How do your play (or spend time) with your dolls?

I was wrestling with one of my doll's wigs last night and it suddenly occurred to me that I've never heard anyone else mention restyling a wig like that. Of course, wigs take a certain amount of styling and upkeep because that's just part of the hobby, but I mean styling as in doing braids, twintails, etc. I redo my doll's hair almost every time I dress them, (y'know, the 8yr old girl with a barbie approach) as a way of spending time with them, and depending on the doll, it takes 10-30 mins. I always wondered why there were wigs that were prestyled into braids or ponytails because then it would be harder to restyle, but it dawned on me that other doll owners may just... use those when they want a new style, and not restyle the same wig over and over again lol.

So the question: What little things do you do to spend time with your dolls that may not be the universal practice? This question isn't restricted to wig styling, so what about dressing or styling or posing or snuggling or holding? I just figure that everyone has a different approach, so I'm curious on how other doll owners play (for lack of a better term) with their dolls.

Edited October 15 by Frollywoggy
Spelling errors

Wigs. I am one of those that will get wigs already in the style I want. I would make a terrible mess of them if I had to style it myself. Even with styled wigs, it takes me ages to get it in the right position, I will spend ages making sure the hair line is just right, that it's straight and not too left or too right, too high nor too low. I'm just as bad with clothes, I don't change outfits often but I'm forever fiddling with them after I have done. Mort has a dress and the shoulder straps will slip into the gap at her arm/shoulder joints. It drives me crazy and I'm forever trying to sort them out. I've not won that battle yet so I ordered her a different dress.

I think that most of my time spent on my dolls is just simply admiring them. I've spend a fair old amount of time designing and 3D printing props for them, just finished a table and set stools for them. I will also admit, I often talk to them, not full conversations but usually 'hey, how you doing? whats up?' type of comments.

I'm also definitely in the 'buy styled wigs' camp. To be honest, I didn't think you actually could style these wigs without damaging them/exposing the wig cap/wefts. Like, making a loose braid seems feasible, but tying the hair up into a high ponytail seems like it would cause some issues? That doesn't mean I don't have to wrangle with them though! I have one wig that is a super tight fit. I'm honestly putting off trying other wigs just because I don't want to potentially have to put that one back on and of course, there's the brushing and some 'styling' using water wax..

As for 'unusual things you do to bond with your dolls', well, it's not 'playing', but sometimes when I have to motivate myself to do something I break the action down into a schedule. For example, if I have to write an essay, I'd break it down like:

Monday: Collect Sources/Read

Tuesday:  Decide on an outline and write the introduction

Wednesday: Break

Thursday: Write Chapter 1

etc.

I write that down on a note and then I let my dolls hold said note. They are with me on my desk, so I naturally look at them quite regularly and seeing the note I'm reminded of what I wanted to do. With their little smiles, I always feel like my dolls are encouraging me! "Hey, Retro! Remember, you wanted to do this? No worries, you got it!" - and when I tick off the boxes one by one.. I feel like they are a little proud of me. 

Maybe I should have them hold notes with generally motivational stuff when I don't have anything on my schedule? Or just a printed out meme. I think I'll try that! 

On 3/19/2023 at 4:55 PM, Stupid_Hoomun said:

Wigs. I am one of those that will get wigs already in the style I want. I would make a terrible mess of them if I had to style it myself. Even with styled wigs, it takes me ages to get it in the right position, I will spend ages making sure the hair line is just right, that it's straight and not too left or too right, too high nor too low. I'm just as bad with clothes, I don't change outfits often but I'm forever fiddling with them after I have done. Mort has a dress and the shoulder straps will slip into the gap at her arm/shoulder joints. It drives me crazy and I'm forever trying to sort them out. I've not won that battle yet so I ordered her a different dress.

I think that most of my time spent on my dolls is just simply admiring them. I've spend a fair old amount of time designing and 3D printing props for them, just finished a table and set stools for them. I will also admit, I often talk to them, not full conversations but usually 'hey, how you doing? whats up?' type of comments.

I often tangle the wigs as I style them and I have to be very careful not to pull out wefts. I also talk to my dolls, it's mostly just a one sided conversation since I'm a verbal processor, so whenever I have something on my mind, I'll just talk it out to my dolls until I have a solution.

On 3/20/2023 at 6:05 AM, RetroKanojo said:

I'm also definitely in the 'buy styled wigs' camp. To be honest, I didn't think you actually could style these wigs without damaging them/exposing the wig cap/wefts. Like, making a loose braid seems feasible, but tying the hair up into a high ponytail seems like it would cause some issues? That doesn't mean I don't have to wrangle with them though! I have one wig that is a super tight fit. I'm honestly putting off trying other wigs just because I don't want to potentially have to put that one back on and of course, there's the brushing and some 'styling' using water wax..

As for 'unusual things you do to bond with your dolls', well, it's not 'playing', but sometimes when I have to motivate myself to do something I break the action down into a schedule. For example, if I have to write an essay, I'd break it down like:

Monday: Collect Sources/Read

Tuesday:  Decide on an outline and write the introduction

Wednesday: Break

Thursday: Write Chapter 1

etc.

I write that down on a note and then I let my dolls hold said note. They are with me on my desk, so I naturally look at them quite regularly and seeing the note I'm reminded of what I wanted to do. With their little smiles, I always feel like my dolls are encouraging me! "Hey, Retro! Remember, you wanted to do this? No worries, you got it!" - and when I tick off the boxes one by one.. I feel like they are a little proud of me. 

Maybe I should have them hold notes with generally motivational stuff when I don't have anything on my schedule? Or just a printed out meme. I think I'll try that! 

It is a challenge to avoid pulling out wefts or damaging the wig, and before I had a MDD, I ruined two wigs in a row due to taking poor care of them and overstyling them... I've learned not to try high ponytails or anything too dramatic since it not only looks unflattering and takes an insane amount of time, but it damages the wig. I stick to low twintails, low ponytails, simple braids, or just half-up styles, since these are safe and don't damage the wig. Sometimes, it leaves the wig cap exposed in some places, but I've never been bothered by that.

Also yes! Having dolls hold notes or little objects is something that I've done once or twice, but not as much as I would like since I just forget to bring them to my desk most days. But that's such a sweet and fun way to interact with your dolls, I think I'll have to try doing that now!

Edited September 26 by Frollywoggy
Spelling errors

Recently my girls and I have been watching Clannad. Of course they are appropriately dressed for the occasion.

I printed Rin the theatre club poster from the show.

Last night I downloaded the Clannad PlayStation game and I have been thinking about not playing it until I 3D print the girls a couple of games controllers.

When I had a small tribe they all used to watch TV with me in the evenings. Now they're on rotation.

One other stupid thing I they like doing is scaring my praying mantises. It seems that not just people are scared of dolls...

I havent had mine for very long, but some I like to just hold & sit with, and smaller ones (like my ob11) just today I took out shopping with me! I also want to do a lot of photography with them as well. Sometimes i just move them around a little & admire them lol

Oh wow! Kudos to you for styling your own wigs, that’s amazing. I like to just have straight wigs because I like brushing their hair. 
 

I like to bend their joints. Something about bending doll joints is very satisfying and relaxing to me. I also like posing them doing things like holding little props. One doll I had during the end of college acted as a phone stand because my lectures were online. It was a little like having a classmate during those times and helped me feel less lonely. 
 

I also really enjoy taking pics. Though these days it’s always a race to get the perfect picture before the kitty swoops in and decides she wants to play too! 

On 4/30/2023 at 9:08 PM, Lychgate said:

and smaller ones (like my ob11) just today I took out shopping with me!

I'd like to do stuff like that too! If only I wasn't so embarrassed about it lol.... I do like cuddling and taking photos of them though, that's about it.

34 minutes ago, RozenGermain said:

I'd like to do stuff like that too! If only I wasn't so embarrassed about it lol.... I do like cuddling and taking photos of them though, that's about it.

Maybe you could hide a little one away inside your bag, with its head sticking out from an inside pouch so only you can see it? That way no one else would know, but you could still enjoy having a doll with you while you’re out.

I like reading/watching movies/playing games with them! They either sit on my lap, on the bed next to me, or on the bed behind my desk depending on their size and what I'm doing. I also like making clothes for them and brushing their hair. I recently bought some of the obitsu magnetic shoes, so I want to start taking my Azone 50s out more for photos since they'll be able to use the magnet stands. Although since winter is coming soon I'll probably have to wait until spring.

I use my little 1/12 blind box bjds kinda like fidget toys sometimes 😅 There's just something satisfying about moving all their joints around and making them walk around on my desk. I would also like to take them out with me in my purse or something, but I worry that the lining would stain them.

 

my two favorite girls are staring at me from my Computer Desk, most of the time;

 

 

Edited October 15 by Tasuke

Definitely in the pre styled wig camp. 

I never had dolls in my younger years so I lack some hairstyling skills as well. 

I don’t have conversations with my dolls and mostly take them out of the shelf for photographing. Changing outfits, changing poses. 

Wish I could place one on my desk at work but there is too much sun and too much dust there. 
So sadly no option. 

Edited October 16 by Rajke

I’ve always felt very insecure about taking my dolls outside or even changing their default outfits… However I did buy some new outfits for them this time and I’m going to style their hair a little bit.

Sometimes they talk to each other or just with me.

Sometimes I look at them while holding and posing them in my hands.

Sometimes I change their clothes but that is extremely rare.

Sometimes I make armor for them. (I have venthyr plate armor w.i.p and one gothic-fantasy armor w.i.p. but want to do remake/reboot of one armor I made from cloth and electricity tape - want do it purely in cloth was thniking of leather but am afraid that old leather from blacksmithing would polute their bodies) and they are reviewing gearing session.

Sometimes some of them fights in fictional anime style fight - which looks more like kata from martial arts.

Last mont I started playing that they are actresses and I am their general director, dramaturgist and art-boss. (Do I have some complex?) and propper, garderobier, inspicient, scene builder and every possible post in my fictional theater.

I dont bring them outside in public but I would like to take one of them to convention with some cool cosplay or my fictional armor - and meet some other doll collectors. I took doll to a very small convention but there was big spectrum of reactions. (one horror book writer apreciated that I am doing what I want and am  natural)

I like theese question-topics about hobby. (I like doing tests or surveys I guess? Ou, m such a weirdoo.)

 

I like to dress my boys fitting to the season most of the time, so changing clothes is definitely one part I enjoy a lot, I think it is also sort of relaxing.

It's also one of the occasions where I tend to talk to them, either when they don't cooperate that well or also if they DO cooperate well.

I also just like holding them and posing them and generally they are mostly somewhere where I can see them. I would like to do more in terms of photography, but my phone camera just not being the best for the job is sort of stopping me from fully enjoying that. A decent camera is definitely high on the to buy list.

I also have various doll carrying bags, I didn't have the opportunities to take them with me often yet, but I do enjoy doing that as well.

Oh, and working on wigs and doing faceups, blushing I also somewhat count as "playing". Even though I'm only focused on character dolls for two specific characters I never tire of it.

Towa likes to stand on the chair next to my desk while I'm working. She only comes in if it's "doll weather" (i.e. overcast and not sunny so no risk of light damage).

I've also kind of accidentally gotten into filmmaking after a stupid little video I posted of Kirika sweeping the kitchen floor got 1500 views on YouTube. That made me realise that filming daily doll life was a much better idea than just doing unboxings and dressups. Today Kirika and Rin filmed their first true Dollywood blockbuster. I just wished I had started doing this kind of stuff when I first acquired Towa. I did think about it but at the time I had no idea how to make her speak.

7 hours ago, Xiongmao said:

Dollywood

I’m dead 💀 

4 hours ago, ragnamuffin said:

I’m dead 💀 

Quote

@Xiongmao said: Dollywood

 

 

Edited November 22 by Rajke
Multi quote failed, had no option but to use @ instead of the quote with the correct name.

On 11/22/2023 at 1:21 AM, ragnamuffin said:

I’m dead 💀 

OK Towa might be dead from copyright violations so we might not use that term again 😂. Then again Towa would fit right in at Dollywood.

As far as a Plan B, we're currently working on Tindoll. It's Tinder but for dolls.