Dollieh Sanctuary

Hello (Also I'm sorry if this is the wrong category to post this, it's my first time using this site)

I'm 15 years old and thinking about buying a BJD and I've been doing research on the hobby
If I do end up buying a BJD it won't be until this summer (when I get a job and save enough money)
I would like to know some BJD beginner tips on how to care for them and anything I should buy before I purchase one
So far I've fell in love with three dolls and I would like some advice on which would be best for a beginner
1. http://www.bobobie.net/index.php?main_p ... cts_id=164
2. http://www.ddollshop.com/shop/step1.php?number=920
3. http://www.thedollndoll.com/shop/step1. ... 1024062104
Another thought I have is asking my parents about owning these, since they do require constant care (well not constant but you know what I mean). They should be fine with it since I'm buying it with my own money from my own work but just in case what do you think would be a good approach?
Also, a concern I have is that I own three cats (all are declawed) and even though they usually leave my things alone I would like to know if there are any precautions I should take.

Thank you so much for the help! It is greatly appreciated!
~Emily

First of all, since all of the sites you showed are international, expect to add about $50 to the price for shipping. It might be a little less than $50, probably won't be more.

You can get Bobobie and Resinsoul dolls from here in the US:http://www.junkyspot.com/obindex.html and shipping will be much less. If you don't see the doll you want there, Emory can and will order it for you.

You might want to look at this dealer also https://www.mintoncardinc.com/dolls/index.php They state what they have in stock and what would be a special order. Again, the shipping would be much less.

I think this is as good place as any to ask questipons like these. ^^

First the "best for beginner"-thing. I don't think that there is better or worse dolls to buy first. Some dolls have more complex stringing (like minifees), but as you don't have to take doll apart even that doesn't matter much. So you should buy the doll which appearance you like best.

For the dolls you have listed, the Dreaming Doll is only one who has double joints, and Dollndoll girl has no torso joint. These will affect to how the doll will pose (double joints will give bit more natural movement to arms and legs and with toso joint doll can lean back- and forwards).

For "constant care" -thing. Even if active care is good, no doll will suffer if it will be stored in a box and just left there for a time. So you might tell your parents that even if the hobby takes time, it can be left aside for a while if there is need to attend something more important.

Last the cats. They shouldn't be any problem to your dolls - execpt if they have tendencies to play with forbitten things. So you might want to keep at least wigs (I have a cat who loves to eat natural mohair wigs), frilly dresses and small part that could be easily lost (like eyes or shoes) somewhere out of their reach.

And yeah, welcome to Sanctuary! Feel free to ask questions if you'll have more.

Ball joint dolls aren't that complicated to own. Keep clean around them, keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible and away from smoke, mind their fingers and pointy ears. I have some that have been hanging out in my room so long they get dusty and others who have been in their boxes forever. My oldest BJD is 8 and still on his original parts.

As for cats when they "love" something they're scent marking it and might get some of the oils form their coats on it which isn't good for resin. I keep the pets away from my dolls in general to keep them clean.

All doll questions are welcome

Welcome! It's exciting to plan your first doll. There are a lot of great tutorials and guides here in our Tips and Tricks section that teach the do's and don'ts about maintenance, cleaning, face-ups, etc. It is extremely helpful. I did a lot of research before buying my first doll, too. The more you learn before spending your money, the better. And we're always happy to answer questions! Folks here at the Sanctuary are the best. <3

As long as, you keep your dolls away from the cats. They should be fine. I lived two cats for awhile, and I always kept the door to my bedroom closed, because that was where my dolls were.

There are some stuff that I recommend keeping away from cats: eyes, clothes, elastic, wigs, accessories, boxes, and small parts. I have never had my cats run off with my doll stuff, but it was because they like to play hide and seek under the bed more than exploring my room. lol The stuff that they have played with often is cloth material, paper, and stuff that rolls. Also be careful with yarn ribbon and string, some cats may eat it. Finally, make sure your dolls box isn't open, because I knew quite a few cats that I like to be in boxes.

The Dollndoll girl is really nice, the body is really well designed and she will pose really well without any work.

I haven't owned a DreamingDoll so I can't comment on the design, but she sure is cute.

The ResinSoul girl will need modifying work to make her pose/stand well. I've owned Resinsoul and I'm sorry to say, I was disappointed with my doll. Plenty of people own these dolls and are happy with them so I'm not saying don't buy her, but I just want to share my experience.

Oooooh, a Bobobie Mei! I had one and I loved her. She was adorable and so delicate looking...! I eventually ended up selling her, but that was only because she did not fit the character I was trying to portray through the doll.

But that's one point you can keep in mind---dolls are re-sellable! Some people consider them to be an investment.

I think a Bobobie Mei is a great first doll to have. The sculpt is really nicely detailed, and still an affordable price! Her stringing is a bit weak, though, but there are tricks to get around that, such as sueding joints.

If you can buy from http://www.junkyspot.com, absolutely do...! Everything listed on the site is in stock, so if you order something, you'll get it really quick!

Maintenance for dolls, hmmm... Well, I have two that I keep in their boxes, and they're pretty safe there. Apart from that, if I notice some smudgy stain or something on the resin, I scrub it off with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and that usually does the trick. People often say to try to keep the dolls out of direct sunlight for extended periods of time, because that will eventually cause discoloration (yellowing). That can happen just with age, alone, too, though, but in the sun it can happen a little quicker.

You do want to be careful not to drop or let your doll fall, as they can break...! @__@; So be ready to leap and catch a tumbling dollie if you're trying to leave one standing...! Be careful about hard floors/tables/counters and the like...! I had a doll standing on a counter in my hard-floor kitchen a long time ago, and the little guy suddenly fell forward and did a flip right off the edge. xD He landed on his back on the floor and I nearly had a heart attack! Sooo, yeah, keep an eye on 'em if you're going to leave them standing anywhere!

When touching your doll's head to turn it, best to grab the sides of the head to turn it and not the nose or the chin, as that will eventually rub some of the faceup off.


that's pretty much the bulk of it. There are many more things you'll learn in time. x3 And this place is good for asking questions, so fire away...!

Since I've been wanting a Mei for a while now, I'm a little biased. ^_~ As for the cats... I have three in my house. All of my dolls are up out of cat range, although the youngest does try to get into the doll clothes on a occasion. None of my cats are really into destroying things or even jumping up where they shouldn't be. Everyone's pets are different. I'd be more concerned about keeping your resin doll out of the sunlight than the cats bothering it.