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Blythe Doll Customizers

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Interview with Floriana from AlmondDoll

August 18, 2018 / Patricia Carvalho /

Floriana is an architect that became a full-time Blythe doll customizer. She started developing her skills in 2012 and is now doing beautiful dolls that always amaze us with their effortless beauty.

Don’t be afraid to try new things, be inspired by the world around you: children faces, nature, fashion, art. Find your own unique style.

Floriana / AlmondDoll

DollyCustom posed 12 questions to Floriana about her history as a customizer, her process, and techniques. Here are those questions:

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Hi, My name is Floriana but in the Blythe community, I am better known as AlmondDoll.

I live in Dublin, Ireland with my husband and 2 girls. I have Master degree in Architecture and I was working as an architect for several years, now I’m full-time Blythe and doll customizer.

When and how did you discover Blythe dolls?

Dolls were always my passion I first started doing soft toys for my daughters and later thanks to KarolinFelix I discovered Blythe dolls. I started customizing in 2012.

How long did it take for your style to emerge?

I would say my style has been evolving constantly, getting more realistic.

  • First custom doll (2012)
  • Latest doll (August 2018)

Do you do this as a hobby or professionally?

It started as a hobby but at the moment I’m doing it professionally.

I am very lucky because now I can work at home and spend more time with my kids. My younger daughter loves to “help“ me with choosing outfits for my customs.

What is your creative process like? Do you plan your custom dolls from start to finish or just go with the flow?

I usually go with the flow. I have some idea about how the doll should look but it could change during the process of making her. Small things like the shape of brows can change her expression from happy to melancholy, sad or fierce.

What is your favorite part of this process and your least favorite?

My favorite part is face painting and putting dolls together, less favorite is carving and sanding.

How long does it take you to customize one doll? Do you do one at a time or multiple?

It depends it could take a few days or months. I can work only when my kids are at school or during weekends, afternoons are usually taken with my family life. I prefer to work with natural light so evenings are not good for me; I can only finish/ assemble a few dolls at that time and edit photos. I am also very dependent on the weather because I spray my customs outside, and as you know we have lots of rainy days in Ireland 🙂

Where do you work on your dolls? Do you have a dedicated workplace?

I am very lucky because 2 years ago I moved to my garden office and it is completely dedicated to my work. I love it especially during summer time because I can open patio doors and windows and feel the connection with nature.

How would you characterize your style?

I would describe my style as childlike and realistic.

What are your favorite tools? What is your favorite Blythe mold to customize?

My favorite tools are surgical knives and wood carving tools. I prefer to work on RBL mold but recently I also like SBL.

How did you develop the pricing model for your dolls?

Price depends from what type of blythe doll was the base, if she had reroot hair, how detailed was the outfit.

For the beginner customizer, what advice would you give them?

Don’t be afraid to try new things, be inspired by the world around you: children faces, nature, fashion, art. Find your own unique style.

With a work of more than 100 dolls, Floriana / AlmondDoll has established herself as a well known Blythe doll customizer. Her dolls are classic and realistic, with a touch of sweet and soft. Today she is doing it full time as well as creating eyechips and selling them at her Etsy store when available. 

Keep up with her work by following her on the social media sites that you can check on her profile page.

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