On July 1st 2010, I started a blog. This blog, coincidentally, began as a little space on the web where I ramble on about dolls. I wanted to open up a space on the internet that was for Blythe hobbyists, but I wasn’t able to go and start a forum. I wanted to do interviews, tutorials, giveaways. And I started off with an interview with Rob & Sioux.

Since then, I have done over 35 interviews – fantastic customizers and crafters alike. It’s been a fantastic ride, and it is only going to go up from here. My doll family has grown as the blog has grown, and it’s been a lot of fun! I’ve greatly enjoyed what I have been able to create here, with the help of the wonderful readership that I have. I enjoy the reading the comments, emails and suggestions that I get from all of you.

Making her mini-debut here today, she’ll be formally introduced once she tells me her name!

A Year in Review

• I started a new series: Love, Sophie – featuring the wise words of Sophie
• I got a Middie, which resulted in posts about Middies
• I wrote a mini-series for those new to the community (starting with Blythe 101)
• After careful consideration, I discontinued regular Friday Five posts for bigger and better things

Top 10 Most Read Posts
(not including interviews/giveaways)

1. Questionable Blythes on the Market
2. DIY Knit Empire Dress (Blythe On A Budget)
3. Spotlight On: Blythe Confessions
4. To Flickr, or Not to Flickr
5. Mind the crack; 1972 Kenner Blythe fixed!
6. Crochet Petite Toque and Scarf (Free Pattern)
7. The Cause of Doll Melt
8. Protecting Yourself Online
9. DIY Knit Headband (Blythe On A Budget)
10. Economical Sewing Tips (Blythe On A Budget)

BlytheLife by the Numbers

• 517 posts (including this one!)
• 36 interviews
• 2371 comments
• 221,732 hits in June 2013

Thank you so much to everyone for all the support that I’ve gotten! I’ve started working on new content, and I’m really excited to share everything with you very soon!

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If you know anyone that you think would be interested in getting interviewed for BlytheLife.com, please send me an email (michelle@blythelife.com) or refer them to the How to Get Featured page! I’m always looking forward to doing more interviews and showcasing more talent in this great dolly community!

I recently took a break from Real Life by running away to the other side of the world (quite literally), and having a wonderful time with exploring Asia and shopping! Now that I’m back (and very, very jet lagged…), I’m refreshed and ready to come up with some new material for the blog. I had the opportunity to shop for dolls and doll things in Hong Kong, which was quite fun! It’s amazing to get to go into a shop and see it full of Blythe dolls, all in their boxes and waiting for someone to unbox them. So in the coming weeks, things that will be popping up will be:

• Several interesting articles (at least I think they’re interesting!)
• A couple of posts about my trip (and dolls!)
• Giveaways – yes, plural
• Just a lot of fun things that I’m looking forward to share with all of you

And until those posts come up, here’s a little snippet from my trip:

I recently received an email that said this from someone who asked that her name not be included, when I asked if I could blog the answer:

I really like your website. Do you have a button that I can use to link to it? I’d like to help support this site!

And the answer is: yes, yes I have a button. I have many buttons, actually. My favourite is still one of the ones I made ages ago as it features Prim, my messy-haired girl:

I made quite a few new buttons lately. They can all be used to link back to BlytheLife from your blog or website:

In addition, I also accept guest posts (articles, tutorials), freebies to share on this website and I welcome suggestions. And if you’re interested in being interviewed/featured here on BlytheLife, I also love to interview people!

Do you have your own Blythe-related announcement that you’d like to share here on BlytheLife.com? Click here to find out what Community Corner is all about!

You have a doll-related website and I’ve got 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. 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. Sponsorship costs are kept low to keep advertising accessible to people in the doll community.

There is one spot currently still available for the month of May and three spots available for the month of June and all sponsorship funds go towards keeping BlytheLife up and running!

I will be without internet access on May 31st and June 1st, so I’m offering up a discount to purchase 2 months (or more) for the large ad spot and a discount for the small ad spots (to be put up on June 3rd 2013 instead of June 1st 2013). If you want to take advantage of the pricing below, contact me for May and June (July will have regular prices).

Large – 1 spot available for May, 1 spot available for June! (325×200 pixels)

• $10 – 1 month
• $18 $15 – 2 months
• $26 $20 – 3 months

Small – 2 spots available from June 3rd to June 30th 2013! (160×160 pixels)

• $5 $4 – 1 month
• $9 $8 – 2 months
• $13 $10 – 3 months

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