This is the one! - How do you know?

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?

If I see a photo of a doll, either on DoA or on the company's site, and I immediately want to see more, or can't get it out of my mind. I don't buy dolls quickly on impulse, I always make sure I really do want it, over a sustained period of time, before actually buying. There are plenty of dolls that I think are great when I first see them but which, a week or a month later, I realize I don't really care enough for to buy one. My most recent doll puchase is actually a doll I've wanted for over two years (I was considering her as a first doll before I decided on a different doll for my first) so sometimes that waiting period can be quite long indeed, but to me it's better to wait than to buy a doll and find out I really don't care for it and want to resell it.

Do you base your dolls on characters or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing, do you buy them and base characters around them.

I try to look at photos of the sculpt I'm interested in with as many different looks (faceups, wigs, clothes, etc) as possible, because I don't want to get a doll just based on something like a faceup! You can always get a custom artist faceup, find a split for a fullset outfit, buy a new wig, etc... but the sculpt itself, even with modding, is the one thing that's there for good. It can also be surprising how different faceups, eyes, wigs, and clothes can bring out totally different "personalities" even from the same doll sculpt, so I like to see that as well. I don't get dolls to be preexisting characters at all- when I see a doll I like I come up with a character for it that would fit in with my other dolls.

The rest of the questions are character based so I don't think I'd have much to respond to there.

 

I don't have "characters" imagined up for my dolls and I don't go around looking for a sculpt that looks like some particular character I have in my head.

I know I want a doll when I look at the sculpt and just go "Yes" with no reservations.

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?

Honestly for me, it's a gut feeling. The first time I saw Jasper (DOC Yen) it was three years ago, back in 2006 when a friend intro-ed me to DOD's site to show me the doll he was getting. I browsed around for fun, cos I had no intentions of getting a doll then (I already had one collection that saps my money), I just wanted to admire the pictures.

Then I saw Yen and... I guess you could say a lightbulb switched on, and something about him screamed BUY ME!! And I thought it was impulse... But at random moments over the three years I'd keep coming back to DOD to just look at him, and with every moment, the feeling just got stronger... I really did want him, because everytime I looked at him I could literally feel a tug.

Do you base your dolls on characters?

No, not really. The characters I write already have officially produced toys of them, and furthermore they aren't human. With Jade and Jasper, I had no characters or personalities in mind when I first got them. I just let them be and interacted with them when I could, and the personalities came naturally.

or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing?

While I think wigs, eyes and clothing do play small part, at least on a "looks" level, it all comes down to the mold, and if it 'speaks' to you

do you buy them and base characters around them?

Nope, as I said above, I just let their personalities come naturally through interaction. It sounds odd, but you'll find that once you start playing with a doll, posing it for pictures, trying new clothes on, you'll find it will and wont do certain things, certain looks and angles that suit better than others, and that's where the 'personality' comes from .

how you do decide if it's the right one?

It's all gut feeling babe... When the time came close for me to buy Jasper, the week before I made the payment on him, I sorta had a flake moment and started looking at other dolls, and started wondering if the DOC Yen really WAS what I wanted... but no matter how many I looked at, I'd always come back to him. Sure DOD has plenty of molds that are (in some opinions) a lot nicer than Yen's, but to me he was the perfect one...

For Jade, it was a toss-up between AOD Rao and BBB Mei. Once I bought Jasper, I knew I wanted a girl doll too, so I looked around. Ironically the same thing happened - Rao was the first female scuplt I looked at, and she did the same thing Yen did: BUY ME! Helped that I found her locally and was able to buy her on the spot.

I guess you could say it was a bit of an impulse buy, but I'd been doing to same thing with her... looking at other sculpts and then coming back to AOD. I was worried that maybe I bought her too fast and I wouldn't bond, but it was for nothing - she was the one. I'm completely attached to her.

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy?

I dont regret Jasper or Jade at all. Can't imagine ever parting with them now, I'm just far too attached.

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?
Well... The first time, I just saw him and fell in love instantly. I didn't want any other doll.
The next three times (Although I don't have these dolls yet), I had characters in my head and went searching for moulds to fit them.
When I saw them, I got all excited and went, "Ah, that's them!" Haha.

Do you base your dolls on characters?
Not pre-existing characters, no.
But I have characters in my head and the dolls are just a solid form of them.

or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing?
The dolls? Well, I have to admit that, if my character has blonde hair, it's easier for me to picture a character as them if they have at least light hair as well. Although that's not the sole reason, of course.

do you buy them and base characters around them?
I didn't for Quinn. When I bought him he was originally going to be called Josh, but it didn't work out. I couldn't come up with a suitable personality for him, then Quinn jumped up out of nowhere. xD
However, if I do buy the three dolls I'm pining for right now, then I would be, yes. Although there's no telling if that'll work out either! :P

how you do decide if it's the right one?
I dunno... I just knew. o.O For Quinn, he just appealed to me and I knew I needed him.
For the others, they look exactly as I had pictured my characters.

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy?
I don't regret Quinn at all! And I really hope I don't regret the other dolls if I get them. o.O

 

So far I've only two original characters (OCs) that wanted doll bodies -- in their case, I knew immediately upon sight that those sculpts was the right one for them. The sculpts just embodied the character, personality, mood that my OCs had; no others came close -- and I looked at a LOT of them. This feeling continued to stick even when I was looking through DoA galleries, so I knew they were right.

One of these chars has come home, and he is no longer a doll but has 'become' my Vega, so to speak. The thing is, while he has the right mood and expression, he actually has very little physical resemblance to Vega as I see him in my mind! I'm reconsidering re-shelling that character (I have found a potential sculpt - but it won't be for a long while), but no, I don't regret getting the first sculpt in the first place because I can see Vega's personality coming through, even though he doesn't look like my vision.

Of my other dolls who didn't start as OCs, I knew they were for keeps because I kept coming back to them, and I started creating characters for them. Some were "love at first sight", other sculpts gradually grew on me... but until they take up residence in my imagination as a character I don't have a reason to get them! (Yeah, all dolls go through a rigorous screening process. ) Two of those doll-inspired characters are home, and I don't regret them either!

 

How do I know I've found the right one......hmmmm...

I guess it would be feeling that rush of excitement that I get just seeing her. I have my DD out all the time where I can see her and my Sist in her box in the closet. My Sist may be a little newer, but I still get a thrill out of arranging my DDs hair, clothes or body. Just knowing that they are MINE sends thrills down my spine.

Sometimes you just 'know' when a doll is 'the one' and you'll go through a lot(or a lot of waiting, years maybe?) and feel that every second was worth it when you finally have them. When you make them something new or each time you give them a new faceup.

Or when my husband sees that look on my face and says, "Greeeeaaaaat.....how much of the tax money are we spending on this?"

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?
I fall in love with the mould/doll instantly. I can't get them out of my head, and as the days go on I feel an overwhelming urge to pick up my credit card log onto the site and order them. XD

Do you base your dolls on characters?
I've tried to but it never really works out. Usually I just wait for them to arrive and then there characters/personalities/names/backstories develop from there.


or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing?
No, not really. I'm more of a sculpt girl if I do say so myself.

do you buy them and base characters around them?
Yes. Just as I attempted to explain above, this is exactly what I do.


how you do decide if it's the right one?
Usually I wait until the doll has arrived, and if I just can't bond with it I end up selling it.

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy?
Nope. :]

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?
I love their look and I can't stop thinking and looking at them. They fit into my dolls. I'm kinda a believer in destiny so if they're available at the right moment then it's meant to be

Do you base your dolls on characters? Or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing?
I find a doll I like figure out where they'll fit with my others. While they're on the way I try to plan for their personality but so far no one has liked theirs so they change...

Do you buy them and base characters around them?
I make up characters for the doll, not choose the doll for the character.

How you do decide if it's the right one?
See first question.

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy?
Not specifically. I'm selling my first doll but I don't regret it since I think it was a good starter doll.

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?
When I see numerous photographs of it that are pleasing, and I can honestly imagine being just as happy having it in person, and photographing it myself. The closer a doll immediately looks to one of my characters, the more I want it.

Do you base your dolls on characters? Or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing?
Yes, they're always based on characters. I don't think I would be quite as taken with a sculpt if it didn't fit a personality I already had in mind. And while I'm usually more attracted to molds who're photographed nicely with good taste in wig/clothes, at first, I take all pictures into consideration, to make sure it's not just the way the doll is presented in a certain shoot that is sweeping me away.

Do you buy them and base characters around them?
No, as said previously, the characters come first.^^

How you do decide if it's the right one?
Same answer as the first question, really.

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy?
Rarely. Even if something loses some of its appeal to me in person, I try to make it work.

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?
I never do until I've had them for a little while. Sometimes even a doll I fall in love with, and love when I first get, doesn't fit in after a while.


Do you base your dolls on characters or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing, do you buy them and base characters around them.
I base it on actual sculpt and the body as well, and it depends. Some of my dolls are character dolls, others are ones I've created character around after I've gotten them.


When you're looking for a specific character, how you do decide if it's the right one?
Physical looks, and that's it. When I see a doll that hits me as this character, or that character, than thats the one I set on for that character.

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy? Do you just work another character into it's place, or is your character 'stuck' inside of it and doomed to be in that resin prison for life?
Ohhh, I have~ Usually, that's the doll that gets sent on. I sell it, and I get another doll that suits better IRL.

 

I knew because it matched my character perfectly!

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?
My process is usually a big user of time. I try to narrow what expectations I have, like do I want cute or more serious, more mature, boy or girl, etc. Then I see what moulds I'm drawn to both via promo pictures and by owner pictures. I try to take into account for owner pictures if it's the mould or the owners styling/photo skills that I like too. After time you start to see which one really keeps drawing you back consistently. That's how it works for me anyway.

Do you base your dolls on characters or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing, do you buy them and base characters around them. When you're looking for a specific character, how you do decide if it's the right one?
Both. My first doll I decided would be a girl and I decided to make her into my OC. She doesn't fit 100% the character as in my head but at the same time I feel like I have a new version of her and I love her none the less. My Kid Delf is a random, I fell in love with the mould. I don't base it on wig or clothing, it's the mould that matters for me. Styling can be done with any mould, you can buy the wig and clothes and change them up, the faces structure is what you need to live with so it's what my purchase hangs around most.

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy?
Style? Do you mean clothes/hair or style of doll such as more realistic vs less realistic? If you mean mould style, I do regret buying a more realistic doll because he didnt' fit in with the one I already had, nor my friends. But that was remedied with a sale and the purchase of my kid delf.

Do you just work another character into it's place, or is your character 'stuck' inside of it and doomed to be in that resin prison for life?
Kind of melodramatic ^^; Usually I'll try to make the character I have in mind work, but if it doesn't I'll try to head back to the drawing board and find them a new persona. Sometimes if they dont' fit I'll simply sell them and seek what does.

 

How do YOU know you've found the right doll?
Well,when I was researching for a perfect doll for myself,I keep randomly clicking the model of the doll and POOOF!!That's the perfect doll!!

Do you base your dolls on characters or do you buy them because you like a certain wig or clothing that they're wearing, do you buy them and base characters around them?
First,I designed my own characters and made a research on each BJD company in the web and accidentally met the perfect molds that fit each dolls' personalities..

When you're looking for a specific character, how you do decide if it's the right one?
My instincts decided for me..

Do you ever regret a specific style that you buy?
No.Because I hate to regret..

Do you just work another character into it's place, or is your character 'stuck' inside of it and doomed to be in that resin prison for life?
Only 1 of my dolls will have my personalities..The rest of the dolls have their own personalities(I have a feeling that my 1st future doll will be sarcastic..0_0)

 

For me, no analysis involved. It's all gut reaction. And that really loud voice in my head that screams, "MINE!" when I see the photos. The Dollstown sculpts are my absolute favorites. For now, anyway. hehe

 

Man. TT___________TT I want a doll. I still don't have money for one...well...I have enough, but I have to keep saving that up for art school. Freaking expensive. =___=; Anywhos...I'm sure when I get mine I'll base it off of one of my characters. Probably look at the face and body, hair, eyes to see if it fits. Though, I'm sure I'll end up having a gut reaction like Jester. ;w; I can't wait to get one eventually.

 

I dont ever do research or go to the companies websites. Most of my inspiration comes from the posts i read here, people's experiences and the marketplace. I bought my first doll out of pure research and investigation, i nearly didnt even bond with her. My dragon doll was an accident of chance. As sonn as i saw his phot i knew he was mine. For my brownie, i just felt my heart melting when i saw their size compared to an SD doll (my daughter was a premature, and we were giants compared to her). My incoming doll is a second or even third hand doll, but i dont care. As soon as i saw her photo on the marketplace, no face-up, all nude, with some scrathches and cold, i knew she needed a new home with mom, dad and a baby sister ^^. I am a cheesy romantic LOL, i always go for the underdogs ^^

 

Awwww. ;w; I find that super cute Mishita.

 

LOL yeah ^^ even my pets are rescued animals etc. ^^ alway believe in the second or third chance. Plus i find DOA very educational to actually understand what doll and why. Personal experiences are invaluable, and i think they teach you how to appreciate a doll more ^^ even if it is an oldie broken one ^^

 

I agree! I love DOA it's helped me a lot in just learning about dolls in general. -sigh- I want one so bad. > < But grrr...can't get one yet OnO which stinks.

Second or third chances ;w; Indeed. My new kitten is a rescued pet. My mom found her outside her school and brought her home. -cues awes- xD

 

aawww!! LOL ^^ yeah! i was lucky to get my third hand doll for $80 here!!! OMG i was bout to buy the same one off AOD, but BLAM i saw the add appear here and didnt hesitate ^^. Plus i like the fact that she has a few scratches, i will make them into tattoos ^^