Why Do We Collect Dolls?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 เม.ย. 2023
- This video is made for ADULT doll collectors and gift givers. Viewer discretion is advised.
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When I was a teenager, I worked at a toy story my family owned, and there was one thing a customer told me that completely changed my view if adulthood.
"Being an adult doesn't mean you have to stop drinking juice boxes and eating gummy snacks, it just means you have to buy them yourself."
As adults, we get to decide what we spend our money on, and if that means we want to buy toys, no one gets to tell us we can't.
❣❣❣❣❣
Oh, they can tell us that we can't. They can even scream it at us.
We just don't have to listen! 😆
Yeah I love "Being a adult" = not having to beg to my parents for stuff and give 1000 reasons why I wanted something
omg i love that
Yeeeeeeesss! I love my toys , and video games. 🩷🩵💜
My doll collecting started because I wasn't allowed to play with "girl toys" as a kid. My dad was very very adamant and hated when I expressed anything feminine. So I'm reclaiming the childhood I wanted. And it brings me so much joy.
Yeah, my Dad would call any "Action figures"/Action man/GI Joes I had "Dollies" to try and shame me out of them, same if I watched any Gerry Anderson show [Thunderbirds etc] .... I used to make clothes for my 12" Gi joes and they'd do Fashion runways : P
Same here.
That’s such a shame. I teach children’s literature and this is a story I hear fairly frequently; boys who have been forbidden to play with dolls, and even sometimes physically abused if they tried. I’m really glad that you have the opportunity to collect dolls, and to reclaim this part of your childhood.
I honestly don’t know why boys playing with dolls would be harmful in any case. What’s wrong with making up stories?
Same for me.
@@professorbutters You know what's funny about it for me, I was only allowed male dolls. So Aladdin, GI Joe and Captain Scarlet would have relationships. In a way my parents helped me with being gay lol. If only they allowed me to have that damn Jasmine doll... which I now own 😆
I like that you mentioned not everyone collects dolls due to trauma-like we dont say “oh adults just love playing sonic, mario, etc cause of trauma” like no some adults just think their neat..just like adults can just find dolls neat
Yes! I didn't have a traumatic childhood- I had a wonderful childhood. So wonderful, in fact, that I was very reluctant to leave it. I did not want to grow up! So I still get joy now from the same things that brought me joy then.
I think it's weird that dolls are singled out for "weirdness" factor. It's okay for someone to have model trains, or a painted warhammer army and that's totally normal and acceptable...but dolls are unacceptable? What's with the double standard? In all seriousness, why do I - or any other doll collectors or fans - have to justify their likes or dislikes to anyone? We're grown up, dammit, if we want to eat pie for breakfast and spend all our money on dolls - we can - I mean we'll probably develop some serious health issues and our bank account will hate us, but that's our choice.
True. When I was a kid, I mostly collected rocks. My interest shifted, and I started collecting african violets as a teen. Now I am an adult, and my current collecting interest are dolls. At first, my parents though it was weird, but thankfully they are very accepting people. It just shows: no problem with me collecting rocks, yet dolls get the double take.
Dont forget the entire gamer community lol its okay to be into smash bros or splatoon and buy merch and amiboos for them but dolls is too much?? Make it make sense
The mainstream media doesn't respect things aimed at women (obviously men like dolls too, but I mean traditionally feminine targeted).
I think the conclusion being dolls are feminine. Trains and those stuff are more so "masculine" and I think we all know how much femininity is hated.
One part misogyny (note how typical childhood interests that are "okay" to keep are typically seen as more "masculine" i.e. trains, video games, etc.), one part "I was exposed to the haunted doll trope and have decided to make that part of my personality now." That's my theory at least.
I think a bigger question is why are dolls considered childish in the first place? Like who decided this is a thing only kids are allowed to enjoy? I feel like adult collecting has always been around. My dad collected toys through the 80s and 90s. People with doll collections and dollhouses have been a thing since forever. I'm sure adults have been enjoying toys since toys were first created. The "kidult" term is so silly. It shouldn't matter who's buying the toys as long as people are enjoying them.
Definitely the Victorian, Guilded Age and pre and post WW1 😢😢😢
For me, doll collecting has always about having a 3-dimensional representation of the characters I love from films, TV shows, novels, stories, or my own creations. 2 dimensional photographs or drawings are great, but they are not the same as being able to hold and pose this character which lends to a new level of making them real in my life.
Me too! My favourite dolls are characters from media that I love.
thiiiiiiis
FACTS OMG SAME ❤
I agree 100%, the narrative that doll collecting is ‘being stuck in the past’ completely negates the nuance and reality of dolls doubling as creative vessels and decor. Regardless of age, doll collectors pick up skills like hair styling, sewing, painting etc. all through styling their dolls, and most adults use dolls as home decor, it’s no different than art in a museum, like you mentioned, they’re little pieces of art. For me, I don't think owning dolls 'heals' my inner child either, in my experience I think the 'healing' comes from the acceptance of the community, though I can definitely understand and appreciate that there's so many people in the community that havent had that experience who get to heal through collecting. It’s such an honor to be featured on your channel! Thank you so much for creating a video that normalizes doll collecting. You’re a gem to our community and need to be protected at all costs!
Being a tactile person myself, I find it EXTREMELY difficult to leave dolls in the box. If I do, I careful take them out, touch/feel, then carefully attempt to put it back. Devalues it on eBay, but not in my heart 😂
I’m the same haha
I just straight up unbox them, redress them, make little set pieces and new outfits and hairstyles etc. I do have a very small collection of ones I keep in box specifically because what I love about them is how they look displayed in the packaging, but most come out of box. I’ve started a scrapbook for all the pretty box art on most of the other dolls so I have a place to admire it so I don’t have a giant pile of empty boxes cluttering my space. You know how our moms and grandmas used to get the holiday barbies convinced it would be worth soooo much some day? That was a myth. Doll markets fluctuate here and there, but it’s really only very specific expensive dolls that actually have a significant increase in value. If it’s just normal playline, I’d encourage you to just open them and do all and any of what you want with them. The joy from it is worth it.🥰
As an artist making dolls for others to collect, I'm often asked this question. It's good to hear a collector's perspective. Thank you for making this video 💜
I collect dolls to do movies
I just saw ur channel and I really love what you do ❤
When I reached my teenage years, dolls were actually already dead to me, but last year, I started looking for Disney store dolls because I felt that if I bought and owned them, something inside of me would be healed. That's my inner child. Barbie? I didn't mind them at first because my main goal was finishing the Disney princess dolls, but a friend of mine who is a doll collector inspired me to adore dolls even more and resurrect my inner Barbiecore. I started buying Barbie thrift dolls
For almost a year, I am experiencing mental breakdowns, I find buying thrift dolls and restoring them so therapeutic! I find the restoration process as an outlet it's challenging especially doing their hair spa, identifying the dolls that I thrifted, and hunting for their original outfit and accessories. it gives me satisfaction as well. Healing the inner child is a plus
Oh yeah, restoring dolls is a soul healer. It helped my mental health so much.
I feel the same when I buy strawberry shortcake dolls, they are old, and so am I, a 48yrold mom, and I like cleaning them and making clothes for them, I usually hug them when I complete them, my family doesn't understand, but I feel like it's the love and care I give to them is the love I feel I didn't receive. Sending out hugs to you all.
Same here!!! Love it!!!
Oh, I love the idea of restoring thrift shop barbies! That's taking a collecting hobby up to a whole new level of creativity. Good for you for finding such a satisfying way to focus your mental energy.
i agree with not liking the question “why do you like those?” like, i dunno. why do you like your favourite colour? i just do. but i think a big part of the reason for me is just because they’re beautiful. i love collections and i love fashion, i love hair and makeup. it just makes sense. plus i love having interests in common with my preschool students lol
I am a writer. I have been writing stories and acting them out using my barbie dolls since I was 17 years old. I am 43 now and still do it. I have always loved dolls. I also collect reborn baby dolls for the realism aspect of it. I totally agree. Dolls are works of art.
i find that my reasoning for collecting dolls changes.
In the beginning, it was mostly about buying back my childhood after losing both parents.
From there it turned into creating a community of imaginary friends. Then it became a simple creative outlet and sharing with the rest of the community.
Now, it's all of the above.
Buying back my childhood, gathering memories, creating new memories with a new imaginary world and sharing it with the rest of the doll community. .. but it's mainly about collecting and creating little imaginary friends and preserving my world of make-believe.
It all really boils down to FUN.
Pure, unadulterated FUN!
Some people have fun with business, clothes, cars, food and technological gadgets.
And others have an affinity for children's toys.
I started collecting around my late teenage years. I was a tomboy growing up and suddenly I fell in love with barbie. They are so glamorous and beautiful and can have any career they want. I'm 47 years old now and will never ignore my inner child or adult wants. Great video Joey and awesome topic
Well, my story is very long about my suffering since my childhood in collecting dolls, but in short, I was born in 1977, and I am from the Middle East, and my family is conservative, and a boy is not allowed to play with girls’ toys, and vice versa, but since I was born, I loved dolls very much, and dolls were everything to me They are my friends and my happiness, but my family did not understand me and thought that I was possessed by the devil 😅😂😂😂😂
But with the passage of time they got tired of me and finally convinced that it is impossible for me to give up the thing that I love the most, which is the dolls, and I am now 45 and I I am happy that I collect dolls and I do not feel ashamed. Rather, I am proud in front of people because I live in a different but happy society❤
Oh my, your story is so sad 😮
But it has a happy ending 😊
@@RGSuperfan
Aww thanks 😊 ☺️ 😘 💕
I feel the phrase "kidult" is just a category to put us in. I started doll collecting during the pandemic start I watched doll custom videos and a dream of a Merida Disney doll on my bed. I love them for the happiness they give me and I love them for their art, quality and design
I feel kidult was a name coined by journalist and marketing but it was a fail.
Until this video i forgot it was even a thing.
I started collecting dolls in 1996, I was 6. As a kid I was bullied for having freckles and wearing glasses and for being quite shy. I longed to be the “perfect” looking girl, and for me that was barbie, with her long blonde hair, tan skin and amazing fashion sense, I wanted to be just like her! Barbie taught me that it’s ok to be myself and that in my own unique way I am perfect. Today I’m 32 years old and never felt more comfortable in my own skin. And still love barbie as much as I did back then. 🥰
For me, I have always been interested in beauty, fashion, and miniatures, and dolls are kind of the confluence of those three interests. I love that you can curate a collection of dolls and structures and create a perfect little miniature world. I think it's the same impulse that drives people into the creative arts in general, you want to create an experience. And I've always had a 'renovation' streak, so of course I applied that to dolls as well, and got really excited about restoring dolls and making custom dolls. I've always been interested in history, and even the history that I lived through as a child. Those childhood dolls that were once ordinary objects are now meaningful from the standpoint of what they represent from the time they were made and sold, as well as what they represent of my personal history. Those dolls are associated with my personal memories to a significant degree. And the more time that passes, the more they stand out as touchstones of those times. And in the larger context there is more than just a simple appraisal of fashion history to be gained, you can see a lot of reflection of social change by observing how dolls and toys change over time. These are objects that are given to children, so they highlight what society has deemed socially acceptable on a pretty much universal level. For instance, the way that inclusion and representation has been front and center with the Barbie line the past few years (and I would say for longer than many people realize) reflects how that initiative is front and center in society today. Dolls and toys always reflect the times, in a rather specific way, and it's a fascinating subject you can really drill down into quite a bit.
Plus they're really pretty and they have long hair that you can comb. 😁
Dolls make me happy! For me it’s a childhood nostalgia thing. They bring me the same happiness as an adult as they did as a child.
When you come from an over controlling family and you can't go out until you're 14 you surround yourself with heroes of tv shows and movies, so dolls and figures I collect are the characters I grew up with, they're a part of my life more than real people sometimes. I collect them cause it's nice to have a physical representation of them even if in 1/6 scale. Role models if you like 😊
my reason for collecting dolls is because they bring me joy and they make me feel like myself
You see my little cousin always asks me why do you collect dolls? I keep telling him why do you like tractors so much. I love collecting dolls cause that's what I love.
as a girlie early into her transition, I started collecting Rainbow High because like my world said, looking at them and playing with them brings me a sense of safety and comfort that I haven’t felt in a long time. They’re also my way of reclaiming the feminine childhood I was not allowed to have, and finally being able to live vicariously through them brings me so much joy 🖤🖤🖤 All my love, and thank you for putting together such quality content, *chefs kiss*
I used to collect 80s My Litte Ponies. The collecting itself was the draw, first only at fleamarket. Finding a "holy grail" pony at a bargain price was such a high. And yes, I did wash, comb and braid their manes and gave them make-overs. Ponies beyond repair ended up as DIY art pieces.
I dont collect, have never collected, know literally nothing about collecting, but I just like hearing people talk about things that people are passionate about. Ive been commenting a lot on your videos as Ive been binging recently, and Im glad to know more about this world
Just get one and you will be hooked 🤣🤣🤣!
I’ve always loved dolls, especially now I am in my 30s! I collect a variety of dolls for different reasons. I love the 90s Barbies as she is so nostalgic to me, especially when I watch the golden era of old Barbie advertisements!
Dolls are beautiful but also comforting to me. I now collect dolls that weren’t around in my childhood such as Pullip and I just love how cute and well designed they are. I’ve always adored miniatures and dollhouses too. This hobby allows us to be creative and to connect with many talented doll artists and designers! I hate the term kidult by the way! 🤣 Most of my closer relatives are fine with my doll hobby but a few older ones have said some quite awful things to my face. They’re older and quite frankly very boring people who just watch TV and have no other hobbies, but that still doesn’t excuse them from mocking me in front of other people 😅
@@Aurora-qn2dx me too! My mother and Grandmother gave ALL of my Barbies and other toys away to my younger cousin when I was almost a teen 😣. I had so many amazing Barbies and they seem to be the more expensive ones to buy online now 🥲.
When I was little me, and my sister would play with little figures and make stories out of them. I really enjoyed doing this and I continue to play with my sister until I was 17. Over the years, my sister got less and less interested. She was dragging to do it. So I stopped, and it broke my heart to fill that hole in my heart. I started buying dolls. It’s not the same as before, but it makes me happy and I enjoy the treasure hunt of finding new dolls.
I have always loved, played with and collect dolls. As a teen/young adult, I used them to make stories. When I discovered Monster High, I started collect "more seriously". The dolls gives me comfort, especially my 18" dolls, that I hug when I'm having an anxiety attack. I also love to play with the dolls hair and I sometimes repaint dolls but haven't felt motivated to do so for a long time now. I also used to make videos but my anxiety stops me.
Love from Sweden.
I collect dolls because I saw it as an opportunity to reclaim my childhood. I have played with dolls with my late mother when I was a toddler. She was one of the first people who gave me the stamp of approval to play with dolls. When she passed away, that approval was buried along with her. When I became a little older (maybe 5 or 6) I tried to play with dolls again to keep her memory alive, but during that time, society was also observing gender norms and stereotypes. With that said, a lot of people, both in my inner and outer circle, literally discouraged, even insisted me, not to play with dolls anymore, solely because I was a "boy". So I stopped playing with them for several years.
Fast forward to when I turned 17, Hasbro was selling these new Disney Princess dolls and I keep on seeing them being displayed at Toy Store shelves. This was also the same time when I was slowly embracing my identity, as well as my love for Disney Princesses. That's when I realized that I actually wanted to own those dolls displayed at those shelves, and I wanted to seize this opportunity to finally own them after society back then basically gatekept me from owning them. I started collecting the Habsro dolls and after awhile, when the Disney Store announced that they were releasing dolls of Megara, Esmeralda, Wendy, Tinker Bell and Alice, that's when I also started collecing the ones at the Disney Store too.
Because they make me happy. I keep telling my son the only inheritance he's getting is dolls and he'll have to sell them😅
I have severe depression and anxiety. My dolls bring me joy and help me to stay busy to avoid the downward spirals I used to get. If I concentrate on my dolls and collecting I don't have those bad days. If I feel a bad day coming I will go in my hobby room and work on my collection. Better than the self medicating I was doing with drinking.
I currently don’t collect dolls but I love watching your videos. Growing up in the 80s/90s, Barbie was such a huge part of my childhood. I get the greatest sense of nostalgia when I watch people show off their amazing collections. I’m now a mom and my daughter is now the one with all the dolls and your videos are something we both watch and watch together and it sparks some really good conversations.
I have been collecting dolls for years because they make me feel mysteriously happy. It also helps me deal with my anxiety, loneliness, and depression, and dolls are just so breathtakingly beautiful to me! I have collected Monster High dolls ever since MH Gen 1, and my current favorite doll line is Shadow High! I even have certain dolls in my collection, such as the Storm Twins (Veronica and Naomi) from SH, that are comfort dolls for me, and I just can't help but smile every time I look at them, hold them, or feel their clothes and hair. I also have Autism IRL, and have also recently started using my Veronica and Naomi dolls to express myself a bit more, since I grew up being very sheltered and hiding my emotions/limiting my self expression, and its genuinely fun for me to just express my artistic, creative side through them and make videos with them!🖤💜
I see you everywhere in different channels lol 👋🏻
Having dolls reminds and inspires me to look good and keep my beauty standard. Being alternative and creative, most of my dolls reflect that and are Monster and Ever After High, a BeGoth doll (should have got more!) and my Barbies have cultural themes, representing my thing for European culture, Batman and music. They bring my room to life, make my room look fun and I agree that being an adult shouldn't mean being boring, sitting in an empty room
I love your comment!
Shortly said: For me its definitely nostalgia. But it's also about researching the doll, the company or whatever that's relevant - to get more information about what I have or want. It's so fun to learn things about the product and really know what I have.
I’ve always loved dolls. Always! I grew up in the ‘80’s which was, I think, the super glam era and that really did something to my little sparkle-loving kid brain. My siblings and I grew up poor so we cherished our toys. Barbie and She-Ra were my dearest companions and were such happy memories. As I grew older there was this kind of unspoken rule that adults couldn’t have toys. It meant you were immature. And for awhile I didn’t have but maybe a few dolls I got as gifts. Then I had a daughter. And I leapt fully into dolls! Barbies and Monster High and LOL OMG and Rainbow High! Here was a new generation of dolls I got to experience by playing with my kid. And I LOVED it! Now, she’s twelve and not into dolls anymore but I still collect them because they make me happy. There’s still that pink-loving, sparkle happy girl inside this over 40 woman, and I’m okay with that! Recently I treated myself to a collector She-Ra that is Barbie sized. I love her so much! She’s a reminder that I’m still very much an imaginative kid but I’m able to have nicer things because I’m an adult.
Oh I can so relate! I too loved putting my dolls in the water as a child to see if they floated or not.😂 But I too loved the materials used, especially the 90s dolls. The Barbie with the pink dress and the long crimpy hair-she was a prized possession of mine for many years. I think I still have her in my collection in the attic-I have yet to get them down!😂 And IMO-there is nothing wrong with collecting dolls-it doesn’t hurt anyone at all. It makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something in life!
I tried restoring one of the dolls I got yesterday and ended up burning the shit out of her hair and having to cut it into a blunt cut!😂 She actually looks more beautiful that way. I’m getting some stands for them soon and will have them standing posed a certain way soon. 😄
I am looking forward to do that-but I am a closeted collector.😁
Dolls to me are beautiful works of art. Also a way to fantasize about a glamorous world. I collect mostly Barbies but have also started to collect Rainbow and Shadow High dolls. Your videos are always fun and interesting. It is good to know that there are so many other adult doll collectors. Happy doll collecting!
For me, it's like having the characters in their physical form, not only watching them from the screen. The hair, the outfit. On top of all, they make me happy. 🥰
Thank you for bringing this up. Sometimes I feel embarrassed to be known I'm a doll collector because some people see it as weird or dolls are just for kids.
I can't even put my finger on why I got into collecting, but I just adore my dolls and love seeing a ton of different designs and concepts brought to life. I am admittedly a bit obsessed with vampires, so Draculaura was my 'gateway doll' XD
Dolls have become a creative outlet as well: photography, restyling, and fixing up thrifted dolls are some of my favorite activities right now.
When I was about 12 I literally decided I was 'too old' and threw them away. Regretted it and probably wasnt ready, never was. Loved the little details on Barbies and setting up houses etc. Then about 10 years ago I bought a vintage barbie case with a barbie, Ken and Clothes. That was it! I became obsessed with Vintage Barbie from 59-73 and just fell in love with the quality and fashions. Lately, I have this strange nostalgia of wanting back the dolls and playsets I had as a child. Plus when you open a new boxed doll its just the plastic new smell. Its addictive!
I came to realize in 2020 I love dolls. Always have, I got into American Girl because my daughter wanted one and I went down the rabbit hole.I have also started collecting Monster High and Ever After High and Barbie. I love fashion and doing the dolls hair. It helps when I need to just relax
I collect dolls because some dolls I never got to have when I was little, and then also cause, I gave away all my Barbie’s when I was 18 cause I was sick of getting teased, but then when Rainbow High came out, I decided I didn’t give a crap anymore and I started collecting dolls 😁
When I was a kid I was obsessed with doll commercials too on Saturday morning.
The toy/doll Collecting community are some of the nicest people I have ever met ❤
I've been collecting anime figures way longer than I have dolls. When I finally got into dolls, it didn't seem all that different. I think they look nice and pretty and I appreciate the artistry behind them.
I collect dolls because they are very nostalgic to me, and hold a lot of memories. I also view them as pieces of art and find them beautiful :)
This Video was such an encouragement. I love collecting dolls and plushies. I love playing with their hair or touching the fabrics. I've always loved characters and stories. Dolls are a way to connect and exspress my love for a charcter.
I agree with all the things that have been said, and in addition, dolls have been my best friends my entire life. They don’t judge me. They don’t care if I’m not looking or feeling good every day. They are here for me unconditionally. It’s like I’m always enough for them, the same way that they are for me. They are all about love. 💞
I love toys and dolls because they are a form of escapism from some of the normal stressors of daily life and a reminder of the epic 80s world I remember growing up. They bring a feeling of joy with them that nothing else really can. It’s like when you randomly smell play doh or crayons, you are instantly transported to grade school ( which may or may not be a good thing). But for me, dolls are nothing but a positive flashback.
I collect dolls because I like character and fashion design as an artist myself. And I also collect dolls that make me nostalgic. And also because I love the feeling of collecting.
For me, even when I wasn't actively collecting dolls, I was still collecting dolls. I never stopped. Since I got made fun of at the age of ten for "still" liking Barbie, I just kept it to myself and my mum more. She bought me books and dolls after this, and I had definitely reached my collector stage by this point. I was doing sketches of Barbie's retro fashions and she is the reason I studied fashion design!
I was always a girly girl growing up, so I played with Barbie, LPS, Polly pocket etc. When I was 8 I was gifted a subscription to the American Girl magazine, and being from Canada I didn't know much about the dolls beforehand. When the first store opened in Canada in 2014, I got my first doll, and quickly discovered the social media collector community. As I got into American Girl at a slightly older age, the collector online community is really what kept me collecting as I took photos and videos with my dolls. I've been lucky to make several collector friends and grow my own audience to share my collection with. The day I'm finally getting around to watching this video is the day a few other collectors and I hosted a meetup, and it's so nice meeting collectors of all ages in person and just bonding over dolls. Even taking doll photos in Disney was nice since people already go there to re-live nostalgia, and the dolls added to that!
I collect for nostalgia and because I admire and love the artistry that goes into these dolls.
I like to collect dolls because I find them beautiful to admire. I see them as beautiful art and I always want to display them as pretty as possible in my bookshelves.
I collect because I’m absolutely enamoured with Littlest Pet Shop - animals have always been one of my biggest interests, and when I discovered LPS as a kid, they were pretty much the best toy I’d ever known. As an autistic adult, LPS is one of my longest-running special interests, and is definitely the most prevalent. I’m not collecting to heal my inner child personally, I just adore them & couldn’t imagine being without them. I love them so dearly & I always will 💕
I recently got into Rainbow High after a years-long hiatus from doll collecting. I feel a sense of happiness and affection when I look at them and I love their pretty colors and long hair. Furthermore, they unlock my creativity as I make them outfits, dye and style their hair, and repaint their faces. They're a welcome distraction and respite from life. Also, like Melissa, I lost myself in dolls when I was a kid and needed to be somewhere else.
I love the creativity of dolls, making them up. Even nude dolls are cool because you can customize them into other figures or creatures you imagine up. I just think it's a creative outlet and it's fun ❤
Growing up I was only allowed one Barbie doll a year and had to choose one or another toy. So didn't have many. The made to move ones caught my eye now. I can make furniture out of cardboard and fabric and make a room box that can change so a creative fun outlet.
Me too i love collecting dolls and i hate when non doll collectors ask this. I think everyone should be toy collectors it brings people joy
I collect dolls because they are beautiful! They represent happiness and great memories from my childhood. They are like pieces of art. I find them aesthetically pleasing on my shelves. Plus their hair is super soft and relaxing to touch.
I collect because, I love collecting. Why dolls has become my main collection-they bring me the most joy.
I like making miniatures, making mini clothing, I like dress up games too. I like to design clothing and homes and in mini shape I can do it in bigger quantities. I like action figures and now dolls are articulated as well if not even better. I like the 1/6 scale. I love photography and they are great models. I love story telling and you can do it with dolls. I love how complicated the creation of a doll is and it excites me. I also love restoring old dolls. I love the rush of the hunt for something new, shiny and interesting! I love repainting and character creation.
I never had a real Barbie as a child but I started collecting when I started having interest in repaints. I realized they are beautiful even without being repainted.
And I love I can have a channel here and meet people like myself.
Growing up I wasn't allowed to look at dolls, play with dolls, touch a doll. I was violently beaten the first time I was caught with a doll, I was bed ridden for months. The first doll I was gifted was by my best friend for Christmas and it was a Rainbow Brite Doll AND I got the Rainbow Brite Pony too! Since then I started creating "happy corners" throughout my house, spaces I could look at and just smile. I had promised my Mom that I wouldn't transition whilst she living... My mom passed away in 2019, and after grieving I was finally able to come out as a Trans Femme Woman last year, and have started really collecting since coming out. They offer emotional support when I feel really down and sad. Dolls are something I couldn't have as a child, but now they are something beautiful that remind me I am beautiful too. Even though I'm miles away from transitioning into my authentic self, dolls offer a comforting support that I'm a doll amongst dolls. 💖💝💖💝
Seeing you Collab with these other doll collectors is so wholesome! This was such a nice video. Amazing job, Joey! ❤
As an aside, I started collecting late last year. I often get into deep dives and shopping sprees with a specific thing or franchise, I get tunnel vision and obsess. Part of my personality 😂 and it started with me getting reacquainted with dolls from my childhood and realizing I had the power to get them on my own now, and seeing other people's collection on YT inspired me to do so. ❤ Been a wild journey so far.
I’ve always been into toys and dolls for as long as I can remember, my family have often made fun of me or told me not to waste my money on things that are as “useless” as a doll. When I was a teenager I felt embarrassed by it and only told my closest friends who i discovered loved that about me and took interest. I’m 21 now and I still get told by my family that they’re pointless but it bothers me less as I’ve realised that it’s just a part of me. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving toys and dolls and I’m happy about that. They bring me a lot of comfort and joy and I agree it’s definitely a form of escapism for me, but also they’re just cute!? What’s not to love about them? Your channel always brings me joy and brings me a sense of calm. keep it up! 💕:)
I personally collect them for nostalgia. I'm filling voids from child hood traumas.
I have been a doll collector my whole life and I think is part of the very sensitive people who can feel and see the world beyond the normal view. I just feel so identified with you.
When I became a teenager I was told I was too old for toys and dolls, and my father threw I would say 90% of my toys away (My brothers got to keep theirs for some reason) and I always felt that had some small part to do with why I love collecting dolls now. I love the way they look, feel, I never keep them in box, I love to touch my dolls. I initially started out with Bratz dolls late 2008 and stopped for a few years from 2010 to 2015, then I got into some Ever After High/Monster High but now I'm mainly Rainbow/Shadow High and LOL OMG's, I'm a big MGA collector. I do like Barbie, but there's something about Rainbow High that drew me in from the get go and I now have a collection 18 strong (2 Shadow High, 16 Rainbow High)
2001 when Bratz released is when i first got in to dolls, i had a couple of barbies but wasnt really in to them i was playing with hot wheels haha. i remember seeing the ad for Bratz on TV and i was so excited! i still have the majority of my Bratz Collection today and obviously been expanded a lot since then! 2021 i started collecting Rainbow High and Shadow High and been obsessed ever since! i still play with my dolls and im 28 years old i am still as creative at making stories as i was as a kid. When im going through mental health struggles or anything in life i dont feel alone with my collection on display and being able to appreciate seeing them all around me and being so proud of myself for not letting anybody tell me i cannot collect them or play with them anymore and pressure me in to getting rid of them, feeling down? i grab some dolls and play with them for hours! dolls are so wholesome.. its only people who dont collect are always the ones to comment and dont get it whatsoever. i think theres far too many reasons to name as to why i collect but i think its because it makes me happy, the excitement of opening a new doll is so euphoric and exciting just as much as when i was young, the fact that NOBODY can tell me i cannot buy them is great! and last but not least i just absolutely love dolls they have gotten me through some of the most difficult parts of my life and made me who i am today unapologetically. Loved the vid Joey! you are the best! xoxo
My fascination with dolls rekindled during the height of the pandemic. I felt that I needed to find a way to escape the mental barriers I faced that time and something for me to do. I am a nurse and it was a horrifying time for me. Dolls were something tangible I could control in contrast to the overwhelming things I faced at work. Your channel helped me rediscover my love for dolls in a good way. Thank you!
I am an avid customer of Simon's collectables since I came to watch you featuring the online store. All my Integrity and JHD dolls are from there. Thanks
Over the years I sometimes bought a doll or two just because i loved their aesthetic… this was in the Barbie Fashion Fever era. Then I had a nervous breakdown 3 years ago from childhood trauma, which prompted me to start a serious doll collection as I found them very healing. My therapist calls it ‘productive dissociation’. I love restoring and styling dolls as well. I have well over 100 dolls. At the moment my favorite dolls are my 16-inch Ellowyne (Robert Tonner) dolls and my MSD sized ball jointed dolls. I’m patiently waiting for my first SD sized doll (she’s 54cm) nah I’m just so impatient lmao.
So yeah I’m definitely representative of the ‘tired trope’ of collecting dolls = childhood trauma. I’m fine with it. I’m sitting here watching your video with one of my Supia MSD dolls next to me, freshly redressed with a new wig 😅
What Clawdeena9 said about being visual and dolls being beautiful art & homeware rings true for me about dolls. I particularly like the glam, sparkly ones!
Have to admit, Internet shopping' s a blessing, I used to be so afraid of judgement from whoever was at the till, like it would be super obvious I'd be buying "For myself" [Or other kids from my school might see me]
I collect dolls because they bring me so much joy!They are wonderful to look at and inspire my crafty side. Dolls don't judge me.
As a kid I always loved my toys and dolls, probably even more than the average kid. I stopped playing with my toys and Barbies at around 12 and basically forgot about them for 20 years or so. I started drinking in college and became an alcoholic for over a decade. When I finally became sober I needed to do something to fill the empty void leftover from drinking and got into collecting toys. The first time I bought a toy from my childhood it just brought back such a nice comforting feeling and nostalgia. Eventually that led to Barbies and although I've slowed down a lot due to lack of space I still love them.
I collect dolls because they are beautiful. They add joy to my life.
OMG!!! COVID got me into collecting and now blogging and now doing DIY dioramas for my dolls lol BUT I CAN"T help to have so much fun doing it!
I collect dolls because of happy memories during childhood..
When I was first learning to read, the first chapter book that really pulled me in was about dollhouse dolls coming to life and having adventures while all the humans were asleep. I loved the secret world. I spent the next several years begging my parents for a dollhouse until I was finally old enough to learn to use a saw and build my own dollhouse. Dolls, of course, were an important part of the package deal. So for me, it's storytelling, nostalgia, and having a miniature world (dollhouse) to escape to.
I have always loved dolls, when I was young it was all about Barbie! Then I “grew up” got married and had kids and toys were suddenly for them. And as they grew up and out of toys it CRUSHED ME, I guess I was always collecting still just through them and when I couldn’t do that anymore I felt so empty. HOWEVER my husband told me one day we should never give up something that brings us happiness and peace. So I decided to be an adult doll collector. I took over my youngest then 13 American girl doll collection and I just loved it. But then the world stopped in 2020 and I found myself going back to my childhood memories more and wanting my Barbies back that’s when I found YOU the literal best doll Videos on You tube and you opened the door to sooooo many doll words for me. I started Rainbow high from day one which is probably why they are now my most favorite doll line followed closely by Barbie and Monster High. In just 3 short years my doll room has grown into what my friends call a true doll museum. I love my dolls and I will continue to collect until the day I die…. Thanks for letting
me share my story. LOVE YOU JOEY ❤
I have many reasons for collecting dolls, some of which are hard to explain. My mother actually got me into dolls with Barbie, and she also bought me Breyer horses; both of which I still love today. I just immediately connected with dolls and would live in my play world where they were all real beings to me as a child. I continued to collect them until I lost all my dolls in a natural disaster and didn't collect again for many years. Now I am starting up again, and at this time, my reasons are nostalgia, the love for mainly historical fashions; but i love other fashion as well; the feeling that they are little pieces of art, enjoyment of just having them around; and it is possible, but I'm not sure, that they are a comfort due to childhood trauma. They do have a comforting feeling and living in the world where they are real & dreams can come true is something helpful in escaping all the negativity in the world today. I could say more, but I think this is a good stopping point. I enjoyed hearing from your and our other collector friends :)
I love how you can appreciate dolls so much more when you’re older. Like you said they seem like little pieces of art, you don’t realise that when you’re a kid. You take off and switch their clothes, lose all the pieces, especially the shoes! Some of the dolls you have shown, I had as a child and didn’t even realise they came with certain pieces because I’d lost them really early on.
I'm not a collector but I am an adult (29 rip) and I recently ordered like 6 dolls that I'm planning to customize. I was talking to my mom about it and telling her about how I'm already drafting patterns to sew, which I've always loved, and learning how to reroot dolls and that maybe I'll pick up painting again which I haven't done since I was a kid. And my mom was so supportive and encouraging. She said as adults we need creative hobbies but instead we spend so much time in front of screens. I think that's a big part of it as well. Even if collectors don't venture into full blown customizing, there's an aspect of dolls being a creative outlet that it's very healthy for adults to have. Obviously it's important for kids too and we can see how kids being put in front of screens affects their development, it's only logical that adults replacing all hobbies and creative outlets with screens also affects us negatively! Humans need art, we need to create and play for our brains to be healthy and dolls are primed to incorporate creativity and play.
When I was a toddler, my *ehem* still conservative *ehem* parents allowed me to play with Barbies and Kens that they bought for my older sister, and I have loved dolls ever since. As I grew older, I started to play video games and watched animes a lot.. then I was introduced to action figures. Now, I love both dolls and action figures respectively. More importantly, my love for both toys sparks the idea of me making them clothes that I would like them to see based on my vision. Even though I'm not a fashion graduate or a sewing expert either, I just love making clothes for my toys ☺️💖
I also grew up in the 90s and the Barbie ads were atually the reason why I watched the Disney series on weekends! In my country of origin, genuine Barbies were out of reach for most people and they symbolized a colorful, happy dream. That’s why I started collecting as an adult in the first place, probably to find comfort in finally making my impossible childhood dreams come true. Later I became a big collector though, and expanded my field of interest to many other kinds of dolls and toys, old and new, including funky Blythe dolls and various antiquities.
My life has changed many times since then, I moved on and sold a big part of my collection, but YES, then came corona! I took the rest of my Barbie gang out of my storage and it felt so good. I bought some more, and restarted thrifting for vintage dolls offline. It was very nice and comforting. Like you, I am more of a tactile person, and I prefer rummaging through my doll boxes to any online game or tv series :) to me, dolls are not about fashion or beauty for the most part though, it’s really reconnecting with my inner kid - I didn’t love being a kid for a whole bunch of reasons, so dolls help me repair the consequences in a way 🙂 even though they are not a central hobby in my life and I don’t have many dolls now.
I am interested in dolls because I love seeing all different forms of art and fashion. They are like little moving statues and that convey emotion and art while inspiring creativity. There should never be an age stamp on that.
For me reasons to collect toys is the nostalgic feeling and that I couldn’t have so much as a kid. So it gave me memories and the same excitement as years ago! It’s creating a own world for me - just for me!
I love little realistic things (Barbie, mini brands, 1:12 modern dollhouses...). When I see something small, I feel like a mum watching a baby or a kitten. They inspire me to craft, create, tell stories... It's a little world that I can control, enjoy, organize and share with others creating beautiful moments 🙂
I'm not a big collector, but I do have a few dolls. I loved my dolls as a child, especially Barbie and American Girl. Still like walking down the doll isle to see what's new. I just got my first Blythe dolls not too long ago. Watching videos of how people customize their Blythes is amazing. I really enjoy the artistry and fashion. I started learning how to sew and look forward to making clothes for them. I also like posing dolls and stuffed animals and taking pictures to tell a story. Doll photography is something I look forward to doing with my daughter.
I feel the same way about dolls as many of the others in the comments. Its an artistic outlet for me. I get to style their, hair dress them,make clothes for them,make little rooms and furnishings etc.❤
Dolls just make a certain part of my brain light up. They're beautiful and interesting, and each one of them tells a story. I also just like taking care of them, doing their hair and fixing them back up.
It genuinely makes me inner child happy! ☀️ I find it all extremely intersting and love hearing about the design process of the making of them and people doing the custom OOAK dolls is fantastic. I used to soley collect toys from the 80s and 90s for nostalgia and now I have just heavily gotten into Modern Barbie Looks / Signature and sometimes the Extra dolls. Its just fun! 💜
Great discussion! All the reasons you stated for collecting resonate with people who collect other "toy" items as well -action figures, scale models, lego minifigs, etc.
I collect Minnie Plushies. I've got over 30 now and they bring me joy and that's why I do it. That's what I tell people. Disney brings me joy and makes me happy. I'm a adult Minnie collector, my hyperfixation is all things Disney. It makes me happy.
Growing up we couldn't afford plushies from the Disney Store or trips to Paris. So i made it my mission that when i got a job that id be going to the parks and shopping from the Disney Store. Dream came true!
Like you i thought i was the only 20 something Disney obsessed person out there. That was until i discoveres the Disney community on Instagram and they welcomed me. Fast forward four years later and I'm not alone anymore.
I love dolls and have always loved dolls- I still have the vast majority of my childhood toys, and looking at them brings me such sparks of joy! And now I'm an adult who can afford to buy the dolls I want.
I love dolls for many of the same reasons you mentioned. I'm also a tactile person- I love to touch the fabrics and style hair, and there's something so satisfying about manipulating little plastic arms and legs into the perfect pose! For this reason, I am definitely a deboxer- I just can't fully enjoy a doll from behind cellophane! To me, dolls are a form of art and storytelling- I love to use my American Girl dolls to create scenes. I'm also lucky enough to have doll collecting run in my family- my mom loves dolls too which is probably why I was never pressured to give mine up! And my grandmother, when she was alive, always had lots of dolls in her house that she let me and my sister play with when we were little.
I love dolls because to me they are persons. Definitely the persons I like and the persons I can care about. It's a form of escapism ofc. When my depression gets worse dolls actually help me a lot.
I love dolls, particularly the pose-able ones. I enjoy dressing them in holiday/seasonal outfits. I then sit them or pose them on every day items on shelves around the home. They have become a part of my decor, and I just love looking at them!
I grandmother collected dolls (small collection) and she kept my mother's dolls (from childhood), for her grandchildren to play with. I played with them a lot. I had a finacially challenging childhood. My mother said we never missed a meal. True, but there were times when there was nothing else -- like dolls. So, I use to think I was collecting dolls to make up for that loss. I know now, it is because they are beautiful in one way or other. That is why I collect them, now.
I totally get you about the textures, it's why I don't like keeping them in the box.
My doll collection grew over several phases of my life. I still have most of the dolls I received during my childhood. When I worked at KMart while I was in college , my second phase started with Holiday Barbies. My third phase (that I’m in now) was really inspired by my niece’s love of dolls and finding doll photography and videos like yours on social media. When we got my niece an LOL doll for Christmas a couple of years ago, I got myself the one I’d been looking at. When she comes over to my house, we play with her dolls and when I go over to her house, we play with hers.