A questionaire!

[Jobee]

I'm in the mood for a questionnaire. I couldn't find one, so I decided to write one myself! I'd love to learn more about your dollieh lifestyles. I'll answer too, so you can get the idea.

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
All my life. Never stopped. Played with dolls as a little one, a kid, a teenager, a college student. I've always loved dolls.

2. What dolls have you been into?
Barbies at my youngest, Sailor Moon dolls and action figures when I got bigger, a few Bratz when I worked in the toy department in Wal-mart, Winx Club dolls in college, and now my wonderful collection of Not-Quite-BJDs.

3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
I love hand-sewing. It's my happy place activity. Helps me calm down and everything. Lets me be creative. I also love taking pics. Not only does it appeal to my artistic side, I am addicted to positive feedback.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
It's made things much better for me! I've made more friends both online and IRL. I get out more for doll meets. It's a reason to get out of bed, something to look forward to. Friendly faces I actually share common interests with, and can feel comfortable around. I suffered when I dropped out of the dolly community for a year, and I'm feeling better now that I'm back.

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
I totally go through phases. Currently I'm crazy over Amiga. Lola was my numero uno for a long time, but Amiga's my primary focus right now. To be fair, Lola has a pretty big wardrobe and Amiga started with nothing, so she has some catching up to do.

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
My sister and aunt are into the same dolls, and my mom used to collect dolls, so it's not unusual in my family. My hubby tolerates it, as long as I keep my dolly tribe small. If I'm not attached to a doll, I sell it or give it away, so I can still get the occasional new one. Having very few makes it easier to focus on giving them bigger wardrobes and more toys.

7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Never knock another doll as unimpressive or ugly. Each of these dolls is beautiful in their owners eyes, and you need to respect that. Start out small, with just a doll or two. Learn how to treat your dolls with care, to avoid damage. Don't get upset if you make mistakes, we all do. Everyone has a doll in their collection with a stain or a mark, and they're still beautiful. And the most important part, HAVE FUN! If you're not having fun, stop doing the un-fun part. This is a hobby, not a job or chore.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

This looks fun and interesting I'll play!

(edited to add: Jobee - I love your new avatar with Amiga and her pet cat )

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
Probably all my life, although there was a period from mid teens to early 20s where it was surpressed

2. What dolls have you been into?
When I was a kid, Pippas and Sindys (but especially Pippas), and a strange old cloth, stuffed pirate with (I think) porcelain or similar hands, boots and face and a wire armature (his limbs bent and held positions). Then Barbies, sort of, in my mid 20s for a few years. Only sort of as the posing frustrated me. Oh and and Breyer dolls (and horses), various game figures. Then BJDs, Obitsus and Makies.

3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
Collecting to a degree - I've enjoyed getting the collection to where it is now (at a point where I don't want ALL the dolliehs). Making things (must do more, and actually make some of my rough designs ). Taking pics (must do - and post - more). Making up stories and characters, and writing them occasionally.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
IRL not much - I keep meaning to go to a local doll meet, but haven't yet. I've been to one(?) Makie specific one, which was fun. Online, it's meant I've found here as somewhere I feel comfortable talking to people about dolls and stuff.

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
Yes, definitely. At the moment, it's my two littlest - Pavlova and Robin.

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
My other half is totally an enabler (and has 4 dolls of his own). The rest of the family don't really know about it much - my father and father-in-law both collect various bits so generally understand; my nieces think it's cool.

7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
It's about what you like, not what someone else thinks you should like - ignore the insecure, status obsessed snobs and have fun
(And if you're on Tumblr, block any confession blogs for the type of dolliehs you collect or read about - they mostly all seem spiteful (ourdollsconfess can be funny though)

[Nella]

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
Forever! Seriously though, I never stopped having dolls of one kind or another.

2. What dolls have you been into?
I was never really into Barbies or fashion dolls when I was little. Sure, I had a few, all of them hand-me-downs, but the only one I cared for was my Gymnastic Stacie. She was jointed! Even back then, articulation was a big draw for me. I also had Groovy Girls, who I loved. For anyone who isn't familiar with them, they're basically cool, modern ragdolls. They also had/have a wide range of ethnicities and no 'canon' or tie-in books. After Groovy Girls, I was introduced to BJDs and got hooked. Now I have a growing army of BJDs, fashion dolls and articulated anime figure.

3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
I really like coming up with characters and bringing them to life. Customising is a lot of fun, as is photography. I don't really like the straight 'collecting' aspect, even if there's a pleasant rush every time a new doll or item arrives.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
As friendly and extroverted as I am, I can't do as much as I want due to health reasons and social anxiety. So the online community has been wonderful for me. Even if I'm too sick to get outside, at least I can focus on something that brings me joy. Offline, it's brought one of my cousins closer to me, since we now share a major hobby. Oh, and I do try to attend every meet I can, of course.

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
Sort of? If you'd looked at my pictures, you'd certainly think so. I tend to get drawn into a story every so often, and then cart the dolls/characters from the story around the house with me. My favourite right now is Tazyep, my Impldoll Gela. She's the newest bjd and she looks like something I'd draw.

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
My parents support me for the most part, and they understand that this hobby brings me a lot of joy. My boyfriend wasn't sure what to think about them at first, but he's absolutely warmed up to them now. He even says Benjy and Finn are his favourites.

7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Don't be afraid to ask for help! But don't worry if you mess up. We've all done something wrong at some point, and can probably help you out. Get what you want and do what you want with it and ,unless it hurts someone else, don't listen to anyone who objects! Not everyone has the same tastes so be kind or don't comment. Lastly, have fun! If the hobby is bringing you down or stressing you out, try to figure out why, and change it!

[Trethowan]

[quote="Jobee"]I'm in the mood for a questionnaire. I couldn't find one, so I decided to write one myself! I'd love to learn more about your dollieh lifestyles. I'll answer too, so you can get the idea.

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
Five years. I don't count childhood cause that's different in my mind.

2. What dolls have you been into?
I love resin and vinyl representations of manly manliness. Ivan made me write that.

3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
Ooh! Photostories!! <3 And props.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
It's expanded my world and brought me closer to old friends and introduced me to new ones. It's been fantastic!

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
Ivan and Micah battle for top spot.

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
Husband is supportive. Father tried to buy me a doll and ended up on some Japanese sex doll site. He was confused. hahaha... poor dad. It was sweet that he tried, though. My mother can't stand to look at them. They freak her out. They weird my sister out too, so I send her pictures of their soulless eyes. :-p I'm such a loving sister.

7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Join a forum. Do your research before spending any money.

[DollyKim]

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
All my life but it got serious about 20 years ago.

2. What dolls have you been into?
The major cycles judged by amounts- Dog, cat, and Breyers. Teen Skippers and occasional other member of the Barbie family. Star Trek Playmates 5". Custom 1/6, start of ball joints but I only have a dozen. Monster High and Power Team Elite.

3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
Check back later if there's something I don't like.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
I'm here every day I have internet because I don't get out much.

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
Bram one of my Volks Neo Gohs has made himself a bit more special than some of the others, but if it could only be one doll I'd be hard pressed between plushies Seymour and Swingy, who have been with me forever, and Xavier my Dollzone Fei. Being that S&S make great padding they'd probably come too.

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
My Barbies I spend too much money on? They can identify which are Monsters and which ones are the 70cm Dollzone twins because one belongs to my sister. Otherwise they know the dolls are my "thing" and don't really deal with them as I don't really deal with their hobbies.

7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Don't be afraid to ask us questions and seek advice, we were beginners once too. There are no stupid questions only stupid answers.

[arrowchild]

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
My whole life I suppose. I never thought of myself as a 'doll person,' but I don't think there's ever been a period of my life when there hasn't been some sort of doll in the mix.


2. What dolls have you been into?
Jem dolls and the occasional Barbie when I was a kid. Star Wars action figures when I was a teenager. Volks and Obitsu 1/6 vinyls and resin BJD as an adult.


3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures? These days, it's mostly face-ups and photography. I do sew occasionally for them. I think what has kept me into dolls as an adult is the customizing and artistic aspects of them.


4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
I've actually made a few good irl friends through this hobby and we hang out together both for dollieh and non-dollieh fun. There is also a pretty great local group of BJD people where I live and I usually go to a few meet ups a year as well. My online social life is definitely richer for being in this hobby-there are so many wonderful, caring people that I've never met in person that I feel quite close to because of it

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
Emile, my first BJD, is always my favorite I think. I feel more connected to him. I do go through phases where I play with some of the others more. Recently, my Domuya Miki, Magpie has been getting a lot of attention.


6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
My family is supportive, (my mom really likes them and has a couple of her own) and my husband is cool with it. He doesn't really 'get' it, but he tries to show an interest when I talk about it lol


7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Get the doll you love. Wear a respirator. And invest in quality materials.

[Jobee]

This is so cool! I love reading people's responses to this.

[Iwa_Hoshi]

1)How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
If action figures and plushies during my no-Barbie years counts, then all my life. If not then its 8 years since my first doll with rooted hair.

2. What dolls have you been into?
Had Barbies and then customised Obitsus, Volks hybrids and Cygirl hybrids and then BJDs


3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
The creative aspect from faceup, getting the right look (I'm amazed at how simple things like eyes, wigs and clothes could change certain dolls from one character to another), the inane 'storytelling' and photography(which is glorified doll playing), the diorama and prop building(much as I keep whining about how I can't do this and end up with the 'budget cosplayer' version. The sewing would be my fave, I'm still amused that I can do the budget cosplayer version in spite of my low skill level.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
I went out and made friends, meet people, learn from people, learn to interact with people and how ro avoid minefields. I like the energy of fellow crafters.

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
Guilty, partly my faves seem to revolve around festive seasons and varying projects. Some dolls just respond better to certain concepts. At current point I seem to be rotating between Megu-Chun, Jack, Kula and Taki.

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
They tolerate it as long as I can pay the bills and keep my work area tidy. I treat my dolls more as a canvas.


7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Never buy a doll just because its the 'in' thing or because of peer pressure(Do some research). If you collect, you collect. If you play, you play, if you craft, you craft. It makes more sense that the doll you get is the one that 'respond' to you. Its never worth it to get into fights with other people in terms of how they believe that you should play with your doll. Its your doll.

[voodoolie]

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
It never had an origin. I had armies of barbies when I was little and I guess it just never turned off as it does in most people. I can't even put into words why I love them... just do.

2. What dolls have you been into?
Barbies, brat, cardcapter dolls, all the 90s timeframe fashion dolls basically. Now I love the weird ones like monster high and novi stars. I adore bids and used to have 3 large dolls, but circumstances at the time prevented me from keeping them. I'm attempting to stick my toes back in the bid water but I dunno where I wanna start yet.

3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
I just like owning them lol. I like to customize them then look at them and go "yeah I did that!" I love taking pictures of them to share online too.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
There has been no affect for me at all. I like stalking the boards but I haven't made any real friends through them. I had one girl I got close to through bids but that was years ago.

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
I only have two dolls here with me so I don't think this applies right now

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
I was hardcore into bjds when I met my fiance so he kinda thinks I'm odd but is used to it. He doesn't like how much money my hobby costs though. My sister loves dolls too and actually gave a home to my souldoll lupinus when I couldn't care for him anymore. My mom thinks they're beautiful but expensive. She did support me enough to drive me 3 hours for a doll meet in my teens because she knew I loved dolls. The rest of my family doesn't really know about my love for dolla

7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Research, patience, and courage all the ingredients to enjoy this hobby to its fullest.

[Stormlight]

How fun! I'll bite.

1. How long have you been diggin' dolliehs?
Pretty much my entire life, I think. There hasn't been much of a time period when I wasn't surrounded my dolls. Maaaaybe in my mid-to-late 20s I had gotten rid of most of them, but that didn't last very long.

2. What dolls have you been into?
I grew up with dozens of Barbies, and My Little Ponies, and of course my favorite Cabbage Patch Kid. I had a menagerie of stuffed animals, too. In middle/high school, I collected porcelain dolls. Most of those are gone now. When I moved out on my own and such I got rid of most of my Barbies and other dolls, and had stopped collecting porcelain at that point. Then I stumbled across BJDs and, well, that was pretty much that.

3. What aspects of dolly-awesomeness do you like? Collecting? Hand-making things? Taking pictures?
The fact that when you get tired of one look you can give them another look entirely. The fact that although they look delicate and fragile like porcelains, they can still be handled and played with without fear of breaking them (well, minding fingers and delicate ears and such). I developed an interest in photography in high school, and love trying to take pics of them. I also love to write backstories and come up with characteristics and personalities for them.

4. How has the dolly community affected your social life?
I've always been kind of an introvert, but since joining the hobby, I've gone to meetups and even hosted a few of my own, all for the sake of meeting other collectors. Next month I'm attending my first BJD convention (my third convention ever), and I'm really excited about it, getting to meet so many of the people I've talked to on the forums and facebook.

5. Do you go through phases of which dollies are your favorite? Who is your favorite currently?
For a long time Evensong, my Luts Dark Elf Soo, was my favorite girl. And she still is in a way, but I have to say that Victoria and Kana, my Dollmore Trinity and elf Dahlia, have sort of nudged their way to the front of the line. I've discovered I truly love their large size, and I probably spend more time with them now than I do the rest of my collection.

6. How does your family/housemates/significant other handle your dolly obsession?
Not a lot of my extended family knows I collect the dolls. My immediate family knows I collect them, but I try to keep a low profile about them, especially their cost and such. But I've always been a doll lover, so that I collect them comes as no surprise to anyone. As for my SO, I don't have one, and if I ever got one, he'd have to be pretty understanding about my collection, and the fact that I have no intention to give them up unless it's by my own choice.

7. What advice would you give dollieh newbies?
Don't let anyone tell you you're too old for dolls. You're never too old for dolls.
Don't let their expense deter you from a doll you really like, either. Save money however you can, even if it takes awhile, and purchase when you can. Don't be tempted to purchase any of the recasts floating around out there just because they're cheaper! Not only is it illegal, it harms the hobby for everyone, especially the artists who work so hard to create the sculpts in the first place. It's the same as stealing money from their pockets, and makes it harder for them to earn a living.