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heartme_4ever · Veteran Member

opening nose

Heather M · Senior Member

I open the noses on some of my dolls. I have never had any problems with it ruining the vinyl. I just use a drill bit like it shows to do in the first video series.

heartme_4ever · Veteran Member

thanks for your reply.i just dont want to mess up my baby's nose or face so thats why i asked..thanks again..

LovesDolls · Guru

I no longer open the noses. The new sculpts are designed so realistically I don't feel a need to. Of course there is the risk of ruining the doll. I did open the noses of my first two reborns which were actual dolls I took apart. Now, I use the crease color and paint the inside of the nose with that.

heartme_4ever · Veteran Member

thanks for yur response..i did that with my 1st doll but i notice people like the noses of the dolls opened..

Faye · Member

I open the noses of my dolls with an awl heated over a flame (I use a candle). I first read about doing it this way in the Secrist 2008 catalogue and it works really well. Just don't make the mistake I made when I first tried it and stick your awl IN the flame... I now have an awl with a black tip! You just need to hold it above the flame to heat it.

I think opening the nose adds to the realism we're all after as reborners

Blessings,

Faye

zona · Veteran Member

I have opened the dolls noses I have done.

I use a dremmel. I pick a smaller drill size then the opening of the nose. I check to make sure it will fit then I open it up. You will only mess it up if you slip or you are shaky with a drill. Once you are done painting you will have to glue a piece of felt behind the nose holes so your cotton filler doesn't come out through the nose holes. I use a burgandy color. It looked much better then the bright red or the dark black.

heartme_4ever · Veteran Member

i think im going to be brave and open the nose of my next doll :] wish me luck!!

LovesDolls · Guru

Be gentle. Start slowly. You'll be fine!

Cathy · Veteran Member

Just be careful if you're using a drill 'cause if it slips it could leave a scar on the lips. I always place a small cloth like a thin washcloth over the mouth when I do this. So far I've opened two noses like this, both times the drills slipped but each time the washcloth saved me. Just a little tip from a klutz. biggrin

Heather M · Senior Member

You can always just use the drill bit without using the drill--less chance for slipping.

wishingfactory · Member

I'm also a holes in the nose gal! Slowly and gently is the key, Secrist kits are good to do, because there's quite alot of space to work with. When should you put the holes in, before or after painting? I've done it twice before and the results are outstanding.
Good luck!

Buffington · Guru

Opening nostrils is really a personal preference as you have seen here. I do open some but it depends on the vinyl (manufacturer) and how the kits look. If I have some with shallow nostrils I may open them.

Yes, do be careful with both the flame/awl and the drill methods. Always go slow. I paint mine after opening as you can get in there with a brush so there's no paint missing from drilling.

Also, yes, use a dark fabric but make sure it's colorfast as the glue can tend to make the colors bleed and can cause color migration in the vinyl.

heartme_4ever · Veteran Member

thanks for all yur help..i dnt hav a doll yet so ill hav to wait..but i kno tht it deff helped me out by juss reading the responses..thx so much :]

Buffington · Guru

You are very welcome :)