Thursday, November 7, 2024

Recently Back From An East Coast Canada Road Trip With Blythe For Halloween!

 


  

I find that fall is a good time to travel.  It's not that hot usually and it's not busy.  Hotels are priced better out of season too.  We usually fly to visit our family in Halifax but this time my husband wanted to do a road trip so we could see more sights along the way!  It was mild and warm this fall so we were lucky. First stop was Montreal then Quebec City in Quebec.  In Quebec City we went to a Halloween exhibition at the city hall and fair downtown.  Next was New Brunswick where we saw the Grand Falls and coasted up Magnetic Hill, then PEI aka Prince Edward Island where our hotel had a neat little pumpkin carving contest and then Halifax where we had a wonderful time with our family out there.  We even went to a Christmas Fair on Friday night.  It was so much fun.  On Halloween day we spent the afternoon thrifting and we went to 5 thrift shops!  It was so wonderful!  So many cute and interesting things but no Blythe dolls.  Oh well it was such a great time anyways.  Then we went to a local place for dinner with a great view.  We actually saw a massive murder of crows Halloween evening fly back to their home.  It was so creepy!  We left Halifax a couple days after and began our trip home.  The ferry to the US was closed so we decided just to drive back from Canada.  Next time we will be driving through the states to Halifax!  I posted all the pictures on my AnnaBlytheDoll Facebook.  Please add me as a friend or follow me if you like.  
 
Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo


Sold 2 Neo Blythes But No Longer Selling Others Right Now

 

I decided to not sell off all my dolls.  I sold two of my Ashton Drake Blythes Kozy Kape and Medieval Mood to a nice lady in the UK but after that I decided to hold off.  I started playing with my dolls again by dressing them up, making clothes and taking pictures.  I made that purple bad and skull dress for my Gina recently too.  I got the pattern free from Blythe 411 Facebook Group.  

Currently I'm at 20 full size Blythe dolls, 7 Petite Blythe dolls and one Middie.  Selling the two dolls made me miss them also so I'm still not ready to go to one doll yet.  Maybe in five or ten years but not right now.  I don't really collect many things anyways and I stopped buying new dolls so there is no harm having the dolls I have now.  

Anyways, that's the current update with my Blythe doll collection.  I will be posting another blog shortly about my East Coast Canada road trip with my Lounging Lovely SBL Blythe doll Veronica aka mini me.  It was such a great time!  Road trips are a bit of work but a lot of fun and great memories were had!  I hope you all are doing well.  I'm still on my AnnaBlytheDoll facebook so please feel free to add me!

 

Love,

AnnaBlytheDoll xo

Friday, August 26, 2022

On My Journey From Twenty-Five Neo Sized Blythe Dolls To One

My completed Blythe Doll Collection
I've been collecting Blythe dolls since 2001 and my first Blythe doll was a 1972 Kenner Blythe doll that I found for $15 US thanks to a Pennysaver ad.  

My first Full Sized Blythe doll a 1972 Kenner Blythe

I went on to amass over 25 full sized Blythe dolls but I sold a few along the way.  Now I am determined to sell off all but one of my dolls.  You see my beloved dog passed away in February 2022 and I was truly heartbroken.  I all of a sudden had to declutter to get my mind off of it.  I began selling things I didn't use or need anymore online and then I decided to start saving for another puppy.  I even sold off my Playstation one with my favorite Crash Bandicoot games for $250 Canadian!!  I hadn't played it in years and it was just sitting there.  

 I felt that all those things were a burden and if I wanted to travel the world someday then I had better start now anyways.  I felt great doing it... lighter and more free.  I decided why stop there why not sell all my cute dolls too!  I never take pictures or make clothes for them them anymore so why not sell them too.

I sold my first neo blythe doll last week!  It was a rare Ashton Drake Blythe doll Medieval Mood for $500 Canadian plus shipping on eBay.  Ebay and Paypal took a cut so it ended up being around $430 Canadian when all was said and done.  I wasn't even sad and I just want the doll in the buyers hands asap.  I hate dolly mail!  It's so frustrating!  Fortunately it arrived in their country and is on it's way to them now. 
 

The first of my full sized Blythe Dolls I sold!
    
               


Prior to my selling the doll I gave my niece two of my fake Blythe dolls because she started collecting them.  I also made her some cute clothes for them too. I am going to list another doll shortly, decided to take my time and sell one dolly at a time because am in no rush and not desperate. I have them listed high with the offer turned on because it's better than having them sit and sit and sit. I determine that high number on how much I paid for the doll and how much I think that they might be worth but it's the market that always prevails. 

It's hard to put a price on a Blythe doll now a days because it's all aftermarket. I do search eBay using the advanced search under the solds. That sometimes gives me a good idea but the Ashton Drake Medieval Doll mint in box had no solds up. I knew that it was limited and rare so I started really high hoping that others would agree but it sat and sat so I decided to add the offer feature for no additional cost and it worked. Listing on eBay Canada is free for me too as long as you don't go over the monthly listing amount. I tried selling on Facebook MarketPlace that charges no fees but no luck. 

I decided to keep my SBL Blythe Doll LL for Lounging Lovely who some have said is my mini me!  I call her Veronica and she's my absolute favorite.  I will not be selling that dolly ever. 


 

Anyways, I will keep you all posted! 

Hugs, 

Annablythedoll xo

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

My Blythe Doll Blog Is Featured On The Kenner Blythe Guide!

 
 
My dolly friend Becca, who has the most amazing Kenner Blythe collection, also has a wonderful Kenner Blythe website, The Kenner Blythe Guide that features so much info on Kenner Blythe dolls and more.  She actually posted a link to my blog in her links section on there too which was such an honor!  It's the last link on the page so she saved the best for last!  lol 

"Annablythedoll's Blythe Blog - http://blythedollblogblogger.blogspot.com/

Anna's Blythe Blog is wonderful for information about where to find good blythe deals, some amazing "Blythe Bible" photos and so much more."

Here is a blog link to how I found my collection via good deals and how I went about earning the money for my dolls.  My Finding Blythe Doll Tips!

Here is a blog link to my "Blythe Bible" post!

And check out the rest of my blog for "so much more"!

Love,

AnnaBlytheDoll xo 


 

 

 


Saturday, March 6, 2021

The Online Goodwill Store Finally Had A Kenner Blythe Up For Auction

 


The online goodwill store finally got a Kenner Blythe doll up for auction and it went for a bit better price than eBay, around $800, but it seems much better to find them in the store. lol

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/116108237?fbclid=IwAR2okczHddCAzabGTaYGi3p6Zt6ZLwIi-jwZxI6f8GsAXHFMfv0UY8HL4hk

Love, 

AnnaBlytheDoll xo


Wednesday, February 17, 2021

How I Aquired My Blythe Dolls

Finding My Blythe Dolls

I have obtained my ** Blythe Dolls ** as a result of searching flea markets, doll sales, estate sale, garage sales, thrift shops, selling hand made items, responding to and placing ads (both newspaper & online), Shops, Rinkya.com for a couple rare Takaras, online contests, online sites and auctions. Whewwww! I have pretty much finished my collection, but are we really ever done lol I have 23 – 12″ Blythe dolls and I don’t want to go over… dear Gosh, I can’t go over 23 again hahaha! The easiest way has always been through online auctions and you’d be surprised at the deals you can get.
 

Where I Searched For Blythe Dolls

 
Flea Markets, Doll Sales, Estate Sales, Garage Sales & Thrift Shops

Okay, so we all know that finding a vintage Blythe in person now a days is kinda like being struck by lightening imo.  It’s still possible, but it’s very rare. What I have done over the years is a bit outside the box. When I was searching for Blythe I simply picked up other neat little vintage things that I would sell online so that I could buy Blythe. I was able to build enough savings to buy Blythe dolls and other Blythe items. I still am searching for that box of Kenner Blythes lol! I was close to finding a 1972 Kenner Blythe in person, though… I was at a Flea Market in early 2000 and a dolly shop had just sold a minty red head two weeks prior for only $20 Canadian! Ouch lol Then at a doll show I met a vendor that had 3 originals, but not for sale. She said that she had all the hair colors and she was glad because the prices went so high! I didn't have the heart to tell her that there were really 4 hair colors.  At that same doll show I picked up a Leggy doll for a couple of bucks and sold her online for over $50 US… of course that went into my Blythe fund for buying a Blythe doll!

Ads

My very first Blythe doll was a chunky banged red head 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls found for $15 US by responding to a local Pennysaver ad in 2000! Then I placed an ad and found 2 near mint kenners for $300 US. At that time you could find them more often for $50 – 250 US, but now a days they might even ask more than a mint Kenner! I still see people finding them for a good price though so please don’t give up. I find the hunt is a lot of fun and you will always find other neat things to keep or sell for your Blythe doll fund. I have also purchased Blythe dolls and Blythe doll items through Yahoo Blythe Kenner & TIB. There are a lot of Blythe dolls to buy! 

Online

I have placed ads and responded to ads searching for “1972 Kenner Blythe Dolls” on Craigslist, Kajiji, online dolly bulletin boards and checked the classifieds for news paper websites, as well.  From 2001-2005 I found 5 Kenners that way and for a good deal also.  I sold one red head for a blonde KB that I won on an online auction.  2 of my most minty KBs were won on an online auction.  I find it’s the easiest way to find the best dolls.  They may be much more but if you sell other things you don’t want to earn the money to buy them then it’s not that bad.    

Used & Nude Takara Blythe Dolls

I bought a couple of used and nude Takara Blythe dolls that were in really great condition for a terrific price. If you are trying to save money, but can”t live without a certain Blythe, try a compromise and consider buying a pre-loved Blythe doll. If you are one that can’t stand even a hair out of place, then this is probably not a good idea for you. When you purchase anything used you may encounter a number of unsavory things, like: bad smells like smoke, missing pieces, scratches, broken part(s), stains, etc.

Rinkya

Rinkya sometimes has rare Takara Blythes on Yahoo Auctions, but there is a commission fee involved so please refer to the site info for further details.

Offers

When sellers set prices or reserves too high for Blythe dolls, most end up not selling. Look at it as an opportunity! Go ahead and make an offer to BIN (buy it now) that you think is fair and the seller may edit it to let you buy it right away. If you low ball just remember you will most likely be rejected. Be aware that if the seller asks for money order payment you risk loosing the cash. I always use PayPal for such deals because they can offer you some protection. For more details please go to www.paypal.com

Sold My Unwanted Things For Cash

Go in those all your closets & drawers, your garage, the attic, the basement, or where ever you have built up tons of what you feel is junk… hey! You may even find a vintage treasure while doing so! Maybe even a vintage 1972 Blythe Kenner! Ask you grandma to have a look too  Forget having a garage sale after you build your bounty of useless stuff, take those goodies to one of the most popular online auctions!

Selling Blythe Dolls & Other Vintage Items

At one point I had 3 red head vintage Kenner Blythes, but no blonds. I decided to sell one of my red heads to fund my blond purchase. I also had other Takara Blythe dolls that I didn’t bond with so I sold them for other Blythes. I did buy a few back because I wasn’t sure about selling them in the first place… it”s never easy selling Blythes so please be sure before you do and if you aren't then I think it’s best not to. I sold them mostly on online auctions and Facebook for members only, so please consider signing up and sign in. I also sold other vintage items as well and built my PayPal up so I could afford my Blythe Family! I even had a set of Blythe twins thanks to this. During all of this I developed a good eye for finding really neat vintage treasures. I was able to sell them via online auctions for great prices. I always learned about what I was selling before I listed. I would go into the completed auctions and look up the information about the pieces and what they were going for. I also Googled it too because I never copied other auctions and I strongly believe that doing so is not a good thing. People aren”t stupid and would notice… believe it or not it would probably effect your auction. I still sell things online once in a while to this day! It’s not only profitable, but a lot of fun!

Hand Made Items

I have made a couple dress sets and knit items that I ended up selling for Blythes. There was only Yahoo Kenner Blythe Group, Online auctions & TIB back then but now there is Etsy & Facebook! I have yet to list on there but I”m sure if you go to it you will find a bunch of information.
 
There are a lot of free patterns at yahoo Kenner Blythe group and TIB in the customization section. I do also have a pattern category if you wish to look at the auctions. I just learned of a new website that is similar to Etsy and it”s called Art Fire.
 

Online Shops

Goblin and HLJ are where I pretty much pre ordered the majority of my Takara Blythe dolls and items. To me they were always very reliable and trustworthy too.

Contests

I have entered some Yahoo Blythe Kenner & TIB contests and was lucky enough to win first prize and made off with a NRFB Takara Vino Yamaha Scooter! Thanks again for that lovely prize Blytherules & Keit at Yahoo KB Group! I am very grateful♥

Online Auctions

Believe it or not but you can still find great deals on Blythes. Amazing Ebay BINs (Buy It Now auctions) come up now and then, though it seems rare. Some Sellers will consider BIN offers if you make them an offer, but don”t be too disappointed if they reject you outright because your bid is too low for them. I had thousand of nos before I got 2 yeses on my total dream dollies! (Maria Mint Med Brown haired KB& Bella soft haired blond KB). Some sellers don”t take very good pictures, or they don”t clean them up well… that will cost them and save you too. Lately this seems a bit opposite and the most beat up 72’s get a lot more.

 
The key to all of this is that I tried and did not gave up! It took me a little bit, but it was possible for me. Even when I couldn't find a kenner in person, I earned and save up for that special dream Blythe by selling other things that I found! ♥  


Love,

AnnaBlytheDoll xo




Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Amazing Kenner Blythe Stories Facebook Group!


I just love hearing the stories about people finding Kenner Blythe dolls for amazing prices!  Or if you know about a public amazing KB find you can share.  Also TLC makeover stories, or people who hustle and save up for a KB!  I love them so much that I decided to start a Facebook group, Amazing Kenner Blythe Stories!  

I bet with loads of members we could fill the group with wonderful stories of what a lot of doll collectors actually day dream about so I hope you join!

I have even added one of my amazing Kenner Blythe Stories along with a picture of the doll.  I will also share some of my tips too so those that are on the hunt can try.

Thanks for your time!

Love,

AnnaBlytheDoll xo