Parasol Doll fashions for Blythe are rare and beautiful. You have to be faster than lightning to get one of them! Unfortunately, I have always been too late so far, but Maggie is such a sweet and generous person that she offered me one of her lovely Pixie hats. I am very grateful to her and so happy to post her interview today!
Photo: Keyinherpocket. Ipswitch (Cute and Curious)
Hi Maggie! Can you introduce yourself?
Hiya, my name is Maggie, known on the interwebs as “keyinherpocket”, and the delinquent behind Parasol Doll! I call Portland, Oregon home, but I love to travel and have spent considerable time abroad. Playing with dolls and crafting are my main pursuits, but I have many other equally geeky interests. I adore researching, eating, and preparing great food and am an avid gatherer of random collections, mostly of a vintage nature. I read avariciously and cannot sit still without knitting in my hands. Does a feline family of five certify me as a crazy cat lady? I love all animals, but I have a deep affection for black kitties.
Photo: Keyinherpocket.
How and when did you discover Blythe?
I was actively involved with the Elegant Gothic Lolita scene and would pour over magazines and books on Japanese street fashion. I knew people who collected Asian Ball Jointed Dolls so I was familiar with them, but there was a strange, big headed doll featured in some of the photo spreads that I did not recognize. I was intrigued.
As fate would have it, an online friend posted a photo of her Blythe dolls on LiveJournal and that gave me a name! I promptly googled ‘Blythe Doll’ and purchased the first Ashton Drake Galleries release off Ebay for a ridiculously low price. There were no first person reviews of them at the time and I was really disappointed with the quality. I then purchased a Mademoiselle Rosebud and everything fell into place. My MRB, Brunch, turned five last November and that poor ADG is still in pieces!
Photo: Keyinherpocket. Brunch (Mademoiselle Rosebud)
How many Blythes do you have in your own collection?
- 2 Kenners: Mathilda (Blonde) and Greta Liebchen (wispy center part raven)
- 1 BL: Crane (FAO Hollywood)
- 2 EBL: Licorice Allsort (Very Cherry Berry) and Unnamed Love Mission (mohair reroot in progress)
-3 SBL: Brunch (Mademoiselle Rosebud), Ipswish Aloisius (Cute & Curious) and Chapter Chaos Theory (Velvet Minuet, Vainilla Dolly custom-to-be)
-1 RBL: rabella Lullaby Lichen (Yukinonamidahime)
What kind of dolls do you prefer?
Whoever steals my heart! Although Kenners and customs are my priority these days, I still fall in love with different dolls, custom and stock, all the time! It breaks my heart to sell dolls who have been in my personal collection so I only purchase dolls that I have a deep connection with. I hope to slowly gather a redhead Kenner, a Blythe Studio custom, and a stock Last Kiss. Maintaining a wish list is part of the fun!
Photo: Keyinherpocket. F”airytale Princess” dress: Parasol Doll.
Where and how do you store your own dolls?
They are mostly gathered on a shelf in my studio nook. With that said, I like to keep them near, so a dolly is usually by my computer, near my sewing machine, in my knitting basket, and often, one is still wrapped up in my bag from an outing or photo shoot. It is completely normal for me to bring a dolly with me every time I leave the house. Keys, phone, wallet, camera, Blythe, check! You just never know when an amazing photo opportunity will arise or the chance to convert an interested person. Pull strings are magic.
Why did you start to create clothes for Blythe dolls?
When I first began collecting Blythe, clothes were hard to find, so I began hand-sewing items for my own dolls. I sold a few pieces on This Is Blythe, although I never had the motivation to really apply myself and have always been quite shy on the internet. Early in 2008, I found myself unemployed, and with the support and encouragement of my wonderful friends, Parasol Doll was created.
Photo: Keyinherpocket. Handmade embroidery for the Parasol Doll logo.
How did you learn how to do it?
I started creating things from the moment I could use my hands. My Nana taught me how to cross-stitch at a very early age and from there, I learned embroidery and how to sew by hand. At about 8 years old, I began sewing for my Barbies and also a set of stuffed muslin bunnies. My first experience drafting patterns was for these bunnies as they were 8 inches tall and patterns did not exist for them. I even built them a cardboard and contact paper house by following directions out of a strange 70’s book on miniatures I discovered at a library book sale. Additionally, I was involved in community theatre from childhood through my teens, which fostered a deep love and interest in costumes. This led to creating rather elaborate Halloween costumes and a love for dressing up!
Photo: Rockymountainroz. “Cirque Collection” dress: Parasol Doll.
Ultimately, I am self-taught and am constantly seeking my next crafting challenge. There are so many things I would like to create and new skills to learn!
What gives you inspiration?
I derive inspiration from many disparate sources, but mostly the arts. Music, photography, fashion, history, artists, and literature have a strong impact on my creations. Sometimes my inspirations are more esoteric, such as a color combination or an emotion. I see creating as the physical process of internalized influences.
Photo: Marie/RedFlynn. “Hennessey in a forest” dress: Parasol Doll.
Another source of inspiration for me is the act of gathering and my subsequent collections. Miniature tea sets, ribbons, Art Nouveau lamps, piles of yarn, Victorian mourning artifacts, German mini libris, vintage clothing and Fiestaware are a few of my collections. The act of seeking these little treasures brings me joy and I appreciate the little details that make them unique. I try to bring the same sense of surprise and a focus on detail to my work.
Photo: Rockymountainroz. “Tainted Love” dress: Parasol Doll.
What is your work rhythm?
Lately, it is discord! I am generally most productive in the late morning and the late evening, so my normal workday is usually split in half. The time in between is usually filled with preparing a meal and getting in some physical activity, such as a bike ride or running errands.
Photos: Keyinherpocket. Dress: Parasol Doll new design “Penny Candy” and ruching detail.
How do you like to work?
I must be alone and there is a certain part of my brain that needs to be occupied in order for me to focus, so I am always listening to music or podcasts. My ever-present cup of Stumptown coffee keeps my cogs turning!
Photo: Rockymountainroz. “Golden Slumber” dress: Parasol Doll.
What does your studio look like?
After multiple moves within our home, my studio has taken over a comfortable nook at one end of our living room. Most of our ‘living’ is done in our large finished basement so I am rarely bothered and it has the most even natural light. There is one desk for sewing, one desk for computer equipment and a wall of fabric bins (literally)! I just purchased paint in a creamy teal and can’t wait to paint the walls!
Photo: Keyinherpocket. Singer sewing machine.
Where do you sell your creations?
At the moment, I am using ArtFire for my shop services. There is also an integrated ArtFire shop on my Parasol Doll Facebook page. Due to my design process, I rarely accept sewing commissions, but I happily accept them for hairbows and my self-designed knit hats.
Photo: Jo. “Fairytale Princess” dress: Parasol Doll.
What are you working on these days and what are your next projects?
A large portion of my time recently has been spent working on BlytheCon 2011! I am excited and honored to be hosting with two of my favorite people, Julie and Kyle! We are pulling every pull string to make it a memorable and amazing event!
Photo: Keyinherpocket. BlytheCon 2011 – June, 20 – Portland, Oregon.
In the last month, I have been teaching myself CSS and am in the process of building ParasolDoll.com version 2.0 from scratch! It will feature artwork by my amazingly talented friend Lisa and I am super excited to debut it as soon as possible.
In addition, I recently released my first free knitting pattern, Blythe Pixie Hat. It is currently available on Ravelry. My next free knitting pattern, a classic beret for Blythe, is currently being test knitted by the wonderful Tove and should be ready very soon! Each of my free knitting patterns will be available for download through Ravelry and on the new version of my website! On top of these projects, I am steadily working on a completely separate secret doll project that will be announced in the upcoming months!
Photo: keyinherpocket. Pixie hat adapted from a vintage baby bonnet pattern.
Thank you very, very much, Maggie, for sharing with us your love for Blythe and your talent for fashion. Your designs are truly beautiful, and always embellished with delicate details, which make them so special. I also love the “Curiouser” dress set you made in collaboration with House of Pinku last year. You definitely have a sharp eye for fabric and colors. I can’t wait to see your next dresses, your brand new website… and that big secret dolly project! Good luck for everything, and keep us posted, please 
Photo: Keyinherpocket. The “Curiouser” dress set.
Photo: Keyinherpocket. Follow Maggie on Twitter!
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Another awesome interview! Its awesome to get the inside scoop about all my favorite designers!
Love it!! Parasol Doll fashions are my absolute favorite!
These are the words and works of a genius. The dolly world is lucky to have such a talent in it’s midsts. BlytheCon 2011 is going to RULE!
LOVED reading this interview! Thanks so much for including some of my girls in our AMAZING Parasol Doll creations!
You do rock, Miss Maggie!!!
Maggie is an AMAZINGLY talented and creative lady! I am blessed to call her friend! She has taught me so much, and has been so supportive! She teaches me something new at every turn! I love each and EVERY piece of *Parasol Doll* clothing I own, and will treasure them always!
Portland is lucky to have Maggie in our midst!!
xox
I enjoyed reading this so much! Parasol Doll fashions are always imaginative and beautifully crafted! I often use my very special ‘Benefit of Mr. Kite’ Dress as an example of amazing Blythe fashion, when showing non Blythers my collection…it always does the trick and brings about smiles and approving sounds! Maggie you rock!
Maggie you are really the cutest one!