1.Does bonding with a doll matter to you?
It does. But I have kept dolls that I didn't bond with simply because they were good friends or family to a doll I did bond with. Not bonding with me does not mean you are out, as long as your being there makes one of my other dolls happy.
Likewise, If I bond with you, but you make one of my other "Favorite" dolls emotionally miserable you are OUT.
2.Do you bond with your doll right out of the box or does it take time?
HMMMmm, depends. I purcahsed Pong Pong Pukipuki because I knew I would bond with her instantly, in fact I bonded with her from the first pic I ever saw of her. Same with Mui-chan. But then I bought Chu Chu Pukipuki and didn't really feel much for her until I faced her up twice. Now I love her so much!
3.What do you do to bond with your dolls?
Having been a doll painter for 20 odd years, its really during the face up that the deep bonds are made and the stories unfold. At least with the dolls I don't bond with right off. Even with dolls I bond with right away I tend to fall even deeper after working on their faces.- Sometimes its just a touch of blush. Other times I totally reinvent the look a few times until the bond "clicks" and I know I found the dolls character and we bond.
4.Have you ever not bonded with a doll? What did it feel like?
Its rare. I've had alot of experience as a doll collector now and can usually tell from a picture if something is going to work on me. Lack of bonding tends to happen fro me when the dolls materials are cheap or misrepresented, or the dolls joints are weak and can not be played with. I like to play with my kids.
It doesn't feel good. Mostly because it happens only when something is misrepresented or is poorly made and it comes as a surprise. Dolls aint cheap and sometimes the anger at feeling hoodwinked really hurts. Thankfully there are alot of reputable people out ther selling!