What has been unexpected, or surprised you, about getting into the hobby?

I am still new to the hobby and my first dolly is still on her way. I feel as if I would have the same reaction as you did.
I also had that same thought about people who had the attachment to their doll, I figured it wasn't my thing either. But now that shes on her way, I didn't expect to be already attached to something I do not have yet. I figured getting into this hobby I would just have dolls that just sit there and be pretty, which is really what some people do.
I find myself looking at things and saying to myself oh she would like this or that. I also didn't expect to be calling a doll a her or just her name in general in my mind, but I do.

My very first thing that surprised me of course is the price. Not only of the doll but basically everything that has to do with bjd's. I really didn't expect to spend so much on an article of clothing for her when I don't even spend that much on myself.

I really enjoyed your thoughts on this though! I found it very insightful to hear the thoughts of another person in this hobby.
I am really glad that she makes you happy because that is all that counts.

 

I've always been a total doll person (I had an American Girl growing up, and I make my own art dolls). So the bonding part didn't surprise me. But I was surprised by:

The cool people I met through the hobby. Including several real-life in-person friends! I was never really active on a forum before getting into BJDs, but I definitely enjoy the dolly world and find it socially fulfilling.

The way BJDs would impact my other artwork. I make cloth dolls, and I've drawn lots of inspiration from BJDs--pupilless eyes, different hairstyles, fantasy parts, etc. And the BJD hobby has taught me a lot about photography.

How soothing I would find it to tinker with my dolls. There's actually a lot of research about how working with miniatures can reduce anxiety, so I guess it shouldn't have surprised me, but it was nice to rediscover that.

 

What surprised me most if how social this hobby has made me. I never thought I'd visit with other doll people just for the sake of meeting and chatting with other doll people.

I also never thought I'd get into doing face-ups for people, let alone myself. I am artsy, but I just didn't think about it when I first started this hobby.

The support I've gotten from coworkers and friends was something that surprised me. I have people that lookout for doll props and furniture for me just because they want to. It's crazy. I never would have imagined having people do that for me, especially without ever asking.

One last thing that I sort of expected but not to this degree was what a comfort my dolls have become. I always figured they'd play an important role in my life (as other things I collect do), but I didn't think they would take on a life of their own.

 

I agree with the bonding thing! I've loved dolls and other toys since I was I baby, but usually, the bonds weaken after a few months, or maybe a couple of years for my favorites. Almost all of my dolls growing up have been sold, sent to charity or put in storage at my parents' house. I've had Amir for five and a half years now, and I'm still completely bonded to him, more now than ever. I can't imagine letting him go! Or sticking him in a box.

My biggest surprise is that other owners roleplay! I didn't even know what roleplay was when I joined the hobby, but I had been doing it for years with my sister and her dolls. I just thought I was some weird freak, being out of high school and still playing with dolls. I was floored at how many other adults roleplay their dolls online, and I've met most of my best friends this way! Who would have ever thought a piece of resin could help form lifelong bonds to real people?

 

I was very surprised at how much more creative this hobby has made me; I was an artist anyway so I'm no stranger to gushes of creativity but my dolls bring literally something else out of me. That suddenly I'd want to improve so many artistic skills so drastically, that I'd discover a long lost fondness for photography -that I realize has always been there, together with my love for film making-, that I'd try my best at learning how to sew better, learn how to make props and sets and faceups...! And of course ultimately even use my dolls to reference posing as I intended to begin with.

I didn't expect that I could long for something as strongly; that I'd spend every waking minute of every day awaiting a doll's arrival, that the thought of getting them home would fill me with so much joy and restlessness that I'd have to distract myself in a drastic manner in order to be able to bear it.

I didn't expect I would get my best friend into it and that we would spend hours upon hours, literally all the time, writing stories and planning characters and dolls, roleplaying them constantly, end up paying off layaways together, getting excited together, agonizing over limited releases together, take interest in faceups together, open a doll business together... I never expected to share this hobby with anyone, much less my best friend, which has made me really happy to be in this hobby!

I also didn't expect that more greek people are into dolls; we're so few on the internet to begin with and nobody I've ever known has any idea what these dolls are, much less collect them. And yet, I'm now part of a small, tiny even, yet slowly growing community and enjoyed our first meet immensely.

Last but not least, I never expected how happy this hobby would, could, make me, how healing playing with my dolls could be. When I'd return home tired, when I'd be angry, sad or annoyed, all it would take was for me to pick a doll up to ease the negative emotions out of the window. Even just seeing them there was a huge emotional support, honestly. I'm very, very grateful to have the opportunity to involve myself in BJDs.

 

What surprised you about getting into the BJD hobby? Or came unexpectedly?

Finding there was a doll that i loved that didn't break the bank. My first doll was a present from my boyfriend: a Doll-Love Alice in normal pink skin. I wasn't sure I would love her as much as i did. My second doll was also a gift, i had had the money for her, but was forced to spend it on medical bills. My best friend put money in my paypal then used it to buy a Dollmore Reaa.
I must say that the things that keep suprising me is that my dolls i THINK I want aren't always the ones i get and adore. I've wanted a dolllove chi but i found a used fdoll glen and bought him instead and i must say, I'm happy with the change.
I did buy two dolls that are ones i wanted, and i do love them, I'll admit tho, the ones i like best are pre-loved dolls. :3 everything else i prefer new, but with bjds, I'll probably adore it more if its preowned, and i dont know why.

 

I am always surprised and inspired by all the doll owners. They love dolls so much. They are so skilled and creative do so many fantastic things with their dolls. And they share such beautiful photos and comments and support... I am so inspired and in awe of everyone. It makes having dolls and sharing the experience so much more wonderful, knowing I'm part of such an incredible community (here on DoA and off it).

I've had bjds and been on DoA since '04, so it's been a while now. I'm surprised at how long this has lasted and how fun it has been. I have had a great time just hanging about online. I enjoy private activities with my dolls and I enjoy sharing them at meets and meeting other owners. The dolls themselves (whether I own them or not), continue to just take my breath away with their beauty and wonder and fun. I really hope this never ends, because I'm having a blast.

I was surprised that I've re-connected with a lot of friends and acquaintances through bjds. People I had known before bjds... many also got involved with bjds (on their own, not through me), and when before I had lost touch with them, I have since seen them more through doll-meets and other events. It's been very, very unexpected and fantastic! I just didn't think I'd know people who would also get so involved in these dolls, but it seems to have drawn so many people in... it's just crazy!

I'm still totally amazed at how beautiful and fantastic I find pretty much every bjd in the world! It helps when owners take fantastic photos, but that's not always necessary. The dolls themselves, in photos and in person, are still just so... so... I don't know, but I just really love them and find them fascinating!

 

I'm surprised I'm even in the hobby, honesty! I have collected other dolls but always told myself that I would never get into BJDs because they were too expensive and too fragile. Well, here I am. I collected three BJDs that I sold because I wasn't bonding and that's what I really wanted out of this hobby: a creative experience and a true bond. Little did I know all I needed to find was the right doll. Well I found her, she's on her way, and I am so attached to her character already. I'm also surprised at how much I love the tactile experience of holding and posing a doll. I work full-time and go to school part-time so during the semester a lot of my time spent with my dolls is simply having them near while I slog through another textbook. I'm also surprised by the support I get, like Aiko-chan mentioned. Some people can be insensitive but my partner, my bf, and family are all so supportive and that makes me even happier that I can share it with the people I love!

This is a great question and I loved reading all your responses :-) This hobby is an amazing thing and I love hearing your stories and how it has inspired you.

 

The creativity. I knew, going into this, that BJD people are visually creative. I didn't know that so many of them write about their dolls! I love the characters people come up with in this hobby the resins aren't just pretty pieces of art. Of course, the modding surprised me a little. There's some incredible modification! It still surprises me, from time to time.

I didn't imagine I'd get so finicky with my dolls. I only have one complete and it's surprising how much she changed with just an eye switch. I never thought I'd think about hybrids in such detail, or being a little too adamant about three-jointed torsos, or thinking of modding my girl so her elbow "balls" become working double-jointed elbow peanuts. I never thought I'd get so much joy from planning dolls I may never own!

The number and diversity of companies also surprised me. Some of the sculpts I've seen are so breathtaking. I didn't know bodies like the Doll Chateau ones with extra joints existed! And then I surprised myself by growing to like them.

I heard a lot about drama before I got into the hobby, and so when I found out how nice some people are, it shocked me. I thought I'd be ridiculed for having a BBB girl, but BBBs and RSs have a lovely little niche full of amazing people. There is drama, but eh... I can ignore it.

I've had a lot of fun, and I've learned a lot. I love dolls!

 

The cuddly-thing did surprise me some when I first got Harumatsu and Tien Jen... CP/Delfs turned out to be the perfect size for that. I was also surprised just how much personality these dolls have right out of the box, and how easy it is to get attached to them.

I was also completely unaware beforehand just how prone they are to multiplying. <_<

I was going to have *one* doll.
ONE!

Yeah. So much for that idea.

 

I think what surprised me the most was how my dolls have helped me feel better - I've got anxiety and depression and all the rest up the wazoo, and and my dolls really have helped. Not just working with them, but also their characters, it's like having random friends living in my house in a way. They'reso integral to my life now; when I'm sad I 'hang out' with them, if I feel the need to be creative, I can sew for them.

One other surprising thing I've found is how much better at my makeup I've gotten since doing faceups. Having done a faceup on an MSD repeatedly, an SD as well and a pukipuki, my face suddenly seemed enourmous in comparison!

 

Almost everything about this hobby has surprised me. I never expected to be into BJDs or dolls or any of it. It's all a complete surprise!! I'm just thrilled with it all!!

 

Reading through all your responses was inspiring and at the same time what I was supprised about.

One thing I was shocked with was how tall they were I did not expect my first doll I got to be so tall, But I fell in love with her!
I do agree with I was supprised on how soft and smooth she felt.
And I did not think I would be so much more into designing clothes for her or even designing little furniture and props for her!! I am having so much fun with her^^
And when I am sad she somehow cheers me up even if she is just sitting there. I have even have the urges to bring her with me as I watch tv or am working on something at home
I have even become more sociable! Since joing DoA and I cant wait to make more friends during this hobby^^

 

I'm surprised I got into collecting them at all. I've never been into dolls, even when I was little. I just admired them from a distance for a long time because of the price but I have no regrets. I love my boys.

I guess it's not really surprising but... it amazes me how people can make two identical sculpts look so different to the point you can't tell they are the same sculpt.

I wasn't expecting I would enjoy the customization process so much. I recently started to do my own face-ups, but before that I would buy dolls with the company face-ups. The detail is fantastic and all but if I do a face-up myself, I feel like it is MY doll, not just *sculpt* from *company*. I don't consider my face-ups perfect by any means but it makes me feel good knowing I made it my doll.

 

I'm surprised that I got into this hobby at all because I've never been a doll person. But I found sculpts that look like my book characters and am thrilled that I can now have 3-D depictions of these characters.

OMG, like I needed another hobby! But very much enjoying this one.

 

What I didn't expect was how many people in TEXAS there were that liked them.

I was surprised by how unwilling I am to change my dolls and make things for them. I spent my entire childhood and teen years wishing for a doll that could stand and that I could change eyes, hair, and makeup on and now that I have them, I don't! I remember sewing all sorts of tiny dresses and purses out of scraps and socks for my Barbies but I can't be bothered to even cut holes in a sock now. XD

I was surprised that I would ever sell one and that I could be patient enough to wait for one to be made.

I wasn't prepared for how -present- the dolls seem to be. It must be the eyes. They look so much like they're ready to breathe and start walking or talking.

 

I didn't expect BJDs to have such distinctive, unique characters. I collected fashion dolls in my adult life, before I had the BJDs, and I never found them to be very distinctive. Beautifully crafted yes, but they weren't individual characters who inspired me.

My BJDs are different from anyone else's, even if they are the same sculpts.

Yes! They seem to have awareness!

Linda S.
galatia9

 

My most unexpected thing in the hobby has been the pleasure I get from doing photostories. And I was pleasantly surprised how well and easily dolls pose - their body language is really expressive.