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Interesting....

You know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And so it is the same when someone buys a reborn/newborned doll. Some artists have never seen a well-done reborn in person and some buyers have never seen one either. So in some instances they just buy what they like and what they feel they can afford!
I think the idea of sending a reborn doll to someone else whom you feel is an authority on the subject is admirable (sp?) but since there are so many ways to paint a doll and everyone has their own style, some have taken lessons and some are self-taught by whatever means, there is just too much variance. I believe (IMHO) that the person you send the doll to for examination and critique is just giving you "their opinion"! If you like the doll and it feels ok to you, then why even ask someone elses opinion?

I created a reborn that I liked but I personally thought she was way too red as far as blushing. Well, she sat, show after show until one day... someone adopted her! The just loved her. So I stated that I thought she was too red and they said they loved her so much they didn't notice or didn't care! "In the eye of the beholder"

So here are some tips for you newbies, not so newbies, and long-timers...

1. Always, always post the very best photos of your babies that there are. Realize that (and you may want to put a disclaimer on your ad like some do) there are differences in the quality and colors on computer monitors so the colors may not be the same on theirs as you see on yours. If you have the best pics and lots of them in different positions, showing your work in detail, close-ups, etc. then you can say you did your best in case someone challenges you on your quality. The more close-ups you have of your work the less chance there is to leave any doubt in the perspective buyers mind of quality painting or rooting.

2. Never, never, but never put sand anywhere in your babies for any reason (or aquarium gravel, or metal balls, or...)!!! I know it used to be popular but now it just seems unprofessional, like someone didn't care enough to use quality materials in their baby. Also the fact that a lot of over-seas Customs offices have listed sand as "bio-hazard" and is on the banned list for being allowed into their country (even the sterilized sand or play sand).

3. If you wish to use glass beads or the weighting pellets for weighting your babies, DO NOT put the weighting material in a plastic bag (like ziploc or glad for food). Some type of cloth bag, or a nylon stocking (I prefer this one) is best for this and secure it so the contents won't come out should something happen.

4. Be professional! If you are saying it's art, then it should have the quality of art. Good painting with good quality paints, nice (doesn't have to be expensive) clothing, hair ornamentation if you like, jewelry if you like, quality hair (be it a wig or rooted mohair) etc.
Make it something that the world would be proud of, not something that you threw together to make a few bucks. That is why Americans criticize the inexpensive imports... because they look like (and in a lot of cases they are) they're just thrown together so the maker can make a few bucks. They don't really care and it can look like it.

5. If your baby doll has rooted hair, it's best to secure it on the inside of the head with something that will keep it right where you put it. No one wants to take a babies hat off and have it full of hairs that just keep coming out.

6. Look at real babies (your own, someone elses, on tv, the internet, etc.) Do closeups if you need to to see just how real babies are "painted" lol. Check out all the detail, see that every baby is different, as are reborns. Each one unique. Look in magazines. I have taken many magazines and cut out an eye here, lips there, a head of hair, you know, just parts so I can get an idea. I've started a folder with all these bits and pieces and look at it when I need inspiration or need to be able to paint realistically.

So, I hope you can use some of what I said here, as I'm speaking as someone who has been in the business for over 20 years. I know I got a little long with the post but it's important stuff. The more professional and quality minded you become, the better it will be. These babies you see going for the high-buck prices are doing so because they exude quality and professionalism, and because they have lots of close-up crisp photos!

I agree Pat. Not everyone see's the outcome of a blank canvas the same way which is what makes each of these dolls unique otherwise you could buy them at your local department stores. Now if the baby literally fell apart at then I could understand a persons displeasure. Comming from someone that recently went through a similar experience with a baby I sold and a buyer didn't like because she thought the coloring should have been a different way, it's a very discouraging for the artist to be put down for her/his own ideas of how a babe should look. Anyway thanks for the tips Pat...words of wisdom!

Hey! Thanks ladies :) *blushing*
It's all a matter of taste! IMHO

Beauty is always in the eye of...

I thought James was going to put part 2 on here. Poor fellow, he probably got scared off with all this talk of beauty in the eye of... lol

Hi There, came across this post while looking for rooting tips. I watched pt.1 and wondered too where pt.2 was and found it if anyone is interested. They do mention at the end that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My second baby's hair looks like that one and has other things I don't like so I know I would never sell her like that. The one in the vid, if I were the artist, I wouldn't have sold him either. But we all work on different levels and it may have been just fine to that artist. The person who decides to buy has to do thier homework and make informed decisions, not complain afterward. This is just MOO.

http://www.colliii.com/en/content/bad-reborning-exposed-colliii-tv-part-2

-- Edited by Noantum on Monday 18th of January 2010 02:09:21 PM

Bravo Pat!!!! Well put, I couldn't have said it any better that that!