How to buy Japanese Blythe Dolls from the USA
So you have discovered this curious big eyed doll called Blythe and now must have one for yourself. If your like many collectors you stumbled upon a photo of an odd but beautiful doll and wanted to find out more only to discover these dolls are produced in Japan. You are now trying to find where you can purchase a Blythe doll from a reliable source without having to travel across the world; well you're in luck as there are a few great places that you can order your beloved doll and have her delivered to your home in no time. If you would prefer to buy your Blythe Doll from a physical store there are a few stores that carry them in the USA but your choices are often limited.
Before you purchase your first Blythe be sure to read the description of the doll you are buying to make sure you have the original size Blythe; the petite size dolls are only about 3” the original is about 12”. While the petite dolls are cute in their own way they are not the same quality as the full size dolls and do not have interchangeable eyes. So if you see a good price be sure to make sure you know which doll you are buying.
So how do you know if your getting a good price on a doll? The are so many different models of Blythe dolls each girl has a different face up, hair, outfit and name. Some of the dolls are more rare than others and therefore some are more expensive. There is a great website that lists each doll model and how much on average a person pays to buy her. Visit this link http://blythepricelist.wordpress.com/ to research to see if your dream doll is in your price range. The original Kenner dolls are very pricey while Takara Blythes are more common for collectors.
Another doll you might find is a custom Blythe. Artists or “Blythe customizers” buy the dolls and then take them apart and give them makeovers this can include a new hair re-root, hair cut, new eye chips, new face makeup and wardrobe. These dolls are one of a kind and beautiful. They are more expensive because of the time and labor that has went into them but are worth it to some collectors because they are custom designed and therefore do not have a set price tag.
The most common way to obtain a Blythe doll is through eBay. On eBay you can find new, used and customized dolls from local and international sellers. You usually can find a wide selection and may get a good price. Vintage Kenners can also be found on eBay.
You can buy Blythe directly from Gina Garan’s (the photographer that made blythe famous) online shop. Thisisblythe.com/shop She usually only caries new release dolls and a small collection but an added benefit I that you can also purchase clothing and accessories from the same shop.
Amazon.com carries a small collection of full sized Blythe dolls.
Another place to buy used blythe dolls is by joining the thisisblythe.com forum. Collectors sometimes put their dolls up for sale you can find some dolls that are gently used or dolls never removed from their original box. This is a more risky way to buy because of the individual seller I would be sure to use paypal for your transactions.
I hope you enjoy your new doll, If you have any questions feel free to comment.