Your best moment in the hobby?

[Janne]

As Thanksgiving nears (for us Yanks) I've been thinking of all I've had to be grateful for, and some of those things are special moments with my dolls and doll friends! For example, a long time dream doll has just come home to me thanks to a doll friend/angel, and I'm beside myself with happiness and disbelief!

Have you had a crowning moment in the hobby...? (So far, that is!!!)

One where, say, you finally got all the pieces together to create your character, or a look - or found something you've wanted for a long time...?

An Event you got to attend...? Maybe a trip to Sato or some other Dolly Shrine...?

What's your best moment? (Of many to come, I hope!)

[Jun]

So far, my best dollie moment was when I was in Denver last April and went to Denver Doll Emporium. I got to try out all those wigs on Haku, and chat with the owner's daughter who was the one 'holding the fort' that day.
Considering I'm one of 3 or 4 ABJD owners in my country, getting to see all those dolls on display and actually trying out wigs before buying and seeing the display of dollie shoes...
Extreme glee. ^_^

[mylittlefighter]

I think my best moment in the hobby was when I got all my "doll family" together. Ilsa, Ieva, and Yildi were finally whole. It was a sweet moment. :3

It might be even better when Klaus and Alexei come home, though- who knows? :D

Another great moment for me (or, well, several moments :sweat) was hosting a doll meet at my own house. I really enjoyed that. During my childhood, I didn't spend a lot of time with people my own age (there were a lot of deaths in the family and frequent changes in schools), so it was nice to have the "birthday party experience" that I didn't have often as a kid. :blush

[nohbahdee]

Gosh the first NY Dollpa that Volks had was out of this world amazing...I got to meet so many of my DoA friends, I got to tour around the city, talk dolls ALL day, see the amazing dolls raffled off by Volks, I even got selected for the lottery where they gave away Yo's! (Even though I didn't win one ;_; ) I loved sitting in the lobby, passing dolls around, eating Bento boxes...(and going to the Nintendo store and the Japanese bookstore with my new dolly friends certainly didn't hurt!)

[Bel]

My best moment is going to sound pretty stupid, but it was great: I was swapping emails one afternoon with a couple of doll friends, talking about stuff other than dolls, when two of us stumbled across our respective GRAIL OF GRAIL dolls on Ebay for ridiculously low BINs. And we both bought them. It was just a culmination of goodness: good talks with friends I met through dolls, incredible luck, seeing a friend be thrilled, being thrilled myself, etc.

[Kimber Rose]

I think the first time someone said that Azure was their favorite was a really good moment. I know that I love him, and my friends love him, but it feels really awesome when a stranger says that they love him too.

The other best would probably be at the LA Tea Party last year, when Mikey and Mr. Shigeta oohed and ahhed over Azure's piercings and tattoos. Mikey said his tattoos were sexy. ^_^

[Essiekl]

My best doll moment was the first time I saw a resin ABJD in person. I used to see the pictures online and thought they were pretty but seeing one in person really is different. I immediately decided to bring her home~

[Taco]

One of my best moments was over something reletively small--my roommate trimmed up Frank's wig so that it really truly looks like his hair is supposed to (I had a hard time getting his hair right, and I have yet to see a wig made that actually looks like his hair). It's amazing what happens when those little pieces finally fall into place.

[KeiCai]

I think my best moment was the first NY Dolpa. Just being able to meet everyone and spending time with people I had seen on the forums (not to mention spending a weekend in NY!) was an incredible experience I don't think I can ever forget. ^__^

[nakitama]

After each NYC meetup, we go to a little ramen place for dinner. The place is tiny and we usually take up most of the seats in the place. Plus, we're loud and are always laughing at the top of our lungs. They must hate us there :XD But some of my fondest memories from meetups happen there, rather than at the actual meetup. :)

Everytime we walk into that ramen shop is the best moment in the hobby for me.

Eating good food with good friends has got to be one of the best things in life. :)

[lyrajean]

Gosh the first NY Dollpa that Volks had was out of this world amazing...I got to meet so many of my DoA friends, I got to tour around the city, talk dolls ALL day, see the amazing dolls raffled off by Volks, I even got selected for the lottery where they gave away Yo's! (Even though I didn't win one ;_; ) I loved sitting in the lobby, passing dolls around, eating Bento boxes...(and going to the Nintendo store and the Japanese bookstore with my new dolly friends certainly didn't hurt!)

My best moment was also at a dolpha NYC dolpha 2. Meeting Susieq, Lisanthus and Ivy4mdvanni (DOA usernames), and meeting the Shigetas, and Valico was just awesome, and watching S. and L. order their FCS.

I guess just knowing that the dolls can actually help connect you with other people with a similar interest, rather than simply being inanimate objects on a shelf, makes it good.

Sugoikatta!!!!

[Em]

Definitely co-ordinating my Japan trip So I could attend Tokyo Dolpa & spend ridiculous amounts of money!

Also, visiting Sato on the same trip. Such a beautiful & peaceful place!

[purplewiz]

Just one, no, but several stand out...

Finally being able to attend a Volks tea party last August at the Volks mansion. So beautiful, so many dolls, and they fixed my old SD 13 Nono up so nicely! I'd always wanted to go to one of the company sponsored events, but I live in the great flyover.

When I got my Chii. It took a long time and a lot of patience (not to mention money) to get her, and I've never once regretted it.

When I ordered my FCS F-30 in person. I'd ordered an FCS doll before through a friend (I'm still grateful for her help and I still adore the doll!), but it's a completely different experience doing it in person. Especially on only 4 hours of sleep. Thank goodness I'd written everything down!

Marcia.

[Stella Maris]

I think the two New York Dolpas were the tops for me, at the first one it was winning the chance to get Quinn, my one-off MSD F-06, I knew she was coming home with me the minute I saw her, but that was definately topped by Dolpa 2 when Mikey came over to me at the makeup class and said my head was "kawaii". My heart skipped a beat!
The BJD retreat was pretty special too, there are too many moments to single one out.

[thesaraghina]

What a lovely thread, it's nice to see the things that make people happy within the hobby!

I've got a few moments, I suppose:

-Winning the chance to buy my dream doll, a tan Bermann, direct from Tensiya.
-Having a band ask me if they could use one of my photos for their album cover.
-Winning my Tohya One-off at the NY Dolpa 2. (I was so shocked, I just kinda stood there for a second after they called my name with a surprised look on my face. :XD)
-Being able to go to the NY Dolpa 2 at all, and having a fun dollie weekend meeting lots of people I'd only known online before, meeting new friends, and seeing so many lovely dolls all in one place! :kisses

[silk]

I have a few moments:

-Finding the right wig and eyes for Zana that really turned her into Zana and not some Lishe. Gosh, I love her now!

-Receiving my K-ss head and on such a short notice as well!!

-Being able to buy my friend's Gomidoll Iru, a once in a lifetime chance for me, I think.

[Zozolala]

I really enjoy reading about everyone's best moments!

These are mine:

- (obvious) having my U-Noa girls arrive after a 2 years wait, followed by their quite unexpected brother a year later.
- discovering my skills in sewing, photography, being way more creative in general because of my dolls, and finding so many like-minded people on the Net!
- my dad, mom, and older brother didn't laugh at me, but are actually very interested in my little doll clothing business :D

[Jenova]

Aww, what a lovely topic! :D Perhaps when I get to a Dolpa (it will happen! Someday!), that will become my best moment...

I think for right now, that "moment" (moments are of infinite duration! ;D) was the acquiring of Andelis (the fellow in my avatar). From suddenly realizing the sold-out limited mold on the inaccessible Customhouse page was the one I wanted... to finding one on sale on DoA for a good price... to his arrival, where I immediately put in a pair of eyes and an appropriate wig, and found that he was utterly perfect. I quite literally broke out into a huge grin. :blush

[Bobster]

I am still very new to this. My best moments are all bundled together. Right now I don’t think any one is superior to any other. I am sure that will change after a trip to Japan to visit all of the Volks stores. :)

Going to the first SD panel at a local anime con. Then going to panels at 2 more anime cons.
Meeting 2 nice people who wrote notes for me at the 2 panels. One lady wrote all the basics on a note pad while I took photos of the assembled SD’s and MSD’s with her camera. I don’t know who she was, but it was a more than fair trade. The other person wrote notes for me at a different con and those were helpful as well. I used those keywords to search the web for myself.
Finding Resinality from a google search.
Finding DoA.
Opening the box for the first time.
Walking into the store in LA and finding out that the manager is a guy.

Bobby

[Nikittin]

My omukae ceremony with my most prized doll, Isis (the angelic darling in my avatar) at the Halloween tea party in LA. Corny and creepy to some, but to me, it was definitely something memorable and special :heart

[DestroymyRemains]

My first moment, opening my first doll for the first time, of course. <3.

Ive met some fantastic people in this hobby, the doll's are awe-inspiring and just fuel the fire! (So to speak) although my ultimate moment was the morning my dream doll arrived. after a year of scowering, saving, and finally winning the auction for my homme ducan, he was on my door-step and I just can't believe it!

I know for many homme ducan is a dream doll, but he will always be mine. ^^ That was one magical cold morning.

[celestia]

I appreciate the influx of newcomers, the plethora of both new and tried information... right down to the improved accessibility for buying in general.
Personally for me, I think the best moment of the hobby was when everyone was still rather new solid opinions had not already formed. I guess it felt really safe and was left open to what each person liked. When i came back to the hobby, I discovered I preferred having a small group of friends who I could share similar thoughts to- or just indulge in the hobby alone for what i saw it as. I was never one to stalk gallery posts.

Of course as time runs its course, so does the overall persona that comes with the community. That can sometimes deter my interest as it has with other online communities.
In particular with BJDs, i've felt sometimes people have been "given" a particular way to enjoy dolls. For instance, if a person mentioned they didn't like the "cheap" bodies from a particular company- they are get ganged up on and told off. (despite the general promotion of aesthetics as being different for all)

I will admit I find it nearly as enjoyable after i've been really busy doing homework, assignments and exams because as soon as i get the time to breathe again, the world opens up and i always find something else about the hobby to enjoy again...like new head-sculpt releases X3

[Nene]

I think my favourite moment was Rena (My MSD maria) arriving. It was so great to see her in person after staring at her on YJ for so long :sweat I don't think I have ever been so excited about a doll of any kind.

[Myriai]

There have been many great moments in the hobby for me, I'll see if I can just pick a few.

- I met my now roommate saishuu through the dolls and that makes me incredibly happy, we have a lot more in common and we've managed to stay friends even living in close proximity to each other for over a year.

- Meeting up with charlie at LAX when she came to America for AnimeExpo 2006 is up there a bit, it was so much fun to hang out with her :D

- Also up on the list is all the wonderful doll owners at AnimeExpo '06 who came up and hung out in my hotel room until all hours of the night discussing dolls and just talking about all sorts of random things, I met some really awesome people that weekend, one of which sold me her Kohya on a very long layaway *.*

- Opening up the box when Rin (my Kohya) came home and realizing that yes, he was one of my dream dolls even if I didn't quite realize it when I asked the girl at AX if she would sell me hers ^__^

There are just so many moments that shine in this hobby and makes bad moments kinda fade away--it makes me happy to be able to hang out with people who have similar interests to me and I can learn so much from them ^_^

[inari]

Finally being able to attend a Volks tea party last August at the Volks mansion. So beautiful, so many dolls, and they fixed my old SD 13 Nono up so nicely! I'd always wanted to go to one of the company sponsored events, but I live in the great flyover.


That's one of my favorite ABJD memories too! The Volks tea party last summer may have been my once-in-a-lifetime, because we're in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (Hawaii). It was such luck that the party was during our already-scheduled trip to LA. Meeting Mr. Shigeta, Mikey, and everyone from Volks was special. They were all so kind. The Doll Doctor fixed my Mika's leg so she could stand! I was touched by the joy of other doll owners after Doll Doctor services and by the Omukae ceremonies. The dreamy one-offs and the dolls of the other guests were the first BJDs besides my own that I've seen in person. I was in awe. Even my husband - he's not a doll-person - had a great time. :heart We went to the Volks store the next day. It was packed with people! :flowers

[gayle]

The day Lin emailed me and offrered to sell me her SA bermann head for an incredibly reasonable price.!

[LIBRA]

My best moment was probably when my mother admitted she wanted one too....now she has 3 and looks forward to every box opening.

[Merle]

Getting to visit LA Volks store had to be a highlight, as well as going to my first BJD doll meetup and meeting other people who enjoyed this same hobby. I'd love to go to Dolpa in NY one year and envy those of you who have been. It must be just wonderful.

[Osaka]

I think my best moment in the hobby has to be when my son told me that he wanted a doll of his own, and finding him to be serious about it. Knowing that something you're passionate about is being shared with someone you love dearly is a fantastic feeling.

I still get a wonderful warm fuzzy when he tells me to go play with my dolls, or breaks out his little kid-friendly digicam to "do a photostory." That's my boy! ^3^

[Shankula]

My best moment in the hobby was when Haute Doll did a 6 page article on me (about my faceups and Zone of Zen) in October. Even my dad was proud.

That is closely followed by meeting so many friends not only here in Oregon, but getting to meet a couple of people (including the wonderful Merle) when my family went on our cross country trip this summer. It is SO awesome meeting people that you know online 'in the real'.

[Sam]

My best moment so far was when I finally got my first FCS home ^_^ He's a white skin old F-28, and I still love the mold after nearly four years!

[tiggywinkletoo]

My latest best moment was this Christmas.

I was pretty sure that I was getting a Roxy Yam from my family and, sure enough, there was the round box, with ribbons and flowers, under the tree. But when I opened it, there was a head looking up at me! I was stunned. I didn't see a tiny where a tiny should be.

My daughter, who knew that I had a headless body, had found a head for her. I was completely taken by surprise and that doesn't happen often.

The great moment has lasted ever since. I love having a complete doll.

Oh! Yam was hiding on the tree branches and I love her too. :)

[derilan85]

:dance Buying my very LAST doll and now my collection is complete, so now I can buy shoes, wigs, clothes and more eyes when I have the money next year:lol

[lyrajean]

:dance Buying my very LAST doll and now my collection is complete, so now I can buy shoes, wigs, clothes and more eyes when I have the money next year:lol

Wish I could say that... Seems like there's always someone on the "want" list.

[Carolyn.S]

For me it's a tie between...

1. Lucking into an Elfdoll Dodo for resale. Dodo was the first BJD I ever saw. I forgot where I saw her on the web and I was obsessed until I found her again on the web and from there found Elfdoll.com and BJD forums. I wanted her really badly but her final sale had been just weeks earlier. I spent a fruitless 6 months trying to find a Dodo at resale. A month after I gave up, I found one!

2. Ordering Unoa Lusis - finally - after wishing for one for 3 years!

Carolyn

[Amet]

I think it was my... second or third meetup, when it became apparent that some of the people we were hanging out with had the potential to be more than just once-a-month-dollie friends. One of the greatest things about this hobby is the people I've met in it.

[lin]

Being lucky enough to find my "grail" doll before the price went up and the availability became impossible. Also, pretty much every time I get a new doll that I just love. Meeting super nice people that I would not otherwise have ever found.

[crescentwinds]

Finding the perfect doll to be the character from my WIP novel. :nod

[Anavel]

Meeting other people at Dolpa LA.

[plastikman]

the Orlando Fl. Rangetsu meetup last year...I won 100$ at the costume contest, and afterwards felt like a minor celebrity because a lot people wanted to talk to me about it XDDDD

[ArcaneMuse]

My best moment was this Saturday's restringing meet at my house. So many people were afraid of taking their dolls apart but after having support of others and then doing it themselves, wow it was empowering. You get so much more enjoyment from this hobby when you know you can do things on your own.

[Sola]

Getting the w33pies at the NY Dollpa for Sarah and her Toppi and the video presentation for her, and looking around the room to see that pretty much everyone else was broken up, too. All the drama was pushed aside; it made the hobby very human for me, all at once.

[Christy]

I have to say the first time I opened that box from Doll & Hobby and saw
my Michael for the first time - first time EVER seeing a BJD in person.
The *eyes* just floored me how realistic they were. And when I picked
him up that feeling of just....'wow' that I felt. He was so heavy! After
that, the unknown expectation was gone. I mean, it's always cool to see
a new doll, but nothing could beat that first time seeing a bjd. :heart

[MieAga]

One of mine was when I got my Iplehouse Louis in finally. My Bastian had been waiting nearly a year. Other than my DS Bernard, my IP Louis was one of the first dolls I considered seriously. They looked so good as a pair. Especially after I did Shilo's face up. I knew that my pair where perfect!

[Kittywolf13]

My greatest moment is still my "first" moment. I had been watching and reading up on the hobby and was near the "jumping in" point. I knew i wanted an MSD and a girl... but i didnt know who. I was surfing the marketplace when i saw Brightfire's offer of a give away of a nanuri06 head. My curiosity was peaked at the word free. lol. who isnt drawn in by that in this hobby?

I looked at his pics and i felt a light hearted smile come to my face. He wasnt beautiful, he was simply simple and handsome. But there was something in that smile i loved. i decided to throw my name into the drawing...i mean why the heck not, whats to loose?

I went out that weekend and pretty much forgot about it. i got home and jumped on the forum for a few minutes to look and see who won...when i realised people were congratulating me!? i didnt understand till i saw my very first PM in my inbox and i went to check it, heart racing with curiosity.

It was a message from Brightfires saying that i had been the lucky Adoptive Parent to Ringo, the nanuri06 head! I was so excited i nearly cried!! I bounced up and down and spazzed at my now ex bf about how i had won him.

Funny my first would be an SD and a Boy!

Then it was the day his head arrived in that box. I was stoked when i opened it and amazed at all the goodies Brightfires so kindly sent with him, a pair of eyes, two wigs, an outfit for his eventual body, and a cute little necklace. Then i un wrapped him from his bubble wrap prison...and my heart melted. What a sweet face!! I kissed his nose and nearly cried again. I fell in love with that silly sweet smile!

And every moment with Ringo since has been speacial. when he got his body and how mom was just as excited (maybe even more so) to see it! my first face up...my first re-stringing. everything! i love him to death!

And all the other kids have been amazing too.

My first meet up with some one i met on the forum...each meetup after has been better and better.

every moment has been magical...but none tops Ringo's surprise arrival! :D

[Lunasa]

My greatest moments:

- When I got my first girl, Misha, in 2005 (Dollmore Lilis Liv)
- Visiting dolpa in Japan in 2006

[Nuku]

My greatest moment was when a friend of mine gave me their Juri 06 because they didn't want it instead of selling it to me :3

[Dandansama]

Wow Nuku, that's awesome ^___^ You have a good friend there :D

Ok, some of my best moments so far (sorry, couldn't pic one ^^''):

- when I opened my Tender Yen Ayame's box (my first doll, and it was the first time I held a BJD in my hands)
- when I opened my Dollshe SA Husky Noir's box and saw his hands. It was like a dream comming true because I though I wouldn't never see a Dollshe hand in real life!
- when my love Invisible-K gave me an Angelregion Luna head for Christmas (in 2006). This head became one of my beloved characters: Izam ^^
- last week, when I finally got myself a head of one of my dream dolls >w<

That's all for now :D

[Tenshi]

There are a few moments that have stood out for me:

- The arrival of my first doll was like nothing else. I'm excited for all of them to come home, but nothing beats your first! When I lifted the pillows and saw her so small and mummified in bubble-wrap, my heart skipped a beat! I've had a lot of dolls come (and go) since Akiko arrived on the last day of 2005, but getting her meant the most to me.

- A close second "arrival" was that of my first Cristal. Anyone who's tried for a limited Volks knows the rollercoaster of emotions you go through. I lost in the USA lottery, but got lucky in the international AE. She arrived less than a week later. I have never wanted a doll as badly as I wanted Cristal, and when I unwrapped her I felt so lucky to have acquired her.

- The LA Dolpa last November was amazing! I met so many wonderful people and was able to hang out with others I don't see often. I loved seeing how passionate all the Volks staff are about the dolls they make. I was so happy to see a dear friend win an adorable Rei-Tenshi as well. But the standout moment of that weekend was winning my one-off Cristal. I came to the Dolpa not intending to buy anything, but apparently Volks knew my weakness for Cristal XD. When my boyfriend's name was called over the loudspeaker, it took several seconds to sink into my brain. When he finally pulled me out of the chair and walked me to the front of the room, I was close to tears. I was on cloud nine the rest of that night, believe you me! Even over two months later, I get a little misty-eyed looking at my perfect girl with Aone's perfect faceup.

Sorry for the tl;dr ^^;;

[SilverWinglie]

Finding Zarr online. My dolls are based on my long-time story characters, and Zarr's been bouncing around my head for the past eleven years. I'd drawn him plenty, but I wanted a huggable form, and my sculpting/plushie-making talents were horrible.

I'd looked at other dolls, and found some that would make an okay Zarr. Not amazing, but oh well.

Then while surfing doll sites, I found Abio Angel Yi and just like...stopped breathing. XD I dumped most of my paycheck into getting him that weekend. :)

...the second-best moment was when I brought him to MangaNEXT with me, and a couple people squealed over how cute he was when he was standing on his own. X3 Total proud parent moment, that.

[mxiong]

My best dollie moments are the opening arrivals. I never took pics of my first dollie opening so in a way its like I don't have baby pics of her. But for the rest of my dolls I do, for remembering sake. I love opening presents, and this is another way I get to do that.

[janmurphy]

Most recent best moment was open up this (http://www.abjds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3060) little guys box. You should see the little human head, its even cuter than the cat head!

[Artemille]

I guess my best moment would be really early on in my time with the hobby, before I even had a doll, when I found out there was a big group of doll people at my community college. One of them was in my photo class and brought one with her. I had just started looking at different online stores at the time. It was a pretty awesome discovery.

[april]

I've had MANY wonderful times... It's hard to chose one best moment!

-- My first, of course! Made better because he's my dream doll, the first release of CP's Elf El with Vampire Head in BW. He was the first BJD I'd seen in-person. And I didn't have to pay a high secondary-sales price.

-- Attending the second Volks L. A. Mansion Tea Party (August '06). Just a beautiful place and a lovely event! AND winning a One-Off (Shiro Tachibana with Aone faceup).

-- Attending the fantastic Volks Halloween Party at the L.A. Mansion (Oct. '06), with my Shiro and I and a mess of friends dressed as pirates. AND getting an honorable mention from Mikey for the Customization Contest.

-- Getting a big box at in the mail one Christmas--to discover that a friend had sent me her Volks Cyndy 2 as a gift! :o

-- Having a good friend allow me to participate in a photo project so I have a photo AND one of my dolls (CP Juri '05) printed in FDQ Magazine (Winter '07).

-- Attending the Volks L. A. Dolpa (Nov. '07). So exciting being in a room full of 300+ BJD-lovers!

-- Reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people and going to some fantastic Meetups. So much BJD-goodness!!! :D

[starrybright]

Worst moment: After finally deciding to take the BJD plunge and buy my Serendipity Sharmin, she went out of stock on Dollmore!

Best moment: 2 days later I found her for sale on a forum, and the person accepted layaway.. I ended up paying a lot less than if I'd got her from dollmore and when she arrived, I was in love and I knew I made the right choice. :)

Another best moment, buying my Juri'05 head on ebay and having her arrive home safely. :)

[Kalani]

I'd say my best moment was finding out that there were other people in my own state not far from me.....having friends in the hobby is the best thing ever.

[Keeley Keena]

Well I've had several good moments so far and not one best! I might boring to say it, but with the arrival of certain hard to find or hard to get dolls . . . i.e. - my Bermann!! XD

[Gallye]

It probably sounds kind of silly, but I think the happiest I've ever been in this hobby was the day I finally got Jack just the right wig. I went through something like nine wigs looking for one that was the right shape, the right color, and the right size--Iplehouse boys have leeeeeetle pinheads--and all that time he was wearing a mediocre wig that was too big for him and starting to get a little ratty but was, at least, the right shape and color.

And then Iplehouse started selling wigs made to fit their dolls, I pounced on one, and it was perfect. I finally had Jack's wig. For just a moment, all was shiningly right with the world.

[meronine]

Mine is every moment I look at my unoa. She's so cute. :cry :heart

(lol, I'm sorry, but it's true! T^T)

[demivenom]

getting my first doll. for sure. it was amazing

[julidc]

My best moment would be winning my Sei-Tenshi "Gotham" at the first NYC Dolpa. But my second best moment would be when I received my first ABJD, Volks SDC Kaede. Its really difficult to pick out the top moments though, because I can't honestly say I've had many real lows when it comes to this hobby. Even earlier this month I was finally able to buy an outfit for my guy Heath that I've been wanting for about 2 years. When I dressed Heath in this outfit, it got my enthusiasm going anew for all of my dolls.

Juli DC

[Tabris]

I would say my best moment was going to the NYC Dolpa last year. I didn't win anything, and I didn't have any Volks dolls of my own, but it was still a lot of fun. I think the whole experience was amazing, because I wouldn't have expected a doll company to care enough to plan a whole event, and actually fly the owners and designers and such over to attend and speak to us, hold a very nice dinner, and even give us gifts. Even though I didn't win anything, I still got to go home with a little gift. That was amazing. They didn't leave anyone out.

Haha, I'm kinda gushing and getting cheesy, I guess. So I'm going to blame it on the fact that I'm really sleepy, and stop here. :)

[Sirius]

Best moment was when I ordered Chiwoo Elf, not because he was my dream doll or anything, infact, I actually thought after buying him I might not like him.

My mind was quickly changed when I opened him.

Also, I'd say winning a Reminisce Sooah head was quite cool as well, since I very rarely win stuff.

[chai_fiend]

like others have said, i think my best moment in the hobby has to be dolpa nyc 2 last year.
it was a good excuse to roam nyc with a good friend, see other dolls, and meet more people into the hobby that i knew and didn't know. above all, it was just amazing to see how generous VOLKS staff are. it was really touching to see how devoted and appreciative they are. i went as a guest and didn't feel like a third wheel or something at all. it was good times indeed. :)

[bishieprince]

my best moment was getting my new girl to represent my 21st birthday..

[Astrid]

Attending the opening of Tenshi no Sumika and getting my first Volks doll.

[Hunajasieni]

My best moment is when I get the doll ready/finished. When I have done face up, blushing and sueding, wig and eyes and clothes. When I see her/him like should, the feeling is so amazing and it stays sometimes over months. The feeling when I have made the doll MINE. When they are not having all of this I feel not as good, even if one thing misses it bothers bit. That is why I try to make them finished when I can. It is even lot better than having the new one home.

Also when I fall in love again with my doll the finished extacy have gone already, it also feels really good. Third is when I get new doll. :3

[megami]

My best moment is when i open the box and see how wonderfully beautiful my dollies are to me. Then everytime i take photos of them i love how they almost come to life. =)

[ODSTAdrianFii]

My best moment so far really was the moment the Homme Ducan I bought for my boyfriend came home and he just... lit up opening the box and loved him so completely when he saw him.

[elphsnt]

I've collected dolls a long time, but for me the best part about BJDs is that I can enjoy this hobby in person and not only over an internet connection. I love...

1) Going to a Sumika, browsing and doll-gawking.
2) Going to Tenshi No Sato on a day out and relaxing. Nothing helps me de-stress more. Of course, maybe it's the koi?
3) Seeing a different side of Japanese culture. I love the people-watching and I think that probably makes up the best moments of all.

[DeltaFoxtrotZulu]

My best moments are when an outfit I'm working on comes together with every piece feeling like it belongs and there doesn't seem to be any more to add or remove. I sew all the clothes and make most of the accessories. I don't let myself get away with too many shortcuts so it often takes me a while before I'm truly happy with a look.

[ozziegoth]

Getting a message from someone saying "OMG I adore your drow - I've shown my husband and he wants one too!!" because said husband was a huge fan of the books my boy Drizzt is based on. It was quite a high to have him 'recognised' !

[Buff]

Your drow is great, Ozzi. Drows unite!

Anyway, my best moment was when I realized I was finally decent enough that I would never have to pay for a face-up again.

[shelley]

My best times are each time I look into Lilis Liv's eyes... she's so real, so REAL, that I suddenly get a strange feeling that she will smile, wink on of her eyes and say hello to me !

[miakyou]

My best moment in this hobby is I finally owned my dream dolls and dresses...

[Ash]

So far there have been three moments with BJD's that I am immensely grateful for:

1. When my minimee heads arrived, they were exactly the same color and fitted the body of my dollzone Yuu. The heads were the first BJD part I ordered, and at that time I had no idea of "resin matching" and on top of that I thought all SDs had the same measurements :oops, so I think I got VERY lucky that they matched a body I already had.

2. I ordered my SooRi head because I liked the pictures on the site, but I had no character in mind for it. To me it didn't resemble the pics on the site when it arrived (the face-up makes a lot of difference),
but it did look very much like a character I had really wanted to make a doll of for some time.

3. At the beginning of this year I read about another character I very much wanted to fit in my little group and make a doll of. Unfortunately I also knew that this year I wouldn't have money for new dolls. I did however have one doll I couldn't bond with at the time and contemplated selling.
It never came to that. When I started looking for pictures of the character I wanted to recreate I found out that he actually looked quite a lot like the doll I already had. So after sitting on the shelf for a full year and nearly being sold he became one of my favorite dolls.

[Maxwell]

my moment was when I had returned home from bowling with a friend, I left her in my room and went to use the restroom and came back to see her holding and taking photos of my J-Na, Elissa... which is really 'awwww' because of how she was handling her and the fact that a few years prior she was deathly scared of these dolls ^^

[Izayoi]

Hmmm, I've had so many...
Ending up in the LA Times lolita spread with one of my dolls

Having my dolls photos appear in the Volks USA blog

But the best moments happened in Japan for me.
Meeting the Shigetas at the Tokyo Disneyland Event. I was surprised and happy that they were so curious about Volks in the USA and what the American customers.

Doing omukae at Tenshi No Sato. I had sent an email to Volks prior to my trip and was delighted by the response I got-yes I would be allowed to do it! I was further surprised that the manager of Sato had an English speaking friend help with the emails and I was pleased with my visit there. I can't wait until I return to Sato.

[cifr]

My best moment in this hobby happened twice. :)

First time is when I first received my first boy's head, my Sch-A, Motoki. I don't know how to explain how glad I was. hehehe :shifty!

The second moment is just happened by last month when I received my Miruku (after she bring me a big bill of custom as arrival gift), and I open her box with my friend in sunny day in the park. She has been one of my dream doll and she finally came to me. I'm so happy~ :D

[repulsive333]

I think my best moment was the day that my Faun arrived. She is my pride and joy. I love all of my dolls so very much, but she is the one that is closest to my heart. Ever since i saw the first BJD i was hooked and always wondered if there would be fantasy dolls out there (i was newb at that point)...
So when i discovered that Soom created fantasy dolls i freaked! I saw their hooved characters (Sard and Beryl) and hoped that since i missed the chance to buy one that they would come out with another one. When Amber came out, i was so happy i bought her the first moment i saw her... then i waited...
She didnt come until almost 8 months later... And when i saw that box i cried.

Her name is Galatea May Serene... I will post pictures as soon as my camera starts working again.

[Paladia]

Hometown Dollpa in Kyoto last year. I got to meet E. and M. and walk around with Jon in my arms all day. It was so liberating and so much fun, and I hope one day to recapture that feeling...

[aneemal]

I haven't been in the hobby that long to name a best moment, but I'm hoping it will be the moment I lay hands on my first doll!!!!

[StudioPandora'sBones]

Weirdly, I'd say mine was when I accidentally dropped a head and a small chip appeared in the nose. I felt horrible, but it helped me to be less afraid of customizing my dolls.

[HighPriestessIce]

Travelling to Tokyo a couple years ago for Dolpa. And playing dolls with random guys in Yoyogi park : P

[shikaruchan]

my best momments are when i first got my doll

[klum*9]

My best moment was getting my DT Elysia. I have LONG wanted her and just got her a few weeks ago. She is Gorgeous.

[ozziegoth]

I have a couple of moments - When my darling drow boy, Drizzt finally came together! He was my first character doll.

When David Tennant announced that he was leaving Doctor Who, I decided I wanted a minimee Ten. On a whim I put a WTB thread on DOA and - viola! Not too long a wait and he was mine! I'm now saving for a body (bye bye tax refund!) and a snappy suit for my very own Ten.