA itself, judging by the number of pictures of dolls dressed in that sort of style).

      Teddy
       
    10. Being in the jointed doll hobby has certainly opened my mind to new hobbies, such as painting, sculpting, sewing, and foam crafting. (And Photography...)
      I find that here on (specifically) DoA things are often a bit too social.

      I know two doll owners in real life who know of DoA, but avoid it.
      However ss far as I know, they don't seem to mind conversing with doll owners face to face, but it's not a big deal to them.
      (Sort of like how majority of people own cars, and may make a comment about their car now and then... but do not avidly collect them watch for golden oldies, and possible not join online forums dedicated to cars...?) :?

      Ultimately being in the doll hobby has made me more social. . . .
       
    11. Gosh Teddy, had I know that I would have sent you a "goth" bear. And yes, I must agree that there are many different types of folks out there in the hobby and it's great when you can connect with a social group that you fit into (or all levels). For myself, I've made more friends that share my interests in sewing and art, even people I know, but didn't know that they were into BJD's. How nice to have someone to share the ups and downs of this hobby.
       
    12. Gosh Teddy, had I know that I would have sent you a "goth" bear:aheartbea. And yes, I must agree that there are many different types of folks out there in the hobby and it's great when you can connect with a social group that you fit into (or all levels). For myself, I've made more friends that share my interests in sewing and art, even people I know, but didn't know that they were into BJD's. How nice to have someone to share the ups and downs of this hobby.:whitetruffle:truffle:truffle:clover
       
    13. I've only had a BJD since the beginning of the year, and already I've been to two doll meets and met lots of lovely, friendly people! Its really good for me, I've only lived in London 3 years (I came from Australia) and I tend not to drift from my little circle of close friends and find it kinda difficult to meet new people with common interests here. But I feel quite a home at the dolly meets, so that has been one social advantage for me :)

      Its also been a long time since I was active on a forum, so DoA has given me a whole new online social circle too!
       
    14. I can't say enough good things about the social benefits. I've met a lot of really cool people from all the meets I've gone to. Two girls I hit it off with especially well, and we do other activities besides doll ones. I'm actually going to Japan with these girls this summer. (Sato, here we come). It's great to find friends with the same interests. Yay for doll meets and DOA!
       
    15. I've become MUCH more social thanks to Cecilia. I even went as far as to set up a meet! It was a lot of fun.

      I actually went around and spoke to people, I had a lot of fun. I'm normally a very quiet person so this was different, but great!
       
    16. I've noticed that once I got my first BJD, as others got to know what comes with having one, they've started asking me a ton of craft related questions on whatever they were working on. Whether it'd be sewing, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, etc. I was already into doing all those things, but now I guess people can see the work done on Nikki whenever I take him around and they feel more comfortable thinking I'll have the answer.
      People usually won't ask a question unless they think you'll have the answer. ^^
       
    17. What do you think are the benefits of owning a BJD?
      I don't think "owning" a BJD gives me a lot of benefits so much as participating in all the Social Activities linked to the BJD world does. I think being able to participate in forums like DoA is a huge benefit. I have gained a ton of knowledge in a very specific field that I have been able to apply to other hobbies as well as aspects of life. I'm also looking forward to meetups and getting to know more people, making "doll" friends and hopefully establishing some lifelong relationships with other owners!

      Do you think that collecting them has made you a more social person? Have they opened your eyes to new things?
      I've always been incredibly social, but BJDs has opened me up to people and discussions I might never have encountered. I have learned very quickly that I don't want to be considered a certain type of "person" because I am an adult who plays with dolls. Likewise, I've learned not to judge people so much based on things they are interested in (jocks in sports, etc...). I've become more receptive to people in general I think and I look forward to daily interactions regarding my doll.

      You might want to google "Marwencol" for your project. A gentleman put himself through rigorous therapy by creating a World War 2 town in his backyard with dolls. His hobby has changed his life as there is now a film coming out about him. Just a thought! ^_^
       
    18. One of the reasons why I love this hobby so much is because in a way, the meet-ups remind me of Girl Scouts, which I did for something like eleven or twelve years. Most attendees seem to be artistic, interested in crafts, yet most still have their own interests and things to talk about. BJDs haven't really made me more or less social, but it certainly gives me something to participate in; I haven't found a club I really liked at school since I want something fun and relaxing, and most of the more consistent ones at school are sports or politically charged, nor do I have time for weekly commitments. A few friends have been made so far, which makes meet-ups that much more fun. :)
       
    19. I've only had my own bjd for less than a week, but I'm already noticing her impact on me. first of all, and probably best of all, I do my homework faster because of her since I won't allow myself to touch her before all my homework is done. She's also giving me a boost in confidence, since I want to have her around most of the time I bring her to college with me and before my girl I wouldn't have even though of bringing something that I know would attract attention to me (in bad or good ways) like she does. But now I just smile to the people who give me the disapproving glares and talk happily with those who are curious about her :)
      So yes, she is making me more social
       
    20. What do you think are the benefits of owning a BJD?
      You get to be part of a group, if you choose to be.

      Do you think that collecting them has made you a more social person?
      Nope, was already very social. However it's been wonderful for making new friends. Giving me even more stuff to do on the weekends.

      Have they opened your eyes to new things?
      Not sure this counts that much, but I'm going to visit Korea, to visit friends. I would still be going because they are my friends, but I'm abit more excited about the trip because we are going to do doll shopping while there. Making the whole prospect of different country/foreign language less daunting.