Bun-Bun and Babushka Love.

Time well spent......

The desire to create is innate and although we may not have much time to spend on being creative; living in our frenetic mad world, a little something is often better than nothing!                                    

   

Over the last few weeks, I have been snatching some time to make these quirky felted brooches. I love anything that is a little bit messed up and not too pretty, and so came up with my 'bun-bun' Bunny Brooches! Each "bun-bun" (a pet name my Mum used to call my Dad when we were growing up!) has mis-matched eyes to give him (or her) an added dose of "character" and needle felted cheeks. They are stuffed with merino wool fibres and have a safety catch brooch pin on the back, not forgetting a bob-tail of course!!!

 

              

I've also been busy making Babushkas:                                                                                             

Some are plain and simple and others are a little more festive.....They're Reindeer Babushkas! (Possibly more likely to give children nightmares, but I love em!)

I am hoping that these little friends will find a new home at craft fairs, but some are also up for grabs in my Etsy shop 'The Emporium of Bamptonia' 

Peace Out Friends x

Blythe Christmas outfits on Etsy

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Putting my crafting skills to good use this winter, I have made some quirky Christmas outfits for Blythe. Although my girls look great in their attire, it would be nice to share the festive love around! If your girl needs some festive cheer, check out the crimbo gear here:

www.bamptonia.etsy.com

For the love of Blythe.....

For the Love of Blythe.......

I was bitten by the Blythe Doll bug after randomly discovering some of Gina Garan's photos on the internet in 2004. This freaky doll was originally released in 1972, but production was halted after children found her too frightening! Blythe has an oversized head and her eyes change colour and direction with the help of a pull string mechanism on the back of her head. It is this that gives her so much expressivity and makes her so enigmatic. 

Blythe and I actually share a Birthday, and She was originally manufactured by Pallitoy in the local town of Ashby De La Zouch in the early seventies; so perhaps it was more than a coincidence that we found one another?! 

 I now have four original Kenner Blythes (born in 1972, like my good self!) and a variety of Takara (Hasbro) Neo Blythes. The Japanese company began manufacturing the Neo Blythe in 2001 and she now has thousands of followers worldwide but is predominantly popular in Asia. Blythe is not available to purchase in the U.K, so online buying is the only way to go! 
I am very selective about which contemporary girls join my collection. I am careful not to amass too many dolls and collect for collecting's sake! I do, however, own some fake girls (shhhh! They don't know that they are clones so we musn't talk too loudly!) I like to use my creative talents to customise the dolls and create characters. This involves amongst other things, carving, sanding and painting the faces. Below are some of my customs and restorations. 

Original 1972 Kenner Red Head Blythe 

Custom Neo Blythe Cat Girl 

Original 1972 Kenner Blonde Blythe

Custom Mini-Me Bride Clone Doll

Custom Neo Blythe Pierrot Girl 

My Blythe 'hobby' (I hate that word!) has also involved my participation in a variety of different art and craft activities: Photography, sewing, felt making, knitting etc. It may seem like an odd obsession, but if you are creative, Blythe gives you the perfect excuse to have some fun!

Visit me at www.flickr.com/photos/bamptonia/