My BJD Hobby

Hi guys! (◍•ᴗ•◍)♡ ✧*

Here's another blog that I'm excited to share to you all. I'll be talking about Ball-jointed dolls also known as #BJD. I'll try my best to include educational, interesting contents that will also fascinate you. Just to set your expectation, this will be a three-parts blog. For the first part, I'll share about my background and how I got into the BJD hobby. The second part will be more about general information and terms that you need to know about Ball-jointed dolls and the hobby. I will also be answering some frequently asked questions about it. For the last part, I will upload my doll profiles and gallery so you can get to know them. Don't worry it will be posted separately.

So let's begin with the first part! ໒( ͡ᵔ ▾ ͡ᵔ )७

I started collecting Ball-jointed dolls since March 2014. It always been my dream to own one since I was a child. It was accidental encounter while browsing the internet one afternoon. From what I could remember, I visited the website Dream of Doll, a popular Korean Ball-jointed doll company that time. The first doll sculpts I saw were Dream of Doll Luke and Shall because they were the ones that have the most photos in the website. Below is a photo of Luke that fascinated me the most.

Right from there on, I kept looking at their gallery and talking about it to my friend. To be honest, I was never into doll stuff before even though I have a collection of Barbie dolls. However, these BJD's really caught my interests because of their pose ability and customizability (which, to be honest, were factors lacking on most toys during those days so BJDs really made an impression on me). There was this moment that I really wanted to own it but there's one problem- my parents. I felt a wave of shock and sadness because I know they won't consider to buy something so fragile and expensive for a kid, so it stayed as a fleeting dream. (๑′°︿°๑)

A few years passed and I somehow forgot about it until I attended a convention last October 2013. There, I found out about a growing local BJD community in my area. This was the photo I took at the convention. I did a double take after seeing the display because the doll in the middle looked too familiar- a Dream of Doll sculpt. That's when I knew that I'm really fated to be in this hobby. It motivated me from then on to get the doll that I really wanted. I did copious time researching more about it especially how to handle and where to buy it. It was a very painstaking search but I found help in my local BJD community which made it more easier. As soon as I got all my questions answered, a few supports gathered, I was so ready to start up my very first ball-jointed doll journey with less doubts.

During that time, I used to have a huge collection of comic books that I kept for years. I was also into cosplay. It was one of my biggest decision to let go of my prized possessions to be able to afford the dream. It was tough to let go at first because I knew that I won't be able to find those rare copies anymore, but since it's a Now or Never situation, I was willing to gamble. It was definitely worth it. It brought tears of happiness as soon as I saw my first 'child' right out of the box. It marked a memorable period of my life because I am finally capable of acquiring something so unique and expensive with just my own deed and money. I made myself so proud. ✧٩(ˊωˋ*)و✧

This was one of the earliest photo I took of my first BJD. I named him Noah. He was a limited Doll Family-H Nangong. My parents didn't know I bought him. He was a secret because I know they'll ask me a bunch about how I acquired him. There was this time that they found out and the first thing they asked was the price. I kind of remained discreet about the price however my mom ended up researching about it. At first, they were mildly against me buying it but they eventually loosened up after finding that it had good effects on me.

I was at the peak of my abilities. I became productive as time goes. After five months, I got my hands on another one. Yes, I was able to afford another one after I sold the remainder of my comic book collection. My mind has been set for a second one days after I got my first. I honestly tried to limit myself with just two but shockingly, it came to a point that they kept growing in number. I can be blamed because it's hard to keep away from the internet to check out new dolls.

Since I became more active in the hobby, I got mixed reactions from people. Some find it weird that I own such 'creepy' dolls, but instead of getting offended, I find their comments and reactions amusing. Anyway, there are more people that are fascinated and curious in a good way. Let's just say that the reactions people give are due to what they cannot understand or most probably due to the lack of information and prejudice. So I'm always excited to tell more about it to them. Everything turns out good once they are enlightened.

Fast forward, here I am now, owning several and still taking care of them like they are my children. Since 2014, I acquired a total of 14 dolls. The number included 8 full dolls and 7 floaters. All of them are boys in SD sizes (60cm-70cm). I kept male dolls for a specific reason that they are more manageable and stylish, in my personal opinion. Over the years, there had been times that I let go of some and just keep the other dolls that connected with me the most. Although that happens once in a while, I consider each of my dolls very important because they played a big role in my life. They are my number one prized possessions. I consider them my treasures and investments. ♡✧( ु•⌄• )

I'm pretty much grateful to have found this hobby as I'm growing. It allowed me to learn new skills and hone them. I started my own services/ commissions to paint doll faces and make accessories as added income under the name bjdnoah.

In addition, BJD hobby made me happier. I made friends from different places who have the same tastes as mine. I was able to interact and participate in activities despite being an introvert. It's a catalyst to get me out of my comfort zone. I found a place where I can totally fit in without a doubt. More importantly, my dolls became my coping mechanism- they helped alleviate my stresses, anxieties, my on and off depression. When I had the episodes, I was almost on the verge of leaving the hobby and put all my dolls for adoption. Somehow I couldn't easily let it go unlike my other past hobbies. This meant so much to me. The experiences, efforts I did and my dolls became irreplaceable. 

I just celebrated my 6th year in the hobby last March 14, 2020. That date was also the birthday of my first son, Noah. He's a White day present for myself. I really haven't thought that I've been in the hobby for this long since I never really counted the years. I'm quite shocked and happy. Overall, the years has been very pleasant and hope many years to come! I'll end this first part blog right here. I think I already shared enough. I hope you liked this post. Stay tuned for the second part since it's going to include helpful information and FAQs about BJDs. I assure you, it will be a good guide if you decided to start your Ball-jointed doll hobby journey.

If you want to see more or what I do, you can check my Instagram @bjdnoah for more.

Thank you for reading. Have a lovely day to you all! (•‾⌣‾•)و ̑̑♡