Dolly Thoughts

I sometimes find myself wondering how we all became so involved with dolls, and why each of us are drawn to different types of dolls. I mean, some people like to collect antique dolls made of porcelain, some like the vintage dolls from the 1950's and 60's in either plastic or vinyl, some prefer baby dolls while other prefer fashion dolls, some like to specialise and only collect Patsy, Nancy or Barbie dolls. Others will only collect BJD's, or limit their collections to anime dolls.

Where as me, I never intended to collect dolls at all. I really mean NOT EVER! I was a teddy bear collector all my life! I had spent sixteen years designing, teaching and making teddy bears the traditional way, by hand. Looking back, I cannot remember exactly how the doll collecting all began now, but if my recollections are correct, I can blame it all on Blythe and the few lessons I took to learn how to customise them.

That initial purchase of a single Blythe doll, turned into twenty seven, many of which I customised and sold on, keeping just two.

One was my beautiful Amaya, customised by Kate Hardin of Chantilly Lace in 2012. Kate also used the names Moofers and Moofala. Amaya was the first chocolate coloured Blythe I had seen and close to my last Blythe purchase. I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her. The dress and cardi she is wearing in these photos, is a replacement outfit which I received in a swap and the hat I made for her.

The other Blythe is the Petit Dejeuner Champs Elysees who sat in her box for so long I had forgotten about her until recently. As you already know, I am currently working on her and as I am really happy with her progress, I shall probably keep her. Now that in itself, presents another dilemma. I don't usually like to have even numbers of a particular doll, so maybe, just maybe, I will add another to make them a trio. :)

For some unknown reason, I seem to progress from one type of doll to another, which means my collection is very eclectic and most of the time, I find it hard to part with any of them. However, there are some exceptions. I took quite a fancy to the Disney Animator dolls for  a little while, but they just take up far too much shelf space, so those are disappearing from my collection slowly (much too slowly for my liking). It's not that I dislike them, I don't, I still think they are cute and they are a good size to knit and sew for, but I really need to make way for my latest compulsion, which at approximately seven inches, are really quite tiny in comparison.

Do you ever wonder what it is that other collectors see in the dolls they collect? Help me out here girls, what is it about your own collection that reeled you in hook line and sinker? Why do you collect the dolls that you do? I'd really love for you to tell your stories and I think everyone else who reads my blog, would enjoy reading about how you began your journey into the wide world of dolls. :)

Cyanide's New Head of Hair

Well it's taken almost forever to re-root this doll's head . . . it's such a huuuuge head!! I don't know if other people find the finished re-root uneven at the ends, but as much as I tried, I could not get it to remain even.

The next photo was taken after the first trim. I probably took off a generous inch, maybe slightly more, and also cut a fringe which is currently in a curler. I really like how the three colours blended, it looks so pretty and will go so well with her new dress. Speaking of which, I purchased it from Jan on Etsy as I was totally disappointed with the dress I made . . . the satin was very stiff and didn't sit as well as I would have liked, so needless to say, I binned it! Then I saw a pretty cardi made by Evonne on Etsy so I bought that too! No-one can say I am not supporting local, these girls are both in Australia. :)

Of course once these items had arrived I realised I needed white boots . . . and wouldn't you know it, I had every other colour Blythe boots under the sun, but NO WHITE! So it was back to Etsy again where I found the perfect pair made by Saori who is also in Australia. All three stores are also offering FREE DELIVERY to Aussie buyers, which is a big bonus as overseas shipping costs have been crippling and have put me right off making any further purchases from overseas. (Yeah I know famous last words.)

Well that's my lot for now, I'm carving up a face today!

Looking Forward

It's been some time since I last posted on my blog, and certainly an even longer time since I shared anything to do with my former Blythe doll collection. However, in my absence I have not been idle, I have been sorting through my wardrobe, discarding clothes I no longer wear (and replacing them with different pieces). Sorting through dolly clothes, fabrics as well as other dolly related things.

In doing so, I came across a doll which I thought I had sold when I had my Blythe doll clear out many moons ago. She is, or I should say was, an origiinal Petit de'jeuner Champs Elysees, which I had modified to a small degree, but never really felt the love for. I had even given her new bright red mohair curly locks, which you can see remanence of on her dome. To get straight to the point, this is how she looks now after pulling everything apart and culling her curls.

More recently I posted a photo of a doll who was wearing this when she arrived, and needless to say it's no longer part of that doll's wardrobe. I intend doing the same with this dress as I did with the Blythe doll, and pull it all to pieces.

I have already begun moving forward with my plans for this doll and have ordered some gorgeous cyan shades of Saran to re-root her scalp, in the hope I can mix it to the shade I see in my mind's eye.

I'm looking forward to becoming engrossed in re-rooting over the coming days and concentrating on completing the look I envisage for this doll. In the meantime, I wish everyone well, stay healthy and please show care for others around you as we endeavour to get through the uncertainty that surrounds us all at present.