When people tell you your dolls are a waste of money...

Some people may think it's a 'waste' of money to spend a lot on a collection, but if you're a responsible person, it's none of their business. As long as the spending doesn't cross over into the realm of addiction/hoarding there's nothing wrong with collecting anything. And that includes dolls.
I think collecting or crafting hobbies (and BJDs can be both) are actually good for a person - it helps you de-stress and it gives you an outlet for your creativity. Nothing wrong with that.
Having said that, people are free to THINK that I'm 'wasting' money on my BJDs, but they better not say so out loud. It's rude and unacceptable - nobody has a right to judge me and how I spend my money. (Unless I would be addicted enough to use the housekeeping money and not feed my kids because my dolls need new eyes, I guess...)

 

I am a newbie to the BJD world but do have a good collection of nice dolls. I never mention or answer how much I spend or the exact number of dolls I have, so I don't let money be an issue. I do have family members who think it is a bit crazy to be so interested in dolls. I tell them it is a perfect storm of pleasure: collecting, creating, art, sewing, knitting and photography. In addition I have the fun of connecting with people all over the world on line who also love them and get to see what they are doing. It is great pleasure and cheap therapy. We even have something of value if we leave the hobby. Hum wonder what the value of a played round of golf, used season tickets to sports team, opera etc. is?

 

People may think it is a waste of money because they only see the price tag and they don't undertand the art behind these dolls...
I feel like they are totally worth it because they inspire me so much in my art ^ - ^

 

When people tell me collecting dolls is a waste of money, I comment about their "hobbies". You know, how much have YOU spent this year on designer handbags, shoes and clothing. Also, the people that say it's a waste of money, love to go clubbing and drinking every Friday and Saturday. To each his own!

 

Yep. I have something more than a hangover to show for how I chose to spend my leisure money....

Teddy

 

I've only purchased dolls when I've had the ability to do so (bills paid, rent paid, groceries purchased) and most have been seconhand recently, allowing me to do layaway options as well. Even so, my dad once came pretty close to saying something about my dolls. So I asked him about how his train layout was coming and reminded him I used to work at the hobby shop where he purchased all his trees (around 6 bucks a pop and he'd come in once a week to buy anywhere from 5-10 of them). He just laughed after that and told me to make sure I had enough money for necessities and that was that.

 

you took most the words out of my mouth but add: gambling, golfing, etc!

 

I've never had anyone commenting on how much I spend on my hobby - however, my family has pointed out that I do have quite the number of dolls now, do I really need so many? x) I just respond that they're collectibles, you collect them, so why should I only have one or two if it is a collection I'm working on?

A friend commented once on how I could spend THAT kind of money on DOLLS (you know the tone), while she bought a camera lens for $2000(!) and she snaps one photo a month and only as a hobby (not professional). But that's her hobby, this is mine - I probably can't see how she justifies buying a lens of that price when she's photographing on the level she is, the same way she won't understand how I can spend hundreds of dollars on "bits of plastic".

In my opinion, hobbies are "unnecessities" in your life, that you don't need financially, but you need for your well-being. To have to feel good. To have a purpose. To get friends. Share interests. So when/if people ever comment on the pricing on one hobby, I don't take it too seriously, because then they haven't understood the purpose of a hobby.

 

Well... My Mom tolerate my hobby since when she comes and ask to give her some money I never say no and i regulary participate in home expences (I never had allowance and if i wanted something i had to make money myself)

 

I've put a lot of money into owning all of the various dolls I own! If I tire of something or I move on so to speak, I sell the unwanted dolls to get what I want. So don't speak to me about owning expensive doll, it keeps me happy and I enjoy every moment my bjds give me!

 

Nowadays a lot of people have hobbies that add up in costs one way or the other, so I think as long as you aren't putting aside living needs (bills, food, etc.) for the hobby, it's all good

I work as a dock hand and maintenance worker at a boating marina, and once I was chatting with a customer and they asked what I do for fun and I started talking about bjd and when I explained the costs they scoffed and were like, "What?? Thats ridiculous, thats too much money!!" but like...boating is extremely expensive, a little hypocritical much lol

 

I look at this way. You are doing something you like and it brings you joy. It opens up your creativity - whether you make clothes, do face-ups, alterations or just dressing them to bring your dreams come to life. Live life to the fullest!

 

There are tons of things in life that tons of people buy on a daily basis that are not necessary to survival. If we all lived only to survive the world would be a much different place. To say that our dolls are a waste of money is just someones opinion, one that I disagree with, but it means nothing else to me besides their own opinion. I would never let someone else opinion sway my decisions on what I spend my hard earned money on. I don't love or agree with everything that the people around me do, but I wouldn't expect them to change it just because I dislike it. If someone told me my dolls were a waste of money I would just laugh it off and move on. I know its not a waste because I enjoy it. I might think their $1,000 gambling trip was a waste, or their $50 night at the bar, or their $300 concert tickets, but that would be absurd for them to give it up because I thought it was wasteful. No one lives my life except me, and I plan to keep it that way lol.

 

They just don't understand. I don't even tell my husband how much I spend. As long add I use my own money he doesn't care lol

 

They spend their money on things I don't get enjoyment on too, like dinners out, or movies, or sporting events, or coffee and donuts every day. I don't like any of that, and if I where to spend my own money it would be a waste. However it's their money, and if they enjoy it then it's not a waste.

Nothing is a waste of money if you enjoy it. I like dolls, it's a hobby and it's fun. I don't tell you your wasting money on the things I don't enjoy, so please don't do that to me. That's what I always tell them.

 

No one has ever said that to me! Even if they did, I work for my money and I'll spend it however I wish. I know people who go out drinking a lot, and as far as I'm concerned, that's a waste of money. Everyone has things they enjoy that seem silly to others.

 

I know I have spent a lot on my dolls but they make me happy and what is the price of happiness? Sure you can go buy other more conventional things like expensive cloths, shoes, phones etc.... but it comes down to what you enjoy. Do people who collect art (lets say paintings) get this question as much as we do I wonder? Is it because dolls are often perceived as toys? Bjds are works of art that your can not only appreciate but use your creativity to customise them.

 

well...I will just nod, yes they are expensive and a waste of money...but it's MY money

 

I don't really care about what my parents think, since they don't support me, but my friends have commented on how I spent x amount of dollars on "knick knacks" or how I should be saving to move. Meanwhile, one of them is living off her parents while they pay for her school and the other doesn't even have a job! I know I spend a bit, but the hypocrisy is a really unexpected downer.

 

I always ask if they have any hobbies.
People who collect things spend more money than they'd probably like to admit on their hobbies.
I cosplay, that's expensive sometimes. I play guitar - guitars are not cheap. I also play several other instruments. I dance - dance classes aren't cheap. I paint - art supplies aren't cheap.
Some people spend hundreds on guns, computers, video games (myself included), sports... just because a doll is something most people don't originally deem expensive and usually look at as toys doesn't mean they're any different. I kindly remind them of that.