Blythe & Toys

Well I’m back from Japan, and what an amazing trip it was.

I was able to meet up with Atelier Matin in Osaka, at the IDoll West show (thank you Matin-san!) and met a whole bunch of other wonderful people at the show. So many business cards pressed into my hands and imagine my embarrassment at finding I’d left mine in my bag back in Tokyo!

I was also very lucky to get to talk very briefly with Junko Wong at Junie Moon, she has a very commanding presence and I was a little in awe of her awesomeness, so to speak.

There will be a whole bunch of new items in the store soon. I’m getting a lot of feedback from you telling me of problems checking out. I’m working on this issue to get it sorted ASAP. In the meantime, feel free to email me to ask questions or place orders.

Lots of dolly love

Natalie

I’ve been trying to track down dolly events happening in Japan while I’m there next year, and the wonderful atelier matin has given me the details of a show he is exhibiting at in Osaka!

The I-Doll West Vol.6 will be happening on 24 Feb 2008, at MyDome and I can’t wait to go. Apparently it’s a very large show with Blythe, BJD, Lati, Volks, Obitsu and so much more on display and for sale.

Amazingly talented people like atelier matin will have booths to show and sell their wares.

How excitement!

I just can’t get back into blogging.

From my early (in)famous weblog in 1993 (then known as a personal website), to getting nominated for a Bloggie, to numerous press interviews to wide spread hatred in America for my comments about rabid patriotism a year after 9/11, to incredibly kind words from other (in)famous webloggers to leaving internet support to winning web design awards to opening a (now growing) online business…

It’s been a hell of a journey since my first modem back in 1991, and my first computer back in 1983.

I find I have less and less I want to share with complete strangers, and more and more I want to achieve in the Real World.

I’m trying to grow my online business with practically no capital and a hell of a lot of competition. Finally I’m getting good business contacts who are willing to talk wholesale, and I’m even going to Japan to meet some of these new contacts, including *the* name in Blythe.

I’m considering a trip to HongKong as the next place to go, but getting contacts is really hard - most of them are so busy that even though they plaster “contact us for wholesale distribution and orders” all over their websites and eBay Stores, none of them actually reply with real information. Hey, I have thousands of dollars to throw at you, please talk to me!

The people who do business with me are all wonderful, with quality products and great communication. My customers almost always are repeat business (thank you, thank you!) and the word of mouth seems to be happening.

I have a new line coming soon, exclusive to me and carefully designed and developed by an extremely talented designer in Japan. Exquistely hand made, you’ll have to wait a little longer to see it.

My goal is to have a physical shop front specialising in Blythe, Licca, Volks and BJDs with a side line in other collectables - but that’s down the track a little.

So in summation of my ramblings, go look at my shop, contact me if you want anything I don’t currently stock and do contact me if you can wholesale me Blythe goods and accessories!

The March visit to Tokyo may be for as long as an entire month!

You know, like 4 whole weeks.

This is because we have discovered you can rent apartments for less than two thirds the cost of a basic hotel room. In Tokyo. On main train lines. Incredible!

So far, I’ve only investigated Sakura-House, which looks pretty good. The only issue I have is that I can’t seem to book now, for the dates I know I want in March. It’s a “email us and we will try and match you up” type of place. And some of the apartments have huge waiting lists.

Do you know of similar, well known and respected services in Tokyo? Please let me know!

My next trip to Japan will be in March 2008. This time, the entire stay will be in Tokyo for 3 weeks. I have a brand new list of stores to visit, and will spend a little more time at Palette Town. Yay! You’ll be inundated with tails of the super cute (kawai!), super weird, and super wonderful happenings while I’m there.

Hopefully, it will still be snowing in some places!