Hoping to save to get a BJD ... advice, please?

[werepuppy]

So.... first of all I want to blame Vetinari and their Discworld related dolls for this, it keeps bringing up something that I've had at the back of my mind since I got into the doll hobby and... well, yeah.

See, here's the thing. There are a lot of characters out there who I would love to see in doll form, who are likely never gonna get a doll. One of these is Susan Sto Helit, the granddaughter of Death from the aforementioned Discworld series. And she just keeps playing on my mind as someone I would like to have in doll form. Now, my birthday's in a few days (yes this is semi-relevant) and I made the decision that by my birthday next year, I'd like to be at least one or two steps closer to making my Susan doll a reality.

Here's the thing: I have no idea about BJDs in general. I do own two little Jun Planning Ai dolls, who I adore to pieces, and a Makie, but that's about as close to BJD as I get. Well, unless Obitsu count. I've also never really went over the 1/6 scale and I'm think, to do her proper justice, Susan would need to be ... maybe 1/4 or 1/3.

I have seen a head I quite like (here) that I think with the right face-up would work lovely for Susan, but I wanted to ask you, oh lovely DS members, for some advice. This is the first time I'll be embarking on something like this and yes I have given myself at least a year to make at least one step on it (because I always have custom plans floating around my head) but I just... don't really know what to do.

I guess, what this topic is really asking, is for advice/stories of the first time any of you opted to do something like this. Mostly so I know all the indecision in my head (and worry with it) isn't just me being a bit odd ><. Sorry for the long ramble. Thanks for any help you can give!

[voodoolie]

I'm not really sure what advice you're looking for. I used to own 3 full-size resin bjds. My first issue was, of course, the pricetag. I saw the first photo of a bjd while looking for Pullip stuff and thought she was gorgeous, but then the price said $600+. I was like "Oh helllllssss no". The idea festered... I ended up putting an Elfdoll Soah on layaway with Junkyspot. Soon, I ended up buying a Souldoll Lupinus and an Efldoll Special K.

As far as saving up money for one, that's the hardest part for me. I'm a vile spendthrift so keeping money on me is impossible. Layaway is the best thing for people like me... if it's like a bill and I know I have to pay it, in the end I have a doll. If I'm just stashing money, I'll suddenly want a million other things just because that money is sitting there.

The head you linked I think would work very well for the character you're going for though.

They really are worth their weight in gold. You'll never really get the price of them until you get the first one in the mail. You'll be astonished at how gorgeous they really are.

Alot of people kinda ease in with the smaller dolls first (MSDs) and then work up to the 60cms. I kinda just jumped on in. But I love the idea of big dolls so it wasn't an issue for me.

[Iwa_Hoshi]

Well as someone who is mostly 1/6 Obitsu and hybrids. I had fallen in like with various bjds because I like the fantasy concept and stuff. I didn't really had an 'OMG That's my doll!!!' moment until my Obi50(first big one) and my Iplehouse Dexter(first resin and a 70cm giant relatively speaking) popped by on screen.

I would recommand taking your current birthday money and save it up for potential Susan. My ideal big(compared to 1/6ers) Chun Li had to be shortlisted from 7-8 dolls(she was the last one that joined the list) of varying price range. Between now and your next birthday you might come across more sculpts that feel closer to your ideal Susan. Take the time now to research various companies and see owners' pics to know if you' can see your character in that sculpt (Jack ended up clean shaven because of this)

[Trethowan]

Stock market is a fun way to either lose everything or make some bucks. If that sort of thing interests you, that is. Scottrade is nice. I don't know if they have minimum investment amounts though.

[Lamia of the Dark]

I bought my first resin BJD with money from my tax return.

The others, I bought with a combination of money from my paycheck and from selling things on ebay.

(Of course, as an adult with a job, the only thing stopping me from saving money is my lack of impulse control.)

[DollyKim]

First off you need to get an idea what size you want.

Mine go from 70 to 11cm


The smaller half of the scale from 45cm downward.

Do you want a resin doll or do you want a bigger Obitsu? We're gonna enable you either way.

Now for saving money you can go on what I call the doll diet. You start with cutting down on things you don't want as much. It gets you thinking about your spending and saving habits in general. If you can let others know you're saving for a big doll ask for doll money instead of birthday and holiday presents. See if you can do some extra chores and stuff. A little put away every month quickly adds up.

[Jobee]

One good tip for saving money is looking at your regular expenses and seeing if you can trim them down.

Like if you buy your meals every day, consider buying them from the grocery store instead. That's cheaper.

If you shop from chain stores online, see if you can have your package delivered to a nearby store instead of your house. Often they'll offer this for free, saving you shipping costs.

If you have monthly prescriptions, see if you can get generics of your medication. They're the same and cheaper.

A similar suggestion, buy house brand items at grocery stores, rather than the expensive name brand. The prices individually may only be a dollar or cents cheaper, but when you're buying groceries, it adds up quickly!

The most important part is taking the little bits of money you save here and there and sticking it in an envelope, then never taking money out of that envelope, no matter how tempting it may be. If it helps, print out a picture of the doll you want to buy and tape it on the outside.

[babytarragon]

Hm, I'd say if you can truly afford one without stretching yourself/borrowing money go for it. I have been collecting BJDs for 10 years and still love them just as much.

One thing I would advise avoiding for your first BJD though is hybriding. Making hybrids can be a lot of fun but for your very first doll it's nice to know the head is going to match the body!

I'm very happy to point you towards affordable but quality dolls if you need it

[MeltedCaramel]

If you have monthly prescriptions, see if you can get generics of your medication. They're the same and cheaper.

<----ACK NO NO NO NO!!! Wait. I just need to clear something up first: Ask your doctor before you do anything like this. If you need to read up in detail on why generic vs. brand name can affect you if you're taking medication, please refer to http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/what-you ... eric-drugs (for once Dr. Oz said it best), but no, unless your doctor says its okay, don't do this. As someone who requires many different medications to function daily, I know that my doctor has personally said no to some generic drugs because of the inconsistency factor. Some doctors will just do this without thinking, but if you're on any medication, for YOUR HEALTH make sure you ask if the generic inconsistency of drugs could affect you.

Now, on the saving part: I'm of very little help here considering I shuck money like a stripper shucks her clothes. But I do agree with the layaway option, it becomes more like a bill and less like a big ol' pile of cash tempting you every time you see something you would like.

[Trethowan]

Now, on the saving part: I'm of very little help here considering I shuck money like a stripper shucks her clothes. But I do agree with the layaway option, it becomes more like a bill and less like a big ol' pile of cash tempting you every time you see something you would like.

Bahahaha... that's what my husband says about me. Waaa... I'm not that bad. (yes I am).