BlytheLife.com opened in July 2010 and is a blog and resource hub for all things Blythe!
Overwhelmed by dolls?
Written on November 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm by MichelleFiled under: Musings
Sometimes I look at my dolly stuff and feel like I just have too much. Too many dolls, too many little shoes, too many shirts, pants, dresses, hats (oh, especially the hats!). It’s all just stuff, after all, and sometimes there’s just too much clutter, too many things in my space that make me wonder why I have so much to begin with.
I found that it’s common to feel that way, I’ve read threads on Blythe Kingdom where others have expressed feeling overwhelmed. Some because they started adding up how much they’ve spent on Blythe (if you want to feel really guilty really quickly, this is probably a good way to do it – otherwise, I do not recommend doing this), some because they realize how much money they have tied up in little doll dresses when they could be clothing themselves.
I’ve slowly added to my collection of dolly clothes over time. I got two dolls before I really started to get any clothes for them. For more than a year, I was pretty okay with my group of girls (6) that the only Blythe that I’d added recently was purchasing a grail doll (redheaded Kenner).
If you are feeling overwhelmed, maybe it’s time to make the dolly family smaller. Maybe it’s time to do a little closet clean-out and then you can have money for things that you really need (food, hydro, rent) or things that you want (new dolly, new doll clothes). When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I remind myself that all of my Blythes were bought because I had the money available and that I’m not hard-pressed for cash right now so it’s okay to enjoy them.
An important thing to note is that it’s really easy to spend money in this hobby. There’s always another doll up for sale, another custom OOAK Blythe somewhere. There’s always a dress, or a pair of shoes, or a pair of jeans available. And what is really important is being able to take stock of what money that you do have and what you can afford to spend on dolly stuff. If that requires giving yourself a monthly or annual limit, then so be it. If that requires you to ‘recycle’ dolls that you’re no longer in love with or clothing that you don’t like on any of your dolls for more dolly money just to buy more dolly stuff, then go for it.
As long as you’re not needing the money and needing to buy things that are necessities, I don’t see the problem in having a hobby that’s a little pricey. There are a lot more hobbies out there that require a lot more money! (But that’s really not the point…)
Never, NEVER, NEVER tally what your dolls cost you if you own a Parco. Just don’t.
My BLs are worth more than our car. >_<
I’m saving up for a trip, and have a TON of fabric, so am going on an “Handmade By ME” clothing ‘diet.’ Plus, it’ll help me sharpen my sewing skills. It also helps if you knit and/or crochet. I can’t really see myself buying something I can easily make myself, Blythe or otherwise.
Sometimes though, those little shoes and dresses are too cute to pass up!
After observing customized Blythes online for a couple of years I finally took the plunge I ordered a Bow Wow Trad from Japan via Amazon. I wanted her customized and finally sent her to New Zealand, but even before that I was buying clothes, accessories, prop-type items, you name it. Tons of $ I couldn’t afford or even justify, but Blythe put a smile on my face and it made me happy to see silly little things in Target or even the Dollar stores that would be fun to have – Blythe on the cheap, as it were. Then I graduated to more expensive things and one gigantic splurge for a couture level frock. I know I’m over-doing it and I think over time I will cut back or re-sell stuff as many Blythers do. But those customs! I want them all! But since I can’t I am holding out for a cute boy doll to go with my little girl and call it a day. (Famous last words?!). Okay, maybe one vampire girl (not too creepy), one pink-haired girl, one aqua-haired girl and then that’s it. Is there a 12-step program for Blythe-a-holics? I think I need one! : )