I have been admiring Jess aka Lollygomez‘s gorgeous collection of Blythe dolls for a while and I am especially delighted by the way she chooses the customs for her collection. They are not only beautiful, they also are very special dolls with a unique look, oscillating from sweet to strong characters. I also love how diverse and colorful they all are. Let’s enter the wonderful dolly world Jess lives in!
Photo: Lollygomez. Jess and Mono comme ça.
Hi Jess! Can you introduce yourself?
Hello, hello!
My name is Jess and I’m a twenty-something (in the later) year old, born and bred here in South Australia, where I’ve lived my whole life.
I wish I had an exciting job to boast about but alas, I’m just a Warehouse Supervisor for a family owned Chemical Factory. I work alongside all men in my department, so I guess you can say that I’ve heard it all and nothing seems to faze me anymore.
I’ve been with my long suffering fiancé now for about twelve years (high school sweethearts) and engaged for four. Still no idea when we’ll be married but it will be a trip to the Registry Office because I can’t stand a fuss.
He is very tolerable and patient about my dolly family, but I have been known to sneak a few in right under his nose -tsk tsk
We have two gorgeous fur-children, Dexter and Ziggy who you will see featured quite heavily on my Flickr Stream. Ziggy especially is my comical little chubbykins!
Photos: Lollygomez. The cats, Dexter and Ziggy.
Other than Blythe I’m mad on old stuffed Toys, Tins, Dolls, Ornaments and Trinkets. The kitschier the better. I’m infatuated by cuteness you could say!
Photo: Lollygomez. The Boopsiedaisy gang.
I also have a pretty sweet vintage My Little Pony collection that I don’t have room for.
How and when did you discover Blythe?
I discovered Blythe through a couple of friends who held a little Toy Exhibition one night in their shop. This was around October 2005.
They looked adorable all sitting together with their big eyes, different coloured hair and handmade clothes! I found it hilarious that my friends would give each doll a unique name and personality but at the same time I felt such a strong urge to be in on the fun.
Photo: Lollygomez. Celery and Indiana – Erica Fustero customs.
Once I found out about the pullstring and changing eyes, I was sold!
Photo: Lollygomez. Rabbit – Kenner with a mohair rerrot by *jazsmade.
When and why did you start your collection?
There was this shop in town selling Blythe at the time, so a few days after the Exhibition I went in and bought my first girl, Lounging Lovely. The next day I went back again and bought I Love You It’s True and Fruit Punch. Then once I cleared out the shop’s stock, I set up both and eBay and PayPal account.
That’s when I went Blythe crazy!! The more, the merrier was my motto -eep!
Photos: Lollygomez. Blythes wearing Sleepforever dresses.
How many Blythe dolls do you have in your own collection?
I currently have 76 Blythe dolls: 4 Kenner (one is a custom), 9 BL, 11 EBL, 22 SBL, 19 RBL, 8 FBL, 2 ADG, 1 Bassak Custom Clone Blythe (but she counts ‘coz she is as adorable and has a Blythe eyemech/eyes).
Photo: Lollygomez. Melly Kay customs – Felix Maynard and Bassak Custom Clone Blythe.
I just want to add, my numbers have really slowed down the last 3 or so years. I have much better control, and now being a homeowner, I have loads of other pretty things I like to buy now too.
Photo: Lollygomez. Felix Maynard – Melly Kay custom.
Where and how do you store them?
I have an IKEA Expedit unit where I display the majority. Right now that is a comfortable 60. The other poor 16 are packed away in a wardrobe till I sort something out.
Photo: Lollygomez. Dolly heaven!
What kind of Blythe dolls do you prefer? Customs, Kenners, any specific mold?
Custom Blythe’s have always been my biggest love.
Photos: Lollygomez. Customs and mohair customs.
For me, I enjoy nothing more than having a truly OOAK doll with her own unique look.
Photo: Lollygomez. Triela – J Loves Blythe custom.
Photo: Lollygomez. Rezella, Triela and Vulcanella – customs by J Loves B/Jenink.
Photo: Lollygomez. Indiana – Erica Fustero custom.
Though lately I have been worrying more and more about how they will look in 10 years from now.
I’ve done a couple of my own over the years, but I’m always too picky with my own work and tend to think “Oh, I’ll fix her up later…” -which never seems to happen.
I’m finding FBL’s more and more adorable lately, but where the heck are the new releases???
Photo: Lollygomez. Simply Thumpty Thump, Simply Sparkly Spark and Simply Bubble Boom – FBL mold.
Who did you ask to create the custom dolls you have and how do you choose your customizers?
Some of my most prized custom girls were scored through pure luck rather than seeking out Customizers. I’ve had a couple of custom dollies done through Commission lists, and quite a few have been worked on through happy trades.
Photo: Lollygomez. The 4 Fustero’s – Custom Blythes by Erica Fustero.
Photo: Lollygomez. Lucille – Tiina, just Tiina custom.
There are so many outstanding customizers out there. I’m never fast enough to make it onto their lists though *sob sob*……
Which Blythe is the last one arrived in your collection?
The last dolly to join the clan was my mega cute Skate Date, Helmet, who I adopted from my sweet dolly friend Susan/rosieandmaggie.
Photos: Lollygomez. Romy – Mo’Betta custom and Skate Date.
I fell for Helmet the first time I saw her. It was her awesome hair, cute bangs and super blushy cheeks that stole my heart. Susan is such a sweetheart for letting her come live with me.
Which one would you like to have next and why?
I will make this year the year I finally get my Chunky bang redhead Kenner who I’ve been lusting after forever it seems. I don’t think she’ll be the very next Blythe to show up at my door, but she will certainly be on the cards.
I’m also longing for a Vainilladolly girl too *sigh* -anyone know of any going?……anyone?….
What do you like the most in collecting Blythe?
A couple of things I enjoy most about this hobby is the interaction with other like-minded people. I love seeing Blythe making people happy all around the world and I truly cherish the amazing friends I’ve made so far.
Photo: Lollygomez. Blythe friends – National Blythe Meet Adelaide – June 2009.
Some highlights have been attending Blythe Meets both local and interstate where I’ve met some of my online friends. I’m planning a trip to the National Meet in Queensland this coming June which I’m terribly excited about!!
Photo: Lollygomez. Some girls – National Blythe Meet Adelaide – June 18, 2009.
And finally, what I love is that satisfying feeling you get when she has the most perfect outfit on, or discovering her hair looks fantastic done a different way than normal, or you take a good picture that you can’t wait to share with the world 
Thank you very much. This was fun. Viva La Blythe!!
Photo: Lollygomez. Mondie twin sisters.
Thank YOU very much, Jess, for opening your door and let us see your fabulous dolly collection. I love the way you enjoy this hobby, with an eye for beauty and lots of fun. I hope 2012 will bring dream girls to you and lovely new pictures to admire for us!
Photo: Lollygomez. Hollywood sisters.
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Such a great interview, Fanny! I love Jess’ dollies and her awesome photos! Thank you both for a wonderful read! xxx
Jess is not only a “great” collector, she is one of the warmest, funniest and sweetest people I have met through the hobby. Not to mention her collection is one of the most drooled after in the hobby.
Thank you Fanny for sharing this article on my dear friend <3
This is a wonderful profile of wonderful Jess. Thank you Fanny, I loved to read it..and the photos are awesome. Makes me love blythe even more!
Jess is awesome. Her doll collection is awesome. And even when I knocked one of her twin Goldies off a table at that Adelaide Blythe meet in 2009 she was bloody awesome. Great interview .. she is a cool natural fun chick with insanely great dolly taste.
What a cheery, adorable, sweet person! I love this interview! I love her marvelous collection of Blythes! Everything about this is so fun!
Thank you, Fanny!