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Finding The Right BJD Shop

By Paulette Mason


Collectors of ball jointed dolls often have quite specific requirements when it comes to the styles they purchase. Some of the major factors include in what stage of completion the product arrives, skin tones, wig options, clothing selection, facial appearance and other details. Choosing a preferred BJD shop from the many available choices may take some effort.

Locating a vendor is easy but finding the right one may take a bit more time. The internet is flooded with companies selling these products from various manufacturers. The trick is finding one who offers the type of doll an individual desires and offers the type of construction options the customer prefers.

Modern style ball joint dolls are mostly manufactured in Japan, South Korea and China and made from cast Resin, though it is possible to find plastic or vinyl figures as well. Available sizes range from a petite 4" to a substantial 27.5" tall. They are also found in a variety of skin tones, body types, ages representations and may be androgynous, gender neutral, male or female.

As one scans through the mass of provider websites, there are some factors that could help narrow the search field. It is key to remember that not all companies sell their products exclusively as completed pieces. Since a good many collectors enjoy personalizing their dolls, many stores will offer the option to purchase individual parts such as torsos, legs, arms, heads as well as the chance to hand pick the eyes, makeup, hair and accessories.

Each company will have their own way of selling their product, but generally speaking, a basic doll set will include a nude body in the chosen form and skin tone, a pair of eyes and a head with items like wigs, clothing and accessories being offered separately. Of course there are also those vendors who will offer completed figures that are fully details and ready for display.

For those who enjoy being part of the creative process, many companies offer kits that allow the customer to take part at varying levels of completion. Some collectors enjoy purchasing their figures with all parts disassembled, without painted details and fresh from the mold with all the edges still in need of being sanded and smoothed. An individual who is not as handy with putting things together may want to buy their dolls already articulated but still in need of finishing.

There are quite a few options that may be available from various vendors. One thing that makes this product unique is that their bodies may be purchased without gender or as a male or female in different stages of development from toddler to full grown adult. Some pieces such as the wigs, heads, breastplates, hands, heads and eyes are interchangeable and can be changes at any time.

As with most purchases, the final price tag is something that can be a big factor in someone's selection. With so many choices, these dolls normally begin at about $100 but can be more than $1200 when completed. Some of the things that may affect the overall cost are who manufactures the product, the designer, whether the model was a limited edition or not, what it is made of, its size, the costuming, wigs and accessories, as well as many other details.




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