Photo by sxc.hu user jenme.

I can go for long periods of time without getting any doll-related mail and then I’ll get a lot of doll-related mail all at once. When it rains, it pours! And then sometimes there’s droughts where I go through periods where I don’t get any new dolls, there’s no clothes in the mail, there’s no swap packages I’m waiting on, there’s nothing in the mail at all coming towards me that is remotely dolly related.

Some people get a little bit of doll mail all the time. Maybe a dress one week, a shirt a week or two later. There’s no periods of drought or times when they’re not looking forward to something in the mail.

How often do you get doll related things in the mail? Do you get a lot at once or spread over a longer period of time?

Image from sxc.hu user kwod.

New releases from Takara are announced at various suggested retail values. Depending on if the doll is a Simply release or not, limited in number or limited in store release – some are lower in value and some are higher. I haven’t bought any from top shops or direct from shops like Junie Moon, but some people do. Retail values can begin at approximately $150 and go up from there. Depending on the doll (and if I could get it at the original retail value), I would be willing to pay the original retail value – but if I were going on the secondhand market, I would not want to pay more than $200 over the original retail price unless it’s a much older release (like a BL or hard to find EBL) and even then, I’d be rather reluctant to do so… I’m clearly not the target audience for new releases!

What is the maximum you would pay for a new release?

Some of the dresses that I own are communal and are worn by everyone (or at least several dolls), and then there are some dresses that are only worn by a doll or two. Do you have some favourite dresses that you have that are only worn by one doll?

What are some of your favourite dresses on specific dolls?

When I’m going around local areas with just one or maybe even two Blythes, I use carrying bags (I have four carry bags from SewPixie!). When I did go around with three dolls (or more), I use a sturdy make-up case that I don’t use for cosmetics and I just recently picked up a vintage Samsonite case that I’m still cleaning up (but it’ll fit 4+ dolls!). I’m curious as to how others carry their dolls around and keep their Blythes protected.

How do you travel around with Blythe?

Imagine that you get a letter and they’re asking you to design the next anniversary doll. The only requirements is that the doll base must be either RBL or FBL. The doll must come with at least one full outfit and one special accessory that hasn’t been done yet on any other Blythe.

Previous anniversary dolls that had been done were:

• Miss Anniversary – dressed like a beauty pageant winner
• Courtney Tez by NIKE – super cute with Nike accessories and the swoop tattoo
• Art Attack – who had several outfit boxes and so much stuff
• Cinema Princess – bright red hair with princess clothes
• Darling Diva – platinum white hair, multiple outfits with those cowboy boots that everyone wants
• Princess a la Mode – beautiful teal hair, gorgeous bird cage for her dress, the reason that Alexis Emerald has been so popular
• Christina the Bride and Eleanor the Forest Dancer – beautiful outfits for both anniversary girls and two very cute accompanying Petites
• Fashion Obsession Jenna – a ‘regular’ girl with fashionista dreams, a super casual outfit (with cute sunglasses!) with a gorgeous red-carpet-ready dress
• Marabelle Melody – the Blythe that reminds me of Sailor Moon who had a trio of Simply super heroes as her sidekicks
• Ten Happy Memories – she was released along with Cherish Me Always (Middie) and Birthday Party Surprise (Petite) who make a very cute trio.

If you could design the anniversary doll, what would the doll look like and what kind of clothing and accessories would the doll have?