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Date: Apr 30, 2008

Trouble inserting full eyes

Buffington · Guru

Sometimes it's like other doll companies don't realize what they are saying (IMHO)!

Most of the Berenguers I have require half rounds for reborning. If you have our full round, what you can do is VERY CAREFULLY (so as not to crack them) take a pliers (I use masking tape on them so the teeth don't mark the eyes) and go lightly around the line where the eyes are attached to the full round cone back. What you are trying to do is break the seal on the eye loose so you can separate the halves. That way you can still use the eye.

Like I said, VERY CAREFULLY. You'll hear a cracking sound but a small one if you go lightly. This is but a suggestion and you do it at your own risk. I'm just letting you know what I have done in the past when I need a half round instead. I did crack an eye once though (I pressed too hard, this is how I know)

Good luck

Date: Apr 30, 2008

I'm feeling brave today, so I'll give it a try!

Thanks!!!

*keeping fingers crossed*

Date: Apr 30, 2008

It worked!!! There was a sickening cracking sound at first, but the eye is okay! I "popped" them in very easily. Doll "looks" great!

Thanks again!!

(Have I mentioned I LOVE this forum!?!)

Buffington · Guru

LovesDolls · Guru

The open eyed dolls I've done I've inserted through the front, not the back. I also did them "fresh from the oven." So after I put on the matte varnish and removed them I immediately put the eyes in. Amazing how the 270 degrees softens that vinyl ;)

Buffington · Guru

Yes it is. Simply amazing the softness.

Date: Jun 3, 2008

I had trouble with a beringer putting eyes in , so I cut a cross in the back of the eye hole and heated it with the hair dryer and that was successfull with full eyes then you can move them into correct position and seal in place with silicone. I also put them in from the front. If you cant reach the back, try a pair of forceps. June M from Oz. yawn

Buffington · Guru

Yes, that works well also. And if you have a doll shop near where they make the porcelains, there is a real eye tool that is for putting the full round eyes in through the neck (as porcelain doesn't budge) so you could use one of those.

I do like to cut the X in the back and use full rounds, as you said you can turn them easier the way you want them to go and then seal with the E6000 or whatever you have. :)

Date: Jun 8, 2008

If i could draw a picture I,d show you all how to make one out of a wire coat hanger. With 30 cm of wire bend 1/3 into handle and at the other end bend a 1/2inch out then arround in a half circle bend !/2 inch up to hold the eye on. You may have to push it down abit to hold Eye in circle. Hope you can make some sence in that. You could also cut it abit shorter and glue a wooden handle on. June M from Oz.

Date: Jun 8, 2008

we have saying too. Making dolls isn,t a matter of life and death, It,s more important than that. so I guess that goes for reborn babies as well. June M from Oz.

precious_lullabies · Guru

It is difficult sometimes getting the eyes in from behind -- i've never tried from the front, i'd hate for the eye corner to split or something (very rare i know but i just think *what if*).

I have tiny hands, I'm a very small boned person, but even with my little hands i sometimes have difficulty getting in there... of course tiny hands also mean my fingers are short!!!

I've found that if i put the eyes in when the head is still warm you can smoosh the face is a little and bend the neck up enough for my fingers to reach the back of the eye socket. With practise it's gotten much easier.