My Barbie growing up never had a boyfriend – there was no Ken in the house, nor was there an appropriately sized male doll to take Ken’s place. Officially, Blythe is a star like Barbie. Sure, she’s got some younger sisters – but there is no official boy Blythe around. Blythe is to Barbie as Middie is to Skipper and Petite is to Kelly. But what of the Ken counterpart?

Boy Blythe custom on the right by Debby/lace52000.

Many customizers, both new and old to the craft, have tried their hands at revamping the style of a Blythe to look more masculine, or just young and boyish. The first thing that definitely needs to go is the stock Blythe body – after all, a boy Blythe doesn’t need a girlish figure. But what other options are there for doll bodies? Licca is out, so is the Neemo bodies that I have seen (unless there is a male version that I’ve never seen?). I’ve seen several customs that have actually used Bratz Boy bodies to seal the deal. Bonus? Bratz Boys can be found at thrift stores, and I’ve definitely seen bags (and bags, and bags) of Bratz Boys (and Girls) shoes available. Yes, they are oddly peg-legged, but one cannot be picky when it comes to finding a body that works for the doll’s new gender.

Like with all custom work, I can always appreciate the time, effort and skill that went into changing a Blythe from girl to boy. Because it is a skill that not everyone can successfully pull off. Trying to make a doll look more boyish is hard, especially with a face like Blythe’s. For me and my collection, I don’t think I’ll be adding a custom boy doll. It’s like with a lot of custom work – it’s far better for me to appreciate it than attempt to own due to cost and how I see new comers fitting into the existing family.

Blythes will be like the Barbies I had when I was younger – all girls and no boys allowed!

What are your thoughts on boy Blythes?

Once in a while, I consider adding dolls of other varieties into my doll family. And by others I mean of the not-Blythe variety. That means not the Kenners, the Neos or ADGs, Middies or even Petites (Takara or LPS). I mean completely different dolls. And I have added quite a few, although they don’t typically get their own Flickr sets, any regular photos or even names sometimes. But they are part of the doll family, so they should get a little bit of a mention from time to time – even on a blog all about Blythe. What I would like to do is add a (modern) Licca and a (vintage) Skipper to the family. I’m a bit wary of adding dolls that won’t already fit at least part of the clothing and shoe collection. This is partially why I haven’t gotten more Middies, because there’s not enough clothes to go around!

Besides the Blythes, and other size variations of the brand, I have 6 Monster High dolls (2 are not pictured as they are still in their boxes) and one BJD (who wasn’t about to fit herself onto the couch). I didn’t include figurines, even if they were jointed, because I don’t really consider them to be dolls.

What are the “others” in your doll family?

Image from sxc.hu user Egilshay.

It’s exactly one month until Christmas Day! Are you mentally freaking out now that I’ve mentioned it because you still have a lot of shopping to do? Personally, I am! Between now and Christmas, I’ve got two weeks left of classes, one week of finals and then one week where I have the possibility of going shopping for gifts. Every year I tell myself that I’m going handcraft all the gifts that I give people.

How many times that it actually work out? Not very often (ever, actually).

My birthday is fairly close to Christmas. Not in the same month, mind you, but it’s close enough that I tend to get a lot of things that I’ve already wanted so Christmas is just gravy for me. More chocolates? Yes, please! I tend to get some things that I need, rather than want. The Blythe that I had received for my birthday is also my Christmas present from my parents, so I already know not to expect another doll for Christmas (although I do so wish for that BL that I still do not have in my dolly family – Aztec Arrival, Sunday Best or Mondrian…). And I’ve already bought myself some things throughout the year and recently, so I’m not likely to buy myself something either. I’d treated myself to some books recently, and some yarn that I haven’t even touched yet back in the summer, and a set of knitting needles – all the better to knit dolly things from!

So what’s on my holiday wishlist this year? I am so glad that you asked!

• Simply Guava stock shoes (the hot pink Converses)
• Nude doll stockings – I have several dolls that don’t have (permanent) stockings on still
• A decent unscented hand cream – obviously for me!
• Hot chocolate mix and mini marshmallows
• Snow on Christmas Day – I’m very okay with it if it all melts away by the morning of December 26th

What I’m most looking forward to this holiday season is baking cookies (many, many cookies!) and to spend time with friends and family. And perhaps even putting the dolls into some new(!) outfits for the holidays.

What’s on your holiday (dolly?) wishlist?

Meet Minnow!

If all Blythes were created equal, there wouldn’t be soaring popularity and matching prices for some while others remain unsold for days or weeks at a time. There will always be those dolls that can command higher prices (Margo Unique Girl, I’m talking to you!) and those who are not as heavily appreciated (that would be some of the Aubrey incarnations, Frosty Frock who tried so hard to be like Saffy). For me, it’s typically the stock make-up and hair that draws me in the most. I’m not particularly drawn in by the eyechips (especially stock ones), because I do have the meager skills needed to change eyechips all on my own. But rerooting? Or making the dolls all pretty with new face-ups? That is well beyond my capabilities at the moment – so I look for dolls with faces and hair that I like. I can do basic touch-ups on factory hair cuts though. It takes either skills or money to have a customized doll – of which that I have neither right now.

My newest addition is Hi-Ho Marine!, who was a birthday gift to me from my parents. I wanted Hi-Ho Marine because of her bright sunshiney hair. And she has the brightest cheeks I’ve ever seen in Flickr photos. If you don’t

What draws you to a stock doll?

Take a moment to think about events that have happened, and those that are happening right now. Remember the lives lost for the freedom that we can enjoy today.

What do you like to remember on November 11th?