I have a confession to make – I binge shop when it comes to Blythe and Blythe things. Actually, now that I think of it, it’s really not much of a confession at all, is it? Blythe has been a pretty big part of my life the moment that the silver-haired Sophie came into my life. I often go through phases where I buy a lot of stuff, then a long, peaceful lull where I play mix-and-match with what I have, I do crafts and make things for the girls, and play with all of the dolly shoes that I have – and I have quite a bit. I really do love dolly shoes, for a while all I was buying was doll shoes. Squishy boots, vintage flats, more shoes, all the shoes, shoes, shoes, shoes!

You’d better bring me back a lot of stuff this time, missy!

In less than two weeks (oh-em-gee), I will be having quite the binge shop! I’m looking forward to learning about new-to-me brands, and getting to see the products made by people that I’ve already ‘met’ online (or in person!). It’s always very exciting to meet new people, and to shop at the same time! I always look forward to meeting new people, especially when they also love Blythe as well!

Do you binge shop for Blythe?

The wants and desires of the Blythe community seems to ebb and flow – but a lot of things remain high on the wishlist at times. There are certain frocks that fetch a pretty price, or they sell out within a minute of being available on Etsy. There have been helmets of all sorts, kitty, puppy, bear and sheep, that have all gone for astronomical prices that seem mildly (or literally) insane at different times. Prices for some things have remained high, while others have dipped a little due to the following disappearing. Some individuals choose to hoard it all, while others resell at a profit. Whatever the supply-and-demand situation, someone is buying and someone else is selling.

I used to have a lot of wants that I interpreted as “needs” when it came to certain designers and items. That happened more often when I had the money to spend, or the ability to justify the purchase. Nowadays, I’m more reserved about my purchases because I have more considerations to make, what with my expenses and financial obligations in life. Is this what being an adult is all about? I don’t think that I like it… Being responsible means not buying every single thing that pops up, because that would be ridiculous (and mildly stupid). There are still a few things here and there that I would love to get my hands on – primarily more separates. I’m pretty happy (for the most part) with the dresses that I own for my dolls right now, but I’d love for them to dress a bit more like me – jeans, pants, an assortment of tops. That and the Converses. I want more still. Much more.

Some desires I’ve previously had when it comes to coveting doll items were dresses by specific people, vintage Skipper flats, squishy Barbie boots. I quite love the look of vintage doll boots, so those are something that I’m always still looking for. I would personally (probably) never wear pink knee-high boots, but you never know what the future will bring!

What is the most coveted thing for you, right now?

Depending on how you count your days, there are currently 26 more days to go until BlytheCon Seattle (August 2nd, 2014 – for those curious). BlytheCon, to me, will always be a special event. I missed out on going to Dallas in 2012 and New York City in 2013, but Seattle is so close that I just can’t say no to going! It also helps that so many local dolly friends will be attending as well (and some will even be vending!).

BlytheCon 2011, which took place in Portland, Oregon, will always hold a near and dear place in my heart because it was the first time I ever met other people who collected Blythes. It was the first time I was able to truly put usernames (and real names!) to faces. It was also the first time that I met people who live near me that have Blythes. And that, kids, is how I met other local dolly enthusiasts! The Portland BlytheCon is still the only BlytheCon that I have attended, so far. Going to Seattle will mean two things for me: 1) seeing friends that I was able to see face-to-face in Portland again, and b) making new friends! I’ll be there, with some not-yet-decided dolls in tow… But more on that later!

There are many other Blythe events that happen worldwide too! What with Blythe Fest, BlytheCon UK, BlytheCon EU, and so many more. I’d love to attend others as well! But it is currently not financially feasible, but one day? Perhaps I shall be there.

Have you ever been to a BlytheCon?

A lot of people preorder dolls off of the illustrations or promotional photographs. Others will wait until ‘real’ photos start to surface of the doll in the hands of a collector, minus any “box hair”. Once the tangles are removed, the bangs evened out a bit, and the doll in a completely different outfit, the real potential of the doll really starts to come out. I remember with the Neo-and-Middie duo with the funky two-toned hair came out and a lot of people were clamouring to get them. But I hardly ever see any photos of them anymore! This may also be because I’m not contacts with the right people on Flickr, Instagram or Facebook. It would be nice to see more of these dolls, I find that a lot of the ‘newer’ releases tend to fade into the background, and it’s hard to keep up with them when dolls like Mandy Cotton Candy have similar hair colour combinations to some fake Blythes. Will the real Blythe please stand up? But I digress! Those who get on preorder lists are smart! Even if it is an impulsive decision based off of illustrations, the price that they pay sets the tone for the overall worth of the doll when it comes to the secondary market. If a new doll comes out with the price of, for example, $150, you aren’t going to see that doll go for less than that unless it is less stock items.

Apparently Cedar would like to feel some love…

For me, doll shopping has hit a bit of a lull. I have less room now, and I can afford to be more picky based on the fact that I can’t afford all of the new releases that I want (Charlotte des Fleurs, I am looking at you and all your pink poof). So I have to sit, and wait. And even if I’m not actively buying any dolls, I do have a wishlist that I hope to fulfill, one of these days, and I do keep one eye on the listings to see what dolls are going for these days. Sit and watch. Save for customs, stock dolls come up every so often and the prices do fluctuate. So far, there hasn’t been any listings that have made me want to jump up and go “I WANT YOU!”. Savvy or not, the sitting and waiting game has served me well, I think. The only thing that undermines that is the fact that I end up spending money on doll clothing or shoes instead. Which may or may not be a good thing. I’m trying to be good about not spending that much on dolly things lately – so I have more for spending in Seattle!

Are you an impulse or savvy doll shopper? (Or perhaps an impulsive savvy doll shopper?)

When I was little, my Barbies had personalities. These personalities always changed though, depending on the story that was being told with me. If I recall correctly, my Barbies also had constantly changing names. In part because I got bored with old names, and also because I kept forgetting what I named them previously. My Blythes, in contrast, keep their names. Sophie will always be Sophie, Eden will always be Eden, Minnow will always be my little Minnow. And their personalities? I just can’t see Sophie as being anything else but a little fashionista with big dreams to walk for ‘big name’ dolly designers. Eden will always be my pink-loving little one. And Minnow… Minnow is still a bit shy about showing me her personality, but I trust that it will come in time.

Sophie & Eden Mouse.

I form personalities based on my dolls’ look,s, but also what they remind me of. Eden, from the point I saw her little bob-cut, reminded me a lot of how I looked as a young child. And since she also came with a horrible factory stock hair-cut (uneven bangs, uneven sides) reminded me even more so of me because I had cut my own bangs at a very young age. It was awful. And it is what gave Eden her little-girl personality. Sophie gained her personality pretty quick. This was partially because she was my 365 girl and was clearly in need of some kind of attitude, and her long silver locks just screamed ‘diva’ to me. But I toned her down just a smidgen, because I don’t think anyone could deal with Sophie at her most attitude-filled moments.

How do you determine personalities for your Blythes?