ISSN 1916-3290 Lifelike Dolls $9.95 CAD
November/December 2008 Vol. 1 Issue 5
North America’s Premiere Reborning & Sculpting Magazine Those Gorgeous Locks:
Giving your Doll Hair
Doll Shows:
How to get the most from them
Dress for success:
Couture for babies of all sizes
Santa Sculpts
The Amazing Artistry of
Stephanie Sullivan
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November/December 2008
What’s inside....
Features: 6 The Amazing Artistry of Stephanie Sullivan 11 2008 Doll and Teddy Bear Expo 12 Those Gorgeous Locks - Hair Rooting Tutorial 14 Portrait Dolls: Dawn McLeod 21 Dress for Success: Couture for Babies 25 Doll Shows: How to get the most from them 27 Spotlight Aritst: Brenda J. Smith 32 Sculpting 101: Continued sculpting tutorial with Tina Kewy 36 Collector: Brenda Milo 40 Santa Sculpts
In every issue.... 4 From the Editors 5 Secrist Cover Contest 23 Sculpting Contest 24 Sculpting Contest - Results 28 Gallery 30 Beautiful Doll Sewing Tips
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Calendar and News Ask the Artist Craft Pattern Shopping Directory Fun stuff
Copyright Š2008 Lifelike Dolls. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any forms or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying, recording or by any information or retrieval system without written permission from the publisher. Prices subject to change without notice. For reproduction information, contact: Lifelike Dolls 169 James St. S., St. Marys, Ontario, Canada, N4X 1B9, editor@lifelikedollsmag.com.
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...from the Editors. It is hard to believe that another year is winding down and we will soon be in the midst of Holiday cheer! My children are already on the lookout for Christmas lights, thanks to an eager neighbour, and they are beginning to make their Christmas lists. Soon we will be seeing holiday dolls all over the internet, and I have to say that I truly enjoy viewing everyone’s festive babies. All of those beautiful dresses and holiday props make dolly browsing that much more interesting. So get out your holiday decorations and start those babies…I’ll be watching for them! Happy Reborning! Sheri McDonald
Well, I can’t believe we are coming up on a whole year since the magazine’s birth! This year has been so full of new experiences for us. We will be heading off to Orlando, Florida, USA for IDEX 2009 the end of January just in time to celebrate the beginning of our second year! It is my hope that we can meet many of you there, so make sure to stop by our booth and say hello! We are offering a special edition of the magazine available to those attending IDEX and also to our subscribers. Don’t miss out on this exciting special issue featuring Dolls Around the World! As 2008 winds down I can’t help think of how blessed we have been this year. I look forward to the beginning of a new year with all of you and wish you all a blessed holiday season! Stay safe! Cheryl Bage
Do you wonder where we find the artists and collectors to feature in Lifelike Dolls? In our email box! Keep sending those submissions! Include a bio about yourself and how you got involved in the dolly world, your web page (if you have one) and some high quality pictures of your work. The Jan/Feb 09 issue of Lifelike Dolls is underway, and we need your submissions. If you have experience, knowledge, tips or even just some comments on any of the following subjects, send them to us: • The Evolving World of Reborning • First Dolls • Creating an Ethnic Baby with Michele Barrow-Belisle • Haircutting 101 Send all submissions to editor@lifelikedollsmag.com.
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Cover Contest 2009! Could your baby Could your be baby be on the cover? on the cover? COVER WINNER: Monickie Urbanjos
Congratulations to Monickie for winning first place! Newsweek magazine has their “Man of the year.” Monickie’s winning doll will appear on the cover of the 2009 Secrist Catalog, and People magazine offersbiography their coverintoa future the sexiest she has won $1500 in Secrist cash! Watch for an artist issueman of of the year. Now it’s time for the “Reborn Baby of the Lifelike Dolls and in the Secrist catalog.
Newsweek magazine has their “Man of the year.” People magazine offers their cover to the sexiest man of cover! Celebrities knowofmaking the year. Now it’s timeYear” for the “Reborn Baby the the cover of a magazine guarantees global exposure and the chance for Year” cover! Celebritiesincredible know recognition… making the cover of a magazine guarantees global exposure and the chance for Reborn artist have dedicated so much time to the incredible art incredible recognition…form of reborning and its time for the world to know. But the problem is outside the doll world nobody has heard even heard
of reborn babies. Secrist plansincredible to change that Reborn artist have dedicated so much time to the artwith the “Reborn Baby of the Year” cover contest. form of reborning and its time for the world to know. But the problem is outside the doll world evenwhen heard Do you nobody rememberhas whatheard happened the documentary My Fake Baby appeared that on TV in the The global reborn of reborn babies. Secrist plans to change with theU.K.? “Reborn market exploded with growth that we’re still feeling months later. Baby of the Year” cover contest.
In the same way the tutorial guide is targeted to reach women all over the world who are just waiting to discover the beautiful babies you make. So will you be in the next Secrist catalog? There are several opportunities for recognition: Do you remember what happened when the documentary My artist biography and $1500 in Secrist cash! • 1st Place: Cover page plus featured Winner: Symara Feitosa 2nd Place: coverreborn ¾ photo & your nurseryBack contactCover information Fake Baby appeared on TV in the •U.K.? TheBack global • 10 Honorable Mentions: Inside photo listing & your nursery contact information market exploded with growth that we’re still feeling months later. In the same way the tutorial guide is targeted to reach
Congratulations Symara! women all over the world In who are just with waiting to discover the beautiful Sothewill youmost be inlife-like the next Secrist conjunction LifeLike Dolls Magazine, Secrist has babies begun a you searchmake. to locate world’s reborn baby. A s the second place winning dollIfwill catalog? There are severalWe opportunities forpanel recognition: already know our of judges from many different doll magazines will havewinner, a difficultSymara’s time choosing a winner. have a to 3/4 on the that backopportunity cover of could the 2009 Secrist are aplus professional reborner waiting forand your$1500 opportunity be photo incash! the spotlight, be here! • 1st Place: Coveryoupage featured artistjust biography in Secrist cover¾ willphoto be awarded on the basis ofcontact five important factors: and her nursery contact information catalog • 2nd Place: BackThe cover & your nursery information • Photo quality; clear, well lit pictures that show the artistic detail of the work. will appear inside. • 10 Honorable Mentions: Inside photo listing & your nursery information • Artistry; covers quality of work such as rooting, contact coloring and detail of cosmetic painting. • Pose; a baby posed in a natural relaxed way.
• Clothing and accessories; the baby. doesn’t most need tolife-like be elaborate but it baby. must bring In conjunction with LifeLike Dolls Magazine, Secrist has clothing begun definitely a searchmakes to locate the Itworld’s reborn out the bestmany in the baby. Blankets, and other will itemshave that add to the overall of the scene and babyIfare We already know our panel of judges from different dolltoys magazines a difficult timeeffect choosing a winner. welcome. Clothing must not have text on them. you are a professional reborner just waiting for your opportunity to be in the spotlight, opportunity couldthat bewill here! • General appeal; your picture should have a harmonizing effect ofthat all the above components make The cover will be awarded on the basis important peopleof sit five up and take notice!factors: • Photo quality; clear, well lit pictures that show the artistic detail of the work. more of information on how to participate in the “Reborn Babyof of the Year” contest please visit us on the internet at • Artistry; coversFor quality work such as rooting, coloring and detail cosmetic painting. www.secristdolls.com/cover_contest. Do not submit pictures of your baby without first reading the photo requirements. • Pose; a baby posed in a natural relaxed way. • Clothing and accessories; clothing makes the baby. It doll doesn’t beworld. elaborate it must bring Secrist Doll Company is thedefinitely leader in educating and equipping artistsneed all overtothe Their but passion and purpose is tobaby. teach, equip, and promote those dedicated to that the reborn arts.the In overall 2008, they introduced thescene now well-known out the best in the Blankets, toys and other items add to effect of the and babycatalog are Secristmust Guidenot to Reborning & Applications. With thousands of copies distributed all over welcome. Clothing have textTools on them. the world it quickly became a resource and reference guide for reborners everywhere. • General appeal; your picture should have a harmonizing effect of all the above components that will make people sit up and take notice! See the Honorable Mentions on page 20 For more information on how to participate in the “Reborn Baby of the Year” contest please visit us on the internet at www.secristdolls.com/cover_contest. Do not submit pictures of your baby without first reading the photo requirements.
Secrist Doll Company is the leader in educating and equipping doll artists all over the world. Their passion and purpose is to teach, equip, and promote those dedicated to the reborn arts. In 2008, they introduced the now well-known catalog Secrist Guide to Reborning Tools & Applications. With thousands of copies distributed all over the world it quickly became a resource and reference guide for reborners everywhere.
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Stephanie Sullivan of HunnyBuns Nursery, and SSStudio OOAK Babies.
Stephanie currenly lives in Dayton, Ohio with her husband Tom. She is a self proclaimed animal lover, with two Golden Retrievers, a cat, a very chatty African Grey parrot, and a saltwater reef tank and freshwater tank too! Stephanie’s daughter is an RN, and the wonderful mother of her two darling granddaughters. She is a born-again Christian, and that shapes much of who she is and the choices she makes in life. I always knew I was supposed to “be an artist”. I just didn’t pursue any one facet of my talent when I was younger - I never found the right fit, I suppose you’d say. I enjoyed college courses in drawing, oil painting, graphic arts & design, and architectural drafting - but nothing became a real passion for me.
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Over the years, Stephanie dabbled in many forms of painting and crafts, including dollhouses, miniatures, needlework and soapmaking. Although she enjoyed a unique international doll collection as a child, “life” took her away from dolls and her innate creativity for many years. Then, one fateful day in 2003, she discovered “Reborn Babies” on Ebay, as so many do. I just had to try and create one of these amazing babies. I jumped in “hip deep” as they say, and have never regretted one moment of it. It wasn’t long office manager
before Stephanie quit and began working
her full
day job time as
as a
a veterinary doll artist.
Being my own boss has been every bit as rewarding as I ever imagined it would be. Now, I just have to fight the temptation to work way too many hours and wear myself out, as those who know me personally can attest is my tendency. Stephanie’s new-found interest in lifelike looking baby dolls led to the discovery in 2004 that she could sculpt them from clay, which was as big a surprise to her as it was to her family! Her first attempt looked more like a Neanderthal than a real baby, but she kept at it, and it became a passion for her. Soon thereafter she met Pat Secrist and began sculpting for the Secrist Company in 2005. With Pat Secrist’s encouragement and training, she began teaching others how to create reborn dolls. Stephanie worked closely with Pat for several years as a reborning consultant and instructor for the Secrist Certification workshops. She participated in the first three Secrist instructional DVDs: “The Art of Newborning I”, “The Art of Newborning II: Painting with Genesis” and “The Art of Newborning III: Rooting Your Reborn Baby”,as well as the classroom DVDs for the Secrist Certified Teaching program. Stephanie recently published her own Reborning tutorial book, called “The Art and Magic of Reborning - Creating Lifelike Collectible Baby Dolls Using Genesis Heatset Paints”. It’s available through Lulu.com and on her website at www.hunnybunsrebornsupply.com. In 2006, Stephanie contracted with Ashton Drake Galleries for her first finished collectible doll known as “Picture Perfect Boy”. She continues to pursue sculpting training through classes with Philippe Faraut, Pat Moulton and others. Now she is working independently to introduce her own line of reborn doll kits beginning with a portrait sculpt of her second granddaughter, “Baby Lexie”, due out mid-September 2008. I was invited to teach live reborning/newborning classes at the first International Reborn Doll Artists (IRDA) Reborn Convention in 2005, and from there, at the IDEX Premieres as well. I have classes on the workshop schedule for the January IDEX show in January 2009. Since I am by nature quite a private, somewhat introverted personality, teaching live classes has challenged and developed me as an individual and as an artist more than I might have imagined! My involvement with Secrist brought worldwide recognition which, to me, still seems incredible. It always strikes me as funny to have strangers approach me at a doll show and say they “I feel like I know you, since you are on my TV all the time” via the DVDs. Lately, I was told I’m even on YouTube - who would have thought it!
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On a personal note, as an artist I admit that I’m never quite satisfied with my finished work. “I can always do better” seems to be my motto. Stephanie has a strong element of perfectionism which drives her to constantly find ways to improve her skills. She enjoys studying the work of other successful reborn artists and sculptors.
Stephanie’s favorite part of the reborning process is still the painting. Creating a realistic looking skin texture, veins, and tiny details with sponges and brushes take a lot of time and effort, and each new doll presents a brand-new challenge to improve upon what was done the last time. As for sculpting, she has recently enjoyed making micro-preemie sized OOAK babies that are about 14-17” in length. For production doll kits, she sticks with the 19-22” newborn sizes, but has plans to produce one or two smaller kits to see how they are received.
I have amassed an extensive collection of photographs of real newborns that I study (my doll room walls are papered with lifesize color photos of babies!) for inspiration in my work. It’s this constant personal artistic challenge that keeps me from ever being bored with making dolls. I know I have a long way to go! I very much believe the saying that the Joy is in the Journey.
I don’t seriously collect dolls these days, nor do I keep my own creations. (I am, however, saving & finishing one of each of my own doll kits and one of each finished collectible doll for my granddaughters). I own a small collection of OOAK babies made by friends such as Dee Stastny and Brenda Smith, a monkey by Joyce Rodriguez, and a few quirky and unique OOAK fairies sculpted by Carrie Schoen (*kelbycarie*) whose work I have long enjoyed. She has been honored with invitations to membership in several prestigious doll guilds: CRIB, DADE, OACG and Jack Johnston’s PDMAG (Professional Doll Maker’s Art Guild). Stephanie also received the STAR Award of Excellence in the Art of Reborning. She has served as the President of International Reborn Doll Artists (IRDA) for the past 2 years. In this capacity Stephanie says she had the pleasure of working with Sue McCart of IDEX in the past, and now Madavor Media (Doll Reader Magazine), the new owners of the IDEX Premieres. She has made some good friends with the Doll Reader staff, and looks forward to many years of collaboration with them, doing what she can to help make the midyear Reborn Conventions an ongoing success for them as well as for all reborn artists and collectors. In 2007 at the Las Vegas IDEX Reborn Convention, she received her highest honor to date as a doll artist: “The Reborn Artist Inspiration Award” from Doll Reader Magazine. To say that she was humbled and amazed to receive this honor is an understatement. She has also won first place in several reborn doll competitions, both online and at the IDEX and IRDA venues. When she wasn’t a participant in the competitions, she was also invited to be a judge, which she really enjoyed.
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Awhile back, Stephanie decided to open a reborn supplies business. She is a Secrist Dealer as well as Genesis Heatset Paints, Loew Cornell and Kemper dealer, and she also sells sculpting tools and supplies. I think it’s important to provide quality service and products to my fellow reborn and sculpting artists, and believe that I have built a reputation that is trusted as a business person. It’s been a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun, too. Meeting and making friends with other international doll artists has been an exciting opportunity along the way. I honestly have to say that I’m living my dream! Creating reborn babies and sculpting new, original faces for the reborning industry, in addition to being a doll and supplies dealer, is a full time job, one that I love with a passion! You may see examples of Stephanie’s work at www.hunnybunsnursery.com
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Take a journey around the world in this special edition of
Lifelike Dolls Magazine! In this special issue we will discover dolls, doll artists and collectors from around the globe.
GREAT ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY! Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity to promote your business by advertising in the special edition of Lifelike Dolls. Two thousand copies will be printed and distributed globally to doll collectors and enthusiasts. “Dolls Around the World” will be distributed free of charge in 1000 distribution bags (500 collector bags and 500 buyer bags) at IDEX Orlando 2009, and we will be giving out free copies at our IDEX booth. This exciting special edition will also be gifted to our subscribers* in March 2009. Space is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. The advertising rates for this edition are as follows: Back cover: $500 Inside front cover: $425 1 page ad: $375 (2 available) 1/2 page ad: $200 (2 available) 1/4 page ad: $110 (3 available) 1/6th page: $75 (6 available) Ad creation is also available for a flat rate of $50 per ad. To reserve your spot and promote yourself to 2000 doll enthusiasts, contact us by emailing ads@lifelikedollsmag.com or by calling 1-519-284-8033.
*This includes anyone whose one year subscription includes the March/April 2009 issue of Lifelike Dolls.
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2008 Doll and Teddy Bear Expo
by Amy Ferreira
The 2008 Doll and Teddy Bear Expo was held again in August in Washington D.C with this year’s theme as “Around the World”. It was indeed an international affair with exhibitors and collectors alike from across the globe. The show always promises something for everyone and did not disappoint this year. From art dolls to baby dolls and everything in between, collectors and doll lovers were treated to the highest standards in the doll and teddy bear industries. There was much to see over two days including character dolls, baby dolls, reborns, fantasy dolls, faeries, antique reproductions, and a menagerie of animals and creatures in cloth, clay and silicone. Collectors gathered in the showroom to browse, visit, and chat with their favorite artists. Many took the opportunity to gather in the lobby each evening to share their purchases and nurture lasting friendships. It was quite a sight for hotel staff and guests, and many were surprised and impressed to see the wonderful mix of dolls up close. Andrea Arcello’s table proved very popular this year with her solid silicone edition of Brielle and Daylon. These stunning happy babies brought smiles wherever they went and sold out very quickly on the first day. During the show, there were also a number of classes offered for attendees, in bear making, reborning techniques, fabric crafts and sculpting. Courses were offered by well known doll makers Pat Moulton, Debbie Sampson, Joy Joco, Mark Dennis, Joe MacPhale, Jack Johnston, Elizabeth Dye, Diane Keeler, Berdine Creedy, and Maryanne Oldenburg just to name a few. It was a wonderful chance for attendees to meet their favorite artist and work with them on their own creation. This year Jones Publishing awarded the coveted Crystal Award to well known doll artist Jack Johnston, a pioneer in the doll making industry. The award commemorates Jack’s unique contributions to the doll making industry through his passion for teaching and dedication to sharing the art form with others. His enthusiasm has inspired many artists over the years through the Professional Doll Makers Art Guild, which he founded in 1992. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to the well known Danny and Barrie Shapiro, owners of the Toy Shoppe who have been active in the doll world since 1975. The Toy Shoppe offers exquisite high end collectibles and unique exclusive pieces. Their reputation is impeccable in the doll industry and they are well loved by their customers. Each year Jones Publishing offers the Dolls Awards of Excellence and the Golden Teddy Awards to select artists. Winners this year in the Dolls categories included Kathy Smith Fitzpatrick for Audrey, Sybille Sauer for Kaily, Camille Allen for Cherished and Hildegard Gunzel for Lilith and Tiffany. Jessica Schenk was awarded the Professional Doll Makers art Guild Artists Choice Award for Best of Show with her adorable Baby Cody. Expo 2008 was a most memorable show and anyone wishing to attend can keep up to date on next year’s show on the Jones Publishing Website- www. jonespublishing.com. See you there!
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Photography by Brenda Vaughn
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Portrait Dolls Dawn McLeod Dawn McLeod married the love of her life, Chad McLeod, on August 16, 2003. Together they have two precious angels, Caden and Tanner.
when I’m not mentally or emotionally ready then they never turn out as well as I would hope.” Completely self taught, Dawn is now teaching this amazing art in the small town of St. Marys in Ontario, Canada. Once every few months she teaches a class on how to sculpt a sleeping 5” one of a kind polymer clay baby! “It is a lot of fun and my students always leave with a smile on their face.” If you are interested in attending one of Dawn’s classes, please visit www.macphersoncrafts.com.
“Every baby I create is a product of much love, for it is my real life precious angels that inspire me everyday!” In September of 2006, Dawn was truly inspired by a picture of a tiny 2 inch baby that was hand sculpted out of clay! She really wanted to capture the infancy of her own two children, and always having a flare for the arts, Dawn was willing to give anything a try! Polymer clay was something she had dabbled with before, creating tiny food for her dollhouses and other little creations just for the fun of it. Of course the first few creations were far from perfect! Actually, they didn’t really look like babies at all, but with a lot of studying and endless practice her clay creations started to look more and more like little people! She noticed her sales on ebay were increasing and custom orders started to come in! Now, second to her family, this is her passion! “The first few portrait sculpts I tried were very stressful. I was so worried that I wasn’t going to even come close!”
“What a wonderful opportunity I have been given. This allows me to stay home with my children and do something I absolutely love!” “I would like to take this opportunity to thank anyone who has ever adopted one of my precious angels! It means the world to me that you have added something I created to your collection!” In February of 2008 she legalized her company name and is known as *Dawn’s Precious Angels*. To read more about her and her work please visit www. dawnspreciousangels. com
It turns out that she is pretty good at it! Dawn studies the pictures of the real baby for a long time before she picks up the clay to start. “I find I get to know the child from their pictures first, then I wait until I feel ready to start. If I rush it or try it
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The following is a step by step instruction of how I root a doll head using a 43g German needle rooting from the cut end of the hair. I know that there are as many ways to root a doll head as there are people doing it. This is my method. I have gained much knowledge from others who have been willing to share so I’m hoping this can benefit someone else. To all of you who have been willing to share with me, my heart felt thanks.
*Please note: I have used two different doll heads for demonstration purposes.
Step 1: Marking your head The first thing you do is take a pencil and decide where you want your hair line to go. Start by making a mark in the center of the head, using the nose as your guide.
From this point measure equal distances from ear to ear, starting about 1/4 inch from the top of the ears.
Next, measure out about an inch from the center point to start the hair line in the front and add your marks for the front hair line. From here, go around the head creating a hair line to be followed when rooting.
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Once the hair line is marked out, establish where you want the crown to be. By looking at the profile of the head you can tell exactly where you want your swirl. Make a mark there; making sure to line the mark up with the one at the front of the face.
At this point sketch in your swirl. Once you have that done, you’re ready to start rooting.
Step 2: Getting ready to root
Now that you’re ready to root, take a stocking and fill it with poly-pellets to put inside the head. A lot of the new doll kits have soft heads and doing this will keep your head from collapsing while you’re rooting. In the past I have stuffed my heads with poly-fil but found it difficult to remove without taking out some of the hair once done. With this method the bag comes right out.
Next you will need one of these needle holders made especially for use with the German needles. I find they are a must for me; making it very easy to always know the direction the needle is pointing. These needles have a small groove in the end and this groove will only pick up hair if held at a 90 degree angle to the hair, with the little tail on the needle held either up or down. I think of it as a ‘’T’’ with the needle as the straight line and the hair as the line at the top. The little tail on the needle can be up or down - never sideways - and must always be at a 90 degree angle to the hair for them to work.
Determine the cut end of your mohair and wrap a small rubber band about an inch and a half from the cut end.
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Step 3: Starting your rooting Now you’re ready to start rooting. Holding the needle at a 90 degree angle, start at the cut end of your hair at the front of the face. I always start in the front and work my way around the head, cutting the hair as I go. You can wait until you’re done to cut the hair. I choose to do it this way. I’m going to turn my picture to the right so you can see the ‘’T’’ Now root completely around the head.
Working in toward the crown... Once you’ve worked your way up to where you’re ready to start your swirl, begin to follow your sketched-in pattern.
Until you get to the end.
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Start to fill in your hair, all the while following the direction of your sketch.
Here is how the completed head should look. Now go back to the front of the face and fill in some wispy sideburns; marking first and then rooting them. As you go along, erase your pencil marks.
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And finally after adding the final touches...
The Finished Baby!
Gallery of Pat’s work...
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Secrist Cover Contest 2009 Honorable Mentions Jean Bertz
Michelle Nowicki
Kami Lusby
Ronel Hamaty
Lourdes Fernandez
Mildred Perez Perez
ial guide is targeted to reach o will you be in the next Secrist
Gina Smith
Rebecca Renzhammer
Jennifer Hunter
n
’s most life-like reborn baby. lt time choosing a winner. If opportunity could be here!
painting.
be elaborate but it must bring ect of the sceneNaomi and babyJohnson are
Deborah Smith Symara Feitosa
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se visit us on the internet at ading the photo requirements.
Their passion and purpose the now well-known catalog over
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Dress for Success Couture for babies of all sizes.
Snips & Snails …. Sugar & Spice….. And everything NICE That’s what reborn babies are wearing! Haute couture - French for “high sewing” or “high dressmaking” - refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted fashions and is normally made from high-quality, expensive fabric and embellishments and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish. The inside of the garment is as magnificent as the outside! Couture for the reborn baby is a serious investment – similar to a work of art on a wall but is displayed on a baby. Reborn baby artists love couture because it’s the ‘pinnacle of fashion’ in the reborn industry. The oft-asked question is: why do reborn artists choose to invest their resources in such extravagant and delicate goods? For the artist who really loves fashion, it’s the most exhilarating experience to find the perfect ensemble for their baby. And when adopting out the reborn baby to a new mommy, couture has a major impact on the adoption fee. It’s a ‘winwin’ to have an outfit that is virtually unique, but not quite unique. The artist doesn’t want another artist’s baby looking like hers, but she does want to know that she’ll have the best style of the season. When the artist spends upwards of $100 on couture, she wants the perfect outfit for “her” baby. And perfection never goes out of style. Decisions! Decisions!!!
Claudia of Flutterbies & Scutterbotch Nursery showcases her Baby April in glam Baby Biscotti!
The completion of a reborn baby is always bittersweet, especially if the baby is ‘going to auction’ and leaving the proverbial ‘nest’. Enter the “Mommy Reborn Artist” (MRA) of this beautiful creation. MRA will scout the most exclusive online shops for the couture outfit for her new reborned baby - no expense barred. Some of the most exquisite outfits can be found on Ebay under a search of “infant clothing”, Size 0 to 3 months. A helpful Ebay search can also include specific designers including Will Beth, Baby Biscotti, Feltman, Ralph Lauren, New Baby, Petit Ami, to name a few. The downside to Ebay auctions and online purchases is the unknown. The MRA can’t touch the fabric or see the outfit ‘in person’ to ascertain quality and size for her special baby. And then there’s the wait for the mail to arrive, hoping you’ve purchased from a reliable and trustworthy seller and that your new outfit will arrive safely and securely.
Peyton is simply elegant in a Feltman Brothers designer gown, bonnet and crib shoes. Reborned by Wendy E. Teller of Lullabye Lane Nursery, Peyton is on a flight to her new mommy in France.
A pastel pink Petit Ami smocked dress & bloomers set is a show-stopper on Joanne’s Baby Abbie of Lullabye Lake Nursery!
Funky flannel 80’s two-tie nighties… you’ve had your heyday!! It’s time to step up to the plate in style with bubbles, simple full-length gowns, smocked gowns, short dress sets (dress, bloomers, bonnet), one-piece full rompers, shorty bibbed rompers and pants/sweaters/blouse sets. Not to mention lace and frills and soft soft cuddly sweaters!
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Colour of the outfit is very important. Pastels are very complementary on babies. Pastel pinks & yellows, white, cream and mint green are real ‘hits’ with baby girls. Baby blue is, of course, gorgeous on a baby boy. Although I recently saw a baby boy in the cutest black onesie. He was such a little charmer!!! Colour also has an impact on the background in pictures as well. You wouldn’t want to see a red dress with an orange background in a picture! Huge faux pas!! Jan’s Baby Quinn of Fairy Dust Nursery is all snuggled up in this New Baby snowsuit in mint green velour -- the perfect pastel colour for Baby Quinn’s fair complexion.
A beautiful pastel peach Gymboree romper highlights the exquisite blushing on Joanne’s baby Abbie of Lullabye Lake Nursery. Coordinating handknit cap and crocheted booties complement the outfit.
Another shopping option for the determined MRA is her local mall where she’s sure to find top quality baby clothing – Gymboree, Baby Gap, Please Mum, The Children’s Place. Winners department store also carries a beautiful selection of designer outfits. Bonnie Togs now offers the Osh Kosh Baby Liam of Lullabye Lake Nursery B’Gosh baby line. Bonnie Togs also has its’ sports a LeTop Baby Sleeper in baby own line of beautiful 2-piece pajama sets, day boy pastel blue. gowns, onesies, baby caps and lots of accessories including hair ribbons and infant slippers. Sears, The Bay and Walmart all carry cute little Disney outfits as well as their own brand name and although they aren’t the top of the line ‘heart’s desire’ for many reborn artists, they are sweet and affordable for the fledgling MRA trying to break into the reborn industry.
Size DOES matter! Reborn babies come in all sizes and fit is usually determined by the length of the baby. Newborn babies are usually 18 to 22 inches. Preemie size ranges from 15 inches to 17 inches. Newborns can quite nicely wear Size zero to three months ‘real’ infant wear and there certainly is a lot to choose from. A ‘must have’ is a nicely fit neckline. There’s nothing worse than seeing a droopy neckline! Jan’s Julianna of Fairy Dust Nursery wears a chic 3-piece Nanette outfit. Size zero to 3 months fit this little 19” charmer perfectly!!
Premium quality fabric in the garment is very essential. The most exquisite gowns are created with batiste, chiffon, organza, satin, silk and taffeta, and embellished with the finest French or Italian lace.
The MRA can also commission fellow reborn artists who also offer custom outfits. Known for designing chic clothing for reborn babies, Zooby Designs is on a mission to bring haute couture to pint-size fashionistas! Your baby will be dressed in style when wearing Zooby Designs outfits. They are innovative and fashion forward, blending glam and function for the MRA’s darling reborn creation. Wearing the cutting edge fashions of Zooby Designs baby couture, will promote the MRA’s reborn baby as a highly sought-after and unique trendsetter in baby apparel, leading to a successful auction. Zooby Designs now offers Heirloom Couture including smocked gowns, dress sets and simple heirloom bonnets and gowns, all at an affordable cost.
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A Zooby Designs Original – Exquisite 3-Piece Smocked Day Gown. Full length button front with Heirloom Lacey Bonnet and handknit booties, modeled by Jan’s Victoria.
A lucky MRA is a seamstress too!!! In our reborn community, we have many talented women who create their own designs for their babies. They’re magnificent and truly one of a kind. Many other talented MRA’s crochet and knit the most beautiful outfits, sweaters, blankets and booties. If an MRA is looking for a stunning one of a kind outfit, it is well worth it to join an online reborn group. Chances are, she’ll find just what she’s looking for from one of the members. Claudia of Flutterbies & Scutterbotch Nursery handcrafted this beautiful 3-piece one-of-a-kind floral dress set for her Baby Victoria. Such talent among us!
There’s nothing sweeter than the new mommy singing Brahm’s Lullabye while watching her newborn napping, swaddled in couture!!! “Sleepyhead, close your eyes, mother’s right here beside you. I’ll protect you from harm, you will wake in my arms. Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.” (Johannes Brahms’ Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Op. 49, No. 4 – English Version)
Happy Shopping!! Jan Czuba, Reborn Artist & Seamstress Fairy Dust Nursery Home of Zooby Designs -- Baby Couture For The Discerning Reborn Website: www.itsmysite.com/fairiesdust Email: fairydust@cogeco.ca
Sculpting Contest Michelle Bunnell with www.OOAKREBORNBABY.com would like to invite all OOAK baby sculptors to participate in the “3rd SCULPTING CONTEST !!!”
sculpted by the talented artists: Gerda Van Keulen and Lorna Ours.
Grand Prize Winner receives: - $500.00 Cash - Their sculpt produced into 350 limited edition True2Life © Silicon-Vinyl doll kits - $5.00 per doll kit sold - Plus 3 free doll kits - An artist showcase page on OOAKREBORNBABY.COM
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This contest is for EVERYONE! Whether you’ve been sculpting for several years or just beginning, a well-known sculptor or still establishing yourself, YOU are welcome to participate in this contest.
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Due to the overwhelming success and response from our previous sculpting contests, we are excited to offer this opportunity to aspiring sculptors once again. You may view our previous sculpting contest winners “Max” and “Katelyn” on the vinyl kits page at WWW.OOAKREBORNBABY.COM
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All submissions must be between 18 to 28 inches. Newborn-toToddler. All submissions must be an original sculpt including: -Head -3/4 to full length Arms and Legs Sculptors are able to submit up to 4 different Heads per set of Limbs. NO submissions with paint or hair will be accepted. All entries must be baked and sanded to qualify. The top 3 sculpts will be chosen by an Internet poll. Then a panel of 5 judges will decide the winner. Deadline for submissions is Midnight January 1st, 2009.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at: MichelleBunnell@ OOAKRebornBaby.com ***ALL SCULPTORS MUST NOT BE CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONTEST***
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Sculpting Competition
...The results are in!
CONGRATULATIONS TRACY LAUGHLIN!
Winner: Sculpt #7 Reborn Australia will award Tracy the prize of having her sculpt produced into vinyl kit form, and she will receive $500 AU cash upfront, royalties and get a prototype to reborn!
Thanks to all of the ďŹ nalists! Sculpt #4
Sculpt #1
Artist: Setsuko Fletcher
Artist: Bonnie Dubil
Sculpt #5
Sculpt #2
Artist: Margaret Moulding
Artist: Debbie Bartholomew
Sculpt #3
Sculpt #6
Artist: Debbie Bartholomew
Artist: Lori Metcalf
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Doll Shows
How to get the most from them.
When I was asked to write something about how to have a successful doll show, it brought me back to when I started Cloud 9 Creations in 2004. The first step was giving some thought to what kind of message I wanted my booth to send. Being cuddly, lovable, reborn babies, I wanted a soft, nursery-like ambiance. That was the easy part. I then had to figure out how to achieve this. I also had to consider the space necessary to display my babies. Well before my first show, I practiced my setup on my kitchen table, making sure to use the amount of space I would have at the actual show. Since some babies are sleeping and some are awake, I created soft clouds on which I carefully placed my babies in different positions. After a few shows, I decided to include several props, such as a rocking chair, bassinet and baby seat along with assorted pillows, baby blankets and small toys. To further enhance my space, I stored the props with sweet smelling Baby Zone soap. Other crucial parts of my display were the care package that comes with the adopted baby, my business cards and a small photo album showcasing my pervious work. During the shows, I’ve always had myself and an assistant on hand. Quite often, the table gets swarmed and it’s best to have two pairs of eyes to watch and two bodies to handle to babies. I think it’s quite important to have potential customers hold the babies as the feeling of the doll is a big part of the special experience that reborn babies bring. While a potential customer holds the baby, I try to give as much information as possible, without overwhelming. I give them an overview of how the baby was created and how long it took as well as the special features of the baby in question. I also add the methods of payment available. When there’s a down time during the shows, I walk with one or two babies in my arms and I’m always amazed at the amount of attention it generates. I always bring along some business cards to hand out as I go! Some other things to consider: A journal. Bring a small notebook and collect people’s contact information, send out a weekly or monthly newsletter. Let them know if you’ll be at a show or if you’re having an online sale. When negotiating a booth for a show, consider bartering a door prize for an extra mention on the shows radio or newspaper ads. Take a picture of your booth, it’s great advertising on your site or general craft sites and also acts as a reference for future set ups. Most importantly, have fun! Nothing is a better selling tool than the love and passion you have for your craft. Happy selling!
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Here are some tips that I found helpful when participating in doll or craft shows: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sketch out a plan of what you would like your booth to look like. Insure the space you rent is large enough for your plan. If you plan to take part in enough shows, you might want to invest in your own table covers. I use white as it is neutral and you can add color with baby blankets and other props. Some of the items I have for my display include a cradle, bassinet, pillows, blankets, rocking chair, baby seats, etc… Contact information; I use business cards which have my web site, e-mail and telephone number on it. Should a person be interested in a baby or two, I usually write the name and price on the back of the business card for quick reference for the customer. Lay-a-way option. It might make the difference between a sale or not. I usually ask for a deposit, then monthly installments until the baby is paid off (usually over a couple of months). I try to be flexible and accommodating. Gift pack: with every baby comes a gift pack, which includes, a sleeper, extra diaper, blanket, pacifier, brush and comb set, birth certificate and care instructions. If I know the baby is going to a younger mommy, I usually add extra diapers and outfits. Advertising; I post on my web site what shows I will attend for the year as well as date, location and times. You can put up posters in your community as well. Word of mouth is great too. Part of your display should include a photo album of your prior work. If you are willing, suggest a custom baby. This way, they can choose the expression, hair and eye color… Some halls are not well lit so you may want to invest in some of your own lighting. Most of all, have fun!!! Since reborns are still quite new in Canada, peoples’ reactions to them are amazing. You will get the odd person who is not comfortable with them but on the whole, it is positive. They will often be awed by how real they look and want to hold them. I think this is my favorite part of the show.
Ad creation services are also available for both print and web ads. All ads appearing here are sample ads (smaller than actual size) that were created by Lifelike Dolls.
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Spotlight Artist Brenda J. Smith I grew up on a farm in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, the third youngest of a large family of thirteen. As long as I can remember, dolls have always been a part of my life. I distinctly recall countless hours of playing and dressing my baby dolls. To this day, these dolls are a part of my doll collection, and this is where it all began.
All forms of art, as well as a great imagination, have remained part of me throughout the years. Watching my Grandmother and Mother sew for many years truly inspired me to sew. In my earlier years, I worked in factories as a seamstress; from bridal shops to upholstery sewing. I also sewed for my two young children, including their clothes, doll clothes, teddy bears and crafts of all kinds. I continue to do the same for my adorable grandchildren now. Eventually I started making porcelain dolls, but these dolls were not my creation. So, 15 years ago, I took a weekend sculpting workshop and I loved it. From my hands, I sculpted my very first one-of-a-kind 18” doll I named “Grandpa”. I was amazed at what I could do, but it still wasn’t what I wanted. I remember telling the class I would love to sculpt babies. A few years passed, until one day while searching the internet I came across some hand sculpted babies. “Wow babies”, this is it! I branched off from there, spending hours upon hours teaching
myself to sculpt babies from professional polymer clay. I made the ugliest creatures I had ever seen and I still have them to look back at and have a good chuckle every now and then. I kept on going, and time after time I progressed and got better. I strive to sculpt the most realistic lifelike newborns and capture their true innocence, for collectors all around the world. I have sold one-of-a-kind sculpted babies to collectors around the globe: the UK, Australia, US and Canada. I am thrilled to be
known both nationally and internationally. My thanks goes out to all of the collectors who purchase my sculpted babies, for it is your wonderful feedback of joy and excitement you give me, that truly makes my day. With each baby I sell, a part of me goes too; some are harder to let go than others. Many thanks go out to my husband who stands by me at all the shows and to my children for their support!! I am blessed with a form of art I completely enjoy and love. Seeing these babies come to life from a block of clay, with an added touch of my hand sewn clothing is just indescribable. All sizes of my sculpted baby dolls are produced and it is just amazing. Dreams do come true!! This was meant to be; from playing with dolls years ago, to now creating them. One can never be too old for dolls. They just keep me young at heart. www.innocentfaces.net http://www.artdollguild.net/artist_info.php?username=bsmith
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Gallery www.lifelikedollsmag.com
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Oh You Beautiful Doll! “Oh, you beautiful doll, you great big beautiful doll. Let me put my arms about you, I don’t want to live without you.” -- Written in 1911 by Nat D. Ayer (music) & Seymour Brown (lyrics) “Heirloom Sewing” refers to the elegant hand sewing techniques of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Although machine made dresses were prevalent during the Civil War period, later years found women once again lavishing lace and hand embroidery on their children’s clothing. These fine garments became heirlooms – treasures to be used by succeeding generations – much like our reborn babies – keepsake treasures to be handed down and loved for our children and grandchildren, for years to come. While the following Heirloom Baby Bonnet pattern can be hand sewn, the same effect can be nicely achieved with the sewing machine and is much quicker. Let’s make a treasure and create another memory!!
Heirloom Baby Bonnet
Instructions are based on a 12” circumference head. You can adjust to the size you require with the length and width of the rectangle by “trying the rectangle” on your baby’s head first for ‘fit’. 1. Cut rectangle of fabric (batiste or poly/cotton is recommended) 9-1/2” X 5-1/4”. 2. Cut ruffle of matching fabric 1-1/4” wide by approximately 27” (ie. 2-1/2 to 3 times width). 3. Cut one piece of flat lace the length of the Ruffle, for the Ruffle edge. 4. Cut 9-1/2” length(s), one or two pieces, of Flat Lace for inserts, depending on one or two inserts. Because the baby I made this one for has such a small head and that I used eyelet fabric with the pretty back, I just used one insert. 5. Cut 9-1/2” length of Beading Lace. 6. Serge or zig-zag Back and both Sides. 7. Serge or zig-zag flat lace onto Ruffle. 8. Gather Ruffle. 9. With right sides together, serge or zig-zag Ruffle onto Front edge. 10. Fold over Back edge 1/2 “ to inside, iron flat. 11. Straight stitch.
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12. Place Flat Lace on right side of fabric and serge or zig-zag across the length of both sides. Zig-zag short ends of lace on each side of bonnet side to secure. (Repeat for other piece of Flat Lace if you’re using 2 pieces) 13. On inside of bonnet, cut away fabric close to each edge. I carefully open the fabric with my ‘stitch ripper’, cut the fabric straight down the middle & then trim close to edge. (Repeat for other piece of Flat Lace if you’re using 2 pieces) 14. Straight stitch both sides of Beaded Lace along length next to Ruffle/Bonnet seam. 15. Insert satin 1/4” satin ribbon through Beaded Lace, leaving lengths on each end for ties. 16. Insert 1/4” satin ribbon through back casing & tie in a bow, as tight/loose as you prefer. 17. Attach little ribbon/pearl bows at front edge on Beaded Lace/Satin Ribbon. “We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.” -- Jeremy Irons, British Actor Watch for my new heirloom project in the next issue of Lifelike Dolls Magazine – exquisite Heirloom Sampler Pillow! Happy Sewing! Jan Czuba, Reborn Artist & Seamstress Fairy Dust Nursery – Home of Zooby Designs-- Baby Couture For The Discerning Reborn Baby Doll My website: www.itsmysite.com/fairiesdust Email: fairydust@cogeco.ca
Gallery Credits
Would you like to see your reborn or sculpt included in our gallery? Send your high resolution pictures to us at gallery@lifelikedollsmag.com with the word “gallery” in the subject line. Please include your name and nursery name in your email.
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1. Brenda Lacoste - Precious Creations by Brenda 2. Dawn McLeod - Dawn’s Precious Angels 3. Rene Schwarz 4. Lorna Ours - Martys Baby Creations 5. Danielle Clavette - Butterfly Babys 6. Lisa Beeler - Precious Newborns Nursery 7. Jan Czuba - Fairy Dust Nursery/Zooby Designs 8. Misty Hyndman 9. Sheri Carnaghi - Dream Babies Originals
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10. Dorothy Steven 11. Sharon Clusker - Angles of Eden 12. Tina Kewy 13. Jennifer Skidgel - BunkerBabies Nursery 14.Sandy Laurent - Little Hearts Nursery 15.Cari Vitez - Pure*Innocents 16.Irais Sikkenga - Great Lakes Angels Nursery 17.Jen Schissler - Prairie Patch Nursery 18.Michele Wilson - Silver Cloud Nursery
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Sculpting 101: From Clay to Creation
Part 4 By Tina Kewy
Picture 1: We continue to work clockwise to finish the face. Remember you can sculpt both sides at the same time, this is just how *I* do it. Pic 2: I have now completed the face. You can still make changes and add detail (I will make some changes too before I bake – see below). You can now smooth with your special oil (which is why my face looks shiny). Also note I have played around with the face and head shape a little bit making it less square.
Pic 3: Another angle
Pic 4: The neck is very important. If you are working with foil like I did here, you will need to make the neck from scratch but if you are working with a Styrofoam form, you get some neck to start with. You must be very careful with the neck as it has to attach very firmly to the base of the head. If it snaps off, it is very difficult to fix in a baked doll. How to make the neck from scratch: Roll out a cylinder and flatten one end. Cut or shape the other end in the shape you see in the picture. Pic 5: Attach the neck with the higher end towards the back of the head. This will tilt your baby’s head forward and will also build some bulk at the bottom of the skull.
Pic 6: Push some of the clay upwards from the neck towards the base of the head and blend/smooth really, really well. Make sure your neck is securely connected at this point. Using your knitting needle you can now do the groove for the cable tie, write your name on the back and also form some neck wrinkles if you prefer.
Pic 7: To start on the ears: The ears are like the number 9. Take a few moments and study an ear. If you can find a close up of an ear in your photo collection of baby photos, even better! Lay the photo down and trace the ear shape with your finger. Then make a little ball of clay and cut it in half. Pic 8: Round up your pieces again and flatten just ONE side of the ball like in the picture.
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Pic 9: Some changes occurred here; you can see my neck all finished and smoothed but I have also added a frown to my sculpt… I kinda felt he needed one, lol Then of course I added the ears too. It’s very important to check placement not only from the front but also from the top of the head looking down!! Remember that ears have two planes: front and depth. You don’t want one ear further back the skull than the other! Pic 10: I can’t exactly describe how you do the ears because each of us will give them a different shape just like I can’t tell you how the mouth on your baby is going to look like. But I can tell you how to start! First attach *just the front* (the squashed part) and blend it in. Then make a groove in the center of the ear. Then form the number 9 like in the picture. Pic 11: Keep working at it until you have reached this point. We will do a more detailed ear tutorial in a future issue. It is difficult to show the steps properly on such a small sculpt. Pic 12: Another view of the ear.
We can now do the hair. Before that make sure you smooth your sculpt because after the hair comes on, your sculpt is going straight in the oven! Decide on what you want to do for hair: do you want a wig, applied mohair or painted? Maybe you can leave your baby bald or maybe you can glue on some hair later… Pic 13: If you are going for applied mohair, using some saran wrap, cover the face, ears and neck leaving only the part you want to apply the hair visible. Using some oil smooth and make the area soft so the hair will stick better. Pic 14: I like rubbing some mohair between my palms and then spread it with my fingers to form a layer of hair. I then apply it and press down firmly (but not so much you leave a mark on your clay!) to implant it. Do not worry about the length of it right now. We will give our baby a haircut once he is out of the oven! Baking: For this size head I will bake for 30 minutes starting with a COOL oven. I bake at the suggested temperature of 130 Celsius (275 F). Do not overbake and do not use a lower temperature. The polymers inside the clay need a specific temperature to polymerize and bond so baking at a lower temp for a longer time, doesn’t work! You can bake on the stand EXCEPT if your stand is a wooden one. Clay will bond with the wood. Cover the pike of your stand that goes into the neck/head with some aluminum foil first!! Once you bake, crack the oven door open a little and leave your sculpt to cool for 20 minutes. Do not leave the oven door closed, as the clay continues to bake that way. After the 20 mins are past, wrap (carefully!) your sculpt in a towel and leave it to completely cool while wrapped, on the counter top. A good test to make sure your sculpt is baked properly is this: after it is COMPLETELY cool, try to scratch it with your fingernail in a small test area. If you can scratch it visibly, your sculpt is NOT baked yet!! Bake for some more! Next time we will start on the limbs and towards the end we will discuss some common mistakes and accidents and how to repair them!! Have fun!! Tina Kewy
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Nov 1th, 2008 10am-5pm Sculpting OOAK Baby Doll taught by Dawn McLeod MacPherson Arts & Crafts, 91 Queen St E, St Marys, ON Canada 1-800-238-6663, info@macphersoncrafts.com
Nov 29, 2008 9:30am-4:30pm Beginner Reborn Doll Making taught by Cheryl Bage MacPherson Arts & Crafts, 91 Queen St E, St Marys, ON Canada 1-800-238-6663, info@macphersoncrafts.com
Nov 2nd, 2008 10am - 3pm Spirit of St. Louis Doll Club’s 30th Annual Doll & Bear Sale Columns Banquet Center, 711 Veterans Memorial Parkway, St. Charles, MO 63303 Pat Clifford (314) 692-8678 patclif@aol.com Nov 8-9, 2008 Sat. 11-7/Sun. 12-5 River City Dollmakers 11th Annual Gallery Show & Sale Newport of the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071 (859) 781-6927 www.rivercitydollmakers.com Nov 16, 2008, 10:00am - 3:00pm 30th Anual Doll Show and Sale Centerpoint Marriott, 3600 Centerpoint Parkway, Pontiac, MI 48341 (248) 357-2090, michigandollmakersguild.com
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December 13, 2008 Holiday Doll Party Community Room, Jersey City, NJ 07305 Angela Huggins (551) 998-5274 mindbodyandsouldollartist@yahoo.com
Happy Holidays!
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Collector – Brenda Milo I have always been a collector of many things and I have loved dolls since I was little. I recently received something in the mail from a collector house that was advertising miniature realistic baby dolls, and I was so intrigued! I began
searching online to see if I could find more information on them and found OOAK polymer clay babies. I was immediately hooked! I was in awe that these tiny adorable dolls (under 6 inches!) were made by regular people (not famous artists or machines) and were so unbelievably detailed and perfect! I was
able to get a few of the tiny newborns and I enjoyed looking at them; it was like having a real baby in miniature. However, I felt limited in the way I could display them; it seemed appropriate to pose them with infant things which didn’t allow for
games or toddler toys. Then I found an artist who made the cutest dolls I had ever seen! They were from an
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OOAK artist named Kimberly Reichner of Willows Manor Nursery. They didn’t
look like babies and being handmade they were by no means perfect but they grabbed my heart. Their sweet little faces made me smile every time I looked at them. They are all under 7 inches with most being around 5 inches and they have baked polymer clay limbs and heads and soft squishy cloth bodies. They have all
been painted with heat set paints that will never fade or rub off. I started “adopting” these little ones and before I knew it, I had a nice group of “siblings”. I decided to make a little space for them and set it
and decorating the rooms. The clothing is handmade by more ‘regular’ people who have the incredible talent to sew quality outfits for 5 inch dolls. There are some very cute things out there; rompers, onesies, short sets, dresses… all in wonderful patterns and styles. I have two very boyish young sons and have never enjoyed buying clothes for them but the miniature doll clothes are very fun to collect. Maybe because I know they will stay clean and undamaged! I separated my WMers (wheemers as I named them; from Willows Manor) into
babies, “littles”, toddlers and “bigs” in order to have more options of getting different clothes, toys and decorations. I have made some things for these miniature dolls; rattles, bead and lego playcubes and a little craft area. I love looking for little things too and my babies have a lot! A Noah’s Ark set, Connect Four, Trouble, a fairytale castle complete with a horse drawn carriage, a Barbie house, Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoys, a bowling set, baby dolls; superheroes, Transformers; even a miniature Whoozit toy and Little Tykes slide cube! Of course, being a doll lover, I have
up to look like a nursery or playroom. I bought little outfits for them, dressing and posing them, finding or making toys
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babies from many artists; but another of my favorites is Anita Messner of Sweet
Dreams Nursery. She makes larger OOAKs, also polymer clay with soft
posable bodies, but more in the 6 – 9” range. My first baby of hers was little Julia who I saw and just immediately felt drawn to. When she came I was floored at how detailed her hands and feet were, and her expression was just the sweetest! She was so fun to pose and set up with snuggly baby things. Now I have quite a few of Anita’s dolls and every time I see another I feel compelled to add it to the ‘family’! She has a very distinct style and although
each baby is unique and adorable you can tell they are all ‘related’. When I look for OOAK dolls, I look past the clothes and props to the facial features and posability. I have absolutely NO artistic talent so when I get my babies home I like to change them to the way I would create them if I could. I buy
new outfits for them that I pick myself, sometimes I remove their hair and even add or remove stuffing to change their bodies. I hope that doesn’t offend any artists!! I just like to feel that I had a hand
in the creation of each beautiful doll. I love all my dolls and I’m so grateful to all the talented people that can make such
wonderful dolls and clothes; it is truly amazing to own a piece of their talent. Everyday when I walk past my babies it lifts my spirits and it is so satisfying to add to my collection. I’m glad to share my happy experience with you!
Blessed Baby Creations CUSTOM REBORN DOLLS . . . MICRO-ROOTED HAIR
www.BlessedBabyCreations.com www.lifelikedollsmag.com
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Ask the Jeannine Holper Q: I am going to try my first baby with inks. My question is for anyone that has used the inks before do you still do the 6 step reborn layering? I am not sure if I should dye the baby first or use the inks as I would with Genesis? I cannot use the Genesis any longer due to respiratory issues so I do need to find another medium to use. I saw your gorgeous baby Sean , and I really love the coloring. Do you only use Color Box inks? Or are Versa Magic inks just as good. Thanks Susan A: Susan, you can use almost any pigment inks that are water solvable. Many inks you will find are used in craft stamping projects. Most Inks will work o.k., just stay away from inks with sparkles or other additives. I will normally apply the Pigment Ink with a Q-tip, then blend in the vinyl with a damp makeup sponge. I repeat this until I get the color shade I desire. I use the Color Box Pigment Inks for most of my peaches and creams complexion babies, as they are great for staining the vinyl. However, they are not as effective when you want to achieve a layered textured skin tone. I also let my adoptive parents know when I’ve used the Inks on their new babies. Giving them some extra pigment ink with a short instruction guide, allows the new mommy to freshen up the skin every couple of years. They seem to highly enjoy this process. You can use the 6 Step Layering Process with pigment inks to get to your base skin tone; or if you wish you can dye the vinyl to obtain the base color. It can be done either way. The best thing to do is to experiment your processes on extra pieces of vinyl or a small and inexpensive vinyl doll or kit. When using the less expensive dolls or kits, consider donating them to a local senior citizen home. They love the babies.
519-284-2154
thejewel51@gmail.com
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Q: My problem is “how do you get your doll’s hair to be long” when rooting in the hair. The most I get is 3 inches long, and I would like some of my babies with longer hair, where I can curl it in the back. Can you help? BOBBI A: One thing regarding the packaging of mohair, is that many providers package the mohair in staggered strands. So to get the longest hair possible on your dolls, pull out just a few strands at a time from the package of hair. This will provide you the longest length available for your hair rooting needs. Then root in the hair at the very ends of the strands, so that only one end of the strand enters the dolls head at a time. This will help provide you the longest hair available from the mohair you have on hand. About the Author: Jeannine Holper is the founder of Excellence in Reborn Artistry™ reborn mentoring club www.rebornartistry.com and is a Reborn Dolls Workshop Instructor. She has authored of over 30 books on reborn artistry techniques and soft body patterns for reborns and doll kits. Her most recent publication, Excellence in Reborn Artistry™ Case Study #7: Facial Features for Reborns and Doll Kits is now available on the internet in her online bookstore at WWW.LULU.COM/JEANNINE
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Artist... Tina Kewy Q: Is it true I can cut away already baked pieces of my sculpture and add raw clay to baked clay and bake again? How do I do this without overbaking the existing piece? A: Yes you can do this but it is something that requires some practice. I am less worried about overbaking the already baked clay than I am about blending in the two so that the “correction” is invisible. Clay will slightly shrink when it bakes and in the grand scheme of things this is just a few mm but when you are trying to be precise i.e. when filling in a moonie you cut off, this will result in a groove forming. That’s where the practice part comes in. You can cover the baked part with cotton to protect it from over baking! Q: What do I use to do painted hair? A: I use a very fine paintbrush and diluted acrylics. The paint has to have the consistency of water in order for this to be achieved. Like everything, you must have a visual aid to do this so consulting some baby pictures to study hair is the best thing you can do! Q: Do I need to seal my sculpture after I’m done? If yes, with what? A: Personally, I don’t do this because a spray sealant will most likely make your sculpture shine. Plus I am not sure they have formulated a sealant that works with polymer clay yet so that can cause the clay to yellow over time or even crack or stay sticky forever. If you keep your dolls away from the sunlight and avoid temperature changes that are sudden, your OOAKs will last a long, long time. Tina Kewy has been sculpting in clay since she was 7 years old. She has tried her hand on all sizes from less than 2 inches to full size 35”toddlers but she is mostly known for her realistic newborns and premature sculptures. Tina has been teaching sculpting and anatomy for the past 10 years all over Europe and has had her sculptures reproduced in many mediums by many companies worldwide. Her premature sculptures have a prominent home in many hospitals all over the globe through the “Bonding” program. She lives in Greece with her husband and twin boys. www.tinakewy.com
Want to Ask the Artist a question? It’s super easy to submit your reborning, sculpting, or doll emergency room procedure question; Just an eMail to editor@lifelikedollsmag.com and include Q&A in the subject line; when submitting a companion picture, please make sure it is of high resolution. Who knows, maybe your question just might be selected to appear in the next issue. Enjoy!
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Santa A trip to a local craft store started me on my path to OOAK Art Dolls – what I found was polymer clay! My first creations, some 13 years ago, were full body sculpts of 4” to 6” little woodland elves, trolls and angels. Four years ago, with the creation of my first Santa, my dreams of creating true Art Dolls were realized! My pieces are now 18” to 24”, with clay head, hands and feet that are attached to a padded, wire armature body. Along with Santa and his frolicking Elves, I’m working on a new line of Art Dolls called Old Geezers with a whole slew of other doll ideas just waiting their turn to be realized! Contact Info: LaJuana Dyke Lil Darlin’ Originals www.lajuanasoriginals.com lildarlinoriginals@cox.net
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Sculpts I’ve tried my hand at many creative projects over the years. Everything from jewelry design to faux finishing, but nothing has been more rewarding or challenging as sculpting. One can never get bored, the only limitation is your imagination. You can always top yourself. The secret is to remember to take your creations “over the top and out of the box”.
Cindy Casper has been making and selling OOAK Santas since 1989. She sculpts the head, hands, feet and shoes from ProSculpt. Each Santa is unique in that no molds are used so every little jolly elf has his own personality. The bodies consist of a wire armature covered by a soft sculpture. Cindy’s Santas feature glass eyes, mohair beards, hair and hand tied eyelashes. The clothing is designed and sewn by the artist. Cindy’s husband John creates the oak bases and many of the accessories used to complete a theme.
Judith Klawitter Originals 7703 N. Mt. Carrol St Dalton Gardens, Idaho 83815 judith@jklawitter.com http://www.jklawitter.com 1-208-772-2200
Cindy Casper ccasper55@gmail.com
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Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year. I can vividly recall the anticipation I felt as a child waiting for Christmas Eve. Writing letters full of hope, knowing what a good girl I’d been all year. Secretly planning to stay up late with my little brother so we could catch a glimpse of Santa coming down the chimney. I remember reading “Twas The Night Before Christmas” every Christmas eve and carefully preparing cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. These are all such warn and wonderful memories in my life. Now as a mother I have the pleasures of reliving them once again through the eyes of my child. Truthfully the magic never really went away for me, and so it seems natural that my love for this season translated into a passion for creating Santa figures. I love knowing that I’ll always be a child at heart! I created the Sculpting Santa Book in the hopes of inspiring you to create some magic of your own, for yourself and to share with those you love! Enjoy! Michele Barrow-Bélisle
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Sculpting Santa’s Hands Sculpting Santa’s Hands
Excerpt from the book: Santa Sculpting by Michele Barrow-Bélisle
Next lets move on to hands! Begin with thick ropes of clay, with a slightly thicker roll to use for thumbs. Cut the fingers to the correct lengths. Look at your own hands for reference. Roll each finger over some crushed foil to add texture to the fingers. Create palms out of small, flattened balls of foil. Press fingers into place on the foil palms. Cover the foil palms with clay on the front and back of the hand.
One the fingers are attached and the foil is covered with clay, it’s time for some detailing. Using the rounded spoon tool, press into top of each finger to create a nail bed. Lightly press under each nail to add depth. Using the wedge tool, press to make a crease on the inside of the joints where the fingers bend. Add deep creases with the wedge tool to the lines of the palm where the hand
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Decorated Glass Christmas Balls by Shelley Doupe This craft project creates a wonderful keep sake for those making reborn dolls. Just imagine having a collection of these tree decorations as a record of all those reborn dolls you’ve made with loving care. It’s fast and simple!
Material List: Lazertran Decal paper 2“ diameter circle tracer Pictures of your babies to fit into the traced circle. Hair blow dryer Bowl to hold water in Vinegar Pencil Scissors Hand or T towel 3“ diameter circle glass Christmas Balls - may be clear or frosted. High gloss acrylic/water based varnish and brush (Note: all materials can be purchases at MacPherson arts and crafts store in St Marys Ont. or through their web site macphersoncrafts. com)
Getting Started:
Wee Wrap Babies Exquisite Detailing Ultra Micro-Rooted Realistic Weighting
Custom Orders Available
www.WeeWrapBabies.com 44
1)Have your reborn doll pictures photo copied onto the shiny side of the Lazertran 2)Place your 2” circle tracer over the pictures and draw around it with the pencil 3)Cut out the circle pictures. 4)Clean your glass balls with a vinegar and water solution, rinse and let dry. Exquisite Detailing 5)Roll up your towel into a Ultra tube circle and place the glass Micro-Rooted gall into the middle of this. The side Weighting you will be working Realistic on should be facing up . The towel will add some cushioned Custom Orders Available support and keep the ball from rolling.
Wee Wrap Babies
Method:
• Submerge your cut out circle picture into a bowl of luke warm water for a few minutes. You will notice that the picture will curl up , this is ok, do not disturb it. Once the back paper on the decal moves it is ready to come out of the water. •Slide the backing off and place this backside onto the glass ball. Do not try and press the full picture onto the ball at this point. Just the mid section of the transfer should be touching the glass. •Heat up your hair dryer making sure there is hot air blowing through. Aim the blow dryer onto the middle section of the decal. You will see the decal mould itself onto the curvature of the ball as it warms. •When a wrinkle shows , gently press it out with your fingers while it is still warmed from the blow dryer. •Once dry you may varnish the picture and decorate the rest of the glass ball with the peel off stickers to add that special touch. Tie a ribbon on too and admire!
www.WeeWrapBabies.com
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ISSN 1916-3290 Lifelike Dolls $9.95 CAD
January/February 2009 Vol. 2 Issue 1
Amanda Choo
NORTH AMERICA’S PREMIERE REBORNING & SCULPTING MAGAZINE
Featuring the Incredibly Talented Dorothy Steven Mini Tutorial: Hair Cutting 101 Reborning Tutorial: Creating an ethnic doll with Michele Barrow-Belisle
Celebrating the Firsts! A look at the first creations from a variety of doll artists
The Evolving World of Reborns: Examining the growth and changes in the art of reborning from conception until now
The Jan/Feb 09 issue is packed with information! • • • •
Featuring OOAK Sculptor Dorothy Steven Creating an ethnic doll with Michele Barrow-Bélisle Hair Cutting 101 Celebrating the Firsts! A look at the first creations from a variety of doll artist • Sculpting a miniature baby: Continuing the sculpting tutorial with Tina Kewy www.lifelikedollsmag.com
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Beaded Dress Doll’s Set Materials: Any fine yarn to gauge. Model crocheted using: Patons Astra Yarn—50 g(1 ¾ oz) ball White - 9 balls ¼” white polyester satin ribbon: 1 – 44” length for waist 2 – 18” lengths for booties 2 – 20” length for sleeves 2—18” lengths for bottom of pantaloons 2—15” lengths of ¼” elastic sewn 3 3/8” buttons (9mm) 591 small “Pony Beads” Gauge: 8 dc = 1” 4 dc rows = 1” Hook: Size 2 (2.75 mm) Steel Crochet Hook (or size needed for gauge)
Directions
Work Corner means working (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 space throughout the bodice. Beginning at neck edge, Ch 87 Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each of next 11 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch, dc in each of next 14 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch, dc in each of next 26 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch, dc in each of next 14 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch, dc in each next 13 sts, ch 3, turn. (Your first double crochet of the next row.) Rows 2-10: Dc to corner, work corner, dc to next corner, work corner, dc to next corner, work corner, dc to next corner, work corner, dc to end. Ch 3, turn. Row 11: Dc in each of the next 33 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 space, ch 14, sk next 54 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 66 dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, sk next 54 dc, ch 16, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in last 34 dc. Ch 3, turn. Row 12: Work dc in each dc and in each ch across (180 dc), ch 3, turn. Row 13: Work dc, ch-1 in each dc across row, ch 3, turn. Row 14: Work dc in each dc and each ch-1 sp
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across, ch 3, turn. Row 15: Work dc in each of next 5 dc, *ch 3, add bead (drop thread from hook and insert hook in opposite end of bead, pull through the dropped loop), work dc in each of next 8 dc, Rep from * across, ending with 5 dc. Ch 3, turn. Row 16: Dc in each dc across row, increasing 1 dc on each side of the bead. DO NOT INCREASE BEFORE 1ST BEAD OR AFTER LAST BEAD. This will make 10 dc on each side of bead and will increase your stitches. Ch 3, turn. Rows 17 & 18: Work dc in each dc across row. Ch 3, turn. Row 19: *Add bead, work dc in each of next 10 dc, rep from * across row, ending with add bead, join to beginning ch 3 of row (you will now be working in rounds). Ch 3, turn. Row 20 (increase row): Work dc in each dc across, increasing 1 st before and after each bead [12 dc between each bead], join, Ch 3, turn. Rows 21 & 22: Work dc in each dc across row. Ch 3, turn. Row 23: Work dc in each of next 6 dc, *bead, work dc in each of next 12 dc, rep from * around. Join. Ch 3, turn. Row 24 (increase row): Work dc in each dc across, increasing 1 st before and after each bead. [14 dc between each bead], join. Ch 3, turn. Rows 25-26: Work dc in each dc across row. Ch 3, turn. Row 27: Work dc in next 14 dc,* bead, work dc in each of next 14 dc, rep from * across row. Join, ch 3, turn. Row 28 (increase row): Work dc in each dc across, increasing 1 st before and after each bead. [16 dc between each bead], join. Ch 3, turn. Rows 29 & 30: Work dc in each dc across row, ch 3, turn. Row 31. Work dc in each of next 8 dc, *bead, work dc in each of next 16 dc. Rep from * across ending with dc in each of next 8 dc. Join, ch 3, turn. Row 32 (increase row): Work dc in each dc across, increasing 1 st before and after each bead. [18 dc between each bead], join. Ch 3, turn Rows 33-35: Work dc in each dc across row, ch 3, turn. [At end of Row 35, ch 1, turn] Row 36: Sc in same st as joining, sk 2 dc,
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work 6 dc in next dc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc. Rep around bottom of dress, join. Slip stitch into next stitch, ch 3, turn. Row 37: Work in open shells as follows: *sl st to 2nd dc of next shell, sk next 2 dc, (ch 3, 2 dc, bead, 3 dc) in same st, (3 dc, bead, 3 dc) in next dc, sk next 3 dc, (3 dc, bead, 3 dc) in next dc, sk 2 dc, Rep from * around bottom of dress, join & end off.
Sleeves
Row 1: Join thread to center bottom of armhole. Ch 3, work dc in each st around arm opening, join. Ch 3, turn. Rows 2-6: Work dc in each dc around, join. Ch 3, turn after each row except after row 6, ch 4, turn. Ribbon Row Row 7: *Sk next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1. Rep from * around row. Join in 3rd st of ch-4. Ch 1, turn. Row 8: Work open shell as follows: sl st to ch-1 space, work (3 dc, bead, 3 dc) in ch-1 space, sk next ch-1 space, work open shell in next ch-1 space. Rep around row, join and end off. Back Opening Row 1: Beg on left side, join thread in top of last dc and work 2 sc in end of each row down the back opening. Continue up other side and ch 1, turn. Row 2: Sc in each sc across row, ch 1, turn. Row 3 Buttonhole row (left side): Work sc in next 2 sc, ch 2, sk 2 sc, work sc in each of next 8 sc, ch 2, sk 2 sc, work sc in each of next 8 sc, ch 2, sk 2 sc, work sc in each of next 14 sc down left side. Ch 1, turn. (3 button holes) Row 4: Work sc in each sc across row, working 2 sc in each ch-2 space. Ch 1, turn. Row 5: Work sc in each of next sc to bottom of opening. End off, leaving a small length of thread to tack down the left side over the right side. Neck Row 1: Join thread to one edge of neck opening and work sc in each sc across neck. Ch 1, turn. Row 2: Sc in each sc across row. Ch 4, turn. Row 3: *Sk next sc, dc in next sc, ch 1. Rep from * across row, [you should end up with an odd number of ch-1 sp.] ch 1, turn. Row 4: Sl st to ch-1 sp, (ch 3, work dc in each of next 2 dc, bead, work dc in each of next 3 dc) in same sp, * sk next ch-1 sp, (work dc in each of next 3 dc, bead, work dc in each of next 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, rep from *across row. End off. (23 beads)
Booties
Make two (15 beads for each bootie) Top of foot Ch 12 Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hk and dc in each ch
across, ch 3, turn. Rows 2-5: Dc in each dc across row. End off after Row 5. Foot Row 1: Ch 10, join with a sc in last dc of Row 5, continue to work sc in each of next sc around three sides of piece, ch 10, join to 1st ch, ch 3, turn. (30 sc around the bootie top) Rows 2: Dc in each ch and dc around, join to top of ch-3, ch 3, turn. Rows 3 & 4: Work dc in each dc across row, ch 3, turn. Row 5: *In next 2 dc, work 1 dc, (decrease made), dc in each of next 2 dc, rep from * around row. Join, ch 3, turn. Row 6: In next 2 dc work 1 dc (decrease made) twice, work dc in next 10 dc, in next 2 dc work 1 dc fives times (5 decreases made), work dc in next 10 dc, in next 2 dc work 1 dc twice, (2 decreases made), join. Do not end off. Turn bootie inside out and fold together lengthwise. Loosely sl st through the outside loops of each side, end off, weave in end and turn right side out. Cuff (15 beads for each cuff) Row 1: Join in center back (at the joining). Work in each of of next 30 sc, join, do not turn. Ribbon Row Row 2: Ch 4, *sk 1 sc, dc in next sc. Rep from * around, ch 1, join. Do not turn, ch 3. Row 3: Work dc in each dc and ch-1 space across. Ch 3, turn. Row 4: Work dc in each dc across, end with ch 1. (do not turn.) Row 5: Work dc in first dc, *bead, work dc in each of next 2 dc, rep from * around row. Join. Ch 1, do not turn. (15 beads) Row 6: Work sc in each sc around, join. Ch 1, do not turn. Row 7: *Work sc in next sc, sk next 2 sc, work dc in next 3 sc, ch 2, work dc in next 3 sc, sk nest 2 sc, rep from * around, join, end off.
Pantaloons
Ch 120, join to form circle, ch 3. Row 1: Work dc in each ch around, join, ch 3, turn Rows 2–4: Work dc in each dc around, ch 1, turn. (120 dc) Row 5: Fold down first two rows, lay ring of elastic in the fold and sc around joining row 1 to row 5, join, ch 3, turn. Row 6: *Work dc in each of next 39 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, (increase made). Rep from * around row. ch 3, turn. (123 dc) Rows 7–14: Work dc in each of next 123 dc, join, ch 3 , turn. Row 15: Dc in top of ch 3, work dc in each of next 60 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc [increase made] work dc in each of next 60 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, [increase
made] join, turn. Row 16: Sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in same dc, work dc in each of next 62 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc (increases made), work dc in each of next 62 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, (increase made) join, turn. Row 17: Sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in same dc, work dc in each of next 64 dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc (increases made), work dc in each of next 64 dc, end with last two dc being dc together (decrease made.) Join, turn. Row 18: Sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in same dc, work dc in each of next 66 dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, (increases made), work dc in each of next 66 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, (increases made) join, turn. Row 19: Sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in same dc, work dc in each of next 68 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc (increases made), work dc in each of next 68 dc, work 2 dc in next dc (increase made) join, turn. Row 20: Sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in same dc, work dc in each of next 70 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc (increase made), work dc in each of next 70 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, join, turn. Row 21: Sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in same dc, work dc in each of next 72 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc (increase made), work dc in each of next 72 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, join, turn. Row 22: Sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in same dc, work dc in each of next 74 dc, work 2 dc in each of next 2 dc (increases made), work dc in each of next 74 dc, work 2 dc in next dc (increase made), join, turn. Legs Row 23: Sl st in next dc, ch 2, work dc in each of next 75 dc, dc next 2 dc together (decrease made) join to first dc, turn. Row 24: Sl st in next dc, ch 2, work dc in each of next 73 dc, dc next 2 dc together (decrease made), join to first dc, turn. Rows 25–28: Rep as for previous 2 rows twice more, decreasing at the beginning and end of each row. Row 29–35: Sl st to next dc, ch 3, dc in each dc across row, join, ch 3, turn. At end of Row 35, join, ch 4, turn. Ribbon Row Row 36: *Sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, rep from * across row. Join, do not turn. Rows 37 & 38: Work as for the last 2 rows on the sleeves of the dress. (30 beads on bottom of each leg)
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Ruffles for the Back (Optional) 1st Ruffle Lay pantaloons flat and find the sides Row 1: With the waistband facing towards you, attach yarn with a sc around the post of the side st on row 12 of the pantaloons, *ch 3, sk next 2 dc, sc around the post of the next dc, rep from * across to the other side of the pantaloons, ch 1, turn. Row 2: Sl st to loop, ch 4 [counts as tr], work 9 tr in same loop, *sc in next loop, work 10 tr in next loop, rep from * across, ch 1 turn. Row 3: Sl st to first tr, ch 1, sc in same tr, * (ch 2, sc in next tr) 9 times, sk next sc, sc in next tr, Rep from * around, end off, weave in end. 2nd and 3rd Ruffle Attach yarn in the 15th (18th) row of pantaloons and Rep as for first ruffle.
Headband
Row 1: With white, ch 120, join to form circle. Ch 3, turn. Rows 2-3: Work dc in each ch around. Join, ch 3, turn. Row 4: Work in back loops only, dc in each dc around, ch 3, turn. Row 5: Work dc in each dc around, join. Row 6: Fold over the elastic and working through rows 1 and 5, (sc, ch 2) in each st around, making sure the elastic is inside. End off Row 7: On opposite side of headband, join yarn, in un-worked loops of row 3, Rep row 6, end off. Sew rosette bow on center of headband.
Original Art dolls Hand Sculpted by Rute Zorzin
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get listed in the shopping Directory! List your nursery, store or service in the shopping directory so that potential customers can easily find you. The directory will be included in every issue of Lifelike Dolls. Visit the Advertising section of our webpage to get more information about listing your business in the shopping directory. You can find it under “Print Ads” at www.lifelikedollsmag.com.
SHOPPING DIRECTORY DOLL KITS Bloomers N Bows Reborn Paint & Supply Sets Reborn Doll Kits www.BloomersNBows.com Grandmother’s Attic AD, Berenguer, Various Artists www.GrandmothersAttic.net order@GrandmothersAttic.net HunnyBuns Reborn Supplies Reborning & Sculpting Supplies www.hunnybunsrebornsupply.com hunnybuns@woh.rr.com 937 866-0269 Jamie’s Baby Boutique Reborn Doll Kits Limited Edition Kits www.blessedbeginningsartdolls.com MacPherson Crafts Secrist, Berenguer, Simply Reborn www.MacPhersonCrafts.com info@macphersoncrafts.ca 1-800-238-6663 Secrist Doll Company Reborn Doll Kits & Supplies www.secristdolls.com Phone: 800-635-7933 Int’l: 989-835-9388
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Zooby Designs Jan Czuba Heirloom Baby Couture www.itsmysite.com/fairiesdust fairydust@cogeco.ca
Kristina Reid Solna Originals Reborn baby dolls & OOAK sculpts www.solnapugs.com/solnaoriginals kreid@solnapugs.com
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
MBB Creative Doll Design Michele Barrow-Belisle Books, tutorials and classes www.MbbCreativeDollDesign.com sales@mbbcreativedolldesign.com
Excellence in Reborn Artistry Jeannine Holper www.rebornartistry.com www.lulu.com/jeannine HunnyBuns Nursery Magic of Reborning Book www.hunnybunsrebornsupply.com hunnybuns@woh.rr.com 937 866-0269
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Lifelike Dolls Bi-monthly Magazine www.LifelikeDollsMag.com editor@lifelikedollsmag.com 519-284-8033
SSStudio OOAKS Life-size sculpted babies www.hunnybunsrebornsupply.com hunnybuns@woh.rr.com 937 866-0269
MBB Creative Doll Design Michele Barrow-Belisle Books, tutorials and classes www.MbbCreativeDollDesign.com sales@mbbcreativedolldesign.com
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Secrist Doll Company Reborn Doll Kits & Supplies www.secristdolls.com Phone: 800-635-7933
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Bundle Blessings Nursery Artist Stacey Morgan www.staceymorganstudios.com tmorgan1@twcny.rr.com
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REBORNING SUPPLIES
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Where baby dolls become forever babies
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Flutterbies & Scutterbotch Nursery Reborn Dolls for the Serious Collector flutterbiesandscutterbotchnursery.com
Beeanns Dolls & Reborn Nursery Your One Stop Shop In Australia www.beeanns.com.au bev@beeanns.com.au 61 895820290
Get your listing in the next issue and be help artists and collectors find YOU! Do you have a category suggestion for the Shopping Directory? Drop us an email at editor@lifelikedollsmag.com and let us know what it is! Happy Shopping!
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MacPherson Crafts For all of your reborning needs! www.MacPhersonCrafts.com info@macphersoncrafts.ca 1-800-238-6663 Ruby Red Galleria High quality reborn supplies www.rubyredgalleria.com info@rubyredgalleria.com Secrist Doll Company Reborn Doll Kits & Supplies www.secristdolls.com Phone: 800-635-7933 Int’l: 989-835-9388 Vynette’s Bassinette Reborning Supply Shop www.vynettesbassinette.com.au admin@vynettesbassinette.com 0438-335-450
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Real feather wings for 6” mini dolls available November 2008!
6” Taffy Reborn Kit
Make your own adorable Snow Angel this winter with one of our 6” mini kits, only $24.95.
6” Baby
More than just a doll...
Bead & Accessories Storage Box
Make reborning more than just painting a doll kit. Personalize your special baby with our adorable embellishments, fairy wings, trinkets, and more. Follow our easy FREE online tutorials to make unique homemade holiday decor - no sewing required! Perfect for your home or as a gift. People of all ages love to receive handmade gifts and our adorable 6” babies are the cutest, most affordable doll you can give away this season.
Life is hectic enough, why worry about losing those little reborning accessories when you don’t have to? Stay organized with our 18 compartment clear storage box. Only $2.95!
Easy Fairy Wings
Adorable 9” x 8” white nylon fairy or angel wings. Easy to decorate with rhinestones and glitter or simply leave plain. Can also be dyed! Only $1.99!
Baby Bottle for Dolls
See our free online tutorial and easily make the bottle look like it is full of milk without using any liquids at all! The perfect prop for your baby doll. Only $1.75!
Baby Pacifiers for Dolls
Our white pacifiers can be used as is or decorated to match your baby’s outfit. Only $2.80! Get 3 for the price of 2!
www.SecristDolls.com 1-800-635-7933 | 9 am - 4 pm EST
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© 2008 Secrist Toys, Inc | 6” Doll Reborned by Symara Feitosa
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