Hi, My name is Lily, a graphic designer for the 1:6 miniature world and the creative mind behind Lily Bear Creates.
Since 2020, I’ve been crafting printables that bring Barbie-sized fashion dolls to life. But let me rewind a bit. It all began with a birthday gift from my grandparents – a charming Licca doll. I can still picture her beautiful flower-printed yellow dress and headband. Though I must confess, I dropped that headband right into my birthday dinner.
Several years later when I was in around grade 4, my mom taught me how to use a sewing machine and I was hooked! I started sewing dolls clothes for my new doll, Jenny. She was a popular fashion doll in Japan in the 80s.
I hoped making dolls’ dresses would be my future job. There was only one company that produce fashion dolls in Japan and I was dreaming to be a fashion designer at the company, Takara Tomy. It was my dream but it was a top secret because…I thought dolls were for little kids and I was weird if I want to play with them. (Wrong! But I did not know any better.) So instead of keeping my dream, I left all my dolls in a box and said goodbye until one day I become a mother and have a daughter so I can officially play with dolls again!
Fast-forward 30 years later, I got a daughter like I dreamed of. She But I totally forgot about my passion. I bought my daughter a few Barbie dolls and that was just about it. Then covid happened in 2020. My family was locked in one bedroom apartment. We were all at the dining table; I was working remotely, and my daughter was attending kindergarten. Can you imagine 20 kindergarten kids meeting through Zoom? Let me tell you, it was a mess. (I felt sorry for the teacher.) A few kids just kept talking, some disappeared from the screen, and most of the kids were just waiting and looked bored. So I started searching for easy craft projects for my daughter such as paper crafts, drawing, and sewing, something we can do without needing to purchase materials because all the shops were closed.
During our lockdown craft projects, I stumbled upon some cool easy craft projects including making Barbie clothes using socks. My daughter loved it and requested more and more…and this is how my doll journey started. It was the cue from the universe telling me to do what I really loved. Once the door was open, it was quick. I bought dolls and started an Instagram account & blog to showcase my creativity.
Dolls now occupy my creative canvas in a new way – through designing miniature printables like books, magazines, and food packaging. My imagination is an endless whirlwind of ideas, and I’m here to share them all with you.
While doll couture may be in my rearview mirror, the allure of crafting has me dreaming up tiny universes. My mission? To offer you printables that spark joy and bring the plastic Barbie world to life.
So, whether you’re a seasoned miniature enthusiast or just dipping your toes into this world, I invite you to journey alongside me. Feel free to explore my blog, and reach out with your thoughts, questions, or ingenious ideas – after all, creativity knows no bounds!
xoxo,
Lily