OK so I'm 40 next year and I'm trying to decide between a doll and a dollshouse if all the family club together to buy me something special.

When I first saw BJD's I really wasn't sure I liked them but having seen more and more of them they have really grown on me. I had a Gene doll which I sold as I found it really hard to dress her but BJD's are designed for just that.

Where is a good place to start researching how/why/what/where etc. I love the signature doll of MB Solbert which is the kind of doll I'd get if I were to get one

Any advice on how to start out?

Well my first BJD was a dream of doll Too because he was just to adorable to pass up. He's 43.5 cms standard MSD (mini super dollfie) sized. MSD is just the term used for dolls 41-45cms tall.
There are so many companies out there now it's hard to say which one you should go for.
I always think it's best to think about what you're looking for and go through the companies and see if any bjd fits the bill.

BJD's come in a range of sizes from 4" right up to 80cms! That's a lot of scope!
So what do you want firstly male or female?
Big or small?
Adult or Child or Teen?

There are a lot of things to think about before you decide on which on to get.

Also what is it you want your BJD to do? All companies have different bodies but they all run along the same lines, some are more posable then others. If you want one to only sit on a shelf and look pretty (nothing wrong with that a lot of people do it) then you don't really need one which is massively posable, if you want one to do almost anything a person can do then you need to look at the companies with the more advanced bodies.

Most companies make a varied range of bjd sizes rather then specializing in just one.

The advice I always give to people looking at getting the their first BJD is:-
Take a look at the companies and get the one that calls you, you may know exactly what you looking for but it might not be that one in the end you go for.

I asked Mary about the one in her siggi to I want her lol But I can't remember what she said so I'll let Mary jump in there ^^

The looks is something you can change on any of them.

I would also recommend reading the FAQ pinned at the top of this section because most of the question you have should be covered in there it took me a month to do ^^

Thanks for your reply

I have read your guide and it's fantastic but I want 'personal' opinions really from people who have a bjd, like you've just given me

Well give the choice between a dollshouse and a bjd, I think I would have the bjd. Depending on the money you receive, you could get both! My dollshouse was only £50 off ebay and I just buy stuff all the time for it, like one room at a time. So a bjd, if you get one though, you cant just stop at one They are addictive. I think H has said it all really, just go for the face that calls out to you and you can't go wrong really.

Yes to all of the above they are both very addictive and expensive, but if you have the restraint to say enough is enough then go for it, i said i would stop at one of each size of the 43cm and 60cm, boy and girl and older boy and girl, but it didnt work out that way , and i dont go for the company or the body as i am not that up on them all, i go for the look of the doll, but beware they are VERY addictive, i only started my collection a few months ago and am just waiting on my 7th to be delivered

Good luck in your quest
Dont forget the pics when you deside

Well my first one was a 43 cm MSD size and I have to say I love that size best for handling, they are quite portable and a lot lighter than the 60 cm SD size.

MSD are referred to as 'kid' on a few sites, if you fancy that size check out Dollmore and Souldoll that have a good selection of them. Dollmore have a fantastic selection of clothes too!!

My first BJD was the MSD size and was Aidan from Dollmore. She was a great starter doll and I was very happy with her until my first SD size arrived...then I KNEW what I wanted! Aidan found a new home and I haven't looked back since. I did try the smaller size, but found I didn't enjoy them nearly as much. Eventually, I'd like to get one around 10" again, to take on trips, etc., but for now, I am very content with my collection.

My personal favs are the Elfdoll girls. I have 3 - two Nabee's and one Soah. Also have my 57cm Narae who is my siggy girl. (I don't know why they call them 60 cm Narae's because they are only 57 cm tall...) She is the french resin and requires a little more special care and handling as the resin has a tendency to yellow over time. But the look and feel of french resin in unsurpassed! So glowy and luminous! My 2 boys are Latidoll Aida and Angel of Dream Ming.

The best advice someone gave me was to buy a face that you absolutely LOVE! If you don't find one right away...keep looking. There is such a variance in styles of the BJD's that you are bound to find yours if you keep looking. Den of Angels is a good online doll forum, but is huge and cen be very overwhelming. Take your time and explore the different websites and companies...you'll find what you're looking for!

Good luck and please let us know who you choose in the end!



Mary

You want personal opinions, well my personal opinion is that you should definitely get a BJD! They really are lovely. I recently got my first. He came nakie and just last night his new clothes arrived and you'd be surprised how much a character can change or simply appear just by adding clothes or changing the eyes or wig. Go for it, I think it would be a fantastic 40th b'day pressie.

Check out all the different companies online who sell BJD's, find one you love and go for it.

well i always said i only wanted one - that was 2 years ago and now my collection is heading towards the number 20...

My advice is to go to a doll show if you can. I think there are many beautiful dolls that do not photograph well and others that photograph better than they are in real life.

I know animemom goes to a few shows in the US, but I'm not sure if you are in Europe or not. Even if you could meet up with someone to see their BJD's that would be great. That way you could get an idea of the size you want to start with.

Personally, I saw a 30cm and a 42cm doll first. I loved these sizes, but the 30cm size is brilliant!!!! I LOVE playing with it! And I also really enjoy the 35cm size as well. I do like the bigger dolls - 56cm being a very wonderful size - with even the larger dolls being just as wonderful.

Some great places to start looking on-line, though, are:

Custom House
Angelregion
Iplehouse
Dream of Doll
Soom
Latidoll
Blue Fairy
Happy Doll
Luts
Volks

There are others, but this is a place to start and there are many different types of dolls on these sites. Some Korean sites also have overlap. So, for example, there are some Soom dolls on the Iplehouse site as well as some Dollshe dolls.

Good luck!

more company's
Abio Angel
Alchemic Labo(Unoa)
Angel of Dream
Angel Region
Bishonenhouse
Blue Fairy
Custom house
Dark Castle Dolls
Doll in Mind
Dollmore
Domuya
Dream of Doll
Eden Doll
Happy Doll
Iplehouse
Jollyplus
LaiDoll
LatiDoll
Leekeworld
Limhwa
Luts
MuseDoll
NotDoll Lab
OrientDoll
Serendipity
SSin
Soom
Soul Doll
UniDoll
Volks
Wishel
X2

I qouted this from TDDD

There are so many bjd's this arent even all of the company's I've been orientating to and now I want tiny's of 10 cm ( one head is on her way and if she is complete I want two more) XD and I would love to own an elfdoll june (60 cm), she is so pretty! and I also really like souldolls hye... >.<' there is probaly one you totally will fall in love with!