MelodyT Auuuhhh. ;___; Your reply sounds like it should be in my dolly shame thread! Sweetness, there is nothing wrong with your hobby, and if you want to go out and do a photoshoot with your dolls,
do it. Here's a protip from someone who embarrasses easily: Disguise what you're doing. If anyone gives you the stink-eye or asks what you're doing with that "you weirdo" voice, tell them you're a professional photographer working with a company to take test photos of their new doll line. (Just don't say this while you're taking pictures with like, an iPhone or something. XDD Make sure your camera looks somewhat believable, or you could elaborate further and say they're just test shots to send off to the editing department. (Editing department? What editing department? *Whistles innocently*)
Slowly the number of dolls I had increased. Some I bought, some were gifts. Then one of my colleagues daughters gave me her Barbie because, as she put it, 'I don't play with dolls anymore but since you do, you may have her'. Bless her little heart. I was smitten with my Barbie and more dolls were added to the mix.
<---Ahh, the innocence some children can have, bless them indeed! <3 What a sweet way to get a new doll. I can tell HOW you got her really sticks out in your mind.
I find it relaxing to customize too, it's creative catharsis and there's nothing wrong with it.
Currently I have 40 dolls. They all have names (obviously) and each has their own story to tell. My husband doesn't get it though. He says 'he doesn't understand' my affinity for dolls. What can I say? I enjoy playing with dolls. It's fun n relaxing! My best friend also collects and 'plays' with dolls and we have conversations about our dolls that just blows my husband's mind
(I think he secretly thinks we are nuts
)
<----A lot of people "don't understand", but it's their loss in my opinion! I'm glad you have someone to gab dolly with! My friends are all "...Uhhh....." And when I try to explain customizing, the only person who comes REMOTELY close to understanding customizes small action figures which is a whole different arena!!!
Sadly though, I am very conscious of the fact that there are many people who just 'don't get it' and that inhibits me a lot. Perhaps one day I will have the courage to ignore the cynics, take my dolls outside and enjoy doing a photo-shoot with them
<---I hereby hire you for a fake photoshoot for Dollieh Sanctuary Unlimited, and your mission is to go out and have some fun without worrying about others or what they say. We have one life to live to the fullest, and you need to squeeze every bit of happiness out of it you can.
So have fun! <3