If you're a fan of Reborning, a collector, a creator or have no idea what they are, read on!
Reborn is the new craft that is taking the world by storm.
It involves taking an ordinary play doll and then "Reborning" it to make it look more lifelike and real.
The technique of Reborning a play doll typically involves the following processes:
* The doll is taken apart and factory paint is removed very carefully.
* A color wash is applied inside and out of the doll to create realistic baby skin tones.
* The exterior is painted using various techniques, to add the appearance of translucent skin tones and effects such as veins, blotching, and "milk-spots" to more closely resemble the skin of a newborn baby.
* Hair and eyelashes, usually of fine mohair are applied using rooting tools, or felting needles.
This is a painstaking job, as each hair is added individually.
* The original vinyl body is replaced with a soft stuffed and weighted body.
* A magnet may be attached inside the mouth for attaching a magnetic pacifier.
Additional enhancements may include a magnetically attached "umbilical cord", a heartbeat simulator, breathing simulator, and heat packs.
It involves taking an ordinary play doll and then "Reborning" it to make it look more lifelike and real.
The technique of Reborning a play doll typically involves the following processes:
* The doll is taken apart and factory paint is removed very carefully.
* A color wash is applied inside and out of the doll to create realistic baby skin tones.
* The exterior is painted using various techniques, to add the appearance of translucent skin tones and effects such as veins, blotching, and "milk-spots" to more closely resemble the skin of a newborn baby.
* Hair and eyelashes, usually of fine mohair are applied using rooting tools, or felting needles.
This is a painstaking job, as each hair is added individually.
* The original vinyl body is replaced with a soft stuffed and weighted body.
* A magnet may be attached inside the mouth for attaching a magnetic pacifier.
Additional enhancements may include a magnetically attached "umbilical cord", a heartbeat simulator, breathing simulator, and heat packs.
GETTING INVOLVED!
It is a highly skilled process which when mastered can produce the most amazing lifelike dolls.
But it's also easy to get into.
There are many kits available that enable you to start slowly and build up.
For instance on this site: Everything Reborn you will find tutorials, kits and parts for you to be able to make your own.
It should be noted however, that once completed the Reborn doll is no longer suitable as a child's play doll.
You may come across the word OOAK, meaning "one of a kind."
Ooak dolls are often used in referring to the art of Reborning.
Ooak dolls are also referred to as repaints, as their original face paint is removed by the artist, who then paints the doll in a realistic, fantasy or celebrity facial style.
For examples of these "one of a kind" babies see Ooak
You will find some amazing Ooak babies that may give you some inspiration or you may end up buying one, as they are all for sale on this website so be careful you may be tempted!
They are however really reasonably priced here in comparison to some of the official websites for reborn.
After you have created or bought your new Reborn baby, you will want to dress and accessorise your infant.
Again there are many ways of doing this from cast off clothes from your own children to specialist shops and websites.
I found Reborn Clothing & Accessories to be particularly reasonable priced and helpful, especially when it comes to Preemie baby clothes (if you've gone for a premature look baby).
For those of you who have created a Reborn baby: now you have your competed it, you may wish to do as others have, admire it for a while and then sell it to make some money to start the next one!
Too many crafters price their work too low.
Remember, you should not only make sure your pricing includes your materials, but also things like show fees, travelling expenses, and your labor.
Local craft shows are a great way to get started without investing thousands in show fees.
Click Here For help on how to get started selling your craft.
For those of you reading this in the Uk you may like to check out my Lens:Reborn Phenomena UK
For more information and links to sites in the UK.
But it's also easy to get into.
There are many kits available that enable you to start slowly and build up.
For instance on this site: Everything Reborn you will find tutorials, kits and parts for you to be able to make your own.
It should be noted however, that once completed the Reborn doll is no longer suitable as a child's play doll.
You may come across the word OOAK, meaning "one of a kind."
Ooak dolls are often used in referring to the art of Reborning.
Ooak dolls are also referred to as repaints, as their original face paint is removed by the artist, who then paints the doll in a realistic, fantasy or celebrity facial style.
For examples of these "one of a kind" babies see Ooak
You will find some amazing Ooak babies that may give you some inspiration or you may end up buying one, as they are all for sale on this website so be careful you may be tempted!
They are however really reasonably priced here in comparison to some of the official websites for reborn.
After you have created or bought your new Reborn baby, you will want to dress and accessorise your infant.
Again there are many ways of doing this from cast off clothes from your own children to specialist shops and websites.
I found Reborn Clothing & Accessories to be particularly reasonable priced and helpful, especially when it comes to Preemie baby clothes (if you've gone for a premature look baby).
For those of you who have created a Reborn baby: now you have your competed it, you may wish to do as others have, admire it for a while and then sell it to make some money to start the next one!
Too many crafters price their work too low.
Remember, you should not only make sure your pricing includes your materials, but also things like show fees, travelling expenses, and your labor.
Local craft shows are a great way to get started without investing thousands in show fees.
Click Here For help on how to get started selling your craft.
For those of you reading this in the Uk you may like to check out my Lens:Reborn Phenomena UK
For more information and links to sites in the UK.
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Beautiful Babies: The ART of Reborn Doll Making
Amazon Price: $38.89 (as of 01/06/2010) 
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by hollom
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Age: 34
Lives: Cornwall UK
Work: Internet web Sites
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