I had a lot of fun with my interview with Kimberly, the creative mind behind Rosiee Gelutie. With her and her Donutzies, she’s sure she go far with her endeavors and I’m so glad to have been able to share a little bit about her with all of you. It’s not every dolly designer who creates toys for their dolls, as well as playsuits/rompers, dresses and more! That’s pretty creative, if you ask me!

Regarding the Rafflecoptor: I found several people who were using the Tweet/Twitter and Blog Post (not comments) entry methods who were not including links to their Tweets or blog posts. These entries were deleted prior to selecting a winner. As with all my giveaways, I verify to see that Tweets and blog posts were completed with the relevant information. I do not appreciate people trying to gain extra entries without earning them and those people have been noted down.

And the winner of the cute Donutzie and Donutzie-fabric playsuit is…
Click to read more of this entry.

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway was the first on BlytheLife that used Rafflecopter, and I’m glad that I was able to help those with problems entering get their entries in! I will be using Rafflecopter for all future giveaways.

Thank you so much to Olga for sponsoring such a cute giveaway with an adorable crocheted hat! I loved reading the comments that people left, and I’m sure that Olga did too! And a reminder for what the prize is…

And the winner is…

Click to read more of this entry.

I recently got the chance to interview Olga, the creative mind behind Blythemia – a lovely Etsy shop that sells crocheted items for Blythe! As English is not Olga’s primary language, I edited some of her answers for clarity only, and maintained the meaning of her answers.

Hi Olga! What can you tell us about yourself?
What first thing I have to say about me is that I am very reserved. I am 50 years old and I have two teenage children who live with me. I married twice. The relationship with my ex-husband is great. I’ve always loved everything about art, children’s artwork, toys … the one hand, and on the other, the gothic, dark, cemeteries, abandoned places…

How did you discover Blythe? Who’s in your doll family?
I discovered these dolls for a TV commercial, Babaria, and from the first moment I fell in love with them, looked on YouTube and there it all began. My first intention was to open a store for Blythe, but I did not have to look far to realize that was impossible. For a while I abandoned this hobby because it was preparing a competition for City Hall my city for now I have only one Blythe, a Simply Lilac.

How did you get started with crafting for Blythe?
Unfortunately I could not work in City Hall. The month of July 2012 was held DollyOlé in my city and I went with a friend who is really into this Blythe world. There I came up with the idea to make clothes and hats for Blythe, because two months earlier had begun to crochet. I’m entirely self-taught, I learned everything myself with the help of YouTube and Pinterest.

Where do you find your creative spark for your designs?
I guess the things that I like. Also bought patterns from other vendors. Right now my best selling product is not an original design of mine, the viking hat, it is a pattern I bought on Etsy.

Which design that you have made so far is your favourite? Why?
I have much enthusiasm when I do something new, I make two or three of the same model. But none is like another, they always have differences among themselves.

How did it make you feel when you made your very first sale?
I was very nervous and very excited. I called the friend who I accompanied to DollyOlé to tell them before answering the customer.

How has starting you own business influenced the way you interact with others in the Blythe community?
The first thing I did was to have a store on Etsy. I began to interact with it (circles, treasure, etc.). In Facebook, I was pointed at Blythe groups and letting me know.

What was the most challenging part of starting your own shop?
Language, as everything is in English. Despite having knowledge of the language, it becomes difficult to communicate.

What kind of new things do you have planned for your shop that you can tell us about?
Every day I discover new ways to let me know, like your website. In this moment I am working in  a style challenge on the Blythe Kingdom forum.The theme is: Mori Girl! Also I am make rugs, garlands, cushions for Blythe scenes.

Thank you so much for doing this interview with me! What kind of advice do you have for someone who’s starting up their own business online?
The advice you need from me? Lol. I think “if I like it, someone else will have to like” and conversely, “I do not like it but I’m sure someone if” is a matter of who you know. I warmly thank you to give us a chance.

You can find out more about Olga and her fantastic crocheted works on her Etsy shop, Blythemia.

Flowered Hat Giveaway!

Olga has generously decided to giveaway a flowered crochet hat for one lucky person here on BlytheLife!

The giveaway runs until Saturday April 27th 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific. The draw will be held on Sunday April 28th 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 Olga 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

As the March Talent Showcase is coming to a close, I’d like to thank everyone for their comments throughout the month. It’s a lot of fun to conduct interviews and it’s great when you, the reader, responds well to them!

I’d like to thank Eve of QuenneDoll for doing such a fun interview with me! In case you’ve forgotten, the giveaway was for a custom Blythe sweater – here were some of the examples of what the winner’s sweater could look like…

And the winner is…

Click to read more of this entry.