Liebster Award

Ms. 2D of manikani2d has nominated me for the Liebster Award. Honestly I've been seeing this a lot on blogs I frequent but I don't know what's in store, if you even win anything or it's just a way to discover more doll blogs. I'm not counting on winning anything, really, but discovering more doll blogs I'd like to read seems like fun.

Here is where Ms. 2D nominated me:
https://manikani2d.wordpress.com/2016/02/06/liebster-award/. Thank you!

The Rules

1. Thank the person who presented you the award and link back to their blog.
2. Post the award image on your blog.
3. Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter.
4. Nominate 5-11 blogs with less than 200 followers.
5. Create 11 questions for the nominees to answer.
6. List these rules in your post.
7. Inform the people you chose of their nomination by leaving a comment on their blog and link them your post.

My answers to her questions are the following:

1] At what age did you really start collecting dolls?

I started playing with dolls when I was really young, I don't really remember at what age, but I stopped when I grew older and handed down my toys to my younger siblings or other kids.

Then last year I started getting into building a collection of dolls. I have a collection of other toys so why not extend it to dolls, am I right? As for the age, let's not get into that, haha.

2] What/which is your favorite doll when you were still a kid?

My memory of all my old toys is not as specific but I have two favourites. First is Sleeping Beauty with the reversible blue and pink dress and eyes that open or close with cold or hot water, and a Batman figure, all black with the yellow insignia on its chest, with a yellow utility belt and its own metal stand.

Photos from the net:

3] Did you ever received a doll (as a gift) that you didn’t like? why?

I don't have a memory of a doll I received that I disliked. I was very appreciative of toys as a child.

4] What doll will complete your collection?

I'm not a completist. I'm not looking for that certain doll that would end this, all of this, but I do have a wish list, and there is definitely more than one doll on it.

5] Do you like buying dolls from thrift stores?

Yes, I do. In fact, this is how I started collecting dolls. It's an easy and inexpensive way for someone to start their own collection, plus it's fun when the things you find just surprise you. It's very important though to arm yourself with knowledge beforehand, so you know what you like and what to look for, and also to find out which ones are common or rare.

I used to go to thrift stores to buy clothes, then shoes. Then I moved on to dolls and other toys. Funny.

6] Was there ever a time you had strange feelings with one of the dolls you bought from a thriftstore? If so, what did you do with it?

Nope. Luckily I don't feel anything strange with the second hand dolls I pick up. That happened to me when I bought a hardbound fiction book secondhand though. It gave me nightmares every time I read it before bedtime, so I discarded it.

7] Do you have a certain budget or price range when you buy a doll? How much?

It depends. 

For new dolls, I can spare P200-P400 out of pocket. I rarely buy new dolls so I think my budget is reasonable. My latest doll Princess Malucia cost me P500 but I didn't shell out any money for her at the time, so it's fine that she's over my limit.

For second hand dolls, I can pay up to P200 P300.

I really like playline dolls because they're sturdy and affordable. I don't go for delicate or adult collector dolls with so many joints and intricate face ups because those are so expensive.

To keep my costs down, I would normally buy dolls to which I have access. Those that need to be shipped discourages me because I could use the amount I would allot for shipping fees to buying another doll. Besides shipping can be a nightmare here in the Philippines. -_-

8] Time will come we have to “leave” our dolls behind, so what plans do you have for them?

My aunt passed away last year and left behind a vast amount of possessions in her estate, and I was one of the people who hauled them away from her house. I know firsthand how hard it is to dispose or store items that don't mean much to you but you are very much aware that they cost something. In my case, my dolls and toy collection aren't that much, but I hope if I'm ever done with my toys FOR GOOD, my family members would be sensible enough to give them away to kids who would enjoy and preserve them.

9] How do you keep your dolls in good condition?

Most of the dolls I get are in bad condition. Monster High dolls in the thrift store usually come nude, with bad hair and no hands. I find pleasure in fixing their hair and replacing what I could with crafting and sewing. Afterwards, I display them in handmade stands or keep them in a toy box. Recently I put in old socks those dolls still awaiting to be customised, so that the dolls don't stick to each other in the box.

10] Have you ever joined a collector’s club and got kicked out because yours didn’t pass their standards? Don’t mention the club’s name. Did it discouraged you from joining another?

I once joined a Monster High and Ever After High Facebook group and got banned for some strange reason. I actually talked about it on this post. It doesn't bother me because there are other places to join. I usually join doll selling groups on Facebook because:

• I can see what dolls are common and rare to sell secondhand
• I can see the price of a doll, do a comparison with the price for the brand new doll, or with the same doll from a different seller
• I learn about different dolls and their face sculpts. Facebook sellers usually sell their dolls nude, so I can also see the articulation of the dolls via their photos.
• I live vicariously on people who post "MINE" or "GET" on those dolls I'd like to buy for myself, but cannot or choose not to afford.

11] Do you ever set the time when you will stop doll collecting?

Nope. I think the only time I will stop is when I lose interest, which I don't think is happening right now. I treat dolls as muses. These dolls spark interest and creativity in me, which makes a long dull day much bearable.

I don't know a lot of blogs for me to be able to nominate 5 to 10 people, but I'd like to nominate Doll Delusions and read what he has to say.

1. When did you start collecting dolls? What is the first doll in your collection?
2. What kind of dolls do you collect?
3. How many do you have in your collection now? Do you plan to add more? 
4. What is your favourite doll at the moment?
5. Do you keep your dolls in the box or out of them?
6. Are you a completist? Do you like completing your collection? Or are you satisfied in getting one or two from a doll line?
7. Where do you buy your dolls? Can you make any recommendations?
8. What do you like to do for and with your dolls? Do you do doll photography or videos? Sewing and crafting? Travelling with them?
9. Do you feel buyer's remorse with a doll you bought? How do you deal?
10. Is there a certain doll "that got away"? If yes, what is so special about this doll?
11. Have you given a doll as a gift? If yes, to whom, and what is it?

Dear reader, if you've stumbled upon this blog entry and are interested in participating as well, then I nominate YOU. Feel free to answer these questions on your blog, and don't be shy to do some storytelling along the way. Thank you!