What's your favorite aspect of the hobby...?

[Janne]

As I was happily opening a new wig that arrived yesterday, I got to wondering about the various aspects of the hobby, and what makes them enjoyable...? (Too obviously, I enjoy shopping!)

I love photographing my dolls, but I also enjoy poring over photos of new dolls and limited items, and browsing online shops and sometimes eBay for the perfect fabric, or accessories to pull a theme together.

I'm also perfectly happy to get a ready-made outfit now and then or sew something on my own, but I know others like to scout out and bid on one of a kind beauties from Y!J, and check out the latest artist offerings.

Other people make amazing artwork of their own dolls. (Color me envious! :D )

What's your favorite aspect(s) of the hobby...? :yey

[lyrajean]

Sewing for the resin kids. I love shopping for them too, although I don't buy clothes other than shoes.

I've been a doll collector for a lot longer than I've been into BJD, and I have to say tha meeting and connecting with other people via the web and in person at dolpha, meetups etc. has been a fabulous bonus. otherwise these hobboes would be very solitary ventures.

[gothchics]

I think for me it's the 'whole package' getting to see them come to life before my eyes, the costuming, wig, eye selection and trying to capture the 'human' of them in a photograph. The escape from reality with something that you attempt to create as real. Finding that perfect accessory, that perfectly scaled prop, that beautiful fabric that strikes inspiration to make something wonderful for them. I even love restringing and sueding lol.

[Osaka]

I love playing with them the best! XD After that, I love sewing for them.

I also really enjoy doing faceups and seeing my own skills improve each and every time. My latest faceups are so much better than my first ones, and I know that my next faceup will be even better than the last one.

[Memai]

Mmm bringing the characters inside my head to life (and I've got one too many XD). Designing and sewing outfits for them is fun too :3 Photographing them are always a pleasure (even if most of the ones I took aren't mine XDDD *still saving*)

[Anavel]

I enjoy just about every aspect of this hobby:

Shopping
Finding clothing
Face up - not good at doing it myself, but enjoying looking at all the different potential each doll has with different face up
The collecting part
the photography side.....

at this point, there is still resale value to them, so unlike my other collections, they are worth something LOL

[Taco]

I enjoy a lot of different things--shopping for dolly things, doing faceups, going to meetups, I've been starting to enjoy photography more.

However, my absolute favorite thing is writing stories about them. Half my crew are story characters and writing about them is how I get to know them better and bond. It's also something I can do anywhere--all I need is paper and pen. That's one of the nicest things this hobby has done for me--it got me back into writing again.

[Hobbysue]

I like the creativity of it. I started off with Tonners and loved some of the OOAK face-up but was amazed when people started criticizing them for 'ruining' limited dolls. Most people expect BJDs to be customised so there isn't the 'don't mess with the doll' attitude. It encourage me to have a go at doing my own face-ups. I've also started sewing for the dolls, then designing my own patterns which I love. I'm now confident to make outfits for my kids using my own patterns after having practised so much with the dolls. I've also dabbled in jewelry making and beading etc. I've just never had a interest that gives me the opportunity to do so many different crafts and combine them into one project. Next I'm going to try making some doll furniture and see how I go.

[Amet]

I love dressing them, and having them sit with us while we're doing things. Which is the simplest thing, but sometimes just putting them in a really lifelike pose and having them around to look up and stare at is nice.

[Echo]

Watching my dolls transform, or grow so-to-speak. With a new outfit, wig, or eyes; as you make each mold your own (that's what is so great about bjds, despite having the same molds as other collectors, they are so versatile and can easily be made your own).

And definitely being able to play with them! I have been a collector of animation cels for a long time, and while that's a fun hobby/addiction, you really cannot "play" with them. :( (it's more of a "look but don't touch" hobby :p )

Photography is also a lot of fun. Having your bjds interact with others, and the environment. You can definitely make a day of it. ^^

[saraquill]

Sewing, for sure. I'm constantly plotting and designing new things for my girls, and sometimes frantically sewing in order to keep up with the backlog of ideas. I also really like tweaking their looks with different eyes, wigs and other non lasting changes. No matter how much those things change, they are still the same dolls.

[AlhanaTsuki]

My favorite would have to be getting new dolls and going to meetups. I love getting a chance to hang out with other doll people and I love how having this as a hobby has increased my amount of friends. I have a lot of new friends in my area that I would have never met if I didnt have a doll. So I really like the social aspects of it.

[MelWong]

I'm pretty big on painting and modding, probably due to my history with 28mm pewter miniatures and garage kit resin models.

Right now Tomoe-chan is being stripped (again) as I prep her for some eye-closing mods, and I'll work on sanding her cheeks down a little while I'm doing that, too.

I've just got to wait for a balmy day outside, seeing it's been below freezing in the day most days and I prefer to do my spraying and sanding outdoors. >.<

I'm not as big on photography, as I have shaky hands, and I can't sew very well, but I do really enjoy admiring other folks' efforts in those areas. I know I'm going to have to put pictures of Tomoe's mods up eventually, so that's an incentive to pick the camera up a couple more times, at least.

- Mel

[WaterValor]

My favourites would be sewing for them, painting their picture and taking lots of photos even if they are my customers!:D*still waiting for my doll* But what I really like is how you can change everything about them in a snap.:)

[Songblade]

I enjoy making a doll into one of my manga characters :D I have too many characters and not enough money and room for dolls! But maybe someday LOL

As for not-me enjoyments, I LOVE to see how people have customized their dolls. That's a huge attraction towards this hobby for me, the fact that not every doll is the same since they are owned by so many different people. :)

[Bel]

Huffing new resin. :nosebleed

[Nikittin]

The dolls themselves are my favorite aspect. "Interacting" with these beautiful objects via looking, posing, touching, holding, photographing, dressing, making up stories, etc. is such a relaxing joy! An expensive joy, but a sublime joy nonetheless! :p

Also, the like-minded people I've come to meet and know through the dolls is another wonderful aspect. Without sharing with my online doll friends, it just wouldn't be the same.

Oh yeah, and the huffing of new resin as Bel pointed out :nod

[derilan85]

I love dressing my dolls and changing their wigs and shoes, my camera is not the best at photos, but I love taking pics of them, and browsing on the web at the different doll sites. Good thing I am not a rich person, I would be broke from buying all the dolls I see, and no room to put them in:lol

[Sae]

shopping when i have the money and dressing them, i love trying to work out outfits for them and wigs and eyes its just so much fun ><
also looking at other peoples dolls photo's, helps me decide my next one and its just eye candy, and i love eye candy :D

[FunnyLori]

Huffing new resin. :nosebleed

Yup. That's my favorite too. Soom and Bambicrony have the best in my opinion...

:kisses

Really, posing and taking photos. I also love modding dolls. Nothing extreme, just mobility issues, and working out little quirks from the resin. I also love Love LOVE restringing dolls. It is so much fun to learn all the jointing systems.

My least favorite parts are the price (not that I'm cheap), and wig shopping. I can never find what I want that fits right...

[ArcaneMuse]

Sewing and doing faceups. Those are my top favorite aspects of this hobby. But I also enjoy the hunt for accessories and furniture SD-sized. Of course, socializing with others who share the hobby is a plus, too.

[Lotte Rotten]

What I love the most is...simly just having my dolls around me. Their little cute faces never fail to cheer me up when I'm down and I always feel warm inside when I get home and see them sitting there 'waiting' for me.

Having said that, I do enjoy making them clothes AND the excitement of searching the web for dolly treasures is a good drug :)

[earthspirits]

I especially enjoy photographing my dolls, striving always for a sense of realism in my pictures, as well as beauty and harmony. A doll truly doesn't "come alive" for me until I have photographed him or her. In fact, if a doll doesn't prove photogenic, I usually re-home them, no matter how pretty. My dolls are all avatars for my own literary characters, and also serve as muses for my various artistic endeavors, including writing, artwork and photography. I have also gotten into customizing them, so that ties in nicely with my art interests too. :)

[lin]

I love all of it! Seeing a new doll that makes me gasp, the long anticipation of buying and making up a personality, the thrill of box-opening, the scramble for clothes and accessories, posing and photographing, chatting about it with friends and strangers on doll forums, and then just looking over at them. It's exactly like being a child again with lots of new friends who love the same things.

[Fango DeMaria]

I don't exactly own my own doll quite yet, but in my experiences so far, with my friends' dolls, I find that I love all aspects of the hobby. Sewing, customizing, photography, modifying, and even repair. I helped a friend out yesterday with a doll who was, in a sense, damaged. It seems that while she was out working or at school, her little brother went into her room, picked up a permanent marker and proceeded to give her doll thick, solid black eyebrows, thick, dark eyelining, and even fill in his nostrils, ears, belly button and his... erm... downtown bonanza. Naturally, my friend freaked when she found out and tried to wipe it off with dry Mr. Clean Magic eraser and sanding. It didn't work. She then IMed me and asked me if I knew where she could get a DZ Megi head cheap. She told me the story, and I managed to talk her out of scrapping the head she already had, and coming to my house to fix the damage. We managed to get most of it off that day, and the next day, another friend of mine showed me how to get everything off, and we did. He's now getting a brand new faceup and will soon be home. Um... I forgot where I was going with this... :sweat

Oh, yeah. I really love repairing the dolls. Then again, it appeals to the handywoman in me. ^_^.

[MieAga]

Doll origionality. I love mods, I love unique face ups and I love fashion I've never seen before.

I guess I also adore falling in 'love'. Nothing better than seeing a doll that takes your breath away. Maybe it's what you see and maybe it's just the potential. But either way, when you see it's not a 'Maybe', or 'That's cute!'. If you're able to think at all, it's "Mine!" :)

[Faireyangel]

One of my favorite things is all the places a doll brings to me. :)

Heh, for example, the doll is from Korea, the eyes are from Japan, the wig from China, the pants from California, the shirt from Virginia, all sitting here on my shelf in New Jersey-- or something like that. ;)

I find that pretty awesome. :sweat

[captainkyo]

Pretty much everything about this hobby i love.
.. well besides that fact when you buy something the money goes away. xD

I love Shopping. :yey
Putting outfits together.
Photographing them.

I dont sew, or customize..
(though ive tried!)
but i love seeing the stuff other people make/come up with.

I love to just sit for hours browsing, ebay, yj, the forums, company sites..
just looking at stuff. =w=

[Mekou]

Ahh, what don't I love about this hobby? XD

Sewing - I get to sew outfits that I can't make for myself, and it requires small amounts of fabric, so it's definitely cheaper. XD
Socializing - I find a doll is a great ice breaker, as people will often come up to me at cons and stuff and ask about it. There's also lots of socializing at doll meets.
Stories - Getting to read and write stories for them. ^_^
Photography - I like taking pictures and my doll gives me a good excuse to do so.

[Chops]

Favorite aspects of BJD hobby---painting faceups! A close second is buying doll clothes!

[kawaii_mon]

Sewing, photography, writing. These guys are my muses, I love it.
And all the wonderful friends I have made through the hobby. Don't know what I'd do without some of them. :)

[Rosebud]

I think my favorite aspect is that I have a hobby to share with my daughter and maybe my mother. My mother collects old dolls though. It's nice to share something.

[Flying Carrot]

I have so many aspects of this hobby that I enjoy. I just love playing with them, even if it's dressing them up in something different every few days. I love sewing for them, as well.

I also love just looking at them. It's nice to have a constant in your life, sometimes.

[lemonsky]

My *absolute favourite* aspect? That would be just having him around. Just being near him makes me happy and feels comforting. <3

The runner ups are
2nd - putting together an outfit for him + faceups
3rd - taking photos. ^^

[Robyn_in_WA]

I learned to sew just to make things for my dolls - they 'make' me want to
create things for them. I especially love doing heirloom sewing for them.
Most of the things I seem to make are period type gowns - I find that sewing
for the guys is less fun than for the gals so I end up buying male outfits.

Taking photos never turns out quite like I hoped - but so many folks do
such a great job that I keep trying.

I did put together a couple of unoa hybrids last year - and have had fun
getting them a horse and starting to gather 16" things for them. I won't
sew for the small ones - so buying things for them is also fun.
Robyn in WA :)

[dollypie]

what I find appealing to the BJD is that you can do so much with them. even if they're still just a doll, the possibilities are endless. =) As far as I am concerned, I like the idea of styling and dressing a doll, posing them for photos, taking pictures (of course), picking out clothes and accessories for them, creating a character, a background story, a personality for them, browsing online shops & looking for pretty stuff and buying nice things for your doll. Also, joining a forum/community and being able to share, I don't know if that's concerned an aspect of the hobby but it sure adds to the enjoyment, for me. :)

I like that I will be able to talk to like-minded people, read their opinions on doll stuff, look at their photos in the gallery and generally being a part of a community, it's so much fun. I just love everything about it. ^^ :blush

[tiggywinkletoo]

My favorite thing is looking at the beauty of the dolls. I love their little faces. When I am sad, they are always there, looking their best and cheering me along.

I would never try painting one, but I do love to sew and knit for them. Fabric patterns and colors cheer me up, too.

I also enjoy reading what others think about their dolls, especially here where there are adults to talk to.

The whole hobby is a pleasant, happy package.

[kathrynmary]

i love seeing face ups. i like seeing how a doll can look totally different.

i also like to read about the dolls character and what they are like.

[Rosebud]

I think dressing them up and sewing for them. I also think it would be fun to make them furniture. I have the basics for furniture making and think I can make smaller versions.
When I was a teenage I saw a miniture house with dolls and working lights on display in a store, I loved it. I went home and made room sets for my Barbies. My mom helped me.

[laeticia]

I like all the options and all the effort that it takes to assemble what you want. I like the creative aspect, but I'm a bit hit and miss at it.
I also like reading the message boards and talking to people on forums - it's an interesting place.

[flpinkboxsociety]

i like sewing and enjoying all the htought that goes into the dolls.

[Alayna]

Oh my, how can I choose?:D I love sewing for them, so much easier than costuming humans! I also love taking pictures, it's so satisfying to finally capture a new emotion or to successfully portray a mood. But then, I think one of the most thrilling things about this hobby is watching your dolls take on and develop their own personality until they almost come alive. That's the part that makes it magical to me. When you finally find the right wig, or eyes, or clothes and -bam- you know it's right.

[kodamansan]

I love that you can costimize, and that there are really no 2 are the same!!
But I really like shopping for them!!!
Lol
Addicting!!!

[kateb]

Well ... so far I've enjoyed kind of realising how much fun dolls can be! I've enjoyed making up personalities and back-story and stuff ... making up characters is just the most fun thing on earth for me! ^.^
I don't have my doll yet (weep!) so, I've been going through preparations for her arrival! :D

[kagami]

Customization and aesthetics, for sure~~ ^______^

[lisaastrup]

Hi.

I love sewing for them, dressing them, taking photos and selling the clothes for other collectors :) and then sew some more.

http://www.lisaastrup.dk/army3.jpg


Lisa

[clem_and_mikas]

I love that the options are endless in what you can do with BJD's, prop making, sculpting, wig making, photography, painting and so much more, you can explore every creative outlet with them :)

[LauraJ]

At my house, it's a family thing. Both my daughters are into the dolls, one having saved up for her own. I personally enjoy creating for the dolls. And we go to doll meet-ups as a family (my son even goes).

[Lokita]

Customizing! I love that I can change practically anything about my bjds if I wanted to ^^

[diddoh]

I love making personalities for them and showing that through their face-up and clothing which I do myself. I also love taking pictures of them as you can capture so many expressions.

[sgtgeorgecarter]

I enjoy the dolls themselves and the people.
It's great fun to outfit them and make things for them and post pictures of them.

Each one hows a different part of me and my tastes. And they can wear clothes that I can't!

[hoshinokachi264]

what i love about this hobby is how it is a successful outlet creativley. there are very few things that i have stuck with over the years, mainly because i lose interest easily. i discovered BJD when i was about 15 years old. i didn't get my first doll until i was 18. but for some reason over the 3 year period in which i tried to decide if i wanted a doll, i never lost interest. maybe for a few weeks, or a month or two, but BJD was so easy to come back to.

i have had my girl for almost a year now, she doesn't have many clothes or accessories, but i still care deeply about her. now that i actually have time, i think about what i would like to make her, what kind of fabrics i would like to use for an outift.

BJD is such a great outlet. it can help to distract you from the bad things in your life, and keep you busy. helping you stay creative and imaginative.

[bishieprince]

I love customising the doll! be it the face up or choosing of clothes n wig...=)

[seoff]

My favorite aspect of this hobby is dressing and photographing my kids. I love to put them in beautiful clothes and take them outside for a photo shoot. I have loved photography for many years. These dolls have taken me back to my first love.

[calalillith]

My absolutely favourite thing about the hobby is the friends I have made through it -- I have friends now that are not just 'doll friends' but who are *real* friends, and this means A LOT to me.

What I like best about the dolls is how, even though I don't have characters to personify when I get one, I do have a sense of what the doll will be 'like' ... and generally when they arrive, they blow that out of the water.

[Poppy]

It as to be seeing my idea of beauty every day...the thrill of just walking past my resin and glancing still gives me a buzz..i love everything about them.

[KasaMadhuri777]

Customizing, definately. I am already an artist, so ABJD ever-so-naturally became an extension of my lust for creating and working with my hands. I also love making my own BJD. ABJD inspires me to make more art. There's nothing better than that.

[lilie]

Yes I would say sewing and how the particular elements of a "look" are brought together

[Otty]

reading through the replies. Mine is similar too
I really enjoy sewing for the kids (esp girl), shopping for sewing material and photo them. ^ ^
I would love to try face-up one day. Right now hmmm do not have any courage to erase default face-up :D

[miyako]

The control I can have, so that I can let loose all my imagination & creativity to write up their stories, personalities & characters.. XD;;

[esqueTHIRTEEN]

I love how customisable they are.
Every single aspect is all up to you. Their clothes, faceup, character, mould, body. EVERYTHING!

Oh, and taking photos of them, sewing for them, making accessories for them, and planning their outfits and everything in general. :D

[joints]

For me, putting everything together,
Making the clothing, doing the face-up and body blushing.
Shopping for wigs, eyes, shoes and what-not.
Then once the doll if finally complete, the enjoyment of knowing I did it all myself!

[Juish]

I see so many original character dolls so i know this is the right hobby to get into. All the possibilities and customizations are wonderful, plus all the ways of making money in the market or offering your services. It's amazing how one mold can have thousands of variations depending on the faceup, clothes, and accessories.

[Brian]

So much things !! photos, customizations, try re-try different styles, painting .. in one word : playing with !!

[woyiyeyi]

I really like to sew for my resin familys, changing their clothes, shoes, wigs, eyes, etc...Also I enjoy the time just have them with me, face to me or whatever position they are in, look at them, hug them, kiss them whenever, wherever and whatever I'm doing. In conclusion, I enjoy their company most of all.

[Chibi_Fluffy]

I like to just look at them =P

And imagine what they would do =D

Clothing them too >w<

I cannot really do any of these with Meredith (Dressing a head is quite difficult) but with Mirabeel it is fun =D

And trying to make them pose too XD

[chappuru]

Definitely customizing dolls and creating tales through photography. :)

[nekoneko]

I'm facinated with the variety of dolls. They have different facial expressions, resins, sizes, clothings, shoes, wigs... etc etc. So many to learn about them :)

[limedragon]

Receiving packages XD Though it is hard for me since my mum doesn't approve of this hobby @___@ I also love to shop for my doll, attend meet ups and just look online at all the other doll stuff :kisses

[ODSTAdrianFii]

I'm all about the planning phases, finding the right wigs and eyes, the right body and then mapping out mods and face ups but I do love making furniture for the hobby.
Beds are quickly becoming my favorite thing to make.

[Tempting_Death]

The moment you get your new doll and you get that moment of excitement when you hold them for the first time. That's totally it

[Maxwell]

my favorite aspects is the customization, the photography... and all the great clothing that I just love XDD

[bathophobia]

I love interacting with my dolls and seeing what poses work naturally for them. It's a really nice feeling to have something that's "yours" like that.

[Arkady]

For me, it has to be the customisability; the way that it's possible to have a room full of dolls, all the same mold - and yet each can look totally different.

[cifr]

Honestly, *raise my hand*, I love shopping too. XD!
Also, I love photography and love to live with something beautiful, like the ABJDs. They're beautiful in many way to me. Sculpts, joints, face-up, outfits, wigs, eyes, etc... OMG That's why I love them and this hobby, they're just beautiful. :heart

[Gulwen]

i have colected doll my entier life and i have to say
1 I LOVE DOLLS
2 BJD are so much fun i can make them in to enything thats just perfekt and they are pretty and make ke happy. I'm gooing all fluffy in my brain by thinking of it. :D happy me... okej... so the making of stuff is fun and the shoping and the odd (a good odd) peaple. :D

[blue_night87]

buying them different colored eyes and wigs. dressing them up is the best part of the hobby <3

[Mellybeans]

Photographing them, definitely.<3 Also customizing each one to look unique. Part of the fun of owning a BJD is having a doll that is completely your own, and the fact that not one other in the world could exist exactly like it. :3

[WindGuardKT]

My favorite thing is sewing for them, or at least attempting to! I also love to go to meet ups; I have made several good friends through this hobby.

[ellynor]

I like setting up dioramas, taking photos, and creating a pseudo reality world. It allows yourself to become lost in an alternate world of creativity. I also like to learn more and help others feel more comfortable with their resin BJDs. AnnMarie

[timid]

Hrm, it's hard to pick one favourite aspect, but . . . I'd have to say the moment when I get something right. The right wig, eyes, clothes, pose, picture, etc., that make me see the character in the resin. Oyabaka moments, when I get a warm feeling seeing how cute/gorgeous they are, are right up there for me, too *L*.

The excitement of company events, whether online or IRL, is another thing I love. I also really love shopping for doll stuff, which is why I have so much of it . . . :| (just bought a set of shelves just for doll stuff, and it doesn't all fit on them)

[CherryChansGifts]

My favorite aspect of the hobby would have to be getting the doll the first time. The excitement built up waiting for the doll, the arrival and tackling of the postman, the box opening and the squeeing after the box is opened and you see your little resin beauty. ^_^ And I am so happy that I get to relive that moment around February! X3

[pbrennan42]

Huffing new resin. :nosebleed

If you get a PukiPipi you can put Kitten Huffing (http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Kitten_huffing) and new resin huffing together... :p

Sorry, I could not resist...

I like seeing what others do with their dolls a lot. Yes, it is a bit vicarious, but it is gonna have to be until my first doll arrives. Then when she comes I can think about making or commissioning new outfits for her, exploring her character, maybe doing some photoshoots, etc...

Phil.

[s0yuz]

I think the favorite part of this hobby for me is photography. I've learned a lot about camera techniques and lighting effects since I've started photographing my dolls. Mind, I'm far from great, but I'm having fun learning.

[asecondbreath]

I love sewing for them, and bringing the images in my head to life.
I love searching and shopping for props and accessories and finally finding that perfect piece I was looking for.
I love all of the creative aspects of the hobby but I also really enjoy the other doll owners who I would never have had an opportunity to 'meet', were it not for this hobby!

[Iron_Dog]

Probably bringing my visions to life. I really enjoy making things (sewing/knitting/jewellery) for my dolls as well.

I also like seeing what people can do with a sculpt to make it their own and how different the same sculpt can look with just a different wig or eyes or face-up. The mods that people do are amazing and I love seeing what people do.

[kurisuteru]

Overall, the creativity of the hobby. I like to sew and paint among other things so the crafting was what really drew me in. However, as time goes on I find myself interested in other parts of the hobby like the photography and stories.

[tommieandgary13]

I love just the look of the dolls they are so wonderful and just works or art I think! But I love dressing them and posing them! I start working with pics soon I hope!

[lolkat]

I think like most of you, I like lots of aspects but for my it's the surprises and the versitility of the dolls that I love most. I love experimenting and seeing how a different wig/eyes/faceup can change the whole feel of a doll. I also admire the different styles and ingenuity of my favourite doll sculptors.
I also love setting up scenes and finding to-scale acessories.
In theory the photography/facups/sewing are also important to me but I've been so busy ever since my first doll arrived I've had so many plans for photoshoots but I just can't find time to do them. so she just lives on her shelf and gets admired from there T_T

[pbrennan42]

I have to admit that I rather enjoy the plotting, purchasing of dolls and outfits, and the puling together of concepts most of all.

I should finally see my 1/4 Mei sometime in the next week or so as she has shipped yesterday...

Phil.

[Geass]

Definitely a large part of it goes into making my age old original characters become 3D. And just everything you can do with them. :]b

Most of all though I love the close friends I made through them.

[CreamPop]

The clothes. I loveloveLOVE the clothes! :D Putting together outfits is a lot of fun, and the smallness of the clothing (I have MSD-sized girls) combined with the details (especially when it comes to shoes) makes me squee. :p

[aernath]

The photography. I was never really into it, until the dolls came along.
Now, I love looking at their photographs sometimes more than just staring at the doll itself!
(is that wrong? ^__^;;; )

[Akasarushi]

I get to be expressive, creative, and at the same time. own Gorgeous Dolls that helps comfort me when i'm scared or afraid of something... especially after scary movies and they will be sleeping next to me and hold my hand(more like i hold theirs.) lol

[april]

1. Inspiration. Having, looking at, dressing, photoing something beautiful and cool like a BJD. I just like them... and want to play about with them--as in dressing them and posing them and tinkering with their look. They are a muse of a kind--something inspiring and interesting that can make me think of stories and art. I like having these smaller-scaled visions of characters and creatures to gaze at (I've got anthros and fantasy dolls).

2. Fashion / Shopping. OK... so I love clothes and costumes! It's just so fun to have so many fantastic boots and outfits for my dolls. I'd have them for myself, but that's even MORE expensive, if you can believe it--and I have fewer places to wear 'em than the dolls! Plus the dolls are such perfect models! They always look fantastic, and I love them to look that way.

3. Socializing . It's fun chatting on the forums and interacting in-person at meetups with people with like-interests. I've always enjoyed that (with various interests) and really enjoy the huge group of people who are so enthusiastic over BJDs who love to chat here and other places, and meetup in person. It's just a lot of fun. I'm not a great photographer, so all that kind of thing--the photos and sharing, for me, pretty much are covered in this category, since I take photos to share, mostly, not just for myself.

[draw-my-heart-on]

i like browsing online to get them clothes! xD (shopping!)
and making wishlists of future doll :D
also making a calendar to calculate about when i should receive my doll :)

that all sound so stupid xDD

but of course i enjoy ''playing'' with them. i try to make them do impossible poses. and i just like looking at their pretty face ^w^

[gloombox]

Doing faceups, by far! Customization in general, I would say.

[dollyface89]

Photography and dressing them up ^_^ Also, browsing the web for more clothes to buy them

[kiwae]

My favorite is the success of getting them in the right position and not tipping over or smacking you in the face, the shopping, and then the dress ups. :D

[Mikki]

...love all aspects..getting the right face up, wig, outfit(the search and find),body blushing(learning how to). meeting great people. Having her come together....a little person

[Tracy]

I like being able to change their look and seeing how different they look even if you do something simple, like changing eye color or wig color. Since none of my dolls represent a particular character, it gives me a lot of freedom to completely transform them.

[Gamachii]

I'm surprised at the large number of people who said sewing, as I'm pretty sure that's my favorite as well. ^^ It was definitely the final push for me to buy a doll, because I could make little clothes for it, which would in some ways help me make my own clothes.

[Humbug]

Seeing them complete would be a dream come true. (Eyes, wig, the whole ensemble) I'm not the type to play with my dolls, but I get alot of enjoyment just by admiring them from their display case. :)

[sublimetrickster]

I'd have to say putting outfits together and dressing them up is my number one favourite. Then comes photographing, then knitting or sewing things for them. Eventually when I start learning to do face ups, that will probably be added to my list. I love drawing and painting, so it seems like my cup of tea.

[Rajendora]

I was thinking about that earlier. Quite a lot goes into creating the environment for these dolls.

1. Designing, creating a wardrobe that catches the doll's personality, and in doing so, finding out what that personality is.
2. Coming up with the patterns, the challenge of fitting the doll's clothing, when the human proportion rules go out the window and I have to really use what I've learned again.
3. The hunt for the right elements, printed fabric proportions, accessories, etc. I keep an index card with a trace of the doll's hand and foot outlines and basic measurements and a retracting tape measure in my bag now when I'm shopping. I even check the pet toy section in the grocery store for things that would be fun for the doll. Stuffed toys anyone?
4. The thrill of buttoning the last button and snapping the last snap and seeing the results of a lot of hard work, including cussing and pin sticks and snarled thread. >.<;;
5. Getting out the tools and having an excuse to saw, carve, paint, sculpt, and find new uses for things in the junk drawer.
6. Planning new projects for the doll, including getting a new doll for the doll and so forth.
7. Learning more about the way BJDs are made, including the stories of different artists and the insane amounts of work they put into their dolls. (Marina Bychkova!)
8. Having a hobby that's actually a hobby. Most people I meet are all about the "turn your hobby into money!". To me the dolls are about having something to do with the money I've earned, so that I've earned something besides money for my work. I'm very satisfied with the creativity the doll has brought me back to. The childlike "OMG I want it!" and then being obsessed with it feeling it's brought back to me. It's the best stress reliever I've found in a long time.

[Ruki]

What this hobby is is creativity! All the sewing, photographing, modding, crafting/finding little accessories, making furniture, doing face-ups, making up characters, and the list could go on and on!
And I've so come to love the smell of new resin, nothing better than to open a package containing a head/body/whole doll and sniff in the sweet scent.

[Rajendora]

Not to mention the whole bodies in the mail thing to giggle over with friends. :dance We were laughing our butts off today over it.

[angeliue]

what i love most about bjds is that you can make them your own;customize them to be your dream doll :DD

[Hugobopp]

I like that the freedom of expression and that changing them is so easy. If only we could just change our heads in real life.

[yukifrein]

I love sewing, and one of my reason why I do collect them is for me to be able to sew different kinds of clothes for this dolls..:D and also I could customize them the way I want them to look..:D