BlytheCon Seattle 2014: Vendor Interview, Buttonarcade

1. Introduce yourself, who are you and where do you live?

My name is Kyle, and I live in sunny Portland, Oregon.

2. What do you make for Blythe?

Silly voices and felt pocket dresses.

3. Where can we find your creations?

My Blythe creations can be found in my Art Fire shop:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/Buttonarcade
This is the Button Arcade Fan Club:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/buttonarcade/
And my Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42944111@N00/

4. What are your main influences?

That's such a tough question. I try to find beauty in everything. I might get an idea for a dress off a fashion blog, graffiti, or from the color pallet of my dinner.

5. How did you get started with Blythe dolls?

I first discovered Blythe on eBay in early 2000. I never liked dolls as a child, but as soon as I saw that weirdo, I wanted her in my life. I was planning my move to Portland, however, and paying tens of dollars on a doll with a cracked pelvis (what had she been doing?) seemed irresponsible, so I didn't place any bids.

Shortly after moving to Portland, I found the "This Is Blythe" book by Gina Garan. "IT'S THAT DOLL!" I yelled to my new, now startled and slightly terrified friends. Gina's photos of Blythe were downright magical. They made me not just want a Blythe, they made me want to BE Blythe. It was like Gina was formally introducing us. I bought the book. A friend stole it.

Shortly after my daughter was born in 2003, my little family visited our favorite neighborhood toy shop/art gallery. They had Blythes for sale, and I actually carried a Tea For Two around the store, while violently shaking. My dad had given me $100 for my birthday, but spending $100 on a doll when I had just had a baby seemed irresponsible, so we walked to Powell's and I spent $100 on children's books, instead.

For seven years, Blythe kept popping up in my life. Finally, in 2007, I got my first Blythe, Toast, for Mother's Day.
I really wish I had been irresponsible and started collecting sooner. The early days of Blythe seem like they were wondrous! People had to paint stock eye chips to get custom colors. They were figuring out which clothes/patterns fit Blythe. Sleep eyes? Replacement bodies? So exciting! Those are the lucky ones. Plus, the answer to this question wouldn't be so long and rambling.