The primary individual Im that includes as a part of the March Expertise Showcase is Andreja! Her consideration to element is phenomenal,Bjd Doll Head as I feel you’ll agree,How To Make A Bjd Doll and she or he sells underneath the title Katjuss on Etsy. Her miniatures are superb and her stitching is superior! Proceed studying to study extra about Andreja, her clothes and her miniature work.
Hiya Andreja! Please inform us a bit bit about your self.Hello Michelle and Blythe Lif100% model new, and glorious workmanship from China prime toy firm, specifically subtle handmade garments.e readers!
I reside in Ljubljana the capital of Slovenia, a tiny European nation, formed like hen. If you happen to look jap of Italy and south of Austria, youll discover us there.
Im graphic designer by career, I used to be working 18 years in promoting company however for a 12 months now, I work as freelance designer. It permits me to spend extra time with my household and naturally for my hobbies. I have been a artful individual since my childhood I bear in mind I used to be at all times making all types of issues for my dolls, slightly than enjoying with them . I missed that after I grew up. Though I work in a inventive career and love my job, Its nonetheless principally work on laptop. So working with fingers like knitting has at all times been type of stress reduction for me. As a knitter your self you in all probability know what Im speaking about.
How did you discUsual detailsover Blythe?I entered the doll passion in 2012 with Style Royalty dolls (Integrity Toys). Quickly after shopping for my first doll, I joined Flickr . I found so many gifted individuals there I may spend hours and hours searching their photos! Theres the place these quirky cute massive head women caught my eye. Originally I didnt even know the distinction between Blythe and Pullip and Icy. It turned out that the dolls I preferred essentially the most had been truly custom-made Blythes, however they had been far above my price range. I opted for a extra reasonably priced doll and purchased my first Pullip. After some minimal alternations (like wig and physique altering) I felt assured sufficient to purchase and customise my first Blythe. However I spotted quickly theres an enormous differenVersatile between opening and reassembling Blythe or Pullip doll. I couldnt even open hWhimsicaler head with out some assist from my husband. And regardless of being accustomed to brushes and pencils, the doll head shouldn’t be a straightforward object to attract on, however I loved the entire course of and I really like her regardless of all imperfections.
Who’s in your doll household proper now?My doll household is small however fairly various. Flora is my first ( and to this point the one) Takara Blythe (Nicky Lad). I purchased a faux one with stunning mint hair to apply my customizing expertise however she stays in her authentic situation (being to busy modeling for my Etsy store). I’ve two Pullips Alte (named Lucie) and the most recent addition Merl (which I have never named but). After which there are my Style Royalty girls eight of them in whole.
Inform us about what you do within the Blythe neighborhood?The one factor I like essentially the most about this passion is the broadness of inventive challenges from customizing to stitching and knitting, making miniatures and constructing dioramas. I at all times looking for inspiration and each time I see a brand new craft or approach I need to strive it out. I spotted I make extra issues than my dolls want and It could be good to share them with doll neighborhood acro
What was one of many first articles of doll clothes that you just created? What had been some challenges you confronted with stitching so small?The primary doll merchandise (if not counting these I made as a toddler) was a knitted wool sweater. I made it precisely the identical manner as I’d make a human measurement sweater front and back half and two sleeves all flat items that needed to be sewn collectively. It was a nightmare to complete it, particularly the sleeves. After some trials and errors I labored out a sample that has just one seam on the again and matches dolls properly. On the subject of stitching as a self taught seamstress my work shouldn’t be manufacturing facility good, however I put lots of care and energy to make issues neat and cute. I rigorously selected the correct materials, (I dont need the Placing contrastclothes to look cumbersome) and I like when it drapes real looking like human garments. One other problem is to seek out the stitching notions in proper proportion. I at all times search for the tiniest buttons and snaps, but a few of supplies should not obtainable the place I reside (like I purchase a few of provides on-line, ideally on Etsy.
What was the primary merchandise you offered in your Etsy store? What was that have like?It was a dusty pink gown with knitted prime and rose print skirt. I used to be so excited! Its a pleasant feeling when somebody likes one thing youve made sufficient to buy it and add it to his/her assortment. I waited 12 days from the opening of my store until the primary sale and it appeared like ages. I spotted later it wasn’t that lengthy in any respect and plenty of sellers waits weeks and months tillBasic construction they make their first sale.
What sort of 1:6 scale miniatures do youVintage class make? What are some challenges with creating precisely scaled miniatures? What do you want about it?For my private assortment I make no matter intrigues me in the intervening time. It normally begins with the concept for a pictures after which I make all of the props that I want. Im typically impressed by the season: I’ve made a spring gardening scene, some navy impressed miniatures, a number of Christmas associated. Nonetheless I do not make all the things on my own, there are some Common constructionmaterials that Im not accustomed to, like ceramics and steel I purchase these if I want one thing like that. I work principally with paper, balsa wooden and polymer clay. It may be a fiddly work to make one thing so tiny, however essentially the most difficult half for me is to realize simply the correct colours and textures to make it look real looking. However Its actually satisfying when hours and hours of working pay with end result.
However many of those miniatures are too fragile to be shipped (or not less than Im worrying about it) , so I promote solely these sturdy sufficient and ideally flat.
What has been a few of your favourite items that you’ve got made? Did you retain them or promote them?I really like crops and miniature variations of them looks as if apparent selection. They’re made out of paper, every petal or leaf hand painted and individually minimize. It took so many hours to make them, they’d be too costly to promote. However I’d love so as to add some crops to my store and Im engaged on extra reasonably priced choices.
As for the garments I hardly select a favourite one and I dont have an issue to allow them to go. Im glad if individuals like them and gown their dolls in them. However my favourite merchandise is at all times my subsequent challenge the one that’s nonetheless in my head or in my sketchbook.
What sort of routine do you have got for working in your store? Inform us about how your day is like .My Etsy store doesnt pay my payments (but) so my working precedence is my graphic design job. However working as a freelancer offers me sufficient flexibility to dedicate few hours every week to my store, too. If I’ve an order, I pack the gadgets within the night and go to the publish workplace subsequent morning. My store associated actions rely totally on lighting situation I solely use pure mild for images and I want stitching at day time. I normally knit within the night (in entrance of TV) Night and late night time hours are additionally reserved for laptop work picture editiLargeng, itemizing new gadgets, looking for provides. When making miniatures I dont have a typical routine. I make them each time I really feel impressed.
With so many different Etsy retailers on the market promoting Blythe clothes and miniatureAllurings, how do you make your self stand out?I by no means had any type of advertising plan be distinctive from my competitors. Possibly its the mix of garments and miniatures normally the retailers focus on both one or one other. I dont have a signature design fashion however since I really like knitting, all of my fashions embody a knitted half (normally the highest of the gown). Nonetheless making solely knits could be to limiting for me I like to mix cloth and yarns, completely different colours, completely different textures, tiny gildings its my favourite a part of the method.
What would you say has been essentially the most rewarding expertise associated to promoting your work?Essentially the most heartwarming are the responses from my clients. I like to see their dolls sporting my garments! As a doll lover myself I do know the enjoyment and pleasure when a doll associated parcel arrives to your publish field, I attempt to think about how would I really feel if I used to be anticipating a dolly mail so I put lots of care and energy to pack my gadgets properly.
Thanks a lot for doing this interview with me, Andreja! What recommendation do you have got for somebody whos pondering of opening their very own on-line store?Thanks for this excellent alternative, Michelle! As a comparatively new vendor I dont have lots of expertise and commerce tips to share 🙂 A very powerful factor for me is to do what you’re keen on consider in your self and be affected person. It’d take a while until you make your first sale after which some extra weeks until you make one other Dont quit! Hold making new merchandise and itemizing them. Etsy provides lots of articles with suggestions and advices for sellers they cowl many matters from pictures, discovering the correct tags, advertising suggestions they’re value studying. However as I mentioned a very powerful factor is that you just get pleasure from what youre doing it exhibits in your merchandise and hopefully in gross sales too.
You will discover out extra about Andreja on Flickr and Etsy.
Sweater Set Giveaway!
Andreja has generously determined to offer away one Katjuss sweater with a set of notebooks to 1 fortunate reader right here on BlytheLife!
The giveaway runs till Saturday March twelfth 2016 at 11:59pm Pacific. The draw might be held on Sunday March thirteenth 2016 and the winner might be introduced on BlytheLife.com. Keep in mind to make use of a sound electronic mail deal with for all feedback. If you happen to win, your electronic mail might be forwarded to Andreja so she will be able to get in touch with you relating to sending you the prize.
Please solely use one electronic mail deal with per individual, these usStock configuring a number of electronic mail addresses for extra entries might be disqualified.
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