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I’m Officially a Blythe Doll Freak
If she was still alive, Grammy B. would be very proud to know that her tomboy granddaughter just bought two Blythe dolls.
She was a big-time doll collector in her day and, well, I was not.
As a young girl, I wore baseball caps and collected baseball cards. I crocheted and did other crafts, but I thought playing with dolls, especially those with unattainable figures, was a total waste of time.
Then, I saw a big-eyed Blythe a few years ago and it made me reconsider my lack of enthusiasm for dolls.
I’ve wanted a Blythe ever since, but was too chicken to import one from overseas and just kept putting it off.
Then I met Morgan Doane, the Blythe dressmaker I featured in my Sunday column. She assured me that I could safely order a doll without getting ripped off, so I finally took the plunge.
I was genuinely surprised when the dolls actually arrived today. I think I was fully prepared to be ripped off and kind of amazed when that didn’t happen.
I have no plans to start stockpiling dolls, (Sorry, Grammy B.) but I do have big plans to make clothes for these big-eyed ladies. My daughters and I have formed a naming committee and will announce our decision later.
These “Prima dollies” arrived from Hong Kong sporting dainty ballet outfits, but immediately underwent a costume change. Today the doll on the left is wearing a handmade apron and dress I made last week. The dress is too big, but I love the apron and plan to make many more. The purple-haired doll (her hair looks pink in the photo, but trust me, it’s purple.) on the right is wearing one of Morgan’s creations.
And for the record I think it’s weird, too, that several of us crafty, lovers of all things handmade are buying plastic dolls from overseas to dress up in handmade clothes. I do recognize the irony there. But after seeing what a kick my daughters get taking turns pulling the cord to change the dolls’ eye color, I have no regrets.
I’m playing with dolls and I can’t believe it either.
Okay, I have to get back to work. Jeff and I are finishing up the Daniel Vosovic podcast, so stay tuned! Even, non-crafty Jeff liked this one. : )
***UPDATE: I ordered from this online shop, but please don’t hold me responsible if you run into an issue. I’m a complete rookie at this. I chose this shop because it accepted credit cards and I just felt more secure paying with credit as opposed to a Paypal cash transfer. If any of you more experienced Blythe owners have some helpful purchasing advice, please post it below. Thanks!***
Posted: January 5th, 2009 under Blythe, Sewing, Uncategorized.
Comments: 16
Comments
Comment from Tracey
Time: January 6, 2009, 12:29 am
They are cute – so I think you can be excused this little dallience!
Comment from Michelle
Time: January 6, 2009, 2:44 am
I am so happy you’ve become a Blythe person too!
Keep with the dress making – it gets very addictive very quickly. I made it my living for a very short while while I took my 4 months off work to “live creatively” and it was a blast!
Comment from leslie
Time: January 6, 2009, 7:33 am
Can you tell me where you ordered from? thanks.
Comment from Elizabeth
Time: January 6, 2009, 8:48 am
This is one trend I don’t understand. And I played with dolls (and soccer balls. :> ) Maybe if I had a daughter? Glad you are having fun!
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: January 6, 2009, 9:20 am
My daughters were the primary reasons why I finally ordered the dolls. They’re very excited. Plus, I wanted to practice garment sewing on a small scale. : ) It’s so great being able to watch my daughters float between interest in dolls and baseball, princesses and tool boxes. The other day I took a priceless picture of Amelia. She was wearing her Easter hat and carrying her fancy dress-up purse in one hand and a foam baseball bat in the other. It’s such a great time to be a girl. : ) Oh, and another thing I like about the Blythe dolls is that their eyes are more prominent than their chests. : )
Comment from Renee
Time: January 6, 2009, 10:55 am
I’m not into the Blythe craze but I know many are and I know making clothing for them is hot, hot, hot right now. So when will you pump out the Blythe doll aprons? They gotta have some too! Have fun with them!
Comment from Nora
Time: January 6, 2009, 11:17 am
I was crocheting outfits for vintage troll dolls when one of my customers asked me to consider buying a Blythe…it was a hard decision but I took the plunge last January. I have been very successful selling my handmade crocheted Blythe Outfits on Etsy. Good luck with your collection.
Nora
Comment from Cheryl
Time: January 6, 2009, 12:12 pm
I second Leslie… who did you buy them from?
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: January 6, 2009, 1:12 pm
This is where I bought the dolls: http://www.ibuyxyz.com/items/toys/dolls/blythe/blythe-dolls/list.htm. See the update above for more info.
Comment from Turtle
Time: January 6, 2009, 1:39 pm
i do love the Blythe dolls (especially violet) but have not been able to justify the high cost of the doll … yet! smile maybe someday if i get a big craft room!
Comment from Bev
Time: January 6, 2009, 7:34 pm
It’s amazing how this craze is going through the Australian crafty community, too. I’m going to stand back and watch- maybe because I too don’t have kids and it’s all a bit baffling – but I am sure you’re having fun making the clothes and styling them!
Comment from Morgan
Time: January 8, 2009, 7:14 am
As far as buying the dolls – do your research! There are many sellers on ebay that jack the prices of the dolls up so insanely high. But there are also seller that are very reasonable. Gina Garan sells dolls from her shop in New York City …the website is http://www.thisisblythe.com – she has a lot of the newer releases. She also sells lovely clothes and accessories for Blythe. Another US based vendor is The Valley of the Dolls.
I’m so glad you received your dolls Jennifer! I can’t wait to hear their names!
Comment from Joey
Time: February 7, 2009, 9:46 pm
What a great post!
I, too, was never really all that fascinated by dolls, but in the past few months, I’ve already acquired three Blythes (and one more on the way)! I’m a 34 year-old woman playing with dolls! Ha!
I’ve been sewing like a maniac, which is awesome because I hadn’t sewn in over six years. These little beauties have become my new hobby, and I couldn’t be happier. My daughter is also enjoying them, and is taking an active interest in sewing, herself.
To everyone else: I would highly recommend purchasing a Blythe, if you can spare the funds. Not only are they a blast to customize and create little outfits for, they’re also very fun to photograph. They have such great personalities.
Another great place to find a Blythe at a reasonable price is on the forum at http://www.thisisblythe.com . You have to sign up for a username, but there’s usually a lot of great deals to be found on the message boards. (And the folks there are truly great people.) I purchased my second dolly (a used Piccadilly Encore) from a great gal on the forums.
Happy Blythe-ing! :)
Comment from raewadolly
Time: March 12, 2009, 12:06 am
Your Blythe looks awesome.
My sister and me are trying to collect funds to buy a Blythe Doll too.
They are really pop here, in Thailand. They come on advertisement to promote some items too :D
We’ve started selling belt buckles for them, designed by my sister so they are pretty unique and stylish.
It’s really fun fun fun, we have to use our imagination to make creative things for them all the time^_^
Comment from Laurie
Time: April 1, 2009, 5:57 pm
I have my Grandmother’s Blythe doll. She has blonde hair and what I think is the original dress. How do you make her eyes change colors?
Comment from Dawn
Time: May 19, 2010, 12:42 am
I love these blythe dolls…I just purchased a petite and full size one in the last few months….I’m older than most but have stepped back into my second childhood. I think they are so pretty and great fun to sew small scale clothes for. I’m now decorating a doll shelf for my new growing collection. I think there is nothing wrong with this hobby of collecting Blythe dolls. Who ever said we have to grow up anytime soon.
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