The popularity of Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD) or also known as Asian Ball Jointed Dolls (ABJD) has led many custom doll collectors to start their own designs and masterpieces. The theme of most of these BJD creations is that they border on modern settings. These Ball Jointed dolls are primarily inspired by Asian anime creations since it started out like crazy in Japan, China, and South Korea. Therefore, most of the characteristics of modern BJD are similar to the faces of characters in anime and manga comics. But the history of ball-jointed dolls dates back to the late 19th century in Western Europe, when dolls were made of bisque.
The reincarnation of Ball Jointed dolls was observed in 1972 when the Blythe doll was released. These goofy-eyed dolls perhaps fostered the emergence of the modern ball-jointed dolls we see today. Throughout this resurrection, doll hobbyists and enthusiasts have found this technique to be versatile and flexible when it comes to the movement and pose they want for their creation. Due to this demand, most of the doll stores at the moment fulfill this need and most of the ball-joint supplies are available in online stores that have multiplied.
Doll supplies include synthetic mohair wigs, shoes, clothing, doll joints and body parts (for example, feet, arms, head, eyes, and limbs), fairy wings, paints, airbrush, and sealants. There are also other painting materials that are available to make the dolls more realistic. The body parts of the doll can also vary as it depends on the size of the doll to be created. The materials for these parts are typically vinyl or polyurethane synthetic resin that can be pre-fabricated or molded for custom orders.
The cured resin results in a skin-smooth texture that is also similar to porcelain, but less brittle. The only problem with polyurethane is that it can turn yellow over time, especially when exposed to heat or UV rays. Hobbyists who want to get closer to unique custom designs can use clay molds to form pieces that are not available in stores. Most of these custom designed pieces are used by hobbyists who like robot figures, vampire characters, and other fantasy and fictional characters.
There are several how-to videos and articles available online on how to paint and string ball-jointed dolls during the assembly process. Other intricate details involve the process of donning synthetic mohair wigs and setting up glass eyes. For aspiring enthusiasts who like to start their own creation, check out online clubs and forums that will provide better insights on how to get started creating custom ball jointed dolls.