Collecting Reborn Dolls
The joy of making and collecting reborn dolls is not for every crafter or collector. These hand crafted dolls, however, are still gaining in popularity around the world. Although the activity of creating dolls has been around for many generations, creating OoAK (short for One of a Kind) reborn dolls has advanced to incredible detail over the past two generations. Artisans who craft handmade reborn dolls have carefully refined painting techniques. It isn’t over at the point of the beauty on the outside either, by including technical elements such as a heartbeat simulator, these creations are truly life-like.
To run the risk of repetition, reborn dolls aren’t for every type of crafter. To the uninitiated this is a strange obsession, but to the collectors who appreciate these creations, the act of making and owning these works of art provide an unique pastime.
Although not everyone will understand reborning, just about any one can get started in the technique with an inexpensive purchase of a reborn doll kit. From the simplest and miniature premature reborn doll kits to the resting toddler, you can add the enhancements as your desires develop. As discussed previously this could be a heartbeat simulator or a battery powered breathing add-on. Imagine the family surprise when they see a sleeping, breathing baby in a blanket that has a real look, heartbeat, baby fresh smell!
Before we dive into a tutorial on creating these dolls (from kits or scratch), let’s talk a little more about the finished product. The term reborn doll refers to a factory made baby that has been customized. The process of customization is to repaint and enhance the baby so that it resembles a human. And so the creation of these dolls is labeled reborning.
Every doll is as personable as the doll maker who created it. Each has elements of beauty and artistry just like human babies. Today they come in every color, shape and size. You can purchase kits or create Asian and East Indian, African American and Caucasian, dolls from a variety of stores – online or in person. Vintage dolls that are repurposed for reborning are carefully made over into a life like baby doll. If you visit http://www.angelsupply.com/reborn-dolls you will find hundreds of finished reborns to get an idea of this specialty craft.
Some of these are so realistic they make passersby do a double take. In fact it was told that in Australia last year, police officers broke a car window parked on the road to treat and save an unconscious baby from a secured truck. The baby saved was a reborn doll. The same story is repeated in America in 2009.
Before you start thinking that the police in either country weren’t too aware you’ll have to see some of these dolls. From their skin color to their micro- rooted hair (done with special tools and techniques), a perfectly proportioned and weighted body, these babies not only look and feel real they also breathe.
From a true work of art to a starter’s kit, reborning baby dolls could be a lucrative hobby for many home crafters. In fact there are now many famous artists in this industry who sell their creations for thousands of dollars. However, should you desire to just keep it as a hobby you’ll want to enter slowly into the art and discover the many hand tools, finishes and enhancements available on the marketplace.
Those who purchase One of a Kind (Ooak), handmade reborn dolls are not only collectors. You may discover these dolls are owned singly by women who yearn for a child of their own, or men and women who have lost a child and need a small helper to get through the hardest days. These babies’ chests rise and fall with every breath and when held closely emit a subtle heartbeat.
Kat Stephens enjoys making reborn dolls. Visit the collection and gain tips of making your own dolls at ooak dolls.