If you had to give one piece of advice...

So. I've been thinking on this. I'll be ordering my first Dollfie Dream this Friday (I HOPE HNGH), and I am beyond excited. I've collected resin dolls for about six-seven years now (times flies!), but this will be my first vinyl.

 

Think back to when you first joined the hobby. Saw these awesome anime dolls and finally took the plunge and purchased your first. When you got her, your reaction, how you dressed/photographed/etc'd, mistakes you made, mistakes you almost made, purchases you regret, purchases you'll NEVER regret...now think of now. What do you know now, that you wish you knew then?

 

If you had to give one piece of advice to a new Dollfie collector...what would it be? Silly or serious, anything at all!

I made the mistake of getting a super huge collection, and it just killed my passion.

This doesn't allow me to take care of many of my dollies, and I ended up selling many of them.

I also fell into the business mindset, which is probably wrong if you started at a collector first, because doesn't allow me to enjoy these beautiful dolls with the same heart I did a while back.

Of course people grow and change, as well as passions and hobbies..l. but still, it makes me kinda sad.

If I had the chance of going back, I would have purchased way less dollies, and focused on loving them more than I actually did (thing that, anyway, I am trying to do lately - cutting down my collection, trying not to lose money, and having care of my babies as I didn't for a while).

 

Sorry, this was probably too serious as an aswer, but I was kinda in the mood.

Vinyl is a lot more porous than resin so it stains much faster. Read up on staining and stain removal so you won't be as surprised and/or disappointed when it eventually happens.

For me, one thing I realised is that... like a lot of other people, I bought dolls to shell my characters (especially with my resin collection but also some of my DDs)... amd that doesn't always work out the way you think it will. What I mean to say is that, I found out that I love dolls more when I build upon their character after their arrival, simply because some wigs and eyes just look do much better than what I had planned for them / what their premade character needed. So right now I always wait until I have the doll and I've tried stuff on it to start building their character. I know this may not apply to everyone, but I have fallen out of love with so many of my dolls because of this...

 

Also, if you ever plan to share the hobby / story / characters with a friend, be prepared for EVERYTHING. It may be fun, but if something happens to your friendship, it'll have a very bad impact on how you feel about your dolls... at least it did for me.

Make sure to be properly prepared and have a hair dryer before taking apart a Dollfie Dream! I ended up breaking the support in my Autumn's lower leg, which I still haven't fixed properly/replaced....

This is probably more general doll hobby advice, but some of it is very specific to vinyl collecting...

 

I'll say in the last 8 years I've been in the hobby, the one thing that's changed most for me is that I'm much less "precious" about my dolls than I used to be. When I first got Rin, I was really worried about damage, staining, and posing. I was absolutely anal about making sure my dolls were in perfect condition and took very little risks.

 

As the years went on, I realized that I wasn't really enjoying myself as much with my girls and wasn't fully enjoying the hobby in the ways I wanted to. Once I realized that some issues (like staining) were inevitable and that the vinyl was much more durable than I gave it credit for, I started to let go of certain practices. I pretty much stopped caring about stained head caps. I bought body stockings to protect against staining, fully aware that some may still happen. I got a lot less upset when one did appear. Finally, I started branching out with posing and exploring more of the possibilities afforded to vinyl dolls over resins.

 

Some of my favorite pictures that I take now would have made the "new to dolls" me cringe. I've stood dolls in the ocean (fully supervised and held), I've hung them off of railings and trusted the rigidity of the wrist joint to hold them in place, and I've stood them next to streams for natural posing. Granted, sometimes accidents happen but I've learned to accept them and realize that most are very recoverable. For example, I had Miku fall into a stream during a photoshoot. I just picked her out, brushed her off, and set her in the sun to dry. It kinda sucked, but it really wasn't worth worrying about.

 

Now, that's not to say I'm not careful about my dolls, but I accept the risk of certain actions. Granted, there are still certain things I'll never do with my resins that I'll do with vinyl (Chii stays home for the most part!) but it's great to explore the differences between the two types of dolls. I think you'll find differences between how you interact with them once you learn how each lets you be creative!

Try lots of eyes and wigs if you don't have the look that you like right away. I think this is especially important for DDs. Sometimes you hit the jackpot right away, but with other dolls you have to really work to find it.

 

Linda S.

galatia9

Seconding that eyes alone can drastically change the way a doll looks. Mel looked downright evil with the first green eyes I got for him. The pair he has in now (and on my signature) is actually the third pair he's gone through in the span of 6 months and probably the ones he'll keep. I wish there was an easier way to judge these things but if there is I'm not good at it.

 

I'd also advise you to take a lot of photos or even an unboxing video when you first get the doll. Not only can it make a nice memory, but it serves as evidence in case anything is wrong.

 

When you're new in the hobby and if you have the money to spare its incredibly tempting to go nuts and buy everything because you have the mindset of having your future of collecting ahead of you without the 'guilt'of adding more to an already big collection, so its very easy to impulse-buy. I kinda fell into that trap myself - not to the extent a lot of people have but considering I never really bought anything as expensive as DDs before (except for maybe my laptop, and I only buy a new one of those every 5 years or so) it was a shock how much I spent so quickly. (Not that I regret any of my DDs, I honestly cant choose a favourite or least favourite, I just kinda wish I had been able to aquire them a little more gradually) I also admittedly have impulse-bought a lot of clothes that the dolls end up wearing once and then never again. I guess what I'm trying to say is to be patient, because you run the risk of burnout if you buy too much too fast.

@Bellatrix: I've heard that before and had friends that do that with resins. It's easy to do: so many pretty dolls!! But there's no saying you can't return to it now. My test for whether or not a doll is one I should keep it is to put it away for a little while. Do I miss it? Do I find myself looking around or thinking of it a lot? If not, it might be time for it to go. It's a valid concern, and problem though. Taking it slow is good advice.

 

@K-2: Actually that's a good point and idea, lol. I am well aware of it, and aware of removal cream to aid, but I'm kind of at a ??? for how/when it happens and what exactly to do.

 

Shailara: Interesting! I usually work that way too, shelling characters. I find cutting the difference works well for me (and that's what's happening with my DD gal): having a character concept in mind, and when the doll arrives allowing it to expand and exploring it as it does. Lol that's actually how I ended up with such a vibrant character for my Dearmine Diana: purchased her as a little Hujoo Freya in grey, adorable, slowly thought on her character as I sewed for her...then bam, welcome to your 12x the original price doll that has more fictional personality than you yourself probably do. That is also good advice and I have heard of it happening before, as sad as it is. My fiance and I share a number of characters (the Dearmine girl is one!) but here's hoping that doesn't fall out anytime soon, lmao.

 

@CeliathePikachu: OH MY LORD YES. I had a roomie that got a Dollfie once, one of the ladies with a hard cap. I remember prying at that thing and nearly tearing my fingernails off over and over trying to help him with it! I'm so sorry about your Autumn, lol! Can I ask what you were trying to do?

 

@asianed: I think that's common, ESPECIALLY with resins. I try to understand that everybody collects differently, but I'm similar to where you are now: I'm...probably a little too unconcerned with my dolls, ahaha. I try to be open with people handling them (provided basic instructions like careful, no face touching, etc) because that's how I was exposed to them when I went to my first doll meets. It helped me a lot to understand them and how to handle them. Are they delicate? Can you harm them? Sure. Will they shatter into a thousand pieces if you look at them wrong? Naw. I've drowned my dolls as well! With resin, you just have to unstring them and let the elastic fully dry out. That's all, but my goodness is an Ophelia photoshoot a beautiful one. That's part of why I'm excited for a Dollfie though...they seem much more resilient!! Staining aside, they can deal with a lot more (also no yellowing WOO) and this greatly excites me about entering this part of the hobby.

@galatia9: This I have noticed. Taller versus wider eyes/designs can WHOLLY change the way a doll looks. Same for hair cuts surrounding the face. I love it, exploring the subtleties and they are numerous, but I need to take your advice and just throw down on a whole bunch of eyes lol.

 

@torino: That's a good secondary thought for unboxing photos. I like to take them as a sort of welcome, also as if I can snag a Towa she'll be one of the first and I know photos for the community are always welcome, but for evidence. Do DDs commonly come with issues, may I ask? Also another good piece of advice that ties into the first: taking it easy. Lmao luckily Towa is going to be my splurge for the year, she gets pretty much what I have on hand and for a few months will have to suck it up. But entering a new side of the hobby, Volks sets are SO gorgeous and that is something I am really going to have to keep in mind.

 

Thank you everyone for your answers, it's been wonderful! I look forward what more have to say

Oh oh oh! This is probably something you already know/have as a resin owner but just for the record/benefit of other people looking at this thread about to buy a first doll: make sure you get a hair brush! Especially if the doll has long hair, cos it'll frizz/tangle up on you like -finger snap- THAT. A (clean, obviously) toothbrush works pretty well but I am absolutely in love the TangleTeezer - it works so well for doll wigs that Volks even sell it on their site. (at a markup, so if you can find it cheaper elsewhere I recommend it! I got mine on yahoo auctions but its probably also on ebay/hair and beauty websites. It's brush originally designed for actual human hair, but the fine bristles and larger area make brushing dollw igs super fast and easy But its good to have a toothbrush as well for the finer areas like bangs etc. The official 'tenshi no hairbrush' Volks sells is basically just a toothbrush but it has a tapered handle that can be used to separate the bangs on the face.

My advice really could be true for many things, and that is to take it slow. Of course because there are so many different personally types, what's true for me may not be the case for others.

 

Anyway. My first DD, MOMO arrived and I loved her so much. Brought her everywhere with me, bought her presents for Christmas and photographed her opening and enjoying them. I look back at that time with so much love and happiness.

 

A few months later I bought daughter number two, and three at the same time and while I enjoyed and loved them, it just wasn't the same. That special feeling wasn't there, and I believe that's because I added them in too quickly. Now I buy no more than two a year and really space them out, so as to give me time to suss out their personalities and bond with them.

Be prepared for the expenses of the hobby.

 

I know this should be obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people just aren't fully comprehending the total expense.

 

Don't merely look at the cost of the doll, but at everything you want for her/him. Take into mind what kind of wigs, eyes, and clothing you like and want. If you are saving for a doll then set a goal higher than the exact number. Make sure to include extra things unless you plan to display as is.

 

One of the best things I was told 10 years ago was to save for all things I'd also initially want for the doll. It sucks to have a doll and just have them sitting around naked!

@Torino:

I have a doll bag for toting around my SDs and in it are, at all times, three items:

1. Magic Clean Eraser.

2. A bottle of Dollmore wig spray (same as the Volks stuff I gather).

3. A hairbrush/toothbrush.

 

Muahaha! My emergency kit. That said this is just something I've started doing recently and I HAVE NOT REGRET IT. There's nothing more frustrating than taking a doll out for a photoshoot or a meet and DAMN IT ALL their hair is a MESS. Or, as more often happens, you pick up your doll and there's a mysterious dirt smudge that who knows HOW it got there, but it is, and you oughta clean it up ASAP. That is a FABULOUS piece of advice though, and if I had to give any myself I think that would be it: Raine's above list of her top three emergency items.

 

@GreenDragon:

I think this is good advice and it applies to a lot of things in life. It's...really easy to go hogwild on these things, being all excited about it, but they're a big, expensive item. I find part of what makes them special is having a little bit of time in between to, as you say, get to know them. I did this with resin for awhile and ran into the same thing: it's just...less exciting. Less joyous, I do wonder how much of that isn't rose-tinted glasses and all though. Hahha, there's nothing like the excitement of your first crazy awesome giant doll, and that might forever be the raised bar, the unattainable high. But like you said, this is LARGELY a matter of preference and person-by-person sort of thing (but an interesting discussion none the less!)

 

@Gunter:

That's a new one, and a fantastic one too. I was discussing this with my fiance earlier, he recently got a BJD and I kept reminding him of one thing...don't forget to tally in the other expenses. Wig. Eyes. Clothes. Shoes. Do you want a new face-up? Cost of that. Carrying bag? Ratchet it up more. But you summarized it quite beautifully just there. There's a lot more to it than just the doll. I think it's easy to forget because it becomes nickle-and-diming. $20 for a new wig? Got it! $10 for eyes? It's a steal! Next thing you know you have a small hoard of eyes and a department stores' worth of clothes, and the bank account is empty. Or is that just me? Huh.

 

Anywho. The cost of entry to this hobby, you could call it, is significantly more than the price of the doll itself. And that's not always clear to newcomers. That really is a great piece of advice to keep in mind.

Something to add to your doll travel bag, a package of hand wipes. Not for the doll, for you. Keeping your hands clean is a big step towards keeping your doll clean. A travel package of hand wipes will only set you back a couple of bucks and give you more peace of mind.

https://www.target.com/bp/wet+ones

@Raine

 

I think people just don't think about beyond the doll itself. If you have someone who is there to tell them about it they'll generally get it, but if you independently step into this hobby you have a much higher chance of narrowing your view, instead of looking at everything else that comes along with it.

 

~~~

 

If I may, can I add another one in? I know it is only one piece of advice but I really like this one as well...

 

There is no right way to experience your hobby/dolls. Some people do one thing, and you may do another and as long as you are happy with it then nothing else matters.

This is a creative hobby for YOU to experience, not for someone else to tell you how you should experience it. So don't let yourself feel bad if you collect in a different way than others. I.e. Say you only have a very small collection, or you regularly sell dolls to create a rotation, or maybe you have the grand family that never goes anywhere! This could honestly go out to many different points from photography, to quality, to simply how often you play with them.

You are the one who is spending the money so you have control over what you want to do, and if someone doesn't like it then they can suck it up because honestly their opinion doesn't matter. As stated as long as you are happy then nothing else matters. :>

Something to add to your doll travel bag, a package of hand wipes. Not for the doll, for you. Keeping your hands clean is a big step towards keeping your doll clean. A travel package of hand wipes will only set you back a couple of bucks and give you more peace of mind.

https://www.target.com/bp/wet+ones

 

quietly adding hand wipes to the shopping list

I remember reading this in your cute little doll-assisted guide, but promptly forgot it! I'm trying to get back in the habit of washing my hands before doll-touching...this will help be a good second reminder.

 

 

@Raine

 

I think people just don't think about beyond the doll itself. If you have someone who is there to tell them about it they'll generally get it, but if you independently step into this hobby you have a much higher chance of narrowing your view, instead of looking at everything else that comes along with it.

 

~~~

 

If I may, can I add another one in? I know it is only one piece of advice but I really like this one as well...

 

There is no right way to experience your hobby/dolls. Some people do one thing, and you may do another and as long as you are happy with it then nothing else matters.

This is a creative hobby for YOU to experience, not for someone else to tell you how you should experience it. So don't let yourself feel bad if you collect in a different way than others. I.e. Say you only have a very small collection, or you regularly sell dolls to create a rotation, or maybe you have the grand family that never goes anywhere! This could honestly go out to many different points from photography, to quality, to simply how often you play with them.

You are the one who is spending the money so you have control over what you want to do, and if someone doesn't like it then they can suck it up because honestly their opinion doesn't matter. As stated as long as you are happy then nothing else matters. :>

 

Can I frame this? There is no wrong way to enjoy your dolls: as long as you are happy, nothing else matters. People get so picky about it, it's such a personal hobby, when we see someone doing the OPPOSITE of what we would do it can get our hackles up, but it seems it's easy to forget...they aren't all our dolls. They're theirs. If they want to put their dolls in water, let them put their dolls in water! If they want to only handle their dolls with gloves, let them only handle their dolls with gloves! Any way is the right way, because they belong to them.

I'm still fairly new to collecting vinyl dolls (despite having owned one for nearly ten years), but have collected resin dolls for nearly as long. The thing that sticks out to me the most is this:

 

Don't be afraid to do something poorly. Take bad pictures. Pose your doll poorly. Give them unintentional wall-eyes or crossed eyes. Dress them in bad fashion. Try to make something for your doll and fail miserably. Not only is sucking at something the first step to being good at it, but don't be so afraid of failure that you limit yourself.

My must have is a a soft makeup brush. Where I live is prone it dust, nasty caustic and coal dust so having a very soft and delicate brush to dust down the girl's faceups each week is my must have item.

@CeliathePikachu: OH MY LORD YES. I had a roomie that got a Dollfie once, one of the ladies with a hard cap. I remember prying at that thing and nearly tearing my fingernails off over and over trying to help him with it! I'm so sorry about your Autumn, lol! Can I ask what you were trying to do?

The screw in the upper thigh came off and I was trying to put it back on.

My must have is a a soft makeup brush. Where I live is prone it dust, nasty caustic and coal dust so having a very soft and delicate brush to dust down the girl's faceups each week is my must have item.

 

I bought one for just that purpose, and now I can't find it. And I'm too cheap to go buy another. LOL!

 

I keep telling myself it has to be here SOMEWHERE.

 

Linda

My advice would be to make sure you have the space to do what you really want to do with the larger sized dolls. I started in 1/6 scale dolls when i entered the hobby, and had tons of space to do whatever I wanted set up wise. It got a bit more difficult with 1/4th, but was still manageable. When i bumped up to 1/3rd the space I had really didn't wind up being enough for what I wanted, even though I was sure it would be originally.

 

I really like dioramas for my dolls, even if it's just a single box room. While I'm working on getting a better area for my doll, right now she's kind of stuck with my 1/4th scale dolls because I just don't have the space to make her box room yet. This was a bit of a downer to me personally.

 

I realize not everyone does dioramas, but the size difference was still a bit of a surprise to me in person.

Buy the doll you truly want. Don't force yourself to get a "starter doll", you probably won't be able to love it the way you want to and you'll feel guilty/like you wasted money later.

 

I still feel intense guilt over my 1/6 doll... she's in a box somewhere and there's just no connection.

Buy the doll you truly want. Don't force yourself to get a "starter doll", you probably won't be able to love it the way you want to and you'll feel guilty/like you wasted money later.

 

I still feel intense guilt over my 1/6 doll... she's in a box somewhere and there's just no connection.

 

 

SUZUNA!!!! you NAIL it! This is SO TRUE!

 

My advice.. these dolls DON'T play fair! Parts, clothes, shoes, & sets are not backward compatible friendly.