36

Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days I could wish for to turn 36. It was warm and sunny and I was just so desperate for some sun. I ran a few errands downtown in the morning and was so happy just to walk slowly everywhere and bask in the warmth.

Before I left Harlem I ran out to take a few shot of Castaneda out in the sun for the first time ever. She photographs so beautifully. I'm still waiting for her t-bar to come in. I cannot believe that a little piece of plastic has taken nearly two weeks to get here from Taiwan. There's gotta be an easier way. I just wanna finish her up and get her on the market already. That's right, Castaneda will be up for grabs as soon as I'm done with her eye mech and putting in ribbon for new pull strings. I'm dead serious this time. I love her and it's precisely because I think she's so gorgeous that I think it's time to send her out into the world as the first ambassador to my AA doll custom work. It's kind of funny though since she isn't even a Blythe but a Blybe clone/neemo hybrid. I'll be signing the back of her head and putting her up for adoption as soon as she's done. I'm just not sure yet whether to put her on ebay or on Blythe Kingdom. If anyone who does this regularly is reading and has any advice on the pros and cons of each market please let me know.

Neemo Custom Success!

I sprayed Castaneda's Neemo body on Saturday morning right before I took off to go to the Bust Craftacular with my friend Cece. I generally do it before I got out some where so that I don't have to sit in the noxious fumes while it dries. Due to so many past failures with Takara and Licca bodies, I was very wary about how the Neemo body would turn out despite the fact that all signs seemed to indicate that this would be a successful medium on which to paint anything. When I got home hours later it was dry but I was still paranoid and did a few finger pressing tests just to be sure. I also left it in Newspaper and cloth for a bit and picked it up later to see if it would stick. Both times it's been perfectly dry. I was able to put Castaneda's head on and I have to say, I do like it. I mean this body is actually so much more sophisticated and idealized than the Takara and Licca bodies that it's a bit intimidating for me. But I just adore the matte finish of her color so much! It's like velvet! I just love the way it reflects light! It's not harsh. Now if only the t-bars I ordered from Coolcat will just get here so I can start finishing her up.

Mel's Girl!

So as I mentioned a while back, Melly Kay and I have been doing a commissions trade on each others Blythes, a face up for my Punkaholic Peolple Blytye, Hamsa and an AA custom for Takara face and back plates she sent me along with and ADG body.

I sprayed the body and plates this weekend and give or take a few issues with an overlap of paint near the eyes, it came out pretty great. I'm particularly pleased with my job on the glittery gold lips and have decided that I want to do glittery silver lips for my next custom Blythe! I already have a name picked out but I have to be careful this time to try and design her look around a central element of her customization. Like her eye chips or something.

As always,the ADG bodylike a dream. I would so love to get a bunch of ADG bodies wholesale or even one buy one the way you can get Liccas or Pure Neemo bodies on ebay, at least until I can figure out how to paint stickier bodies. I adore Liccas but have never been able to paint one successfully.