It’s another Friday, which means another installment of the March Talent Showcase! It is time for you to meet Leslie, who is the creative woman behind Blythe Happy! So happy to share her and her wonderful embroidered creations with you – what a niche that she entered into in 2013!

Hi Leslie! What can you tell us about yourself?
I am happy to be a stay-at-home wife, mother (although my two kids are in college right now), cat-wrangler (we have four cats who don’t always get along…), crafter, seamstress, blogger, Blythe collector and Etsy shop owner! For the past 15 years we have lived in the touristy town of Williamsburg, Virginia, which I love for it’s small size and proximity to bigger cities.

This is me at Blythe Con 2013 NY with my fave girl Candy. Although the quality of the photo isn’t great, it’s my favorite picture of myself with a doll–you can see how happy Blythe makes me!

How did you discover Blythe? Who is in your dolly family?
I first started seeing Blythe on the craft website Craftster.org in 2012, and I wondered what these dolls were. My curiosity took me to eBay, where I started spending a lot of time scrolling through the Blythe listings. I was especially captivated by Raspberry Sorbet, with her long, swingy hair, and finally I took the plunge and bought her. I hadn’t had a doll since I stopped playing with Barbies at the age of 12, and I had mixed feelings–what will my family and friends think about me playing with dolls??? So I kept my new interest quiet at first, but slowly, as my collection grew and my confidence grew along with it, I became more open about my dolls. Starting my Etsy store this year was the turning point–it made my doll collection more “legitimate”, because I was actually making money on my hobby. Now I have no problem talking about what I do! I’m sure I would not have gotten into this hobby if it wasn’t for all the things I saw people making for their dolls; I love to sew, knit, embroider and do general crafting, and all these skills come together for me in Blythe.

I have a nice variety of Blythes in my collection now, including several of the face molds and lots of different hair colors. My first two girls were brunettes (Petit Dejeuner was #2), but I’ve come to realize that the fantasy hair colors are my favorite. Right after Christmas I lined up all 20 of my Neos and took this picture of them in their bookcase/dollhouse:

What was the first thing that you crafted for Blythe?
The first patterns I found for Blythe were at Puchi Collective, and the first one I made was the Empire Dress. Here is Bonnie–this is both my first dress and my first picture of Blythe! She didn’t even have shoes (she came with boots but they didn’t go with this dress), and I just plunked her down on my front doorstep to take the picture.

Since then I’ve become a lot more creative with both my sewing, crafting and picture-taking; here’s a recent photo. I made the room box on the right, and the winter-themed stand on the left; I also made the yellow table (from perler beads) and the red and white outfit on Heather (my Prima Dolly Violet). Oh–I just added Precocious Candy Mushroom to my collection–this is her first photo!!

Tell us a little bit about Blythe Happy – what made you decide to open up a shop?
As I’ve already mentioned, one of the main reasons Blythe appealed to me was that I could make lots of “stuff” for her. I quickly became involved in swaps on Blythe Kingdom and Plastic Paradise, and I got so much positive feedback from my swap partners about the items I knitted and sewed, that the thought of opening a shop started to form. I resisted it for a while though, because I didn’t want the hassle of running a business–getting a business license, keeping records for taxes, and filing quarterly returns for Virginia sales tax DO NOT appeal to me! Eventually, though, as I sewed cute dresses and knit fun little hats, I really wanted to share them with more people. I decided the hassle would be worth it, so I opened Blythe Happy on Etsy in the summer of 2012.

How has opening a business changed the Blythe world for you?
The biggest change has been all the people I’ve been able to connect with through my shop. Although I am active on the Blythe forums and Flick’r and some Blythe groups on Facebook, I’m not really “chatty”, so it was hard for me to meet people. Now that I have a shop, it’s easy for people to get an idea of who I am by seeing what I make. Many of my customers are also in the on-line groups I belong to, and as a result of their purchases, we’ve connected in the groups. It’s so fun to connect with people!

What is the first thing that you sold through your Etsy shop?
The very first thing that sold was a Happy Cloud Dress, which was purchased by one of my lovely swap partners because it matched a hat I had sent her! See what I mean about connections? Several other former swap partners made purchases from me in the early days of my shop, which really warmed my heart and boosted my confidence–I truly appreciate those first customers, and every single one since then. Here’s a picture of that first dress; I opened Blythe Happy with a dozen dresses I had made as a personal challenge to sew or knit a dress every day for a month.

I soon noticed that a lot of people on Etsy sold outerwear for Blythe, but not many were selling underwear, so I decided to try making some panties. I wanted them to be pretty and practical, so I used white fabric (practical, so there are no worries about staining) and I came up with some simple embroidery designs for the front (pretty, but still practical, because embroidery is flat and won’t cause lumps under clothing like other embellishments–bows, buttons, beads, etc.–would). As soon as I started offering the panties, they sold well, so that’s what I concentrate on now. I try to keep a good variety of designs available all the time, and I’m always coming up with new embroidery patterns to keep the shop fresh. I’ve also started making the panties in Middie size, and they have received a good response from my customers.

Do you end up keeping a lot of what you make, or does most of it end up in the shop?
When it comes to the panties, everything I make is for sale–leaving my own dollies with “seconds”! Only a couple of the girls are actually wearing my panties, and those are the prototypes I made that had imperfections. But I do like to see all my dolls dressed nicely, and I like to see them in items I’ve made myself, so I go out of my way to sew and knit outerwear for them. If a dress doesn’t sell in my shop by the time the listing expires, I keep that for myself. Since I only make items that I love, I am very happy to keep anything that doesn’t sell quickly!

What has been your best-selling panties design so far?
The top favorite design is a flower trio (on the Middie panties it’s a single flower) that I do in several different colors. I consider it my “signature” design, because it’s the only one I do completely free-hand (for all the others, I trace the design onto the fabric and embroider over the lines.) The next best-seller is a kitty face; every time I put one in the store it disappears quickly! But all the designs sell well, probably because I am careful to choose themes that are popular in the world of Blythe collectors–anything cute or pretty or kitschy will work–like animal faces, mushroom houses, gnomes, hearts, crowns, unicorns, rainbows–even a cute little T-Rex! But since the surface area for the design is small, the images can’t be too complicated or detailed. I keep a little notebook where I brainstorm ideas for embroidery designs. Later I go back and decide which ones will work, and I refine those sketches into workable drawings.

Generally speaking, my dolls don’t run around with their underpants showing – how does it make you feel when you do get to see your embroidered pants on other people’s dolls?
This question brings up the biggest drawback to making panties–they rarely get to be seen in action!! Recently, however, I sent a pair in a swap package, and my partner posted a cute picture of her doll raising her skirt to show off her panties–that really made my day!

Photo by Heather Roy – used with permission.

I always enjoy the surprise of seeing pretty panties on my dolls when I’m changing their clothes, so for the most part, the panties are a pretty secret to be enjoyed only by the doll owner (and the dolls themselves, of course!)

What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about business owning and being the owner of an online shop since you’ve started selling things?
You have to advertise! After opening Blythe Happy, I quickly realized that I couldn’t expect customers to find me on their own–as with any business, you have to advertise so people will know you exist. I post links to my shop in the Facebook Blythe groups; and both Blythe Kingdom and Plastic Paradise have sections for shop owners to show what they sell. All of these are fantastic opportunities because they directly target the Blythe community, and they are FREE!! So far I haven’t used the option at Etsy to pay to have my listings at the top of the page when customers do searches, but I am keeping that in mind for the future. Another thing I’m considering is making up something small to be packaged with my business cards to donate to Blythe Con 2014 for the goodie bags. I know that when I got home after Blythe Con this year, I made a point of looking up all the businesses that gave freebies; that would be a great way to put my shop name directly into the hands of Blythe collectors.

You can find out more about Leslie and Blythe Happy on Facebook, her blog and over at her Etsy shop!

Embroidered Panties Giveaway!

Leslie has generously decided to giveaway three pairs of embroidered panties and each panty will have one lucky winner! Winners will get their choice of size (Neo vs. Middie) and design (from Leslie’s existing designs).

The giveaway runs until Saturday March 22nd 2014 at 11:59pm Pacific. The draw will be held on Sunday March 23rd 2014 and the winners 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 Leslie so she can get in contact with you regarding sending you the prize.

Please only use one email address per person, those using multiple email addresses for more entries will be disqualified.

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To kick off the 2014 March Talent Showcase, we’re starting off with an interview with Pauleen of Simply Sweet Creations and Sweet Serendipity!

Hi Pauleen! What can you tell us about yourself?
I am a 26-year-old bohemian living in Mexico City, who has a degree in Computer Science but whose life’s dream is to become a film director and published author. Currently, I’m working as a freelance, self-employed, and self-taught visual artist and crafter. I manage 2 online stores: “Simply Sweet Creations” is where I sell my original artwork, and “Sweet Serendipity” is where I offer I wide array of handmade items and gifts. I consider myself as an obsessive collector, dolls being my most recent passion. I’m also a girl of multiple talents and innumerable interests, an avid traveller, a bit of a technology geek, and a huge, huge fan of Japanese culture.

Everyone finds Blythe a little differently. How did you discover Blythe?
It all began back in 2009. I wanted to enter a contest organised by a local radio station and in order to do so, you had to open an account in their site. Once I did, another member’s profile picture caught my attention. It was of a very pretty doll. So, I checked that member’s information and lucky me, I found she was part of a group that liked “Blythe dolls”. That was all the information I required to start my search on Google and boy did I love what I found. First, I visited the official site and went through all the info there and the pics and the more I read, the more I fell in love with Blythe and my desire of owning one increased by the minute. Then, the obvious next step was to purchase one, but for some reason, in those days the JunieMoon online shop didn’t ship to Mexico. I felt a bit disappointed. Time passed, but the wish of having a Blythe doll never vanished. Finally, the opportunity presented itself in a very, very, very wonderful yet unusual way: in September 2010, I won a trip to Japan and the first thing that came to my mind was: “I’m getting my Blythe!!!”. And the rest is history, well not quite. Once in Tokyo, I went looking for the JunieMoon store in Daikanyama but nobody could tell me how to get there. I also knew the dolls could also be found at the Kiddyland chain of toy stores, but the one I found was closed because they were moving. Yet I was not ready to give up, I wasn’t going back home empty-handed and so, after getting lost in city and with the assistance of my Japanese speaking sister, we arrived at JunieMoon and OMG, that store is a dream! And yes, now the rest is history.

When did your shop open and what made you decide to start selling things to the doll community?
I opened my “Sweet Serendipity” shop at Storenvy in 2012, but the doll clothes and accessories line wasn’t included ’til mid 2013. I decided to add that particular category for 3 main reasons: a) During the 2013 March Talent Showcase I was the lucky winner of the most beautiful turquoise dress by BlytheStar and was pretty much inspired Lyndell’s work, so I felt it it was time for me to give something back to the community. b) I’m a fairly new crocheter and I learned how to crochet by making amigurumi. Then my knowledge of the craft came to a point where I was confident enough to move on to clothes where an exact gauge is needed, otherwise the garment won’t fit. c) Finally because no matter how many fashion designs I’ve got in my mind, I don’t have the patience to make them for humans, so dolls were the way to go.

What is the first item that you created with the intention to sell, rather than to keep for yourself?
A lot of thinking and preparation goes into determining what kind of products I’m going to offer next in my store and the blue dress with the matching short sleeve cardigan that my Blythe is wearing in one of the pictures was my very first sellable doll item. But it wasn’t always like that. A couple of months before I decided to sell doll clothes, I had crocheted the cardigan just to test out the pattern. Then that piece went into my PHD box (“Projects-Half-Done”) because even though the pattern turned out to be OK, at the time I didn’t know what else to do with it. After getting my BlytheStar’s prize in the mail, I finally had the epiphany of how I could complete the outfit. When I finished the dress and “asked” my Blythe to kindly model it for me, the whole ensemble made sense and that’s when I knew I was ready to offer it online.

Where do you find inspiration for your crocheted designs?
Inspiration comes from everyday life and I always have to make sure to be prepared with pen and paper whenever an idea hits me. Yet for crochet, especially doll clothes, inspiration comes mostly from myself and from my own particular sense of style. You see, I’m an extremely girly girl, I only wear dresses and skirts. So in terms of fashion, I always design outfits that fit my taste and that in a way, remind me of the beautiful garments I used to wear as a little kid. Also, I have this habit of buying craft materials and yarn without a project in mind, because when it comes to creating something from scratch, I like a challenge and what better way to put my imagination to work, than with a table full of ordinary items waiting to be turned into extraordinary masterpieces.

How has your involvement in the doll community changed following selling doll clothes?
It has changed in oh so many ways. For starters, when I first entered the doll world, I was a mere collector sharing pics of my dolls. Now, as a newly seller of doll fashions, it makes me happy to offer something more tangible that will be much more appreciated and perhaps more useful than a single image of my whimsical collection. Furthermore, whenever someone asks about my dolls’ outfits, it feels nice to say: “Yes, I made it myself” or if in a doll-related forum or site I come across the post from someone looking for clothes for Blythe or any other doll, I can gladly reply: “Here’s a sample of my work, hope you find something you like”. In addition, I recently began receiving tutorial requests for a couple of doll accessories I had made just as an experiment . Finally, I myself have introduced a couple of girls into the doll world after quite almost literally mesmerizing them with my very own and ever-growing doll collection.

Tell us a little bit about your first sale: what you sold and how you felt about it.
My first doll-related sale was crazy and it didn’t even take place at my online store. Here’s how the story went: I had this Facebook contact, it was precisely one of those girls I mentioned before, the ones I introduced to the doll collecting hobby. Well, this particular girl had just bought her first doll and she was eager to expand her outfit choices, so she wrote to me. She would begin with a dress, but not one from my catalog, she wanted a custom order, a piece that was one-of-a-kind and that would suit her doll’s personality. I presented her with a couple of options I had at the moment, but she was indecisive. Next thing I know, she makes a deposit into my bank account and later tells me: “Forget about the dress, what I really want right now is a plush toy to keep my doll company. So, with the money I paid you, what amigurumi can you make, shipping included”? I was in awe. In the end, I sent her a tiny cupcake amigurumi and from the reaction I got, I can say she was thrilled and I was very flattered. This girl was so excited when she got the package, that she made and shared a video of all the unwrapping process, bragged about her new acquisition, and encouraged people to buy from my store.

What would you say is the most valuable tool that you use for your crafting?
My imagination and my hands, no doubt about it. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do anything. I see my imagination as this computer continually generating new ideas and my hands as the 3D printer bringing those ideas to life. Any other utensil or instrument, like crochet hooks, needles, scissors, looms,… are just helpers in the whole creative process.

What would you say has been the hardest lesson you’ve learned so far with being crafter who sells things?
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. When I started with the whole “selling-my-work-thing”, I resorted to the Internet to sell and promote my creations. Nonetheless, as useful as the Internet may be, it is also a risky business and it can take you off the track in an instant. At the beginning, I was listing my handmade items in multiple online stores and had opened accounts in all major social networks. Soon, I was so busy in keeping all this sites functional and updated, that my crafting time was severely affected. The result: no new products to offer and absolutely no increase in sales. The moral of the story: it’s okay to use the Internet for marketing purposes, just don’t exaggerate.

Can you give us some ideas of what’s in store for you and your Blythe endeavors in the future?
Expect to see more crocheted outfits as well as a wider array of accessories such as jewellery, bags, and hairbands. Also, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to learn new crafting skills, so there may be some mixed-media creations down the road. Then, in a far more distant future, I’m planning a line of doll furniture and perhaps wigs, if all goes well. In addition, I intend to include fashions for Middies and Petites. Finally, I’ve got some nice treats in store not for Blythe dolls, but for Blythe owners and it goes as follows: If you want to showcase your love for Blythe, or you need little trinkets to give out as free gifts on orders placed by your customers, or if you just want to advertise your brand in conventions and meetings, then I’m offering a special service of designing/manufacturing some really unique products to fulfill those needs. This service is already available and I’ve tested it on myself. I never miss an opportunity to wear my brand t-shirts when going out to crowded places.

Thank you so much for participating in the March Talent Showcase this year, Pauleen! What kind of advice would you give someone who’s new to running an online business?
Well, thank you very much to you Michelle for having me, it’s been a great honour. Now, on to the advise. I have three basic rules when it comes to running an online business. First and foremost, your store policies and product descriptions should be clear, detailed, and truthful because should anything go wrong with a sale, you have written evidence to back you up and protect you as a seller. Second, if you offer custom orders, remember that you are not a mind reader, so I recommend creating a guideline or a template for the information you require your customer to provide so that you’re able to translate their wishes into the product of their desire. And third, yes there are mean people out there who seem to have nothing better to do than to leave rude comments on your site. I say: remove that rubbish and be prepared to stand up for your work. A lot of effort goes into handmade and in being your own boss, and no one has the right to minimise or disapprove that.

You can find out more about Pauleen from her blog, on Facebook and at her shop!

Crocheted Beret Giveaway!

Pauleen has generously decided to giveaway one crocheted beret to one lucky reader here on BlytheLife! What a darling little pom pom on top!

The giveaway runs until Saturday March 15th 2014 at 11:59pm Pacific. The draw will be held on Sunday March 16th 2014 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 Pauleen so she can get in contact with you regarding sending you the prize.

Please only use one email address per person, those using multiple email addresses for more entries will be disqualified.

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I had the chance to meet Pamela, and her daughter, in October of this year when they were here for an art show. Prior to that, I knew about Pamela from her book, Hello, Cutie!, as it had a small feature on Blythe and was the talk of the community when it came out (and featured some Blythe collectors as well!). I was so happy that Pamela was willing to do an interview with me – it allowed me to get to know her a bit better and to introduce her to those who haven’t had the fortune of meeting her yet!

Hi Pamela! What can you tell us about yourself?
I’m a Canadian writer and photographer, and a mom to a 12-year-old girl. I’m also an avid collector of cute things, including Blythe and Dal dolls, whom I love to sew for when I have the time.

How did you discover Blythe? Who’s in your doll family?
I first knew about Blythe in 2000 or 2001 when Gina Garan’s This Is Blythe was published. In 2003, I was in New York and bought some Blythe Kubricks and a Paisley Star petite (they were still the kind that were on the keychain) at the Kidrobot store in Soho. Then in 2005, when I was working as the literary editor for a newspaper, I came across Blythe Style. I wrote about it and started thinking about getting a full-size Blythe. As luck would have it, a friend had a Kenner from her childhood and gave it to me.

It didn’t get much play, however, and ended up being stuck in a drawer for a couple of years. My daughter — who was very young at the time — hated it and was terrified, to the point she didn’t want it in the house. So I ended up giving it away.

I had a pretty Blythe-free life after that until 2011. My daughter and I were at the local anime convention and one of the vendors was selling Pullips and Dals. We both liked the Dals and ended up getting a couple online. Within a couple of months there was a Blythe back in the house, too! My daughter wasn’t scared anymore — she loved them and wanted her own.

Today, we have 31 Neos, 8 Middies and 2 Petites (plus several LPS petites) in our combined collection. I am one of the seemingly few people out there who really likes SBLs, so we have quite a few of those including Groovy Groove, Rendezvous Chou Chou, Paradis by Mono Comme Ca, Silver Snow and more.

Where did the name Endangered Sissy come from?
My daughter misread an old Stüssy t-shirt her step-dad had on one day. I can’t remember exactly what it actually said, but she thought it was “endangered sissy.” I thought it was a really fun (and ridiculously nonsensical) name, and pulled it out when I decided to start listing some Blythe clothes on Etsy.

What was the first item that you sewed for Blythe?
Hmm. That’s hard to remember. I already had been sewing a bit for Dals, and would just swap the clothes that fit over to the first Neo Blythe we had in the house. I know I made a lot of the classic vintage Skipper “party dress” during that time, as it was the dress that I taught my daughter to sew first.

What kind of routine do you have when you create things for your shop?
My schedule is all over the place, so it really depends. If I’m working on a big writing project — like a book — I typically don’t have time to sew at all (or do much of anything else!). But if, like right now, I’m between books and working on regular projects like my eighties vintage fashion blog or shooting new images for one of my ongoing analogue photography series, I try to sew two or three days a week in the afternoons, while my daughter is at school. Basically, I just squeeze it in when I can.

Can you tell us a bit about your creative process when it comes to your designs and inspiration?
I have a huge collection of vintage textiles — over 1,000 pieces of mostly cotton prints — so fabric and trims are the big inspiration for me. I’ll pull out a fabric or a piece of vintage lace and think of what I can make with it, and set to work on the pattern. And because the amount needed for doll clothes is so small, I don’t feel too guilty cutting into my collection!

What was it like making your first Etsy sale? What kind of thought were going through your head?
I have had two other Etsy shops for a long time (one selling vintage fabrics and sewing/knitting supplies; the other indulges my passion for vintage children’s books), so I was used to the Etsy system and making sales. Still, there’s something special when a person buys something you actually made. Though I had occasionally used the Endangered Sissy shop to sell kitschy vintage items here and there, I started my shop in earnest earlier in late spring of this year selling Middie clothes, as there’s not as much choice out there as there is for Neos. My first sale was two tiny, lacy Froth dresses to a collector in the UK. She was really excited to find them, and that was really heartwarming. Sewing for Middie is actually a lot harder than sewing for Neo, since the pieces are so much smaller, harder to fit properly and fiddly to work with, but those dolls need cute clothes too!

If you had to ‘sell’ your brand in the length of a Tweet (140 characters or less), how would you describe your shop and work?
Cute and colourful, with a vintage twist.

I believe you when it comes to Middies being harder to sew for than Neos. What is your most challenging design to put together?
Anything for Middies with a set-in sleeve — those pieces are a challenge for sure.

What have you learned so far about yourself and sewing since opening Endangered Sissy?
Creating for Blythe has definitely rekindled my love of sewing, design and pattern-making. It’s been wonderful to polish up and revisit those skills. I’ve found I actually find working with these tiny clothes relaxing, whereas I often found my quest for sewing perfection stressful in my younger years. Not everything works out perfectly the first time, but I’ve surprised myself with the extent of the patience I’ve grown into and don’t mind fussing with little details and drafting and re-drafting a pattern or unpicking and re-sewing stitches until I get it right. I figure the new-found patience probably has something to do with having a child — and age!

What can you share with us about what you have planned for the future of Endangered Sissy?
I’m just going to keep sewing up new pieces and designs as I’m inspired (and have the time). I’m currently making some slouchy dresses, but in super-fancy vintage fabrics, which is fun, and I’m experimenting with some interesting textile manipulation. It takes forever, but the result is really unique and I’ll be revealing that soon. And hats! I’m working on a classic men’s-style fur hat with a brim and earflaps. It’s very old man, circa 1950s winter, but I think in some cute colours and with a few strategically placed more feminine trims, it could be quite adorable.

For you, what is the best part about running your own business?
Endangered Sissy is much more of a hobby than a business, but I love the creative outlet it provides and designing and making little clothes keeps that part of my brain fresh and eager for more.

Thank you so much for doing this interview with me, Pamela! What advice do you have for someone just starting out in the Blythe hobby?
Well, thanks for asking me, Michelle! As far as advice goes, I’d say read lots, don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be afraid to like what you like. For example, if you like SBLs (like me), don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it. Think of it like art: we all have different tastes and opinions — no one is right or wrong. But most importantly, enjoy the fun of the hobby, whatever that may mean for you!

You can find out more about Pamela on her website, Flickr and at her Etsy shop, Endangered Sissy!

You can save 30% off of your Endangered Sissy purchase with the fantastic coupon code BLYTHELIFENOV from now until November 30th, 2013. Enter the coupon code at check-out to get your discount!

Dress Set Giveaway!

Pamela has generously decided to giveaway one dress set to one lucky reader here on BlytheLife! This set, which consists one of jumper-style dress and a Swiss dot blouse underneath, was made with one of my dolls’ favourite styles (young, girly) and colours (pink!) in mind. There are two sets in existence and one of the lucky readers will be able to win one!

The giveaway runs until Saturday November 30th 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific. The draw will be held on Sunday December 1st 2013 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 Pamela so she can get in contact with you regarding sending you the prize.

Please only use one email address per person, those using multiple email addresses for more entries will be disqualified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I first interviewed Kate back in March 2012 as part of the BlytheLife March Talent Showcase. While she wasn’t new to the doll community then, she was new on the scene with her handpainted eyechips. Since then, she’s been doing so much in the customizing realm that I thought it’d be a great idea to interview her again – this time focusing on her custom work.

Hi Kate! What can you tell us about yourself and how you discovered Blythe?
I’m 35 years old (when did that happen?), I have two children who are 2 and 13 and an amazing man who many of you met at BlytheCon Dallas.  I’ve been crafting for Blythe or customizing since 2008 and it’s been an amazing journey.  I learn new things and develop new skills all the time, especially since I became a stay at home mom after my son was born.  I discovered Blythe through the DCR pattern books and eBay while I was researching dolls for my daughter.

What’s your personal collection like? Do you keep your own work?
My personal collection has been very large before – up to 25 dolls or so, but it is much smaller now, just some core girls and a variety of other types of dolls. Most of them will be getting makeovers, it’s like the tale of the cobbler’s children who have no shoes! I rarely get the time to work on my own dolls.

I have my Gentle River and Rainy Day Parade who were my first dolls, a Cinnamon Girl who will be getting a makeover and new scalp, and a FAO Hollywood and a Primadolly Marigold that don’t have any work done yet. I have many smaller dolls:  Emerald Witch, Usaggi, vintage Licca, Wonderfrog and Lampe Nico as well as a few Latis and Yosds. It almost seems like other people’s work isn’t destined to stay with me, each time I’ve had one (a Sammydoe and a Tiina, both in trades)  I end up with emergency bills and have to sell them.

What was your first customization project?
My first customization was an Asian Butterfly Encore. I was in love with her hair color and started on her rather than the two other more expensive girls that I owned. I soaked and soaked, but her plates just wouldn’t come apart! I ended up having to saw and it was a traumatic experience, I swear I was apologizing to the doll as I was doing it.

What were you able to learn from that first project?
I learned to be careful with Exactos! Those things can be pretty wicked. I also learned that putting down a layer of MSC after sanding really helps prep the surface, just like a blank canvas.

All customizers have their own favourite tools – what’s in your customizing toolbelt?
I use standard Exacto blades, but in the last year I started using a curved one as well and that made a world of difference.  With rerooting I use rubber thimbles from the quilting section of a hobby store and it gives me more grip on the needle and protects my finger tips from blisters, which is how I’m able to do so many so quickly.  I recently picked up a few different paintbrushes for applying makeup a bit more evenly than some of my old ones or Q-tips.  Investing money in nicer pastels is important as well, I have a range of brands: Rembrandt, NuPastel, Sennelier and a Dick Blick store brand.

How would you define your customizing style?
I would define my style as natural beauty. I prefer making sunkissed girls with a younger look, not super glamorous ladies 🙂  I do dip my toe into stronger color palettes sometimes, but the makeup is never overdone. My girls also tend to have a slightly sad or wistful tone, for some reason they just don’t like to do a big toothy grin!

What is your favourite mold to work on? Which is your least favourite? – And why?
Well, that’s a bit of a trick question. each has pros and cons. EBLs have long been a favorite, I think they’re the best mold stock.  I like to do SBLs now because SO many people are against them that I like to make them super cute and change people’s minds. RBLs are wonderful, but the older the mold gets the worse the shape of the eye holes gets and one is significantly larger than the other and it makes it hard not to show the lower part of the eye mechanism, so I have a beef with that mold. I’m not that fond of the FBL mold stock, there’s no expression in it – but I love customizing it! it has the slightly deeper set eyes like EBL do.

What would you say is your favourite thing about customizing?
My favorite thing has been how customizing has led me to meet so many amazing people! I’ve always been a crafty person, but I was never able to find my niche. My grandmothers are both painters, my aunt is a photographer, my dad is a world class illustrator and sculptor, my mother is a silversmith and a museum curator. I’m the little girl who was bored in the summer and spun thread from cotton balls. I went to art school for graphic design, but found myself happier in the studio classes where I could sculpt as well. I love the variety of crafts brought together in the Blythe community.

How about least favourite?
Least favorite? Well, I hate the drama in the community but that’s nothing I can really affect by myself so I try to stay positive.  I also have trouble with strict timelines sometimes. I customize full time, so I’m at home with my almost 2 year old and I have a 12 year old girl as well. My husband runs a custom motorcycle shop out of our garage/shop area where he also does maintenance and repair on cars, 4 wheelers and does some home repairs as well. He’s also a sought after local musician so I’m at home with the kids most of the time and I feel bad when a commission takes longer than I’ve told someone it will. You should see the state of my house some days!

Can you tell us a bit about what you have planned for your vendor table at BlytheCon 2013 in New York?
Well, for those of you who visited my table last year in Dallas it will be some of the same. I don’t think I will have space this year to bring other people’s work, but we’ll see. Last year I brought some of my friend Sue’s beautiful mohair (Mohairhouse) and a large selection of items from Jemgirl as well. I will have several customs for sale, eyechips, reroots, pull charms, lots of hats and hopefully some clothing as well!

What does a day in the life of Kate look like when it comes to your work and working at home?
Well, my day is ALWAYS crazy, that’s for sure. I’m an extreme night owl, I always have been, so I’m thankful that at least during the summer the baby has been sleeping until about 9:30! Of course, I go to sleep about 3 or 4 am… Haha! My work setup is okay, My master bedroom is large and I use about 1/3 of it as my studio. It’s adjoined to the baby’s room (I have to stop calling him that, he’s 2 now) by sliding doors, so I just open them during the day and he plays while I attempt to work. I’ve been trying to do my carving at night so I have faces to work on while he’s playing, but it’s still hard. I have blocks and trucks everywhere, I’m quite often wearing a tiny plastic hardhat and singing songs while working, it’s terribly glamorous 🙂 I sew a bit during the day, do things like gluing in eyechips, things that I can stop and start easily. When the kids are done for the day I can kick into high gear! I have 4 or 5 trays laid out on my desk with disassembled dolls so I can work on them in stages, And I’m always doing something while one doll’s sealant layer is drying or chips are gluing in. My outside errand are either run in the dead of the night or in early afternoon to entertain the kid and tire him out for a nap!

What have been some of your favourite projects that you’ve done – either as commissions or not?
Hmm, favorite projects… Sometimes it comes down to amazing color combinations! I love making tan girls with fantasy hair. I made a doll for my old hairdresser, that was really fun. He had no idea I customized Blythes, he discovered them on Instagram and started posting about the m on FB, so I told him. He has 2 of my dolls right now and was SO excited.  I also enjoy working with certain people over and over (you guys know who you are). I have some loyal friends and fans who I’m always happy to see return to my commissions list.  I did a few Monster High custom dolls last year, they were pretty fun too!

Thank you so much for doing this interview with me, Kate! What’s one piece of advice that you’d like to pass onto people who are hoping to dip their toes into customizing dolls?
Well, don’t be afraid! I’d suggest getting a few sets of factory plates to experiment on first, but don’t skimp on your tools. Spend a bit more on your brushes, blades and pastels so you get the best possible result. Take carving very slowly, and DON’T start with a Dremel! I’ve been customizing for years and I just got my first Dremel, I only use it for nose holes and piercings right now. It’s really hard to recover from a bad slip with a Dremel. If you’re new to rerooting, choose fiber that’s already processed and washed, you don’t need to learn to deal with that mess at the beginning!

You can find Kate on her Facebook page (Chantilly Lace Blythe Customs) and at her Etsy shop, Chantilly Lace!

I first met Kimberly in Portland in 2011! She was one of the first Blythe people that I met “in real life” and she made me feel welcome at my first ever Blythe meet. I asked her if she’d be interested in doing an interview with me for BlytheLife and fortunately she was! She’s the mastermind behind Rosiee Gelutie, to learn more – continue to read!

Hi Kimberly! What can you tell us about yourself and how you discovered Blythe?
I’m a 41 year old Hair Stylist with a Mortuary Science Degree.  I had seen pics of Blythe around and was always drawn to her.  I remember seeing a book in a bookstore that had Blythe doing everyday things.  I loved that book but couldn’t afford it.  In 2001 I was at a toy show and there were tons of them (the whole first BL series).  I bought my first Blythe that day (a BL Hollywood) for $50.  I was so excited to own one!!!  Had I known then what I know now I would have bought one of each!

How big is your Blythe family? Who’s your favourite?
I have 45 Blythes (this includes 2 Blybe’s that are my mini me and my bestie’s mini me, 3 Icy’s, 2 Middie’s, a Jecci 5 and an ADG).  Gertie is my very favorite Blythe in the whole wide world, aside from Gertie’s Bestie Elouise.

Where does the name Rosiee Gelutie come from?
Rosiee Gelutie is an anagram of My Bestie Mandy’s girl Elouise and my girl Gertie!  I tried many combinations before I settled on Rosiee Gelutie.

How did you get started in sewing for dolls?
I started sewing for Blythe because I love crafting.  The very first item that I made for them was a Donutzie.  I wanted to create a Pal that could be held by them and be fun.

What made you decide to start selling what you make?
I knew that I wanted to open a shop to sell items that would allow me to visit my Best Friend in Australia every other  year.  I thought it be selling knitted hats, bags and aprons for Humans.  But it ended up being Donutzies and Clothing for Blythe!

What went through your mind when you made your first sale? How about when you first saw something you crafted (and sold!) being photographed?
I was tickled!  My very first Blythe item sale was a Donutzie.  I was super excited to package him up and send him off!  And the first time I saw an item that I made photographed, it made my heart warm.  I still get a huge smile on my face every time I see someone’s girl in an outfit or bedding, or with a Donutzie that I’ve created.

What has been your biggest learning curve when you went from sewing for humans to sewing for dolls?
I did some Costuming when I was in College (I was a Theater Major before Hair and Mortuary) and I sewed some items for myself but I never enjoyed it.  I always felt like I was fighting the machine and lost in construction.  When I say that I thought I would make bags and aprons in my Etsy shop, I thought I’d fight my way through it (I’d only made a few aprons and never a bag btw)!  It wasn’t until I started sewing for Blythe that construction and pattern making finally made sense!  I just finished making a bag for my Mom for her Birthday and it all made sense!  I’m actually gathering tools to make a shirt pattern for myself now.  Sewing Doll Clothing has changed my whole approach to and understanding of sewing!

All crafters have their own routine when they have the time to sit down and craft, what’s your routine?
I think my only routine for sewing in to go into my Hobby Room.  That is my “special” place.  I walk in and if it’s an utter disaster I have to clean it first and while cleaning I’m looking at the items I’m putting away and gaining some focus for creation.  Then if I’m in a mood to cut things out, I’ll sit on the floor in front of my mini ironing board and do that.  Or I’ll start sewing or just picking out fabric that is calling to me if that’s what I’m in the mood for.  I usually have the Netflix cued up on my ipad (I’m really into Miami Vice right now).  I like everything organized and a spot for everything.

Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
I love simple lines and late 60’s to early 70’s designs.  I keep building on to patterns I’ve already created.  Just thinking of new things to add (sleeves, collar, buttons) or to shorten this or lengthen that.  Sometimes someone will say “I’d love to see more of some type of item” and I start sketching away.  Sometimes I sew something weird and then think if I do this and put this here… Hey!  New pattern!  Accidents can be happy creations!

What has been your favourite piece of Blythe clothing that you’ve made so far? Which Donutzie has been your absolute favourite?
Ooo!  That’s a hard question.  I really don’t know.  I think I’d have to say that I enjoy the pieces that are made out of very limited vintage fabric the most.  Simply because they are OOAK items.   My favorite Donutzie was Gertie’s very first Donutzie that was green with a hot pink back.  His name was Limey and we lost him at BC Dallas.  I was devastated and looked every where for him and asked everyone else to keep an eye out.  My Husband says that Limey ran away to join the Rodeo and that it was his plan all along, once Limey knew we were going there.  So I like to think that he is riding some big stallion in Texas with a ten gallon hat! 🙂

What is your favourite aspect of running your own business?
I love challenging myself to learn new things.  I also really enjoy try to achieve the goals that I set for myself.

What would you say is your most irreplaceable tool for sewing and crafting?
My iron.  From start to finish I’m using this tool.  I couldn’t sew without it!

How have you improved as a crafter? What tips do you have to share?
The first thing that I attempted to sew for Blythe were made out of felt.  I created Donutzies and then a simple dress pattern.   Then I progressed to Slacks (made out of fabric) and Bedding.   After Blythe Con Dallas I had a lot of ideas but lacked the skills to do more advanced things.  So for months I labored at learning how to make patterns, set in sleeves and collars.  I’ve gotten better at making patterns and at adding more details to items.  It’s been a slow but steady process.  I hope to continue to improve and evolve.

What can the Blythe community look forward to you in the future?
I’m not really sure but I will continue to work on creating new patterns and styles as they come to me.  I will also work on improving the items that I make with practice.

Thank you for doing this interview with me, Kimberly! What kind of advice do you have for someone who’s new to the hobby?
Thank you for asking me to do this interview!  This has been super fun and I am touched and honored that you asked me!   Advice that I would give to new people in the hobby is to get involved, ask questions and have fun! 🙂

You can find out more about Kimberly on Flickr, Facebook and at her shop on Etsy!

Donutzie Playsuit & Donutzie Giveaway!

Kimberly has generously decided to giveaway one Donutzie Playsuit and matching Donutzie to one lucky reader here on BlytheLife!

The giveaway runs until Saturday May 18th 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific. The draw will be held on Sunday May 19th 2013 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 Kimberly so she can get in contact with you regarding sending you the prize.

Please only use one email address per person, those using multiple email addresses for more entries will be disqualified.

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