After finding your channel I finally disobeyed my parents and bought a G3 Draculaura doll!! I’m a teen so my dad considers it pretty weird, but after discovering your channel I realized it makes me happy :D
Im a mom. And, if a doll made my teen smile, I would smile. I hope your parents are happy with your collecting because it makes u happy. As that is what parents should want for their children. Also, there are sooo many worse things a teen could be into. Lol.
Thank you for this! Some people don’t get it! I am a 66 year old lady! Now I can get dolls that look like me! Growing up in the 1960’s this was an issue! I have purchased the black dolls that I longed for as a kid!- I have a diverse collection! I keep my dolls in their boxes! I just enjoy them that way! I don’t mess with their hair or rearrange their bodies or clothes! I don’t care about the holy grail doll! I buy the doll that appeals to me! I appreciate your good advice😍
To both of you, and anyone else feeling guilty over their small choices: Did you take your private jet out for a spin this year? If you didn’t, because you don’t have a private jet, then you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about when it comes to the environment and how you spend your money. The biggest win for Big Corp was insisting that you, a simple everyday person, should somehow feel personally responsible for how much waste and irreversible environmental damage BIG CORP is causing to our poor planet. You do not decide which river Big Corp will dump their chemicals into, you do not decide that Big Corp must package everything in a ton of single use plastics, you do not have any personal say in how Big Corp “meets” their green initiative by selling their unrecyclable waste to the poorest nations on our planet essentially making those poor countries an unlivable dumping ground. You do not force Big Corp to pay their workers unlivable wages while upholding unachievable production goals that negatively affect any poor soul forced to work for them. You are not responsible for their race to the bottom of the barrel for a microscopic savings for Big Corp. If you still feel like you are somehow personally at fault for how Big Corp operates, call your local politician and ask what THEY are doing about Big Corps figurative “r**e” of our one and only planet. Taxes make bigger incentives than people’s opinion. And I’m really, really sorry you feel guilt around something that should only give you joy, it’s not your fault, it’s not my fault, it’s Big Corps most successful campaign ever. Please enjoy your hobbies guilt free, don’t let them win. (Unless your hobby involves dumping plastic waste in nature, or excessive consumption of for example fast fashion)
I felt this deeply when i discovered Magic Mixies Pixlings - love their designs, but the added plastic from the packaging is horrendous :'( Couldn't find the dolls on the second-hand market for weeks and finally caved to get some of the girls i liked - now they're even sold out in places in my country, so it's a weid mix of "lucky!" and "ouch for the environment"
I was 16 years old when Monster High debuted and I immediately adored them. I wanted to own one so badly, but was afraid of what others would think, so I'd purchase the dolls in secret, one at a time, being swift at the Target checkout, then hiding them in my backpack afterwards. By the time I was leaving home for college I had a small collection of different kinds of dolls built up, and I really really loved it, but I felt so weird and insecure about it that I gave them all away, Toy Story 3 style. I regret doing that. Now I'm 29, have a new and bigger collection than before, and I don't care who knows about it. Whatever your age please don't let your anxiety or insecurities keep you from collecting dolls if it genuinely makes you happy!
The other day, my dad basically asked what the point was of me "beheading dolls" to modify them. He's never been judgmental, but he's about to retire and I'm unemployed and he was on a rant about spending time in a way that feels fulfilling and worthwhile. I've always worried about justifying my interests because it's hard to see the practical value. I settled on "it's an artist thing" for now. It's the first time I've ever hand waved my interests as "too niche/cool for you to get, old man." Maybe he'll never see a doll I make that lights him up the way they do for me, but I hope some day he can answer for himself what "the point" is by seeing how happy I am doing what I love.
This really got to me.. I've never told my dad any of my interests anymore because he just doesn't understand. But maybe I should try 🤷♀️... I hope this doesn't come off as weird, I just really relate to what you said 🩷
@@beautyonabarnbudget the point is joy. Joy is way more important then money. Yes you need to be able to pay your bills but right after that you then need to make life worth living which is where the acquisition and understanding how to obtain joy comes in.
I remember when Monster High first came out, I was immediately obsessed. I was “too old” for dolls at that point, but I always wanted them. I loved the characters, backgrounds, and original cartoons. I bought my first G3 Draculaura this year at 31 and almost cried. I know I know, dramatic but I hated how so many of us older fans were shamed for this long.
Same ! I was a little too old when they came out...And my partner has offered me my first G3 Draculaura two weeks ago ! As my first doll and a gift of the person I love, she will have a special place in my heart
To limit my purchases I have priority characters, like Draculaura and Twyla, as well as priority vibes, like fantasy. I find having certain parameters actually makes collecting more enjoyable.
Draculaura and Twyla are my priority characters as well! I also only get specific Shadow High dolls with specific fashions or themes, and have been excited collecting the new, little Magic Mixie Pixlings to get some cute little fantasy dolls. I stick with specific characters/vibes to limit my collection but also so I can collect more than one brand. I just wanted to share we have that in common and that it is the best plan💜
@@TinyGhosty Hey that’s awesome! Nice to meet someone else with good taste 😁 My Shadow High faves are Monique, Shanelle and Eliza. For Rainbow High I like the really soft ones like Georgia and Victoria. I don’t buy until I really really love a doll. I’m going back to get older Twylas and can’t wait for her in Neon Frights!
Yeah, mostly just get ones that pique my interest in whatever strategy works best. I finally irdered Venus McFlytrap's g3 character, and havent considered buying any other designs yet, although ive gotten a few as gifts. Generally, most of doll collecting is haivng fun and getting pretty dolls you like, which takes the most priority imo.
Here are a couple tips I have! 1. Don’t be afraid to look at all the dolls on the shelf for defects. As long as you leave the place nice and neat and put back the dolls you don’t want where they belong, no one cares, plus you can always go a little later or earlier if you don’t want to do it in front of kids. 2. Walmart and target can be overwhelming so it’s best to have at least a basic plan of what you want! Even if you get something different, a little focus helps! 3. If you want a good, basic doll to start, I personally recommend a made to move Barbie. It can be a Barbie looks, a yoga doll, even one of the wheelchair fashionistas! You get excellent posing, and even if the outfits a little basic, Barbie has a ton of fashion packs so you’re bound to find one that works! 4. Get just one doll per shopping trip at first. Saves you money and can help you truly refine what you actually want. 5. Have fun and interact with the community. Follow some doll accounts, give sewing a try, join a Instagram photo competition or challenge, watch youtubers! This is a really fun community and you’re bound to make some friends! I went on a bit of a tangent, but I hope these tips help!
A few more tips I thought of: 6. It’s ok if you don’t know a ton about how to sew, style doll hair, make super elaborate photos if your new. You can just keep your dolls in the clothes they came in, take basic cell phone pics, not style their hair. Many of the people online with serious skills have been collecting for years and had plenty of time to gain the skills. Just keep trying and you’ll get there! 7. If you sensitive to smells, be careful when buying dolls with the main gimmick being scents. A lot of them are weak, but it can be pretty chemical smelling. Also be sure not to buying used dolls from smoking households. Nicotine can stain dolls and the smell is very hard to get out. 8. If you plan on customizing, BE VERY CAREFUL! A lot of the supplies used ( like mr. super clear) are VERY toxic! Keep you customs away from pets as well. They don’t know better and may accidentally damage your hard work. The supplies are also toxic to pets so keep them away from projects. 9. Be sure to keep your eyes out for good deals. Dolls can go on sale pretty often so keep checking every once in a while. 10. Leaks can happen months in advance so you may have to wait a bit for the doll to be released. Dolls typically are released during certain times so that they are on shelves in time for the holidays. 11. It’s ok if you have a limited budget and can’t afford more expensive dolls. Just collect dolls that make you happy and you can afford! ( also you should put your wellbeing above buying a doll. Make sure you are able to cover your basic needs!)
I was just going to get one, a Barbie Looks one, but I saw so many I want of all different types and eras, and now hope I haven't ordered too many straight out if the gate. I've got 8 dolls coming by mail order. Hopefully they'll arrive one at a time! I hope I haven't done overkill
I got a doll again as an adult after finding your channel💗 I'm still very picky and keen on curating my collection but I love the dolls I have gotten so far and your channel was a really valuable resource to figure out a lot of things about fashion dolls!
I’m in that awkward section of being that person in the communities for 3+ years, but I’ve only been collecting for a year due to ✨being scared of people being bitchy about my collecting✨. Last year I decided to bite the bullet and brought my first actual doll for myself, one I wanted, Kia hart from rainbow high. Were people bitchy? Yes. Was i seen as childish? Yep. Was I judged? OF COURSE. but has it made me happier? Also yes. It’s been such a helpful thing especially during some of the hardest times of my life. I can honestly say some of my favourite memories are finding fellow collectors and just having fun with them. The unfathamble joy I get when accquiring a doll I’ve been looking for for ages is honestly ridiculous, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you are worried about people judging you for your collecting, maybe ask yourself if they are the right people to surrond yourself with.
i started doll collecting a few months ago. i have always loved dolls, but i reprsssed that part of me for years in an attempt to "grow up". i regret giving away most of my childhood dolls. But now I'm reminded of how much I love dolls, and looking at my collection makes me smile! My family are very supportive too. Also on the subject of "connecting" with a doll, I usually have what i call the doll of the day. i just choose a doll from my collection, usually one im drawn to on that day, and she just... sits near me during the day. it sounds silly but it's nice.
"a tomb with me and all my little plastic women" LMAO YESS you calling me out directly about dusting = = as someone who collects both dolls and figures it is so damn hard to keep up with dusting lmao. its so MUCH WORK ^^; im a seasoned collector but i still had fun watching your video
Since starting a collection I've made sure all of my dolls are really meaningful to me and it adds am to how much I love them. I got a G3 Twyla doll to celebrate finally getting my autism diagnosis and my G3 Lagoona to bribe myself to leave the house to pick her up. It's also something me and my sister bond over :)
I unknowingly am a collector since I was a kid, apparently! I kept my Disney princesses in a fairly good condition, and I've been thinking of restoring them for awhile now, so that I could display them. Your video gave me the push that I needed it. It was very well made.
A tip for going through a doll line's releases is watching the commercials. I personally find it really fun, and helps you get a "feel" for the line's concept and catch up on what you lost if you're interested in older/discontinued lines. I specially love watching old Bratz commercials, helped a lot since I was too young to own Bratz dolls when they were around and only became a fan during the 2018 reboot when I was 13. I can ID almost any Bratz doll at this point and pinpoint the year she was released, it almost feels like I lived through the era lmao. Plus, it's just really fun!
As someone that doesn't collect dolls (I love this channel tho💖) but rather collects anime figures and amiibo, I think this is a good video for toy/hobby collecting in general! I've been collecting for almost 10 years now, and a lot of what you said really resonated with me. Awesome work as always!
You have done a major work here. 🙌🏾💖🎊 Mad respect. 🙏🏾 I've been collecting for years, and my collection is sizable. I enjoy them, but I'm also sad because I don't have the space to properly store and display them how I want.
I need time to "bond" with a new doll. If I get too many dolls at once, my joy in them is vastly decreased. So spacing out getting dolls is a good choice for me. I also need to consider how a new doll will fit in my collection. When I decide I want a new doll, my best choice is to think about where I will display/ store them, how I will play with them. If I can't envision them in my home, they are often a bad purchase for me. Also, if I want a "fixer upper", I have to consider if i currently have the resources to do the work. If I don't, I run the risk of sticking the doll in a box for later - a death knell for that doll
Me, with zero interest in collecting dolls: “ah. Fascinating!”😂 I’m a model horse collector personally, so it’s interesting to look into other collections and see what draws people to them.
You are one of my favorite people on the internet. Your sincerity is so refreshing. When you are talking about doll collecting it really comes across as a metaphor for whatever it is that makes you unique that others might not understand. It was absolutely charming. Keep up the good work and f**k the haters.
Small note: generation girl sculpt for barbie was originally officially called ceo in house at Mattel but Mattel has since adopted the fan dub generation girl. On the Mattel creations site, the few collector dolls that use her will refer to her as both ceo or gg.
just ordered my first doll since childhood 💖 i found a second hand meygan bratz doll. i was searching everywhere for a red haired doll that looked like me and shes soooo perfect, i can wait to make outfits and start collecting like i've always wanted too
Love this video!!! I’m a 42 year old collector. I have about 500 dolls. 90% fashion dolls and the rest vintage old looking dolls. Most of my dolls I’ve removed from box but I did manage to keep about 10% in their boxes. I keep my dolls mostly a secret. My mother would have me committed if she found out. However my amazing boyfriend is super supportive about my collecting. He helps me financially because as you know it’s a very expensive hobby especially because I collect new and he never complains about sharing our bedroom with 500 dolls and doll stuff lol. 3 close friends know and support my doll collecting. I love what you said about completionists (sp?) I’ve wanted to do that with rainbow high but there are about 15% I don’t like much so I’ve decided not to ever buy. I have about 65 rainbow so far. Getting all the ones I want will take a while. I do go on doll binges where I’ll buy a bunch at once and feel bad so I’ll go a week or 2 without buying or only buy a couple then I’ll get sad and binge again lol. Im trying to pace myself at the moment but Amazon days and Black Friday is coming so that’s scary lol. Sorry I babble a lot but it’s a huge passion of mine and once I start talking doll I can’t stop lol.
I love 80s/90s barbies, as they are the dolls I grew up with. I’ve been able too collect such dolls as, peaches as cream and workin out barbie. I bought my first Dracula doll not long ago along. G3, absolutely inlove with her and I keep putting her in different posts and positions around my room. I’m personally not too fussed about in the box dolls, as I like too style my dolls a lot so a lot of the time. I buy dolls in need of TLC or missing pieces as I enjoy finding and fixing dolls too.
I really am drawn to the idea of thrifting the dolls that need TLC as well!!! It helps you ‘connect’ with the doll by putting in work to get the doll to a satisfactory condition and the before and after is so worth it. It might save the doll from ending up in a landfill, too!
My recommendation for anyone who wants to collect but is unsure about what the people around them will think: Just do it. I put off starting a collection for years because I worried about people, namely my family, thinking it would be weird. When I finally bit the bullet and bought my first two dolls, they all ended up thinking it was actually pretty cool!
Omg I was SO excited for this video! I am actually getting back to doll collecting. I used to collect Pullips and Blythes, honestly they became a hyperfixatation and I lost track - became a hoarder. I sold most of the dolls Injad because I didn’t really feel connected to them anymore, but recently I’ve been discovering Barbie’a history and the movie was the final call for me to get back onto it. Here in Brazil collector Barbies are much more accessible in general than Asian fashion dolls, so I’m really happy. Thank you so much for this! And your channel generally. ❤
This was a nice guide! I appreciate you stating that no collection is too small, especially for a beginner. I try to only buy dolls that I completely, totally love and currently I only have about 6 of them. It's not about completionism, it's about you and YOUR happiness!
I just got back to collecting back in 2020. Due to Rainbow High coming out. I was also giantly excited to see Monster high dolls. But I have been a doll collecter seen I was a lot younger but at that age it was Bratz and My Scene. Loved those lines with all my heart.
As a brand new collector as of May 2023, I needed this! I’ve been having what I call ✨Doll Fever✨ and rapidly oscillating between doll phases: RH, MH, AG, and now I’m on BJD. While I have a strict hold over my budget, this allows me to enjoy different communities and dolls from a distance while finding what I may end up putting my passion into the most! Although my collection is small it lets me enjoy each type of doll in small doses before I commit to a brand/collection.
To add onto the point of Patience, when buying dolls on either eBay or Mercari, make sure to spend the time searching, because that way you can find great deals, especially when wanting to buy dolls that are overpriced. (Bratz Flashback Fever Jade)
This is a really helpful and comprehensive beginner guide. And helpful for someone like me who's been into collecting for a while. As another display tip, picture rails can be good if you have the wall space, or need shelves for other, bulkier things. Just make sure the stand will fit on the rail first. I've been using the Ikea ones - first the Ribba, then the Mosslanda. Mosslanda are great, because they're wide enough for those plastic Amazon stands, Rainbow High stands, Monster High and Ever After High stands, etc. Finnegan Wake's wheelchair fits without a problem, and I can fit the Great Scarrier Reef dolls on their own.
Hello, fellow doll enthusiasts! Just wanted to add some time stamps in case anyone needs to go to a specific point in the video. Hope this helps, and happy doll collecting! ^^ 4:12 Chapter 1 - Why Should I Collect Dolls? 7:03 Chapter 2 - Where Do I Start? 24:02 Chapter 3 - Important Words & Terms 36:06 Chapter 4 - The Stigma 40:09 Chapter 5 - Display, Cleaning, and Maintenance 49:23 Chapter 6 - Budgeting 54:38 Chapter 7 - Conclusion
Since I first saw this video, I now own seven dolls and just looking at them brings me literal elation. Ur channel has changed my outlook on childish things and let me embrace a part of myself I didn’t think existed anymore.
I've been collecting dolls for about 2 years now, but I still learned ALOT of the terminology that I have been perplexed about! I also feel like this video came at a perfect time because idk if y'all been to Target but they have new LOL OMG, RH (LOTS OF RH), MH, BARBARA'S, i even saw a newish line called Latinistas (instead of Fashionistas) so it helped me to just buy 2 dolls today instead of too many
Chapter one! 🤣🔥 Also, your shelves are filling up very nicely Daniel! 💝 I've been collecting as an adult (I'm now 49), since 2008, and still found much to take from this video. The doll community can be a really awesome space to be a part of, and friendships have most definitely been made, it's not always easy and there may even be moments of stress and burnout, but dolls are pretty much one constant in my life that I can return to again and again, like home!
This was nice to watch. I don’t exactly collect so much as I found a couple cheap dolls to make clothes for when I’m bored, but this is helpful for understanding the world of dolls. It’ll be good to know if I ever decide to branch out from my current system.
I am by no means a beginner collector (been at it since 2007 ish) but I always find these sorts of video’s interesting to watch. It’s neat how different people approach collecting, and what things they consider important for a beginner to know.
Amazing vid! I just wanted to add that the tip re:doll shelf life isn't necessarily the case for all countries. E.g. in Oz and NZ big retailers tend to get one-two shipments of a line max (we're far away!) so they almost never go on sale, and once they're gone you need to import or look secondhand. Depending on the doll, the shelf life tends to range from 1 month (if she sells out quick) to around 5 months (unpopular and destocked by retailer). I highly recommend buying dolls you REALLY REALLY want or can sense are going to be popular when you can, then waiting for dolls you feel less strongly about (esp boy dolls, since they tend to make it to the end 😂) Also because a lot of playline dolls suffer from factory errors, it's super recommended to buy in person where possible, or ask for detailed pics (particularly of the face) when buying secondhand. In Oz and NZ in particular this is important as if you buy online they send a random doll from the series so if you want something specific you NEED to go in person.
I'm in Australia and I've noticed stores must have received a big shipment of the last RH and SH lines. Some of the dolls were hard to find for 6 months but they are everywhere now. Now I regret paying full price for some of them when they were first released.
This was very very very well done and I truly appreciate videos like this. Becoming an influencer through my doll collection put so much pressure on me to own all the things coming out, especially growing up and seeing massive monster high and bratz collections I didn’t want to miss out on being that person when rainbow high came out. I think it’s extremely important to acknowledge the consumerism because essentially what message are we sending when we say buy all these collect them all!
What a fantastic video. Although I am mainly into action figures, 98 % also apply to these. One of the first things I had to learn was to pick a "field of collecting". I am mainly into Star Wars, and even this is such a gigantic field. Consequently, I have to be even more picky. It went so far that I found a Western figure I found absolutely cool, I pre-ordered it - and canceled my preorder again. It would purely have been an impulse buy. And there have also been realy disappointments. Sometimes, despite being expensive, in the end the quality was not quite there (hardly anything more annoying when your expensive figures can only lay flat, because their joints are so loose that even their stand cannot support them). That means investing even more money, because you have to find replacement bodies. And yes, dusting is mandatory, no way around that. Mine live in open shelves, most wear plastic armour, which is a dust magnet.
Hi Darlingdolls I have Barbies since I was a little girl in the late 60's to now I'm 58 and I love ❣️😘 Barbie Dolls and their pets and their houses and cars and boats and clothes and accessories
Watched the entire video even though I’m very familiar with doll collecting. You went very into depth about so many topics I wouldn’t even think to talk about (such as budgeting, displays etc). I’ve made videos about things to know when buying American Girl dolls, and talking about my experiences as a collector, but I want to use this video as a template to make an 18inch doll specific version of this video! You need bigger shelves, we have our own terminology (goty, WBU, TM, MG Mold etc) that I would love to go more into depth about! I’m definitely inspired!
Around the 19:50 minute mark, I thought you were going to say "Half the fun of collecting comes from burdening your loved ones with your niche hobby collection" XD Other than my misplaced mind, this is an amazing video. Exactly what we've come to expect from your channel, as always ❤
I had been longingly watching doll videos and wanting to collect, but was still stuck in the "I'm an adult, I have no reason to buy dolls" mindset. Then I found your channel and the more I watched you, the more I realized that I wanted to be an adult doll collector. I bought my first doll in December (an LOL OMG) and have since bought several more dolls. I'm moving in August and will finally have a space to display them properly. I'm so excited to have a hobby that makes me so happy. Thank you for making videos. I know that you've inspired others, like me, to be their true selves. ❤
I'm still stuck in the "too old to collect" stage. I'm a high schooler and I know that if any of my classmates found out about my hobby, they'd never stop ripping on me for it. It's been hard for me to even start a collection in the first place lately. How were you able to move past that mindset? It's been keeping me in a dark place for a while :(
I'm a new collector, and nostalgia is my main reason. MGA makes beautiful dolls, but I'm for sure a Mattel girlie at heart! I love play line dolls. They're my favorite!
On the topic of stigma. I totally agree with the part about people who refuse to even try to understand and/or people who judge you, they are not worth your time and energy. Anyone who doesn't respect you enough to even care that you're an individual with your own desires and interests or fixations, doesn't deserve to be a part of your life. I dropped SO many hobbies and interests and abandoned so many collections over the years because of toxic people, and it just causes so much regret and emotional/psychological damage, catering to what other people care about. Collecting can be a very personal journey.
A lot of the advice here can honestly apply to almost anything you want to collect--basically just have fun, and pace yourself. Collecting dolls is kind of another form of dopamine decor, and I think we can all use more dopamine in our lives. Great video as always ❤
I love this! TikTok has showed me there’s so many new doll collectors and I’m so excited for this flourish in our community. I really love how you touched on mental health. I’ve had periods where I rushed to buy dolls while trying to fill this void of unhappiness and I had to take time and acknowledge external/internal factors and develop healthier coping mechanisms before I could resume collecting. It’s been a journey but a fun one
You got me into doll collecting. Thank you. I only have three OMG dolls, but they bring me such joy! I'm so grateful to you for teaching me about this meaningful hobby! ❤ Wish I had kept my dolls from the 80:s 😢
As a 20+yrs collector, I found your video informative and learned some new things.this video is also a great refresher course for us "experienced " collectors 😁. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I still struggle with chp 4 subject. The doll community is very helpful. The main thing I learned over the years is COLLECT WHAT YOU LIKE! Keep what you LOVE! ❤.🥰
I have had a doll "collection" for a while, mainly just dolls that I got as a child and held onto, but your channel has inspired me to start actively collecting! I got a Barbie movie barbie and I think I might get some of the magic mixies pixies dolls
I collected some Barbies in the 90s and 2000s, then took a break, and started again almost 3 years ago. I now have more dolls than I ever have in my life, and I have branched into other brands too. You touched upon some excellent points. I especially like the caution about going too fast and overspending , since most channels and other collectors are pro-consumption even just by the nature of regularly discussing new dolls. I have noticed that your shelves are quite sparse and that you are definitely not a completionist. I have also felt some degree of satisfaction in my collection being a reflection of my tastes because I quite literally spend hours trying to decide which dolls to buy. It ends up being kind of fun because it means I look at details and think about dolls a lot.
This is not a sparse collection. Just one where we can see the dolls well. Many other collections are so crammed with dolls they are just a jumbled mess.
I started collecting dolls in the last year, and I mainly collect LOL OMG and Rainbow High dolls. Before I bought many of each one, I bought one doll from each brand. I find it helpful to look at the releases for a doll brand you MIGHT want, and to just buy ONE doll with a design you really like. Use that one doll as a quality test, see if you like the brand by using a doll who you already think is pretty. That way, if you decide the brand isn't right for you, the doll you got is still one you'll be happy with
i started collecting with 80s and 00s mlps and got into doll collecting specifically with ever after high (and wydowna mh) in high school. i had a rest period for a bit until my friend showed me that moonlight bb was on sale for $10, then i fell in love with miss glam...my friend was also really into rainbow high so id come with her to get them and emi vanda was on clearance so...then monster high g3 came out and it snowballed now i have the frozen jennifer lee collector dolls (got for half off!!), lol omg, rainbow high, lollipop girls, barbie extra minis, barbie looks, hairmazing, little bjds, azone, momoko...the list goes on one doll that i coveted from my high school days was leona star darlings (my first grail) and i finally got her a few months ago with all her accessories for way less than the inflated eBay prices!! i LOVE dolls and love collecting!!! one thing ive noticed about justifying my purchases (i have a complex about spending any money due to my family), is that its not only joy sucking as you say, but also that if i find a doll thats old and expensive second hand i might jump on her without truly loving her just because it's a 'good deal.' which leads to me not connecting and just having stuff i dont even really want
I bought my first Barbie as an adult just the other day at an antique store - a reproduction of the 1960s Enchanted Evening Barbie :) She is so pretty. I don’t know if I want to get into collecting en masse but maybe just a few dolls that I really love. I do the same with Breyer horses haha. I love your channel so much!!!
The first Rapunzel doll from the Disney Store is what got me into collecting back in 2010. I didn't really know about rerooting and swapping heads so once some of my other Disney Store dolls had missing plugs, I thought they were no good and I'd have to buy more. It took me a couple months to a year to try restoring them and it's been a fun hobby ever since! As much as I love buying new dolls, I've been gravitating towards older ones with the Generation Girl face or the earlier Mattel Disney princesses.
I wish this video was around when I started collecting! I went hard and fast pursuing expensive dolls with little to no focus. But some years later I have a clearer understanding/grounding in the qualities, styles and aesthetics I like to see in my collection. Probably could’ve saved me hundreds of $$$ lol
I started my collection with lol omg after getting into your channel and being introduced to them through your new release videos. I'm so happy with my 4 little gals i currently have
I have such a love hate relationship with dolls because the plastic and the people that make them... but they're gorgeous and I love them. Most of my collecting stuff is digital like skins in video games. I got some cheap secondhand dolls after watching some of your videos and I'm really happy I did.
Thank you so much for this video!! I find it mostly applies to my own collections as well (mostly MLP, generation 4 primarily, but I love generation 1 too!)
You are one of my favorite doll channels! I don’t consider myself a beginner collector but I still learned a few things. Thank you for making such engaging and well thought out content.
I came across you videos my mistake. I just want to say your vibe is so relaxing and encouraging. Thank you for making me feel its ok to collect as an adult. I am no longer embarrassed.
I just started collecting dolls last May, and you have my eternal gratitude for making this video, since so much of what you said is things that I absolutely needed to hear!! Thank you sooo much!!
I'm a super casual collector (since I'm both very picky and have limited space), but with regards to ones like Rainbow High, those can end up on sale/clearance at places like Walmart for half price semi often, or at least there are some each time i go there! So if one stands out to you, you can definitely check in on it every once in a while (like the two I have I only got bc I reaaallllly liked the designs and they were half off which made it a more reasonable price for me) Edit: even though I've been semi in touch with the doll collecting scene via my mom who's a collector, the vocabulary section was very helpful! I kind of knew the terms, but only in vague concept. Thank you SO much for such clear definitions!!
im late as hell to comment on this video, but i really appreciate this! im actually just getting into anime figure collecting, and by proxy doll collecting too. i have always wanted to collect certain anime figures and dolls, and it's SO nice to finally have the spare money to do so as an adult. it's kinda funny how much overlaps in the two communities as well! i did want to addon though, for anyone reading this or if you make an updated version of this video: dusting can be hell, so sometimes a glass cabinet/glass door bookshelf/etc can be a good alternative. i live somewhere that gets a LOT of dust, and being disabled / depressed, im not gonna be able to dust as much as i need to. i also plan to use a reusable compressed air duster, an electronic version of those compressed air cans. but it can suck up the dust too! there's also a lot of people who dust their anime figures with makeup brushes of varying sizes to get into little crevices / corners, or to get the faces dusted.
I sold some stuff at a flea market recently and while going through stuff to sell, I found some of my childhood dolls. I have adhd and a new hyperfixation was born! I brought my childhood barbie (my brother had chewed her hands to bits) to the barbie movie and bought tons of new clothes second hand for my old bratz dolls. It's so fun to style them again!! I love how the idea of an emotional support doll has become more mainstream after the barbie movie. :)
Great video. Really helpful to this beginner collector. Tysm. You calling me out as a completionist, as I am currently completing the Barbie Extra line lol
I am very new to doll collecting so it’s great to see a video like this. I still feel a little isolated in this hobby and wish I had people to talk too. Dollect doesn’t work for me so I have no way to talk with others. But what I have seen so far is great information!❤
I recently starting collecting again about a year ago when my 4 yr old Granddaughter told me she lo ed Barbies!!! I usually get my dolls second hand and am obsessed!! My Granddaughter will leave with 1-4 fully cleaned, styled and dressed Barbie at every visit!!!! Such fun!! She must be up to @ 50 dolls!!! I love it!! Last I counted I was @ 150 dolls!!! I make clothes for them too!!!!I I love it!! 💗💗💗 PS: I loved the Barbie movie!!
I will admit, when I was a child I thought adult collectors were a bit odd because I couldn't imagine them playing with the dolls and I couldnt understand having a doll and not playing with it. Now as an adult I think it's such a cool hobby to have. I absolutely LOVE your channel and that of several others on here who share their interest of dolls and even customize and restyle them. It makes perfect sense to me to collect such beautiful things now.
This is a great video, very informative, I'm not new to doll collection I've been collecting for about 10 years but I like to see other people in the community advice for beginners. I also think it's good to refresh your brain on the basics.
Honestly your videos are so relaxing and comforting. I have been down latley cause i have'nt been able to purchase dolls recently... this really picked me up. Thank you!
This channel just makes me so happy. I love your passion and enthusiasm and your grounded view on how to navigate this hobby. I really loved Barbie as a child, had so many. And I ended up rejecting a lot of that as a teenager just because I felt like it was “childish” or I wouldn’t warrant respect from my peers. I was “too old” and it was a “phase”. But I get to vicariously relive my love for dolls through your channel and content after learning that my reason for rejecting it was silly. Thank you!!
IM SO EXCITED TO WATCH AHSGDHAHASGGHASDGHDG edit :: ive loved dolls since i was little but by one means or another couldnt get to keep them--i stumbled across this channel a few months ago and it got me interested in dolls again, especially rainbow high since its a relatively 'new' line. i made an amazon wishlist of dolls i wanted to eventually buy, the highest priority being the storm twins (i still dont have them yet but will eventually muahaha). then, one day in b&m i came across miss michelle st. charles and i was in love with her!! the inset eyes, the eyelashes, the bright neon orange;; so i picked her up. now i have 4 other RH dolls, 3 monster high g3 dolls and very recently, 2 LOL OMGs. so bonita !!! this video is so so lovely for new as well as existing collectors;; made me realise i should probably take a break from buying, or go about buying more slowly than i am right now so thank you for that !!
Discovering your channel brought me back into doll collecting! I always loved dolls, used to have a huge Bratz collection back in the day, wich unfortunately was given away once i grew up. Now i'm an adult and at first was hesitant about starting this hobbie. I was watching your videos for months, joined some reddit subs about dolls before finally making the first purchase! Though i did collect some toys, fashion dolls is a different thing after all. I'd say originally it was mostly the nostalgia that got me hooked, hence why my first two dolls were Bratz. Recently i discovered Integrity Toys dolls and genuienly fell in love with one of them. She was in my ebay cart for about a month, the price seemed so crazy to me but everytime i looked at her i knew she was really the one and only, i HAD to have her. Fast forward to yesterday night when i decided to make the purchase and honestly I haven't been this happy in a while! I'm looking forward to buying an outfit for her as well as display holder, etc. I hope one day to have a collection of IT dolls, as well as Pullip (next on my wishlist) and Bratz. Sending love to all the doll collectors!!
omg thank you so much! I just started collecting and I have felt overwhelmed sometimes, always looking to my wishlist and it is so special to hear someone this experienced say HEY CALM TF DOWN go on your own time. Tysm srsly, u made me calm
such an amazing video!! i know it's probably not feasible, but i'd love more longform content from you! you have such a nice voice and i love how you handle topics. either way, fantastic video!
What a terrific video and message! I wish it had come out 3 years ago when I first started collecting & learning. 😄 I *still* learned so much more from it today. THANK YOU! You're the best. 🥰
Very informative, and practical video! Kinda reminds me of when I finally found a miku figure I’ve been wanting. She was only available from corner store raffles, and even used she was still $75. Better than the others that were going for $250-$400 though.
A tip for making lists of what you want to collect. I have a wish list for tokidoki unicornos and for each of them i have the name a photo of the figure and any additional info like online only, con exclusive etc. I keep this all in a google doc so i can access it from more places thrn just my computer
As someone who currently owns one doll my cousin got rid of, thank you for the advice!!! Sadly, I don’t have a job so I can’t get any, but when I do I’ll take all of these into consideration 💖💖💖
Hey! I just wanna thank you for the guidance your videos have given me to collect dolls. I have been collecting them for one year now, and i have been so happy cause of it! it’s a dream come true for someone who was a little boy that just wanted some dolls!
These are such great tips! I've been a casual collector for years, but there's still great tips here for anyone wanting to be more intentional with their doll buying. A tip that I personally use as someone who has a very limited doll buying budget even with thrifting, is to keep a record of dolls that you've seen like a scavenger hunter! I'll find dolls that have no box and sometimes no original clothes, yet be able to identify them by looking through the databases. That way I get the enjoyment of seeing rare/unusual dolls even without buying every one that I see and lessening the FOMO. You can also do this with your old dolls from childhood.
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After finding your channel I finally disobeyed my parents and bought a G3 Draculaura doll!! I’m a teen so my dad considers it pretty weird, but after discovering your channel I realized it makes me happy :D
Love this, I did this but with Kia Hart from rh! Enjoy it!!
Im a mom. And, if a doll made my teen smile, I would smile. I hope your parents are happy with your collecting because it makes u happy. As that is what parents should want for their children. Also, there are sooo many worse things a teen could be into. Lol.
That’s how I got into collecting as an older person, but it was from Joey from Beauty inside a box.
Haha I feel you, ordered my first monster high doll. My parents didn’t allow me to have them as a kid 😅😂
But Dracula, the book, has been an important part of our culture for 130 years!
Thank you for this! Some people don’t get it! I am a 66 year old lady! Now I can get dolls that look like me! Growing up in the 1960’s this was an issue! I have purchased the black dolls that I longed for as a kid!- I have a diverse collection! I keep my dolls in their boxes! I just enjoy them that way! I don’t mess with their hair or rearrange their bodies or clothes! I don’t care about the holy grail doll! I buy the doll that appeals to me! I appreciate your good advice😍
Tip for dusting: use a fluffy makeup brush :)
Ty!!
The most difficult part of being a collector for me is having to deal with the feeling of guilt for buying non necessary plastic😢
To both of you, and anyone else feeling guilty over their small choices:
Did you take your private jet out for a spin this year? If you didn’t, because you don’t have a private jet, then you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about when it comes to the environment and how you spend your money. The biggest win for Big Corp was insisting that you, a simple everyday person, should somehow feel personally responsible for how much waste and irreversible environmental damage BIG CORP is causing to our poor planet. You do not decide which river Big Corp will dump their chemicals into, you do not decide that Big Corp must package everything in a ton of single use plastics, you do not have any personal say in how Big Corp “meets” their green initiative by selling their unrecyclable waste to the poorest nations on our planet essentially making those poor countries an unlivable dumping ground. You do not force Big Corp to pay their workers unlivable wages while upholding unachievable production goals that negatively affect any poor soul forced to work for them. You are not responsible for their race to the bottom of the barrel for a microscopic savings for Big Corp.
If you still feel like you are somehow personally at fault for how Big Corp operates, call your local politician and ask what THEY are doing about Big Corps figurative “r**e” of our one and only planet. Taxes make bigger incentives than people’s opinion.
And I’m really, really sorry you feel guilt around something that should only give you joy, it’s not your fault, it’s not my fault, it’s Big Corps most successful campaign ever. Please enjoy your hobbies guilt free, don’t let them win. (Unless your hobby involves dumping plastic waste in nature, or excessive consumption of for example fast fashion)
You could Thrift dolls
I felt this deeply when i discovered Magic Mixies Pixlings - love their designs, but the added plastic from the packaging is horrendous :'(
Couldn't find the dolls on the second-hand market for weeks and finally caved to get some of the girls i liked - now they're even sold out in places in my country, so it's a weid mix of "lucky!" and "ouch for the environment"
@calico3202 i opened one today and omg the amount of useless plastic only for a small doll. It's really a shame cause they are really well done
I feel this. we buy enough plastic women to fill multiple landfills. Nevermind the packaging.
I was 16 years old when Monster High debuted and I immediately adored them. I wanted to own one so badly, but was afraid of what others would think, so I'd purchase the dolls in secret, one at a time, being swift at the Target checkout, then hiding them in my backpack afterwards.
By the time I was leaving home for college I had a small collection of different kinds of dolls built up, and I really really loved it, but I felt so weird and insecure about it that I gave them all away, Toy Story 3 style. I regret doing that.
Now I'm 29, have a new and bigger collection than before, and I don't care who knows about it. Whatever your age please don't let your anxiety or insecurities keep you from collecting dolls if it genuinely makes you happy!
I just turned 30 im so happy to see someone my age into doll collecting ❤️ i love my scene dolls the most
The other day, my dad basically asked what the point was of me "beheading dolls" to modify them. He's never been judgmental, but he's about to retire and I'm unemployed and he was on a rant about spending time in a way that feels fulfilling and worthwhile. I've always worried about justifying my interests because it's hard to see the practical value. I settled on "it's an artist thing" for now. It's the first time I've ever hand waved my interests as "too niche/cool for you to get, old man." Maybe he'll never see a doll I make that lights him up the way they do for me, but I hope some day he can answer for himself what "the point" is by seeing how happy I am doing what I love.
This really got to me.. I've never told my dad any of my interests anymore because he just doesn't understand. But maybe I should try 🤷♀️... I hope this doesn't come off as weird, I just really relate to what you said 🩷
I can relate.
I mean...he has a point if u aren't making $ at it.
@@beautyonabarnbudget the point is joy. Joy is way more important then money. Yes you need to be able to pay your bills but right after that you then need to make life worth living which is where the acquisition and understanding how to obtain joy comes in.
@@beautyonabarnbudgetVery sad way to think of life
I remember when Monster High first came out, I was immediately obsessed. I was “too old” for dolls at that point, but I always wanted them. I loved the characters, backgrounds, and original cartoons. I bought my first G3 Draculaura this year at 31 and almost cried. I know I know, dramatic but I hated how so many of us older fans were shamed for this long.
Same ! I was a little too old when they came out...And my partner has offered me my first G3 Draculaura two weeks ago ! As my first doll and a gift of the person I love, she will have a special place in my heart
To limit my purchases I have priority characters, like Draculaura and Twyla, as well as priority vibes, like fantasy. I find having certain parameters actually makes collecting more enjoyable.
Draculaura and Twyla are my priority characters as well! I also only get specific Shadow High dolls with specific fashions or themes, and have been excited collecting the new, little Magic Mixie Pixlings to get some cute little fantasy dolls. I stick with specific characters/vibes to limit my collection but also so I can collect more than one brand. I just wanted to share we have that in common and that it is the best plan💜
@@TinyGhosty Hey that’s awesome! Nice to meet someone else with good taste 😁 My Shadow High faves are Monique, Shanelle and Eliza. For Rainbow High I like the really soft ones like Georgia and Victoria. I don’t buy until I really really love a doll. I’m going back to get older Twylas and can’t wait for her in Neon Frights!
Do you collect Cave Girl Club? I accidentally started a small RH collection because I love the fantasy look of Shadow High.
@@jadetea6112 Cave Girl Club looks really fun but haven’t bought any. I agree the fantasy element is so well done with Shadow High!
Yeah, mostly just get ones that pique my interest in whatever strategy works best. I finally irdered Venus McFlytrap's g3 character, and havent considered buying any other designs yet, although ive gotten a few as gifts. Generally, most of doll collecting is haivng fun and getting pretty dolls you like, which takes the most priority imo.
Here are a couple tips I have!
1. Don’t be afraid to look at all the dolls on the shelf for defects. As long as you leave the place nice and neat and put back the dolls you don’t want where they belong, no one cares, plus you can always go a little later or earlier if you don’t want to do it in front of kids.
2. Walmart and target can be overwhelming so it’s best to have at least a basic plan of what you want! Even if you get something different, a little focus helps!
3. If you want a good, basic doll to start, I personally recommend a made to move Barbie. It can be a Barbie looks, a yoga doll, even one of the wheelchair fashionistas! You get excellent posing, and even if the outfits a little basic, Barbie has a ton of fashion packs so you’re bound to find one that works!
4. Get just one doll per shopping trip at first. Saves you money and can help you truly refine what you actually want.
5. Have fun and interact with the community. Follow some doll accounts, give sewing a try, join a Instagram photo competition or challenge, watch youtubers! This is a really fun community and you’re bound to make some friends!
I went on a bit of a tangent, but I hope these tips help!
A few more tips I thought of:
6. It’s ok if you don’t know a ton about how to sew, style doll hair, make super elaborate photos if your new. You can just keep your dolls in the clothes they came in, take basic cell phone pics, not style their hair. Many of the people online with serious skills have been collecting for years and had plenty of time to gain the skills. Just keep trying and you’ll get there!
7. If you sensitive to smells, be careful when buying dolls with the main gimmick being scents. A lot of them are weak, but it can be pretty chemical smelling. Also be sure not to buying used dolls from smoking households. Nicotine can stain dolls and the smell is very hard to get out.
8. If you plan on customizing, BE VERY CAREFUL! A lot of the supplies used ( like mr. super clear) are VERY toxic! Keep you customs away from pets as well. They don’t know better and may accidentally damage your hard work. The supplies are also toxic to pets so keep them away from projects.
9. Be sure to keep your eyes out for good deals. Dolls can go on sale pretty often so keep checking every once in a while.
10. Leaks can happen months in advance so you may have to wait a bit for the doll to be released. Dolls typically are released during certain times so that they are on shelves in time for the holidays.
11. It’s ok if you have a limited budget and can’t afford more expensive dolls. Just collect dolls that make you happy and you can afford! ( also you should put your wellbeing above buying a doll. Make sure you are able to cover your basic needs!)
I was just going to get one, a Barbie Looks one, but I saw so many I want of all different types and eras, and now hope I haven't ordered too many straight out if the gate. I've got 8 dolls coming by mail order. Hopefully they'll arrive one at a time! I hope I haven't done overkill
Me and my daughter collect dolls together it is a good hobby you can get good second hand dolls at charity shops
Darling Dollz: the most important thing is to dust your dolls!!
Me, a collector for almost 15 years now: 👁👄👁
SAME 💀💀 felt very personal
I got a doll again as an adult after finding your channel💗 I'm still very picky and keen on curating my collection but I love the dolls I have gotten so far and your channel was a really valuable resource to figure out a lot of things about fashion dolls!
Same! I bought a doll for the first time in 15+ years because of this channel!
I😅e😅😅 be like 😅 and I CC CC as4 17:11 D D
I m ok
which dolls have you added to your collection so far?
@@astranoon Minnie Choi from RH, core g3 Draculaura and Creepover Draculaura, and a bunch of Barbies I'm head/body swapping to make customs!
I’m in that awkward section of being that person in the communities for 3+ years, but I’ve only been collecting for a year due to ✨being scared of people being bitchy about my collecting✨. Last year I decided to bite the bullet and brought my first actual doll for myself, one I wanted, Kia hart from rainbow high. Were people bitchy? Yes. Was i seen as childish? Yep. Was I judged? OF COURSE. but has it made me happier? Also yes. It’s been such a helpful thing especially during some of the hardest times of my life. I can honestly say some of my favourite memories are finding fellow collectors and just having fun with them. The unfathamble joy I get when accquiring a doll I’ve been looking for for ages is honestly ridiculous, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you are worried about people judging you for your collecting, maybe ask yourself if they are the right people to surrond yourself with.
i started doll collecting a few months ago. i have always loved dolls, but i reprsssed that part of me for years in an attempt to "grow up". i regret giving away most of my childhood dolls. But now I'm reminded of how much I love dolls, and looking at my collection makes me smile! My family are very supportive too.
Also on the subject of "connecting" with a doll, I usually have what i call the doll of the day. i just choose a doll from my collection, usually one im drawn to on that day, and she just... sits near me during the day. it sounds silly but it's nice.
"a tomb with me and all my little plastic women" LMAO YESS you calling me out directly about dusting = = as someone who collects both dolls and figures it is so damn hard to keep up with dusting lmao. its so MUCH WORK ^^; im a seasoned collector but i still had fun watching your video
Since starting a collection I've made sure all of my dolls are really meaningful to me and it adds am to how much I love them. I got a G3 Twyla doll to celebrate finally getting my autism diagnosis and my G3 Lagoona to bribe myself to leave the house to pick her up. It's also something me and my sister bond over :)
I unknowingly am a collector since I was a kid, apparently! I kept my Disney princesses in a fairly good condition, and I've been thinking of restoring them for awhile now, so that I could display them. Your video gave me the push that I needed it. It was very well made.
A tip for going through a doll line's releases is watching the commercials. I personally find it really fun, and helps you get a "feel" for the line's concept and catch up on what you lost if you're interested in older/discontinued lines. I specially love watching old Bratz commercials, helped a lot since I was too young to own Bratz dolls when they were around and only became a fan during the 2018 reboot when I was 13. I can ID almost any Bratz doll at this point and pinpoint the year she was released, it almost feels like I lived through the era lmao. Plus, it's just really fun!
As someone that doesn't collect dolls (I love this channel tho💖) but rather collects anime figures and amiibo, I think this is a good video for toy/hobby collecting in general! I've been collecting for almost 10 years now, and a lot of what you said really resonated with me. Awesome work as always!
Yes, 100% agree.
Yeah I agree! I collect anime figures and this video is really helpful for that too haha
You have done a major work here. 🙌🏾💖🎊 Mad respect. 🙏🏾 I've been collecting for years, and my collection is sizable. I enjoy them, but I'm also sad because I don't have the space to properly store and display them how I want.
I need time to "bond" with a new doll. If I get too many dolls at once, my joy in them is vastly decreased. So spacing out getting dolls is a good choice for me. I also need to consider how a new doll will fit in my collection. When I decide I want a new doll, my best choice is to think about where I will display/ store them, how I will play with them. If I can't envision them in my home, they are often a bad purchase for me. Also, if I want a "fixer upper", I have to consider if i currently have the resources to do the work. If I don't, I run the risk of sticking the doll in a box for later - a death knell for that doll
Me, with zero interest in collecting dolls: “ah. Fascinating!”😂
I’m a model horse collector personally, so it’s interesting to look into other collections and see what draws people to them.
You are one of my favorite people on the internet. Your sincerity is so refreshing. When you are talking about doll collecting it really comes across as a metaphor for whatever it is that makes you unique that others might not understand. It was absolutely charming. Keep up the good work and f**k the haters.
Small note: generation girl sculpt for barbie was originally officially called ceo in house at Mattel but Mattel has since adopted the fan dub generation girl. On the Mattel creations site, the few collector dolls that use her will refer to her as both ceo or gg.
just ordered my first doll since childhood 💖 i found a second hand meygan bratz doll. i was searching everywhere for a red haired doll that looked like me and shes soooo perfect, i can wait to make outfits and start collecting like i've always wanted too
Love this video!!! I’m a 42 year old collector. I have about 500 dolls. 90% fashion dolls and the rest vintage old looking dolls. Most of my dolls I’ve removed from box but I did manage to keep about 10% in their boxes. I keep my dolls mostly a secret. My mother would have me committed if she found out. However my amazing boyfriend is super supportive about my collecting. He helps me financially because as you know it’s a very expensive hobby especially because I collect new and he never complains about sharing our bedroom with 500 dolls and doll stuff lol. 3 close friends know and support my doll collecting. I love what you said about completionists (sp?) I’ve wanted to do that with rainbow high but there are about 15% I don’t like much so I’ve decided not to ever buy. I have about 65 rainbow so far. Getting all the ones I want will take a while. I do go on doll binges where I’ll buy a bunch at once and feel bad so I’ll go a week or 2 without buying or only buy a couple then I’ll get sad and binge again lol. Im trying to pace myself at the moment but Amazon days and Black Friday is coming so that’s scary lol. Sorry I babble a lot but it’s a huge passion of mine and once I start talking doll I can’t stop lol.
I love 80s/90s barbies, as they are the dolls I grew up with. I’ve been able too collect such dolls as, peaches as cream and workin out barbie. I bought my first Dracula doll not long ago along. G3, absolutely inlove with her and I keep putting her in different posts and positions around my room. I’m personally not too fussed about in the box dolls, as I like too style my dolls a lot so a lot of the time. I buy dolls in need of TLC or missing pieces as I enjoy finding and fixing dolls too.
I really am drawn to the idea of thrifting the dolls that need TLC as well!!! It helps you ‘connect’ with the doll by putting in work to get the doll to a satisfactory condition and the before and after is so worth it. It might save the doll from ending up in a landfill, too!
My recommendation for anyone who wants to collect but is unsure about what the people around them will think: Just do it. I put off starting a collection for years because I worried about people, namely my family, thinking it would be weird. When I finally bit the bullet and bought my first two dolls, they all ended up thinking it was actually pretty cool!
Omg I was SO excited for this video! I am actually getting back to doll collecting. I used to collect Pullips and Blythes, honestly they became a hyperfixatation and I lost track - became a hoarder. I sold most of the dolls Injad because I didn’t really feel connected to them anymore, but recently I’ve been discovering Barbie’a history and the movie was the final call for me to get back onto it. Here in Brazil collector Barbies are much more accessible in general than Asian fashion dolls, so I’m really happy. Thank you so much for this! And your channel generally. ❤
This was a nice guide! I appreciate you stating that no collection is too small, especially for a beginner. I try to only buy dolls that I completely, totally love and currently I only have about 6 of them. It's not about completionism, it's about you and YOUR happiness!
I just got back to collecting back in 2020. Due to Rainbow High coming out. I was also giantly excited to see Monster high dolls. But I have been a doll collecter seen I was a lot younger but at that age it was Bratz and My Scene. Loved those lines with all my heart.
As a brand new collector as of May 2023, I needed this!
I’ve been having what I call ✨Doll Fever✨ and rapidly oscillating between doll phases: RH, MH, AG, and now I’m on BJD. While I have a strict hold over my budget, this allows me to enjoy different communities and dolls from a distance while finding what I may end up putting my passion into the most! Although my collection is small it lets me enjoy each type of doll in small doses before I commit to a brand/collection.
To add onto the point of Patience, when buying dolls on either eBay or Mercari, make sure to spend the time searching, because that way you can find great deals, especially when wanting to buy dolls that are overpriced. (Bratz Flashback Fever Jade)
This is a really helpful and comprehensive beginner guide. And helpful for someone like me who's been into collecting for a while. As another display tip, picture rails can be good if you have the wall space, or need shelves for other, bulkier things. Just make sure the stand will fit on the rail first. I've been using the Ikea ones - first the Ribba, then the Mosslanda. Mosslanda are great, because they're wide enough for those plastic Amazon stands, Rainbow High stands, Monster High and Ever After High stands, etc. Finnegan Wake's wheelchair fits without a problem, and I can fit the Great Scarrier Reef dolls on their own.
Hello, fellow doll enthusiasts! Just wanted to add some time stamps in case anyone needs to go to a specific point in the video. Hope this helps, and happy doll collecting! ^^
4:12 Chapter 1 - Why Should I Collect Dolls?
7:03 Chapter 2 - Where Do I Start?
24:02 Chapter 3 - Important Words & Terms
36:06 Chapter 4 - The Stigma
40:09 Chapter 5 - Display, Cleaning, and Maintenance
49:23 Chapter 6 - Budgeting
54:38 Chapter 7 - Conclusion
Since I first saw this video, I now own seven dolls and just looking at them brings me literal elation. Ur channel has changed my outlook on childish things and let me embrace a part of myself I didn’t think existed anymore.
I've been collecting dolls for about 2 years now, but I still learned ALOT of the terminology that I have been perplexed about! I also feel like this video came at a perfect time because idk if y'all been to Target but they have new LOL OMG, RH (LOTS OF RH), MH, BARBARA'S, i even saw a newish line called Latinistas (instead of Fashionistas) so it helped me to just buy 2 dolls today instead of too many
Chapter one! 🤣🔥 Also, your shelves are filling up very nicely Daniel! 💝
I've been collecting as an adult (I'm now 49), since 2008, and still found much to take from this video.
The doll community can be a really awesome space to be a part of, and friendships have most definitely been made, it's not always easy and there may even be moments of stress and burnout, but dolls are pretty much one constant in my life that I can return to again and again, like home!
This was nice to watch. I don’t exactly collect so much as I found a couple cheap dolls to make clothes for when I’m bored, but this is helpful for understanding the world of dolls. It’ll be good to know if I ever decide to branch out from my current system.
I am by no means a beginner collector (been at it since 2007 ish) but I always find these sorts of video’s interesting to watch. It’s neat how different people approach collecting, and what things they consider important for a beginner to know.
Amazing vid! I just wanted to add that the tip re:doll shelf life isn't necessarily the case for all countries. E.g. in Oz and NZ big retailers tend to get one-two shipments of a line max (we're far away!) so they almost never go on sale, and once they're gone you need to import or look secondhand. Depending on the doll, the shelf life tends to range from 1 month (if she sells out quick) to around 5 months (unpopular and destocked by retailer). I highly recommend buying dolls you REALLY REALLY want or can sense are going to be popular when you can, then waiting for dolls you feel less strongly about (esp boy dolls, since they tend to make it to the end 😂)
Also because a lot of playline dolls suffer from factory errors, it's super recommended to buy in person where possible, or ask for detailed pics (particularly of the face) when buying secondhand. In Oz and NZ in particular this is important as if you buy online they send a random doll from the series so if you want something specific you NEED to go in person.
I'm in Australia and I've noticed stores must have received a big shipment of the last RH and SH lines. Some of the dolls were hard to find for 6 months but they are everywhere now. Now I regret paying full price for some of them when they were first released.
This was very very very well done and I truly appreciate videos like this. Becoming an influencer through my doll collection put so much pressure on me to own all the things coming out, especially growing up and seeing massive monster high and bratz collections I didn’t want to miss out on being that person when rainbow high came out. I think it’s extremely important to acknowledge the consumerism because essentially what message are we sending when we say buy all these collect them all!
What a fantastic video. Although I am mainly into action figures, 98 % also apply to these. One of the first things I had to learn was to pick a "field of collecting". I am mainly into Star Wars, and even this is such a gigantic field. Consequently, I have to be even more picky.
It went so far that I found a Western figure I found absolutely cool, I pre-ordered it - and canceled my preorder again. It would purely have been an impulse buy.
And there have also been realy disappointments. Sometimes, despite being expensive, in the end the quality was not quite there (hardly anything more annoying when your expensive figures can only lay flat, because their joints are so loose that even their stand cannot support them). That means investing even more money, because you have to find replacement bodies.
And yes, dusting is mandatory, no way around that. Mine live in open shelves, most wear plastic armour, which is a dust magnet.
Hi Darlingdolls I have Barbies since I was a little girl in the late 60's to now I'm 58 and I love ❣️😘 Barbie Dolls and their pets and their houses and cars and boats and clothes and accessories
i’ve been on the fence about starting to collect dolls all summer so it was a relief to see this video in my feed 😅
Watched the entire video even though I’m very familiar with doll collecting. You went very into depth about so many topics I wouldn’t even think to talk about (such as budgeting, displays etc). I’ve made videos about things to know when buying American Girl dolls, and talking about my experiences as a collector, but I want to use this video as a template to make an 18inch doll specific version of this video! You need bigger shelves, we have our own terminology (goty, WBU, TM, MG Mold etc) that I would love to go more into depth about! I’m definitely inspired!
Around the 19:50 minute mark, I thought you were going to say "Half the fun of collecting comes from burdening your loved ones with your niche hobby collection" XD
Other than my misplaced mind, this is an amazing video. Exactly what we've come to expect from your channel, as always ❤
I had been longingly watching doll videos and wanting to collect, but was still stuck in the "I'm an adult, I have no reason to buy dolls" mindset. Then I found your channel and the more I watched you, the more I realized that I wanted to be an adult doll collector. I bought my first doll in December (an LOL OMG) and have since bought several more dolls. I'm moving in August and will finally have a space to display them properly. I'm so excited to have a hobby that makes me so happy. Thank you for making videos. I know that you've inspired others, like me, to be their true selves. ❤
I'm still stuck in the "too old to collect" stage. I'm a high schooler and I know that if any of my classmates found out about my hobby, they'd never stop ripping on me for it. It's been hard for me to even start a collection in the first place lately. How were you able to move past that mindset? It's been keeping me in a dark place for a while :(
I'm a new collector, and nostalgia is my main reason. MGA makes beautiful dolls, but I'm for sure a Mattel girlie at heart! I love play line dolls. They're my favorite!
On the topic of stigma. I totally agree with the part about people who refuse to even try to understand and/or people who judge you, they are not worth your time and energy. Anyone who doesn't respect you enough to even care that you're an individual with your own desires and interests or fixations, doesn't deserve to be a part of your life. I dropped SO many hobbies and interests and abandoned so many collections over the years because of toxic people, and it just causes so much regret and emotional/psychological damage, catering to what other people care about. Collecting can be a very personal journey.
A lot of the advice here can honestly apply to almost anything you want to collect--basically just have fun, and pace yourself. Collecting dolls is kind of another form of dopamine decor, and I think we can all use more dopamine in our lives. Great video as always ❤
I love this! TikTok has showed me there’s so many new doll collectors and I’m so excited for this flourish in our community. I really love how you touched on mental health. I’ve had periods where I rushed to buy dolls while trying to fill this void of unhappiness and I had to take time and acknowledge external/internal factors and develop healthier coping mechanisms before I could resume collecting. It’s been a journey but a fun one
You got me into doll collecting. Thank you. I only have three OMG dolls, but they bring me such joy! I'm so grateful to you for teaching me about this meaningful hobby! ❤ Wish I had kept my dolls from the 80:s 😢
As a 20+yrs collector, I found your video informative and learned some new things.this video is also a great refresher course for us "experienced " collectors 😁. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I still struggle with chp 4 subject. The doll community is very helpful. The main thing I learned over the years is COLLECT WHAT YOU LIKE! Keep what you LOVE! ❤.🥰
I have had a doll "collection" for a while, mainly just dolls that I got as a child and held onto, but your channel has inspired me to start actively collecting! I got a Barbie movie barbie and I think I might get some of the magic mixies pixies dolls
that barbie sweater is adorable, it looks great on you
I collected some Barbies in the 90s and 2000s, then took a break, and started again almost 3 years ago. I now have more dolls than I ever have in my life, and I have branched into other brands too. You touched upon some excellent points. I especially like the caution about going too fast and overspending , since most channels and other collectors are pro-consumption even just by the nature of regularly discussing new dolls.
I have noticed that your shelves are quite sparse and that you are definitely not a completionist. I have also felt some degree of satisfaction in my collection being a reflection of my tastes because I quite literally spend hours trying to decide which dolls to buy. It ends up being kind of fun because it means I look at details and think about dolls a lot.
This is not a sparse collection. Just one where we can see the dolls well. Many other collections are so crammed with dolls they are just a jumbled mess.
I own Winter Fantasy Barbie a long time ago
I'm already a doll collector, but I always like listening to a fellow virgo talk about dolls and make guide videos 💖
I agree with your budgeting advice
I started collecting dolls in the last year, and I mainly collect LOL OMG and Rainbow High dolls.
Before I bought many of each one, I bought one doll from each brand.
I find it helpful to look at the releases for a doll brand you MIGHT want, and to just buy ONE doll with a design you really like. Use that one doll as a quality test, see if you like the brand by using a doll who you already think is pretty.
That way, if you decide the brand isn't right for you, the doll you got is still one you'll be happy with
i started collecting with 80s and 00s mlps and got into doll collecting specifically with ever after high (and wydowna mh) in high school.
i had a rest period for a bit until my friend showed me that moonlight bb was on sale for $10, then i fell in love with miss glam...my friend was also really into rainbow high so id come with her to get them and emi vanda was on clearance so...then monster high g3 came out and it snowballed
now i have the frozen jennifer lee collector dolls (got for half off!!), lol omg, rainbow high, lollipop girls, barbie extra minis, barbie looks, hairmazing, little bjds, azone, momoko...the list goes on
one doll that i coveted from my high school days was leona star darlings (my first grail) and i finally got her a few months ago with all her accessories for way less than the inflated eBay prices!! i LOVE dolls and love collecting!!!
one thing ive noticed about justifying my purchases (i have a complex about spending any money due to my family), is that its not only joy sucking as you say, but also that if i find a doll thats old and expensive second hand i might jump on her without truly loving her just because it's a 'good deal.' which leads to me not connecting and just having stuff i dont even really want
I bought my first Barbie as an adult just the other day at an antique store - a reproduction of the 1960s Enchanted Evening Barbie :) She is so pretty. I don’t know if I want to get into collecting en masse but maybe just a few dolls that I really love. I do the same with Breyer horses haha. I love your channel so much!!!
oh amazing timing!! ironic because i've been looking at licca dolls lately because ive been rewatching your vids. Thank you for the vid!!!
The first Rapunzel doll from the Disney Store is what got me into collecting back in 2010. I didn't really know about rerooting and swapping heads so once some of my other Disney Store dolls had missing plugs, I thought they were no good and I'd have to buy more. It took me a couple months to a year to try restoring them and it's been a fun hobby ever since! As much as I love buying new dolls, I've been gravitating towards older ones with the Generation Girl face or the earlier Mattel Disney princesses.
I wish this video was around when I started collecting! I went hard and fast pursuing expensive dolls with little to no focus. But some years later I have a clearer understanding/grounding in the qualities, styles and aesthetics I like to see in my collection. Probably could’ve saved me hundreds of $$$ lol
I started my collection with lol omg after getting into your channel and being introduced to them through your new release videos. I'm so happy with my 4 little gals i currently have
I have such a love hate relationship with dolls because the plastic and the people that make them... but they're gorgeous and I love them. Most of my collecting stuff is digital like skins in video games. I got some cheap secondhand dolls after watching some of your videos and I'm really happy I did.
Thank you so much for this video!! I find it mostly applies to my own collections as well (mostly MLP, generation 4 primarily, but I love generation 1 too!)
You are one of my favorite doll channels! I don’t consider myself a beginner collector but I still learned a few things. Thank you for making such engaging and well thought out content.
I know is off topic, but I love your sense of fashion your outfits are really cute in every video.
I came across you videos my mistake. I just want to say your vibe is so relaxing and encouraging. Thank you for making me feel its ok to collect as an adult. I am no longer embarrassed.
I just started collecting dolls last May, and you have my eternal gratitude for making this video, since so much of what you said is things that I absolutely needed to hear!! Thank you sooo much!!
I'm a super casual collector (since I'm both very picky and have limited space), but with regards to ones like Rainbow High, those can end up on sale/clearance at places like Walmart for half price semi often, or at least there are some each time i go there! So if one stands out to you, you can definitely check in on it every once in a while (like the two I have I only got bc I reaaallllly liked the designs and they were half off which made it a more reasonable price for me)
Edit: even though I've been semi in touch with the doll collecting scene via my mom who's a collector, the vocabulary section was very helpful! I kind of knew the terms, but only in vague concept. Thank you SO much for such clear definitions!!
im late as hell to comment on this video, but i really appreciate this! im actually just getting into anime figure collecting, and by proxy doll collecting too. i have always wanted to collect certain anime figures and dolls, and it's SO nice to finally have the spare money to do so as an adult. it's kinda funny how much overlaps in the two communities as well!
i did want to addon though, for anyone reading this or if you make an updated version of this video: dusting can be hell, so sometimes a glass cabinet/glass door bookshelf/etc can be a good alternative. i live somewhere that gets a LOT of dust, and being disabled / depressed, im not gonna be able to dust as much as i need to.
i also plan to use a reusable compressed air duster, an electronic version of those compressed air cans. but it can suck up the dust too! there's also a lot of people who dust their anime figures with makeup brushes of varying sizes to get into little crevices / corners, or to get the faces dusted.
I sold some stuff at a flea market recently and while going through stuff to sell, I found some of my childhood dolls. I have adhd and a new hyperfixation was born! I brought my childhood barbie (my brother had chewed her hands to bits) to the barbie movie and bought tons of new clothes second hand for my old bratz dolls. It's so fun to style them again!! I love how the idea of an emotional support doll has become more mainstream after the barbie movie. :)
Great video. Really helpful to this beginner collector. Tysm. You calling me out as a completionist, as I am currently completing the Barbie Extra line lol
I am very new to doll collecting so it’s great to see a video like this. I still feel a little isolated in this hobby and wish I had people to talk too. Dollect doesn’t work for me so I have no way to talk with others. But what I have seen so far is great information!❤
Such a great video of yours! I never commented on any video of yours but I'm such a fan of your content, you're really calming
52:56 yep. Last year for my bday I had my sister get me both Mowalola Jade and Felicia. I'm still in awe of them.
I recently starting collecting again about a year ago when my 4 yr old Granddaughter told me she lo ed Barbies!!! I usually get my dolls second hand and am obsessed!! My Granddaughter will leave with 1-4 fully cleaned, styled and dressed Barbie at every visit!!!! Such fun!! She must be up to @ 50 dolls!!! I love it!! Last I counted I was @ 150 dolls!!! I make clothes for them too!!!!I I love it!! 💗💗💗 PS: I loved the Barbie movie!!
I'm a lifetime doll collector, but I still enjoyed this video. It was a nice refresher course and reminder of what really matters.
I will admit, when I was a child I thought adult collectors were a bit odd because I couldn't imagine them playing with the dolls and I couldnt understand having a doll and not playing with it. Now as an adult I think it's such a cool hobby to have. I absolutely LOVE your channel and that of several others on here who share their interest of dolls and even customize and restyle them. It makes perfect sense to me to collect such beautiful things now.
This is a great video, very informative, I'm not new to doll collection I've been collecting for about 10 years but I like to see other people in the community advice for beginners. I also think it's good to refresh your brain on the basics.
Honestly your videos are so relaxing and comforting. I have been down latley cause i have'nt been able to purchase dolls recently... this really picked me up. Thank you!
This channel just makes me so happy. I love your passion and enthusiasm and your grounded view on how to navigate this hobby. I really loved Barbie as a child, had so many. And I ended up rejecting a lot of that as a teenager just because I felt like it was “childish” or I wouldn’t warrant respect from my peers. I was “too old” and it was a “phase”. But I get to vicariously relive my love for dolls through your channel and content after learning that my reason for rejecting it was silly. Thank you!!
another amazingly helpful video that I may not need but would love to rewatch many times, thank you 🙏🏻
IM SO EXCITED TO WATCH AHSGDHAHASGGHASDGHDG
edit :: ive loved dolls since i was little but by one means or another couldnt get to keep them--i stumbled across this channel a few months ago and it got me interested in dolls again, especially rainbow high since its a relatively 'new' line. i made an amazon wishlist of dolls i wanted to eventually buy, the highest priority being the storm twins (i still dont have them yet but will eventually muahaha). then, one day in b&m i came across miss michelle st. charles and i was in love with her!! the inset eyes, the eyelashes, the bright neon orange;; so i picked her up. now i have 4 other RH dolls, 3 monster high g3 dolls and very recently, 2 LOL OMGs. so bonita !!!
this video is so so lovely for new as well as existing collectors;; made me realise i should probably take a break from buying, or go about buying more slowly than i am right now so thank you for that !!
I'm glad i am not alone
Discovering your channel brought me back into doll collecting! I always loved dolls, used to have a huge Bratz collection back in the day, wich unfortunately was given away once i grew up. Now i'm an adult and at first was hesitant about starting this hobbie. I was watching your videos for months, joined some reddit subs about dolls before finally making the first purchase! Though i did collect some toys, fashion dolls is a different thing after all. I'd say originally it was mostly the nostalgia that got me hooked, hence why my first two dolls were Bratz. Recently i discovered Integrity Toys dolls and genuienly fell in love with one of them. She was in my ebay cart for about a month, the price seemed so crazy to me but everytime i looked at her i knew she was really the one and only, i HAD to have her. Fast forward to yesterday night when i decided to make the purchase and honestly I haven't been this happy in a while! I'm looking forward to buying an outfit for her as well as display holder, etc. I hope one day to have a collection of IT dolls, as well as Pullip (next on my wishlist) and Bratz. Sending love to all the doll collectors!!
Watching my collection grow over the years has been so euphoric ps I love your Channel soooo much and your taste in dolls is exquisite ✨
The fact that I’m a doll collector and I still wanted to watch this video cause I love your content
omg thank you so much! I just started collecting and I have felt overwhelmed sometimes, always looking to my wishlist and it is so special to hear someone this experienced say HEY CALM TF DOWN go on your own time. Tysm srsly, u made me calm
such an amazing video!! i know it's probably not feasible, but i'd love more longform content from you! you have such a nice voice and i love how you handle topics. either way, fantastic video!
What a terrific video and message! I wish it had come out 3 years ago when I first started collecting & learning. 😄 I *still* learned so much more from it today. THANK YOU! You're the best. 🥰
Very informative, and practical video! Kinda reminds me of when I finally found a miku figure I’ve been wanting. She was only available from corner store raffles, and even used she was still $75. Better than the others that were going for $250-$400 though.
A tip for making lists of what you want to collect. I have a wish list for tokidoki unicornos and for each of them i have the name a photo of the figure and any additional info like online only, con exclusive etc. I keep this all in a google doc so i can access it from more places thrn just my computer
I did not think of the point about plastic brushes on plastic hair, thank you!!
As someone who currently owns one doll my cousin got rid of, thank you for the advice!!! Sadly, I don’t have a job so I can’t get any, but when I do I’ll take all of these into consideration 💖💖💖
Hey! I just wanna thank you for the guidance your videos have given me to collect dolls. I have been collecting them for one year now, and i have been so happy cause of it! it’s a dream come true for someone who was a little boy that just wanted some dolls!
These are such great tips! I've been a casual collector for years, but there's still great tips here for anyone wanting to be more intentional with their doll buying.
A tip that I personally use as someone who has a very limited doll buying budget even with thrifting, is to keep a record of dolls that you've seen like a scavenger hunter! I'll find dolls that have no box and sometimes no original clothes, yet be able to identify them by looking through the databases. That way I get the enjoyment of seeing rare/unusual dolls even without buying every one that I see and lessening the FOMO. You can also do this with your old dolls from childhood.