What do your dolls mean to you?

[Annika]

To me, one of the most amazing things about these dolls is how they can mean such incredibly different things to different people, and serve such a wide variety of purposes in their owners’ lives.

So the point of this post, I guess, was to try to get some idea of what you guys get out of your dolls? Do they pick you up when you’re down, are they a creative outlet, do they fill some gap?

Wax lyrical about your love for your dolls! :D

[Mid]

Well, I got into the hobby because of aesthetics. I've always had the want to own things for myself that I find attractive or pretty. I guess I never got out of the want to play with the ball someone else has. XD

My dolls are mostly my calming point now. When things are unpleasant or just plain boring, they help, even when it's just in thought. And, like many others probably will say, they're also my favourite photo subjects. I always reasoned it was because they didn't whine when I bent their arms wrong or tugged hard on their hair.

It truly is amazing what these dolls can be!

[Merry]

Mid used almost the exact words I would use to describe what my dolls are to me when she said 'calming point'...

To me, my dolls are my center of calm. I may feel stressed and harried but when I look at my dolls and see how calm and pulled-together they (usually) look I feel I can take a deep breath and calm down. Sometimes they are almost an impromptu meditative focus. I catch myself sitting on the couch just staring at them without a thought in my head. They are simply calming.

That said, they are also an excuse for me to sew tiny clothing and buy cute tiny things for them when I can. My SO and I aren't planning to have kids so the dolls (and my dog) are there to absorb what little 'maternal instinct' I manage to produce*.

I also like posing and photographing them though I'm not much of a photographer. I really should practice more since I did invest in a DSLR. :sweat


* Admittedly, I'm thrilled beyond words that my local best friend and her husband decided to have a baby. Now I'll have a baby to coo over (and hand back when it cries or has a poopy diaper) as well as someone to sew and crochet for. :XD

[joey]

They entertain me endlessly.
They are my muse when I don't feel creative. When I just can't seem to draw anything one of them will seem to be looking to be part of a drawing, or need his photograph taken in some new way.
They're a balm when life is overwelming.
And of course they're beautiful pieces of art when my mind goes that way. At least daily I'm just suddenly taken by some pose or look that they'll have. Shan will look particularly beautiful looking off into the middle distance, or Kapono will look like he's thinking of doing something outrageous, or Keahi will look like he needs a new book...

[Bel]

I've always loved visual art - painting, sculpting, etc - but have absolutely no talent or skill. None. I can't trace my hand and make a turkey. Seeing someone sketch or paint is like watching magic, it's that far out of my realm of understanding.

So, from a creative standpoint, the dolls are my visual outlet. They aren't showy and spectacular, but each one is the way I want it to be. Drawing together all of the components - wigs, eyes, the right body, the right clothes - to make a final, recognizeable character is really fun.

On an emotional level, each one speaks to me in a different way. I can have a different favorite every hour of the day, depending on my mood, or what I subconsciously need to see. And they're very calming.

My username in various places is "impassive" - I'm very stressed, prone to overreacting, tend to dwell on problems, get road rage you wouldn't believe - and am always striving for calm. There is just no way I can look at a completely still, beautiful doll (that, despite being still, seems full of energy and personality) and be all tweaked out. I catch myself just gazing at them, exactly like Merry said, and I'm completely relaxed and quietly happy.

[thesaraghina]

I've never been an artistic type, being a science dork to the core. I'm still not very artistic, and really struggle with trying to make my photos of my boys look good. But my dolls make me smile. Their beauty, their expressions, their poseability and possibilities make me think in ways I hadn't before, explore different facets of my abilities. They're a comfort and a challenge, and I love the fact that these miniature works of art are mine to look at and play with and fuss over and pose and preen. :nod

[Fyredancer]

My dolls are works of art! That I own and admire and yet, get to play with and enjoy in myriad ways. And I know people would look at me cross-eyed for this, but I think of them somewhere in between children and friends. Their personalities are what I make of them, but I've always had a close relationship with the characters I write in fiction...my dolls are the same way to me.

I always have at least one of them (usually more than one) near me, when I'm home. They make me happy to look at them, even when I'm not doing anything in particular with them. :p

[kellyhime]

It's interesting to see the similar approaches we have to our dolls. Like Merry, my husband and I have never wanted children and I'm not really a baby person, but some of my dolls stand in as my perfect, beautiful children who I never had to potty train and can dress in ridiculous outfits. Then, like Talya, my other dolls are my attractive friends who are willing to pose for pretty pictures for me. My dolls are also a creative outlet for me. I learned fine sewing when I was a teen and doll clothes are the perfect outlet for this skill. I love taking pictures of my kids and am slowly understanding what it takes to take a good photo. Plus, like Bel, my drawing skills were taxed at hand turkeys and stick figures, but I've recently discovered that I can actually do a passable job at faceups. My dolls mean so much to me, I can't even express it and as silly as it sounds, I really do love them.

[Em]

My dolls are an outlet for my (over)active imagination! They've enabled me to bring to life & explore some of my characters whilst challenging my creativity.
I have a pretty strong emotional attachment to them but I don't find it all that surprising considering they're embodiments charcters I've been developing over the years.
Like others have said, they're a calming influence also. I find just having them around soothes me when I've had a particlarly horrid day.

On a superficial level they're gorgeous! and I've always loved surrounding myself with pretty things! (That'd be the Libran in me ;) )

[Cynthia]

Oh, wow . . . all of the above! I've always loved dolls, but I spent a lot of years telling myself that I didn't collect them. I got over that about six months before I discovered BJDs--just in time, thank goodness. My favorite form of painting is the portrait; I love faces and bodies in art, and BJDs are a wonderfully portable (and affordable, more or less) way of having portrait sculpture around the house.

For me, the specific meaning is different from doll to doll. The extremes, I guess, would be on one end Claudine, my CH Sia, and on the other my Sabik, who only sort of has a name of his own. Claudine has become my mouthpiece and alter ego--she gets all the snappy lines in photostories, and she says all the things that I've trained myself never to say out loud. The Sabik is a beautiful piece of art to me, and I doubt that he'll ever acquire much of a personality . . . but I love to look over and see him sitting by my fireplace.

What I can't do is embody characters from my writing (or anyone else's) in dolls. I tried to do that with my Hound, but it didn't work for me at all: I felt constricted when I wanted to dress him in some wild outfit that wouldn't fit The Character, and then I had trouble going to back to writing the character when the doll was right there in my face.

[miss sha]

I... don't really know. XD;; I've never actually really thought about what exactly my dolls are to me.

I can draw decently, but I've always been frustrated by it. I can write well-enough, but I haven't felt the urge to do so in the longest time. I think I'm a fairly creative person, although I have trouble expressing it as well as I can. Dolls, I think... help with that. Although I might not be able to draw my characters' faces perfectly, the dolls are already sculpted.

And, and... I have a LOT of characters. They're all floating, spinning, zipping around in my head, and I'm constantly thinking up new ones. I can give some of these characters real, tangible forms... it makes them more real to me, somehow.

God, I'm really not sure. XD

[il_bello]

My dolls allow me to express parts of myself in ways that the people I associate with find unacceptable. They also are a way to build skills in photography, sewing, and further outlets for various aspects of the creative arts.

They also own their own small corner of my heart :P

[Myriai]

For me the dolls are my creative outlet, I've written stories since I was young, but I think they were sold out of drawing talent when I went to get some, so the dolls are one way I have a visual representation of the characters I visit with very often in my stories ^_^ My current story would not be around if it were not for the day I went and spent my tax refund on a Dream of Doll Si (though the doll has since left my possession) that came to embody a character that has become very near and dear to my heart. If I had stuck with the story of a Korean exchange student I probably wouldn't have everything I have now which is a beautifully complex world I continue to add to and mould through the story I write ^_^

The dolls also give me a reason to drag myself out of the house instead of staying home and doing nothing but play World of Warcraft or surf the internet all day. Through them I have learned that I love to take photographs and my resin pretties are my favourite models ^_^

[fullcircleagain]

I don't ever think I've attempted to explain this to anyone.

I've been a doll collector for a long time. I've modified 1/12 dolls and made clothing and more for several years. Most other dolls didn't have the look that I liked or were too expensive or not flexible enough such as in taking photos.

I got into ABJDs more than a couple years ago out of curiosity and because one grabbed my eye and my interest. When he arrived I remember thinking he was smaller than I thought he would be, and what the heck was I going to do for clothing? (this was before the onslaught of bjd fashion designers). I was delighted with his posability and ended up making a few things for him to wear and scrounging up other things.

So, from there I learned what I could. After a few trial and errors along the way, I have to say my bunch has two roles. One is a group who are kids, they are family and friends. The other group fall more into fantasy representations, gods and goddesses, and tend to be a way to express my imagination and my respect for the influences where they came from.

And while I don't customize all of my dolls, I have enjoyed using some as a way to be my creative outlet with photography, face-ups and mods, clothing and accessories. And sometimes creating fun little stories to go with those photos.

[kittymaru]

I guess I'm with the creative outlet group, and that almost seems strange since I actually do a lot of hands-on making things at work combined with fine detailed painting. The difference is that I can do whatever I want with my dolls and thus they act as a sort of physical manifestation of parts of my imagination. I love the customizability - to paint on them, make clothes for them, create or restyle wigs. Really though, I just like dolls.

[gothiclibrarian]

What a wonderful thread :kisses

My dolls feel to me, in some ways, like my Pugs do. Weird? I love them all, but think of them as distinct individuals and so each has a different relationship with me. It's harder to photograph some dolls than others.

I daydream @ work all the time and write little stories about them...it's an infaturation, truly.

I'm also thankful that they inspire me in lots of different ways...not just one craft anymore, like sewing.

Though, I must admit that I've not sewn a darned thing for a dollie in goodness knows how long. :: ahem ::

[callior]

My dolls are somewhat the embodiement of characters from my novel. But they are also pretty things to watch, fun to photograph and great to make clothes and accessories to. The two things I enjoy the most about this hobby is just having my dolls next to me, having them watch whatever tv show I'm watching and making things for them. I've always been a fan of miniatures of all kinds and sizes, and now I finally have something to use all the useless stuff I've been gathering for years.

It's also a great way to get to know other people. I've gained friends from this hobby, by finding people in Norway with a lot of the same interests as me, be they anime or art, it's still a fun way to get to know people I would never have met without the dolls.

And it's a great way to freak out my best friend. :p

[astrosnik]

My dolls are a source of artistic inspiration and creativity. I use them as an outlet for sewing, painting, sculpting etc Through them I can express different facets of my own personality, or those I wish I had, through the development of each as a unique "character."

[feral5]

As many people have mentioned, for me, dolls are an extension of my creativity. I've always loved to draw, illustrate, paint, write, sew. This hobby is only limited by your own imagination, and that's something I love. There are always changes coming about, differences in molds/popularity of styles and timeless, ageless qualities that those of us in the BJD community may take comfort in.

I love my dolls. They are as beautiful as I have the power to imagine them, and that is just something I cannot get enough of.

[byouyuuken]

Er. =_= I suppose they keep me company, and prevent me from talking to myself too much ...(but then I'd talk to them, and that's even more odd =_=).

I think my motivation for getting my first was also to have him keep me company...also I was on the transition point from another hobby/fandom so I was pretty much looking for something else to occupy time, well. Little did I know what I got myself into back then~@_@

[SharonFish]

My dolls feel to me, in some ways, like my Pugs do. Weird? I love them all, but think of them as distinct individuals and so each has a different relationship with me.

I kinda feel the same way. My dolls are a lot like my cats, save that they are more patient with me and they actually will wear the miniature sweaters I knit for them. :sweat They are, perhaps, not quite as alive to me as my actual living companions, but they are soothing and companion like. They cheer me up on bad days, and they keep the house from feeling to lonely when it's empty.

[roundtuit]

I kind of think of my dolls as toys for 'big kids'. I may be in my mid 20's but I am still very much a kid at heart. They are also a gateway to creativity since they have lead me to other things such as photography, sewing, drawing, sculpting, and even writing.

[onnawufei]

This is going to sound really cheesy I'm sure but my dolls are like my muses. I'd been in the biggest creative funk for... well years honestly. I've been writing stories and whatnot since I was seven years old yet for the past few years all I'd been able to muster were some bits of fan fiction and mediocre poetry. It wasn't until I got my dolls and started seeing how they could interact with each other that my creative spark seemed to come back. I started writing about them, then I started RPing them with people online and suddenly I'm just one big ball of creativity and I really feel like I owe it all to them.

[bunnydots]

They're friends of mine.

[Kyrie Arashi]

My dolls are a creative outlet. Whenever I have writers block, I can get going again, usually, when I have a doll around me. They also keep me company, giving something constructive to do in my spare time, give me something to make friends with others over, and they very much helped me get through the death of my beloved cat Python.

I got Riku because I felt it was the ultimate in Kingdom Hearts collectibles if I had a Riku doll. It all went down hill fast from there. XD

[rottenlullaby]

I really like the term muses, my boys are like my muses (so your not the only cheesy one Onna) I write about them, draw them and when I'm bored I'll sit and imagine little stories about what they would do if they were in the same situation. They help me to better my photography and are the best models anyone could ask for. :XD

[Xi-feng]

What are they? Simple (but cheesy) answer for me is simply this: for the first time I can, through them, reach out and touch people I've lived alongside for more than twelve years. I've always had my guys as silent, invisible characters living out their lives and their stories in my head, but embodied into resin form they become actual physical companions for the first time - I can reach out and hug Ilú if the character in my head does something sweet or silly... just as I can reach out and cuff Ysiri around the head whenever the situation calls for it!

Of course I know that they're only inanimate objects (getting that out in the open before I sound too crazy!) but it's an extension of the process of imagination I always keep up in my mind, really: who says 'playing pretend' is just for kids, anyway? As well as this, I spend a lot of time living alone: when Ilú arrived I was living by myself in a little room in Tokyo where I didn't know many people and was really missing my dog back in the UK. He kept me company and was a little physical presence I could pick up and hug or set on my knee, and he eased whatever lonliness I might have felt at the time. That was quite a valuable gift that he brought with him, I think, and something rather unexpected too ^___^

[Brightfires]

I used to think of them like pets. Now, I mostly see them as a collection of pretty things that I just like to have around. I love them, but I can't really call them muses...

[Ragsolith]

For me, I just like having them around. Aesthetically I was first drawn to them because they were rather pleasing to the eyes and it just kind of cascaded from there. Now, I sew for them and I've even got a book in the works for the characters that they've sort of become. It's neat. ^^

[Mich]

They are my creative outlet.

[Jenova]

Ooh, a nice, thought-provoking topic. :3

I think my dolls' primary "function" is to be muses for my writing. Their physical presence helps to motivate me to write, and often, playing with them (trying to define new character interactions, getting new clothes and props, and so on) inspires entirely new plotlines or "one shots". In the past, a lot of my writing ideas were heavily influenced by what I watched and read, but now, I feel like I'm finding more of my own voice with the help of the resin-folk.

On a simpler level, they fulfill my need to dress things up. :sweat I can't justify buying cool-looking, but mostly useless, clothes for myself, but dressing them up and photographing them becomes art and fashion therapy.

They also give me a platform for sewing and jewelry experiments -- everything's in a smaller scale, so it takes less materials, but the scale is still large enough to allow for intricate detail. I've always enjoyed making things, and the dolls let me do that with less of a time commitment than human-sized projects would require. They also encourage me to try making/learning things I've never done before, and it never hurts to have *more* skills. ^^;

So I guess in summary, they're both a creative outlet and a creative fount. :D

[avacado]

I use them mainly to take photos. Photography is my passion and they make the perfect models. The don't complain and you can always get a nice angle. Though they can be a little fussy and fall over. -_-

[AnnTagonist]

Aww xi I really liked your reply on this :3

My dolls have become something thats made me passionate again. Like xi they're characters I've had a long time and so thats very special to me and it is always nice to have them in a solid form to sit and smile at. They also mean even more to me now as they've allowed me to connect and meet a lot of wonderful people I'd never have gotten to meet before.

[angelificatus]

hmmm.....

I feel they are like my pets...inspiration,creative outlet, and companions.


...perhaps they serve like a form or symbol -like an extension of different facets/dynamics of one's personality or mood/s...? taking a physical dimension....?

Someday,I will learn to sew for the girls so they will remain my source of inspiration...
but when Iam feeling sad, I hug or cuddle with the one I feel most affection towards.... (usually SD10 girls)
when I am feeling like I need a boost of courage/confidence/support..I bring the "alpha male' of the group with me to my office...where I normally spend the better part of the day...
when Iam feeling scared.. I usually have him close or one of the SD10 girls or both ... :)

[koi]

I don't really know what my dolls mean to me but I can't, and won't try, to imagine my everyday life without them.

They are certainly a creative outlet for me and it seems there's no end as to what I can do with them, but I know they are so much more than that.

I can't find the right way to describe it.

[eveshka]

I grew up with dolls ranging from the 8" Madame Alexanders to the 28" Effanbees, so dolls have always been a part of my life.

Some of my own dolls are miniature works of art, showcase pieces that I don't take to meets often, but have because I love them. Others are interpretations of my own characters and the three-dimensional representation helps me write them more accurately.

I can't say that mine are like my children... more like a part of a world where I can enjoy them the way I want them to be, and I'm not forced to accept the carbon-copy-barbie-wannabe world.

[Nezumitoo]

They're definitely my creative outlets. I've written stories for years and years, but never had them really take a life like they did when there were 3D solid shells wrapped around them. They inspire me more than anything else has in life and give me a place to focus all of the scattered things I enjoy doing elsewhere - such as story writing, character creation, drawing, photography, sewing, customizing, etc. And many times they turn out to be my sanity in general, because when I'm feeling bad, I can always count on them to make me smile /cheese.

[Bettina Marie]

My dolls are my sunshine on a cloudy day, my companions during troubled times...my lil piece of sanity when working long hours at the drawing board.^_^~<3 and because I work alone, they give me someone to talk to. XD

I also think of them as a creative outlet, thinking up clothing design and using them as models for those REALLY tough poses you just can't figure out in your head alone ^_^V


yea...I think that sums it up a bit. ^_^

[byakkoya]

Dolls in general are good for escaping stress in everyday life and I think they help bring out creativity. Before I got into the hobby, I never had any original characters. But now, even though I may never make all my characters into dolls, it's made me more creative in that light and I'll use them when I draw. For others, they might make you want to do photography. I love to photography them now and I love learning new ways to achieve a certain look. Whether it's sewing or painting faces or even making dolls from scratch, I believe that's part of what my own dolls mean for me.

My original dolls represent different aspects of myself. One represents my love for my childhood and the memories I had of being a kid. Another represents my materialistic side and my love for music and fashion etc. Another represents my spiritual and serious side, the side that deals with dedication and hard work and so forth. That's what my dolls mean to me and though I know they're only resin dolls, the fact that they can be unique is special to me :)

[PK]

<3 They are the ones I know will last with me forever, if I ask them to. The ones I know will be there for me after a hard days of school or work. To make me smile when its hard to. Theyre my friends, my kids, my family. Theyre everything, in my imagination that growing up usually takes away. And for that, they ultimately give me Love <3

[brennil]

I've always liked miniatures, and a large part of the appeal for me is the tiny accessories - the shoes, the clothes, the teeny little couches and chairs and books and whatnot. Small and perfect. Also I really like the creative side - for me that means sewing, and photostories that haven't seen the light of day because I don't have all the dolls I want yet. ;)

Plus I just love the art of the dolls - the delicate curve of Helly's chin, Dom's adorable little teeth. They please me, in the way that a favorite painting or beautiful sculpture pleases.

[Sola]

They're definitely my creative outlets. I've written stories for years and years, but never had them really take a life like they did when there were 3D solid shells wrapped around them. They inspire me more than anything else has in life and give me a place to focus all of the scattered things I enjoy doing elsewhere - such as story writing, character creation, drawing, photography, sewing, customizing, etc. And many times they turn out to be my sanity in general, because when I'm feeling bad, I can always count on them to make me smile /cheese.


Leave my brain, wench. :angry


Now i don't, technically, have to post in this thread. :XD

[Jme]

Do they pick you up when you’re down, are they a creative outlet, do they fill some gap?

All of the above, really.
The versatility of the dolls still astound me, even after so long; I am constantly amazed by my resin kids. I love photography, and started out photographing Blythe dolls, but bjds just give me a whole new dimension to the interest.

I do get enjoyment just being around them (some of my friends say that it's just cos I'm getting to the age where I'm getting clucky and want a family! Lol.); they're not mere dolls to me; I feel that they're an extension of me and parts of me are reflected through them in dressing, styles, names, etc.

And the best thing is, I know I'm not alone - gotta love the dollie community! :lol

[Bandwidth Broad]

When my first "complete" abjd landed on my doorstep in 2003, I waxed lyrical and suggested to all and sundry that these dolls would be "my inner child." I've collected dolls since I was 4 1/2 years old, and always drew clear distinctions between "collectable" and "playable" dolls. These resin kids blur the lines -- they have "collectable" prices and yet they're imminently "playable."

I love sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc. etc., but have very limited time to do these things since I started four years ago to teach at a university 70 miles from my home. My resin kids give me a ready outlet for creativity and they're always patiently waiting for the times I'm ready to "cut loose" from academic stuff to play.

[HallowedResin]

I first got mine, when I was going through a pretty bad relationship. *_* They gave me a safe & happy outlet to what was going on. I've always loved beautiful things, truth be told, so when I realized what could be done, I was somewhat spellbound by them.

Although I'm in a better relationship now, they still make me smile. Looking at them makes me happy and taking pictures of them is fun too. ^^ I started writing stories for them this past year, so that's new to me as well.

~> Even though I have a fashion design degree, and I come up with concepts frequently, I hate sewing so I never make clothing for them. :o I'm trying to convince my tailor to make them, and she's giving in little by little. :XD

[OddEthics]

I'm a very creative person who loves to create stories. ^^; But I suck at writing and drawing so... being able to take pictures and create characters with them is my outlet.

I also like images. I love high fashion and models. BJD's are perfect bodies and embody that icon for me. xD Weird as it is. It's something I can't find in people so I prefer pictures of them.

[syrinx]

They're definitely my creative outlets. I've written stories for years and years, but never had them really take a life like they did when there were 3D solid shells wrapped around them. They inspire me more than anything else has in life and give me a place to focus all of the scattered things I enjoy doing elsewhere - such as story writing, character creation, drawing, photography, sewing, customizing, etc. And many times they turn out to be my sanity in general, because when I'm feeling bad, I can always count on them to make me smile /cheese.


This, in a nutshell. Putting characters I've worked with for years into these dolls has brought them back to life for me. I'm more involved with them like this than I had ever been when they were just words on virtual paper. They also allow me to use skills I've developed in other areas, [mixed media, sculpture, anatomy, metalworking, sewing, etc...] and bring them in to help create a physical world for these dolls.

I have never been more creative or inspired as I have with these dolls.

[Aki also keeps me company on crappy days...]

[celestia]

My dolls and eventual-complete forms will mean my porthole for fashion design and esthetics. I live to do half the things i can already do with this doll; creative outlets. Paints, sculpting, photographing, sketching, planning, character development, story writing.. it's all there; inclusive but not limited to!

Their forms will be used to display anything i have to sell; service, goods..e.t.c
If i ever get that stable enough to open. They will also serve as muses to my motivation.. act out particular scenes; the faces of the story.

I wouldn't go as far as to call them my babies; because i would never leave my children lying on the bed all day or couped up in a dark cardboard box tucked away in the back of my closet for 'safe keeping' XD

Alexande on the other hand; means nothing and everything to me at the same time. I'm reckless with him because he wants it that way. We both tentatively give each other a hard time. I don't even need a story for him; he's creating his own history.
Alexande means just as much as the others... but in a different way. He's not a muse...by far.
Way back i intended to sell him; but after a series of ridiculously amusing events taking shape, i had to reject all offers on him.
But he's so contrasting that i need him now. He doesn't balance everything out, strangely. He's just _there_ and he means a great deal because he's just _there_.

Does that even make sense? D;

[Vampiresmama]

Well I guess my dolls are my veritable "happy place" lol. They just make me smile and make me happy when I take pictures of them or other such things. They also give me an outlet for my creativeness since drawing tends to frustrate me and I seem to be having a year long writing block issue. :( So when I can pose them and dress them and get some of the visual junk out of my head it's all good. :) Also when I have a bad day (or month for that matter) I can just play around with them and escape from the real world for a while. And their a great way to help solidify my characters. They're actually helping me get back into my writing. *nods* (Did any of that make sense? lol)

[megomobile]

My dolls are a creative outlet; I enjoy sewing for them, writing, taking photos, and doing faceups. I play with them when I feel down, and enjoy dressing them up and especially playing with their wigs. I don't talk to them (well, not any more than I talk to other animate objects, ha ha) or think they're alive... but I love them very much as prized possessions that have a lot of time, work, and care put into them.

[Soula]

My dolls are nice, quiet and mostly of the cute variety. They sit around my rooom and I enjoy taking pictures of them, find it very relaxing.
And I'm rather addicted to keeping up with all the news on the Net about them, to be honest. So I do not post much anywhere for lack of time, as I have equal love for ABJDs, Blythes, Momokos, Jenny and Liccas.

[TammyTammy]

When I look at their lovely faces and beautiful clothes it makes me happy and all warm inside. I know that sounds a little weird, but that's the feeling I get. It's as if each glance at them freezes time for me for just a few moments as I enjoy their beauty and revel in the joy that they belong to me. :)

[BlueSand09]

For me he's like a companion. Someone I can show what I really feel. I tend not to show what I'm feeling to the people around me. Sometimes people thought that I'm always cheerful and always smiling but someting deep inside I'm sad and hurt. I really value him and I hope that I could be with him as long as I live.

[alexiusSana]

my dolls are the tangible versions of characters from my imagination. As an artist, it's always nice to snap pictures of my characters for a change :).

[Angma Suzy]

Escape from reality. People in the real world talk back.

[s2kitty]

My dolls are my confidents and my resin children. I talk to them, sometimes pat them on the head good night as I go to bed, dress them, and take at least one of them with my everywhere - though lately they haven't been coming to work with me as much. They keep me company in the computer room (where the kitties are NOT allowed) and I love taking pictures of them. My former resin kids that live with others are still frequently thought about. I'm constantly looking for pictures of them in the threads on forums and in LJ posts. I never quite "let go" as it were. When I no longer know where one of them is I get a little depressed - for instance I have no idea where my former Woosoo is now and that makes me very sad. I'm not sure what my old Hewitt II is up to either and that depresses me too because he had such a lovable little face and this quirk where he was always tilting his head up like he was looking at me. Oh man I'm bringing myself down now. :sweat

[harolink]

I tend to have a pretty restless mind so I definitely enjoy that they bring with them limitless amounts of creativity and project ideas. There are so many things I want to try with them but the main thing that limits me of course is time. I also extremely enjoy their company. Their serene faces make me so happy :] They truly are my treasures.

[DimWitted]

good photo models, great investment, great anatomy model

[saranilla]

For me they are fun. They relieve the stress after a really crappy day. They have awesome clothing, they can change their mood just by changing eyes, dress, and wig.

They most of all sit by me while I am online and keep me company.

[bagofspiders]

Dressing them and taking their photos relaxes me. I'm around people all the time at work and sometimes I just need time to myself. And if this doesn't sound too twisted, in a way playing with my dolls is like being by myself...with company. :D I need a bit of an outlet from this sometimes ridiculous world. A bit of control, even if it is just over what someone gets to wear for the day ;)

[mylittlefighter]

For me, they're stress relief and a creative outlet.

[hiritai]

My dolls fixed the little part of my soul that died when I grew up <3

They also inspire photography and sewing, writing and drawing, and the hobby in general has given me friends I wouldn't have otherwise. My dolls are one of the most fantastic things ever to have happened to me.

[MugenShu]

My little lovelies allow me to express my feelings in ways I myself can't do because of the people around me. All my dolls and the ones to come all stem from the various multiple personalities inside me that usually don't get much if any air. I love sewing or buying clothes that I myself wouldn't ware, for them. Now that I think about, My dolls live out the lives I could only dream of...Sometimes I wish things were different but then I wouldn't have known about this hobby...Lord knows that right about now, that would be a very bad thing... ^_^

[Kim]

My dolls are incredibly expensive, fancy custom action figures of characters near and dear to my heart. I enjoy looking at them but I don't feel a need to have them near me much. I like knowing that I own them and have access to them whenever I want, though. I like knowing that I own something beautiful intended solely for me. *crazy* And they help complete my anime figure collection, which is something I do obsessively add to regularly.

But I do love doll talk with my doll owning friends, it's just like gossiping over pairings or the latest manga chapters.

[Twilight]

I feel like my dolls are an endless source of beauty. No, really, I do! I know it sounds cheesy and dorky, but I'm constantly amazed at how different my dolls can look with different wigs, or eyes. Heck, even a simple change of clothes can really make my doll be something totally different.

I'm really happy with the crew I have now, but I do have plans to open up my "dollie doors" for some new beauties. When I'm down, I have a good time playing with them, and they are the first things I see when I walk into my den. It's just nice to have them around, like pretty works of art you can change whenever you want.

[ravendolls]

My dolls for me are agreeable company... never talking too loud or too fast, never being mean or calling me names. They are quite content to just "be" with me, even if they don't look at me. I never need to "entertain" them, or worry what they'll think of me when I say something stupid, or nothing at all.

They're also reminders of who I used to be... for better or worse.

They're representatives of Faerie to me, an escape from this world of ignorance, pain, sadness and care.

Raven

[gayle]

They are my muses, providing endless hours of inspiration, creativity and play. I am charmed by them, and they are without a doubt, my favorite material posessions.

In addition, they are works of art to me, that I sometimes just stare at and ponder, much like I would look at a painting or a piece of sculpture.

[Tahiel]

My dolls are a lot of things to me, they're so much aesthetic beauty as they are a sort of tangible realization of 'my dreams' (they are OCs came true in a way, you could say, so to have said characters in some tangible realistic way other tha what's written on paper is very exiting and makes me happy). They're also source of stress relief, I like holding them, I like watching them, it's... like having a very expensive teddy bear. :clap
No, really, they're also a way for me to practice things would have otherwise never gotten into (practicing photography, seeking other creativity methods, sewing, etc)

I also agree with Gayle, they are works of art to me too.

[Ai Kazi]

They are my sanctuary back into my childhood. I know that sounds really cheasy, but I find such a sastifaction just by playing with them. Interchanging clothes, eyes, wigs, ect, even just looking at them, gives me a break from my hectic day to day schedule.

They also give me a way to express my artistic side (I suppose if you can even call it that XD)

[Daniel Falls]

I like these dolls, because it takes me back to a time when life was more simple. Without all of the conflicting dramas of adult life. Without the confusion of sexuality. Without the demands of maturity and age. My dolls are like characters in a Saturday morning cartoon show. The kind you fondly remember and when you do remember, it fills you with a sense of nostlagia, innocence, and completeness. Because when I was a child, my world was much smaller, more comfortable, more safe, and I knew who I was and felt more complete.

These dolls are a creative outlet. I was introduced to ABJDs through Volks tea parties and dolpas, so I mainly focus on Volks dolls. And I've learned that I like to mix, match, and play with the different options and parts that Volks has made available. I liken myself to my older brother, who fixes and supes up his sports car. He buys different parts and customizes his car for himself. I feel like I do the same thing...except with dolls. :p

These dolls are also an escape and a fantasy, since I seem to have stopped reading lately. Minus reading threads on internet web forums.

[kyubikitsy]

Hrmm.. when I look at my girls, I see different parts of me. Different interests and tastes embodied in each one of them. The oldest being the older sister in me. The second being the curious child. The third being my shy and clumsy self. The fourth being the cheerful and adventurous kid.

I have a few other kids in waiting, but since they're not completed, they haven't really made any real impressions on me. Not that I don't enjoy their company - they're just not quite "alive" yet.

I haven't quite worked up the courage to modify them (aside from basic seam removal and cleaning)... I hope to soon though~ ^^

[tempurashrimp]

My dolls are my muses. They inspire me in my art, writing, photography, and creative endeavours. Before when I first discovered BJDs, I had no character for them but now I've got set characters for each doll. They keep me plenty busy. :)

[Baakay]

They're friends of mine.

Yes!! :D

I've been doing this for a bit over a year now and accumulated way too many of them. I don't write, any more (I hate being mediocre) and my artwork is ok but nothing grand. I can sew, but I like shopping more, so ... I've been embarrassed to not have a wonderful story about having "characters" to fulfill in 3-D or any of that. They are characters, all right, but they kind of emerge on their own.

So after over a year of trying to decide what to say when this comes up, Bunnydots sums it up in four words. Thank you!! :heart

*********
And as usual I find that Ravendolls and I are on the same wavelength as well:


My dolls for me are agreeable company... never talking too loud or too fast, never being mean or calling me names. They are quite content to just "be" with me, even if they don't look at me. I never need to "entertain" them, or worry what they'll think of me when I say something stupid, or nothing at all.

They're also reminders of who I used to be... for better or worse.

They're representatives of Faerie to me, an escape from this world of ignorance, pain, sadness and care.


It seems that many of these posts have that little tinge of bittersweet to them. I'll freely admit that the companionship I feel for my dolls is in part a result of the lack of companionship I feel to much of the area I live in. They accept me just as I am, weird and all.

[blackwingsblackheart]

Friends, company, artwork, creative outlet, distraction from outside stresses, check. They're also proof, not so much that I haven't grown up, but that I haven't surrendered to the mainstream yet. I'm pushing 40, I can't dress goth anymore--certainly not at work--I have to keep my tattoos and my pentacles on the lowdown, I'm nine-to-fiving it with the rest of the adult world, and pretty soon I'll have my own 401(k) :o But I can go home to my anime and manga, my altars, my SF convention t-shirts and my peculiar Asian dolls and think, "Ahh, I'm still weird after all!" Maybe not the most complimentary reason to have them, but I've treasured my counterculturalism for many years now.

I wish they were my muses! I haven't written more than a couple of poems all year :cry

[branchuchan]

My dolls have become a very different thing now that I have had to go through the experience I am with Kazakai.

I've not really played with them recently, or even really did much with them.

Now, usually my dolls are my characters who I write about, and they are beautiful little creatures who give me relaxation and allow me to get away from my stress.

[lin]

My dolls are: silly fun, alter egos, creative outlets, excuses to do nothing, show-and-tell objects, proof that I will never "grow up" and am, therefore, still young (although not technically), totems, voodoo dolls, sculpture, weirdo magnets, escape and fantasy, and a way to get even with my husband for filling my house with expensive bicycles and otherwise irritating me. Oh, and they never talk back or have problems, unlike real kids. (Sometimes I just need a break!)

[kyliebee]

My dolls are my relaxation point really they've inspired me to sow,write and attempt face ups. Everything about them has been a joy and like i said relaxing:)

[KeiVendetta]

They are my creative outlet and they some how make me feel happy when I'm feeling down *shrugs*

[ShaDrouet]

im not sure why I started to collect dolls. it was vintage barbie at first. and then I saw my first resin bjd and that was the begining of the end.. I sold off all my barbie and got into BJD exclusively.. Why do I collect them . for me they bring me happienss. and I truly love dressing and posing them . so I guess that calming effect is there with them

[aernath]

Ichigo is my Little Love. He's great company and comfort, a joy to have and hold.
When I'm sick or sad, he just has to be nearby where I can see him to make me feel better.
I love playing with him, taking pictures of him. I love making clothes for him. I love buying things for him. I love to just look at him and drink in the beauty of his sculpt.

The others are fun, and good eye candy.

[Baakay]

Oh, and I also needed to add that our dolls were a great excuse for me to meet in person, for the first time, one of my favoritest people in the known universe (points at Aernath). I've been close friends with another person for at least 35 years now and never once met her in person, so trust me this doll-bonding means a LOT to me! :)

[Reshana]

My dolls are my precious possessions, even though I don't mess with them every day simply looking at them and having them near me makes me feel happy. I'm usually big on things being utilitarian and useful over anything else, and they are one of the few beautiful things without real purpose that I own. I love buying things for them and sanding and sueding so they'll be more perfect and finished, and I love that they inspire me to learn how to take beautiful photos and make items for them.

Most of all, I like that I've finally found a tangible hobby I want to stay with for more than 3 months.

[Malice Librarian]

I find that customizing these dolls is such a creative endeavor, and that's basically what lured me in (I also like to write fiction and am dabbling in sewing and drawing.) I love being able to select clothes, shoes, eyes and wigs for my boys, and I want to make some things for them myself. I also want to learn how to do my own faceups.

And they are simply a refreshment for sore eyes. I find it hard to get (or remain) angry or upset when Kris Naga is out of his box. He's been such a comfort, and I'm sure Faust will be when he gets here. :heart

[Cloud'sPimp]

they're more like a companion to me ^_^ They comfort me when I'm having a bad day.
As for the creative outlet, I like looking at men's fashion and I can apply it to my dolls ^^

[Wee_Little_Faerie]

For me, these dolls are so many different things. They're a link to my childhood, encouraging play, something to challenge me in photography, inspiration for graphic design and storytelling and illustration, a prompter to sew and encouragers to travel. They pull me out into the world and push me back into using my imagination all at once, and for that, I love them.

[Deen]

My dolls inspire me and they also make me feel happy when I just look at them. I've found photographing throught dolls and right now it's one of my dearest hobby and good way to relax.
Might sound funny but sometimes when I feel down it helps alot when I hold one of my dolls on my lap or sit them close to me. :)
I've also made lots of lovely friends in the dollhobby. These dolls have given so much to me so they've become a really important part of my life.

[darthmissy]

My doll family is quite literally that! My "family"! Since I was very young my family has consisted of my mother and myself. I always loved being an only child when I was smaller but as I have grown up I started to feel an empty spot in my life. When most people come in their front door they are greeted by the faces of their family, friends, roomates or loved ones. Living with only my mother and working exclusively at night, I am lucky if I get to see her once a day. My doll family is one of the most important things to me in this life because they all reflect the love and care that I feel for each and every one of them! When I look into their smiling faces each morning when I get home from work and each evening when I get up to do it all over agian, I know that they love me and will me there to smile at me again when I wake up or get home!
I am certainly not as articulate as some, but I am at some times overly honest and frank about my love for my doll family!
Thanks so much for listening to my rant!!!
-Melissa

[Laurmann2000]

To me my dolls bring me peace. When I'm feeling stressed, all I have to do is look at or think about my dolls and the stress seems to vanish. I feel calm around my dolls and they bring me so much pleasure. I also feel like they bring me back to my childhood. I love dressing them and playing with them and in doing so I am transported back in time to a time when things were simpler and less complicated.

[cykeclops]

Hmm...My doll is fairly new, but I will give this a shot:

My Doll means an awful lot to me because it he represents, in a very physical form, my artistic nature. I draw a lot, but I look forward to having something to photograph. I've always been a better photographer than a pencil artist, anyway. ^_^;;

Sean , my SHA, really gives me something to aspire to. Since he is new, I feel like I have this unique privilege to make him into the doll that he is supposed to be. Unfortunately, on a social worker's salary, its hard to buy new clothes for him all the time like some folks do. However, I am moving to Ohio, to a very picturesque town. I'm going to enjoy taking Sean out and getting some very good outdoor pictures.

Emotionally, Sean means a lot to me as a character. As a role playing character, I've "known" him for a very long time. This is just the first time, though, that he has had a physical form. I feel like I have such a high standard for him, and yet, I feel like he should be like a living child....Open to having his own personality.

[harlowe]

Expensive toys that are also a creative outlet.

[Jun]

They're my pretties. :)

[Meyari]

They're my muses for my writing, characters in my stories, wonderful incentives for doing more sewing, best friends, beautiful peices of art, wonderful companionship that doesn't talk back to me, relaxing things to bring with me to bring to work...

They're what makes me happy. :heart

[slrphebos]

Most of my dolls are ways for me to actually hold some of my characters I have made over the years. There are some characters that I feel I owe a lot to cause of what their stories meant to me and what those stories got my through during that time of my life.

[omichao]

For the hobby in general, BJDs are a collection of so many things that I love to do: Writing, photography, sculpting, creating characters etc. They're so many different things I can't even place what they are to me.

As for the individual dolls that I own/plan on owning, their characters mean a lot to me. They're something that I've put a lot of time and effort into making and I feel like they're little pieces of me and my creativity, put into a solid object. They're perfect in my mind and to see them having a solid, complete being, makes me very happy ^_^

I don't use them so much as a pick-me-up or a creative outlet, really. It just gives me a great sense of pride and accomplishment to see my boys, that started out once as nothing but a vague idea of a character, completed, whole and perfect.

[Meguone]

My dolls are my therapy. Of course actual therapy would be cheaper, but no where near as much fun. When my husband takes the baby at night to play, I go up into my office, shut the door, put on some jazz or Gothic music and just play, take pictures, figure out what story lines are going to be used. They are almost like comfort food for the soul. ;)

[xPrincessx]

I thought people were only using these dolls for decorative purposes.

[Silence Spoken]

They actually take on new meanings for me as time goes by. :oops

Initially my motives were a creative venue. I liked the idea of photostories and I wanted to do them. I've always customized my own dolls . . . which was a long road in itself. Even now the creativity is still a major component. They are an inspiration to me, and I am usually happiest when I have some sort of inspiration, idea, or project to work on.

As I've had more troubles with stress and mood disorders they have become a comfort to me. In some cases almost like a security blanket. :sweat Although the need for this has passed somewhat, the sense of comfort still remains.

They have also been an excuse to learn. I've learned to sew because of them. I've learned to paint faceups, and I'm learning to sculpt customizations. They give me an excuse to better myself . . . because, as an avid procrastinator, I often really do need the excuse. :p

[budah]

I was a tomboy growing up and didn't care for dolls. I preferred the company of frogs, lizards, the rest of the Great Outdoors.

I came across a random site a few years ago, that had a person on it that was one of the most beautiful I'd ever seen (sad I can't remember which). Imagine my surprise to discover it was actually a doll!

They are works of art. A comfort at the worst of times and a quiet joy at the best. They help to fuel my creativity and dampen my insanity -- which in this house can be pretty high with all of its daily chaos *_*

[Chops]

All my dolls bring me joy. :heart:heart

They enable me to fulfill my creative side in painting, sewing, and photography. They are a feast for my eyes when I see them from across the room, I am constantly amaze at how easy it is to transform them in color, shape, and form, whether indivually or as a group.

Another important aspect is shopping and spending money on them!!

[Daggerchan]

My dolls are something I enjoy looking at and handling, material things that I prefer spending my money on instead of perishables. They also serve as an investment (this is what I tell non-doll people :XD), and an inspiration; I love customizing them and they make me want to expand my talents into areas I hadn't even thought of before. :heart

[Gypsy Eyes]

To me, my dolls are stress reliever. No matter how bad your day is, you come home and they are sitting there, just waiting. Always happy to see you, always ready to be picked up and played with. You can't be angry around them.

They are also a big entertainment point for me. I love making them clothes and painting their faces. Some of my projects in college have been doll jewellery making. They provide me a creative outlet i have never had while living at home. I can customize them any way I like, and It's a hobby I am passionate about. They are works of art that grow more unique and beautiful with each day. Everyone is unique and to me, knowing my dolls are unique and one of a kind reinforces the fact that everyone in the hobby is different.

They have actually made me take a step back and take a look at my own life. They made me realize that I need to be happy too. Owning them makes me happy and that happiness is something I've been missing for a long time. So I owe a lot of self realization to them.

But less seriously, I just love playing with them! I never get tired of playing with their joints or taking pictures. They've also taught me to look at the world through smaller eyes. It's unbelievable what I've found. every day is an adventure with them! :clap

[Kaye]

I agree with Gypsy Eyes. The dolls are great stress relievers for me too. I always have a play with mine to wind down after a busy day and I love to lie in bed and look at the dolls I have on my dresser before going to sleep at night.

[hotelobby]

This may sound like a very unusual answer but for me... Everything is alive or at least gains a life of it's own in the long run.

In my opinion, Lilith is my guardian. He's not exactly my angel but along those lines.

I feel safer with him and frankly, since he's more tangible I take him as one of my guardians/spirit somethings that help me through life.

Though I know he's simply a gift or a creation from a prayer to Her... I still value him as much as the birth spirit guides and what not that I have been given.

>.>;

Other than the somewhat strange religious reply, he's my muse. I have three and he's on the top of the food chain 8D

Seriously... he just calms me down and make me happy. I don't know he does it though.

[Sonoshi]

They're my babies, I worked hard to get them. Admittedly I didn't have to wait nine months, deal with heartburn and weight gain, or go though seventeen hours of labour. But I do find myself defending them just as I would my two living breathing children. However, despite each having their own distinct personalities, they are in fact just hunks of pretty resin. If I have a choice of saving my two year old, or my dolls from a blazing inferno, I'd choose my son.

I remember the very first doll I ever got. It wasn't even a complete doll. It was just a single head. He was a sleeping El, and his name was Ryuho. I loved that head. I sent him off to be customized (eyes opened and for a faceup), and the artist sent him back to me without showing me anything. Posted the pictures publicly...and a friend directed me to them...and she warned me beforehand. I actually cried. The doll's faceup was a trainwreck...and I was berated by the artist for wanting to just sell the head and get it out of my home. I couldn't even look at him when he did arrive.

It's moments like that...that makes me wish I'd never gotten into the fandom to begin with. Then I look at my remaining few, and smile.

They're worth it, for every single day they brighten.

[GothicKDM]

To me...my dolls are ways of expressing myself....either by how i paint them, or how they come into being with their image...Some of my dolls are parts of my personality that I dont tend to overly show...Vincent being the wise one...the one that listens...X is the outgoing part..the girly flashy loving part. etc. Each of my dolls (i have about 11) are a different or mesh of things...but they all refect me...in a way.

Cept a few of mine are from my story, or are a variation of a character from it.

I do agree with them being a calming thing...and there is just something about them that makes me very happy...all the effort that i've put into them to create their perfect..unique look...which is always being tweeked over and over XD.

[kotori]

Well for me, most of my dolls reflect a different part of me, emotionally. They talk to me when I just look at them. So i know if they are happy, or upset about something. They offer comfort when I am alone, or not feeling well. Though I feel less of a connection lately. Not sure if it's because I have quite a few now. (to many voices perhaps). But couldn't part with anyone either. I try to show as much life to each of my girls, and they reflect that in their personalities. I also agree on how calming they can be. I could spend hours just tending to them, brushing their hair, ensuringthey are clean, presentable, and happy. So yeah, all my girls (dolls) me so much to me.

[DragonHawk]

Creativity. I find that he (soon to be they) Are a creative outlet for my photography, writing, and just basic goofing around whenever I feel the need to be five again. ^^'
Yeah, He is also a nice escape from reality. I've always been the creative, inventive type. And these guys couldn't be more perfect for that outlet.

[Surya'sLight]

A sense of relax, when I feel very nervous or I had a bad day, they're always there to cheer me up :cry . Moreover they're my source of ideas when I'm in the mood to picture things with camera or sew anything, I could continue to infinite and besides. In conclusion they means a lot to me, I don't think I can call them just "dolls" but valuable playmate ^^

[Kahli]

I'll probably get boo-ed and hissed out of the room, but to me they are just another collection that I have.
I've always collected 'stuff' of one sort or another and this is just my latest collection and it could change tomorrow and I would sell off all 41 of them and buy-- I dunno-- rocks or marbles or stamps.
Right now- they are things to sit around and look at and be a pretty-pretty.



:)
vicki

[ArcaneMuse]

My dolls are definitely not replacements for children ( I have 2 of my own), or replacements for people ( I love to socialize). They are a total artistic outlet for me. That's it.

[Hellfrozeover]

They're an artistic outlet for me and through that they seem to have developed a 'life' that other doll types just couldn't develop. I definately have more attachment to them than a lot of my other belongings, even some that have been there for years.

[glass_mountain]

This is really interesting...
I do sometimes wonder if my dolls are substitute children. I don't want to get too heavy about this...but I like having the dolls around, and I do like talking to them - a little!
But the other thing is their beauty - like Cynthia, I love portraits. And I do like to imagine that the dolls have an inner life that has nothing to do with me.
I'm very interested in dolls in relation to the Uncanny...now I know that dollseye would be able to say this much better than me, if she were here!

[Lotte Rotten]

I see my dollies as little pieces of art, they are my muses -as well as being my little friends. I love having them by my side, their little cute faces never fails to cheer me up <3

[aichaku]

my dolls are a source of comfort to me because they are so beautiful and they remind me there is something beautiful in this world.

[derilan85]

I love my dolls very much even if they are not real like children, I talk to them, and cuddle them, and I even tell them when I am going out to work, my hubby thinks it cute, but I do know difference between playing with them and reality.

[silk]

They're my way of telling a story and working on that story. I do not only have to think about the words, but also about what the 'set' for the photoshoot looks like and what the characters look like.
They're my primary hobby and it's nice to have something to do when I'm fed up with working. They give me the opportunity to relax a bit.

[saranilla]

For me they always have and always will be FUN!

[Pookinopolis]

My doll is my companion...I'm in Iraq for over a year, and being in the Army is sometimes tough, even though if ever I were to find myself in a bind I know others wearing the same uniform I wear would come help me and yet I found myself very lonely over the first few months. I had always wanted an ABJD anyways, and when I got her I was enthralled because I do have an eye for beauty and I feel like she was one of my oldest drawings that seemed to pop right off the page! I look through sketchbooks that are very old and feel like maybe the artist had some psychic link and made my girl from a shared dream!
Still, Aislinn became more over the months, when I was alone I found myself looking into her gentle little eyes and felt like she was a pet, more so a little companion for me.
I am not crazy! lol! It's just hard for me to make friends here and having my doll and all my artistic hobbies has made life here so much easier and happier! I've also gotten pretty good at sewing for her too! So she's a learning tool, a model, an exotic decoration in a bland county, and a sweet little buddy for me to hug when I'm lonely and far from home.

[Luckyl]

Pookinopolis, I am so glad you have Aislinn to keep you company while you are Iraq serving our country, and that your doll hobby has made your life easier.
Thank you so much for your sacrifice. It humbles me to think of your bravery.

I too find my dolls are an artistic, creative outlet. I don't hug them or carry them around, but they are very special to me in the way that many of you have said. Their beauty and uniqueness lifts me up and I am drawn to them in a very strange and special way that I really don't fully understand. But, they are a source of joy to me that I really
appreciate.

[bugland]

i know this sounds odd, but... i'm estranged from my biological family, and am likely to remain so. the dolls i have now have arranged themselves into a very close family unit. i think i may be living vicariously through them :| does this make any sense?

[Raouken]

They're an inspiration for me, to sew pretty things for them, think of new looks for them, seeing them transform right in front of my eyes just by changing clothes, wig and eyes, I love that. Any doll I choose to bring home must be inspiring, rather than just plain beautiful. They have to have that spark that makes me think 'I can see you like this and this and I want to make this for you..' for some people there's no going back once they gave a name to a potential wishlist dol, for me it's when I have an outfit for them in my head that I know I just have to have it

They also made me intrested in photography, something I never bothered with before. Lastly, they're nice company, watching a movie is just more fun with a doll on your lap while you're combing it's hair or making a new pair of jeans ^^

[kateb]

I don't have my girl quite yet, but I know I picked her for her graceful and pure expression. She really leaped out at me and I think she'll have a calming influence too, as many have said already in this thread with regard to their dolls! I'm excited to see if my girl and/or any future dolls will develop in any further way.

Possibly they'll simply be money-pits. Happy money-pits, but money-pits none-the-less XD

[Agnes]

Objects of beauty to admire, mainly. My dolls are to me all about the image, the look. I love doing the faceups, making the clothes, putting it all together, taking photos, or just, uh, staring at them. ^^ all righty

I don't do much of the character building or making storylines anymore; anytime they change wigs or makeup there's a chance the character changes, too. I rarely draw recurring characters, preferring simply to make another pretty image; the dolls are like this but in 3d. :)

[Taco]

They definitely inspire me--I started writing again after several years because of them. A lot of mine are characters that have been around for years (some over a decade), and they feel a lot like old friends to me. The ones that weren't made off characters give me the oppurtunity to create new people and stories. I find them comforting, and they do give a feeling of companionship in a sense. My roommate moved out last year, and I think the apartment would feel really different without them here. Right now, I never feel truly alone. They've also connected me to the bjd community and allowed me to meet some really neat people.

[bishieprince]

It's like a piece of art..from designing its clothes to the face up and hairdo..its more fun than painting on a piece of paper..><,

[Otty]

My boys and girl are hmm one of the most valuable things in my life ^ ^
I enjoy photographing them, sewing for them and having them sitting beside me.
Hmmm I think they means 'happiness'

[Missie L]

My girls mean a lot to me... Not only do they make me smile and give me something to do, but they were each a gift from the people I love!

[ToysRGood]

When I was a kid, I would create stories in my head and "act" them out by doodling. Sadly, I am a crappy artist. The dolls look way cooler than my poor art, so I love to use them for my daydream stories.

[Kirika]

So I'm new here. In fact my first post. I don't have a BJD yet, I'm waiting though - the resin type I want is currently unavailable for the dolls I have in mind so it will take a bit of time to even get the order in. But anyhow, I wanted to thank you all for sharing, there were such touching stories and meanings that really moved me. I haven't seen any of them in person, I don't even know if there are any in my country (perhaps, but I doubt it). I was thinking that maybe I'm strange for interpreting them as way more then just dolls. Finding them was a very important moment for me - it somehow made me realize that I can be happy, there can be something more to life then just gray mondays. Yes. So I truly hope I can have my first girls soon (yes, I'm not getting one, I'm getting two lol), I know I would get them sooner if I ordered them in French resin but for some odd reason I'm totally set on urethane. Being new to this, I have no idea why but it seems right for me somehow.
So yes a bit offtopic and windy but all I wanted is to thank you guys for everything you said.

[klum*9]

They don't care how you look, what kind of mood you are in or whether they can have the car keys!! I find my dolls to be a source of delight and relaxation for me. A world with fun clothes, any shade of eyes or ways of being not opened to a human!
They are delightful to me-the beauty and art of them.

[Kogepan]

A decoration, a prized possession, a...virtual pet substitute? xD I love my doll, he's very pretty and I do want more dolls, but for me the meaning goes no deeper than that.

[DanceCat]

This thread is excellent for psychological purposes.
*dolls calm me
*dolls help my creativity
*dolls promote an escape
*etc.

These are all true for me too.
My dolls promote an escape from the real world, time I don't have to spend thinking about my bills or my weight-gain. Time I can spend, instead, thinking of who they are and what they will become. Making their stories in poetic form.

My dolls help me creatively. I can take my heads outside and work on their faceups, I can learn to use my new sewing machine and make their clothes, I can buy clothing patterns and material and work on ideas in that sense.

I am very passionate about my dolls. I'm a Capricorn and very materialistic, I love all my possessions. They all hold some special sentiment. But with the dolls, I can actually "play" with them by posing them for photos, changing them, giving them new hair, new clothes, new 'friends' and storylines.
It's a passtime, everybody needs an outlet. For us in the doll community THIS is our outlet. :clap


P.S. WOW! Klum*9 - excellently expressed. I agree 100%

[GambrillGroup]

Volks dolls have been "on my radar" since I saw them at the Toy Fair in NYC in 2005. I had not been paying much attention and then, in a random act, I looked on e-Bay. I found a used Megu and I bought her, not really knowing what to expect. Anyway, I am very pleased with her (as a doll.) I'm not into this whole "character and personality" thing. I currently live alone, in a country outside my country of origin. I also have 2 cats to keep me company. But it is "nice" to have another "human shape" in my living space. I like to sew and have made one outfit for her, with more in the design and pre-construction phase. I feel a bit weird about being a "doll" person. I don't "love" her, but I do enjoy having her around. She sits on a doll-sized bench on the table where I keep my sewing machine. So, I suppose she could be categorized as a muse... I have to admit, I am looking to acquire my second doll. To keep us both company...:-)
jh

[Sirin]

I have two dolls now, one of them is my beloved Unoa Sist. In fact Unoas were first bjd I've first seen and it definately was love at first sight. My dolls are some kind of door to another world, calm and peaceful place where you can be yourself. Probably they are my inspiration origin, my muses - thank you for right word, GambrillGroup ))) I love to look at them, to sew for them... They're a little miracle that warms me when I'm exhasted and supports me when I'm in sadness.

[ruinchan]

My preciousssssss!!! lol
My BJDs are doll-version of my original characters. So they're more than a doll for me.
They simply are great inspiration on my artistic side. ^^

[asuka17]

Although I just have one (for now), I find my little Freya to be the most comforting little thing in all the world. Whenever I feel like giving up on making a school project, I hear her sweet voice in my head, cheering me on, making me smile. :)

Just like those before me, I find my doll/s to be a center of calm. Just merely looking at her after a REALLY bad day makes me feel better and refreshed. When I'm sick, her presence seems to take care of me.

My dolls are probably a mix of friends and family. I'm an only child and I'm also the only otaku in the family, so it gets pretty lonely. :tantrum That's where my dolls step in. Whenever I want someone to talk to, their always there, listening uncomplainingly.

Unlike some, I am a very artistic person. I can draw manga pretty well and when I'm looking for something to draw, they beg to be in it. Plus, they improved my problem in posing and anatomy. So basically, their also where I get my inspiration. :D

[gingerbread]

My dolls are like friends to me. They're always here when I need them. I'm a very visual person- I like pretty things, so to me, my dolls are like models for makeup, clothing, poses, hairstyles, etc.

It's because of my dolls that I discovered my love of photography and they have helped me appreciate beauty :D I love them <3

[Tempting_Death]

My dollies are little embodiments of my favorite characters from video games and anime, as well as a few that will be to suit my own personal taste in some old legends, like the legend of Dr Faust and mephistophiles.

[Arkady]

My dolls? They were the key to unlocking my creativity after a 5-year creative block. They are my inspiration and my muses. They saw me through some very dark times. Comforting when down; sympathetic ears to rant to when there's no-one else I could share worries with. They opened a whole new world of friends to me in the form of fellow BJD owners. They have opened up a new avenue of work for me; through dolls I have embarked on more challenging ventures in dressmaking and silversmithing.

They bring beauty to an otherwise-often-dispiriting and stressful life. Even on the gloomiest days I can look up and be cheered by the smiles looking down at me.

I would never have thought a material object could hold so much life and personality, until i saw my first BJD. And I've never looked back. :kisses

[cifr]

I was first attracted to this hobby because the stunning appearance ABJDs have. When I have my first doll, he become my friend (and my wallet robber)
Now I have many of them in my house, they're supposed to be part of my home. Whatever the people who are not in this hobby think, but to me, and may be for to many others in this hobby too, this kids give us a hug and a liveliness to our home. :)

These kids also drive me to do many thing I previously usually think I cannot do. They bring me tons of creativity and pull me to have a great patience against many thing. Other people usually look at this resin kids as a thing, but I think they are much, much matter than that.

[blue_night87]

They mean alot to me I get mad whenever someone offers to buy them right then and there i had my coraline for about 7 months and i dread the idea of giving her up to anyone

[ellynor]

My dolls have renewed my creativity. I did not even relize how much I missed being creativity until they stepped into my life and rekindled the spark.

[Iron_Dog]

My dolls poke my creativity in several areas. They are character dolls from various novels I write and I feel more... inclined to write their stories when I have them out with me. They also spark my creativity in sewing them clothes, knitting them clothes and making them jewellery.

My dolls also give me a sense of calm. If I've had a really bad day, a snuggle with one of my boys helps the crud of the day go away. They're a pick-me-up.

I also really enjoy the overall prettiness of them.

[countrygirl]

I simply just love sitting and looking at my dolls. I am older and have always been a really active person but find as I am gracefully aging I no longer want to jump on a frisky horse and ride across the pasture. So, the bjd's are giving me a new direction in my life. I am thinking about photography and sewing again. I have not done these hobbies in years; I am redeveloping my roots and having so much fun with them!! They do make me smile and brighten my day!!

[toshirodragon]

They are non critical friends. Not a one has ever left me for getting upset and saying more than I meant to, nor do they judge me. They appear to enjoy the same anime and reading materials that I do and don't mind if I drag them to 50 stores in a fit of restless boredom.

I cheer up seeing their pretty faces and tinkering with their jewelry or clothes. And they don't shed like the cats! hahahahahaha

[kurisuteru]

For me it's the inspiration to do creative things like sewing. Also, its a learning scale i nthat I can learn to make things that are small.

[sistinas]

to me they are beautiful works of art I can admire :)

[Blizzard]

They mean a lot more than I could probably ever say, probably as much as most people's children mean to them...maybe thats crazy, but I've never claimed not to be ;D

[Ryuichi Sakuma 13]

I haven't read much in this thread, so I have no idea what others may have said.

To me, the reasons I got my BJDs are varied.

I got Sakuma Ryuichi as a way to bring my favorite anime character into reality. As a diehard 'Gravitation' fan, I wanted to be able to see him and hug him and take pics of him as a way to show my love and dedication to the manga/anime he's from. My next buy will [hopefully] be Seguchi Tohma, and then Ukai Noriko as well! I plan on having all of the band Nittle Grasper eventually, as well as instruments so that they can truly be a band!:yey:heart:dance

They inspire me to write Gravitation [hopefully decent] fanfiction.

Ryuichi is also someone I roleplay online, and to have him IRL helps inspire me to stay in character as I post.

There are other reasons, bu these are the ones I can think of right off the bat.

Ryu

[ayas-shadow]

For me...each set of dolls means something a little different. In both my already owned, and planned dolls.

My MSD sized dolls (and some of my 27cm range tinies) are my original characters 'brought to life' in a form I can handle, play with, change, and photograph. They help me explore those characters in more depth than I can just writing about and drawing them. Some of the dolls in those sets are of characters belonging to my husband or a friend (with permission from both) that I can tinker with, and use to figure out just how my characters interact in detail with the others.

Most of my SD sized dolls (all planned right now) are more to just play with, customize, and photograph, to make characters from games or movies that I enjoy.

My tiny tinies (mostly only planned) are my 'big' mod dolls (outside of 2 planned SDs) where I can toy with them, mod them, make them what I want without risking quite so much in cost if what I do fails and I don't like the end results.

My planned doll that currently means the most to me, though, will be my first anthro doll. A Nobility Doll Taro kitty. I want him to make into a memory of my departed kitty that I can take around with me and just cuddle those random times where I miss him terribly. I think that in the end he will likely be the doll that means the most to me on all fronts, emotionally. He'd be no replacement for the actual kitty, but would make me feel better those times where I miss him, or wish he were around for me to pet, or talk to, or just be with.

[Ennui]

I have yet to get my BJD, but I have been collecting/buying dolls for a long time. I became fascinated with the Ellowyne Wilde dolls first because I think she is just so beautiful. Her face captured me, and then her personality sealed the deal. My doll is who I would want to be. lol I love the BJD I'm getting because she also is gorgeous, and I'm already planning all the outfits/wigs and even extra heads I'm going to get to suit exactly who I want to be at that moment. :) I love that she can wear historical clothing, modern clothing, crazy costumes and outfits that I would love to wear but either can't afford, or have nowhere to wear them personally. :D

[H.Kit]

To me they are my family away from my family. I'm studying overseas so I could only see my family about once a year (twice if I could). My boys (dolls) help fill in that gap, they are who I pour my love to and where I can express my creativity. I adore their aesthetics so they are pleasing to my eye plus its awesome that you're able to hold your characters in your arms and 'bring him to life' <3

[Kressdan]

Well, when my doll isn't posing in front of the camera for me, she serves as my therapist whom i tell all my problems and release amped-up stress inside of me, and it helps me a lot.

[kurea]

my doll is my muse, an endless source of inspiration. Sometimes I talk to her when I'm posing her and it seems like she's really listening to me, so you could say she's kind of a friend too. She makes me feel nostalgic as well, I feel like a little girl again when I'm dressing her up. My best friend loves her almost as much as I do, she insisted on becoming her godmother^^

[Ruki]

They mean the world to me. They're there to cheer me up on a rainy day, there to give a hug or chat with when I just need to talk to someone who really listens.
They're my creative outlet, always inspiring me and have me try out my hand at new creative ventures once in a while.
I don't have any friends around where I live so you could say they've also become that, my friends. I know it might sound a bit pathetic, but I guess we aren't all meant to be lucky what with having friends concerns... In any case they'll forever be my little Resin Angels and I love them to bits :heart

[Mahoro]

Initially my dolls were just a replacement for my figure collecting addiction. Kotori certainly was. Kana initially filled the creative void I have because I'm not artistic whatsoever.

Feena however means more to me than anything else I own. I would not be where I am today if not for her. She has healed me more than she will ever know and helped me to regain myself from my own depths. I can safely say I haven't had a single suicidal thought in the past year and a half, and I give all the credit to Feena. She is my best freind, companion, emotional support and psychiatrist all in one xD.

[ResinArmy]

Well my first BJD I got, I was thinking of selling him once because I needed the money, But in the end I just couldn't do it :( So he means a lot to me, and selling him is no longer an option

[aleksloves]

my dolls serve as entertainment when im super bored late at night! i love taking pictures of them in their super cute outfits!

[creamsoda]

My dolls are my peace and quiet. They give me the break I need once in awhile. They have also lead me to finding a great new medium in faceups and sculpting my own dolls.

[strange_grrl]

My doll is the first real hobby I've ever had. Making clothes for her, dressing her in her outfits, making up little daydream stories and posing/playing with her is basically the only thing I do that isn't "productive". Buying a doll was the first thing I had done just for me in very, very long time. Having a doll has really helped me have a more balanced life. It's made me happier and helps keep my sane :)