Sunday, August 12, 2012

Toys, Toys, and More Toys



My first Blythe, Cordelia.

 I suppose it's no secret if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter but I have a confession: I love toys. It is indeed a recently new development, relative to the span of my life, though it feels like I have loved toys and been collecting forever. Less like a new part of me and more like an exsisting part of me that only got it's chance to surface. It really started this December, with an unexplainable infatuation with Blythe. (If you don't know Blythe, get to know her. Her story is amazing) I can't even remember how I stumbled on my the first photo of her, but I did and I was captivated. I started knitting sweaters for her before I even considered that I might have one. I could go on and on about growing up to soon and reconnecting with my childhood, and maybe someday I will, but for now I will  just say this: for some reason toys, dolls specifically, make me very happy. Shortly after taking to Blythe (and getting my first one!), I fell hard for Pullip. Then Littlest Pet Shop petite Blythes. Then I fell in love with toy photography. This I can somewhat explain: it is the best, most sensible way for me to share my toy obsession with you.  There is something magical about capturing your toy whether you set out on a shoot with something in mind and you get that perfect expression or whether the expressiveness of your toys totally catches you off guard. Then I was on Blythe Kingdom and falling in love with the community of Blythe collectors. Then I was on Flickr, with ambitions that far surpassed my actual abilities.


Le petit obsession

In the midst of falling down the rabbit hole I found Alice. Alice writes a wonderful blog called My Plastic Fantasy. The first post I read by her was: Getting your doll out in public!. Give it a read, even if you're not a CrazyDollPerson this post is also a lot about being yourself, loud and proud! I didn't realize until I read this post, and I felt something resonate deep inside me, that I wanted desperately to share my doll love with the world. In the months leading up to this cathartic event I was, of course, sharing my new hobby with the Best Boyfriend in the World and the Best Friend in the World and I was tweeting and IG'ing a little but I so longed to be Public with my dolly love. I am so inspired by how unabashedly obsessed Alice is and utterly jealous of her immense creativity. I also love the casual way Alice includes her toys and dolls into her everyday life. When I read "Getting your doll out..." something inside me was unleashed. I showed Andrew the post and conveyed to him my longing and asked for his support. Of course he gave it, willingly. I began to take photos much more enthusiastically, got involved in the online communities more enthusiastically, started living a little more enthusiasticlly.


This is my Takara petite, Miss Sally Rice, with SnugglyKitty (who is the best sport ever!)

At first I thought I was weird for wanting to play with dolls (because, honestly, I never intended to "collect" or "invest" in them, even if that is what I told my self and loved ones to justify it), then I decided it didn't matter if I was weird if it made me happy, and now I have decided that I am not weird. I am obsessive. Overly-enthusiastic. Silly. But I'm not weird. I am a just a girl happily exploring a new hobby that brings her endless joy. I can't fathom why I though I couldn't share this new love with you, my friends. Maybe I was embarrassed. Maybe I was afraid of rejection. But I'm not anymore- I am thrilled to here and be who I am and share it with anyone crazy enough to try to follow along! (Crazy, because I can't even keep track.)


Harris, Hubert, and Hamish the Havoc Wreakers of Brave fame.

As you could have guessed there will be a lot more toy and dolly related posts on here. But do not be disheartened, I am still Live.Love.Yarn. I could never leave the house without yarn, I'll just have to get a bag big enough for my yarn and my dolls now! Thanks for playing along and as always,

Until Next Time


Also, add me on Flickr!! I am LiveLoveYarn over there too, naturally. Some of the photos from this post are photos from my Flickr (to pique your interest with Shameless Self Promotion), but I am newly making a serious effort to post original content (that means minimal re-posting) here, there, and on IG.



My Pullip, Charlotte, looking peaceful and serene

2 comments:

  1. Ohh Elise I am beyond touched! <3 It's been lovely seeing you around, and I hope to see even more! :) xx

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    1. :) It is really great that people who are new to the Wonderful World of Toys can have someone to look to as awesome as you. I am flattered that you are reading my blog and looking at my Flickr pics because you helped me become brave enough to really put my heart in it. I hope you get to see more too!

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