·:[ Blythe Blog ]:·
• • • • •

I know you’ve asked yourself that question.. maybe not out loud but the thought has probably crossed your mind in relation to your Blythe girls. Admit it, every time you pass a Good Will you think about going in and looking for a Kenner girl and maybe some of you actually do it !

I’ve always wondered about my Kenner deal.. Would I find her in some old no-name thrift shop? Perhaps a random yard sale? But I recently learned that we are probably overlooking the possibilities of finding other Blythe girls in our starry-eyed Kenner visions.

I was browsing eBay (as usual) just looking.. sometimes you can find a good deal on a used girl in the $100-$150 range. And I just so happened to be looking at the exact right moment, because I saw this:

*I took out the sellers name, but I saved a screen-shot so I can forever remember this.

I was in awe.. I actually felt like I sat there and read it over 4 times before my brain starting screaming “What are you doing? CLICK THE BIN BUTTON!”. I frantically starting clicking to buy her when I saw the payment page and realized I just got a NRFB Aztec Arrival for the mere price of $27.49 (shipping included).

She arrived today in all her “been sitting on the shelf since 2002 and my dusty box proves it” glory. I’ve seen several Blythe girls NIB but never a BL before and I can’t bring myself to free her completely yet.

I feel like a “crazy dolly lady” carrying her around still in her box. But I just want to savor this moment.. and this memory.

It might sound really silly and cliche to say, but when you least expect it, your dolly deal will come to you ! I had actually thought about not telling anyone about my little deal here. I didn’t want to come across like I was gloating or “nah nah, look @ me, I got a cheap dolly” !

But I wanted to share that this little plastic beauty wasn’t just a “deal”, she is forever a memory and a moment in my life where I can say “Hey, remember that deal I got on that doll that one time?”  and smile. It’s these little joyful moments in life that get us through the hard ones.

So, the next time you pass a thrift store, yard sale or browse eBay with obscure key words with Kenner visions dancing in your head, remember there are many other Blythe girls on the list waiting to be discovered ! Don’t give up because you never know what little plastic deal could be waiting for you.

Tags: Aztec Arrival, blythe, deal of a lifetime, doll, eBay, find, garage, sale, store, thrift

So, 2 of my favorite dolly personalities had birthday’s this past month and on the same day nonetheless !

Squirrel celebrated her 2nd birthday with her best friend Bea and most of the Flickr community. As usual, Rebecca’s photos are both inspiring and heart-warming.

Picture by: Squirrel Junkie

There was lots of celebration @ Tia’s as it was Oz’s first birthday !

*Picture by Tia

Not only did Rebecca and Tia celebrate but both girls were sent gifts from other dolly friends across the community. And of course lots of birthday wishes and cheer was spread throughout.

When I first started collecting Blythe, I thought the remembrance of their “birthdays” and “arrival days” and this is the day I got her her first ButtonArcade dresses were kinda.. silly ! Like it was a little bit of overdoing it.

But since I’ve been in this hobby, and anyone else who actually gets involved. You soon realize that collecting Blythe is not only about having a collectible doll. There’s these whole other aspects to it that surprise you. Among Flickr and forum communities, you totally just build this little bond with your doll. And then it’s amplified when you share in little things with others who also collect these “magical” dolls.

I’m not saying you will remember the day every doll arrived with you. Nor would your life probably allow you the time to involve yourself with each of them and every dolly friends dollies birthdays. But when you actually do find a doll that captures your heart like this and you can share as we’ve seen Rebecca and Tia share, it totally just puts a smile on your face.

I have to admit that I don’t think I would have stayed in the hobby this long (as nothing holds my attention!) if it wasn’t for the actual friendships I’ve build beyond my dolls. In fact, seeing things like this inspired me so much I made my first 2 official tees for “Little Sheep Eep” for Squirrel and Oz as birthday presents for them.

So, find a special reason to celebrate with your favorite dolly ! Have a little party ! Celebrate your hobby. Give your neighbors a reason to stare ! You might find the creative outlet was just what you needed for yourself too !

Tags: "Ask Oz", birthday, blythe, celebration, Squirrel, squirrel junkie, tia

I started this group ADAM (a doll a month) and just finished my first month with Phoenix. My custom FTS by Morgan Orton.

As someone who has previously failed the 365 group challenge on more than one occasion, it was fun and refreshing to actually complete a set. I actually felt a sense of accomplishment !

I do very much plan on doing a complete 365 run when I find the girl that I think will last the year with me. But until then, I am enjoying the low-key casual approach of ADAM. You can choose whether to do the full month 1 picture a day or just 1 picture for the month. I think for July I will just choose 1 photo and give myself a little break.

With all of the fun Flickr groups out there, You are sure to find a challenge to participate in with your favorite Blythe girl.

Tags: ADAM, custom, june, Morgan Orton, Phoenix

Have you been called that before? Or you could read it on the face of someone who saw you clutching your Blythe while taking a photo? Or at a family gathering? You know that they know your plastic friend is more than an accessory, she’s part of you.

I never realized it until today. When I finally allowed myself to look over the past year of my time with my Sunday’s Best – Oz. I had started her 365 and made it up to the 200-teens before adopting her out to a good friend. (♥ Tia!)

I’m sure some of you are thinking, why did I even adopt her out if I loved her so much? To be honest… It was just time to do it. I don’t regret it. And I don’t want to make Tia feel bad because she’s the bestest dolly mommy I could have ever asked for.

But the reason I sit here and ponder this was that I never realized how much that doll was with me until I looked over the pictures of our 365 adventure on my Flickr while listening to a weepy song.

She was with me when my Gramma passed, during my dads heart attack, when we moved, for Christmas, holidays, birthdays, being sick, being happy, she met Bea!, went to BlytheCon with me – She was just a special doll that spent a lot of special times with me. And I never would’ve known that if I didn’t document it. (On a side note: My advice is, take lots of pictures of your girl, even if it’s not for a 365 challenge.)

And while my heart aches a little looking at her sometimes, I just realized that it wasn’t ME that made the doll. Oz made herself special. Isn’t that weird to say?

As my cursor blinks and I re-read that sentence “Oz made herself special.” – I think I’ve lost my mind. But it’s true. And all it really takes is someone to spend some time with her and help her develop her “personality”.

While all Blythe girls are special, there are a few that just beam and gleam good times to be had. A special little spark in them. I know it’s true because Oz still sparks with her new “mom”.

Maybe that’s why we get the stares.. or we keep our dollies inside because we don’t want the stares. People find Blythe creepy because she is special. She has personality. She is magical.

Now, I wonder who will spend the next year with me? Whose plastic face will light up for me? Only time will tell… I hope she comes soon.

♥ Farewell Oz, Until we meet again. ♥

♪ Music: Jimmy Eat World – My Sundown ♪

I see it around me, I see it in everything
I could be so much more than this…

I said my goodbye’s
This is my sundown
I’m gonna be so much more than this
With one hand high
You’ll show them your progress
You’ll take your time
But no one cares
No one cares.

I need you to show me
The way from crazy
I wanna be so much
More than this…

With one hand high
You’ll show them your progress
You’ll take your time
But no one cares.

*repeat chorus*

I could be so much more than this.
Good goodbye lovely time
Good goodbye to sunshine
Good goodbye
I’ll be fine
Good goodbye
Good goodnight

Tags: "Ask Oz", blythe, farewell, magic

I can’t believe it, I’ve done it again. I adopted another Miss Sally Rice. This time, I’m determined to keep her !

Me and MSR have a long love affair. I first purchased her during her release on eBay @ $140 (shipped!). From that point we’ve had a love/hate relationship usually ending in me adopting her out only to find myself wanting her again.

She haunts me like a bad ex-boyfriend. I find myself wanting her badly when I don’t have her and I get a “meh” feeling when I do. But this time, somehow, it feels different.

My dear, sweet father carried her box over in the rain today to me. He knew I was waiting for her. (We live next door and my mail goes there) Anyhow! Upon her arrival as I removed her fresh from her boxed prison, I found myself feeling different towards her than the others that have passed through. I’m not kidding, at least 12 MSR’s have passed through my hands. But this time, somehow it’s different.

I stared at her in her pink and blue floral scalloped box for a good 20 minutes. Then I carefully unpacked her and every little item from her stock, taking my sweet time to enjoy each and every bit. Even her box hair was a treat because I got to try a new treatment method on her which sprung her beautiful teal head to life.

Her stock blue and green eye-chips were immediately replaced with more natural Brainworm colors and after a quick clothing change and slight gaze correction, I am completely in love… (for now?)

I’ve learned that I fall in and out of love not only with MSR, but with this hobby in general. Sometimes my doll never leaves my side and sometimes she sits in her box waiting for me to come brush her hair and change her clothes. But it never takes any longer than a few moments of being with Blythe to fall all over again. There is something special behind those plastic eyes.

There is also something so special about Miss Sally Rice. Every single MSR I’ve ever seen, whether left stock or customized has always been eye candy. I’ve seen her pull off anything from a “retro” look to even a “gothic” look while still being stock. Some of my personal favorite MSR personalities are “Apple” by Effluo and Joey’s “Bloom”. There is just something magical about that translucent plastic face, pouty lips and teal hair.

Will the novelty of having her now wear off again? Somehow, I don’t think it will this time. I think this MSR is my girl. Destined to be a permanent member of my plastic family. I’ll admit it, I’ve been carrying her all over the house. Whatever room I am, she is there. It’s strange how her presense is somehow comforting.

I wanted to formally introduce her. Please meet my newest dolly family member, Olivia.

Tags: blythe, Miss Sally Rice, MSR, new girl

Prototypes, OOAK, Factory Weirdos, Misfits.. whatever you want to call them, I’m sure you’ve seen them.

I don’t know all the details on HOW they are being acquired by the sellers. There is a lot of speculation from “workers getting them from the dumpster” to “they fell off the magical Takara truck”.

Regardless of HOW they are coming around, they are surely around! And it appears the community is mostly welcoming -  there’s even a few Flickr groups for them.

After researching a little bit, I found that some sellers don’t really seem to know much about Blythe and are sending out wrong dolls from the pictures promised. Some dolls have arrived a little less than desirable. If you do decide to purchase one of these “misfits” – Please prepare yourself for the worst. That way you are.. well, prepared or pleasantly surprised if she’s in good condition.

I decided to purchase my own misfits. I had no idea what to expect but as soon as the box arrived, I had a rush of excitement I haven’t felt in awhile and as soon as I opened them, I saw immediate potential.

Initial inspection was that the girl on the left (lovingly named “MLC Misfit”) obviously has My Little Candy’s hair but without bangs. Her faceplate I still can’t identify, it is translucent but not creamy like NP or MSR and not as dark as MRM. Her eye-mech is from Veronica Lace. She is already boggled (Boggled means her eyelid was lifted and doesn’t show.) Her only flaw (aside from her bedhead) is that her mech sticks a little when changing. But this could simply be due to the mech not being in proper.

The girl on the right (lovingly named “Blue Misfit”) has hair that I can’t identify. I’m guessing it’s similar in color to Can Can Cat’s, but again, without bangs. Although CCC is an SBL and the hair is attached to an RBL dome factory.. so I don’t know if this is a prototype of a future doll or something else. Her faceplate is either MSR or NP. And her eye-mech was also from Veronica Lace. Her pull is from NP. Her flaws were also minor and consisted of 1 eyelash was a little wonky and there was a very small mark in her lip-paint which I had trouble finding again so it may have been dirt or something.

After a quick hair treatment and a little wipe, both girls turned out really great.

All in all, I was really pleased with them. The experience was painless and the result was really fun to see. Anyone who knows me, knows that dolls don’t last long here and these 2 were quickly re-adopted.

Since them, I have just ordered another girl and a translucent faceplate set from the same seller.

I really recommend that you research your seller when buying these girls and always prepare yourself for the possibility it might not be what you wanted. Even with all that in mind, I think these misfits are really great and if you can, I suggest you get just 1 to see what it’s all about.

Tags: blythe, doll, factory, misfit, OOAK, prototype, weirdo

Don’t you just love Easter time? The time of Spring. It’s like you get to start all over again!

My love for Blythe seems to have renewed with the release of Mango & Guava. I apologize for my delayed stories and articles and updates. I suspect if I just write about what I want to write about rather than what I think I should be writing, hopefully you guys will still enjoy it.

I’ve been dabbling in new doll ventures. Ranging from Re-Ment to Calico Critters (remember them?). I’m going to be expanding the blog to talk about these little ones too. I suspect there are some of you who collect Blythe who also collect these and maybe there’s some of you like I was (up until a few days ago) who only collected Blythe but still enjoyed seeing the other dolls.

I hope you will all continue to read and anticipate the new things ahead.

Enjoy your Easter holiday weekend! Hope you all have a Blessed time.

~ Model: Penelope aka Pip my new Lati Yellow ~

Tags: Easter, Happy, Holiday, Lati, Spring, Yellow

Hello my readers! I am sorry that I have been MIA lately. I got slammed with some flu/cold/cough thing that just won’t go away and it’s just sucking the life right out of me. However, in my NyQuil induced state, I had a lot of time to stare at my dolly shelf and I realized some things.

As the days passed and I fell further and further behind on Oz’s 365, I realized that… I never should have started the 365 with 1 doll. It kind of killed the passion I originally had for Oz. I just completely burned myself out on the hobby doing it. I am in complete awe and envy for you girls who do such amazing 365 shots with your girls every day and you never seem to run out of creative or inspiring ideas. I know you are going to say that you do, but I really doubt you feel it in a way like I do or maybe some other girls who have attempted their 365 and failed.

It got me to thinking though.. seriously about the Blythe hobby and why I do it and how I feel about it. I honestly feel awkward having more than 5 dolls. And I realized to hold my interest, I like at least 2-3 of them to rotate out. I think the thrill of collecting for me is finding new dolls – And I do love finding someone to trade with. And even though I have seen certain dolls more than 1 time (MSR!) I’d still trade for her again just to see a new one.

Maybe this stems from my childhood. We moved a LOT and I wouldn’t say that toys got lost but more-so that my mom would have yard sales at least every 3 months and she always let me lay out a blanket of my own toys that I picked to sell and keep the money I made. I’d sell my stuff, then we’d go the next weekend to yard sales with my grandmother and I’d buy “new” toys with my money and repeat the process often enough that this is probably the thrill of the Blythe hobby for me.

I was a collector as a kid as I’m sure most of you were too. My 3 biggest collections that I remember collecting the longest were stickers, those 80′s plastic charms with the bells and My Little Ponies.

But like my Blythe hobby, I loved to trade, resell extras and get new ones in regularly. And I never had more than 1 collection of something at a time. I did hold on to about 20 MLPs that were always the same ones but they were a lot cheaper than Blythe and perhaps holding unto more than 5 Blythe does make me feel a little guilty too.

And speaking of guilt… Blythe is more of a personal and community hobby for me, for most of us I’m sure. And part of me feels guilty when I adopt a new girl from someone and then she arrives and a week later I’m ready to have her move on and look for a new one. This is especially stressful for me because my intention is not to offend anyone but I fear some may already have been offended by my doing this but it’s part of how I enjoy the hobby.

I also love photographing my girls but the 365 overwhelmed me. Doing it everyday or at least trying to keep up and incorporate into my life just didn’t work. So maybe this little break will help me renew wanting to Flickr my girls again.

I’ve also realized that I adore Re-Ment and miniatures. And taking pictures of them with and without Blythe girls and that it’s okay for me to do this. It’s okay for me to not include Blythe in every picture I take on my Flickr and it’s okay for me to collect more than 1 thing.

So, anyhow, I came to the conclusion that this is the kind of collector I am. I wonder if there are more of you like me or if I’m just a fruitcake?

I do so admire you girls that have 10, 20, even 30+ girls that you photograph regularly on Flickr or just have the space in your home to display them somewhere to inspire you or make you feel creative.

I’m not normally so public with personal stuff but I guess this post was kind of to let out all the thoughts that have been swirling in my head these past few days.

Tags: blythe, collector, fruitcake :)

Hello blog readers! It’s Wednesday and time for another “Ask Oz” installment. I got some good questions last week and I do plan on answering every question submitted – so please send me more!

Tia (one of my favorite readers!) writes:

“I’m not sure which girl to choose for my 365. I have a new girl, but I’m sending my old(er) girl to have a spa treatment. Should I wait until I get her back from the spa?”

Well “my hot cup of Tia” – Choosing a 365 girl is a big deal. I mean, you are going to be taking a photo of her everyday. If you have to wait a little time to make sure she’s the girl for your 365 – do it. I know mum has tried her hand at 365 with at least 3 different girls (not including me) and even now sometimes it’s a drag to keep up.

The cool thing is, it doesn’t matter when you start in the year. So, take your time and choose your girl. Make sure it’s a girl you bond well with and like taking pictures of.

Good luck Tia! We can’t wait to see who you choose and how your adventure goes!

Thanks for writing!
~Oz

Tags: "Ask Oz", 365, choosing, girl

What better way to start off our first You-”Tubesday” than with the newest Blythe short film about Nostalgic Pop?

I admit I have watched this one at least 15 times since they released it and each time I probably smile bigger. Enjoy!

Tags: nostalgic, pop, tube, tubesday, you