20 Questions!

Hello again, all!

Things are still pretty slow in my dollie world, as living costs have obviously taken priority recently, so I haven't been able to expand on any characters or anything of the sort. :(

However, I found some doll-related FAQs and thought maybe they'd be worth posting here.

If anyone has any further questions for me regarding BJDs and the like, feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to answer. 

1 - How long have you been in the hobby and how is it going?

I've been involved in the BJD hobby since, 2007, and got my first doll in the winter of that year, so 7-8 years now. : )
I'd say everything is still going well; a little slow, but there isn't the same kind of desperate need anymore, when something isn't available, or affordable to you at that moment.

I'd say these days, my dolls are just for me - I don't feel the need to share them as much, or have any kind of "need" for people to like them...they're my own characters and companions, and that feels good. : )

2 - You have a lot of dolls! Can you name them all from memory?

Haha, I usually can, yes! There's a couple I still get mixed up on, but those are the ones without solid names - I do tend to change names sometimes, if they don't stick. My first Jina boy is really one for it. He goes between about three names. -__-

3 - If you could become a master at any one doll customization, what would it be?
I'd really like to say faceups, but I've been told I really shine in costume/clothing design, so if I had the ability, I'd probably make and distribute my own clothes designs.

4 - Who is your favourite?
Difficult, because I have favourites for different reasons!
Jim is the one who goes everywhere with me and has the most stuff, but character-wise, I love Alex and Sam, Su, and I consider Noel my most precious in terms of beauty...I'd die if anything happened to his faceup! My guys are all very precious, for different reasons...its too hard to pick one!

5 How do you afford them?!

The short answer would be Prioritizing.
Yes, they are expensive, but if you really want something, determination is key - I saved a lot, sold a lot of other stuff including previous collections and things I don't use anymore, and stopped buying more such things. Another way I found later on, is layaway. I don't recommend doing it a lot though - its an easy trap to fall into!

6 - What draws you to BJDs?

Surprisingly, my lack of creativity brings me to BJDs.

I love creating stories, characters, and other such things, but have no means to bring them into any kind of form outside of my own mind- I'm a decent writer, but I have no artistic qualities whatsoever -- I first came into contact with these dolls from searching character pictures, and I couldn't believe my eyes on how gorgeous and customization they were. Its the perfect way to get these ideas out of my head, and it makes me proud, that I have created something so real, with them. 

7 - Is there any character dolls you want?

A previously existing character, not of my creation? None spring to mind...I'm not sure what I would actually do with a character I had no real say in...there's a couple of dolls other people own who I'd love to have as a shell for a character, but as for stuff like minimee, etc...I'd find it too weird, and out of place.

8 - Do you still have your first doll?

I got two dolls at the same time, and still have one of them. The other has moved on though.

9 - Do you plan your dolls out, or are you more of an impulse buyer?

Hm, there's a little of both going on; certainly I used to have characters in mind first, but these days, things spring to mind when I see a particular doll I really love. xD

I've found that to be great though, as some of my favourite characters have formed in that order...

10 - Why don't you post many pictures? Are you more active elsewhere?

Aw, I do want to upload more pictures of my little terrors, but thanks to health and life issues, they can be sparse. I look forward to showing new developments and characters with you all though. : )

11 - Do you recommend any companies for beginners?

I'm always going to recommend Crobidoll, since they're my personal favourites, and also Fairyland dolls, particularly minifees are very easy to handle, pose, and have a lot going for them in terms of parts, accessories and clothing. 

As for clothing, I'd say TTYA and Tata's paradise, Nine9style and Crobidoll have fantastic wigs too.

I can make a list or page dedicated to these things, if anyone thinks that's a useful idea - let me know. : )

12 - Is there anything you wish there was more of in the hobby?

Casual/plain-ish clothes would be great for me. I don't want all my guys and girls covered in fluff, lace, studs and slogans. I certainly don't go for that stuff in real life, and that option would be great for dolls too. Also, I'd like to see less real leather and fur -- dolls of all things do not need real animal parts, and frankly I find it disgusting.

13 - Who does your dolls' faceups?

I actually keep a lot of the default faceups, but when I do send them away, my favourite artists are Shallowsleep, ticuk and foolbot. I would really like to commission angeltoast in the future though!

14 - Where do you get their clothes?

I search pretty hard to find clothes I like, actually; old Nine9style was my favourite brand until they started using fur. Other than that, Dollmore, Crobi and Tata's Paradise are common favourites, as well as the talented kuroi carousel on both DOA and deviantart.

15 - How do your family and friends feel about your hobby?

Not many people I know like or appreciate it at all; its mostly the cost that gets to people, and my friends don't like that I dropped a lot of my gaming stuff for dolls...it gets a lot of negativity but my boyfriend is fine with it, and my Dad helps me restring them, so he isn't too bad, haha.

16 - Is there anything you dislike about the hobby?

Aside from the previously mentioned fur/leather issues, I have no problems with the hobby as such, but I find it difficult to get along with a lot of the communities - especially DOA.
Some doll keepers can have a truly snotty attitude and closed mind to what art and character creation is.

17 - How do you maintain and mod your dolls? Have you ever had a serious breakage or paint/scratch issue? 

I haven't physically modded any of my dolls, but I restring them myself, and repair any damages; 

I've lost fingers, had marks, stains and scratches - they're easily fixable though. : )
Re-stringing takes a bit of practice though, and it does no good to be afraid of it, haha.

18 - Do you prefer boy or girl dolls?

I don't think I have a preference, really -- they both have pros and cons!

Girls are more fun to dress, but boys have cooler faceups and character from the start, where-as usually I want to send my girls out for faceups or customization...

19 - I'm having problems bonding with my doll....have you ever experienced this? What did you do?

So sorry to hear that you're not bonding with your little one! I know it can be disappointing after such a wait for him/her to arrive, but what I will advise, is not to give up straight away! 

Sometimes all it takes is some customization to make the doll more "yours" -- I got a doll second-hand that I really loved the look and character of, but when she arrived, I just couldn't bond with her, an it was awful! It took me a while, but I ended up completely redesigning what I thought her character was, and now, she's well loved, and I'm so glad I decided to wait instead of selling her on!

Good luck! : )

20 Do you have any limited dolls? 

I do have a few, as well as discontinued sculpts, but I definitely didn't get them for that purpose...I don't really prioritize them because for the sake of them being limited - I just get them if I really like them!

Thanks for reading, guys!