However, please bear in mind that I am no expert, I've been in the hobby for about one and half years but have picked up on some handy tips!
Without further ado, lets start!
Step 1:
Find your perfect forever BJD!
I recommend visiting this website http://bjdcollectasy.com/
and going though most of the companies on it. Being familiar with the companies will help later on in finding a redistributor in your country (so you don't have to pay those outrageous shipping fees) and also for future reference! If you know whats out there, you are more likely to figure out what you're taste and style is. Its like going to an all you can eat buffet and leaving out those green beans, its just not your type!
You can use firefox and download an app thing that will open several links at once by dragging a box around it. Research takes time, I spent an entire day looking through all the companies available and bookmarking which style and which sculpts I loved. Once you narrow down the ones you like, you can visit the bookmarks later and further cut down your dolly wishlist to the ones you know you will spend $$$ on!
Sometimes, I may like a sculpt and find the faceup just stunning, but I ask myself, "is this my style? would I really like this sitting in my room for about 10 additional years? Would I love it to bits?"
If the answer is "no" then I dont recommend buying it at all. A doll you love will make your breath catch and your heart stop, you will ogle the poor thing day and night. If you have any of the those symptoms, you may be ready to get that cutie home!
This site also has most of the known companies for wigs, eyes, accessories, and clothes!
BEFORE you search for any of these above, pick your dream doll. That way you will know what size of eyes, wigs, and scale of clothes you will need for your bjd. You may even want to wait until your doll arrives home so that you can get a feel for his/her personality and preferences. But some people, like me, want to have everything ready for their beloveds' homecoming (a bit odd, but I cant kick this habit!)
However, If you don't want to limit your imagination, bookmark every piece you like and come back later to throw out the crazy priced ones or the ones that wont fit your dolls style. For example, I might like a gothic piece in general, however I would hate it on my own bjd. I like mori style or romantic lolita....also fantasy and
steam punk stuff. This helps me be very picky about things. It is good to be picky!!!! You spend less money and you are more happy with your items because you are 100% sure you love it!
If you just want to jump in I can tell you a few companies now:
Doll companies
Peakswood
Volks Super Dollfie
Iplehouse
Lati doll
Bambi Crony
Migidoll
RamCube dolls has a good selection
Soul Doll
Dear Mine Doll and Aileen doll make beautiful anthropomorphic dolls (half animal)
Maskcat is a little new, but they make really vivid dolls
Ringdoll makes really creepy/horror dolls, if thats your thing
And of course, everyone's GO TO websites are Fairyland Dolls, Luts BJD, and SOOM dolls. These three companies are moderately priced and super popular ^_^
Step 2:
Getting all the things.
Obtaining all the components to transform your bald naked child to a stunning model of elegance and perfection!
Lets start with...
EYES
You have four different eye types to pick from. Glass, Acrylic, Urethane, and silicon soft eyes.
Acrylic is the cheapest, has the most wide range of choices to choose from, and can be very realistic since the pupils are printed. However, they have no "depth", are flat and dull compared to the other eyes types and if they are made bad, will break or ruin easily from switching between sockets.
Silicone eyes are the next cheapest. They are flexible and can be held flush against the doll eye socket, they require a little more maintenance as dust can loge easily and the eyes can move even after putty is holding it. They have a more realistic pupil and are a tad more picture friendly than the acrylic eyes. They do not break if dropped.
Glass eyes are the most popular. They have less detailed pupils and retina, but they allow the maximum depth and color for pictures. They are heavier and may break if dropped, and they are also much more pricey. Glass eyes can look stunning in dolls.
The last is Urethane, also known as resin, eyes. They compete with Glass in depth, color, and picture friendly traits, they are sometimes even more vivid and have a large array of choices. They are also very expensive, but to many owners, are worth the price. The only flaw, just like dolls and other resins, these eyes will yellow over time. If this doesn't bother you, then resin is one of the best eyes types!
Eyes are measured in mm, you can find the recommended size of doll eyes for your BJD on DOA forums or on the company page.
EYE COMPANIES: Eye Candies Gumdrop eyes, HG volks Glass eyes (only on FCS volks dolls) and Enchanted Doll eyes. Check out eyeco or saffron doll for the acrylic and silicon eyes, these are fair priced and good for messing around with eye sizes and colors.
WIGS
There are three types of Wigs you can choose from! Synthetic wigs, Mohair wigs, or Fur wigs (including goat or other animal furs)
Synthetic wigs are everywhere, they are the most popular and the selection is never ending. Make sure to purchase the correct size for your doll! These wigs are semi realistic, but can offer a "plasticy look" like barbie or tonner doll.
Mohair wigs are wonderful, they look sightly frizzy like natural hair, and most of them have a visible hairline (super realistic) they are soft and plenty expensive. There are less styles for this type of wig, but I prefer the look of it compared to synthetics. Its all about preference.
The last is Fur wigs. If you want an anime style wig for your boys, or a tomboy look for the girls, fur wigs are awesome!! these wigs look very lifelike and look adorable on all bjds. They are easy to take care of and wont get tangled, also very easy to style. They are pretty cheap, but getting quality fur wigs can be hard.
The thing about wig sizes...they are measured in inches. If a doll has a head circumference of 22 cm, then he/she will be wearing 8-9 wig. (you can convert cm to inches yourself using googles converter). Sizes are generally 7-8", 8-9", 9-10" with some being smaller or larger. The trick is to see what your doll's head will fall into! Always go by the recommended wig size listed by the company or look at owner references to see which wig size is best. Wigs can be bought anywhere, ebay is a good place to start, you cant go wrong with most wigs. I personally like the style of Kaleidoll myself.
CLOTHES
This category can be considered the hardest. You will definitely need the dolls measurements to make sure you are getting the correct piece of clothing. BJD's come in 3 distinct sizes, 1/3 (SD) 1/4(MSD) and 1/6(Yo-sd). Even in SD size there are sub categories. SD10/13, SD16, and SD17+.
A doll approximately 56-59 cm in height is considered a SD 10/13 girl or boy.
SD16's are usually 62-65cm for girls and SD17 is usually for boys measuring 67-70cm or up. (an iplehouse would most probably would fit into significantly larger sizes)
You can check a doll's overall hieght on the company webpage.
Usually only couture lines or high-end clothiers have sub categories. You will probably only have to worry about getting the 1/3 sizes for your SD, 1/4 sizes for MSD and so on. Some clothes in this hobby is a hit or miss, unless bought directly from the company. With your dolls measurements, you can identify the model and see if both doll measurements are similar. if so, the clothing will probably fit perfect. If you cant get the models measurements, looking at the given clothing measurements can help. But even 3 cm makes a giant difference in clothes. If you have a SD10/13 doll, most clothes will fit perfectly fine. Finding bigger sizes is tougher, and always mind the bust size of your girl dolls.
MSD's come in slim msd size, or normal MSD size. Slim MSD are dolls like Unoa Lusis or Fairyland minifee dolls, they are the height of a MSD but have mature slim bodies instead of the normal childlike stubby figure of MSD's. They are more rare, but most etsy owners usually sell these types of doll clothes.
Yo-sd clothing is another hit or miss category. Yo-sd comes in all sizes and they are generally in the 1/6 range. One yo-sd could be 12 cm while another could measure 16 cm tall! Be mindful of what clothes you buy and always check the given measurements!
Clothing companies:
Tree Design, Nine9 style, volk's outfits, sunny's world, dollheart, dolk station, alice's collection, dollmore, freedom teller, angel studio, and mint on card. These are really good reliable and companies that make (or sell) wonderful clothing with awesome selection!! You may also commission someone for a perfect outfit but those go up to the hundreds in price tags. Clothes can also be found on ebay, etsy, and taobao (if you know some chinese or can find a service)
SHOES
The last and most addicting accessory!!! Your dolls foot size is extremely important! Even if a shoe is labeled 1/3 SD size, they still might not fit! Most shoes only come in 6-7 cm size for girls (most shoe sellers will list the cm). If you girls foot length is 7 cm, her foot will not fit. bjd's, like humans, need a extra 1-3 cm of foot space, and jamming the shoe will either damaged the shoe or the doll. Check your dolls foot length and compare it to the shoes total INNER length. This will determine if the shoe will fit or not, and sometimes, it still wont especially if your doll has irregular feet like thick soles or stubby toes. Ebay and etsy has awesome shoes, rRabbit also has cute selection of shoes. Taobao is also a good place for shoes at a good price.
ACCESSORIES!!!
I still have a lot to learn about this category. Usually I look around on etsy for 1/3 scaled stuff like headphones, laptops, coffee mugs etc. Iplehouse is very good with jewelry and weapons, Tata's paradise has a whole shabang of accessories for cheap prices, and Angel Studio or Ringdoll all have a lot of cool accessories.
In general, BJD accessories are very expensive. If you got to the mall or any store, keep an eye out for 1/3 sized items, they will save you much more money and grief! For MSD and smaller sized SD's, American Girl stuff works perfectly. Their furniture is more disposed for MSD's while their accessories are very large and more suited toward SD's. ( I wrote a previous post about my experience with these items)
Step 3:
Breathing life into your doll!
This includes doing a faceup up for your doll or adding body blushing to really make her shine! You can do this all yourself, or if you would rather skip the hassle and have someone else do it, there are tons of artists who are ready and willing! For a small fee...
I actually like commissioning people for faceups! Deviant art has a ton of artists who do commissions, and artists can be found easily on DOA (Den of Angels). I have only commissioned a doll faceup once, and I have to say my dolls face is gorgeous! You have to pick which artist style you like best, no one can tell you which faceup is better then the other. Even just googling faceup commission will bring results :)
You can also commission Modifications, tattoos,custom fantasy parts, and whatever else your imagination cooks up!
If you want to start doing your own faceups, you will need paint brushes, OIL-FREE pastels (as oil will eat away at the resin), water based paints (again, oil based paint will eat away at your doll), watercolor pencils, fake doll eyelashes for the dolls final form, and of course finishing sealant. This is important for your doll to keep its faceup! The most popular sealant is Mr. Superclear UV cut which is available from Junky Spot, a US retailer. For more information on doing you own faceup, check out YouTube for tutorials and step by step instructions! Also remember to buy a respirator mask since spraying sealant is toxic for your health. Sealant is best applied in dry cold weather, so keep this in mind when sealing your doll!
A few Faceup artists: Nicolle's Dreams, Angel Toast, Buff..and a lot of other talented people, all who are usually listed on a DOA commissions page!
Step 4:
Creating a resting place,a sanctuary,a "crib" for your doll....or just a place to maintain a photoshoot.
There are many ways to store your doll.
In a dark room in their cozy little box away from light and dirt of any kind, or out on your desk where you can enjoy the view of your cutie whenever you walk in. It's all about preference.
A word about keeping dolls outside and in the sunlight: They will YELLOW. Over time the dolls resin will oxidize and turn a lovely mellow shade of lemon. This is part of a dolls life cycle and can be slowed, but not 100% prevented. A way to prevent yellowing is to keep them in a dark area when not being played with and away from all sunlight in a temperature controlled room. Too hot or cold and the resin will crack (of course this is in extreme temperatures).
Bjd's are also fragile and might break when dropped and are not meant for rough play, so keep them out of the hands of small children or pets.
Dolls will also stain easily from dark colored objects or clothing, so be careful when having your doll come into contact with anything for prolonged periods of time. Staining can be somewhat removed, but a stubborn stain will stay on your doll permanently.Body staining can be prevented with body suits, which are sold online at various shops.
Of course, these are all warnings, you can choose to ignore them and just enjoy your doll the way you want. As long as you are happy, that is what matters.
Some people like staging little dioramas for their dolls, consisting of beds or furniture pieces. You can find custom made furniture off etsy, and ridiculously priced furniture off ebay. Some pet furniture also works for BJD's but they are sometimes pricey and too large.If you personally know a carpenter or wood worker, it might be beneficial to ask them to create some pieces for your doll as it is much cheaper and convenient then buying online. Going to local garage sales and estate sales is another good way to find hidden treasures for your dolls.
American Girl store also sells quality furniture that MSD sized dolls can use, however it should be noted that an MSD still might be too slim comparatively, and objects might appear larger then acceptable. Keep this in mind when shopping!
And lastly, some folks just want a neat-o place to take picture with their dolls! You can get photography vinyl backgrounds online to take that perfect scenic shot. Just remember to get the appropriate size, ones for pets or children would be preferred.Or you can use yards of cloth, curtains, and bedding to make a background! Scrapbook paper also works wonderfully with a large variety of patterns and colors to choose! (your own backyard would probably make a wonderful scene as well!)
Step 5:
Caring for your Doll
You have your doll, they are painted amazing, wearing fabulous clothes,eyes,and wigs, and they sit so perfectly on your book shelf that you couldn't be happier!
But what about that right leg thats keep snapping up? Or the wig that continuously slides of your dolls head?
Well, they just may need a little bit of tender love and care to bring them back to perfect posing health.
Restringing your doll can be a bit intimidating, but its a cheap way to get your doll to pose just right. You can use your original string given to you with your doll, or you can use new string cut to length if the old one is dirty, moldy, or broken.Other ways of improving posing ability is hot glue Sue-ding (lining doll joints with mild temperature hot glue for friction) or kips(little plastic round discs that helps maintain poses). There are many of these tutorials on youtube that show a visual step by step process that can really help when you are stuck somewhere ( especially for restringing) The old fashioned way of standing a doll is also on a doll stand, you can get them almost anywhere but they are a bit pricey.
A wig cap, which is a silicone round cap to put on you dolls head, will keep that wig secure and prevent staining from dark colored wigs!
Another essential tool is eye putty, prepare gallons of it, because you need this tacky material to stick those precious eyes into your doll's socket!
To keep your doll squeaky clean you need:
1.Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (or any other brand)which is a very fine abrasive that will take off the top layer of grime and resin off you dolls (this is another way to clean up a heavily yellowed doll as well, since the resin below is still freshly colored).
2.And 100% acetone to rub off any stains!
3. A face mask, if wanted, to keep your dolls face up pristine and clean. ( remember not to touch your dolls face barehanded, as oils and dirt will eat away at the faceup and paints)
4. Epoxy, to repair any small damage such as cracks or splits in the resin!
Remember, this is only from what I have experienced so far in the hobby, I still have a lot to learn and I have only just recently joined DOA as well as their marketplace! So if you disagree on some of these points, that is a-okay, you probably do know better!
You are done! Go enjoy your doll!
You are done! Go enjoy your doll!
I HOPE THIS GUIDE HELPED!!! Good luck on your search!
-CC signing out
Thank you so much for this! Very informative! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! This is very useful for a beginner like me.
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