Hello dear friends!
I hope you are doing well in your neck of the woods.
I've been working on so many arty projects lately, including this lil' cutie...
She is a recently completed custom Blythe doll.
What this means is that I have taken a factory made doll and resculpted, painted, sanded and changed her up completely.
Changed eye chips, washed and cut hair, repainted face, etc etc.
(if you are curious about this you can google custom Blythe dolls to peek into the vast world of Blythe dolls)
I have been collecting custom Blythe dolls by different artists for many years.
They range from around $500 dollars and can go above $1000 easily.
I know, you are thinking to yourself, how is this possible?
But the time and detail is what makes them so expensive, and they are not that easy to come by.
All mine have come from Russia, as most custom Blythe artists are way over there.
Anyways, I got the bright idea that I wanted to try one out myself recently, and not only was it fascinatingly fun, it was so relaxing and enjoyable.
Since I normally sculpt my dolls from a chunk of clay, working with hard and delicate plastic was definitely interesting.
I've also been doing a lot of drawing and painting of the wonderlandish variety, which I'll share more about at the end of this post.
So, to begin customizing a Blythe doll you have to disassemble them completely.
Not the easiest thing in the world, especially the eyes.
There are so many delicate moving parts inside the head, along with springs and strings that make the eyes work, to name a few things.
So, you have to carefully take the doll apart before sanding, sculpting and repainting.
This is what she looked like before I started the sanding process.
And this was her face after I had sanded, sculpted, changed forehead, chin, nose, lips, etc.
Here's a peek into the inside mechanism after removing screws, springs and strings.
Right before I removed the eyes and changed the eye chips.
(eye chips were very challenging and had to be drilled out beyond carefully)
Then there was the making of powder pigments for her face...
I decided to change her skull cap to a more peachy hair color after coloring her face, because of the warm tones I ended up using.
And then, because I go way back as a Barbie hair cutter :-), I decided she needed a little hair cut (after washing and drying).
Remember when your mom cut your bangs as a child?
My dad cut mine once when I was around 8, and he cut them exactly in the shape of Eddie Munsters forehead hair line, it was gorgeous, (haha).
My mom and I both sobbed, so then I ended up with one inch long bangs as the repair.
Luckily it all grew back.
Unfortunately, I only had one shot with my little lass and no chance for regrowth if I messed up, eeek!
That's the thing with the face too, you only get one chance.
I worked very slowly on her bangs (fringe) because doll hair is so straight and cuts so bluntly.
Happily, it all worked out in the end, hooray and phew.
And here she is, completely done.
I had all these different elements of clothing that I put together to create one outfit.
It was such a pleasure and delight to get to put her back together and see how cute she was.
You don't really have a full idea when you just have the face plate in your hand.
Such a fulfilling project, I must say.
I understand why custom Blythe dolls are so pricey.
It takes a very long time, it is super fragile work and there are soooo many steps.
Also, you just get that one chance, and the cost of the doll and supplies and clothing really adds up.
I love trying new projects and this was a top contender in the joy department.
You just have to be super patient and delicate handed.
I've already started a couple more, but I'm not sure if I can part with them.
Maybe if I make a few.
Meanwhile I have been sculpting, I have also been preparing myself for our Mad Tea Party.
I will definitely & undoubtedly post a mad tea party this year.
You can join in if you'd like exactly as we have in previous years.
This time you can join in via your Instagram or blog link.
Or you can just pop in as a visitor.
I will give more details in a separate blog post.
But for now, we have a new little cutie in the house, hanging out in the tea room.
But the question of all questions is...
What should I name her?
Have you any idea?
If you know, then pray tell, please share.
Are you a Blythe doll collector or into Blythes at all?
Many of you know I've been making clay dolls for many years, and now am inspired to make more of my old school dolls.
That's the thing about creativity.
Once you start, all sorts of a ideas and inspirations find you.
You just have to start.
I hope you are doing well friends.
Thank you for stopping in, it means the world to me.
Love, Vanessa
See you soon!!
<3 <3 <3