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suzi · Member

I'm very new to this !

Buffington · Guru

I did that with my hubby too! I told him that way I get what I want and it's less shopping for him hehehe.
Yes, bake it on... ALL Genesis paints MUST be baked on at 265 degrees F for 8 minutes. Or you can use a heat gun (not a hair dryer) and I believe there is a thread with instructions for that in here. On high, hold 3-4" away, circular motions for about count of 3-4, then move to another spot.

Yes it can sound rather scarry if you havent done it before. Be sure you have an oven thermometer. My friend got a new oven and we thought it was right but even new, it was off!

Not sure where to find 6" patterns. Maybe Simplicity or McCalls. OOOO Iowa! I have friends and family there. I'm in MN (Minneapolis by Mall of America). Very frozen tundra-like here and lots of snow.

Date: Dec 26, 2008

Hi, Thanks so much for responding to my question. Your letter was very helpful to me. What do you place the body pieces on in the oven - a cookie sheet? Do you ever root hair in the 6" size?
Stay warm in Minnesota ...... we are cold here in Iowa too. This is going to be a long winter. Thanks so much for your help.

Buffington · Guru

I put 2 layers of baking parchment paper on the cookie sheet. Yes, I have rooted 2 of the 6" minis. Kind of like rooting a plum lol.

Ya, I think it's going to be a long winter too! Stay warm there!

Date: Dec 26, 2008

Thanks so much for your help. I will be starting on it as soon as my paint thinner arrives (I had ordered it, but it wasn't shipped with the doll).
It's raining here today and very cloudy. At least some of the snow is melting. smile

Have a good day now. Suzi

Buffington · Guru

Keep us posted on how it's going (once you get started). Hope you have one of our DVD's to go by!

Date: Dec 28, 2008

Good Saturday night. I don't have a DVD on the dolls, but I did get one with the mini doll. It seems to explain the process very well. May I ask, do you work for the Secrist company? How many dolls have you made?
I don't expect to make a lot of them, I mainly want to get 'good enough' to make one for my baby buggy (from the early 1950's).
Suzi

Buffington · Guru

Ok, well at least you know of our 3 step process :)
I have been an Apple Valley Dolls dealer for over 18 years and am also a Secrist Dolls dealer for many (AV is Secrist sister company). I did work as an experiment for 1 1/2 years for them as a Field Sales Rep. I now also moderate both the AV and Secrist forums.
I have made so many dolls I really can't count them all. I don't sell a lot of them really but I do love to give babies!

My neighbor wants me to make one for her. She has 2 wicker early 1850's buggies and they have old china dolls in them. I might even sew her a period costume. I think with enough giudance and practice you will make one that will be just fine.

I also am a certified Secrist teacher so if you have a chance to come to MN and would like to take a class, just let me know. :)

Date: Dec 31, 2008

Happy New Year to you!!!! It's cold here (no snow, but cold). I think we'll go out for dinner tonight (EARLY) and then spend the evening at home! We are not party people! teehee
Sounds like you've made a lot of babies. I HOPE to make my little 6" one tomorrow (New Years Day). I guess that'll tell the story IF I make another one. blankstare

I will keep you posted on my progress with this little girl. May I ask your name? Talk to you later. Suzi

Buffington · Guru

Yes Suzie, my name is Pat B.
You should like the little minis, they are fun (and less steps to finish). But don't base your experience on making the minis as they are painted differently than the full kits. I'd say give a preemie kit a try before making up your mind (17"). :)

When you're finished with your 6" mini please post some pics in the artists showcase for us to see!!! ;)

Date: Jan 5, 2009

Hi Pat, I've found that this is just not for me. I finished the mini one, but it doesn't look extremely good and I found it was not 'fun' for me.
My big regret is that now I have 'stuff' that I won't use or know what to do with. That is the disappointing part of it. I love to sew and knit, so I'll stick with that for now. Thanks for writing. Suzi

Buffington · Guru

Suzi,
I'm sorry you weren't able to do another doll to make up your mind. I think because the minis are so tiny that it doesn't give newbies like yourself enough to base the entire reborning experience on. As I said, the minis are different than the rest of the babies.

But if it wasn't fun for you I can understand. If you want, you can go into the subject on buy/sell and put your items up for sale. Maybe someone is local to you and they will want to buy your stuff. Otherwise someone else.

I say, it's not the outcome, it's the journey you take to get there.

I'm glad you have your sewing and knitting. Some are just not cut out to be reborners BUT at least you can say you made a reborn (even if it didn't turn out the way you wanted, takes practice).

Feel free to post your thoughts under misc chatter on what happened and why you don't think it is for you. Maybe you will be an inspiration to someone else!!

HUGS,
Pat B :)

Date: Jan 10, 2009

Hi Pat,
Thanks so much for your letter and help through this. We have a Bed and Breakfast (www.hartwighouseinn.com) and maybe 'someone' will be staying with us someday who will want to try this art. I think if I would see a reborn baby (in person) it would help - so maybe someday I'll get the chance. Thanks again for your kindness. Suzi

Buffington · Guru

You're very welcome and best of luck :)

suzi · Member

Well guess what! I was in doll class this past weekend. Now I'm really excited about doing it again. Suzi

Buffington · Guru

AWESOME!

suzi · Member

Hi Pat, Thanks for your kind reply. Yes, a class was offered at our Church. The dolls used were by BB, but for my next one I want to do one of the Secrist dolls. I want to make Nicole, but I'm confused about limbs. I don't know what it means by Snuggles and Hugs 3/4 limbs.?????? How's your weather in Minnesota????? It's quite nice here, but windy. Thanks for writing and have a nice day. Suzi in Iowa

-- Edited by Buffington on Saturday 28th of March 2009 03:19:26 AM

Buffington · Guru

Nicole is a little cutie! The names on the limbs are just that, names. It helps people to keep them straight and for the factory to know exactly which limbs a customer is talking about when they order. If you click on the pictures of the limbs on the website there should be a description of them and a larger photo.

Weather here is cold (again) but I just know Spring is coming soon lol It's also been windy here. I have a friend in DesMoines and some of my husbands family is also in Iowa.