When I joined Flickr nearly one year ago, Jasz has been my first friend in the Blythe community. So, no need to mention how important she is to me! She has always been there each time I needed some help, and I am SO very glad she accepted an interview. Jasz has so many talents that she makes me feel giddy sometimes! Her fashion sense is unique, and she is a brilliant seamstress, customizer and photographer for Blythe. But you all know that already! Now I let Jasz talk about her fabulous dolly collection… Enjoy 
Photo: *jaszmade. Vanity.
Hi Jasz! Can you introduce yourself?
Well okay… hi there, this is Jasz from Berlin /Germany.
Photo: *jaszmade. Manon walking through Berlin (Heart of Montmartre).
I am a graphic designer, illustrator and typography lover, a color addict and a detail fetishist. I am also a pain to work with but that’s another story. Oh and I am a wife too… Did you know Sven? My hubs is as crazy as I am!
Photo: *jazsmade. Jasz, Sven and girls.
Plus I house two white cats, the reason why my life is hard wearing black only. Their names are Gustav (Persian) and Rosi (British short hair silver-shaded). They are both boys, don’t call Rosi a she-cat just because he looks like a gal 
Photo: *jaszmade. Rosi and Gustav.
They love Blythe too, even if Gustav thinks they keep too much space in his flat.
Photo: *jaszmade. Gustav.
Rosi finds them tasty though.
Photo: *jaszmade. Rosi.
I love being creative, reading or listening to audio books especially while illustrating or sewing – even if I don’t like listening to them while painting.
To me painting is a different process, I need a beat while doing it and so I prefer music. Talking about music… most peeps think when you are into 60s music you are listening to the Beatles or sort of… I don’t, even if I honor their contribution to music itself. I dig blue eyed soul and Hammond Beat, 60s freak beat and generally the British sort of Mod and Psychedelia, American garage or stuff makes me sick – eeeps! But I do like late 60s/ beginning 70s raw soul, afro beat and alike. Until today the US houses some of the best soul artists. Not all of them are old fellows. They just keep the soul up! E.g. Miss Sharon Jones who I had the honor to enjoy live in Berlin last year. Last but not least there is one gentleman ruling my musical world in each and every way, it’s Mister David Bowie but I bet this is an old hat to most of you XD
Photo: *jaszmade. Stardust (Rosemarie Farrow – STA/PP hybrid custom).
Music was always a main part of my life. I even made music myself. I played the bass in a girl’s band and was the singer of THE FLAKE back in the 90s. More than for my voice I was known as a pretty good entertainer. I loved it indeed.
Photos: *jaszmade. Flakenation.
Photography is a passion of mine even if I do not know much about it. Don’t ask me for technical stuff, I get bored too fast to learn about it. To me it is the most important thing to catch what I have in mind or my eye, even if I do not always wear the proper clothes to lay down. I am quite flexible, that helps
Photo: *jaszmade. How to take pics wearing a mini dress!
How and when did you discover Blythe?
It was by accident. I never was in dolls before. Actually I thought this was something for old ladies and their cabinets. I remember when my mother had a crafting shop there were strange people buying yarn to make their reborns (freak me SO out) little hats or rompers or whatever. OMG! Terrifying! And now look at me… I make stuff for big headed dolls, pure horror show for most of the people around me! hahaaa!
But well, I am chatty… I discovered Blythe not until 2007. I was looking for pictures and information about “dolly birds” a name from the 60s for hot chicks because I was illustrating comic characters for a former customer. Funny enough I always drew bosomy big headed girls but after the customer found them too old-school, I changed them to stick-figure ladies with a lot of free-time
Drawing: *jaszmade. Gitta Bicycletta.
While another search for dolly birds I found a picture of a Blythe doll and DANG! New obsession initialized!
How many Blythe dolls do you have in your own collection?
Actually I don’t know. I am not counting anymore, really. Over 45, maybe 50. Around that and growing. If you want to know exactly I am a really orderly Flickr person. Just have a look at my Blytheaholism collection, there is the answer. And then don’t forget the girls I plan to customize. They aren’t introduced so far as I tend not to change them anymore after being introduced.
I admit at the beginning, I started quite too fast and bought mostly SBL until my money ran out.
Photo: *jaszmade. The new Hertha BSC Football Team.
Then I began to realize where I wanted to go. Today I have 2 BLs: Lutz the Dot (Dottie) and Mofa Pop (Parco), both on Takara bodies, I just love them more than Liccas.
Photo: *jaszmade. Mofa Pop, the shining Star (Parco).
Photo: *jaszmade. Lutz the Dot, the color exploder (Dottie Dot).
3 Kenners: Silk Marriott (tends to be bossy), Vanille Lane (the Diva) and Cotton Jones (a backyard fighter).
Photo: *jaszmade. Silk Marriott.
Photo: *jaszmade. Vanille Lane.
Photo: *jaszmade. Cotton Jones.
2 Hybrids (RBL face, SBL hair), maybe 7 EBLs, the rest countless SBLs and RBLs. I sold around 4 dolls out of my collection so far, among them Nike because I didn’t bond with her (and couldn’t customize her too… ACK!) but really, I do not see a reason to sell them. These dolls are mine and the collector in me really wants to keep them! (“Greedy b***h!” they call me from the background) harhar!
Oh and I love Moofs too
Photo: *jaszmade. Planet Moof.
What kind of Blythe dolls do you prefer?
Well, generally spoken I love Blythe (ready-made answer, I know). It seems I love customs the best. Maybe because I am a OOAK person. I do love to have something special. But then again when I got my first Kenner, my heart skipped a beat and I thought I wet my pants twice when I unpacked Parco, sure, I am not immune from the stream of duty. But what really got me like nothing was the moment I looked in the eyes of Luna Lovely my first Blythe, a Lounging Lovely SBL. It made me teary-eyed.
Photo: *jaszmade. Luna Lovely (Lounging Lovely).
But I admit I gave Luna a new RBL face some weeks ago because I love the mold’s bigger eyes better
I have a *VERY* soft spot for EBL, they look moody and I love moody girls, even if their lashes are too thin for my taste. I tend to change them except Liese’s lashes.
Photo: *jaszmade. Liese (She is a *jasz rerooted Disco Boogie).
I understand Kenner love not for the obvious reasons but because visually spoken their faces are just perfect… lip shape, nose, eyes, cheeks… drawn by nature. But you know what? I really dislike the orange (except Silk’s, they are ok) and green chips but I am too chicken to drill them out to throw them out of the window. Yes! I am the Kenner anti-christ! Don’t forgive me!
At the end of the day what counts for me are the characters of my little ladies. And so it happens that my most used doll in daily life is Ira Butterfly (after Iron Butterfly for sure), one of my first customs and a bloody SBL, just imagine! She is also the fave of my hubby, he takes her everywhere but don’t tell him… sheeeeeeesshhhhhh!
Photo: *jaszmade. Ira (Asian Butterfly).
What would I be without Seamus, the incredible Ninja girl who holds the 2398. Dan in Karate?
Photo: *jaszmade. Seamus.
Or without Zuckerschnecke, not the sharpest tool in the shed but a really great crime scene expert?
Photo: *jaszmade. Sharon Toffee aka Zuckerschnecke (Star Dancer).
Did you know Beebee Breath is an admirable figure-skater on ice?
Photo: *jaszmade. Beebee Breath (Baby’s Breath).
Or that Manon le Diable du Montmartre sacrifices plushies at full moon?
Photo: *jaszmade. Manon le Diable du Montmartre (Heart of Montmartre).
I am glad there is Frannie who is always rescuing them under tears.
Photo: *jaszmade. Frannie French (Feel The Sky).
I bet you didn’t know but woe betide you… don’t call the men in the white coats!
Where and how do you store your own dolls?
I love them hanging around where I am but at night they are on their shelf or on the ironing board in the dolly-room secure from kitty mental havocs causing cramps that make them jump around madly.
Photo: *jaszmade. The dolly room.
Why did you start to create clothes for Blythe?
Well, I always fancied bodysuits, gosh, how I loved them but I couldn’t wear one myself because I am too small and too… well… you know I am not Twiggy ;P
Photo: *jaszmade. Twiggy (Prima Dolly Saffy).
So I tried to make some for my dolls. This was the first I’ve ever made that did not find its way into the dustbin, modelled by the wonderful Sookie, my StarDancer. (BTW… in my eyes StarD is the most beautiful Blythe ever)
Photo: *jaszmade. Sookie Su (Star Dancer).
How did you learn how to do it?
Oh, I sew since I was 14 or something. My mom didn’t want to buy me the clothes I fancied and so I taught myself how to use my grandma’s old sewing machine (a Singer cabinet sewing machine with a swing pedal and a helping motor… don’t know how to translate this properly) and sewed it all myself. Later mom made me go to a course for sewing because she couldn’t bear my silly seams. I learned it quite fast, I have a good visual imagination for things like that.
Photo: *jaszmade. Time Guard Action (Blythe Runway Challenge 2009).
I also crochet since I was 4 and learned to knit in hospital when I was 9. I was there for 3 months after breaking a leg to pieces. I think crafting was the only thing that kept me sane. I am no good in sitting around doing nothing. I am too nervous to, I go mad. Today to me crocheting is the thing I do best. I could crochet an apartment building if necessary. I do not need a plan or what, I just know what I need to do. It’s scary!
Photo: *jaszmade. Beach wear.
What gives you inspiration?
You mean along with the obvious 60s thing?
Photo: *jaszmade’s flat.
Well, I am generally a visual character who is hooked on colors. Wearing mostly black myself I do not reflect light or color myself but sucking it all in with each sense. I do not only see colors, I can smell, feel and hear them. They grow to shapes, to patterns, to words, to music and to everything else in my head. It’s like porn or sex, very stimulating. Sometimes I am lucky enough to be able to condense the madness with my fingers and sew, knit or crochet something or I illustrate, paint, write it down, change my flat or whatever.
And I am highly inspired by female beauty. My all-time favorite models are Donyale Luna and the wonderful Veruschka. she is pure art in person. And speaking of beauty there is no long way to Blythe, is there?
What’s your work rhythm and how do you like to work?
Hmmm, I would like to work daily from morning to bedtime but I can’t. Sometimes I need to sit around sunken into my madness until suddenly I feel the spark. That’s the reason I am a pain to work with. I just can’t start like normal people or I bleed out of motivation and get depressed. That’s why I do not like commissions too much. It’s not that I wouldn’t like to make things for people, it is more the disability to sit down and fulfill a plan. I am really no good at this and I suffer if I need to do so. But I learned how to trick myself from time to time. I actually love making things for people and so I do.
How does your studio look like?
Mostly my studio looks like a mess but sometimes like that:
Photo: *jaszmade. The Studio.
Where do you sell your creations?
Mostly on Etsy, but my shop is often empty. You also can preorder on my blog. I found out the preorder system satisfies more customers while Etsy or Artfire listings frustrate people who aren’t fast enough. On one hand it is flattering selling my offers so quickly but on the other hand the customer is the main attraction in this game. I think I am going to offer more preorders in future even if I sew the same for a long time and people have to proof their patience. But well, I am just one human and I do what I can to satisfy dolly wishes.
Why did you start to customize Blythe?
I started customizing them because I was unable to find a doll that I liked without to lay my hands on her and because I hadn’t the money to buy customized dolls. I also was interested to use an airbrush and so I bought one and got started. Plus I love black appeal and really needed a black Blythe for myself. I really enjoy making them, even if it is tricky.
Photo: *jaszmade. Schäfchen (RBL – Mohair reroot)
Photo: *jaszmade. Foxy (First Black Blythe).
How did you learn how to do it and how to do reroots?
I learned it mostly by try and error and following the great tutorials of Puchi Collective and gggroovydolls.
I was so thankful these folks shared all their wisdom that I decided to offer some tutorials by myself one day. I did in between, you find them on the *jaszmade blog’s tutorial section. My goal was to provide information I missed before or just found after hours of collecting infos from here and there, e.g. the glue stick chip changing method without to open the head. Opening the head freaks most people out, even me. And so the main focus of my tutorials is doing something without opening the head.
The same for the reroots. After I learned how to reroot I learned how to reroot how I like it.
Photo: *jaszmade. Blonde platinum mohair reroot on a Kenner.
With some instinct for hair you can create all the styles you want. But I have to admit I worked over 5 years at a hairdressers while studying back in the nineties. Cutting and doing hair is like crocheting, my hands do it for me.
Photo: *jaszmade. Izzy Lovetrue (I Love You It’s True).
What are you working on these days and what are your next projects?
Oh well, I am still on sewing Twiggy dresses from my first preorder list. I have 4 reroots and a custom girl to do, another black Blythe is laying around waiting to be finished, I really need to publish my new *jaszmade website and I work out new ideas for future collections. By the way, I am also researching the matter of time in my free time because I hope to gain more of it each day. My hubs told me he could invent a third or maybe even a fourth arm for me so that I can knit and crochet at the same time ;D
Photo: *jaszmade. I Am Helmet: the brand new project.
What do you like the most with collecting Blythe dolls?
I love the moment you open that brown box the most. It is so stimulating, isn’t it? Alone to open that door and sign for the parcel makes me jump and I want to kiss the silly postman (oh no stop, not really… bah!), then I ran into the dolly room, screaming: „Mädels, ne Neue!” (Girls, new arrival!) and then I rip off the packaging smiling like an idiot until I see the little face inside. Gosh, that’s so addictive!
Photo: *jaszmade. Jasz and Luna Lovely.
Are you planning new activities with your girls in 2010?
Last year there were some events like “dwarf throwing”.
Photo: *jaszmade. The Art of Dwarf Throwing.
And the legendary “quarter mile race”, you may remember.
Photos: *jaszmade. The 1/4 mile race.
For this year the girls have planned a couple of other activities like a horse race, also non-sporting events will take place like preparing for a trip to outer space. Maybe we will see some alien life forms then, who knows….
And I would like to add many thanks to you, Fanny, and to my friends around the dolly world for sharing my Blythe love, constantly supporting, inspiring, motivating and loving me almost each day. You’re my motor, I love you! *KISS*
Photo: *jaszmade. Love is… matching outfits!
Many, many thanks, Jasz, for taking the time to tell us everything about your love story with Blythe, giving us so much fun and delight for our eyes! All your dolls have so much character and they are to die for when they are wearing your designs! Besides Blythe, we also share the same passion for Emma Peel, my all time favorite icon, and I really hope I can go to Berlin soon and meet you IRL, dear Jasz!
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AWWW! Jasz the COOL! When I grow up, I want to be just like her!
haha…I will always be a child at heart…and I think that Jasz will too!
Another awesome interview, dearest Fanny!!!! LOVE reading your interviews…they make me stop what I am doing…even when I don’t have the time!!! xxx