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What is your doll to you?

Jul 9, 2019

    1. When talking about my hobby to other people I say "I collect dolls" cause that's what the can understand.
      To me it feels a bit wrong, it does not hit the mark...
      I think there's more to it.
      Let's try to analyse what they actually mean to us.
       
      • x 2
    2. A doll is a doll. An object you can customise and play with.
       
      • x 10
    3. They are something used to relax, dress up, customise and play with etc
      But I also see them as something I can love and project my ideas onto - something that can bring me comfort and a sense of companionship. I feel they've really helped to enrich my life and bring me happiness.
      Might be a little weird though haha :sweat
       
      • x 5
    4. I use mine for my OCs and book characters to an extent. But they are also still dolls and I can relax while playing with them, just like when I was a kid. I don't think there is anything wrong with liking to play with toys. Just because we grow up doesn't mean we don't enjoy play.
       
      • x 3
    5. I enjoy dolls as an art form and creative outlet. It is lovely to just play with a doll all day working on body blushing or making tiny miniatures for a diorama. For me these dolls provide a sense of companionship. Dolls were definitely a coping mechanism for stress for me as a child when I was dealing with a lot of family medical issues. As an adult I still use dolls as a copying mechanism for stress and I don’t think that will ever change.
       
      • x 3
    6. I've loved dolls all my life. You can be whatever you want to be through dolls,you can escape reality for a while and create a miniature world of your own.
       
      • x 7
    7. I guess to me, it's bringing your characters and role play ifeas to life. I used to do a lot of photography with them too. Or travel buddies. Brought one to Canada with me:). A lot of artsy people love them, to make and create. I do tell people I collect asian BJDs and kind if describe them too.
       
      • x 1
    8. This. This right here. Your doll is whatever you want it to be. To me, my dolls are works of art. They are the perfect models and never complain when I take their picture :thumbup
      They also keep me company when I'm feeling lonely :sweat
       
      • x 4
    9. My doll is a reason to make stuff again, I had a camera, now I have something to photograph, I have a sewing machine, now I'm back into making clothing. She is also a reason to practice my painting and writing, I love how creative this hobby is. I now have someone to talk to other than myself as well, not sure whether that makes me more or less crazy though.
       
      • x 4
    10. Mine are 3-D shells for my OCs, as well as inspiration to be creative and a fun distraction from the stresses of daily life. They're an outlet to escape for a bit and just change their clothes, sew for them, paint them, write characters, play, whatever. I don't think of them as friends, children or having any sort of spirit or feelings, but I sure can get attached to their characters sometimes!
       
      • x 1
    11. I love my dolls (all material possessions, really), probably more so than most normal people do, but to me my BJD are still toys. A lot more expensive than other kinds of dolls, but still plastic toys in the end. I customize them, sew for them, protect them a bit more than others kinds (because resin is more sensitive than other plastics), and buy stuff that I don't usually buy for other types of dolls. However, I still feel the same about them, as I do for my other OT dolls. To me they are not more special, or have more meaning than phrasing it as "I collect dolls," or any other toy. I am an old boring weirdo, so I feel plastic is plastic even if it's pretty, it's not like it's alive. Having said that, I did pay for most of the things I own through hard work, so I treasure, respect and admire the work that goes into each plastic toy I own, BJD or not (I just don't give them more or the same importance as I would if they were a living being, because they are still a toy to me). (:
       
      • x 3
    12. I would give up all my possessions, including my dolls for any of my family and friends. So, I don’t know what that makes my dolls. I love looking at them, dressing them up and they make me happy.
       
      • x 1
    13. For me my bjds are more than just dolls, they are based on my OCs and they have their own personalities and backstories (which are mostly tragic), that's why I feel a strong connection with them, and I feel like my characters have come to life through my dolls. They also give me inspiration and comfort, in addition to expressing my ideals of beauty and fashion.
       
      • x 2
    14. For me they are more like iki ningyo, living dolls. They maybe originated from material, slowly they will gain “energy” or presence so to say when I input my emotions. I stop treating them as objects rather a presence in the house. Thus I rarely consider to trade or sell. And will be really picky who to bring into the household.
       
      #14 elovesgr, Jul 10, 2019
      Last edited: Jul 11, 2019
      • x 7
    15. One of my dolls is an OC from my writing as he was my favourite although a bad guy, and the others are artist dolls, although I like to dress some and they help me relax, I use them mainly for drawing or when in the mood photograph,
       
      • x 1
    16. To me BJDs are projects, toys, and collector’s items. I can play with them, collect them, and customize or restore them as I wish. I could style them, photograph them, or cuddle them. There’s so much versatility.
       
      • x 2
    17. BJDs are interactive art and toys for me. I love creating using the dolls as a canvas, and when I'm done I can pose them! Heck, I've even been inspired to dabble in other things like sewing, the doll hobby is a calming one in general for me that makes me try new things.
       
    18. I think you put into words what I felt and couldn't articulate <3
       
      • x 1
    19. Interactive art and comfort items.
       
      • x 2
    20. Interactive art that I can play with and take photos of. Although sometimes I also jokingly refer to them as my children.
       
      • x 1