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BJD Week 01: Intro

A general introduction to the hobby. What is a doll, why do they cost so much? Under a readmore since it’s quite lengthy. The final draft was seriously three pages. Sorry it was a day late.

What is a BJD?

A Ball Jointed Doll (BJD) is generally used as a widespread term to use a jointed doll strung with elastic. The materials can range from resin (what this hobby in particular is used to) to ABS, vinyl or porcelain. I’ve also seen silver sculpted dolls before here on tumblr (and they are so pretty!). But what you are here for is probably due to the Asian Ball Jointed Dolls (ABJD, but for this tutorial series will be used interchangeably) commonly seen in pretty photos here on tumblr or on Flickr, deviantART or some other familiar website.

A BJD in general is a doll made with ball joints for posing and mobility. Generally they are strung with elastic. Again, there are many materials used for them, but to keep to specifics for this series we will be sticking to polyurethane resin strung with elastic. The jointing is no matter but generally there is a neck joint, shoulder joints, elbows, wrists, hip, knee and potentially ankle joints. However smaller sizes (and some anthro) dolls do not even have that, instead only having five points of articulation in some cases.

Asian Ball Jointed Dolls are those BJDs created in (you guessed it) Asian countries. Generally companies in this grouping are based out of Japan, South Korea or China. There are many companies with some being more popular than others. We can go into this in later tutorials/writeups.

So to be absolutely specific, the ABJD hobby deals with Ball Jointed dolls, strung with elastic that are made of polyurethane resin made from a company based in one of three Asian countries. However, in the last few years leeway is given to artist cast dolls from other countries (both those who self cast (artist cast) or use an outside company to do so. There are quite a few popular artists who have made their name in the community as well.

The (Quick) History of BJDs.

Outside of the long line of jointed dolls that have been created as early as 200 BCE, the modern Asian Ball Jointed came around 1999 from the Japanese company Volks. The company actually was known for their garage kits at the time and came out with their Super Dollfie line. They were 57cm and strung quite like what we still see today (but lacking a magnetic cap and instead having an S-hook in the headcap to string everything together).

Three or so years later Korean companies began to pop up with their own unique style. Some popular companies at the time were Custom House and Cerberus Project. Not long after that, Chinese companies began making knockoff versions, some direct copies with a lower quality resin, sometimes mixed with sand.

It is because of this time some of the older ABJD owners to sometimes have a slight reaction to Chinese companies. DollZone was one of the first Chinese companies to create their own sculpts, debuting around 2006.

Also of note, Den of Angels, the main go-to for information started in 2002.

The community and companies are still growing, but there are still some long time companies that people keep going back to.

What is the Cost of an ABJD?

Cost tends to correlate with size for the most part. But sometimes the really small ones can cost as much as a doll much larger than it. But there are a lot of factors to take into account. Is it a limited doll? Artist cast doll? Sizing, extras, second-hand, all these contribute to how much will come out of the pocket for one. Rule number one: yes, they are still expensive. Hobbies are expensive. Save up within means before getting one. Layaway is an option, yes, but one screw up and many times people will forfeit their previous payments! So budgeting is key. (This hobby has taught me a lot on budgets and bills. This is a good thing.)

But generally dolls range anywhere from $200 to $700 for a base doll. This means, no faceup, no eyes, wig or clothes. Some companies make great dolls that are outliers on this rule. Resinsoul, for example, makes 43cm (MSD) sized dolls that range in the $150 range. Dollshe Craft or Dollstown (provided Dollshe doesn’t have a closeout sale that happens every few years), run on the upper range at $700. Also to take in account, shipping. Most companies will try to use EMS shipping, which is quite reliable, fast and yes, expensive. EMS for my first doll alone was nearly $100 on top of the $600 that she was. If asked though, many companies will change up shipping options if emailed directly though. Some will not. In any case, simply ask.

Also, you can buy head and body separate. One body from one company and a head from another. Generally this will cost more. Buying separate from the same company will look like money is being saved in the long run, but actually does cost more. Unless you really want to hybridize between companies! More on this in another tutorial.

Why do they cost so much?

Image via DollsheCraft’s blog. This gives a good overview of what goes into making a sculpt.

A lot goes into the making of each doll. Many companies employ just a few people from a sculptor, to a casting crew and a faceup crew. Plus needing someone who generally is able to speak multiple languages to handle online sales and promote. Website fees, shipping issues and lions and tigers oh my! Generally speaking, polyurethane resin is not an easy medium to work in by default. Any small bump will show up. Molds do wear out after a time and will have to be remade.

We are buying small piece of art to customize for ourselves, many of which were originally sculpted by hand, molded by hand and cast by hand. If a faceup was purchased, it is painted… by hand. These are not the stickers placed on that Barbie in the corner. It is painted on. An outfit is made by hand with quality materials. And for that, we pay a premium price. But it is worth it in the long run, trust me.

What can You Do With Them?

Quite a bit! Many simply admire their fullsets bought from the company. A fullset is the idea the company has taken for a doll from the faceup, body blushing, outfit, wig, eyes, shoes, everything. After finishing a doll yourself, the same thing. Many take them to doll meets.

Many people sew for their dolls. Photograph them, make small items including scale rooms.

Be creative! That is the main point of the hobby, right? Enjoy your doll and the creativity that spins around them.

General “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of ABJDs.

A super general list.

Please do not:

Sit them in a window for long periods of time. They will yellow and lose their red tones. Many people do not like a yellowed doll.

Brag about pricing. So you got a limited super cheap or dropped $1200 on that recent limited fullset? Cool, but it doesn’t make you a super collector over someone who has all second hand dolls that cost a dime to your fullset. We are still equal.

Put others down. See the previous statement.

Feel silly about them. So you have just a simple little one that barely cost anything and you see that rare doll that’s super pretty? Your doll is just as pretty. Why? Because it’s your doll.

Buy recast. Again, more on this later, but it hurts the community. It hurts the trust built in the community among other things.

Please Do:

Enjoy your dolls. Even if it’s the millionth of the same sculpt out there, it is yours and that is beautiful.

Be courteous to others. Good things come to those who are good as well.

Be creative. Let that mind flow. Do what you want within reason.

Be patient. Many dolls are not made until payment is complete. Sometimes this can take months. I’ve personally had to wait eight months for dolls. The wait was all the more worth it. (And right now we’re on a year layaway for one doll who should be showing in a couple of months. So excited.)

Buy within your reason. This hobby can seriously be dangerous to the checkbook. Save up, again, be patient!

I plan on doing a big writeup like this once a week. If you have questions, send in an ask. I will to answer it within a reasonable amount of time. But by no means am I all knowing on the subject. This is generally what I have learned over the last few years in the hobby.

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