Cost of kits

[suzanne]

I am really interested in making a reborn just to see if i can do it but i have checked out prices and its going to cost me about £50 just for the body parts. Quite alot just to have a try, can anyone give me more details of where best to shop. Thanks suzanne

[chrisie]

Hi suzanne,
Welcome to the site,
Our boss cathy will be on soon to welcome you.....
Well suzanne theirs lots of kits out their and it's very confusing
I don't know if you've already had a go at painting.....because you can buy a cheap doll from a charity shop or nick a childs (NOT ANY OLD CHILD THOUGH!!!) usually one of your own kids
If you've had a go at painting or like me you just jump right in there you can get a secrist kit, which are quite cheap or a berenguer which is one of the cheapest, you can get one from the american sites for under £30 and thats including p&p, and they are lovely detailed babies, lots of wrinkles.
We have a list of suppliers that one or all have used.
You can have a nosey around the site and see what others have said and any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Cath the boss has been reborning for years and knows her stuff.
Chrisie x

[suzanne]

thanks for the information would it be cheaper if i tried to buy a cheaper doll and try and remove the paint or is to much work for a first go. suzanne

[mishy4t1]

Hi Suzanne
Welcome to the nut house,you will find out alot and have fun too
I bought 3 dolls freom the charity shops to practice on as there is no way you can afford to mess up on the kits.You can practice while you are waiting for the kits,look around on ebay for the supplies you will need but to strip your dolls you need acetone the factory paints come off really easy then give them a good wash in soapy water and a good rinse and leave them to dry completely. the best paints to use are genesis heat dry paints.I'm still waiting on supplies so I haven't got any further.
The boss or someone else that know more will be along with the list of supplies and the best places to get them

[chrisie]

No,
Honestly suzanne most people here have done it....i did.
First you buy or borrow a cheap doll....baldy is better but hair can also be removed.
You can use paint stripper or accetone.
Me personally i used paint and varnish remover, i put it on with a paint brush (household one) then i got a cloth and quickly wiped it off.
It was a bit messy and smelly but easy
Then i stuck it in a bucket of water and johnsons baby bath for a day and two and hey presto.....you can start reborning
And you'll also read here that if you make mistakes you can strip it off again,it has been done
Now some people use other things to strip their dolls and i'm sure they will help you and tell you their experience.
chrisie x

[Michaela]

Hi Suzanne and welcome,

I agree that most of us have used a cheap play doll to practice on...I know I stole a few from my daughter shhhhhh.

It really gives you a good chance to have a good practice with out the added worry of working on an expensive sculpt. You can try out different paint techniques until you find something that suits you. The heads are quite a bit harder than the kits you get and be prepared to break a few needles. I use a wheat bag that you put in the microwave for heating the heads....I think a great advantage on practising rooting on the harder heads it seems sooooo much easier when you begin to root on a nice soft kit

[*miss*piggy*]

Hiya Suzanne,

I would try ebay. You can bid on brand new ones that people are selling (usually because thay wanted to reborn but then found out they didn't have the time) and these can go for as little as 10 or 20 pounds.

If you don't want to bid, alot of people sell them cheply at a buy it now price.

Try it, i bought one of mine there!

Luv Sofi xxxxx

[Hilary]

Hi my name is Hilary and I am new here too.I am going to the Peterborough doll fair on sunday as I am hoping to get some supplies to start reborning.I have bought a few dolls,the latest is Sofie by Denise Pratt she is gorgous sucking her thumb.I have had five children and I didn`t get a thumb sucker AND I have been childminding for 28yrs and no thumb sucker.This thing about not using the family oven?Do you have to have the table top cooker to start?Like Susanne I want to have a go but don`t want to waste money incase I don`t take to doing it.I am looking forward to having a go.Has any one bought supplies at a doll show?

[Cathy]

Hello sugar, we are all going to peterborough sunday, we can talk you through what you need on the day sugar!
Do you have a pic of yourself?
There are a lot of worries about the fumes coming off vinyl kits at the moment, and some talk of liver damage.
A lot of women are beginning to use table top ovens to bake the kits in a well ventilated room.x
Huga
Cathxxxxxxxxx

[cuddlebabiesnursery]

I just started reborning around a month ago, so I'm no expert! But I have nearly completed my third doll ( and I must say, I have taken a great liking to this art form, since I have been a painter for a long time.) Therefore, I know a little about what you need. I honestly could not have done this without buying a full starters kit with everything you need in it. It really helped me figure out what to do and what i need to make these sweet little dolls. Im american, and It cost me about $230 to get a starters kit - But it was totally worth it. But if that is too pricey, I have found that a lot of the items you need can be found at crafts stores and as for paints - Genesis works very nicely and I would just go ahead and buy a full, large set of them, you will eventually need to anyway. They are around $94. (I bought mine from dollsbysandie.com) If you have a hard time finding supplies and you don't nessecarily wish to buy a full starter's kit, you can just go to a reborn supply shop and buy what you need there. There are some great online. =)

GOOD LUCK! [size=200]

[Cathy]

would love to see a pic, i bet your babies are beautiful.

Hugs
Cathxxxxxxx

[RebornBabyLover]

I would try tinkerbell creations i have brought a baby of there before and he is lovely how he is so i keep him as he was. I am soon going to buy a taffy kit off there which will be my first proper kit. i would suggest this kit because many people have told me its a great starter kit and also its only £29.99 and come with a cloth body. also you can get all your supplies from there quite cheap and if your wondering about paints they do a lovely genesis starter set which i have been told last for ages.


Hope this helps

Luv Ellie xxx

[sage brush nursery]

try doll dreams also ,i bought 2 babys last month from them for 20.00 u.s. each i've seen both the kits i bought on ebay for way more. all my babys up untill a couple of months ago were rescue babys(thrift shops) i had a realy great time giveing these babys a second chance to be loved. the best is you can be totaly relaxed about it cos they don't cost anything. it frees you up.heres a pic of baby kess.....she was a caucasian cittoy rescue baby. sage

[sage brush nursery]

right now bountiful baby has all their kits on sale for 24.95 u.s. dollars. needless to say i bought 7. i'm sooo bad. sage