Dear Reader,
I want to give some folk a wee hug to their frayed nervous systems with a baby doll and I am pulling together all of my skill, my craftsmanship, and my ever important dash of whimsy to create my first reborn baby doll. I remember my mother telling me about the craft of doll-making back before the Internets – back when a story told was a feast for the imagination only because there were precious few resources to pursue one’s passions. I could only dream back then when my moms told me the different steps involved in refurbishing a baby doll. I could only imagine how incredibly complicated it must be. And now here I am as a wise woman, with all of my thinners and paints resembling anime potions, with such amazing vinyls to work on, and enough skill and experience to pick my way forward carefully. Meet Leif.
Leif was actually a real baby in 2017. He and his twin sister, Aspen, were known to the owners of Bountiful Baby where they were employing the latest in scanning technology to make thousands of scans of these precious newborns and to then create vinyl kits from real babies. So these baby dolls are called Realborns instead of Reborns. Leif has incredibly long limbs compared to my purchase of a finished Realborn baby and that is what I love about this art form. This is Creation, brought forth by real mothers. This particular kit is especially meaningful because dear Leif died as an infant. His mama still approved the vinyl reproductions of her precious baby. I am so humbled by that particular detail. (I also purchased the kit for Aspen – of course! and I will have to keep them together. It just doesn’t feel right to give Leif away to someone, and then keep Aspen. Oh, this is just a little worrying detail.)
Here is me bringin a baby doll head to work Lordy, Krista. But I needed to see how the colors came out in the lighting at work. I still have a ways to go but I’m pleased with my progress so far. I understand how the pigment is “floating” in the thinner and how to stain the vinyl rather than paint it. Knock on wood I will get to the end of this project and share a picture of this cutie pie.