Little Brown Blythe

Yea! I've completed my fourth Blurb book. This one features some process pictures of all the Black Blythes I've made thus far.

Reya Light

Neige

Ramona Rae

Angora Lee (WIP)

It's not a how to book. It only features pictures but I'm sure that one could gather a vague idea of what it takes to make a Black Blythe by studying it. Essentially, it's just an introduction to these four lovely dolls, what their parts looked like before and after. I just love making Blurb books. This one is about forty pages or so with a small trim size of about 8' by 8.5'.  I had a pretty clear vision for the subject matter, the layout and the sequence with which the photos would appear. I've tried to keep it simple and I really like it.

The last book I did which was on Blythe as well was a bit too jumbled and confused because I got really overwhelmed with all the templates, fonts and designs that Blurb has to offer. I wanted to use them all at once. But with LBL, I was able to settle on a definitive design scheme fairly quickly and although I proofed it and looked it over quite a bit, it really didn't take as much time as my last three books did. 

It is a novelty book of course, as many photo essays are but I'm proud of it. I think that, like the Blythe Doll itself, LBL has the potential to inspire creativity and spark imagination and even possibly create some enlightening discourse. Please got to the link below to check out the preview in my Blurb book store.

Enjoy!

</param         Little Brown Blythe by Zenzile Greene | Make Your Own Book

A smile begins

A smile begins
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

Sometimes I wonder what Hamsa is thinking about. I really do.

When Ramona Rae met Princess Chunyendu

I think this may have been one of the most intimate gifts I have ever made for anyone. It did tug at me emotionally to see Ramona Rae go but I was equally if not more thrilled to see Cece's face when she finally pulled her out of the box! Oh, words can't describe it! She kept joking about how it was like Madonna getting the baby from Malawi. But seriously, it really was like that! LOL!!! No seriously. And I had so much funny packing Ramona up, writing instructions for her and printing a picture card of her to go on the front of her box.  Okay, I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. How insane!

Anyway, play dates are definitely in the near future. She lives so close by, it's summer, we've got the park, the beach... so many photo ops! We love and miss you Ramona Rae, and we'll see you soon. Take good care of your new mommy!

"Farewell Ramona!"

"Farewell Ramona!"
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

Ramona Rae is all packed away and ready to meet her new mom tomorrow. All the girls got together this morning to say good by and wish her a safe journey. We really are going to miss her. She's been so fun to work on and to have around. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Bye Ramona! Stay in touch!

Ramona Rae: Mission Complete

ADAD 94/365: Ramona Rae
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

There's a tiny snag in the way her sleep eye mechanism is working but I'll fix that this week. I imagine it's because her mech is just slightly different than a Blythe but it's no big deal. I absolutely love her! I am so close to buying another one I cannot tell you! I mean they are so cheap and easy to customize. The paint dries on Blybe face plates like a dream! And I don't have to worry about the body ever! It dries perfectly! Oh oh oh!!! I'm getting kind of excited now.

There's no doll like Ramona Rae. I have watched her come to life before my eyes! I think it must be the eye chips. Eye chips can totally transform and give life to a doll. I never really know how that's going turn out but with Ramona, it's been nothing but joy from the beginning. She's sweet, mysterious, wholesome, playful and curious and I will miss her so much when she goes to her new home this weekend but we'll be sure to visit as much as we can.

: )

Ramona's Eye Chips

Three sets of Ramona's eye-chips are already selected, but for the last pair I wanted to try something a little more daring. But her new mommy has to have final approval.

There are two choices for  the last set. One is a set that has two butterflies. The other has like a bunch of butterflies and sparkles. They are definitely more abstract than regular eye chips and they kind of freaked me out initially. I got them last year along with a set that I had ordered for Reya. I never dreamed that I would ever consider using them. But now I really like them.

She's almost done! This is it! All she needs are her new eyelashes and I can pack her off to her new home! Thank God she lives nearby. LOL!

2313 (for gina)

2313 (for gina)
Originally uploaded by valentine westphal

I don't think I need to say anything do I? This woman is amazing. Just seeing her new creations pop up in my flickr contacts list makes my entire day! "Oh, let's see what Valentine is up to..."
WOW!

It's the best!

Blythe Meet NYC 2!

Taken by Esmereldes

Last weekends Blythe Meet was at  the Arte Cafe a lower level restaurant on 173rd street between Columbus and Amsterdam. Mellisa got us tables in a large wonderfully lit room all the way in the back where we could see through adjacent glass doors into the garden that was next to us. I'm always curious about what the waitstaff thinks when over twenty women of varying ages arrive at a restaurant with God knows how many big headed big eyed dolls.But that was just a thought that flitted in and out of my mind because I became way too preoccupied with those beauties myself.

I got there at 1:30 on the dot perhaps earlier actually but I was drawn into Urban Outfitters for about five minutes or so before I walked up to Arte. I can't be on 72nd without going in there. It's hopeless. Getting to the meet early was great because I got to sit down, lay out my dolls (Reya, Neige, Molly and Hamsa) and see people as they arrived which was wonderful. Mellisa was already there of course with all her amazing dollies. Erica showed up about half an hour later with her daughter Angelica who I've seen in so many of her pictures and looks just as sweet in person. Linda, or Hollychan was there with her daughter as well. I had been conversing with her over flickr mail and she had expressed so much excitement at the prospect of seeing Reya and Neige that I couldn't wait to meet her myself. Hollychan makes these wonderful kimonos for Blythe and her Factory Blythe, Holly was just amazing. Those factory prototypes have really been some of the most beautiful Blythe I've seen on flickr lately.

 Holly

Simone

Hollychan and her daughter sat to to my left while Esmereldes sat to my right with her very first Blythe Doll, Simone who is a Simply Guava Blythe chilling out in front of her. She collects Pullip dolls but I think the Blythe craze may be catching on for her. It was great talking with her as well about how she got started with this. It was a bit laid back for a bit but that didn't last very long as woman started pouring in with their dolls in tow. We had to have the waiter pull out another long table!

Ellie

Philosophia (flickr handle) was sitting across from me just a space or two to my right and her friends' doll, Ellie just blew me away. I took about ten pictures of her! My four dolls got a lot of play and pics taken by Hollychan and I think, overall they got to mingle a lot more than last time.

Like the first meet I quickly became overwhelmed with all the eye candy and had to get up with my camera  just to see what I was missing on the other ends of the table.  I know I missed seeing a ton of dolls, especially after the food came and everyone sat still to eat. I for one was starving and wasn't moving anywhere until I was done. I loved seeing all the dolls crowded together to make room for plates of waffles and omelets and drinks and such. It's just so funny! And I mean, really, that's one of the many things I love about Blythe is how funny she is; funny, ironic, improbable. And seeing all these dolls, so many of them skillfully customized and altered, was like seeing so many other unknown personalities projected onto their figures.

We didn't get a chance to go to Central Park I don't think. I left before everyone else had cleared out. But the nice weather had held up us until after three when it started drizzling. I really enjoyed it though. I'm looking forward to the next one. Hopefully, we make it to the park next time.

Hamsa, Neige and Jewels, one of Erica's Blythes

I think that someone should arrange a Blythe customizing workshop for the next meet. I really do. I think it would be great fun! I need to see what I can do about making that happen.
: )

Check out the rest of my pictures of my second NYC Blythe Meet here!

Intergalactic Angora

Intergalactic Angora
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

I'm not sure when I decided that Angora Lee would be from another planet. Probably around the time I purchased glittery gold acrylic paint at Michaels yesterday. I wasn't sure what I would use it for. I just knew I had to buy it.

I love glitter and sparkles. I always have. I'm starting to wonder now if Angora's mohair really goes with a spacey look. I know it's crazy to even think of doing another mohair re-root and it would definitely mean pushing my date for putting her on the market further up but it's just a thought. Having disco ball lips makes really ups the ante on having hair that's equally exciting. We'll see.

Coming up next: Yesterday's NYC Blythe Meet at Arte Cafe!

Ramona Nudes Mosaic

Ramona Nudes Mosaic
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

I was doing some touch ups on Ramona's torso this morning and switching out her horrible Blybe eye mech for Angora's who has graciously agreed to sacrifice them (I have a new pair coming in soon) when this wonderful photo shoot just unfolded out of no where. Ramona Rae is surprisingly soulful and sweet. She had all her angles down and knew exactly where the light was. I'm sure her new mommy will be so proud of her!

Fifi Custom Order

Originally uploaded by мαιяα αяüιsн✿

Did I ever mention that I was a bit Pet Society crazed? I am. I actually have two Facebook pages, one for me and one for my Blythe Doll stuff under Reya Light. I have Pet Society accounts on both, but the veteran of my Pet Society on my Facebook page: my pet Fifi.

A few months back on in the flickr "Pet Society" pool, I spotted a Blythe Doll wearing a t-shirt with a PS character on it and flipped. I filed it away but never forgot it. I was reluctant to reach out to the maker because I think she is Spanish and I noticed all of her descriptions were in Spanish as well. I was afraid that maybe she was not fluent enough in English and I didn't want to take the chance of sounding like a moron. But I just couldn't get over that shirt so I contacted her last week using a little of my terrible rudimentary Spanish and asked her if she could make one for me.

It was simple as anything. She was super friendly and told me what the size of the image should be and just today uploaded a pic of the finally product shown here and ready to be shipped out to yours truly.
WOO!

Hamsa in the Garden Series Postcards

Hamsa in the Garden Series Postcards
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

New "Hamsa in the Garden" postcards just arrived from snapfish today. I'm really happy with the way they came out. These pictures really don't do them justice at all. I was afraid that my editing of them might ruin the actual print quality but the effects really come through nicely on the card stock. Go get yours at "Blythe Post," my etsy shop!

Reya

Reya
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

Dolly Mail! Our House of Pinku dress arrived today! There will be more tomorrow as indicated by the UPS sticker on my front door this evening,

One day I have to write a Haiku for Reya. I love her so much! Love the way she photographs! I think an anniversary is in order soon, the anniversary of the first day I made her. Oh, does that sound wierd? Haha! Deal with it.
: )

Dreamy re-roots by Sherri

I marvel at Sherri's work! I just marvel!! She is just the best at this! Clean, neat, like magic!!! It's like a meditation. I know how hard it is so the fact that she makes it look so easy is a testament to her artful perfectionism.

This is a thermal saran re-root showing the gradations of color as heat temperature changes or is applied to the hair.

*SIGH*

Angora Lee Preview

I have only about a row and a half to go. The closer I get to finishing, the longer it seems to be taking, But I plan on finishing by the weekend at least.  And you know what? I would definitely do this again. I really like the way it's turning out a lot. And I think next time I will use the mohair more sparingly then  did this time. I think I could have had a lot more left over if I hadn't stared off with such thick plugs. Even thin plug, once they dry are nice and fluffy and all together they make nice thick tufts of full rows of hair.

I haven't decided what to do with Angora's lips but I want them to be simple, sweet and magical. I will be looking at the customs and reaching out with questions as to the best medium to use for lip painting. And yes, when she is done, I will be selling her. I need to support my habit people.

Dolly Mail!

These came in the mail today and they could not be more perfect! The brown "squishy" boots are so stylish and the yellow coat is so soft and the details are so fine. I want that coat in my size! It's so seventies! They actually go together perfectly. Molly is still wearing them both.

In other news, I've had to order some emergency parts from Lena on ebay for my latest doll customs and I hope they get here in a timely fashion. I'm just glad she had them actually. That woman's got everything. I just wish she wasn't so far away. I wish there were more Blythe sellers in the U.S. period. That would at least cut down on astronomical shipping prices and long waits for item arrivals. But until then,  I must do what I must.

Licca Brown!!!!

It worked!!  I could kind of tell just from the smoothness of the original unpainted texture that it might take the paint successfully. What I have noticed so far, is that of the legs of the body are already sticky, such as the Takaras normally are, chances are the spray finish is going to be sticky as well. I guess it also helps that I sanded this one as much as I could to prep it. I also washed  it with soap and water and let it dry first as instructed by Jaszmades site.  So I'm a little hopeful now, that second Licca body may work out as well although the legs on that one are more of a velvety smooth texture. I noticed that one of them says China on the back and the other says Japan. Perhaps the manufacturing is different because of this. The other one is a whiter body. The one above was more pinkish.

 Originally, I wanted this body to go to Angora Lee, the Black Blythe with the gold lids and mohair re-root that I plan on selling but there are a few little flaws in the body you can't see from this picture; lightness in the upper right shoulder, a small nick in the lower torso, nothing really noticeable and nothing I can't touch up but I don't know, I might feel weird putting it on the market. I may give this one to Neige whose Takara body is just a wreck. I'll have to see how the second Licca body custom goes this weekend. The re-root is coming along by the way. But the closer I get to finishing, the slower I seem to be moving. I'm trying to stretch the mohair I have left by using smaller sets of plugs which seems to be working. I also feel like I'm really getting a feel for the rhythm of the way a scalp re-root is supposed  to be done. 

I have suffered some minor damage doing this, but damage nonetheless. In the beginning, I was stabbing the heck out of my left index finger with the crotchet needle whenever I would pass it through the inside of each hole to pick up a hair plug. I was literally gouging out a crater in my finger for a few weeks. And the index finger on my right hand suffered burns from dragging the needle on it while pushing the head through the holes on the inside of the scalp. Now though, I've developed a nice and easy system where I can find the holes and push through slowly without piercing my finger every time and still keep up a nice flowing pace. At this point, I've probably built up protective callouses anyway. LOL!!  I cannot wait for it to be over. I just wanna see how it will look already! It's so much hair!

2293 (for zenzile)

2293 (for zenzile)
Originally uploaded by valentine westphal

GOT ONE!!! H.O.P. dresses fly off the shelf like hotcakes!! I wish I could have literally every other one! There's no way to know when they're going to post and you have to be be super quick getting them in your cart on Artfire. I don't even understand how i got this one. I think this makes my fourth H.O.P. dress. I believe I'm on her commission list for another one.

Now if I can just get a couple more Button Arcade dresses! H.O.P. and B.A. dresses are just too addictive!! I'd like to say that I will soon be done but I can't really cut myself off cold turkey. Even more addictive than the dresses themselves is the deep gratification of winning one.

Merlotte's

Merlotte's
Originally uploaded by suzanaity

Just a reminder that "True Blood" is coming back on the 13th!!!! *SIGH*
Oh, I can't wait!!!

ADAD (A Doll a Day 365 on flickr)

Remember when I was doing Blythe 365 on flicker? It was a photo challenge that required all participants to take one picture of one Blythe doll a Day for a year. Reya, my selected doll and I failed on day 47. I can't really explain to you the pressure to be creative with one doll each and every day for days leading into months. I really admire those who succeed with it and really enjoy seeing their work.

Several weeks ago I dedicated myself to yet another 365 challenge; A Doll a Day. This one has been going much smoother because it allows me to take a picture of any doll I have, at least one, every day for a year. I'm on day 75 and don't feel any pressure at all. I had the terrible habit on occasion of forgetting and submitting photos to the pool after midnight but it doesn't seem be a problem. Check 'em out of you like.

My Shopportunity

Once there was a little online shop called Blythe Desires based in the UK. I got great eyechips, stockings, a cute hat, cowboy boots and maybe more stuff there near the beginning of my Blythe Doll fixation. In the past month or so though, the owner has shut down the store and in is "giving up the hobby. Poo. Except!!! She's getting rid of everything in a great sale on PP! Plastic Paradise y'all! I finally caught an early posting of some cute stuff and snagged some goodies right away. I could kick myself for the stuff I missed. I got the two bags and the brown boots in A1 (I'm now thinking, I should have taken the blue pair as well) and the yellow coat in A2 even if it is summer right now. Prices were extremely reduced for merchandise in such excellent condition so I got a pretty good deal. I'm looking forward to a great mail day! : )

"Princess Hamsa Mug"

"Princess Hamsa Mug"
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

This was just a total spur of the moment thing I did this weekend. I was ordering some customized buttons from Zazzle and I decided to do this to see what a mug would look like with one of my Blythe Pics on it. Apparently, you can get Zazzle to sell your customized stuff. They get most of the profit though naturally. So I thought, what the heck.
Here's a mug from my Zazzle store with Hamsa, my "Punkaholic People Blythe" on a hedge in the Central Park Conservatory. Got get it here if you like it!

I think I'll make some more next week. I love designing stuff. And yes, more on Ramona Rae and the battle of the eye chips later.
: )