mademoiselle blythe

Carmen is famous for having the fastest growing collection ever. In May 2008, she had one Blythe doll only: Lily (Natasha Moore). Two years later, she is the proud collector of 44 girls, including PAM twins, who are the envy of many of us… And she hasn’t said her last word yet. This must be love!

Carmen is also one of the sweetest person I met in the Blythe community on Flickr, and I am very happy to present her interview today.

Photo: ccandy17.

Hi Carmen! Can you introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Carmen, I live in Illinois. I’ve lived in the same house and never ever moved since the year I was born, 1982. I’m one of those weird collectors, a mix of 80% tomboy and 20% girlie. Blythe is the first doll I have actually loved, since Bratz dolls. I really don’t like any other doll as much as I like Blythe. They make me happy, everything about them is so special. Blythe has really helped me get closer to my girlie side as well. I’ve always been a mix of both, always having that Vogue/Cosmopolitan and MotorTrend magazine nearby. But I’ve always wanted to learn more about fashion too.

Photo: ccandy17. The PAM twins and their bikes!

I tell you, I can memorize how to change the oil, spark plugs, brakes etc on a car but for the life of me it’s hard to memorize who made what gown at the Oscars! Some fashion designers are easy to recognize but others, I can’t!

Photo: ccandy 17. The PAM twins and their roadster!

I can quickly jump into fixing a car, but taking apart a doll makes me so nervous! But I’m determined to get past that and learn. That is why my custom StarrKiss/Rainbow Blythe is not that perfect, but she is quite popular and that makes me so happy.

Photos: ccandy17. StarrKiss – Prima Dolly Saffy custom and rainbow saran reroot by Carmen.

I have always been artsy, the only reason I liked going to school was for the art classes. Everything else bored me.

I’ve been married for almost 10 years to a wonderful amazing man, who is very supportive of my dolls. He actually gives me ideas for pictures, he picks almost all of the places we go take photo shoots at, helps pick outfits, names etc. He is amazing. Just like with my car, he’s always beside me in every hobby!

We have 5 cats and 1 rat. My husband and I love animals. I’ve had animals all my life, I really can’t see life without them. We enjoy many things. Basically anything fun, if it’s not fun, I must say I’m out. Life is short, we can’t be serious ALL the time!

Photo: ccandy17. Momo (Ultimate Tour-Momolita) and Harmony (Gentle River). One of my favorite Christmas photos last year!

How and when did you discover Blythe?

I knew about them 3 years prior to actually buying one. Due to their price I was not able to buy one before 2008. I saw her on a friends myspace profile, and I was in love. But when I looked them up, their price kind of blew me away. I told myself, I will have one, one day!

Photos: ccandy17. The 2008 collection.

When and why did you start your collection?

I started in 2008, right after I was able to finally afford one. I was really looking just for one, my mini-me. But ended up wanting every hair color out there! I was basically going after a rainbow color theme. Then quickly realized I wanted them all. BUT I have to chose carefully,since I can’t have them all. So I go by hair color and then eye chip colors. Or other special features. I love using them as my little models.

Photos: ccandy17. The 2009 collection.

How many Blythe dolls do you have in your own collection?

I have 44 total with 2 on the way (CassSpice & Ice Rune).

List of molds I have are: 1 FBL, 4 EBL’s, 15 SBL’s and 24 RBL’s, including 10 customs: 1 by me, she is the Rainbow Girl, 3 Happibug Girls, 1 GinaBaby, 1 FruityBlythe, 2 Poohie’s, 1 Sookie and 2 DuhGirls (in progress).

Photo: ccandy17. The 40 girls in January 2010.

Where and how do you store them?

In a glass case, I try and take each one out every month, also I clean the case monthly, brush their hair and sometimes change their clothes.

Photo: ccandy17. The dollcase.

What kind of Blythe dolls do you prefer?

I don’t go by molds, I’m not good at telling molds apart really. I go by the girl herself, hair color and eye chip color. As previously mentioned. I don’t discriminate, hahaha, I want them all!

Photo: ccandy17. Carmen and Momo.

Who did you ask to create the custom dolls you have and how do you choose your customizers?

My first customizer was Lynne/Happibug and I must say I love her customs. What intrigued me was the way she made them into such sweet unique girls. I like that, sweet and simple. Her art is amazing as well! I wish she did tattoo’s too! She will be working on my other MLC soon.

Photo: ccandy17. The happibug girls showing Lynne’s amazing eye art.

I chose Sookie because her style is nice , she changed my Candy Carnival and she looks way better now. I like both my Poohie and FruityBlythe customs because they have that simple sweet look to them.

Photo: ccandy17. DeeDee (custom Disco Boogie by Poohie).

My GinaBaby custom, she is amazing as well. She is new to me, from sweet TachaDoll.

Photos: ccandy17. Lulu (custom My Little Candy by GBaby).

And last my DuhGirls, Erica has a really cool sweet style that I like. I can’t wait to see those, they are a work in progress.

I wish to have a Picara, Jaszmade, Vainilladolly, FrankieDarling and many other customs someday.

Which Blythe is the last one arrived in your collection?

Devi, my thermal Poohie Fruit Punch custom. She is amazing, love her thermal hair. I really love thermal girls. Also just got CassSpice and Ice Rune, they should be arriving in a week or so.

Photo: ccandy17. Devi (custom Fruit Punch by Poohie).

Which one would you like to have next?

I’m still un-sure about getting Goldie, her price is killing me, it’s close to a Kenner price. She seems worth it, but I keep thinking I can have a Kenner instead. Then Ribonetta Wish. I might be done for a tiny bit, but I will be back soon!

Did you send any of your Blythe dolls for adoption or do you still have them all?

I’ve done it once, and will never do it again. But this was a special occasion. I had gotten another Ultimate Tour, to have twins, just like my PAM twins. Also incase something happened to Momo. BUT come to find out, Momo/UT was my only special ultimate tour girl and I couldn’t get close to her twin. A good friend of mine expressed how much she loved UT, so I offered her my second UT. It was nice making her happy. It all worked out. J Everyone knows how much I love Momo!

Photo: ccandy17. Momo.

What do you like the most in collecting Blythe?

The people I have met, very caring, sweet and artistic people. Great friends I have met. Everything about Blythe and the people is special!

Photos: ccandy17. Chloe (Happibug custom with pink thermal saran reroot).

A final word?

I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to have met such great individuals. Thank you to all of you for being such great friends to me. I truly appreciate all of you!

A huge thanks, Carmen, for sharing your love story with Blythe! Your dolly collection is fabulous and I love the way you dress your girls, always oscillating between a sweet and a sexy look. You rock, Carmen, just like your girls!

Photos: ccandy17. Portia (Darling Diva) playing Lady Gaga, and Penny (Miss Sally Rice).

Photo: ccandy17. Coraline (Punkaholic People) and her mini-me by Violetpie.

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2. Great Collector Interview #5: Amélie/Amloro16
3. Great Collector Interview #9: Jenniferabe
4. Great Collector Interview #3: Cybermelli
5. Great Collector Interview #6: Princess Di-O-Rama