Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Virtual Blythecon Calgary 2020

   Last weekend, Blythe collectors enjoyed Blythecon Calgary 2020. This year the format was virtual because of the pandemic, but that didn't keep us from enjoying ourselves. We had so much fun and learned from vendors, and some Blythe experts, many interesting and useful things about our favorite doll.

The art concept was created by Stephen Egts from Total Babesville.


    Kimberly Cook*, Mara Cecconi Langmann and Naomi Owen organized a very friendly virtual convention in very little time and was succesful thanks to the collaboration of all the attendees, vendors and presenters. The team used Facebook Groups as their platform and resolved any doubts that attendees had during the 2-day event, making the experience a very enjoyable one. 



Blythecon Schedule

Blythecon Calgary 2020 started with the welcoming in charge of Kimberly and she started with Gift Bag draws which was a very transparent way of sorting the wonderful donations between the attendees. This way every one got a cute prize in their goody bags. 

Florance Simpson from MizzfitzDolls showed us her creative process and awesome outfits, Spain was present with Sulay from A Day in Lilliput and her cute designs for Blythe and similar dolls like Pullip. Melissa Caughey from My Cassie Rae introduced us to her lovely creations, followed by Barbera Ploeg from Casa Ochenta who showed us her artistry in different media, Kelly from Dollies love dresses with her wonderful display and beautiful dresses, and Kathy Nuttal from Sailor's Tales who shared some lovely knitted clothes and outfits. Ezrael Maher, whose dollies are available at Groove Kitchen, gave a brilliant talk about resin, inmediately followed by Lynn Marie from Alter Ego Dolls. Sara Ricer of Mountains and Clouds invited us to watch her pottery process using a mini pottery wheel! Sandra Coe from Motor City Dolly was the last presenter for Saturday and showcased her Little Blythe on the Prairie series. So cute!

Sunday was equally fun with the following presentations: Ruth Carlson from Eurotrash 💓!!! Casie from Bebe Blythe Co and all there is to know about customizing, Heidi Barto from HCB Dolls showing us her beautiful creations, Jen giving us a virtual walk through her Gallery at Earth Angels Studios, Splatter Girl UK and her wonderful custom dolls, Charlene McMann from Jojo's Little Moppet Shop with a very important Blythe 101 class, and last but  not least, Becca with The Kenner Corner Class. 

The vendors offered a wide range of products, including accessories, clothes and even custom dolls! Most of the sellers also offered exclusive discount codes for the Convention!

You can find them at @blytheconyyc2020





Did you attend? Show us your loot! Tag us on instagram! @kusibonsuess




*Kimberly is an avid Blythe collector and also admin to various Facebook groups like Bad Blythe DealsUnited Nations of BlytheBlythe Pay It ForwardQueen Bees Dolly BoutiqueBlythe Canada and Blythe Calgary.

Update: Names of the Blythecon Calgary Team were added and a new image of the 2-day schedule. 

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Starting a Doll Collection

    If you are thinking of starting a collection there is something you should know . . . collecting can be so much fun that it's easy to get so caught up that you lose track of time. 

Doll collecting is a joyful experience, that I can guarantee! 

Blythe dolls and hybrid friend. 


    But why collect dolls? I believe people collect dolls for many different reasons. Some simply admire the craftsmanship and beauty of individual dolls, others focus on their historical value, and others are more interested in their resale value. There are also those who collect dolls to express a connection to a favorite character or media franchise, sometimes one that they remember from their childhood. In other words, people collect what they like and what makes them happy!
Many aspects of doll collecting are frustrating, for those starting their collections and for seasoned collectors alike. Maybe the doll you like is sold out everywhere or doesn’t fit into your budget. Maybe you find so much info about a doll that you don't know where to start or what to believe. Or maybe you get lots of stares from friends and family because you collect dolls and not something “normal.”
Let's remember that doll collecting should be an enjoyable activity that connects you with fellow collectors and lets you share your passion. You can learn from the people you meet, discover new dolls, and help each other cope with difficult times.

If you ask me for tips on starting a doll collection, these are my first thoughts:
  • Find your style: Are you into porcelain, vinyl, resin, baby dolls, BJDs, fashion dolls, or a bit of everything? It's better to start small and curate your collection from time to time. 
  • Search in dedicated Facebook Groups: There’s a group for every type of doll! Just follow the rules, ask questions, and I can assure you that there is always someone willing to help. Request membership to at least two groups of each kind of doll you collect, you can learn a lot from different audiences.  
  • Collecting is not hoarding. If you think your collection is getting too big and becoming overwhelming rather than joyful, it's time to let go of some of your dollies. Think about the joy you could provide to fellow collectors if you sell some of your neglected dollies.  
  • Dolly people are diverse. There is always a mix of feelings when you enter a community and the doll community is no exception. Always be polite and remember to be compassionate, some doll collectors are dealing with difficulties and dolls help them cope. Treat others as you want to be treated. If you have a bad experience with another collector please don't give up there are many welcoming and down to earth collectors and you will definitely make some good dolly friends. 
  • Stay away from smoke. If you find a dolly and has a great price please look for any imperfections before buying it, like smeared makeup, odors like smoke or mold, lose limbs, missing plugs of hair, body decoloration, cracks and if the doll has any kind of mechanism check if it's working properly. If you are not into restoring dolls and the dolly has any kind of imperfection take into consideration you'll need to spend some money in to repair it. 
  • Be patient and don't buy in a hurry. There are always good deals online, and if you are a member of a doll group some collectors post their dolls up for sale all the time. If you use Paypal select paying for Goods and Services rather than Friends and Family, the later doesn't offer you buyer protection.
  • Have fun! You're free to play with your dolls, sew or knit some clothes for them, find creative ways of displaying your collection, take some nice pictures, and share them with the world. 

Small Petworks doll collection.


Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Hello again!

Hi there!

The world has changed drastically and I'm getting tired of binge-watching 😁, so I thought it's time for me to get back at writing and maybe back at the youtube channel, we'll see!

I'll be here more often sharing with you my doll collection, new dolly additions, and some crafts. Also, don't forget to follow me on Instagram, and if you have any suggestions or want to ask something doll-related just let me know in the comments! 

Remember to wear your mask. We're all in this together!


Petite Blythe Red Apple with Scentennials Bear and Dress by Cammy

Shop Update!

 Hi there!  I've been busy working on some projects, and one of them is dolly related! I made these little sets of hand-knitted clothes ...