For those who would like to answer a question for my paper

[yarwel]

Yep, it's definitely the people. The only thing I'd like to add is that I like the creative orientation of our community. Quite a few of us are artists or storytellers so there is a lot of creative energy here; plus the people here are so open and nonjudgmental we can all express our own vision without being compared to each other or ranked.

[ShadowKat]

When I first got into 1/6th scale, I found and joined a couple of different forums. One was really big, and friendly enough, but the focus of it was really narrow (mostly military and action guys, plus super-realism in figures), which was fine, but that's not something I really care about nor enjoy. What few times I have posted there, while no one was outright mean, they weren't very welcoming either. There have been other forums, but most of them the focus is really narrow, and neither my gang nor me really fit in.
The DS is different. Everyone in my gang is accepted here. No matter what crazy combinations I may hybrid together, they'll still be welcome here. I love looking through all the categories, and learning about new dolls and doll companies. Because I found this place I'm now interested in BJDs (I had never came across them before), and I can't wait to get my first MSD! I have learned a lot about sewing and customizing from here as well, and I love seeing what other people do. It's very inspiring!
Everyone is so nice and friendly here, and I can't wait to check here every day. While the dolls may have brought me here, I stay because of the people. I feel like I actually know most everyone here, and, even though I might not post much, I consider you all my friends (Because of our reclusive lifestyle, I don't have any close friends in real life, besides my husband. Most of my friends from high school all moved away and don't stay in touch, and my college friends were nonexistent 'cause most of my classes were online).

[LiveLoveYarn]

Thanks again to everyone responding to my question- your help is sooo appreciated.
Trethowan- I loved your story about meeting someone who recognized your doll, that must have made Michah and yourself feel so special
Famed glory- you make an awesome point about anonymity and lack of accountability. Makes this place all the more awesome, IMO.

You all make really great points have great stories to share. I really hope I can do them all justice withthe small amount os space I have to write. I know I've said it, but I am so grateful for all your help. It means so much to me that you all would take time to help lil ol' me on my paper. Or maybe you just love talking about why you love the DS. Either way, thank you.

I'm a big lurker on other forums, especially DoA which (I think someone mention) is a great tool with lots of resources. I keep trying to "get my posts up" so I can have access to the marketplace but everytime I try I just wind up back here with all the people who I genuinely enjoy interacting with. There are lots of friendly people on the other forums, but I can't ignore the sense of community I have here with you all (already, after such a short time).

[DollyKim]

Start with a paper, expand to a book.

[Anderson'sAllPurpose]

I got back into (or properly into, depending on how you see it) the hobby about a year ago when I discovered Monster High and the various possibilites for modding dolls. When I googled for rerooting tutorials I kept ending up here, so after a while I figured I might as well join and let the management know I liked the place. I'm not a member of any other doll forums so I don't have much to compare to, but I still like it here.

Maybe I'm unusual here in that I only collect 1/6 scale dolls (Barbie, MH, Obitsu, action figures etc), so DOA has never been an option for me. I'm interested in modding and many of my dolls are hybrids of some kind, so sticking to one brand has never made much sense to me. When it comes to modding dolls, the BJD hobby seems to have amassed a lot of knowledge, and some of it carries over to different scales and materials as well. For me as a beginner it's great to be around people who have already tried stuff on different types of dolls and know what might work and not.

I lurk at a couple of 1/6 scale doll forums too. They seem nice, but I think one forum is about enough for me to keep up with. I like seeing different kinds of dolls - you might find something you didn't know you liked! - and that things are fairly ...informal, I guess? It's okay if that hemline isn't completely straight, or the photo is a bit blurry. That's reassuring for a newbie like me.

[DollyKim]

Sticking with one size isn't unusual. There is a high possibility that had I never seen Xavier's face my only big doll would have been my Obitsu 60 Shi Shi. I could have stayed with just Shi Shi and X if it wasn't for the twins, my sister and I won prize heads for a picture we took of X, after that getting X a wife and children, and Lucifer, and the tiny babies became easier. But I'm still 1/6 scale at heart and if I absolutely had to could part with the bigger dolls, except for X because he's find his way back.

[Anderson'sAllPurpose]

Sticking with one size isn't unusual. There is a high possibility that had I never seen Xavier's face my only big doll would have been my Obitsu 60 Shi Shi. I could have stayed with just Shi Shi and X if it wasn't for the twins, my sister and I won prize heads for a picture we took of X, after that getting X a wife and children, and Lucifer, and the tiny babies became easier. But I'm still 1/6 scale at heart and if I absolutely had to could part with the bigger dolls, except for X because he's find his way back.

Unusual for this forum, I mean! I was thinking about why I ended up here rather than a strictly 1/6 scale board. Maybe it's because I quite like the BJD look, even if I don't feel particularly drawn towards larger doll scales (yet). It could also be that I primarily got into MH and they don't really fit in with Barbies or action figures, which is what other 1/6 forums mainly seem to be about.

[DollyKim]

There ya go. I loosely define 'Littles', which my website is mostly about, as a 1/6 scale doll without strings. I'm a stickler to the height thing but wouldn't kick a Hujoo out of the party. Monsters are welcome because size wise they'd fit in the same 'world'. Being that toys don't care much about scale I have pages on my bigger dolls, they just don't get the same attention as the Littles. (I call them that because a lady saw them at a Volks party and delightfully screamed LITTLES! and it stuck)

It's the relaxed attitude we have here that makes everything work. The Blair Witch could show up with her stick figures and we'd be asking for a tutorial on how to make them.

[LiveLoveYarn]

It's the relaxed attitude we have here that makes everything work. The Blair Witch could show up with her stick figures and we'd be asking for a tutorial on how to make them.

LMFAO, DollyKim!! LOL.

[Anderson'sAllPurpose]

Blair Witch stick figures

Now there's an idea for Easter decorations. I'm seeing lots of glitter and colored feathers...