BlytheLife.com opened in July 2010 and is a blog and resource hub for all things Blythe!
Interview with cocochoo and Giveaway!
Written on April 20, 2012 at 12:00 pm by MichelleFiled under: Featured, Giveaway with tags: cocochoo, customizer
I was contacted by Coco (a.k.a. cocochoo) back in March to do this interview and I was so excited! I always love getting to ‘meet’ people online that I hadn’t gotten a chance to interact with and Coco was very fun to interview! Some of her answers have been slightly edited for clarity at her request (English is not her first language), but I’ve done my best to maintain the integrity of her answers.
Hi Coco! What can you tell us about yourself and how you discovered Blythe?
I am a portrait photographer in Hong Kong; vintage collage and bisque doll enthusiast, a self-taught doll sculptor… and a Blythe addict!
I studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London during 2005-2007. I thought I would be a graphic designer but now I am running a sole studio and do photography (wedding / pet portraits mainly) for a living. Besides that, I am a “zoophilist”, I do free projects for animals, for stray and abandoned animals only.
I love all kinds of dolls since I was a little girl, but I “found” and fell in love with ball jointed doll since 2005 and although I knew about “Blythe” all that time, I was not too much into these big eyes dolly, and I almost can say that I began to pay attention on them while I was seeking outfits for my bjd and I always found amazing clothes in Blythe size only, I was encouraged by my friends to get my first Blythe, and yes I really did, I totally felt in love with “custom Blythe” after I have hours searching on Flickr.
I decided to have a try on making a special one for myself. By then it was November 2010 and I got into this amazing world. I’d love to collect other Blythe customizers’ work and I also felt in love with stock Blythes too, I also got my first Kenner last month. I have to admit that even though I was not in love with Blythe at first sight, I totally love them more and more day by day now. they have power.
How did you get started with customizing Blythe dolls?
I am a doll sculptor before I falling in love with Blythes. At first, some custom Blythe are very pricey for me especially the one I love, that’s why I have decided I have to make one for myself that I really love. I practice and practice and tried to find a way of customizing a “coco style” one. my works are still not prefect nowadays but I think I at least did them better and better.
What has been your most memorable customized doll so far? What made it memorable for you?
My #22 one, named “Kir”, she is the first one that I thought I finally found a unique way to have “my style” – with two tiny visible teeth girl. Although I will still create new type customs, but this one means so much to me because she is loved by many people.
What have you learned about yourself since you started customizing Blythe?
I think I am very lucky. I wouldn’t stop doing this as long as there is one person in this world loves my work. I am not a successful photographer and I am not successful in anything else, but I love myself better when I have finished a new girl and she receives some compliments. I have never imagine that one day I would had such a special “part time job”; becoming a Blythe customizer is the most enjoyable part of my life.
Has having a background in doll sculpting helped you (or even hindered you) in Blythe customizing?
Basically they don’t have directly interactions, but I do think they are in a similar or same area, just like I learned graphic design but I also do photography, most of the time there is interpretation.
What kind of routine do you have when you start customizing a doll?
I have to put some dolls in front of me (or the dolls’ portraits), they are either a sculpture or a bjd. Most of time it is another custom of mine, but I always not able to carve and paint a certain look. The “models” are just part of the inspiration, they usually come out to be different faces.
How does it make you feel when you see other people photographing your work?
Well I feel very happy about it, I enjoy seeing my custom girls go to everywhere of the world and have totally different lives. I am very thankful to whom offered a new home for them.
There’s a lot of customizers out there, if you had to tell someone why they should buy your work, what would you say?
Bring them home if they make you happy and if you love to see them everyday. I know that dolls might not have real lives but we give them life. This is why I’d love to collect other customizers’ works.
What has been the most challenging thing for you so far when it comes to customizing Blythe?
The most challenging and “dangerous” thing is that there is no take two. 😛 When I sculpt a doll, I can redo any part but this cannot happened when customizing a Blythe.
I know that there are some people who collect both your custom Blythe work and your ball-jointed dolls. What can you tell us about your bjd work?
Yes I am very happy that they love all kinds of my work. I decided to create a bjd after I found and joined a local forum, which was about self-made ball jointed dolls. I met many great artists there and many of them are college students. I was encouraged by then.
What can we expect from you in the future with your customizing work? Will you be branching out to other dolls, like Middie?
I’d like to create some new more style customs, yes I love trying all kinds of new stuffs, like Middie (tried only one before), Dal and Pullip.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with me, Coco! What kind of advice do you have for someone who’s new to Blythe?
Thank you! I am very happy and thankful to be interviewed. it’s indeed a wonderful world, but never too late to be find Blythe. 🙂
You can find out more about cocochoo at her website (cocochoo.net) and on Flickr! Also check out her Flickr group for photos of her bjd and custom dolls.
Faceplates Giveaway!
Coco has graciously decided to give away a set of RBL faceplates that she has customized! It is the front and back faceplates only (does not include the eye mechanism or hair).
You can get up to eight (8) entries for this giveaway draw and you can enter until Saturday April 28th at 11:59pm PDT. The draw will be held on Sunday April 29th 2012 and the winner will be announced on BlytheLife.com. Remember to use a valid email address for all comments. If you win, your email will be forwarded to Coco so she can get in contact with you about the faceplates!
Please only use one email address per person, those using multiple email addresses for more entries will be disqualified.
Mandatory Entry: Comment below about this interview and include any additional questions you have for Coco!
Bonus Entry #1: Tweet about the contest! Please retweet the following once per day from your public Twitter account! (If you look below, there is a box for you to include your Twitter username, if you do, I can easily verify your bonus entry!) Each tweet is 1 entry into the giveaway for a maximum of 2 entries into the giveaway. Please comment below to tell me that you’ve been tweeting (1 comment per tweet!)
Check out the @blythelifecom interview with cocochoo & also the giveaway! http://bit.ly/IUnN87
Bonus Entry #2: Blog about the contest! Be sure to include some details about the contest and include links to BlytheLife.com, this interview/giveaway page and to Coco’s Flickr photostream or website! For 1 blog entry, this is worth 5 entries into the giveaway! You must comment below with the URL to your blog post.
I love Coco’s dolls, they are so sweet and whimsical. I am always impressed by the details that other customizers can create on such a small scale. Girls with little teeth and dimples always have that extra little glimmer!
First off… wow! How very generous indeed!
Secondly, it was interesting to hear that customizers have that same feeling of “no second chances” when working on a Blythe… I love my girls so much, I fear that if I did anything to them I would ruin them!
Keep up the great work Coco… I love seeing your cuties in my flickr stream!
I love Coco’s work! That would be the best day ever if I got a pair of faceplates, what an amazing giveaway.
What delightful little girls Coco has created! And such a generous gift. I’m off to check her photo stream!
Very nice work, the lips are beautiful. I am glad to hear Coco say she wants to try customizing Phillips and f dals. I can not wait to see! I have a question about lip carving,, did you ruin many lips before perfecting your technique?
Oops forgot to mention that I referred this contest. honey_start_0_
I really love Coco’s custom work! I follow her on flickr stream and i dream to adopt a girl from her <3 i will be soooo happy if i will win this amazing faceplate!
Coco is a very talented girl:)the dolls that she make are so sweet and adorable that you fell in love with them at first sight:)keep doing the worderful work dear Coco!!!we looking forward to see your news:)
cocohoo’s girls are awesomely cute! I love the little teef so much ?
Fingers crossed for my own cocochoo oneday 🙂
I love your dolls Coco! I look forward to one day having one of your custom dolls in my Blythe family. My favorite of your girls has to be your Teal hair beauty! Your work is amazing and I hope I’m lucky enough to win these plates! *crossing fingers*
I tweeted the giveaway!! Woo hoo!!!! ^_^
I love Cocochoo’s dolls! They are very unique. Thank you for this chance.
I love Cocochoos work! Discovered her last year and have loved every new blythe she has created. She has created so many lovely girls and she is such a lovely lady too 🙂
I’ve been tweeting.
I love Cochochoos work and hope to one day own one of her customs! This was a very interesting read, thanks for sharing.
I really liked to read this interview – It´s always fun to know people at bit better and to read about their hobby and dolls 🙂 It would be fantastic to win Coco´s lovely costum faceplate!! Thanks for this idea!
*Nicola alias Püppilottchen aka dollily 🙂
Great interview! I love Coco’s work <3
Oh that is so nice . I just wrote a coment on my blog
http://caromaya.kazeo.com/
Thank you and congrats.
I love Coco’s work! She is such a talented customiser!
How i wish i could have a sister for my Coco’s Lissa ^___^
I’ve been following Coco since I discovered her beautiful customs. Congrats on the interview Coco, it was a great read and it’s nice to get to know you a little better as well. I look forward to seeing how your customs evolve in the future.
Ooooh, I admire Coco’s work so much! What a fabulous prize! <3
Wow- Coco’s your girls just get more and more amazing all the time! They are all so stunning and unique. Hopefully someday I can add one of your girls to my blythe family. Great article 🙂
what a cool interview… I love Coco’s girls! And what a lovely detail to make a giveaway 🙂
…re-twitted allready! 😉
Wowza! How awesome and generous!! I love Coco’s work and enjoy seeing it in my stream all the time!!
And tweeted!
Love Coco’s work
What a generous gift! I love the unique works you have created and when you mentioned your most unique custom I knew it had to be Kir she’s a beauty!
What a nice interview and generous giveaway!! (I just wish I had a blog and twitter to up my chances hahaha xD). Can’t wait to see who wins. Good luck to everyone!!
Love Coco’s work!
What a nice informative article, congratulations Coco!
I love Coco’s work, what inspires her to customize? Does she listen to music when she works?
Coco’s work is excellent, I love it. Does CoCo give her girls personalities or do they just develop as she is working on them?
Coco’s girls are beautiful!! I am very lucky to have one of her custom doll!! Hope you will continue your custom work!! All the best!!
That’s my question too! I’m a beginning customizer, and I’m very interested to know what kind of tools others use – and what tools/techniques they’ve tried that don’t work as well.
I love the little teeth! I hope my skills can reach that level someday.
I really liked this interview, it was kind of a shock to me to see how young Coco is–she has the skill and talent of someone who’s much older! I also liked hearing about how she starts her customs by looking at models–I do the same, but with pictures!
I’m curious about what tools and supplies she uses–as a junior customizer I’m still trying to figure out the best tools and materials to use, and it’s nice to see what the pros use!
I blogged and tweeted about the contest 🙂
Hi coco!
First I must say {again and again!!}
I LOVE YOUR WORK!!! 😀
And my question is: will you be customizing any more middies in the close future?
thanks alot!!
carmel
And I blogged about this beautiful great and perfect giveaway 🙂
I wish….. 🙂
thanks!
carmel
http://mellowisme.blogspot.com/2012/04/one-of-bigest-dreams-i-can-dream-about.html
I just blogged about it here http://thedollhousestudio.blogspot.com/2012/04/giveaway.html
Yay for another entry.
I love reading interviews like this. I also felt a kinship for coco because i too believe that art is nothing until you bring it too life. Be it sculpting painting or doll designing. I would like to know if coco has any idea what design she will be using for the dal and pullip dolls? I often have a spark of what i want when i am creating but don’t really know fully until i am working on the project. Just wondering if it was the same for her.
Also blogged about this:) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Coco’s work is amazing! I’m very surprised to read that she hasn’t been into Blythe all that long. Mainly because I didn’t start customizing any dolls until last year and look up to her and her amazing dollies. She creates such flawless, inspiring dolls. I can only hope to own one of her girls one day:)
Coco created many awesome dolls <3
If only I had the funds T^T
Hope to get someone one day!!
Just tweeted as well 🙂
Wonderful interview and superb photos. One only has to look into those darling faces to admire the work of this talented artist.
Humm questions I would ask… How many Blythe do you have in your personal collection and which other customs do you admire?
The contest is amazing and the winner will be super lucky…hope it is me !
Beautiful plate! How generous of coco! I to wonder what customs you admire?
<3
And I made a blog post!
http://scandinaviandollblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/one-lucky-winner.html
This is my second entry and i tweet about the interview and the giveaway! Many hugs <3
Great interview. I really love getting to know the people behind the dolls and especially love reading about artists. It’s nice to get some insight to what drives them and how such lovely pieces of set come to be.
Tweeted
blogged:
http://ohstrumpetsandblythe.blogspot.com/2012/04/cocochoo-giveaway.html
I love these dolls! Amazing work, very inspiring!
Great interview and lovely work, you go from strength to strength!
I love your girls with their little teeth, and it’s so wonderful to know that you’ve only been doing this for a short while…..there is hope for us all! But you obviously are very talented!!
http://dambuster-sharoninspain.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/wonderful-giveaway.html
I own two of Coco’s dolls and they are my favorites. Not only is she talented but she is a lovely person and I feel so lucky to have met her. Great interview Coco and best of luck with all of your endeavers!
What a Wonderful Interview, its so nice to know a little more About Coco and I think she knows how much I personally love her dollies <333 Xoxox Coco and What a wonderful Interview Blythe Life ;D
What a wonderful interview. Coco is such a young talent and I love her work. It’s great to be able to know more about the artist’s experiences and her inspirations behind her great artwork.
Just tweeted 🙂
Blogged:
http://aveline.ronvoto.com/2012/04/23/one-lucky-winner-for-cocochoo-giveaway/
I love Coco’s creations! She’s such a talented artist!
These dolls are absolutely exquisite!
I love Coco Choo works! Her dolls are always so sweet!! She is a very talented customizer! What do you think about the Blythes of stock? Thank you Coco 😀
Congratulations on a very interesting interview. Which of your creations is your favorite?
Ooo ! I love Coco’s work, she’s such a sweet heart!!
I tweeted this!
I blogged about this!!
http://ericaduh.com/daily/index.php/cocochoo-custom-giveaway-on-blythelife/
this was such a great interview! coco does such beautiful customs! i keep staring at the third picture.. such a gorgeous doll and also i wish i had her hair!
coco is so incredibly talented! i am lucky to have her work!
i will tweet about this! 🙂
https://twitter.com/#!/TheSurfinDead/status/194460858695426048
and tweeted here
blogged!
http://cybermelli.blogspot.com/2012/04/awesome-giveaway-from-one-of-my.html
and i also blogged about it on my tumblr:
http://surfindead.tumblr.com/post/21651326387/
I love Coco’s work!
I tweeted about the giveaway!
Coco i realized i have a question for you!
Do you have a customers waiting list? It is currently open? Do you take commissions?
This is my third entry and my second tweet!
Cross finger!
My third entry and second tweet!!! ^_^ Wish me luck!!!
I would love to win, I love their little teeth!
coc is fantastic, her customs are beautiful and so detailed! I dream of owning one!
Go Coco goooo!
Fourth entry and i keep tweeting even if i dunno it matters!
xD
Hugs dollies’ friends <3
It’s absolutely amazing! that before doll has a new life!
Wow, awsome giveaway!
I think one of my favorite things about learning about fellow doll collectors is getting to see the face behind the username! 😀 How nice to see you, Coco *waves* Also so kind of Coco to do this giveaway as well! <3 I know whoever gets the faceplates will be super happy!
Went ahead and tweeted about this interview! (:
i can’t help but envy people with such talent >.< they're all such sweeties too!
i love how coco admits she struggled to find her own personal style, it's such a common thing that seems to come to customisers unnaturally easily.
i want to ask coco: when she began customising, which dolls did she practice on? Blythes she already owned, new girls or fakies?
also, here is my blog post ^_^
http://tapiocaa.tumblr.com/post/21715314270/cocochoo
thank you guys so much <3
Another entry for me (5th!) Coco i am here for you!!! Lov u <3
Hugs hugs
[…] to BlytheLife.com to read the full interview with Coco! It’s worth a read – especially because we get to […]
Oops, that was me just pressing. I guess my blog post url is there already! Thanks again for hosting this interview + giveaway!
SO well done, my brother was right.
I love Coco’s custom work, her custom girls are awesome and she is fabulous artist 🙂
Here i am again! 6th time i cross my fingers! Tweeted again <3
I tweeted for the second time! 🙂
Tweeted for the second time!
Such an awesome giveaway! She seems like a real sweetie. 🙂
I tweeted for the second time too 🙂
Tweeted again! (:
These dolls are just so beautiful! I admire the skill and hard work coco and all customizers put into these girls. Thank you so much
here i am again! croos fingers <3 (7th!)
Coco’s girls are soooo charming, they put a smile on my face everytime when I looked at them 🙂 🙂 🙂
Tweeted for the third time! XO
Amazing giveaway! coco’s work is perfect
This a great article, Coco is my all-time favorite customizer! She is very talented, and breathes a great deal of life into every one of her dolls!
I really look like a stalker i think! This is my 8th entry 2of which are tweets <3
[…] out this awesome interview with the talented Chocochoo in this weeks issue of […]
Here is a link to my blog post!!
http://photos4sue.wordpress.com/
Yay for Cocochoo!!
Here I am again 🙂 (4th)
Blogged about this today =D check it out. <3
Oh, and twitted about it a couple times! <3
Tweeted!!
Hooray for Coco….. I love Coco’s custom work…. (5th)
Coco seems so humble 🙂 They way she expresses herself about her custom work is just lovely. I love the fact she continues to better her work and skills and really just does it for the love of Blythe and nothing more.
I’d like to know if she has any plans to add any other signature details to her customm work aside from the teeth.
very nice work indeed, and a very nice giveaway…
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this amazing faceplate!
Coming for the 6th time 🙂 🙂 yay for Coco….
Heavenly creations! I am in awe. What a giveaway…wow!!
Good luck to everyone!
Tweeted for the 4th time!!!
Good luck everyone!!
blogged <3
http://maledimieleluvlab.blogspot.it/
blogged!
http://maledimieleluvlab.blogspot.it/
yikes, 4 more times, I better get crackin!!
Thanks again Blythelife.com!!
Tweeted for the 3rd time and this is my 7th times coming on Blythelife.com~~
Thanks for the precious opportunity to win such wonderful doll 🙂
Okay, I’ve blogged and this is my 6th visit and reply.
BTW, Big Congratulations to Coco for this article and mostly for her bun in the oven!!
And blogged here:
http://nanikora.blogspot.com/
I’ve tweeted 2 times, blogged this, and now commenting on this! 🙂 And this is my second time going onto Blythelife.com 🙂 Four/Five entries for me!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AcornBunny
Blog: http://acornbunny.blogspot.com/
I’ve blogged once and tweeted this 2 times! 🙂 This is my third time going onto Blythelife and here are my links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AcornBunny
Blog: http://acornbunny.blogspot.com/
Congrats Coco! I love your customizing talents and you make beautiful faceups 🙂
Blogged this, tweeted 3 times, visited this site 5 times, and now commenting ^.^ Those are my entries!
Also, I want to say thank you to Blythelife for making this giveaway possible, they are very fun 🙂
Another congrats to Coco, and thanks to Blythelife!
Great interview! I love Coco’s dolls. They are really unique and so cute.
I didnt know coco’s work but i think what she does its almost perfection. I do love her work 🙂
twitted and blogged: http://pedrofanti.blogspot.com/
http://pedrofanti.blogspot.com/
twitted and blogged!
crossing my fingers now
I recently discovered Blythe and love reading and learning about these talented customizers. I love Coco’s dolls and really hope I win!
I tweeted about the giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed that I win!
Coco’s work is so amazingly detailed! Really hope I win!
Question for Coco: Is it ever hard for you to give up a doll you customized after spending so much time on it?
My final visit for the evening! I am so excited for the winner, tomorrow is the big day!
Thanks again Blythelife and Cocochoo!
Tweeted for the 4th time and coming for the 8th time on Blythelife.com 🙂 Wish me luck 🙂 🙂
Tweeted again ~ lots of luck to everyone <3
I really love your custom girls. Each and everyone is a joy to see and a tiny work of art. <3
CocoChoo’s girls are always so beautiful, I’d be thrilled to own one some day! 😀