This journal is a collection of everything I can think of about BJDs. It will probably never be completely "done", but I intend to keep updating it as often as possible. It covers many topics related to BJDs, but I could never imagine every possible use for them, nor every related topic. I will do my best however, to cover as much as possible. I try to give the most current and useful information that I have access to. If you see something that I have missed, a link that doesn't work or info that is incorrect, feel free to comment here. I do this freely as a service to all BJD owners or want-to-be owners and their friends and family. Feel free to pass the link around or show your loved ones so they can understand your hobby; but *please* do not copy any photos or text because I have spent many hours compiling all of this information and taken time away from my hobby and my family to do so. As always, any photos I didn't take are clearly marked with their origin. If your photo is here without permission, comment here! Or if you would like to, feel free to donate some photos to the cause! Please do enjoy and I hope you learn something new!

:)

This chapter covers some more advanced customizing that you can do to customize your doll. It is recommended that you have done some simpler mods before attempting any of these: Facial Reshaping, Hand Positioning, adding elf ears, opening or closing eyes, Reducing Foot Size and other miscellaneous mods I can think of that fit here.

( Face Mods )

( Modding The Hands and Feet )


Links

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10844 - full body paint
http://denofangels.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1354012&postcount=4 - all about ears
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6626 -customizing hands with heat
http://denofdemons.org/showthread.php?t=398 - sanding necks


Click here to read Chapter Five: Professional Customizing

There is an entire world of accessories out there for your BJD. There are wigs and eyes to shop for, of course; but there are also chairs, beds, jewelry, toys, clothes and just about anything that you can think of. While these stores are great sources for (mostly) BJD-oriented accessories, its also a good idea to keep your eyes open whenever you are in a store because there are a million and one things you will look at differently when you have a BJD. Everyday items take on a new life and your creativity is the limit!

Many doll companies that you can buy BJDs from also sell eyes, wigs and clothes; some even sell furniture. They will only be listed in the Companies Index; This list is only for sites that deal doll accessories or a large number of different brands of BJDs and accessories. I also will not be listing sites that focus on accessories for Tinies because they are incredibly easy to find. Don't forget to check the Commission listings as well.

( Wig Out! )

( The Looking Glass (eyes) )

( Got Your Back (clothes) )

( One Toe Over The Line (shoes) )

( Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend (jewelry) )

( A Place To Rest My Head (furniture) )

( ...And The Kitchen Sink )

( ECT. )

Volks stands alone in the BJD community for many reasons; one of which is the great attention they pay to their fans. Not only did they start this craze, but they offer the widest variety of dolls of any company in the market. They are the most recognized name and the most experienced. This doesn't mean they are the best; just the first. They are also the only company whose dolls come with built in UV protection as a standard feature.

( Volks Specialities )

( Volks Lines )

( FCS )

Forum Behavior, BJD unwritten rules, Limiteds, Group Orders & Preorders *&* Commissionables

There are two types of practices that are very common in the BJD fandom that you may not have come across before; creative and financial. The creative practices include: creating a character for your doll, giving them a backstory or creating a website for them. The financially based practices include: the issuing of Limited dolls, Preorders, Commissions and Group Orders.

First we will cover some of the creative practices. It is very easy to assign a character or personality to a BJD because they are so lifelike and can be almost as different as humans are. Some people create characters and then buy dolls to fit those characters, but some people fall in love with a doll and then create the character to fit the doll. This can be done before or after the doll arrives, depending on which you prefer. The first thing that a character needs is a name, just like a pet needs a name. Then an age, race and ethnicity need to be determined. After that, it's pretty much wide open. Some people don't do any more than that and some people write pages upon pages exploring the character they have created including likes and dislikes as well as important events in their character's life or things that make them special. Some people even give them families and lovers, which may or may not be represented by other BJDs.

( Once Upon A Time... )

( Keeping it Together )

( Creative Help )

You can make just about everything you could want for your dolls, from furniture and shoes to eyes, wigs and especially clothes. As much as I'd love to sit down and do a tutorial for everything ever, I'm no expert so for now this will be a link list.

( Sew Easy! )

( Big Wig! )

( Stomp those Boots! )

( Bat Your Eyes! )

( Props, Carriers & Stuff! )

( Variety! )

There is a lot to know about BJDs, but don't be intimidated. If you read and understand Chapter One, you are well on your way! This chapter includes some BJD history/trivia, as well as some BJD-specific terms and BJD related art or websites.

( Names to Know )

( BJD Terms )

( BJD Art )

This is an index for dolls related to resin ball joint dolls such as Dollfie Dreams, Obitsu, Pullip, Blythe and the 1/6th dolls. I list some basic things about each type of doll and several links including where to go to learn more about them and at least one forum related to them.

DollyGoLightly
This is a forum to talk about all the dolls listed here, not just one type.
(BJD, Pullip, Blythe, 1/6th, Barbie, Bratz! and fashion dolls)
Valley of the Dolls
Buy Pullips, Blythes, Pinky St. and more here.


( 27 cm/ 1:6th scale )

( Dollfie Dream I, II & Obitsu )

( Pullip & Blythe )

( Pinky St. )

*I do not cover fashion dolls here because that's only a vague relation to resin ball joint dolls. Besides, there are a lot of fashion dolls; they would need their own site to cover properly.

There are also 1/6th scale resin dolls, but they are included with the other resin BJDs. ;)

This index is a list of what is safe and not safe to use on your doll. I've researched everything thoroughly before posting, but I still am not liable for any damage caused from using anything listed. Anything that is questionable for use on resin is noted as such. I have coded the questionables as follows: "\" next to it, that means someone said NO, but with no other confirmation or not having used any other product ever. "^" means at least one person recommended it and a "?" means that there was no answer on using this product.


( To Seal or Not to Seal? )

( Let's Get Rembrandt! )

( How Dirty Boys (& Girls) Get Clean! )

'Where can I get a ball joint doll?'

There are several ways to get a ball joint doll; direct from a manufacturer's website, through a dealer or through a shopping service. You can buy them second-hand from other collectors. They can also be found on EBay. I have only listed sites in English. I will try to keep this list as current as possible. Feel free to comment if you see any incorrect info.

( Online Shops )

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( Dealers Only )

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( Heads Only )

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( Forums/Sales Sites )