100 Questions for Doll Collectors

This is my first questionnaire!

Posted: August 5th, 2026

Blank questionnaire is avaiable Here

1.Please tell us your name and where you are from.

My name is Dollie and I am from the United states.

2.What age did you get your first doll?

One of my earliest memories at perhaps three years old? was playing with my Commonwealth "SoftHearted Friends" Rag Doll ! Here she is, almost 30 years later. She's in quite good shape aside from her arm almost hanging by a thread.

3.What types of dolls did you grow up with?

Cloth dolls and fashion dolls mostly. Specifically, Barbie, Bratz, Polly Pocket, My Little Pony, Littlest Pet shape, What's her face, Betty Spaghetti, Fisher Price's Little People, and many more. Any else chew on Polly Pocket clothing as a kid? Forbidden gum.

4.What was your favorite doll from childhood?

A baby doll that I had from toddlerhood. At the end of her days, her hair was matted and started dry rotting, clothes had been missing for years and she was falling apart. Was sad to see her go and always wondered what her hair was made of because the texture became gross.

5.Have any dolls been passed down to you?

None !

6.What inspired you to start collecting dolls?

I have always loved fashion, character creators and playing in virtual worlds dressing up my avatar, so it eventually extended into real life. Once I finally got into my career, I took the jump.

7.How long have you been collecting dolls?

Since 2021, but it didn't pick up until a few years later.

8.What was the first doll you bought with your own money?

I could be wrong, but a G3 Monster High Clawdeen Doll.

9.What is your favorite thing about collecting dolls?

The feeling of surrounding myself with things that I love, and walking around my space like it's a museum. I admire my dolls almost every day.

10.On the contrary, what do you dislike the most about doll collecting?

Competing with scalpers/bots and other collectors for limited drops.

11.What types of dolls do you collect?

Mostly fashion dolls. Monster High, Bratz, some Rainbow High and LOL OMG. Recently Mirror Mi dolls! They're the most affordable for me right now. I would love to buy BJD but the ones I want are pricey or not attainable in good conscience price wise. BJD's are my end game tbh.

12.What are your favorite Brands?

I love Monster High and Bratz from my collection. Even though Mirror Mi came out last month, I think they will become a favorite as well. It was love at first sight with them. I would love to own Blythe, Pullip, Smart Dolls, Dollmore and more that I can't remember right now.

13.Do you have a certain color scheme or aesthetic that you stick with?

My collection is quite colorful, but I do have a shelf that is mostly for gothic and dark dolls.

14.Are there any discontinued brands that you miss?

Novi Stars, the OG Rainbow High Dolls, Pinkie Cooper and Bleeding Edge.

15.Which up-and-coming brands or series are you excited for?

BRATZILLAZ COME BACK IN 2027!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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A post shared by Bratz (@bratz)

16.Do you remember the first doll you ever regretted passing up?

I can't remember.

17.How has your preference for dolls changed since you started?

I'm still in the early stages of collecting, so nothing has changed.

18.What was your favorite doll in your early years of collecting?

I actually didn't have a favorite doll until recently, so none.

19.What is your favorite doll currently?

A tie between Draculaura SDCC Freak du Chic and Draculauara Vampire Heart.

20.Can we see your collection when you first started verses now?

2022

Almost all of my photos are lost to the void unfortunately

2026

My main shelf still needs to be organized, but here is my skinny shelf

21.How do people react to your doll collection?

Not many people have seen it. The people irl who know about it like it. I don't know what people think about it online.

22.What is your favorite doll related memory?

The moment where my collection started feeling like an exhibit.

23.Do you have or have your ever made friends who collect dolls?

I don't! I'm not a very social person.

24.Have you even been to a doll meet up?

My area doesn't have those as far as I know and I do not want to start one myself lol.

25.Do you engage in doll communities online?

I more so lurk.

26.Do you frequent any doll related website, forums, and/or online spaces?

Doll Websites

The Toy Pool - Doll Database
Dollect - Doll database with social media features. This website is SO slow and broken and needs more dolls in the database. It has potential though.

Forums

Doll Dreaming- Vinyl Doll Community
Mattel Creations Monster High Forum
r/Dolls- Doll subreddit
Den of Angels- Resin BJD Community (Closing August 15th, 2026 but the site itself will still be up)

27.What do you wish doll collectors would stop doing?

Stop supporting scalpers and stop being weird about competing with children with playline dolls. Also, be careful about giving into FOMO, If a doll does not bring you joy, why buy it?

28.What is something you wish you knew before you started collecting?

I wish I knew to make more space for shelves lol.

29.Do you have a "Holy Grail" doll?

I am eyeing a SDCC doll.

30.Any dolls in your collection you never thought you would own?

The Monster High Alien doll only because there were issues with shipping.

31.Do you search for dolls in garage sales, thrift stores, conventions, and/or antique stores etc?

From time to time I search garage sales. I used to search in thift store, but had no luck.

32.How often do you shop for dolls in person verses online?

I mostly shop online because the dolls I want are not available in person.

33.What are your favorite places to purchase dolls from?

Major Retail stores, Amazon, Mecari, on the brand's website. I tried Ebay but it seems like some people list things just to gauge interest, so my $$$ is held hostagefor a bit -_- .

34.Do you collect doll clothes, shoes, wigs, and accessories?

Not in the budget right now, but I want to in the future.

35.Favorite places to purchase doll clothes, shoes, wigs, and accessories from?

N/A

36.Do you have self-imposed rules for your collection?

Buy what brings me joy...DON'T BE A COMPLETIONIST...unless you want to be lol

37.How do you feel about in box collecting versus out of box collecting?

I do both! Unboxing some dolls is not an option for me.

38.Have you ever bought two copies of a doll just to keep one in the box?

I have not reached that level of obsession yet, and I hope I never do. That would require a lot of space.

39.Do you repurpose parts of the box and/or box art?

Yep! I use the box art to decorate my shelf and to use as posters.

40.If you inspect boxes and/or dolls before purchase, what imperfections do you look for?

Scratches, wonky eyes, scuff marks, chips,etc

41.Which imperfections are a deal breaker?

Wonky eyes. As for the rest, depends on the location and how noticeable it is.

42.Which doll did you break any of your "rules" for? (including imperfections)

I usually break the rules if there is only one copy of the store in store, or if it gets delivered and I can live with the imperfection.

43.How many dolls do you currently own?

Hmm. Close to 100.

44.What is the rarest doll in your collection?

I have no idea, but I suppose my Skullector Dolls.

45.Which doll was your most expensive?

Freak du Chic Draculaura.

46.Which doll is your most unusual?

None yet! My dolls are pretty standard.

47.Do you own any haunted dolls?

No !

48.Which dolls or brands do you own that most people have never heard of?

None lol. My collection has basic brands.

49.What is the most unexpected bargain you have found for a doll?

I got a Draculaura doll second hand at a decent price when everyone else was price gouging.

50.Have you ever traded a doll with someone, instead of purchasing one?

Nope!

51.Have you ever purchased a custom doll?

I want to !

52.How do you organize your dolls in your set up?

Similar brands go together and similar dolls/character are group together on the shelf.

53.Do you purchase stands for your dolls or have them free standing?

I only use stands if they come with the doll. I would prefer to have stands for all my dolls though.

54.If you had unlimited money and space, how would you organize and display your dolls?

Many shelves. Floating wall shelves with boxed dolls, glass cases for unboxed dolls, rotating shelves etc. They would be in their own room.

55.Have you ever had to downsize your collection?

Not yet.

56.How do you store dolls that you are not using?

I don't store any yet. I would probably wrap them in bubble wrap and put them under my bed.

57.How do you prevent dust and damage to your dolls?

Good ventilation and I don’t put my dolls near window.

58.How do you protect your collection from pets?

I keep my door closed.

59.Do you let people other than yourself handle your collection?

No. No one cares to handle them lol. They just look.

60.How do you handle FOMO? (Fear of missing out)

Feel the emotions, but don't let them take over. I tell myself that I was able to do without as a kid and not get EVERYTHING I wanted, so I can do the same as an adult.

61.Have you ever been scammed or purchased a fake doll?

I have not.

62.Have you ever impulsively purchased a doll?

Yes

63.Do you have any completed doll series in your collection?

Yes. Monster High Reel Drama and Scary Sweet Birthday.

64.What is the longest you have searched for a doll?

Two years

65.Have you ever accidently purchased a doll that you already own?

No lol.

66.Do you give your dolls names and backstories?

I want to start doing that with my nameless dolls. I've had writers block for many many many years. I'm trying to break out of it.

67.Have you ever repaired or restored a doll? What are your go to tools?

Not yet.

68.Have you ever dyed a doll? What are your go to materials?

N/A

69.Have you ever given a doll a face up? What are your go to materials?

N/A

70.Any pictures of your first face up verses your latest?

N/A

71.Have you ever rerooted and/or restyled a doll's hair?

N/A

72.What is the best and worst hair material to work with?

N/A

73.Any pictures of your first reroot verses your latest?

N/A

74.Have you ever handmade clothes, shoes, wigs, and accessories for your dolls?

N/A

75.Any pictures of your first verse your latest for the question above?

N/A

76.Which of your dolls' outfit do you like the most? (Handmade or otherwise)

Draculauara Vampire Heart and RuPaul Dragon Queen.

77.Have you ever designed and created a doll from scratch?

Not yet, but I would love to one day.

78.Have you ever redone an existing doll to look like a doll that you don't have?

N/A

79.Have you ever designed a doll to look like an oc? (original character)

N/A

80.Do you think you would ever start your own doll brand?

That would be a dream, but I am not sure if I could pull that off.

81.Would you ever take custom doll commissions?

If I ever start a doll brand, sure!

82.Do you have photoshoots for your dolls?

I need to get out and do one. Most of mine are taken on or infront of the shelves.

83.Do you have any favorite doll designers?

I haven't gone out of my way to discover any.

84.Do you enjoy looking at concept art/prototypes for your dolls?

I do once in a while, but not often.

85.Do you prefer the concept art/prototypes of any of your dolls over the finished product?

N/A

86.Which doll would you want an oversized or life sized version of?

Draculaura Vampire Heart, and I would see if I could fit the dress lol.

87.What types of features and body types would you like to see on dolls in the future?

More monstrous dolls, unique bodies, gothic dolls, and dark skinned playline dolls i.e Monster High Wednesday Bianca dark (pictured below). I would also like to see more dark skinned BJDS.

88.Do you travel with any of your dolls? If so, which ones?

I've carried around a Monster High Venus McFlyTrap G3 doll in my purse.

89.Do you keep dolls in your car? If so, how do you prevent damage?

Someone would probably break into it if I did.

90.Do you sleep with any dolls on your bed?

Lol I use do sleep wih my Rainbow High dolls. Was nice to reach over and feel their hair. It was more of sensory thing.

91.Have you drawn any of the dolls in your collection?

Not yet!

92.Have you ever cosplayed as a doll from your collection?

Not yet !

93.Have you ever convinced someone to start their own doll collection?

I have no idea tbh !

94.Who's doll collection inspires you?

Hextian's custom dolls are amazing.

95.What would you tell someone who thinks doll collecting has an age limit?

People collect spoons, plates, trading cards, and mugs. How are dolls any different? Let people enjoy what they want.

96.What is an unexpected hobby that doll collecting led you to?

If anything, it's made me more interested in existing hobbies.

97.Have you ever named a pet or baby after a doll?

Nope

98.Do you think you will ever stop collecting dolls?

Nope!

99.What do you want to happen to your collection when you die?

My family could sell them but in general, I hope they go to loving homes.

100.You're done ! How do you feel after answering all these questions?!

Exhausted, but good ! ^u^