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.
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| Original 1972 Kenner Red Head Blythe |
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| Custom Neo Blythe Cat Girl |
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| Original 1972 Kenner Blonde Blythe |
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| Custom Mini-Me Bride Clone Doll |
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| Custom Neo Blythe Pierrot Girl |
Visit me at www.flickr.com/photos/bamptonia/
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