Times Are Tough - Low Cost BJD Idea's

I haven’t tried this with dolls, but with painting. You can take out drawers from a desk or similar piece of furniture and use it as a makeshift mini room. I’ve been meaning to try it out with doll photography using old fabric, paper, and trinkets around the house as decoration.

 

I've gotten a surprising amount of fabric/craft materials 100% free off of facebook, you can check to see if there's any "giveaway" or "buy/sell/trade" groups in your area. Maybe post a request for old clothing with holes/stains, since those can't be sold second-hand anyway. (Sidebar: I used to work at a second-hand store, anything with holes/stains, no matter how small, went straight in the dumpster. Including 100% silk items!!)

Many things, including doll furniture, can be made from papier-mâché. All you need is old newspaper and glue: wheat paste, which is just flour and water cooked together, works great.

If you want fancy-looking clothing on a budget, you can use basic fabrics—or buy basic clothing—and dress it up with fancy trims, which are comparatively cheaper than nice fabrics. You can also use a small amount of nice fabric to accent an item made from basic fabric, or to make fancy accessories, etc. Fabric retailers will sometimes send swatches at a set low cost, which could be used for this purpose.

 

Jumping on the clothes idea train:

If there’s a doll show (not just for BJDs) in your area, check it out! They usually have some people selling older/vintage clothes for a couple of dollars a piece that can be easily modified to fit BJD. It’s mainly girls clothes, but I’ve gotten some nice pinafores this way!

And a lot of those more serious collectors have dabbled in BJDs before, so sometimes you can find some good stuff there if they’re trying to clean things out

 

In a pinch, socks can be easily turned to BJD clothing, depending on the size of the doll. Could be a way to salvage single socks.

If you have a local meetup you can attend, people may have things to sell or give away for cheap!

 

I think the biggest money-saving asset is patience. Saving up is vexing, but it's always more rewarding than settling for something you're not completely on board with just because it's cheap. In the end, no matter how you spin it, this is a fairly expensive hobby, and even if the doll you buy is cheap, wigs/outfits/eyes/shoes/props will add up to the cost anyway. Those will also add up to the time you'll need to get the doll to a satisfying state, so being in a hurry is counterproductive anyway. Having a long-term mindset and not getting sucked into the spiral of consumerism and FOMO is the best thing you can do if you have a limited budget.

Being patient is also great for the 2nd hand marketplace. I believe that many 2nd hand sellers tend to price their dolls a bit high, especially for older dolls that have signs of wear, but sometimes there's a really good deal in your area. I am pretty fussy with aesthetics and I thought that a yellowed doll would look ruined or defective, but it's really not that big of a deal. A doll from an owner who kept it well and limited sun exposure will look pleasant unless it's something really ancient, and yellowing will just mean it's a warmer tone, rather than a banana doll you'll have to restore. 2nd hand is especially great if you're after larger dolls which tend to have a higher price point when new, and it's particularly true if you are buying within the EU where taxes on imports seem to get higher by the day. I don't know other EU residents but the customs/shipping money is a sizable chunk of the cost of the doll itself for me, and buying locally takes away that impact.

I see new people who get into BJDs trying to spend as little as possible and end up struggling with the consequences of going after the cheapest things just to own a doll and get it dressed. Just be patient and take it a long-term project, the community is not going to run after you if you take time to get things done. I always see that newbies who end up the happiest are those who take their time and save up for things they really want.

 

I make my doll eyes with white polymere clay, plastiline, nail accessories, acrylic paints and the cheapest UV resin I could find. I know they're not made for eternity, but it's fun playing around with different styles on the fly.

 

Seconding that old cotton bedlinen is useful for making mockups without risking good fabric. Recycling old human clothing has the advantage of a bit of wear which makes the fabric drape better at small scale, and already being washed multiple times to remove excess dye.
But when it comes to crafting, there's also the issue of the "I should do it myself" fallacy: there are some things that are beyond my skill level or not enjoyable to make, and while it might seem cheaper to make everything instead of buying it, when you add up the cost of all the supplies used learning to make items you're happy with, as well as your time and effort, it doesn't always work out less expensive.
Could I theoretically keep tweaking a tape-and-clingwrap dress form until I draft a satisfactory pants pattern that works for my doll? Perhaps, but it would be a better use of my time and fabric to spend $15 on a pattern that will need far less adjustment.

I agree with what @lutke said – my approach to managing my doll budget is prioritising quality over quantity in doll items and making every purchase a calculated and considered one:

• No buying placeholder wigs/clothes/eyes/parts – they take up space and funds I could use on things I really want
• Create a shopping list of things particular dolls need: Doll A needs a red button-up cardigan, Doll B needs brown 14/6 eyes, etc. This stops aimless browsing – if I'm on a website or in a doll store, I already know what I'm looking for
• Only buy things if I have a definite purpose for them: yes, that coat looks nice, but it wouldn't suit any of my dolls in that size
• Get as much information as possible before buying: photos from multiple angles, user reviews, measurements, how it looks on the doll, etc.
• Carefully inspect sales photos, especially heavily edited or atmospherically lit ones: the quality of items might be partially concealed or difficult to determine, which can result in an unpleasant surprise
• Evaluate what I already have: how often have I used that outfit? Does that wig actually suit anyone? How motivated am I to turn this floating head into a full doll? I'd rather sell something and have more storage space and funds instead of keeping it in the hope that "some doll will use it some day"
• Put aside money from doll sales so I have funds available when things I'm looking for are up for sale

The best way to save doll money is to be patient and think before you click the "buy" button, especially given the state of the EN secondhand market and global trade. You can't assume that a doll or doll-related accessory you don't end up liking will sell straight away or for the original retail price, especially if, like me, you're not in the US.

 

I've decided to deep dive into sewing for my dolls! I used to spend so much money on doll clothing because my skills weren't that great, but I've collected over 100 patterns now, and have improved my skills tremendously in less than a year! Now, I feel my skills mostly do match that of professionals, at least on basic and intermediate items. Instead of spending $15-20 on a t-shirt, I'm now making them for about $2. Or less if I use old fabric/clothing! There are many sites out there that offer free doll clothing patterns, and plenty more who sell them for $15 or less. Missy's Imaginings is a great site with a variety of free patterns for several sizes!

Secondhand sales are a great way to get dolls cheap. Some do hold value, but I've seen a lot of really nice dolls listed for very cheap. If you can find one you like in your country, even better!

But really, the biggest "money wasting" I've done in the hobby comes from impulse buying and settling for less. Make a plan or wishlist, and stick to it. When your budget is tight, a "good deal" isn't a good deal if it's not something you really want or need. Settling for less often will lead to spending more in the long run. If you love a pair of jeans that costs $50, but buy two $10 pairs instead, you're probably not going to be happy with the quality or fit, then maybe settle for a $20 pair and repeat....eventually you've spent more than $50 on a bunch of jeans you aren't happy with and could have saved up for the good ones!

 

I have further thoughts:
- Raid your (friends'/family's) jewelry stash. Human rings can be used as doll bracelets, human bracelets as doll belts or headbands. Thin chains can be wrapped around the neck for a multi-strand necklace. Clip-on earrings can be used as brooches/clips, depending on the type.
- For crafting, look to nature for free materials. Dried flowers can go in hair or be used as props, seashells and sea glass can be used to make jewelry.
- A long enough dress will hide crummy old shoes (or a lack of shoes entirely).
- If you want to get into shoe-making, you might consider historical styles without hard soles/with fabric uppers. Medieval shoes are like this, so are Regency dancing slippers. Modern styles that don't require leather: (rafia) sandals, Ugg-style (felt) boots, Balenciaga-style sock boots (could reuse soles from worn-out pumps etc.).
- Revamp old shoes with peeling leather by covering them in glitter.

 

Expanding on what @babezoid said for jewelry suggestions- stretchy bead bracelets make great doll necklaces. One of my MSDs is wearing a smaller thick hoop earring as a bracelet after it's mate got lost. I always have an eye out for potential doll props when out and about. My mature tinies have a rug that's a fancy placemat I found cheap second hand, my MSD's have a chair that's a wicker plant stand. Felt covered cardboard can make decent doll furniture.

 

I don't feel confident I have any life-changing ideas nobody has thought of before but I've been doing my cost cutting as long as I've been in this hobby so here are some various things that saved money:

Unfortunately I simply do not buy any dolls internationally almost ever. Even buying small things internationally can exponentially raise costs (like pre-ordering beautiful eyes and wigs etc from Japanese or Korean makers) because the base ems shipping was $25+ per small package back when I started the hobby.

This does mean I don't get all the things I would have liked and I learn to live with that. But I also get very cool unexpected things because of my process so I am happy and grateful.

I buy things I like in general that I can use and reuse on lots of different dolls for many years, high quality things that don't get ruined easily. This means avoiding pleather shoes, avoiding hardcap wigs that don't fit multi sizes, saying yes to good quality glass eyes when they show up in my $25 and under price range locally. I have massive handmade wardrobes for my dolls (which is very unnecessary but I guess cheaper than having bought the clothes) but I have a pool of shoes I use between many and things like casual pants and coats and accessories I just have for sharing. I save my favorite wigs for a few years without using them before deciding to move them on. Its always better to use something I already had if it's going to look good.

(I almost forgot to say) If you have any confidence in your own artistic skills it pays off to learn to do your own faceups. You can do a lot of faces with a very basic color palette of a few pinks, browns, red and black. High quality pastels might last you the rest of your life. If you don't think doing your own faceups is for you I think the next most cost effective thing is to always say yes to company faceups. Most of them are very pretty and versatile. You save yourself a lot of shipping costs and stress.

I use what I already have as currency for as long as it's practical. I make use of my local secondhand markets when I am considering buying something new. Trading in relatively safe spaces like the DoA market instead of selling has certainly helped me spend less on little stuff like shoes and wigs over time.

The biggest cost saver if I really take it to heart is always less is more. Ways to make less-is-more mentality work out without boring myself to tears seems to be the most helpful way for me to go about it all. Recycle and recombine things I like, repair and alter, trade with other people when practical. And embrace opportunities rather than overextend myself chasing specific needs that are hard to fill.

 

If you have dolls with overlapping sizes and styles, pooling wardrobes will mean more clothes for your dolls without additional cost to money or space.

 

Cheapest thing you can do is to enjoy what you already have.

So, assuming that you own at least one doll to begin with, spending time rather than money is always an option.
Experimenting with any existing wardrobe. Taking pictures, if you own a camera. Setting up little scenes and dioramas is always possible if you use your surroundings creatively. Basing crafting around things you already have in your stash.

Hanging out with local doll friends is another low cost way of enjoying your dolls.
Cultivating in person relationships lets you pool your experience and resources. Crafting tips, seeing dolls and accessories in person without having to buy them yourself, seeing your dolls next to other dolls etc. are all things that costs nothing and can greatly increase your chances to make smart and low waste decisions for future acquisitions.

Basic maintenance work is another low cost thing that needs doing, but often gets put off until later. At least, I'm guilty of doing that. Restringing, deep cleaning, re gluing magnets that has come off etc. are all low cost activities that are still very rewarding. Sometimes a doll feels like a whole new doll after a good spa day.
Washing clothes and cleaning props can also be worth while, it doesn't need doing very often, but grime can build up over time so why not take the time to go over things and evaluate. Basic repairs to clothes and props fall in the same category. Keeping things in good condition makes them feel nicer and lessens the risk of feeling the need to replace them.

Basically, anything that is doing rather than buying.

 

Learning to do your own faceup's is a useful and money saving skill!

I would recommend getting high quality materials (eg artist grade pastels, acrylics ect) but you should start by getting only the colors you need in small single tube/ single pastel options. don't go for the big pastel set until you're ready/ have saved up for it.

if you can purchase a resin practice head then that's awesome and a good way to get used to working on a 3 dimensional surface. if you cant find a cheap resin head anywhere then practicing on cheap barbies from the thrift store is also useful!