The Best Online Reborn Help Forum!

tina · Newbie

putting in eyes

Buffington · Guru

In which kit hun? It depends on the kit and the manufacturer on how the eyes go in.
Some can go in from the front with heating and some just have to go in through the neck opening and be glued in.
Darn memory, I know there was a thread on this somewhere... now where'd I put it? Or maybe it was the old forum, hmmmmm.

Well, get back to me on which sculpt (and who made it) and I'll get you some info... ;)

-- Edited by Buffington at 14:29, 2009-02-24

Nai Nai's Nursery · Senior Member

Hi, Pat! Just wanted to say that your avatar is adorable! Which sculpt is that? I love it!

Buffington · Guru

Oops! I just changed it before I saw your post!
Thanks Rosemarie :)
That one was a Secrist Corey (now retired). She was great to do. I gave her short curly/wavy hair in a light sandy blonde. I used 20mm eyes instead of the original 22mm so it gave her face a softer look.
And the all eyelet dress was custom made for me by a woman in the UK. She has matching knickers and socks, the head-band... everything.
She even made a bracelet and sent a Piglette cuddle blankie with her.

Nai Nai's Nursery · Senior Member

Thanks, Pat. Soooooooooo cute!

Buffington · Guru

You're welcome. Glad you like her.

tina · Newbie

it is a adrie stoete kit (robin) I also have another kit I bought on ebay that the eyes are already in. they went in from the outside you can tell. how do I remove them? thanks again

Buffington · Guru

You can put eyes in from the outside (if the opening is large enough) by heating the vinyl and pushing them through while the vinyl is very warm. Be careful of tearing the corners of the eyes.

Or you can reach through the opening of the neck, cut an X in the back of the eye socket and put the eyes in from the back. Then glue with a flexible glue like E6000 for instance. Make sure the eyes are firmly in the sockets and there are no gaps in the front, set the gace in a large cup eyes down and leave for 24-48 hrs to settle and firm up.

Need help · Senior Member

Hi Pat, I'm doing Joey from BB I seem also to be having trouble getting the eyes in . He seems to have his whole eye socket covered. The eyes seem to be to big to fit in the front. But reading what you said maybe I should heat it? But will the mohair be o.k. in the oven? confuse

Do you have the same temp as if you baking it while painting it? Do you think it would be a good idea to put the eyes in before I'm done rooting his head? I guess I'm just excited to see him with eyes! Thanks for your help and taking time from your busy day to help me. smile

Linda

cowgirl · Veteran Member

Hello Linda,

I have done a few BB kits. Every one I had open eyed had a full covering where the eyes go. I chose to cut a half circle on the bottom of the eye socket on the inside of the head. Insert the eye and cover with the vinyl again and glue with E6000. I usually can't wait to put in the eyes either. biggrin It has worked perfect for me. Just how I do it. Best of luck!

Buffington · Guru

If you warm the vinyl to put the eyes in from the front, make it 250 for about 4 mins, then put them in straight away. You'll have to watch cause a lot of times when you go from the front they get in and turn backwards. then you gotta push them around to face forward plus position them straight. Some/most of the BB kits have silicone in them which makes them more flexible so unless the eye holes are really small or not open much they should be ok.
The mohair will be ok in the oven for that short of time. If you are worried you can always put a wet cloth on the hair. The only time I don't recommend putting the head in the oven is after you glue the hair on the inside. You never know what the chemicals in the glue will do to the vinyl when heated. :o
Personally it doesn't matter when you put the eyes in, either before rooting or after. If you put them in after you root, just don't glue the hair till you glue the eyes in. That way you'll do both at once and save a step. :)

Need help · Senior Member

Thank-you for your great advice. I'll have to run out and get me some of that glue. I wasn't to sure what to get. I'm about 3/4 done with his hair. Iguess I'm at the point were I can't wait to see him done. I know the rooting is something that I'm really going to have to work on. He will be wearing a hat!But I'll keep working at it. I guess also for my first one I'm expecting it to be perfect. With my years of porcelain doll making maybe it will help.At least with the painting.. I really love these babies!! I've already bought two more kits. I also looking for web-sites for some toddlers. Thanks again ladies for all your help. Hoping some day to be as talented as a lot of you. Have a good day!! Linda

Buffington · Guru

You can use the E6000 for the eyes and some use tacky glue for the hair inside.
I know a lot of newbies want their first baby to be perfect. I too was that way over 5 years ago. lol

Yes, I too have made porcelains for almost 20 years and it did help with the painting part.

If you want toddlers, Secrist has some cute ones (3 of them) and also a larger one. Or you can look on the DD website. Some of the artists have them also.
Hang in there, practice makes perfect

Need help · Senior Member

Hi Thanks for the advise. I also wasn't to sure on the glue for the hair. So that helped. But your right Pat practice does make perfect. Iwill be doing a lot of practicing because I have two more kits. I will have to look at Secrist site to find the bigger dolls. I just thought it would be nice after a while to have different sizes and not just babies. I love your avaitor one Pat. I really don't know what DD web-site stands for? Thanks again ladies for your help. smile

I'm so glad all you ladies don't mind helping because I'm sure I'll be back with some more questions! Have a good day! LINDA

Buffington · Guru

Linda, I wrote on your whiteboard about the DD part. Can't mention it here in forum so gotta put initials. check out your whiteboard messages. :)