Now, let me preface this by saying that this is not a stock vs. customized doll debate – nope, not at all! I’m just wanting to know how much of your collection is skewed towards stock or custom dolls. For the sake of argument here, lightly custom dolls (e.g. only gaze lifting, Licca bodies, eye chip changes) will count as “stock” as much of that is reversible. So non-reversible changes will make the doll count as custom (e.g. carving, change in make-up, and the like).

For me, the custom count is 2 dolls – or 13.3% of my collection (soon to be 12.5% of my collection once a certain little devil arrives…). Or actually, currently 12% if we count my Middies as part of my overall Blythe collection. So my doll family is quite heavily skewed towards the stock dolls. Think I should change that?

Is your doll family more stock or custom?

You have a doll-related website/shop/blog and BlytheLife has your target audience!

BlytheLife.com is an active doll website with a high readership that primarily consists of women who are Blythe and other doll collectors/hobbyists. By advertising your doll-related site or business with BlytheLife, you can ensure that your ad is being seen by the people that are your potential customers. Every time someone visits BlytheLife, they’ll see your ad on the side!

Did you know? Sponsorship costs are purposely kept low to keep advertising accessible to people in the doll community.

There are three spots currently available for the month of November and all sponsorship funds go towards the costs of keeping BlytheLife.com live on the internet!

Large – 1 spot available for November! (325×200 pixels)

• $10 – 1 month
• $18 – 2 months
• $26 – 3 months

Small – 2 spots available for November! (160×160 pixels)

• $5 – 1 month
• $9 – 2 months
• $13 – 3 months

If you’d like more information on how you can advertise on BlytheLife, click here.

Think you’re a fan of Kenners? Here are 10 fun facts about Kenners that you may not already know:

1. Kenner Blythe dolls were only produced for one year, 1972.
2. There were 12 original outfits produced for Blythe.
3. For Blythe’s accessories, Kenner produced 4 wigs and 4 pairs of glasses, and an orange carry case.
4. Kenner Blythe has holes on the back of her ears that the original glasses were able to sit into (so they stay on!).
5. Four hair colours were made with different hair styles (chunky bangs, wispy bangs, side part, centre part) – blondes only came with a side part.
6. The Kenner Blythe dolls featured in the advertisements were prototypes and not the dolls sold.
7. Original retail price for Kenner Blythe was less than $6 USD. With inflation, that is about $35 USD in 2016. For comparison, the average minimum hourly wage was ~$1.60 USD in 1972 vs. $8.60 USD in 2012.
8. Kenner Blythe’s hair came in a braid to keep it together in the box.
9. Prior to the release of This is Blythe by Gina Garan and the Neo releases by Takara, Kenner Blythe dolls were sold on eBay for ~$30 USD.
10. In the original television commercial, the colours of Blythe’s eyes were referred to as: bouncy brown [orange], green eyes and groovy, purple pretty as you please [pink], and beautiful blue.

Kenners are pretty amazing as they have survived through years of being unloved – hidden away in attics and buried in gardens. They’ve survived a lot! And many of them haven’t made it through the years unscathed, what with the melt marks, cracks in the bodies, and being chewed on by children and animals.

What’s a fun fact that you know about Kenner Blythe dolls? Share below in the comments!

New Blythe releases get a lot of hype – I think the marketing team behind Blythe dolls really know what they’re doing by releasing the promotional illustrations and opening preorders at the same time. They follow up with the promotional photographs, but at that point it gets a little harder to get a preorder!

Blythe dolls aren’t inexpensive, but here are some tips and tricks for getting a newer release at the lowest possible price:

1. Order the doll from an official retailer (e.g. Junie Moon International Online Shop, CC Toys). Some will price the dolls at the suggested retail price and have preorders either by lottery or not (Junie Moon), while others have ‘free shipping’ where the cost of shipping is added to the cost of the doll (CC Toys). There are other retailers, but they may inflate the price of the doll further.
2. Do you have a friend who would love to buy the stock clothes and you’re not particularly fond of it? Split the doll with a friend! You get the doll, they get the stock (or vice versa). This knocks off some money off of the doll and makes her even more affordable. However, be very sure that you do not want the stock because it can be difficult to get your hands on it again.
3. Check out online buy/sell groups (e.g. Facebook, Blythe Kingdom) to see if anyone has preordered the doll, received the doll, and no longer wants the doll. Bonus – you may be able to find a seller in your own country already, so you can save on the extra costs of international shipping, as well as custom fees.
4. Buy online with a cash-back credit card, if you have one (or can qualify for one!). Many cash-back cards offer anywhere from 0.5-4% cash back. On a $400 doll, that is anywhere from $2-16 back. It may not be a lot, but it is something!
5. Consider the different shipping options that you get. Some retailers give you options, for instance I noticed that when I get the option of EMS, FedEx and registered air mail, the cost of EMS is often less than FexEx. The time difference between registered air mail and EMS is often at least a week, or more. So depending on how patient you are, that may be an option for you (and it’s cheaper!). Do consider the fact that some carriers will add their own brokerage fees or extra charges for getting a package through customs for you (I find this has happened with UPS, FedEx, and DHL for me – I’ve never had that happen with EMS/regular mail). Whichever shipping option you go for – always ensure it is a method with tracking and insurance.

Do you have any tips and tricks for getting a new(er) release at a rock bottom price? Share below in the comments!

In the past there have been many, many, many crowd fundraising efforts in the Blythe community. From efforts to help pay for medical bills for a child, to replacing stolen technology for a friend, to attempting to fundraise for paying personal taxes. Needless to say, not all of these efforts have been successful, as success is often dictated by how popular someone is in the Blythe community and how well they let their cause and hardships be known. BlytheLife has been no stranger in helping with getting the word out about some community causes, and it’s generally been related to medical issues or fundraising efforts. In part, this is because I am of the opinion that it is ridiculous that in some parts of the developed world that it is possible to go into extreme debt due to medical hardships and seeking out medical care. Since nursing school, and working as a registered nurse, I’ve found it amazing that some countries (like the one that I live in) is able to provide essentially free shelter, food, and medical care, to people who truly cannot afford it, while people just south of the border have to choose between going to a clinic or emergency room and going to work because they can ill afford to otherwise.

Which leads to my Question of the Week, which is actually not really directly related towards dolls but towards the doll collectors:

What do you support?

I know many in the doll community support animal welfare causes and medical research, but I’m curious about what you – the BlytheLife reader – supports! I have gotten into a habit of donating blood, and I also donate to my local public library, food bank, animal shelter, and to a cancer research group (now I’m realizing after writing that a lot of the places I donate to are local and directly impact people in my community!) Comment below!