BJD Addicts Written Prompts

I've been looking for a complete list of the written prompt version of these for a while and have only ever found incomplete ones. When I saw this revised list of prompts from lilysdolls I decided it would be fun to do.

Some of the answers are fairly short so I have combined all the questions together in the one post.

#1: The wait
What are some things you do while you wait for your doll or doll things to come in?

I tend to order and try not to think about it too much until the doll/doll things arrive. Usually, I am working on a backstory or coming up with photo ideas for the other dolls as a distraction. Or I just spend the time looking at pretty doll photos.

#2: Dream dolls
If money wasn’t an issue, what would be your dream doll to have and why?


I actually already have my dream doll. He's a Dollshe Saint. I have wanted him since I first saw him but never in my wildest dreams ever imagined I would actually own him; mostly because of his price. Luckily, the first Saint head I got was from a friend although I think his eyes had been modded a bit. That head spent some time on various bodies. He was fresh skin and a difficult resin to match as he had yellowed some.

When I saw another blank Saint head on the DoA MP in oriental skin and from an Australian seller, I snapped him up. With Dollshe's discount events, I was able to get him a body (Rhythmos) at a good price. It seems the stars aligned for that one.

I still own the first Saint head (painted by Xhanthi) which I intend to keep as a spare. You can never have too many Saints I say!


#3: Fantasy dolls
What fantasy creature would you like to see as a BJD?

 A dryad. I would totally love to see one of those complete with bark-like resin skin. And more cyborgs, there aren't nearly enough of them.

#4: Favorite brand/store
What is your favorite place to buy BJDs? Is it a certain brand’s website? Or is it a retailer like Denver Doll Emporium?

I don't really have one. I tend to just order from the company directly for the most part unless it's going to be a huge wait and I don't want to pay the full amount upfront. In those instances, I tend to go through DDE and use their deposit system. The only company I refuse to order from directly because of the huge amount of negative feedback I have seen over the years is Angel of Dream. I tend to use HappyHouse4u if I need to order an AOD doll.

Given the fact that my collection comprises of a wide range of companies, I guess I don't really have a favourite. Although I do have to say for detailed sculpting, MyDolling. My Heeah's hands are amazing.

#5: Dolls in public
Would you, or do you ever take your dolls out into public? If you do, where do you like to go?

I have on the rare occasion. I do like to stick to quiet places where there aren't a lot of people around when photographing dolls out and about. These tend to be beaches that aren't frequented much by the general public or parks.

#6: Handmade VS buying
Do you prefer to buy your dolls things? Or make them?

I like to buy handmade items more than manufactured items. I guess a combination of both. Sometimes if I am feeling particularly creative, I will make something for my dolls but a lot of times, it's just easier to buy because then you have an item ready to use.

#7: Faceups
Do you prefer factory or custom faceups? Do you do your own doll’s faceup?

If I like a factory face up, I'll get it because; (i) It saves me on shipping if the company does it, (ii) Companies tend to be more affordable in most cases, (iii) Saves me the hassle of having to ship a head out and wait anxiously for it to get back safe and sound (especially given how unreliable the postal system can be).

I tried doing faceups myself when I first started in the hobby and I hated the results. I was never much of a painter anyway especially in such a small scale so I'd rather pay someone else to do it for me. That way, I actually get what I want.

Photo of my first face up attempt:

#8: Names
How do you choose your names for your dolls?

Generally, names will come to me out of the blue. If this doesn't happen, I will google a name. I am quite fond of Irish names. However, sometimes if the doll is shelling a character already existing in one of my short stories, the name is a no brainer. Other times, I combine names from (and sometimes personalities) my short stories.

#9: Doll sizes
Is there a particular size that you cling to? Which one and why?

Not really. I have dolls ranging from 9cm to 70cm. I will admit that MSD size is a perfect fit in your hands and is easy to carry around when out and about on a photoshoot. But SDs have such a presence to them that is hard to ignore. And the tinies, well, they're just cute.

#10: Are dolls scary?
Have you ever had people tell you that they are creepy? Have you ever been creeped out?

If we're talking the "Chuck" type dolls, yes I find them a tad scary but mostly because that movie creeps me out. However generally, dolls don't really creep me out. Ones with lots of gore mods can make me a bit squeamish but each to his own right?

As for people telling me my dolls are creepy, yes I have gotten this reaction; from family and some friends. My sister constantly tells me I should sleep with one eye open in case my dolls attack me in my sleep. I find it amusing.

#11: How many?
How many dolls do you own? Do you have a max limit (or have you already exceeded this)?

Well, I started in this hobby with the idea I'd have a total of two dolls, one girl, one boy. Then I changed to seven dolls, then to seventeen. I currently have eighteen dolls (including the one on order right now). I'm pretty firm about not going over twenty. Ideally I would like a smaller collection but it's getting hard to pick who to cull. And besides, I don't count the four tinies I have as they  barely take up much room. So if I look at it that way, then it's only really fourteen dolls right?

#12: Unfortunate buys
Have you ever ordered something and it either didn’t fit or just wasn’t what you expected?

My first doll. I tried everything including having him modded but in the end I sold him off. My issue with him was that he did not look like what I saw in the promo shots. To this day, I am still unsure if I actually got the sculpt I ordered.

#13: Bonding
How do you bond with your dolls? Do you bond at all or do you just marvel at their beauty?

I've never really understood the whole bonding process with dolls. I tend to just buy a doll that fits with what I have in mind for a character so the whole bonding thing becomes moot. If I later decide I don't like the doll for whatever reason, then it moves on to greener pastures.

#14: Selling dolls
Would you ever sell one of your BJDs?

Yes. In fact, this year so far, I have sold eight dolls and seven heads. Life is too short to stick with things you don't enjoy.

#15: Skin tone
Do you own dolls with different skin tones?

Yes I do. At the moment, I have normal, white, tan, sky blue, grey and dark grey skin tones in my collection. I'd love to add a dark tan/ebony to that list one day...

#16: Friends with dolls
Do you have any friends with BJDs? Have you managed to “convert” anyone?

Yes I have friends who own BJDs. I have converted one person to BJDs. In fact, I sold one of my dolls to them.

#17: Favorite eyes
What are your favorite types of eyes?

I don't really have a favourite. My dolls wear glass eyes, silicone eyes, masterpiece eyes, urethane eyes and acrylic eyes. It really depends on what suits the character. I do rather like the textures and colours of the masterpiece eyes and I don't mind the Mako eyes.

#18: Style
A lot of dolls have a specific style in which they are dressed. What style do you like to dress your dolls in, and do they ever change styles?

My dolls are constantly changing styles. It really depends on whether I feel their character has evolved or not. I do tend to favour the fantasy/sci-fi styles but most of my dolls currently sport casual looks for the sole reason that fantasy/sci-fi outfits are hard to find. I also don't mind bohemian and grunge styles.

#19: Pretty VS poseable
In this hobby you sometimes have to compromise. When it comes to your dolls, do you go for pretty or poseable?

Aesthetics for me. As long as dolls can do basic sit and stand, I don't really care about the rest. The body however has to be aesthetically pleasing for me and I've found double jointed dolls are not always better than single jointed dolls.

#20: Hiding
Do you hide things in your doll’s head or body?

This question made me laugh. No, I don't.