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precious_lullabies · Guru

silicone babies

Buffington · Guru

Ok, I did move your post to this misc chatter because I thought it fit better. Nice call :)

Lets see, I'll try to answer your questions in order and do the best I can:

Most of the silicone babies I have had the chance to see in person feel very different from the vinyl and S/V mix dolls. Have you ever had a gummy worm or any type of gummy candy? Well if so, that is what they feel like to me. Rather coldish feeling, kind of like a clammy fish. Or a gummy candy. Very flexible and rubbery.

Vinyl dolls are just vinyl, vinyl/silicone dolls are basically vinyl with some silicone mixed in to the liquid usually to make it more flexible and so they can pull it out of the mold easier. It is also good if you are making full limbs or limbs with deeper detail. They tend to again remove easier from the mold. The silicone are usually solid as you stated, and are even more translucent than our Secrist vinyl dolls. You cannot use any other paint than silicone paint. Apparently there is platinum silicone and another type which the name escapes me now. If you use Genesis paints on silicone (which Genesis says not to) it may go on nicely (or not) but would end up coming off in some fashion at a later date. Same with oils or acrylics. Solid silicone is also much heavier.

They do tend to move a lot more realistically, but the real color is never there (IMHO), & you can usually tell they are dolls close up. It seems to be quite a different process, not sure if it's more expensive or not. I guess I never checked. I did just run across one artist that is making limited editions in solid silicone with her hubby. I should ask her. Or maybe I'll Google it!

I personally don't see what all the hype is about the silicone since you need more specialized things to work on them with. I am perfectly satisfied working on the Secrist and other non-silicone dolls. Although I do work on S/V mix dolls all the time too (from other companies).

Sorry, I guess this got long... :) Hope it helps.

precious_lullabies · Guru

thanks and it does answer my question perfectly. I'm sure i've worked with silicone-vinyl mixes as i've worked on a real range of kits from other companies and artisits and some are very smooshie and flexable.

I was interested though as i see some solid silicone kits selling at a start price of $500 (and thats just the kit, not yet reborn). In photo's they don't look so different that i haven't been able to justify the outlay cost if there really arn't some fabulous perks about them. And babies definetly do not feel like gummy worms/bears/candy - so yeah i think i'll be happy to give the silicone crazy a miss then.

Buffington · Guru

That's what I thought too, I've already given them a miss. I think (IMHO) that the other kits are better as far as painting and realism.

Date: Jun 28, 2008

Hi, Naomi, Me to I think I,ll stick with the ones I know , Most of mine have been Secrist except for Brian from the Netherlands, an Elly Knoop sculp that I did by request. Hannah done as Jack copied from an Ebay photo. weirdface

Dolly123 · Newbie

Hi seen the post and really want to learn how to make the silicone babies... i have already sculpted heads and am very pleased with them. So i need to know about what silicone to use for the doll it's self, and what would be best to make the mold. Thanks for your help...Dolly

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

I heard of something called "dragon skin silicone" but I know very little of silicone dolls, let alone of the process of making one.

Liselle · Guru

http://www.smooth-on.com/Silicone-Rubber-an/c2_1115_1129/index.html

Just some info on it. Tasha Edenholm uses it.

Buffington · Guru

Thats pretty kool! Of course if you do your doll in silicone, you'd have to use silicone paints as you cannot use heat set or air dry on it. Especially the platinum silicone. We have topic links in forum on it. Let us know what you decide and show pics in artist showcase!

Date: Jul 31, 2012

hi i am making reborn babys but i am trying to found out what all u need to make silicone or soft silicone babys could u please help me thanks

Buffington · Guru

We would be able to help you better if you would register for your free forum account. :)
If you are talking about the BB silicone mix kits, th ere is a lot of info on those in our forum. Not too much on full silicone dolls or full silicone kits but feel free to use the search feature at the top of the page on the red bar. Type in your word and click submit. It will bring up all the threads with that subject. Try jusst typing in "silicone" and see what that brings up.

Come back and let us know if you found any thing worth your while.
HUGS

Date: Aug 20, 2014

the silicone babies cost more because the LOOK,and FEEL more real than the silicone or s/v dolls.they feel soft yet firm,they look real ,it is the artist that choose the skin tone,not ALL look like skin tone but lots do,I strongly disagree with the po.st. .t.hat. they feel like a gummy worn,the dolls are a work of art,and therapeutic to some women who can,t have children,it depends where you are looking for the best price as I said the material cost a lot ,sometimes it is cheaper to make your own,dragon skin is like silicone but cheaper,I started sculpting my own when I saw one that I could not afford,and I was hook on reborning the dolls, so don,t give up ,make your own mold,11-12 in is the best starting size,after a while you will have your own way of doing it at less cost,you can do it,please let me know, wink