The Best Online Reborn Help Forum!

Noantum · Senior Member

Just thinking outloud....how do you feel?

Tina W. · Guru

Hi Emily,
IMO, I think there is just so much competition in reborning right now that some artist may feel threatened. Giving advise or help in the art doesn't necessarily mean that that person getting the advise will be able to mimic the artist's work. However I don't think person understand this. When I started out I did basically the same thing you did. Contacted different artist and found the same thing you did in there demeanor. Some were very helpful, those are still dear friends, but there were many who were weren't. You can't take it personally, thank goodness there are places like this that have wonderful artist who are both helpful and understanding. To me it is a love not a career. I have a job and collect a paycheck and don't need to survive off reborning. So any help I can give to others is purely my pleasure. This may not be the case for all artist's.
Again this is Just My Opinion.

Noantum · Senior Member

Thanks Tina for your honest opinion. I too am not into it for the money. I just loved baby dolls from a very young age but found it disappointing when they did not look like real babies. As I became a mom, I looked for realistic babies for my daughter but found only one that was close...a Lee Middleton.
As an adult we happened to watch the documentary and I was fasinated! I wanted to know more but because of work, going through a nasty divorce, and caring for my young children, I didn't have the time then. Now I do have some time to actually try to make one myself. Purely out of the love of baby dolls.
I guess I can see how some would do it for the money and become threatened. Like you I'm just happy there are places like this forum when those of us who truly enjoy it talk to one another.
Again thanks for your response. xo

-- Edited by Noantum on Sunday 9th of August 2009 11:56:50 PM

Buffington · Guru

I'm afraid what you have found is just... well, "the nature of the beast" so to speak. As Tina stated, there are those that are in it for the money. If I was in it just for that, I'd starve! lol But I also enjoy the art of it and also the fun!
But some do feel that they had to search and pay for learning (in the long run) and they don't want to just give it all away. Also, yes, there is a great competition amongst reborners. Some think they are all that and they're not (IMHO) and some just plain don't play well with others, and some just want to have fun, etc. And really, I can see some of that. I am a factory certified teacher and I basically "sell" my expertise in classes. I do get paid to "teach" others what I do, but I am also forum mod so I answer questions.
Some come and want to learn to reborn in forum but as is posted on the website... we are here to "help" you, not to teach you from scratch.
But I do think (IMHO) that it's mostly the high volume of reborns for sale out there which creates a large competition, and since the world is in an economic crunch, well...

ronelhamaty · Senior Member

As long as there are a demand for reborn dolls and you trying to fill that void, well that is pretty much a bussiness. Some reborners don't like to share the tricks of the trade and I can't blame them for that. For some it IS a bussiness, while for the others it is pure joy. The more relistic the doll are the more they chargerd. I have seen dolls selling on ebay at a staggering $799.00. Now that is good money !! (I wouldn't mind getting that kind of money for a doll) . I would also leave my day job and turn to reborning dolls. All the members on the forum are very helpful and sure love the art of reborning.

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

I think it is so sad that some people are just plain arrogant and mean. You find them in every industry, but dolls are fun and it has always surprised me to find people like that involved with dolls. Reborning is new for me, and I don't know if I'll ever sell my babies, although of course I'd like to so I can afford to buy more. I have a business designing and building doll furniture, and I'm always willing to share my techniques and what materials I use to anyone who asks. I don't worry that it will hurt my business because what I design and build is always OOAK, and everyone has a different "eye" for what they do. If someone wants to know how I do something, I am flattered. It means my creations have inspired them! This board is full of wonderful, kind and helpful people. I, too, am grateful to have found it. Someday I may even be able to give helpful answers to questions asked. In the meantime, I so appreciate all the help I've gotten here. Thanks to all you wonderful people! Love ya all, Melinda

Noantum · Senior Member

What you ladies said is all true. I do tend to take things to heart, especially when it is supposed to something fun. Like Melinda said, "everyone has a different "eye"" so things will not be the same for everyone. Everyone is different and what they produce will be different and OOAK.
True, some turn it into a business and I guess it would be as if KFC suddenly revealed their "secret recipe". Anywhoo I guess I have to learn to develope a tough skin and not shut out friends like you. It's fun and that's how I see it. Another point is what Pat said " "the nature of the beast", If I was in it just for that, I'd starve!". I agree because it does cost you in the beginning and until you really get the nack of it I suppose. Hummm I was just thinking out loud. Thanks for your honest responses.
Have a good Monday ladies. Oh and happy rooting to those of you who are working on those mini's biggrin

ronelhamaty · Senior Member

Sorry I made a spelling misake earlier hmm

. yes, it is supposed to be fun and why do you want to be on a forum if you don't want share new ideas and tips. confuse

-- Edited by ronelhamaty on Monday 10th of August 2009 06:56:16 PM

Buffington · Guru

Amen to that! :)

Noantum · Senior Member

I second that! wink

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I agree with all of you. This art is filled with all kinds of people. Thankfully, many of them are willing to share their experience and tips. I just try not to bother the ones who are reluctant. In a way, I understand that attitude--especially, if they have a huge investment in doll kits, supplies, education with the dream of becoming a brilliantly successful business. They might see the people asking the questions as competition?

Like Pat, I invested in the classes to become a certified Secrist teacher because I love to teach and I love making these dolls. Teaching is the perfect way to spend the day. My students are all taught using the same doll kit and supplies. Yet, all the baby dolls end up looking so different by the end of the class. As someone mentioned, everyone has a different eye, and everyone comes to the class with a different set of skills and talents. The imaginative students will use the basics as building blocks to continue developing more advanced techniques.

Some of you mentioned you would give up your day job if one of your baby dolls fetched a price like $799. I don't know about you all but I doubt I would make enough money to live on even if my doll fetched a price in that range. Secrist has great prices on kits, but you can pay up in the $100 range for some of the kits--especially for a limited edition kit. Then there's the painting that takes me anywhere from 3 to 7 days. Add the rooting time, and that is another time-consuming process. Then we need to add the cost of the accessories and clothing. Some people advertise the doll comes with as many as 3 or 4 outfits. I'm thinking if I took that $799, subtracted the costs, and then divided the leftover amount by the number of hours spent... well, I'm wondering if it would even add up to be minimum wage.

Thankfully, I sell all kinds of ready-made doll products and classes on my website. My hope was to have doll merchandise to sell while I am having the fun of creating newborns. Until I'm able and willing to complete the perfect newborn in a few days, this art continues to be, well... enjoyable.

Noantum · Senior Member

Yes indeed.....just the point some us were making. wink

Buffington · Guru

Ronel... I have a former customer that her babies are so realistic! She has sold several of them for over $1500 USD on ebay! Amazing! She is so good it isn't even funny. She also for about the last year reborns prototypes for companies like DD, etc. She is marvelous with a brush and sponge lol
I'd like to sell one for even $700, I'm not greedy. My highest so far has been around $500

ronelhamaty · Senior Member

That is fantastic! It just blows be away to see how much money people spending on these babies. (and I am not complaining ... LOL) I know it is an art, but wow... Keep the faith, you are almost there! I had a double take at some dolls, even with a trained eye it was almost impossible to tell the difference.

Our country is in a resession (spelling?) like most parts of the world, and they are not selling like hot cakes though. Hope the economy changes soon hmm

Noantum · Senior Member

Oh don't fret my friends. The economy will turn around aww

Things are tough right now but look, some people still do buy these babies for big bucks! Some of the most successful people today started out during a recession (Bill Gates for one) smile

If one can fetch a really good price for one of her babies

If not, well maybe next time. We'll still have fun creating beautiful works of art. I hope to have fun, experiment, and see what personalities come out of each kit I newborn.
Happy Thursday everyone!

lastingmemoriesrebornnursery · Veteran Member

I am now a full time Reborn Artist. However, this does not give me the right to be rude to anyone that is asking for help!! I freely give any help that I am able to provide. Yes I am in it for the money but that is not the only reason. Reborning is truly my passion. It only takes a minute to give encouragement, suggestions, tips or hints on how to create a baby. We all had to start somewhere. I personally do not care who you are or how much money you make on a baby don't ever forget where you came from and the help that you received to get there. My babies sell consistently for $475.00 to $675.00 I do mostly custom and portrait babies however I am branching into eBay now. Just because my babies sell for good prices doesn't mean that I can't take a moment to help someone. I guess it is all about how confident you are in yourself.

Noantum · Senior Member

Well hello Debra biggrin

Thanks for your comment. It is nice to know that there is another lovely lady who will be here speaking with all of us. biggrin

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

Debra, your comments show your true professionalism! You are right that we should remember where we came from - we all had to start somewhere. And having a gift for doing something isn't a gift unless you give it away! For me, sharing is as much fun as the making! Thanks for your great comments. Melinda

lastingmemoriesrebornnursery · Veteran Member

Thank you Melinda & Noantum, I have had it happen to me where when I asked a question I was told it was a secret! Or I was not replied to at all. I know how it makes me feel and I would never do that to anyone else. I wish the hobby was not so expensive as I would love to be able to share my babies with more people. Unfortunately this is not the case. I do donate some babies to local charities, nursing homes etc. I have also worked with our local High School and Reborned some of their BTIO babies (free of charge) While the money is good doing this nothing compares to the first email you get from a new Mommy. My heart is in my throat until I get that and they say they are in love. That is the real reason I make these babies. My best story was a Portrait Memorial Baby. Dana and Phil had a baby girl that was born with a serious heart defect. This was over 20 years ago. The baby died 4 days later. She recently contacted me and asked me to recreate Lindsay for her. Her reasoning at this time is Phil has been diagnoised with a fatal disorder and he made the comment I will get to hold Lindsay in Heaven. Dana wanted to bring Lindsay (her likeness) home before Phil passed away. My heart and soul went into creating this little one. The amount of joy that she brought to them is undescribeable. This is what her first email said
Oh my gosh, Debbie! The stork brought our baby girl today and what a beautiful surprise! She is way more than I was anticipating! She feels & looks so real, its unbelievable! And shes so pretty! We finally have a birth certificate 20 years overdue! Thank you so much for all the hard work you did, for the artistry of such a pretty little girl and also for the beautiful outfits and little lamb. I am still digesting & about to introduce her to the family!
Thanks again!
Dana
That is the reason I create Reborns. So if I can help someone else learn to make them and they can in turn bring happiness to someone else it is my obligation to do it! There is so much darkness in this world it only takes a second to shine some light.

Noantum · Senior Member

OMGoodness Debra! That is just was I was saying in the beginning! It's about helping others. Your story brought a large lump in my throat....I love when people do good for others. True, when someone does pay you nicely for a baby it is nice. However, it's when it becomes only about the money that makes it ugly.
I am happy that that couple enjoyed thier little girl so much! aww

I am also delighted to know that if I'm having trouble I can ask and you'll offer help. That is what I do(and what I've seen other ladies here do)....if I know something and someone is in need I do what I can to honestly help. I've had it happen to me that when I've asked for help about something the person intentionaly gave me misinformation to insure things would not work out for me. That is also why I am honest when helping others....so the person I'm helping would not feel the disappointment I felt at being lied to or of being treated meanly.
Thanks for that!

Buffington · Guru

Debra, that's great about your memory baby! I just love that feeling when something like that happens. Like when I brought my babies to the Parkinsons center for the clients. Some haden't responded in years and to see them get joy from one of my babies was simply wonderful.
It's nice when we can help another human being (money is secondary). People wonder why I don't just go out of business because at some shows I don't sell any babies but I'm still smiling. I say, because my babies made so many people smile today, so what if I don't sell today, there's always another time.
So God bless you my dear!