It is with pride that the PEZILLA put some answers here, from a small inquiry of one of the greatest english PEZ collectors - Kelle Blyth
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What's your name, where are you from?
Hi, I'm Kelle Blyth and I currently live in North Walsham which is in Norfolk, England.
How it was born this passion? When and why did you start collecting? You remember your first PEZ dispenser?
As a child, my parents used to purchase me PEZ dispensers as a treat. I remember going to the doctors for my injections and receiving a Miss Piggy PEZ from my Mum as a reward for being brave. I never saw them as a collectable then though; they were just my toys. Fast forward to my early teenage years - I was in a lesson at school reading a music magazine when I noticed a photo of Roger from Less Than Jake. He was standing in front of a huge PEZ collection. It brought back lots of childhood memories and made me smile. As soon as I was home that evening, I immediately went into the attic and found my old dispensers. I guess you'd say that was the beginning of my passion for PEZ.
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I don't know the exact figure, but on last count I had 1500+ and I've added quite a few since then.
Which is your favorite PEZ dispenser?
My favourite dispensers are the PEZ Pals. I think they're ultra cute and full of character.
How did your family and friends react to your hobby and your collection?
My family and friends think I'm mad but support me nonetheless. If they see them out or whilst on holiday, they call me to see if I need them. Now that I have a family of my own, we enjoy going on PEZ hunts together. My eldest daughter, Billie, has her own little collection now as well and my youngest daughter, Casey, enjoys them too.
Do you have some rules for collecting? You collects only PEZ dispensers or any PEZ products?
When I first started collecting, I used to collect anything and everything that was PEZ related. At this point, I was still living at home and space soon became an issue. So I decided that I'd limit myself to dispensers only. I was really good at sticking to this, and only occasionally did something else creep in. Nowadays though, I buy anything that takes my fancy. I don't buy many items that aren't dispensers, but when I do it's predominantly art based items that I buy. I'm a 50's girl at heart so I really love the retro artwork, especially all of the pinup / Gil Elvgren style pieces.
Where do you buy them? You sell too?
There aren't that many places to buy PEZ in England, especially in the East, which is where I am based. I tend to rely on the internet; mainly eBay and through Facebook. I do a lot of trades with fellow PEZheads too.
I don't sell PEZ very often, but if I can help others out (especially abroad) by getting them a dispenser that's not released in their country, then I'm more than willing to buy extras to sell.
Generally, you have a maximum value of money to give for a PEZ dispenser? (optional)
In all honesty, I'm not the wealthiest of people, so high end items are out of my reach (for now anyway). I find that I have to pay a bit extra for most of my PEZ as I can't find most in shops, so unfortunately online prices tend to be a bit higher than I'd like sometimes. If there's an item that I really want though, I'd consider any price for it - I guess I'd just have to sell a few things to be able to afford it.
What is the maximum amount you offered for a PEZ object? (optional)
I tried to buy a PEZ vending machine once - so you can imagine that wasn't cheap!! Unfortunately I was outbid at the last minute though. The only upside is the money I would have spent on the machine contributed to buying a lot of nice PEZ instead.
How can you manage the various dispensers that come out only in some countries?
It'd be lovely if all of the dispensers were released worldwide. But until that happens, I do a lot of trades with people. I think it's nice to build up relationships with other PEZheads and it's great that you can help one another out.
Of the PEZ dispensers that already exist and you do not have, which would you like to have?
I think most people would agree with me that it'd be a dream to own the Make-A-Face PEZ. I can but dream. Other than that, I'd like to start my PEZ Pony-Go-Round collection as I'm yet to own one.
Which characters would you like to be made as a PEZ dispenser?
There's a few characters that I think would look great as dispensers. I'd personally like to see some Studio Ghibli characters such as Totoro, No Face and Baron. Other than that I'd like to see Yo Gabba Gabba characters, Disney Villains and Where's Wally.
If there's a cartoon character that's not been released and my daughter wants them, I tend to make fantasy PEZ for her. My latest creations are Adventure Time PEZ.
Do you think PEZ factory could be more innovative in some dispensers? Why?
I do think it'd be nice for them to make completely new sets rather than adding new characters to existing sets, or remoulding older sets. I know it's hard with licensing, but I sometimes think they miss out on potentially money making sets, especially if they were to release them to coincide with a movie/game release. Kids (their target market) would love to get a dispenser of a character that they'd just seen in the cinema.
One thing I personally am not a fan of is the "bust" type PEZ. I prefer heads only!
How do you store them? The dust, is a problem to you?
Sadly, my PEZ are boxed up at the minute whilst my garage is converted into my PEZ room - so no dust for me at the minute! After everything's back to rights, they'd be proudly displayed loose in bookcase type cabinets with dust proof coverings. It's been known for me to spend a whole day dusting them in the past though, so hopefully my new setup with combat that issue.
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Do you have any project related to the hobbie?
I run a Facebook group for fellow collectors in the UK > FB/pez.collectors.uk.
I also run an instagram account to coincide with this. Through this, I done a project called 100 Days Of PEZ, which featured a different dispenser in a different environment for 100 days. It was really fun to do and I'm planning on doing another one very soon.
A project I'm currently running is called Around The World With Stella PEZ. It is a travelling PEZ which will be visiting collectors around the world. FB/AroundWorld/StellaPEZ.
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I think we are very lucky to have such a great service with PEZ International over here. They really do seem to go to great lengths to help out the collectors and they have great communication with us (Thank you Gabi). I can't see why PEZ Candy don't work in the same manner. There is obviously a reason, but I think it's just one of those things that unfortunately doesn't look like it's going to get resolved any time soon.
What advice would give to a new PEZ collector?
Buy what and how you like! Don't feel intimidated by people with huge collections, they all started somewhere! Most importantly have fun with it.
In addition to PEZ, collect anything else? What?
I collect vinyl and my house is full of musical instruments (both myself and husband are musicians) so I suppose you could say I collect them too. Other than that I have collections of comics, old printing/craft tools (I run my own handpulled screen printing / craft company).
Can you spend a day without thinking in PEZ?
I find it hard to get away from PEZ, especially because of social networking sites. I see it as a harmless obsession!
Thanks Kelle! :-)
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