April 2024 issue A Little Creative Together

Letter from the Editor

Hello and welcome to the April 2024 issue of A Little Creative Together. In this second issue we are pleased to bring you more profiles of amazing doll community members in their own words.

I noticed a real theme emerging when I started laying out the profiles with doll community members taking the time to express gratitude for their creative partners and peers as well as an intention to keep the creative community the kind and safe place it’s reputed to be. I want to thank everyone for participating. I’m inspired and I know you will be too.

It is inspiring to see the collecting and creating methodologies of each creative individual featured. It is a good reminder that there is no one way to approach the hobby. Each individual will find their path to collecting, curating, and creating as they journey along. I have discovered in the past year, for example, that I feel much better about my collection when I have created thematic diaoramas to display my dolls in and I can appreciate them everyday instead of just storing them in drawers where they are underappreciated.

It is also a great reminder to stay in my own lane when collecting. We each have our individual budgets, schedules, and creative abilities we are working with, and those may change over time, but

we also might as well enjoy where we are right now. For me, staying true to myself in that regard means focusing on 1:6 scale and indulging in my loves of thrifting and hand stitching for the dolls I find as a reward for all the rest of the weekly to-do’s.

(thrifting tip: baby clothes bins, collectible, keychain, magnet, and toy bags are all favourite spots to find 1:6 goodness)

I also enjoy discussing the journey with my sister, Teresa, featured in this issue @miniaturesbyteresa. You can find our rambly discussions over at Spotify at @2sistersminiatures.

In this issue we are also pleased to feature more podcasters, youTubers, authors, artists, mini fashion designers, community creators, and event organizers. Each profile is so inspiring and I know will be a joy to read and see either someone you already know and enjoy already or someone you are excited to discover.

Whether you are likely to meet up with others in the community at the next international or regional meet-up or are focused more on attending virtual doll events, there are so many great ways to expand your knowledge of the doll world and the community you’re a part of at the same time. If you’re interested in organizing your own meet-up, you could start by tagging your photos with location

or start a discussion group on Facebook that is geographically focused. People like to attend more than they like to organize, so if you are someone who doesn’t mind taking the lead in reaching out, you will likely be rewarded by connection.

Keeping the hobby enjoyable means knowing you have years ahead to grow your skills and collection. It doesn’t have to happen all right now. (I say this having a little messily painted my new micro Barbie Dreamhouse so I’m speaking to myself too) We’re all learning and growing together.

If you have ideas for future issues email me at everydaywritingcoach @gmail.com I look forward to hearing your feedback and collaborations. For example, I love the miniature versions of the magazine I have seen on Instagram and while it’s something I thought of making, I have not made time in the schedule for it yet. But I’d love to see yours if you do so. Feel free to use the hashtag #alittlecreativetogether

You can also visit me on IG at @minisincanada If you have doll community friends who would be open to being featured or if you’d like to show us your behind the scenes workshop/photo taking process/smiling face, we’d be happy to join in your celebrating the miniature world you’re creating. Talk soon!

Michelle

Michelle Vandepol, Editor

@tinyfrockshop.

Pamela. NYC trained fashion designer turned 12” fashion designer.

I am a NYC trained fashion designer who was lucky enough to design for some of the most amazing designers including Anna Sui, Betsey Johnson and fabulous label Heatherette. In 2010, my husband and I moved to Chicago to be near family when our daughter was born. I quickly realized that there was no fashion industry in Chicago, and it was time to reinvent myself and find a new outlet for my fashion obsession. It was when I was staying in my sister’s basement for 3 months until we found a house that I wondered how I could combine my love and knowledge of the fashion industry with my love of dolls. My Mother gave me my old Barbie trunk from the 70’s and I thought, is there anyone restoring and selling old Barbie clothes? Turns out there wasn’t a store that I could find that catered to all things 12” fashion doll. From that Tiny Frock Shop was born (circa 2010); a new and resale clothing and accessory online Department store for 12" fashion dolls.

I have been a Barbie girl since I was able to walk. My Mom bought my sister and I the Barbie Townhouse in the 1970’s and I never looked back. I had a whole Barbie city with the camper, plane, boat and more! I saved up my money over many Christmases and Birthdays and ended up buying the

complete 1970s Barbie dreamhouse and all it’s furniture. Everyone thought it was a phase and that my doll obsession would subside with age but I was still playing away in 8th grade. I realized later that collecting as an adult was a thing. Through my high school years and my 20’s I bought various Barbies that interested me but I didn’t really start collecting until I opened my store in 2010.

I collect mainly Integrity Toys dolls and most of my girls work (model in Tinyfrockshop.com) but also have Barbie, Lovetones, Azone, Jamie Show Muses, a Janchor doll, Nippon, Momoko, Licca Chan, Kurhn and a few stray vintage dolls.

I have a certain style I love as far as sculpt goes. I tend to go with more edgy dolls like NuFace and Fashion Royalty but also love Misak and Poppy Parkeri! I am a sucker for all the clothes and accessories and have drawers and drawers full that are organized into categories. I love to mix all the items together and create new looks. I also collect furniture and housewares to use as props to photograph with items I sell in the store.

I have a bunch of DIY artists that I feature in the store in my Designer Collective. I love giving a platform to doll designers where I can promote, sell and style with their

items. It is a nice alternative to Ebay or Etsy for them. I also create my own TINY FROCK clothing line and accessories here and there. I am lucky enough to have friends in the NYC fashion industry still that sent me amazing European fabrics that I use and also sell so others can have access to extraordinary fabrics for their dolls and create their own looks. I love dollhouses and dioramas but unfortunately, I don’t have room for either. I made a folding diorama box that was available to purchase in my shop that helped collectors like me that have little space. It allowed collectors to play and then put away and fold flat the diorama so it isn’t taking up space when not being used. I have always been fascinated by the artists that make wood diorama rooms in 1:6 scale but even if I could afford one, I don’t have the room. Time for a bigger house!

I love that there is a huge group of people that I have an instant connection to through our love of fashion dolls. Before venturing into Tinyfrockshop.com, I never knew the adult collecting community was so large! My plan for the store was to sell to kids and their parents but I quickly realized there is a whole community of people just like me that love fashion dolls and that was a welcome surprise.

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See

Karen, Doll Photography Artist in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Started by collecting Lammily and Integrity dolls and now exclusively a Barbie photographer.

Doll photography is the art of awakening the imagination by creating an illusion of emotion and engagement where it does not otherwise exist. Tawny’s Tiny World depicts an alternate reality in 1:6 scale.

My name is Karen and I live in southwestern Ontario, Canada. I am a mom to two adult children and I just recently became a grandmother to a beautiful new granddaughter. I can’t wait to introduce her to the Barbie world; something my own daughter did not experience because believe it or not, until a few years ago I was not a fan of Barbie!Alot has changed in the last five years! When I’m not playing with dolls I work as a social worker for a large children’s developmental treatment centre, supporting families whose children have special needs. Long before I ever started to gather dolls I was really interested in photography as a hobby. In 2015 I took a photography class at our local college, which led to a decision to complete a diploma in photography. At that time I had just purchased a few Lammily dolls through a KickStarter campaign, which were promoted as a more realistic representation of today’s adults. I had no particular plan for them but started photographing them for one of my

photography assignments. I quickly realized that I loved photographing dolls as if they had come to life, and wanted to continue to do this. However, I needed dolls with more flexibility. Lammily dolls are great, but they do not have moveable joints. I started a search for dolls and initially came across Integrity dolls. At the end of my photography program I rewarded myself with four Integrity dolls and set a goal to start photographing them for personal projects. The concept at the time was very different from what it looks like now.

On December 31, 2019 as part of my plan for 2020 I created a doll photography account to share my images, truly thinking I would be one of the only people doing this. To my great surprise there were actually thousands of other people doing this! That’s how I first came to see made-to-move Barbies and made my first Barbie doll purchase. From there I started to expand my collection, and gradually moved into wanting dolls to loosely represent my family members and friends, as well as some fictional characters as other “town residents”. Over time I stopped photographing both Lammily and the Integrity dolls, although I will always keep and cherish them. My account is now

exclusively Barbie doll. I like these dolls better for photography as they are easier to pose, are more affordable, and most of all offer so much diversity. I still don’t consider myself a collector, but I buy the dolls I need or love for my photo stories and they all have names and characters. I am definitely an “unboxer” and buy dolls because I plan to use them in my story lines, so they always come out of the box! I’m up to over 60 now.

As the doll stories began to evolve I found myself needing more and more props and diorama pieces so this led me into some crafting. My husband has been a huge help in this regard, and has brought a lot of skills to the table. He helped me build my first full diorama, a kitchen, and has assisted me in many others as well. He also built me a diorama table in my new basement doll room that holds several permanent dioramas built from wooden boxes, and space for portable rotating ones as needed. I’ve gotten into sewing, jewelry making, simple furniture crafting, and accessory creation for my dolls. I avoid anything too complicated but I enjoy simple crafting. Together my husband and I are now getting involved in 3D printing as well, which opens up a lot of other options.

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Hidden away at the Dutch coast lives the Next Blythe Family. And besides all the dolls and animals you can find Lianne and Nicky Next. A mom and daughter who love to create and make items for their crazy Blythe family. Lianne is more active behind the scenes who are you ready to get to know Nicky some more?

I have been collecting my whole life and definitely got that from my mom. My mom has always shown me the most beautiful sides of collecting and also that it is a way of keeping memories, I have always loved to stroll around flea markets to find the most amazing items that fit right into my parents’ blye and white porcelain world. And my mom still has a lot of those items filled with memories and love!

When I first started with the Blythe dolls, back in 2017, I was very overwhelmed to be honest. I had seen them on a Dutch television show where someone showed their amazing collection and the history behind the dolls. I instantly loved them. But I was also afraid I would lose my interest in them after some time, ohw boy was I wrong there! So I started off with a fake Icy doll which I bought off AliExpress, along with some clothes. And fast forward to today where we have a big colorful and happy doll family, And in our Next Blythe family you

@nextblythefamily

Nicky Next (half of the mother-daughter Next Blythe Family)

Collects Blythe and fun supporting characters and loves outdoor photography and building community events.

can find a lot of dolls! Because to be honest I love to mix and match and make a little dolly world in my photos. That is why you can find Blythe in all 3 sizes, OB11, BJD, and I probably forgot some. Oops! I love to have my Blythe as the biggest size and I also love the neo on an azone jointed body instead of an obitsu one. I know that a lot of collectors love the obitsu more since it looks more like the original stock body. But I just love the chunky feel of the body and I think that it suits the type of clothes we make and love more! In regular, I love my dolls more on a jointed body so that I can get more out of the photos than their stiff stock bodies.

Is there a [standard] approach to collecting? Because I just love to collect everything and nothing at the same time if that makes sense. I love to mix and match items even when they are not the right scale. So I guess you can say that I love to collect happy, kawaii and quirky items and dolls. I don’t really think too much about buying or trading dolls. You just have to get a feeling, right?! Even when creating new items for our Blythe world it is all about a feeling and not a real approach. I guess you can call me crazy for that.

And we also have made that our job how awesome it that?! My mother creates all the dresses, overalls, and outfit sets. They are

all very colorful and you just want to smile when you see them, or at least that is what we do. But that is not all because my mom makes everything that is either made with a sewing machine or needle. So a while back we had sleeping masks, neck pillows, headbands, and all that pops up from my mom’s fantasy! And all the crochet items are made by me, Nicky. We have a lot of #nextblythefamilyanimals as we like to call them. That includes Mr. and Mrs. Giraffe, Mr and Mrs Bear and their mini Mr Bear, Mr and Mrs George, and their mini Mr George, and the new addition: the Rabbit family. But I love to crochet kawaii items like cups filled with coffee or tea and hearts to go on our headbands.

I feel soo limited with dollhouses and dioramas. This is just my personal taste and I do love to see them with other creators and collectors. I just feel like you are so stuck with the background and the feel of the photos. It is a fact that when I first started with the photos I loved to my corners and dollhouses for them to live in. But in the last year or so I have been photographing more outdoors. This is to make our daily walks more fun, but also to keep it interesting in our photos. As I mentioned before, this Blythe family is a way to make and keep memories and I just love to see

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@poshpearl Pearl.

Singapore-based doll collector & customizer. Mother to 2 daughters. Collects Barbie, Rainbow, High, Ever After High, Licca, and Integrity Toys. I started collecting Re-Ment Japan Miniatures in 2006 before I was into dolls in 2016! Dolls give my miniatures so much meaning.

Hi everyone, I’m Pearl from Singapore! Thank you Michelle! I’m so happy to be featured here! I started collecting in 2016. My two daughters were young and I got them a Kidkraft mansion dollhouse and started to custom the interiors and it was during that time we got our first articulated Barbie- Midge from Life in the Dreamhouse and our first made to

move Barbie- Purple top. We were blown away by the made to move articulations and started to collect dolls while transforming our dollhouse. The rest is history. I collect Barbie, Rainbow High, Monster High, Ever After High, Licca and Integrity Toys. I used to do a collect them all for each series, but as time goes by, I ran out of space and have decided to be

selective. I now collect dolls mainly with well made fashion, gorgeous faces and good quality hair.

You can check out my DIY at #poshpearldiyhacks . I do a variety of DIY from wardrobes, vehicles to even miniatures for my dolls to use. I also do custom doll repaint and accessories repaint. I create my dioramas within my

@bella_belladoll Izabela.

Doll photographer. Poland. Creator behind the #dollphotographybook

Doll community collaborator, @dollmeets meet-up organizer, @travelingdollpants project manager.

Focus on modern-looking Barbies and realistic photography.

My name is Izabela Kewlla. I live in a beautiful city in PolandGdansk. I was an architect, but now I'm a full-time photographer. In 2016, I discovered toy photography, which has become my passion. Since then, I have shared my photography via social media. I run the @bella_belladoll Instagram account.

In 2021, I published a book named 'Doll Photography' (@dollphotographybook), where I teach doll photography techniques and encourage people to share their passions for photography and toys.

My photos were exhibited in Poland, China, and Thailand. For the last two years, I have worked as a product photographer for Poland's most prominent fashion company, which gave me a fantastic experience. I'm a huge cat lover, and I have a twin sister, Justyna, who often assists me during the photoshoots.

I don't consider myself to be a doll collector. It has always been about taking photos of dolls more than collecting them. I got my first Barbie doll from my husband on my 31st birthday. I told him I wanted to have a Barbie as a kid. That's how my adventure with dolls started in adult life.

I like the most modern-looking Barbie, like the dolls from the

Looks collection and BMR1959. I love the Barbie Style series. I buy only the dolls that are inspirational to me. I take dolls out of the box when I want to work with them. I have only one more valuable doll still in a box - Barbie Gigi Hadid. I tried sewing and used to craft some furniture and decorative elements. But very soon, I realized that taking photos was what I enjoyed the most in this hobby. I prefer dioramas because they are easier to photograph. I love setting up new dioramas, and I do it very often. It's where I can use my architecture experience. I also use the room boxes, which I only redecorate for the photoshoots. I have one modern doll house, a gift from a friend @olulu_handmade. I'm definitely most active on Instagram, where I host the weekly Instagram game #monday4dolls and monthly challenge #imadollphotographer. I run international photography projects such as @travelingdollpants and #dollbride.

I greatly enjoy connecting with the doll community via my Newsletter, which I call Dollsletter. Each Wednesday, I write a doll-related mail. I love sharing my thoughts.

I love doll meet-ups, but not the big ones - the small ones are cozy and friendly. This is why my friend @paperinadoll and I decided to host the international doll meeting

in Gdansk, Poland, in September this year.

I have a lot of plans for 2024 and 2025, but I prefer talking about the project I have done rather than what I am planning to do. However, I chose five words for 2024 to guide me. Those are truth, courage, freedom, inspiration, and love.

I'm most active on Instagram, where I run four accounts:

 @bella_belladoll as a doll photographer

 @dollphotographybook for the book users

 @dollmeets for the doll events @travelingdollpants as a project manager

I love collaborating with talented people from our community; miniature clothes, furniture, miniatures, and accessories are all a huge inspiration. That's why I'm always open to collaboration with handmade brands.

TV interviews - were the most challenging experience related to the doll hobby I had a chance to experience. Also, I will always remember the energy that went on when I successfully finished the Kickstarter campaign. I created a crowdfunding campaign to publish the Doll Photography book, and with the support of the doll community, I had a chance to make the book real.

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@TINYFROCKSHOP

I am connected through all the social media platforms and FB groups as well as the W Club from Integrity Toys. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE doll conventions and have been lucky to attend a few Barbie Conventions and a number of Integrity Toy Conventions. It is the best way to hang with doll friends in person and you get to meet people from all over the world and country!

I am hoping to be able to get to go to the Integrity Toys Convention this year. The last real in person one was in 2019 so I am itching to see everyone! I also can’t wait to shop room sales and run mine as I have in the past. I also want to start designing more clothing for my store under my own TINY FROCK label. Creating is my passion and sometimes it gets pushed to the back burner when I also have the store to run. My customers are everything to me, so I make it a priority to always put them first.

The doll community can find me at my website

www.tinyfrockshop.com (also there is a satellite store on Ebay and on Etsy)

Instagram: @tinyfrockshop

Facebook: @tinyfrockshop

TikTok: @tinyfrockshop

Pinterest: @tinyfrockshop

Thanks to all my doll friends and for allowing me to be part of this amazing community. Thank you to all my customers that have kept my lil’ store in business for 14 years and allowed my passion to be my job. Thank you to my Mom for introducing me to Barbie all those years ago and for being my partner in Tinyfrockshop.com. It is a blessing and honor to work with you every day. I love you Mama Play and be kind. We are in a world that is volatile right now and kindness goes a long way. Xoxox Pamela

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@NEXTBLYTHEFAMILY

more of our day-to-day life in my photos. I love to look back and re-live that moment I had in the photo. So maybe I am not collecting dolls but I am collecting memories?

My favorite aspect of this hobby has to be the online world! With just one click I can see all the other Blythe lovers and their amazing photos. Sometimes you just feel like the “weird” girl that likes dolls and takes them everywhere with her. But here on my Instagram I feel normal and I can connect with people who love the same things as I do. And I love that I can make people happy and cheer them on with my photos. That does not mean that I don’t love the events and the get togethers with doll lovers, because trust me, I love to get to know you and show you our work! Going to an event for me feels like opening your Instagram and just jumping in there. Everything and everyone that you see and follow will become real for just one day, that is the magic of an event. And it still feels surreal that people will tell me, “OMG. I am such a fan of your work” or “Love your photos” because I never see myself as a person who is that important. I am just me.

We always have goals and bucket list items on our agenda! This year we have our minds all focused on the Next Blythe Event 2024 in Vlissingen, the Netherlands on April 6th. This may be the biggest bucketlist goal that I have had since starting the family. But we also have creative goals like creating more “nextblythefamilyanimals , experimenting with new outfit

patterns, finding more cute photo moments and many more. But main goal of not only 2024 but every year is spending time with my mom! Because without mom there would be no Next Blythe Family and there wouldn’t be soo much fun. She really is the best mom of the whole world. And I don’t say this too often but I am soo blessed to call her my mom!

If you want to see more of our work, our memories, or the Next Blythe Event 2024, you can find us on Instagram with the handle @nextblythefamily . I try to post every day and sometimes even multiple times a day when I have some cute close-ups. But we would love for you to get to know us and our work in our own crazy way. Hopefully you will start following us!

And as the final note for this interview I just want to say please be kind and stay kind to each other! You never know what the other person has been through or is going through at that moment. Biggest dolly hug from the Next Blythe Family.

Tips for organizing your own doll meet-up

1. meet up with a local dollstagram IG friend at a set time and place

2. Add a meet up onto an already established doll community event

3. Message potential meet-ups via DM or collect them via IG story question (ie. Who is going to the ______ event in __________?)

4. Teach a workshop for a group in your community with a dolly community adjacent skill (sewing doll clothes, building miniature furniture)

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@POSHPEARL

I found many good friends on Instagram and I have doll meet-ups locally from time to time. I really wish to do more custom accessories painting this year. The doll community can find me at: Instagram: @poshpearl

Facebook: Poshpearl’s Barbie Makeovers

TikTok: Poshpearldolls

YouTube: Posh Pearl

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@TAWNYSTINYWORLD

I definitely prefer dioramas to dollhouses, and I don’t own a dollhouse. My dioramas allow so much more flexibility. The permanent ones are all rooms in my main character’s home. Her name is Tawny and although I wouldn’t call her a mini-me, she is loosely based on me. Tawny is an artistic interpretation of my own ideal sense of self, with aspects that belong only to her, and sometimes we interact with one another in the stories. Her permanent rooms include a kitchen, living room, dining room, bedroom, and front porch. The other dioramas allow me to create scenes with people who are not in Tawny’s home – an outdoor scene that changes with the seasons, a cat café, a pub, and a local drop in centre simply known as “The Hub”. I have been blessed to meet so many amazing people through this community and made a lot of really great friends, several of whom I’ve met in real life now too, and have become close to. Definitely the whole sense of community is what I love most about this and what keeps my involved so actively. In 2022 I

actually lost my original Instagram account, @elemental_dollights, when it was taken down for no identified reason and despite numerous efforts to follow up I never got a response and never got it back. I was heartbroken to have lost everything and initially had no intention of starting over. My biggest disappointment in losing it was that I had participated in 2021 in the #travelingdollpants project co-hosted by @bella_belladoll and @dressthatdoll in which a pair of doll jeans travel around the world and each host shares pictures of the place they live as presented by their doll wearing the jeans, before passing them along to the next host. This project has not been going for five years and it was such an honour to be included and a heartbreak to lose all that I had posted. However, I had so many friends reach out to offer support and encouragement, and I missed the community so much that eventually I began again. I started over with a new name, and @tawnys.tiny.world was born! That was in March 2022, so that’s as far back as my account goes now, even though I’ve been doing this for much longer. Currently I am primarily involved with Instagram, and I do share my posts to Facebook as well, but I am not nearly as active there. I am an active member of Barbie Club International founded by @kimisbarbies and a member of the Toronto Fashion Doll Club co-founded by @plasticplot and @dollinterrupted too. I’ve been fortunate to attend the National Barbie Doll Collector’s Convention 2023 and will be back there again this year! I also connect in person with local doll friends, which is so wonderful.

My dolls goals for 2024 are to keep learning, keep growing, and keep shooting! I am always looking for ways to improve and I get so much

inspiration from the doll community. I would like to expand my range of poses, and get a bit more creative with my photography. I have also been promising people an introduction to my doll room for a long time and I’m brewing up a video series to do just that. It’s not quite ready for the reveal yet though. Meanwhile, you can find me on Instagram @tawnys.tiny.world or on Facebook under the same name. I consider my account to be a little bit of reality with a whole lot of whimsy. I try to make things look believable but in keeping with the whimsical nature it’s not necessary for me that it looks completely realistic. My doll world strives to be optimist and family friendly while addressing some real life scenarios with respectful sensitivity. I think the thing that I want to emphasize most is that we are all unique and we all bring something special to the table. I have received inspiration from so many people and I hope I’ve inspired others too. I join TONS of doll events in Instagram and I take pride in doing that because it’s my way of being able to support other accounts. It’s a personal challenge for me to see how many events and challenges I can work into a single series of photos. My record so far is 16! I do that for the joy of being able to introduce viewers to other wonderful accounts as well, so that we can all support one another even more! It’s not a competition, it’s a community and when we all support each other we all benefit from it. Much like smiles – the more you give away, the more you get! As we say in Barbie Club International, “We know that what makes us different, makes us beautiful!.” Thanks for this opportunity to share a little about me!

I’m Beth Ramsden, a 43 year old stay-at-home mum based in Scotland, who became a YouTube creator after sharing my hobbies and projects online!

I grew up with a love for dolls houses and miniatures, and never really lost that fascination, but around 2010 I discovered the world of BJD dolls through seeing the work of the ‘Enchanted Doll’ creator, Marina Bychkova online. From there I discovered a community of people customising Monster High dolls, and then through some friends who collected dolls, was introduced to Blythe.

I had gathered a small collection of resin BJDs and Monster high dolls, but since falling in love with Blythe (around 2016), they’ve been my main focus for quite a while, (though plenty other dolls have snuck in too… Rainbow High, Sindy, Licca Chan to name but a few!) Around 2020 I discovered the 1/3 scale Smart Doll through friends on YouTube, and despite resisting the urge for some time, I now have 6 of them too, as well as numerous floating heads!

To begin with, my approach to collecting Blythe was to try to have as much diversity and variety as possible within a very small number of dolls. As my collection

@bethramsden

Scotland. YouTuber. Doll Customizer and Doll Clothes Pattern Maker. Collects and creates for Blythe and Smart dolls.

grew, and I began customising and selling dolls, I found myself leaning towards a more specific style, a more natural, cottagecore or Mori, Autumnal aesthetic. Now I tend to collect and keep Blythes that either fit in with that style, or that I just fall in love with! It’s the same with my Smart Dolls, once I bought one, I wanted one in each skin tone, then fell in love with the grey vampire Transcendence, and then with the new pear shaped girls! If I fall for a new character hard enough, I’ll try to collect her.

When I started collecting dolls more purposely, I was a new mother with no job, so in an effort to keep costs down, I thought I’d learn to sew things for my daughter, and for the dolls, myself. It was through the sharing of this new hobby that I found myself starting to make videos on YouTube. I discovered a real passion for sewing doll clothes, and now love to design, draft my own sewing patterns and create all kinds of accessories and props for my dolls.

My daughter still has a few dollhouses, but since my own collection is (mostly) contained in one spare room in the house, I prefer creating portable backdrops or fold-away foam board dioramas for my dolls. I have a 1/6th scale Christmas room already, and plan

to make a sewing room, kitchen, cottage and even a 1/12th scale sewing room for my petite Blythes!

I love the way the doll community shares ideas and resources online, I feel so fortunate to have made a number of real friends through YouTube connections and collaborations. I’ve also been fortunate to be able to recently attend my first couple of doll conventions, BlytheConUK. I was able to meet with new and existing friends there, and hope to be able to continue attending new events in the future!

Looking ahead personally, I’m planning to open up to doll commissions this year. It’s something I’m asked for frequently, but feel I need to work up to in small stages, as it can be an overwhelming process. Behind the scenes, I’m working with my wonderfully supportive husband on a large doll project that he’s created, that will easily keep us both excitedly creating for many more months! I’m also watching various new Smart Doll developments with interest, and would love to add a Cortex 2 and a Male Smart Doll to my collection this year, if they’re released!

La Dolly Dispatch, an Aussie podcast hosted by the dynamic duo Annie O’Sullivan and Angelique Nicol, first hit the airwaves in August 2022. What started as a chat between two pals obsessed with Blythe dolls soon blossomed into a full-blown mission to celebrate the doll's rich history. Their podcast is a cozy space where fellow doll fanatics can geek out over all things Blythe. Dive into the hosts' own doll adventures and unravel the fascinating journey of the iconic Kenner Blythe doll to its modern counterpart, the Neo Blythe Doll. But wait, there's more! La Dolly Dispatch spices things up with chatty interviews featuring talented doll artists, creators and collectors offering fans a front-row seat to the magic behind the scenes.And to keep you in the loop,Annie and Angelique dish out weekly episodes jampacked with the latest doll world gossip. La Dolly Dispatch isn't just a podcast; it's a vibrant love letter to the whimsical world of Blythe dolls!

The team have been collecting dolls since childhood, but their passion for Blythe dolls blossomed in adulthood. They both began collecting Blythe dolls in 2009.

@ladolly dispatch

Annie (left) & Angelique (right)

Australia based podcasters. Blythe doll experts, collectors, creators, and community makers

Annie : I was on the internet and saw an image and recalled playing with this doll as a child. It belonged to a friend it was a Kenner Blythe doll. It sparked a nostalgic memory and a renewed fascination for Blythe dolls. Dolls have always held a special place in my heart since childhood. I quickly adopted a second-hand Blythe doll without much knowledge about them, I was simply drawn to their charm and kooky look. However, over time, my collection evolved, and my admiration for Blythe dolls and their history deepened. Fast forward to 2024, my collection features Kenner Blythe dolls, BL, SBL, FBL, RBL, RBL+ along with GSC, custom dolls, and various other vintage dolls and toys. I don't play favourites, but my Kenner Blythe dolls have a special place in my collection.

Angelique: My fascination with Blythe began during the early days of the internet when blogs were incredibly popular, and I was an avid blog reader. It all began when I came across a blog post by an artist showcasing photos of a Blythe doll, it captivated me, her appearance was unique. This sparked my curiosity and I explored every available detail I could find about these dolls, ultimately igniting my passion.

Acquiring a Blythe doll was no easy feat in back those days, but luck was on my side when a friend traveling to Japan stumbled upon a Blythe doll and I had my first Blythe, Heart of Montmartre. This doll holds a special place in my heart and marked the beginning of my collecting journey. My current collection boasts a diverse array of face molds, hair colours, and personalities, including three special Kenner's. While there are always favourites in any collection, I prefer not to single any out to avoid upsetting the other dolls – I adore them all equally!

APPROACH TO DOLL COLLECTING

Annie and Angelique adore any Blythe doll especially stock girls. Our passion for Blythe history greatly enhances our appreciation of of these dolls. We mostly collect dolls that appeal to our personal aesthetic, a topic we frequently discuss on our podcast. Our loyal listeners, lovingly dubbed Dispatchees, can confirm our doll obsession. Besides Blythe dolls, we also have a sweet spot for Tammy dolls, Licca, Moof, Doran Doran, vintage toys and a bunch of other fabulous finds!

Continued on page 26

I started collecting in my 20s. It was something I was always drawn to. It started with searching for an elaborate miniature dollhouse. My dad was a violin builder and had a subscription to Lee Valley, a woodworking magazine. In the early 2000s they had ads for the crazy expensive miniature dollhouse kits. They were always out of reach but a girl could dream.

Then when I had a bookkeeping job and worked in an office, I had the funds to start searching eBay for miniature items. One day I happened upon someone selling one of those large dollhouses and I purchased it and had it shipped from the States to me here in Canada.

I spent a month building, painting, and creating. I glued hundreds of tiny shingles to the roof. It was truly a labour of love. It kickstarted my passion for miniature creations.

I collect several doll lines. I have collected all three of the Extra Mini Iconic dolls. I also collect Enchanimals. I have thrifted all the Enchantimals I have. I also enjoy collecting dolls like the Na Na Na

@miniaturesbyteresa

Canada. Teresa. Miniature creator who loves creating, building and collecting all things miniature. Collects Extra Mini Iconic, Enchantimals, Ever After High, Na Na Na Surprise. Builds in scales 1:6. 1:12. 1:24

Surprise ones: the 3 inch tall ones specifically.

My approach to collecting is a mixture of brand new and thrifted. Sometimes I see a line I really want to build miniatures homes for and I buy that whole series brand new. Other times I browse our local thrift stores and am open to finding new dolls and new lines as I happen upon them and are drawn to them. That’s how I started collecting some of the Ever After High discontinued series.

I do DIY items for my dolls. Mainly I build them their own homes and I’ve also learned to sew for the ones that are thrifted and the doll is in great condition but they might be missing some or all of their wardrobe. I’ve also taken a page from My Froggy Stuff (on youTube) in her series “Does the Fit Fit?” With that series in mind, I’ve discovered lots of dolls whose clothes are easier to purchase who fit my thrifted dolls. I really enjoy that.

I have a deep love for dollhouse. But I am currently creating more diaoramas. As I collect my dolls, I often make them a diaorama such

as a living room, a kitchen, and outdoor porch, or a little library. I also have some builds that are sort of in between a dollhouse and a diaorama such as the studio apartment I built for one of my Extra Mini Iconics.

My favourite aspect of the doll community is the connecting with others who have a love for collecting and miniatures. I connect with the doll community on Instagram and YouTube and at some larger events.

My doll goals for 2024 are to continue to build miniature homes and more diaorama scenes for my doll collections.

The social media platforms you can find me on are Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify. On Instagram, you can find me @miniaturesbyteresa and onYouTube you can find me at 2 Sisters Miniatures and on Spotify you can find the podcase for 2 Sisters Miniatures.

Thank you Michelle for creating this wonderful magazine that highlights the doll community and gives us one more place to connect and discover other collectors and creators in this community.

Continued from page 16

@bethramsden

If you’d like to see more of my creations, you’ll find me over on YouTube, where I release weekly doll videos, of sewing tutorials, crafty how tos and much more! My channel name is Beth Ramsden. I’m also active on Instagram @bethramsden and love to connect there with creative viewers who have tried out my patterns! For those who already follow me there and want more, I have a Patreon page, where I share behind the scenes posts, exclusive videos, projects and freebies!

I’m having so much fun sharing my creative passions with dolly friends online, it really fulfils me so much. I love to see what everyone’s making, and being inspired by, and I just hope you’re all having fun with it too!

Continued from page 18

@ladollydispatch

Their individual approach goes like this...

Angelique: I lack a specific method to my collecting, if I love it and I can afford I'll make the purchase and add it to my collection! Having said that I have a soft spot for a stock Blythe doll, I adore their youthful appearance! I have kept many dolls from my childhood and discovered many dolls in recent times that I never knew about in my youth, like Tammy. She has such a retro vibe to her that I just have fallen in love with. These other dolls have become a important part on my collection sitting next to my Blythe girls. I love how they complement one another in a kitschy kind of way.

Annie: My 2024 collection features Kenner Blythe dolls, BL, SBL,

FBL, RBL, RBL+ along with GSC, custom dolls, icy dolls, Moof dolls and various other vintage toys with the occasional bear. My philosophy is to collect items that truly resonate with you and not get swept up in trends. Through experience, I've learned that the dolls I have instantly fallen in love with are the ones that remain in my collection. My collecting approach focuses on understanding the value and authenticity of each doll and how it may appreciate over time. Unfortunately a counterfeit Blythe doll, no matter how attractive or accessible, will lack value in the future unless it has been customized by a skilled artist. Lastly, always prioritize quality over quantity when adding to your collection!

COLLECTOR MAKERS

Angelique: I run La Petitte Chouette on Etsy, where I craft handmade clothing and accessories for Blythe and Tammy dolls. This creativity has been a constant since the start of my Blythe doll adventure. Initially, I sewed outfits for my personal use due to the hard to find nature of options in the early days. Overtime, I thought I could make a little bit of extra income to fund the purchasing of new girls ( a motivation shared by many I think). When time permits I continue on the venture not only for making a few dollars but I genuinely enjoy the process of crafting and creating.

You can find my creations in my Etsy store called La Petite Chouette and you can follow me on instagram at lapetitechouette33

Annie : I am a part time artist , doll customiser and creator of accessories for Blythe and other dolls. You can find my

dolly creations in my Etsy store called aniO and you can follow me on Instagram for updates at anio_official

Apart from customising, I create hand knitted Koala Hats for Blythe and other dolls. Sadly, I cant sew and when I need to dress my dolls with clothing or accessories I cant make, I prioritize buying fashions/ accessories from the many talented local artists or I buy second-hand. I also try to make an effort to be conscious of the planet and resources.

We adore the artistry of both Doll Houses and Dioramas. The history of the doll house is fascinating and the playful delights of a diorama is always so much fun. We admire individuals who dedicate time, patience, and effort to craft intricately decorated dollhouses and room boxes. Although not actively involved in the dollhouse hobby, we delight in browsing the internet to marvel at the creative skills of others. Throughout the years, we have visited numerous dollhouse exhibitions solely to appreciate the craftsmanship and innovation showcased.

Our dolly community holds a special place in our hearts as it has given us friendships that we may not have otherwise had! Locally, we make an effort to regularly meet up with dolly friends at cafes, parks or hosted events. We have made many wonderful connections that are very special to us. Spending an afternoon immersed in lively dolly conversations is truly delightful! On a larger scale Australia boasts a vibrant Blythe doll community. We have a significant event, Australia's very own Blythe Fest, which has been

running since 2009. This long-standing community-oriented event is eagerly anticipated annually. The upcoming themed Garden Party event is scheduled for 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. We are excited to reconnect with our fellow Blythe doll enthusiasts and meet our international visitors!

La Dolly Dispatch uses Instagram as we find it’s a brilliant platform for connecting with peeps from all over the globe. It also provides glimpses into how others engage with their dolls, dress their dolls, love their dolls and spying the latest trends in the dolly world. That can be a huge inspiration for us artistically as well. The platforms messaging and translation options come in handy, enabling us to communicate with collectors that may not share our language. We believe Instagram is a valuable tool to stay connected and informed within the global Blythe community! If we were asked the same question in the 2000's it would be forums and Flickr.

Our team at LaDollyDispatch is dedicated to delivering highquality podcast episodes that entertain and educate our valued audience. We strive to cover a wide range of dolly topics that spark curiosity, inspire conversations, and provide valuable insights.

PERSONAL GOALS

Angelique: My dolly goals are to play more, be more present with my dolls. I have a lovely collection but sometimes life’s duties get in the way of them and they are the last thing that I think about. I never say never about not adding to my collection or moving girls on, it’s much like New Year's resolutions,

plans may evolve, and I'm willing to let fate guide those decisions.

Annie : This year, my doll-related goals will focus on organization, reassessment, and restoration. I plan to organize my display, re-evaluate dolls that I have neglected and restore my overlooked Kenner Doll.

La Dolly Dispatch Podcast can be streamed for free on all streaming platforms

Link here - https:// www.buzzsprout.com/2032995

Instagram- https:// www.instagram.com/ ladollydispatch/

LDD Merchandise: https:// www.redbubble.com/people/ LDDPODCAST/shop

La Dolly Dispatch dolly shop: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ LaDollyDispatch? ref=nla_listing_details

Annie O’Sullivan

Instagram: anio_official https:// www.instagram.com/ anio_official/?hl=en

Shop: Etsy aniO aniO - Etsy Australia

Angelique

Instagram: lapetitechouette33

https://www.instagram.com/ lapetitechouette33

Shop: Etsy- La Petite Chouette

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ lapetitechouette33

Our mission? Spreading joy through awesome content

every week and building a strong bond with our fantastic dolly gang! We adore our lively Blythe community and cherish every chance to chat with you all. Our goal?

Creating a happy space where everyone can geek out about Blythe dolls. Fancy talking Blythe on our podcast? Dive in and hit us up!

@TINYFROCKSHOP