What do you think of "starter dolls?"

I agree with KiraKat.

From experience of having many hobbies, I've learned that investing a little more into getting a nice set of tools, quality materials, and yes a doll, is a better option then getting "starter kits" or the "starter doll". Usually, and this is just my opinion, "starter/beginner" kits tend to be 'cheap'. (There are exceptions of course, but if you are going to invest in quality, you may as well go the whole 9 yards)

These things can make or break the will or desire to go further into the hobby.

For some it may work, and pull them into the hobby. For me, if I was going to drop some serious cash on something, I wanted it to be worth my while and my tastes. So researching and saving up a little more cash for a nice, quality made doll was my option. Sure I had to wait longer, but in the end it was worth it.

Don't sell yourself short if you really want something. Do your research, see what you like. Save, save, save. Especially if you are like me, and on a serious budget.

 

This is an interesting question because in my case I bought a starter doll without knowing it.
I bought a OT 8" BJD at a local estate auction. I had never seen a modern doll that was built like the old antiques that I have bought and sold for years. I picked up this doll for 20 dollars and THEN did the research on it. That's when i discovered BJD's and a whole new world opened up to me. This little 8" was fun to play with. Very soon afterwards I bought an OT American BJD 30" doll for a hefty sum. I consider this doll my first REAL BJD, because I bought her on purpose. The 8" doll was cheap so I bought it for resale..... but just kept it because she was so interesting. The 8" needs a face up, so I will maybe practice on her: NOT the 30" American BJD.

 

i did this inadvertently as well. rather than buying the doll i really wanted, i got a cheaper one that i could afford. not 'cause i thought i would wreck it, but i was planning to use it as an artist model and couldn't see paying the amount my "dream doll" at the time cost. i never did get that doll, (my dreams changed) but after collecting 3 relatively inexpensive dolls i switched to other more expensive ones and have not looked back. i don't regret my initial purchases, since i would never have started if the more expensive ones were the only ones available - i had to get over sticker shock somehow just like everyone has different tastes, i think different people start collecting in different ways, and ther eis nothing wrong with that.

 

I too found myself buying a "Starter" without realizing it. Having bought a Magical Michael, and being unwilling to risk my developing cosmetic skills on such a refined face, I bought a nice, cheap Korean doll and practiced my arts on that, till I was happy to work on the Michael.

These days, whilst I do not suggest jumping into something cheaper simply to 'have' a doll, I do think that budding cosmetic artists could do a darn-sight worse than starting small, so to speak.

 

Well, technically I did not get myself a "starter", but rather a "substitute" doll. I was and still am heavily in love with Iplehouse's big boys. A year ahead I did tons of research and knew exactly what I wanted - a big male doll. However, I was torn. I read that these guys are difficult to clothe, they are difficult to pose (do hardly anything but standing and looking good), etc., etc. But looking at every picture of all the lovely Akandos, Luos, Arvids, etc., I simply thought how absolutely gorgeous these guys are.

From the technical side, I was afraid of having such a giant. And 70 cm - OMG! Money-wise, it was never a question, I sold some items and gathered it easily. But in the end, I withdrew and got myself a leaner, slightly smaller doll. But the Iplebug never left me - there was something in the back of my head whispering "he isn't the one you really want".

Therefore, I continued stalking the marketplace. And the golden chance came - I happily traded the leaner body against my beloved giant. And now I am soo happy that I did!

My first doll, in fact, wasn't bad nor cheap. Just not what I really wanted. So this may happen, too.

 

If I had it to do over, I would have started with a starter doll. My first doll was a Dollmore model doll who was way bigger than I was accustomed to and had been so pricey I was afraid to do anything that might mess her up. If I hadn't invested so much money, I would have been more willing to experiment and might be further along in customizing than I am.

 

Unless you want to practice modding from the get go, honestly I don't think a starter doll is worth it. I started out with my dream dolls (that weren't LE) and I never regretted it. I honestly would suggest if you're just going to clothe, wig, eye and play with a doll - get the one you want right out of the gate because reselling a cheap doll you don't like as much is just more work in the end.

Get a cheap doll because you want to practice eye opening/sanding/ear mods etc? Hell yes. I wouldn't do that to a more expensive doll until I was well practiced! Get a cheap doll because it's your first doll? No, not really. In the end it's better to get one you REALLY want than one you will be trying to sell once you're out of the 'beginner' period.

Let's be honest.. there's a lot of research involved in this hobby. I don't see why we can't get the doll we want from the start and be informed enough to look after it decently. ^_^

 

A first doll used for taking apart, sanding, or faceup-ing is a great way not only to learn how to take care of a doll, but also THAT one can take care of a doll without destroying it. It doesn't have to be the first doll a person buys, but a doll like that should be among a collection at some point.

 

I got Bobobie Ya girl, and yes, she was a ''starter doll'' but having one really helped me not mess up a limited. XD

 

I'm comparatively new to this hobby, and my first doll is my only doll right now -- an Iplehouse G. Freezia. I don't think she falls into the 'starter' doll category, but I couldn't imagine buying any doll but her for my first. Not only do I absolutely adore her and she's one of my favorite sculpts, but she'll always be very significant to me because she was my first doll. Not to mention because I'm so attached to her, I triple check everything I plan to do to her to make sure it's safe! I'm very invested in taking care of her because of how important she is to me.

I think a practice doll is a great idea if you can afford it, but I don't think you need a so-called starter doll when you're coming into the hobby.

 

I don't really think there's any such thing as a 'starter doll'. You either get a bjd or you don't. Preferably, you get something you like. Dolls aren't like pets or children where you actually have to know what you're doing to own one and it's difficult to figure out how to "take care" of them. The only hard and fast rules I know of for BJD ownership are: avoid oil based products, and be aware that resin can break. Frankly, I feel like a full set is a good 'starter doll, because it comes with a face-up, clothes and sometimes even a backstory- that's pretty good for someone who has just started in the hobby. A nude, blank doll might be a little intimidating for those who haven't got a lot of practice yet. You really can't mess up a doll either unless you take makers (permanent or otherwise) to its face, or back over it with your car.

I do agree with weirdnessmagnet though that a doll used for experimenting (or a junk head like my poor scrappy Chiwoo XD) is a really handy piece of resin- I'm working on finding ways to dye resin permanently and he's been a big help!

 

I just want a cheaper doll that I love so it's like a 50/50 for me. I don't expect to ruin it but also I don't want to spend a ton on money on a doll that I might ruin accidently. I won't but a doll if I don't want it

 

I don't know how easy it is to ruin a BJD by accident. There are so many tutorials about the safest way to go about things and which materials are good on resin and which ones will stain and ruin your doll that if you do some research before you buy, there's no reason why anyone would ruin a doll by accident. It's common knowledge that prolonged exposure to light and heat will accelerate yellowing, it's common knowledge that Sharpie + resin = bad. There's lots of information out there that will potentially save you from a lot of heartache and that doesn't matter if you have a super expensive or super inexpensive BJD. Its yours and you love it, so if you ruin it you'll be upset whether it cost a bomb or not.

I agree that if mods are your thing, it's best to start out less expensive while you're learning, but if it's resin bits you want to practice on, you can just as easily buy spare hands or feet or a head specifically for modding practice rather than buy a whole doll. Some people like to buy damaged dolls or unwanted parts just to get hold of some resin to work on.

If you're not into modding and not particularly interested in doing your own face-ups, any doll should be good as a starter doll. I used to think that some dolls were more complicated than others...but even complicated dolls come with manuals showing how to disassemble them and there are lots of restringing tutorials on YouTube, so you can string-a-long with someone else and get your confidence that way.

Ultimately, I'd always recommend someone go for the doll that really appeals to them, rather than fixating on price. Be aware of your budget, that's only sensible, but there's nothing wrong with having to save in order to afford your doll - let's remember that even lower-priced dolls are expensive for some pockets. The now, now, now 'must-have-it-instantly' culture is the wrong approach to buying any expensive purchase. Buy something in a rush and you'll usually come to regret it.

It's an achievement to get any BJD, there's the saving, the ordering, the waiting, the customs fees (sometimes), the postal service, more waiting...and eventually you get to unwrap your new darling. If your new doll is one that takes your breath away, you can cope with all the waiting and all the hassle.

 

I don't have much experience in this matter, I'm still waiting on my first dolls to arrive. But I agree with what others have said, you should go for the doll you want. I personally like the simpler dolls, but I will probably buy things like wings, ears and horns etc once I've gotten a basic grasp on them xD

 

Yes, I also agree with the "follow your heart" attitude. Yet, I must say that now that I have purchased more than one doll that I really wanted, and I'm starting to planning my first face-up, I'll probably go with my Hujoo (which nevertheless I adore) for my first attempt. It just makes more sense in my opinion.

 

I agree with Jescissa on the point of "common knowledge" and arming yourself with information on any decision you make. The community on DoA is generous with tutorials, information/threads that give a newbie enough insight to which doll might be the one for them. It seems like a "starter" head or body would make sense if you want to dive into the face-up/mod/art aspect of our hobby. For myself, I leave that up to the professionals on the workshop/commissions forum. I think keeping an eye on what you really like, after doing your homework on here, youtube and other websites; one should be able to choose the right doll.

 

My first doll was what some would call a "starter doll" - a Bobobie Tony. It wasn't a matter of saving up - I could have bought a BJD that cost over $1000. I just wasn't comfortable spending over $200. Before buying him, I'd never sold anything online, so I thought that whatever I spent would never be recovered. I did end up selling him years later, but I never regretted buying him. (Especially since I was able to sell him shortly after I put him on the MP!) Once I starting getting other dolls, he didn't appeal to me as much, but I adored him when he was my only doll.

As for other people, I think if they know for certain they aren't going to be even temporarily satisfied with the starter doll, they should consider just getting the more expensive doll to begin with. If they really aren't sure about the hobby, a starter doll may be a better idea. If the starter doll makes the person lose interest in the hobby, then it's also helped them save a lot of money (since most people don't stop with just a few dolls/outfits/wigs/eyes/etc). Unless giving up on BJDs leads to them getting a more expensive hobby...

 

I can understand people wanting a 'starter doll' if they want to practice faceups, but I went for an expensive baby right from the start and I certainly don't regret him. I didn't 'mess him up' or anything, but then I am no artist and never had any intention of doing faceups or modding of any sort.

 

I actually bought a "starter doll". I was browsing someplace... I don't know where, and thought to buy a bjd and he popped up on ebay. I actually felt incredibly guilty for spending the $40 on him. I chose him because he was so inexpensive, simple, and because I wasn't sure if this hobby was for me. I also did it, probably subconsciously, because I hoped to get into the hobby, and he'd be a good stepping stone towards nicer models.

I think beginner dolls are okay for people like myself, who guilt themselves for a $40 doll, and are worried they're not gonna be dedicated to such a hobby. I don't regret getting him at all. I love him just as much as my next doll and he's fulfilled everything I wanted him to, and more.

 

I’m so very happy to have a starter doll.* *I was very fortunate to have stumbled upon a teddy bear shop that was going out of business and had exactly one BJD.* She’s 16” vinyl and has all of the BJD characteristic that can help a newbie like me get familiar with BJD ownership and hobby. *
*
I ordered RSB Margaret on March 30th and I’m afraid it’s going to take a long time to receive her.