April 2024 issue A Little Creative Together

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Doll Community Members Featured in This Issue

@poshpearl

@bella_belladoll

@nextblythefamily

@tawnystinyworld @tinyfrockshop

@ladollydispatch

@miniaturesbyteresa 2

@bethramsden

Letter from the Editor Hello and welcome to the April 2024 issue of A Little Creative Together. In this second issue we are pleased to bring you more profiles of amazing doll community members in their own words.

we also might as well enjoy where we are right now. For me, staying true to myself in that regard means focusing on 1:6 scale and indulging in my loves of thrifting and hand stitching for the dolls I find as a reward for all the rest of the weekly to-do’s.

I noticed a real theme emerging when I started laying out the (thrifting tip: baby clothes bins, profiles with doll community collectible, keychain, magnet, and members taking the time to toy bags are all favourite spots to express gratitude for their creative find 1:6 goodness) partners and peers as well as an intention to keep the creative I also enjoy discussing the journey community the kind and safe place with my sister, Teresa, featured in it’s reputed to be. I want to thank this issue @miniaturesbyteresa. everyone for participating. I’m You can find our rambly inspired and I know you will be discussions over at Spotify at too. @2sistersminiatures.

It is inspiring to see the collecting In this issue we are also pleased to and creating methodologies of feature more podcasters, each creative individual featured. youTubers, authors, artists, mini It is a good reminder that there is fashion designers, community no one way to approach the hobby. creators, and event organizers.

Each individual will find their Each profile is so inspiring and I path to collecting, curating, and know will be a joy to read and see creating as they journey along. I either someone you already know have discovered in the past year, and enjoy already or someone you for example, that I feel much are excited to discover. better about my collection when I Whether you are likely to meet up have created thematic diaoramas with others in the community at to display my dolls in and I can appreciate them everyday instead the next international or regional meet-up or are focused more on of just storing them in drawers where they are underappreciated. attending virtual doll events, there are so many great ways to expand It is also a great reminder to stay your knowledge of the doll world in my own lane when collecting. and the community you’re a part We each have our individual budg- of at the same time. If you’re ets, schedules, and creative abili- interested in organizing your own ties we are working with, and meet-up, you could start by those may change over time, but tagging your photos with location

or start a discussion group on Facebook that is geographically focused. People like to attend more than they like to organize, so if you are someone who doesn’t mind taking the lead in reaching out, you will likely be rewarded by connection.

Keeping the hobby enjoyable means knowing you have years ahead to grow your skills and collection. It doesn’t have to happen all right now. (I say this having a little messily painted my new micro Barbie Dreamhouse so I’m speaking to myself too) We’re all learning and growing together.

If you have ideas for future issues email me at everydaywritingcoach @gmail.com I look forward to hearing your feedback and collaborations. For example, I love the miniature versions of the magazine I have seen on Instagram and while it’s something I thought of making, I have not made time in the schedule for it yet. But I’d love to see yours if you do so. Feel free to use the hashtag #alittlecreativetogether You can also visit me on IG at @minisincanada If you have doll community friends who would be open to being featured or if you’d like to show us your behind the scenes workshop/photo taking process/smiling face, we’d be happy to join in your celebrating the miniature world you’re creating. Talk soon!

Michelle 3

Michelle Vandepol, Editor

@tinyfrockshop.

Pamela. NYC trained fashion designer turned 12” fashion designer.

I am a NYC trained fashion complete 1970s Barbie dreamhouse items. It is a nice alternative to designer who was lucky enough to and all it’s furniture. Everyone Ebay or Etsy for them. I also create design for some of the most thought it was a phase and that my my own TINY FROCK clothing amazing designers including Anna doll obsession would subside with line and accessories here and there.

Sui, Betsey Johnson and fabulous age but I was still playing away in I am lucky enough to have friends label Heatherette. In 2010, my 8th grade. I realized later that in the NYC fashion industry still husband and I moved to Chicago to collecting as an adult was a thing. that sent me amazing European be near family when our daughter Through my high school years and fabrics that I use and also sell so was born. I quickly realized that my 20’s I bought various Barbies others can have access to there was no fashion industry in that interested me but I didn’t extraordinary fabrics for their dolls Chicago, and it was time to really start collecting until I opened and create their own looks. reinvent myself and find a new my store in 2010.

I love dollhouses and dioramas but outlet for my fashion obsession. It I collect mainly Integrity Toys unfortunately, I don’t have room was when I was staying in my dolls and most of my girls work for either. I made a folding diorama sister’s basement for 3 months until (model in Tinyfrockshop.com) but box that was available to purchase we found a house that I wondered also have Barbie, Lovetones, in my shop that helped collectors how I could combine my love and Azone, Jamie Show Muses, a like me that have little space. It knowledge of the fashion industry Janchor doll, Nippon, Momoko, allowed collectors to play and then with my love of dolls. My Mother Licca Chan, Kurhn and a few stray put away and fold flat the diorama gave me my old Barbie trunk from vintage dolls. so it isn’t taking up space when not the 70’s and I thought, is there I have a certain style I love as far being used. I have always been anyone restoring and selling old as sculpt goes. I tend to go with fascinated by the artists that make Barbie clothes? Turns out there more edgy dolls like NuFace and wood diorama rooms in 1:6 scale wasn’t a store that I could find that Fashion Royalty but also love but even if I could afford one, I catered to all things 12” fashion Misak and Poppy Parkeri! I am a don’t have the room. Time for a doll. From that Tiny Frock Shop sucker for all the clothes and bigger house! was born (circa 2010); a new and accessories and have drawers and I love that there is a huge group of resale clothing and accessory drawers full that are organized into people that I have an instant online Department store for 12" categories. I love to mix all the connection to through our love of fashion dolls. items together and create new fashion dolls. Before venturing into I have been a Barbie girl since I looks. I also collect furniture and Tinyfrockshop.com, I never knew was able to walk. My Mom bought housewares to use as props to the adult collecting community was my sister and I the Barbie photograph with items I sell in the so large! My plan for the store was Townhouse in the 1970’s and I store. to sell to kids and their parents but never looked back. I had a whole I have a bunch of DIY artists that I I quickly realized there is a whole Barbie city with the camper, plane, feature in the store in my Designer community of people just like me boat and more! I saved up my Collective. I love giving a platform that love fashion dolls and that was money over many Christmases and to doll designers where I can a welcome surprise.

Birthdays and ended up buying the promote, sell and style with their Continued on page 14 4

@TINYFROCKSHOP

See more fab images from @tinyfrockshop on page 23

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@tawnystinyworld Karen, Doll Photography Artist in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Started by collecting Lammily and Integrity dolls and now exclusively a Barbie photographer.

Doll photography is the art of photography assignments. I awakening the imagination by quickly realized that I loved creating an illusion of emotion and photographing dolls as if they had engagement where it does not come to life, and wanted to otherwise exist. Tawny’s Tiny continue to do this. However, I World depicts an alternate reality needed dolls with more in 1:6 scale. flexibility. Lammily dolls are My name is Karen and I live in great, but they do not have southwestern Ontario, Canada. I moveable joints. I started a search am a mom to two adult children for dolls and initially came across and I just recently became a Integrity dolls. At the end of my grandmother to a beautiful new photography program I rewarded granddaughter. I can’t wait to myself with four Integrity dolls introduce her to the Barbie world; and set a goal to start something my own daughter did photographing them for personal not experience because believe it projects. The concept at the time or not, until a few years ago I was was very different from what it not a fan of Barbie! A lot has looks like now. changed in the last five years!

On December 31, 2019 as part of When I’m not playing with dolls I my plan for 2020 I created a doll work as a social worker for a large photography account to share my children’s developmental images, truly thinking I would be treatment centre, supporting one of the only people doing this. families whose children have To my great surprise there were special needs. Long before I ever actually thousands of other people started to gather dolls I was really doing this! That’s how I first came interested in photography as a to see made-to-move Barbies hobby. In 2015 I took a and made my first Barbie doll photography class at our local purchase. From there I started to college, which led to a decision to expand my collection, and complete a diploma in gradually moved into wanting photography. At that time I had dolls to loosely represent my just purchased a few Lammily family members and friends, as dolls through a KickStarter well as some fictional characters campaign, which were promoted as other “town residents”. Over as a more realistic representation time I stopped photographing both of today’s adults. I had no Lammily and the Integrity dolls, particular plan for them but started although I will always keep and photographing them for one of my cherish them. My account is now 6

exclusively Barbie doll. I like these dolls better for photography as they are easier to pose, are more affordable, and most of all offer so much diversity. I still don’t consider myself a collector, but I buy the dolls I need or love for my photo stories and they all have names and characters. I am definitely an “unboxer” and buy dolls because I plan to use them in my story lines, so they always come out of the box! I’m up to over 60 now.

As the doll stories began to evolve I found myself needing more and more props and diorama pieces so this led me into some crafting. My husband has been a huge help in this regard, and has brought a lot of skills to the table. He helped me build my first full diorama, a kitchen, and has assisted me in many others as well. He also built me a diorama table in my new basement doll room that holds several permanent dioramas built from wooden boxes, and space for portable rotating ones as needed. I’ve gotten into sewing, jewelry making, simple furniture crafting, and accessory creation for my dolls. I avoid anything too complicated but I enjoy simple crafting. Together my husband and I are now getting involved in 3D printing as well, which opens up a lot of other options.

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@TAWNYSTINYWORLD

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@nextblythefamily Nicky Next (half of the mother-daughter Next Blythe Family) Collects Blythe and fun supporting characters and loves outdoor photography and building community events.

Hidden away at the Dutch coast lives the Next Blythe Family. And besides all the dolls and animals you can find Lianne and Nicky Next. A mom and daughter who love to create and make items for their crazy Blythe family. Lianne is more active behind the scenes who are you ready to get to know Nicky some more?

can find a lot of dolls! Because to all very colorful and you just want be honest I love to mix and match to smile when you see them, or at and make a little dolly world in my least that is what we do. But that is photos. That is why you can find not all because my mom makes Blythe in all 3 sizes, OB11, BJD, everything that is either made with and I probably forgot some. Oops! a sewing machine or needle. So a I love to have my Blythe as the while back we had sleeping masks, biggest size and I also love the neo neck pillows, headbands, and all on an azone jointed body instead that pops up from my mom’s of an obitsu one. I know that a lot fantasy! And all the crochet items of collectors love the obitsu more are made by me, Nicky. We have a I have been collecting my whole since it looks more like the lot of #nextblythefamilyanimals as life and definitely got that from original stock body.

But I just love we like to call them. That includes my mom. My mom has always the chunky feel of the body and I Mr. and Mrs. Giraffe, Mr and Mrs shown me the most beautiful sides think that it suits the type of Bear and their mini Mr Bear, Mr of collecting and also that it is a clothes we make and love more!

In and Mrs George, and their mini Mr way of keeping memories, I have regular, I love my dolls more on a George, and the new addition: the always loved to stroll around flea jointed body so that I can get more Rabbit family. But I love to markets to find the most amazing out of the photos than their stiff crochet kawaii items like cups items that fit right into my parents’ stock bodies. filled with coffee or tea and hearts blye and white porcelain world. to go on our headbands.

And my mom still has a lot of Is there a [standard] approach to those items filled with memories and love!

collecting? Because I just love to I feel soo limited with dollhouses collect everything and nothing at and dioramas. This is just my the same time if that makes sense. personal taste and I do love to see When I first started with the Blythe dolls, back in 2017, I was I love to mix and match items even them with other creators and very overwhelmed to be honest. I when they are not the right scale. collectors. I just feel like you are So I guess you can say that I love so stuck with the background and had seen them on a Dutch to collect happy, kawaii and the feel of the photos. It is a fact television show where someone quirky items and dolls.

I don’t that when I first started with the showed their amazing collection and the history behind the dolls. I really think too much about buying photos I loved to my corners and or trading dolls. You just have to dollhouses for them to live in. But instantly loved them. But I was get a feeling, right?! Even when in the last year or so I have been also afraid I would lose my creating new items for our Blythe photographing more outdoors. interest in them after some time, world it is all about a feeling and This is to make our daily walks ohw boy was I wrong there! So I not a real approach. I guess you more fun, but also to keep it started off with a fake Icy doll interesting in our photos. As I can call me crazy for that. which I bought off AliExpress, mentioned before, this Blythe along with some clothes. And fast And we also have made that our forward to today where we have a job — how awesome it that?! My family is a way to make and keep memories and I just love to see big colorful and happy doll family, mother creates all the dresses, And in our Next Blythe family you overalls, and outfit sets. They are 8

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@NEXTBLYTHEFAMILY

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@poshpearl Pearl.

Singapore-based doll collector & customizer. Mother to 2 daughters. Collects Barbie, Rainbow, High, Ever After High, Licca, and Integrity Toys. I started collecting Re-Ment Japan Miniatures in 2006 before I was into dolls in 2016! Dolls give my miniatures so much meaning.

Hi everyone, I’m Pearl from move Barbie- Purple top. We were selective. I now collect dolls Singapore! Thank you Michelle! blown away by the made to move mainly with well made fashion, I’m so happy to be featured here! articulations and started to collect gorgeous faces and good quality I started collecting in 2016. My dolls while transforming our hair. two daughters were young and I dollhouse. The rest is history.

You can check out my DIY at got them a Kidkraft mansion I collect Barbie, Rainbow High, #poshpearldiyhacks . I do a variety dollhouse and started to custom the Monster High, Ever After High, of DIY from wardrobes, vehicles to interiors and it was during that time Licca and Integrity Toys. I used to even miniatures for my dolls to we got our first articulated do a collect them all for each use. I also do custom doll repaint Barbie- Midge from Life in the series, but as time goes by, I ran and accessories repaint.

Dreamhouse and our first made to out of space and have decided to be I create my dioramas within my 10

@POSHPEARL

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@bella_belladoll Izabela.

Doll photographer. Poland. Creator behind the #dollphotographybook Doll community collaborator, @dollmeets meet-up organizer, @travelingdollpants project manager.

Focus on modern-looking Barbies and realistic photography.

My name is Izabela Kewlla. I live in a beautiful city in Poland Gdansk. I was an architect, but now I'm a full-time photographer.

In 2016, I discovered toy photography, which has become my passion. Since then, I have shared my photography via social media. I run the @bella_belladoll Instagram account.

Looks collection and BMR1959. I in Gdansk, Poland, in September love the Barbie Style series. I buy this year. only the dolls that are inspirational I have a lot of plans for 2024 and to me. I take dolls out of the box 2025, but I prefer talking about the when I want to work with them. I project I have done rather than have only one more valuable doll what I am planning to do. still in a box - Barbie Gigi Hadid. However, I chose five words for I tried sewing and used to craft 2024 to guide me. Those are truth, some furniture and decorative courage, freedom, inspiration, and elements. But very soon, I realized love. that taking photos was what I I'm most active on Instagram, In 2021, I published a book named enjoyed the most in this hobby. I where I run four accounts: 'Doll Photography' prefer dioramas because they are  @bella_belladoll as a doll pho(@dollphotographybook), where I easier to photograph. I love setting tographer teach doll photography techniques up new dioramas, and I do it very  @dollphotographybook for the and encourage people to share their often. It's where I can use my book users passions for photography and toys. architecture experience. I also use  @dollmeets for the doll events the room boxes, which I only @travelingdollpants as a project My photos were exhibited in redecorate for the photoshoots. I manager Poland, China, and Thailand. have one modern doll house, a gift For the last two years, I have from a friend @olulu_handmade. I love collaborating with talented worked as a product photographer I'm definitely most active on people from our community; for Poland's most prominent Instagram, where I host the weekly miniature clothes, furniture, fashion company, which gave me a Instagram game #monday4dolls miniatures, and accessories are all fantastic experience. I'm a huge cat and monthly challenge a huge inspiration. That's why I'm lover, and I have a twin sister, #imadollphotographer. I run always open to collaboration with Justyna, who often assists me international photography projects handmade brands. during the photoshoots. such as @travelingdollpants and TV interviews - were the most #dollbride. challenging experience related to I don't consider myself to be a doll I greatly enjoy connecting with the the doll hobby I had a chance to collector. It has always been about doll community via my Newsletter, experience. Also, I will always taking photos of dolls more than which I call Dollsletter. Each remember the energy that went on collecting them. I got my first Wednesday, I write a doll-related when I successfully finished the Barbie doll from my husband on mail. I love sharing my thoughts.

Kickstarter campaign. I created a my 31st birthday. I told him I crowdfunding campaign to publish wanted to have a Barbie as a kid.

I love doll meet-ups, but not the the Doll Photography book, and That's how my adventure with big ones - the small ones are cozy with the support of the doll dolls started in adult life. and friendly. This is why my friend community, I had a chance to make I like the most modern-looking @paperinadoll and I decided to the book real.

Barbie, like the dolls from the host the international doll meeting 12

@BELLA_BELLADOLL

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Continued from page 4 @TINYFROCKSHOP I am connected through all the social media platforms and FB groups as well as the W Club from Integrity Toys. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE doll conventions and have been lucky to attend a few Barbie Conventions and a number of Integrity Toy Conventions. It is the best way to hang with doll friends in person and you get to meet people from all over the world and country!

I am hoping to be able to get to go to the Integrity Toys Convention this year. The last real in person one was in 2019 so I am itching to see everyone! I also can’t wait to shop room sales and run mine as I have in the past. I also want to start designing more clothing for my store under my own TINY FROCK label. Creating is my passion and sometimes it gets pushed to the back burner when I also have the store to run. My customers are everything to me, so I make it a priority to always put them first.

The doll community can find me at my website www.tinyfrockshop.com (also there is a satellite store on Ebay and on Etsy) Instagram: @tinyfrockshop Facebook: @tinyfrockshop TikTok: @tinyfrockshop Pinterest: @tinyfrockshop Thanks to all my doll friends and for allowing me to be part of this amazing community. Thank you to all my customers that have kept my lil’ store in business for 14 years and allowed my passion to be my job.

Thank you to my Mom for introducing me to Barbie all those years ago and for being my partner in Tinyfrockshop.com. It is a blessing and honor to work with you every day. I love you Mama Play and be kind. We are in a world that is volatile right now and kindness goes a long way.

Xoxox Pamela

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patterns, finding more cute photo moments and many more. But main goal of not only 2024 but more of our day-to-day life in my every year is spending time with photos. I love to look back and my mom! Because without mom re-live that moment I had in the there would be no Next Blythe photo. So maybe I am not Family and there wouldn’t be soo collecting dolls but I am much fun. She really is the best collecting memories? mom of the whole world. And I don’t say this too often but I am My favorite aspect of this hobby soo blessed to call her my mom! has to be the online world! With just one click I can see all the If you want to see more of our other Blythe lovers and their work, our memories, or the Next amazing photos. Sometimes you Blythe Event 2024, you can find just feel like the “weird” girl that us on Instagram with the handle likes dolls and takes them @nextblythefamily . I try to post everywhere with her. But here on every day and sometimes even my Instagram I feel normal and I multiple times a day when I have can connect with people who some cute close-ups. But we love the same things as I do. And would love for you to get to I love that I can make people know us and our work in our own happy and cheer them on with crazy way. Hopefully you will my photos. That does not mean start following us! that I don’t love the events and the get togethers with doll lovers, And as the final note for this because trust me, I love to get to interview I just want to say know you and show you our please be kind and stay kind to work! Going to an event for me each other! You never know feels like opening your Instagram what the other person has been and just jumping in there. through or is going through at Everything and everyone that that moment. Biggest dolly hug you see and follow will become from the Next Blythe Family. real for just one day, that is the __________________________ Tips for organizing your own magic of an event. And it still feels surreal that people will tell doll meet-up me, “OMG. I am such a fan of 1. meet up with a local your work” or “Love your dollstagram IG friend at a photos” because I never see set time and place myself as a person who is that 2.

Add a meet up onto an important. I am just me. already established doll community event We always have goals and Message potential meet-ups bucket list items on our agenda! 3. via DM or collect them via This year we have our minds all IG story question (ie. Who focused on the Next Blythe Event is going to the ______ 2024 in Vlissingen, the event in __________?)

Netherlands on April 6th. This 4.

Teach a workshop for a may be the biggest bucketlist group in your community goal that I have had since starting with a dolly community the family. But we also have adjacent skill (sewing doll creative goals like creating more clothes, building miniature “nextblythefamilyanimals , furniture) experimenting with new outfit 14

Continued from page 10

actually lost my original Instagram inspiration from the doll account, @elemental_dollights, community. I would like to @POSHPEARL when it was taken down for no expand my range of poses, and get I found many good friends on identified reason and despite a bit more creative with my Instagram and I have doll meet-ups numerous efforts to follow up I photography. I have also been locally from time to time. I really never got a response and never got promising people an introduction wish to do more custom it back. I was heartbroken to have to my doll room for a long time accessories painting this year. The lost everything and initially had no and I’m brewing up a video series doll community can find me at: intention of starting over. My to do just that. It’s not quite ready biggest disappointment in losing it for the reveal yet though. MeanInstagram: @poshpearl was that I had participated in 2021 while, you can find me on Facebook: Poshpearl’s Barbie in the #travelingdollpants project Instagram @tawnys.tiny.world or Makeovers co-hosted by @bella_belladoll and on Facebook under the same @dressthatdoll in which a pair of name. I consider my account to be TikTok: Poshpearldolls doll jeans travel around the world a little bit of reality with a whole YouTube: Posh Pearl and each host shares pictures of the lot of whimsy. I try to make things place they live as presented by look believable but in keeping with _____________________ their doll wearing the jeans, before the whimsical nature it’s not Continued from page 6 passing them along to the next necessary for me that it looks @TAWNYSTINYWORLD host. This project has not been completely realistic. My doll going for five years and it was such world strives to be optimist and I definitely prefer dioramas to an honour to be included and a family friendly while addressing dollhouses, and I don’t own a heartbreak to lose all that I had some real life scenarios with dollhouse. My dioramas allow so posted.

However, I had so many respectful sensitivity. I think the much more flexibility. The friends reach out to offer support thing that I want to emphasize most permanent ones are all rooms in and encouragement, and I missed is that we are all unique and we all my main character’s home. Her the community so much that bring something special to the name is Tawny and although I eventually I began again.

I started table. I have received inspiration wouldn’t call her a mini-me, she is over with a new name, and from so many people and I hope loosely based on me. Tawny is an @tawnys.tiny.world was born!

I’ve inspired others too. I join artistic interpretation of my own That was in March 2022, so that’s TONS of doll events in Instagram ideal sense of self, with aspects and I take pride in doing that that belong only to her, and some- as far back as my account goes now, even though I’ve been doing because it’s my way of being able times we interact with one another this for much longer.

Currently I to support other accounts. It’s a in the stories. Her permanent am primarily involved with Instapersonal challenge for me to see rooms include a kitchen, living gram, and I do share my posts to how many events and challenges I room, dining room, bedroom, and Facebook as well, but I am not can work into a single series of front porch. The other dioramas nearly as active there.

I am an acphotos. My record so far is 16! I do allow me to create scenes with tive member of Barbie Club Interthat for the joy of being able to people who are not in Tawny’s national founded by @kimisbarbies introduce viewers to other home – an outdoor scene that and a member of the Toronto Fashwonderful accounts as well, so that changes with the seasons, a cat ion Doll Club co-founded by we can all support one another café, a pub, and a local drop in @plasticplot and @dollinterrupted even more! It’s not a competition, centre simply known as “The Hub”. I have been blessed to meet too. I’ve been fortunate to attend it’s a community and when we all the National Barbie Doll Collecsupport each other we all benefit so many amazing people through tor’s Convention 2023 and from it. Much like smiles – the this community and made a lot of will be back there again this year!

I more you give away, the more you really great friends, several of also connect in person with local get! As we say in Barbie Club whom I’ve met in real life now too, doll friends, which is so wonderful. International, “We know that what and have become close to.

Definitely the whole sense of My dolls goals for 2024 are to keep makes us different, makes us beautiful!.” Thanks for this community is what I love most learning, keep growing, and keep about this and what keeps my shooting! I am always looking for opportunity to share a little about involved so actively. In 2022 I ways to improve and I get so much me!

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@bethramsden Scotland. YouTuber. Doll Customizer and Doll Clothes Pattern Maker. Collects and creates for Blythe and Smart dolls.

I’m Beth Ramsden, a 43 year old stay-at-home mum based in Scotland, who became a YouTube creator after sharing my hobbies and projects online!

grew, and I began customising and selling dolls, I found myself leaning towards a more specific style, a more natural, cottagecore or Mori, Autumnal aesthetic. Now I tend to collect and keep Blythes I grew up with a love for dolls houses and miniatures, and never that either fit in with that style, or that I just fall in love with! It’s the really lost that fascination, but same with my Smart Dolls, once I around 2010 I discovered the world of BJD dolls through seeing bought one, I wanted one in each skin tone, then fell in love with the the work of the ‘Enchanted Doll’ grey vampire Transcendence, and creator, Marina Bychkova online. From there I discovered a then with the new pear shaped community of people customising girls! If I fall for a new character hard enough, I’ll try to collect her.

Monster High dolls, and then through some friends who collected dolls, was introduced to When I started collecting dolls more purposely, I was a new Blythe. mother with no job, so in an effort I had gathered a small collection of to keep costs down, I thought I’d resin BJDs and Monster high dolls, learn to sew things for my daughter, and for the dolls, but since falling in love with myself. It was through the sharing Blythe (around 2016), they’ve of this new hobby that I found been my main focus for quite a myself starting to make videos on while, (though plenty other dolls YouTube. I discovered a real have snuck in too… Rainbow High, Sindy, Licca Chan to name passion for sewing doll clothes, and now love to design, draft my but a few!) Around 2020 I own sewing patterns and create all discovered the 1/3 scale Smart Doll through friends on YouTube, kinds of accessories and props for my dolls. and despite resisting the urge for some time, I now have 6 of them too, as well as numerous floating heads!

My daughter still has a few dollhouses, but since my own collection is (mostly) contained in one spare room in the house, I To begin with, my approach to prefer creating portable backdrops collecting Blythe was to try to have as much diversity and variety or fold-away foam board dioramas for my dolls. I have a 1/6th scale as possible within a very small number of dolls. As my collection Christmas room already, and plan 16

to make a sewing room, kitchen, cottage and even a 1/12th scale sewing room for my petite Blythes!

I love the way the doll community shares ideas and resources online, I feel so fortunate to have made a number of real friends through YouTube connections and collaborations. I’ve also been fortunate to be able to recently attend my first couple of doll conventions, BlytheConUK. I was able to meet with new and existing friends there, and hope to be able to continue attending new events in the future!

Looking ahead personally, I’m planning to open up to doll commissions this year. It’s something I’m asked for frequently, but feel I need to work up to in small stages, as it can be an overwhelming process. Behind the scenes, I’m working with my wonderfully supportive husband on a large doll project that he’s created, that will easily keep us both excitedly creating for many more months! I’m also watching various new Smart Doll developments with interest, and would love to add a Cortex 2 and a Male Smart Doll to my collection this year, if they’re released!

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@ladolly dispatch Annie (left) & Angelique (right) Australia based podcasters. Blythe doll experts, collectors, creators, and community makers

La Dolly Dispatch, an Aussie Annie : I was on the internet and Acquiring a Blythe doll was no podcast hosted by the dynamic duo saw an image and recalled playing easy feat in back those days, but Annie O’Sullivan and Angelique with this doll as a child. It luck was on my side when a friend Nicol, first hit the airwaves in belonged to a friend it was a traveling to Japan stumbled upon a August 2022. What started as a Kenner Blythe doll. It sparked a Blythe doll and I had my first chat between two pals obsessed nostalgic memory and a renewed Blythe, Heart of Montmartre. This with Blythe dolls soon blossomed fascination for Blythe dolls. Dolls doll holds a special place in my into a full-blown mission to have always held a special place in heart and marked the beginning of celebrate the doll's rich history. my heart since childhood. I quickly my collecting journey. My current Their podcast is a cozy space adopted a second-hand Blythe doll collection boasts a diverse array of where fellow doll fanatics can geek without much knowledge about face molds, hair colours, and out over all things Blythe. Dive them, I was simply drawn to their personalities, including three into the hosts' own doll adventures charm and kooky look. However, special Kenner's. While there are and unravel the fascinating journey over time, my collection evolved, always favourites in any collection, of the iconic Kenner Blythe doll to and my admiration for Blythe dolls I prefer not to single any out to its modern counterpart, the Neo and their history deepened. Fast avoid upsetting the other dolls – I Blythe Doll. But wait, there's forward to 2024, my collection adore them all equally! more! La Dolly Dispatch spices features Kenner Blythe dolls, BL, things up with chatty interviews SBL, FBL, RBL, RBL+ along with APPROACH TO DOLL COLLECTING featuring talented doll artists, GSC, custom dolls, and various creators and collectors offering other vintage dolls and toys. I don't Annie and Angelique adore any fans a front-row seat to the magic play favourites, but my Kenner Blythe doll especially stock girls. behind the scenes.And to keep you Blythe dolls have a special place in Our passion for Blythe history in the loop,Annie and Angelique my collection. greatly enhances our appreciation dish out weekly episodes jamof of these dolls. We mostly packed with the latest doll world Angelique: My fascination with collect dolls that appeal to our gossip. La Dolly Dispatch isn't just Blythe began during the early days personal aesthetic, a topic we a podcast; it's a vibrant love letter of the internet when blogs were frequently discuss on our to the whimsical world of Blythe incredibly popular, and I was an podcast. Our loyal listeners, dolls! avid blog reader. It all began when lovingly dubbed Dispatchees, can I came across a blog post by an confirm our doll obsession. artist showcasing photos of a Besides Blythe dolls, we also The team have been collecting Blythe doll, it captivated me, her have a sweet spot for Tammy dolls since childhood, but their appearance was unique. This dolls, Licca, Moof, Doran Doran, passion for Blythe dolls sparked my curiosity and I vintage toys and a bunch of other blossomed in adulthood. They explored every available detail I fabulous finds! both began collecting Blythe could find about these dolls, Continued on page 26 dolls in 2009. ultimately igniting my passion.

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@LADOLLYDISPATCH

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@miniaturesbyteresa Canada. Teresa. Miniature creator who loves creating, building and collecting all things miniature. Collects Extra Mini Iconic, Enchantimals, Ever After High, Na Na Na Surprise. Builds in scales 1:6. 1:12. 1:24

I started collecting in my 20s. It Surprise ones: the 3 inch tall ones was something I was always drawn specifically. to. It started with searching for an elaborate miniature dollhouse. My dad was a violin builder and had a My approach to collecting is a mixture of brand new and thrifted. subscription to Lee Valley, a Sometimes I see a line I really woodworking magazine. In the want to build miniatures homes for early 2000s they had ads for the and I buy that whole series brand crazy expensive miniature dollhouse kits. They were always new. Other times I browse our out of reach but a girl could dream. local thrift stores and am open to finding new dolls and new lines as I happen upon them and are drawn Then when I had a bookkeeping to them. That’s how I started job and worked in an office, I had collecting some of the Ever After the funds to start searching eBay High discontinued series. for miniature items. One day I happened upon someone selling one of those large dollhouses and I I do DIY items for my dolls.

Mainly I build them their own purchased it and had it shipped homes and I’ve also learned to sew from the States to me here in for the ones that are thrifted and Canada. the doll is in great condition but they might be missing some or all I spent a month building, painting, of their wardrobe. I’ve also taken a and creating. I glued hundreds of page from My Froggy Stuff (on tiny shingles to the roof. It was youTube) in her series “Does the truly a labour of love. It kickstarted Fit Fit?” With that series in mind, my passion for miniature creations. I’ve discovered lots of dolls whose clothes are easier to purchase who fit my thrifted dolls. I really enjoy I collect several doll lines. I have that. collected all three of the Extra I have a deep love for dollhouse.

Mini Iconic dolls. I also collect Enchanimals. I have thrifted all the But I am currently creating more Enchantimals I have. I also enjoy diaoramas. As I collect my dolls, I collecting dolls like the Na Na Na often make them a diaorama such 20

as a living room, a kitchen, and outdoor porch, or a little library. I also have some builds that are sort of in between a dollhouse and a diaorama such as the studio apartment I built for one of my Extra Mini Iconics.

My favourite aspect of the doll community is the connecting with others who have a love for collecting and miniatures. I connect with the doll community on Instagram and YouTube and at some larger events.

My doll goals for 2024 are to continue to build miniature homes and more diaorama scenes for my doll collections.

The social media platforms you can find me on are Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify. On Instagram, you can find me @miniaturesbyteresa and onYouTube you can find me at 2 Sisters Miniatures and on Spotify you can find the podcase for 2 Sisters Miniatures.

Thank you Michelle for creating this wonderful magazine that highlights the doll community and gives us one more place to connect and discover other collectors and creators in this community.

@MINIATURESBYTERESA

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Continued from page 16

FBL, RBL, RBL+ along with GSC, dolly creations in my Etsy custom dolls, icy dolls, Moof dolls store called aniO and you can @bethramsden and various other vintage toys with follow me on Instagram for If you’d like to see more of my the occasional bear. My philosophy updates at anio_official creations, you’ll find me over on is to collect items that truly YouTube, where I release weekly resonate with you and not get Apart from customising, I create doll videos, of sewing tutorials, hand knitted Koala Hats for swept up in trends. Through crafty how tos and much Blythe and other dolls. Sadly, I experience, I've learned that the more! My channel name dolls I have instantly fallen in love cant sew and when I need to dress is Beth Ramsden. I’m also active with are the ones that remain in my my dolls with clothing or on Instagram @bethramsden and collection. My collecting approach accessories I cant make, I love to connect there with creative focuses on understanding the value prioritize buying fashions/ viewers who have tried out my accessories from the many and authenticity of each doll and patterns! For those who already talented local artists or I buy how it may appreciate over time. follow me there and want more, I Unfortunately a counterfeit Blythe second-hand. I also try to make have a Patreon page, where I share doll, no matter how attractive or an effort to be conscious of the behind the scenes posts, exclusive accessible, will lack value in the planet and resources. videos, projects and freebies! future unless it has been We adore the artistry of both Doll customized by a skilled artist.

I’m having so much fun sharing Houses and Dioramas. The Lastly, always prioritize quality my creative passions with dolly history of the doll house is over quantity when adding to your friends online, it really fulfils me fascinating and the playful collection! so much. I love to see what delights of a diorama is always so everyone’s making, and being much fun. We admire individuals inspired by, and I just hope you’re COLLECTOR MAKERS who dedicate time, patience, and all having fun with it too! effort to craft intricately Angelique: I run La Petitte Continued from page 18 decorated dollhouses and room Chouette on Etsy, where I craft handmade clothing and accessories boxes. Although not actively @ladollydispatch for Blythe and Tammy dolls. This involved in the dollhouse hobby, creativity has been a constant since we delight in browsing the Their individual approach goes like the start of my Blythe doll adven- internet to marvel at the creative this... skills of others. Throughout the ture. Initially, I sewed outfits for my personal use due to the hard to years, we have visited numerous Angelique: I lack a specific method find nature of options in the early dollhouse exhibitions solely to to my collecting, if I love it and I appreciate the craftsmanship and days. Overtime, I thought I could can afford I'll make the purchase make a little bit of extra income to innovation showcased. and add it to my collection! Having fund the purchasing of new girls said that I have a soft spot for a Our dolly community holds a ( a motivation shared by many I stock Blythe doll, I adore their special place in our hearts as it think). When time permits I youthful appearance! I have kept has given us friendships that we continue on the venture not only many dolls from my childhood and for making a few dollars but I may not have otherwise had! discovered many dolls in recent Locally, we make an effort to genuinely enjoy the process of times that I never knew about in regularly meet up with dolly crafting and creating. my youth, like Tammy. She has friends at cafes, parks or hosted such a retro vibe to her that I just events. We have made many You can find my creations in have fallen in love with. These wonderful connections that are my Etsy store called La Petite other dolls have become a very special to us. Spending an Chouette and you can follow important part on my collection afternoon immersed in lively me on instagram at sitting next to my Blythe girls. I dolly conversations is truly lapetitechouette33 love how they complement one delightful! On a larger scale another in a kitschy kind of way.

Australia boasts a vibrant Blythe Annie : I am a part time artist , doll community. We have a doll customiser and creator of significant event, Australia's very accessories for Blythe and Annie: My 2024 collection features other dolls. You can find my own Blythe Fest, which has been Kenner Blythe dolls, BL, SBL, 22

running since 2009. This long-standing community-oriented event is eagerly anticipated annually. The upcoming themed Garden Party event is scheduled for 2025 in Brisbane, Australia.

We are excited to reconnect with our fellow Blythe doll enthusiasts and meet our international visitors!

La Dolly Dispatch uses Instagram as we find it’s a brilliant platform for connecting with peeps from all over the globe. It also provides glimpses into how others engage with their dolls, dress their dolls, love their dolls and spying the latest trends in the dolly world.

That can be a huge inspiration for us artistically as well. The platforms messaging and translation options come in handy, enabling us to communicate with collectors that may not share our language. We believe Instagram is a valuable tool to stay connected and informed within the global Blythe community! If we were asked the same question in the 2000's it would be forums and Flickr.

Our team at LaDollyDispatch is dedicated to delivering highquality podcast episodes that entertain and educate our valued audience. We strive to cover a wide range of dolly topics that spark curiosity, inspire conversations, and provide valuable insights.

PERSONAL GOALS Angelique: My dolly goals are to play more, be more present with my dolls. I have a lovely collection but sometimes life’s duties get in the way of them and they are the last thing that I think about. I never say never about not adding to my collection or moving girls on, it’s much like New Year's resolutions,

plans may evolve, and I'm willing to let fate guide those decisions.

Annie : This year, my doll-related goals will focus on organization, reassessment, and restoration. I plan to organize my display, re-evaluate dolls that I have neglected and restore my overlooked Kenner Doll.

La Dolly Dispatch Podcast can be streamed for free on all streaming platforms Link here - https:// www.buzzsprout.com/2032995 Instagram- https:// www.instagram.com/ ladollydispatch/ LDD Merchandise: https:// www.redbubble.com/people/ LDDPODCAST/shop La Dolly Dispatch dolly shop: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ LaDollyDispatch? ref=nla_listing_details Annie O’Sullivan Instagram: anio_official https:// www.instagram.com/ anio_official/?hl=en Shop: Etsy aniO aniO - Etsy Australia Angelique Instagram: lapetitechouette33 https://www.instagram.com/ lapetitechouette33 Shop: Etsy- La Petite Chouette https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/ lapetitechouette33 Our mission? Spreading joy through awesome content 23

every week and building a strong bond with our fantastic dolly gang! We adore our lively Blythe community and cherish every chance to chat with you all. Our goal?

Creating a happy space where everyone can geek out about Blythe dolls. Fancy talking Blythe on our podcast? Dive in and hit us up! _________________________ @TINYFROCKSHOP

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