Notes on Customization of Blythe Dolls: EYES: EYE CHIPS REMOVAL

Starting with the EYE CHIPS ... then, the EYELASHES ... the EYE MECHANISM which includes the EYELIDS.

Please note these are only MY experiences, as an amateur.  A lot of customization hints and tricks can be found on websites and the like, but in all my research, I also found there was so much needed information that was LEFT OUT.  Things that you come up against, that are just never addressed.

Also note:  I only own ONE real Blythe doll;  an ADG.  From what I read, the Ashton Drake Galleries Blythes are made a bit differently than the other Blythe models, so I can only speak on what I know.

I am a bit more knowledgeable in "customizing" my little CLONE girls:  LITTLE BIG EYES (LBE) ...

Basically, for all these type dolls, using the GLUE STICK method is the way to go.

I already had glue sticks ... not the huge ones ... but they worked out okay.    I used a candle, as opposed to a lighter, so I could have both hands free.  Simply hold the gluestick over the flame ... not too close ... for about 6-7 seconds, twirling it all the while.  Then, try and center it onto the eyechip and hold in place until it does not droop.  (I sometimes used something to prop them up in case they did want to droop.) 

At the point I removed my girls eyechips, I either had ALREADY removed their stock eyelashes, or I did not care if any glue dripped onto the eyelashes, as I planned to remove them later.

Let the glue sticks dry completely.  Then, give a slight "twist" motion when you pull on gluestick, and they should just pop out.  I do believe that fatter glue sticks would work better, because on some of my attempts, the glue stick stuck to the eyechip, and I pulled off the "end" of the glue stick only, and I had to start over.

Also, on Blybe / Basaak models:  The eyechips are REALLY stuck in there, and good.  I had to make several attempts at removing them (the CCE model was easier, the Blybe model is more difficult).  There was even some remnants of chip that stayed in the eye socket, and I just carefully removed with an exacto knife ... CAREFULLY !  :)

EYECHIPS on the ADG Blythe girls are ALSO very difficult to remove.  Also, her eyechips broke when removing them and not only were there pieces that remained in the socket, but, the actual socket had little "HOLES" in it !  This is quite normal, and not to panic ... This will be covered up with the NEW eyechips.

IF you have a lot of trouble, there IS information on the web regarding using a "hot screw" method ... which obviously totally damages the eyechip, but if you are removing them, most likely you plan to REPLACE, so that should not be too much of an issue.