Below are my answers for two separate BJD memes floating around in the community.
1:From all the dolls you own,who is your favorite and why.
Hmm, that is a super tough question. I would say that my favorite changes depending on what I'm inspired by at the time. I love all my dolls, that's why they have a permanent place with me. That said, my Soom Gem Namu (named Adonis) has to be my absolute favorite. While I have re-shelled him into a Soom Dia (who I love very, VERY much) - and that suits my collection aesthetic (as it has changed to more mature and realistic SD sculpts) and the stories I'm telling - the Namu sculpt was my first true BJD love. He's like my own little separate Adonis to keep to myself. <3
2:Explain how you managed to get into BJD collecting.
I was searching for a hobby that allowed for character customization, and making anime style UFO plush was what I was into at the time; it was a logical step as I was really into all things anime back then. I wanted something that let me customize designs and create physical forms of my favorite anime characters, but also my own OCs. I joined a UFO plush making forum and managed to stumble upon the sub-forum that discussed hobbies outside plushies. Someone had posted about BJDs and I was smitten! I believe the first BJD I saw there was an Iplehouse Soori. This was around March or April 2007. I didn't have much of shock regarding their price since I knew figure collecting was pricey, and I also knew from family members that hobbies that allowed for customization (like making model planes and cars) were an investment. I was more uncertain about where to go about getting these amazing dolls, and tried learning as much about them as I could. Fortunately, I attended Anime North 2007 that May, and I saw my first BJDs in person (An Iplehouse Lion and Fairyland MNF Shiwoo I believe). The kind owner let me hold the dolls and it was love at first sight. It just felt right. There was no going back after that!
3:Name the very first doll you ever bought.
My first doll was supposed to be a DIM (Happy) Sergei, but the shop (I don't remember if it was DDE or not) actually sold him out at a show and the sale fell through. I actually wasn't so sure about where the hobby would lead me so while I was disappointed I ended up buying a Dollmore Kid Asha. I could afford her, and she was a safe choice for my first doll. I now have her stored away for sentimental reasons but don't consider her as part of my main collection. While I do love the MSDs I now own, my true focus is on SDs. When I saw Soom Namu I really felt a connection, and that was what really made me fall deeply in love with the hobby; I consider him my first BJD. The spark that started it all!
4:Which doll do you plan to buy next?
My plans shift around, but I am planning to buy an Iplehouse SID Edan next. He will be re-shelling another of my favorite characters who has outgrown his first shell (an Elfdoll Vampire Red).
5:Are you currently waiting on any dolls?
Yes! I am waiting on a Dollshe Hound, and a SOOM Sweet Witch in Grey.
6:How many dolls do you currently have?
Quite a large collection, but I don't view all of them as my main collection. Of course I have dolls besides BJDs, but they aren't my main hobby.
I think it is important to know that I divide up my BJD collection into two major groups.
The first group is my "Main" collection, which are my character driven
SDs that have a big world and connected story; they are usually taller
and more realistic BJDs. They are the dolls I have out on display, and I
focus on photographing them and writing about them. They are my muses.
They are the dolls that I focus on the most.
The second group is referred to as "Side Story" dolls. These are the
dolls that are gorgeous but have no real story and character depth.
These dolls are not part of my "Main" collection - they are kept
separate and played with as they would be dolls. They are dressed up,
cuddled, and kept in a different area (separate from my "Main" group).
They do have two different story based groups (fantasy and modern), and
they have a dolly "bond" with me. Many of the dolls that fall under this
category are my more "anime" stylized dolls, which include my Volks
dolls and Unoas.
To elaborate:
While they are all BJDs I do view them differently. My "Main" collection
is what I consider my BJD collection. They really exemplify the
ethereal beauty of ball-jointed dolls, the creativity of the hobby, and
the complex stories that can be created when owning them. My "Side
Story" dolls are there to play with, and inspire more sentimental
feelings when I look at them (such as buying them from the artist who
made them, or from a place - namely Japan - which brings me much joy in
remembering). They inspire wisps of story and character and I enjoy
sharing them. My other dolls are just that: dolls. They are pretty
display things, and I enjoy collecting them...but they are not muses.
I know it all comes down to them all being bjds, but this way I feel
less stress in trying to fit a doll into a story where it does not belong when I love its aesthetic, but feel it has no character.
This allows me two have two main aesthetic groups (realistic and anime)
and enjoy dolls in two different ways.
7:Name the very last doll you bought.
That would be my Dollshe Hound.
8:What is the worst thing about this hobby?
It used to be waiting, but now I enjoy it. It gives me time to develop a character and their wardrobe. the only thing I dislike is when the doll is out for delivery; Canada Post is terrible and I constantly need to go and pick up my dolls a day or two later than they should have been home. I also dislike the constant bickering on tumblr. Geez. It's a niche hobby people. We should help each other out!
9:What is the best thing about this hobby?
Oh, definitely the customization! The infinite combos and characters keep everything fresh and exciting. While I do miss the old days when there were only several companies, that's just my nostalgia speaking; I love all the new companies we have access to now. I also love how these dolls and their stories connect so many people from all corners of the world.
10:Which is your best dolly photo (of yours) (copy the link and past using [ ] at either end.
I don't know which is my best, but I quite like this photo of my Crobidoll Soi:
11:Which is your favourite BJD company?
Soom has been a long time favorite, but I also really love Iplehouse. Those are my top two right now, but I love Volks because of their doll culture (there is nothing like going to a Volks store in Japan - they really make their dolls magical), and Fairyland because of their amazing engineering and doll designs. Soom and Iplehouse are loved because they are the companies that make up the bulk of my main collection, while Fairyland and Volks make gorgeous dolls I love to collect and play with!
12:Who are on your wish list?
It changes, but the majority are Iplehouse dolls.XD
13: Are there any dolls you wished you had never purchased?
Yes, but I have let them move on. I used to think I would keep all my dolls, but space becomes precious when you have a larger collection. I sell the ones that I regret, but display certain ones I like too much to part with (I treat them like expensive action figures on display).
14: Who's your favourite face up artists?
Rakeru Sensei, Aileen of 'Call Me Gorgeous', Andreja, Nomyens, and Resinmuncher.
15:What is a must when considering a purchase/pose ability/faceup/age/etc?
The faceup is really important, and so is the body type. I love dolls that pose well (Minifees for example), but the look of the face and body is just as important (hence my Iplehouse dolls - no mind blowing poses from them, but decent movement and amazing sculpts and body types).
1. How long have you been in the hobby?
June 2007. Holy cow, time flies! @_@
2. How many dolls do you have at home?
40+ but I am currently weeding out some of them.
3. What are their names and sculpts?
~To be posted separately~
4. Which doll have you had the longest? How long has it been?
Adonis (Soom Namu)! Since August 2007. <3
5. Which doll is your favorite?
Adonis, my Soom Namu. He will always be special to me. I also really love my Dollshe Amanda.
6. Are you waiting on any dolls now? If yes, which one(s)?
See answer in other question set. :3
7. What is your grail doll?
Hmm...I don't know if I have one anymore. It used to be Soom's Euclase, but I managed to bring him home several years ago. Since then, there hasn't been a 'grail doll'.
8. Did you learn to do something new because of this hobby? (e.g. photography, painting, sewing)
Painting dolls, sewing, working on photography (understanding lens depth etc.), and wood working for dioramas!
9. Have you made any friends you might otherwise not have because of this hobby?
Oh yes! I have had the chance to meet so many amazing owners, especially at the US Dollism Plus event! Everyone was so fantastic, and the community felt so strong then. I also met some super awesome people at Doll North, and I look forward to seeing them each year.
10. What are your doll plans for this coming year?
Downsizing my collection, and focusing on getting dolls that really fit into my main collection and story. :)
