BLYTHE 365Number 1 of 365
So on flickr, there is a group called Blythe 365. The point of this picture pool is to choose one of your Blythes and commit to taking a picture of her a day, everyday for a year, no matter what and submit each one, each day to that pool. It helps of course to make a set in your own account, eg 365 Days of "BlytheDoll" so you can look at your own progress as you go. I've observed with great admiration and awe as many of my own flickr friends and contacts do this (Hello Jenny is one of my favorite 365ers) and have been considering it for the past few months or so, especially near the end of this summer. I even did a 365 audition where I took pics of the five trying to figure out pros and cons of their photogenic abilities and which one would I be able to make this commitment to for a year! I mean I take pictures of them a lot but only when I feel like it. This would mean having to be inventive even when I'm wiped out and pissy, bored or overwhelmingly busy but I love what I've seen come out of this project.
You get this really funny, creative and often inspiring narrative, not only of a doll but also of the photographer. I love it. So I kinda bit the bullet last week and named Reya the winner not only because I adore her but because she is notoriously problematic to photograph. Her dark color makes we work extra hard to find the right lighting for ideal exposures of her and it's a genuine challenge. When I get it right, I feel really accomplished. So there's that. I am presently on day 4. I guess I should start posting the pics here so you can watch the fun. We'll see. : )
In other news, there are some other projects at hand and some mail that should be arriving soon but I swear, I've been bargain shopping! On the way are:
-Green converse (used on Plastic Paradise)
-Rollerskate shoes (used on Plastic Paradise)
-A cheerleading outfit I found on Ebay Singapore (Don't ask. I stumbled on it)
-Three plastic headbands by cupcakecozy (Hello Jenny) on etsy
-Two mini Lucky Blythe Magazines by confettilexi
Okay, that does sound like a lot but trust me, they are all very affordable.
Emily has been wearing a blue bob wig since I removed her scalp this summer and I love it but it's time to do a permanent re-reoot on her old scalp so I ordered some Saran hair for her from My Little Customs last month. They have the largest online selection of dolls hair I've seen thus far and they're displayed so well, it's like looking at candy. The hair I ordered is this amazing color changing orange. It's heat sensitive and when touched changes from a dark orange to a bright yellow!! Weeeee!!! But before I can get all excited about the color changing abilities of hair I have to perfect my lock and loop re-root technique which I failed miserably to do with Reya. But that was because I used human hair. I hear that Saran synthetic hair is much easier.
And last but not least I am increasingly more curious about these Blythe Doll knock offs called Blybes. Some collectors have begun to embrace her as a doll that's more affordable and ideal for customization. Collectors with similar interests have been experimenting the two types of knock off, CCEs and Blybes to see which is more compatible with a better quality Takara or Lica Blythe body. I will wait until I see a really good looking one before I attempt a Blybe re-make myself but I've been itching to design another doll of color and the Blybe may be a great way to start.
