Vendor Interview- My Little Headcase

1. Introduce yourself, who are you and where do you live?

We are Nicole and Robert, My Little Headcase. I(Nicole) am mylittleheadcase on Etsy, Flickr and Facebook - blytherocks on Blythe Kingdom. We live in Fullerton, Southern California just north of Disneyland. Both of us are native Californians! 

2. What do you make for Blythe?

At My Little Headcase, we make high-end shelves, fashion, travel and display cases for Blythe. MLH products are designed with love to suit Kenner, ADG and Neo Blythe. They are made of metal - that is what we work with at our business www.fastfabonline.com. We plan on expanding our product line for every BlytheCon. So if you have any ideas, stop by our table and let us know. Robert loves to talk shop! 

3. Where can we find your creations?

You can find us in our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyLittleHeadcase?ref=si_shop and also on Flickr: 

https://www.flickr.com/people/mylittleheadcase/. We are excited to have our handcrafted products in dolly homes in the UK, Pacific Northwest, East Coast, South West, Midwest and West Coast. MLH is looking forward to sharing our special product line and meeting you all in Seattle at our second BlytheCon!

4. What are your main influences? 

Art, music, nature, minimalist, modern and efficient design, random acts of kindness and generosity, talented friends/colleagues, made in the USA and each other! Robert is a mechanical engineer and has a never ending supply of ideas as well as hyper creativity. We work together in concept, design and manufacturing.  

5. How did you get started with Blythe dolls?

I discovered Blythe through Gina Garan‘s books,  Ebay and Etsy by doing searches for Blythe art. By chance, I came across the dolls and accessories. I took a long while(like a year) checking out the world of Tomy Takara, since I didn't realize Blythe was re-released before delving in and getting my first Blythe, CeCe, a Petit Dejeuner Champs Elysees for Christmas 2012.  The prices were a bit intimidating, the variety of models overwhelming and then there are the customs - Mon Dieu! Robert's Patricia Ruth Cake, (a.k.a. Patty Cake)a Punkaholic People, came three months later and they have been rolling in ever since. As of now....we are up to seven Neos, one Petite and five LPS Blythe!

6. Do you collect anything else?

We collect art. Currently, twelve pieces of our personal art collection are on display at the Fullerton Museum Center for the Melancholy Menagerie: A Gaze into the World of Big Eyes on exhibit until July 27th. Also, we have two Blythe dolls, CeCe and my Milky Robot - Iggy Hendrix at the FMC for over three months. Of course, we miss them, but are so happy they are introduced to the public in a fantastic display surrounded by all the greats including Dr. Blythenstein, Emma Mount and the fabulous Mab Graves! Here you can read a mention at HIGH*FRUCTOSE of the show's opening: http://hifructose.com/2014/05/06/opening-night-melancholy-menagerie-at-fullerton-museum/

We have a traditional Japanese garden landscape. This means we collect specific Japanese plants, trees, shrubs, granite landscape features and rocks. It is very beautiful and we enjoy it all year around. Being in Southern California is a challenge for some of the species - so a lot of attention goes into the sitting and care of the garden. 

Robert collects: vintage elves/pixies, vintage Volkswagen's, ukuleles, vintage motorcycles, bicycles, surfboards, LPs

Nicole collects: vintage Christmas, Monster High, pottery, Pinkie Cooper, plastic dinosaurs, Star Wars, hand carved Tiki gods  

7. What's one interesting fact we may not know about you?

Nicole on Robert: Robert has flown with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds in a F-16, been on three Discovery Channel television shows and is a recipient of a Boy Scout "Mentor" pin. Tremendous honors for our family. In his career span, he has worked on life-sized automated dinosaurs, watercraft, bicycles, motorcycles, automotive, signage, medical and now dolly products. Robert's work is featured in museums, universities, hospitals, stadiums, VW's, hot rods, choppers, mountain/bmx bikes, TV broadcasting, retail stores, and many many more....

Robert on Nicole: Nicole is a former U.S.A. Skeleton and Bobsled athlete, lived in France and was in a band in the 90's. She has worked in the beauty, fashion, music and closed captioning industries.