REBORN DOLL
A reborn doll is a handmade art doll created from a blank kit or a manufactured doll that has been transformed by an artist to resemble a human infant with as much realism as possible. The process of creating a reborn doll is referred to as reborning and the doll artists are referred to as reborners.[1][2] Reborn dolls are also known as lifelike dolls or reborn baby dolls.[3][4]
The hobby of creating reborn baby dolls began in the early 1990s when doll enthusiasts wanted more realistic dolls.[5] Since then, the industry and community surrounding reborn dolls have emerged.[5] Reborn dolls are primarily purchased online but are available at fairs.
Reborning involves numerous time-consuming steps. The most basic form of the process involves taking a vinyl doll, adding multiple hand painted layers of paint, and adding other physical features to the doll.[3]
Some consumers of reborn dolls use them to cope with their grief over a lost child (a memory reborn), or as a portrait doll of a grown child.[10] Others collect reborns as they would regular dolls. These dolls are sometimes played with as if they are an infant.[10] Critics debate whether reborn dolls are harmful, or whether these dolls can help in the grieving process.[5][11] Because of their realistic appearance, reborn dolls have occasionally been mistaken for real babies and “rescued” from parked cars after being reported to the police by passers-by.[4][12]
BASIC REBORNING METHODS.
The technique of reborning a specially made doll kit typically involves the following processes:
- Reborn doll kits are made from very soft vinyl and consist of a head, arms, and legs.
- The exterior is painted using various techniques to add to the appearance of translucent skin tones, with effects such as veins, blotching, and “milk spots” to resemble the skin of a newborn baby.
- Hair and eyelashes, usually fine Mohair, Alpaca, or Remy Human hair, is applied using a special hand rooting tool and felting needles (Regular barbs or ultra micro barbs – German barbs or forked) strand by strand, which can take up to 30+ hours per head.
- A nice doe sued or calico cloth body is used, which is stuffed and weighted to feel like you are holding a real newborn baby.
- A magnet may be attached inside the mouth for attaching a pacifier/dummy or inside the head for a magnetic hair bow.
- There are many more details you can add to a reborn and you can customize a reborn doll to your exact liking, on the custom ordering forms.
During the “Reborning” process:
All the kit parts are carefully washed to remove all residue and left to thoroughly dry.
The doll parts are then painted using Genesis Heat Set Paints these paints have been specifically designed, to be used specifically on reborn dolls.
Skin tones are achieved by applying many thin layers upon layer of Genesis Heat Set Paints and baking between every layer.
Finer details like veining and milk pimples can be added to bring realism to the Reborn Baby Doll.
How to purchase a doll from Elmarie Menge
Elmarie has different types of doll ordering, depending on your needs.
You can order her already completed reborn dolls that are ready to post.
Custom order reborn dolls are also available, in which you can keep the dolls prices within your budget and select exactly what you want your doll to have.