Am I Ready To Adopt My First Reborn Doll?

Adopting a reborn doll is a big decision that shouldn’t be made lightly or without plenty of consideration. Newcomers to this increasingly popular hobby might assume that reborn dolls are no different than toy dolls. Having this type of mentality will likely end up your reborn doll being damaged or even worse — destroyed. To prevent such a disaster from happening to your first reborn doll, you should ask yourself if you are truly ready to adopt one.

Reborn Doll Adoption

Collecting reborn dolls is a fun and rewarding hobby that gives you the opportunity to own some truly unique works of art that will make your friends jealous. Since the hobby is still relatively new (originated in the 90s), there are still lots of people who’ve never seen or even heard of reborn dolls. Starting a collection will give you the personal satisfaction knowing that you are participating in a new yet highly popular hobby that’s expanding throughout the world.

Reborn Dolls Are Not Toys…
Since they have “dolls” in their name, some people automatically assume that reborn dolls are toys. And as such, they toss their dolls around without giving them the attention and care they need. Treating your reborn doll like a typical toy doll will only increase the chance of it becoming damaged or even ruined, which can end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The golden rule of this hobby is to treat your reborn doll like an actual baby and not a toy. If you aren’t willing to invest your time and energy into caring for a reborn, then you should hold off on adopting one. There’s nothing wrong with toy baby dolls, but you have to remember that reborn dolls aren’t toys. Okay, now that I’ve stressed the importance of that issue, let’s move on.

Funny Baby

Creating a Safe Home For Your Reborn
If you decide to adopt a reborn doll, you’ll need to ensure your home is suitable for it. There are dozens of everyday items inside the typical home that could damage or harm a reborn. Before adopting one, you must thoroughly check your home and ask yourself if it’s safe. Only then can you rest assured knowing your reborn is in a safe environment.

One of the most common household dangers for a reborn doll are pets. Dogs, cats and even curious ferrets may claw and scratch your reborn, damaging both the paint and the vinyl. Depending on the severity of the scratch, damage such as this can be nearly impossible to fix. So, does this mean you should avoid adopting a reborn doll if you have pets? Absolutely not, but you need to store your reborn doll in an area away from your pets. Other possible household dangers for reborn dolls include excessive humidity, spilled drinks, cleaning chemicals and excessive exposure to sunlight.

Adopting a Reborn For a Child
Reborn dolls are children typically don’t mix well. If you plan to adopt a reborn for a small child, you should know that it will likely get damaged. Children naturally treat them like typical toys. They’ll pull on their limbs, bend them in all sorts of unnatural directions, and brush their hair using the wrong accessories. Unfortunately, treating a reborn like a toy will oftentimes end up with it being damaged.

Instead of adopting a reborn for your child, perhaps you can opt for a traditional toy doll instead. If you are adamant on adopting a reborn for a child, teach and show them how to properly handle it. A good rule of thumb is to treat your reborn like an actual baby and not a toy doll. Doing this will allow you to get more use and enjoyment out of your new hobby. You can learn more about caring for reborn dolls here.

Money

Price
Some newcomers to the hobby are surprised to learn just the price of quality reborn dolls. Of course, you can purchase cheap models for around $100 bucks, but I really wouldn’t even call these reborns. In order to create a true, lifelike reborn doll, a skilled artist will spend 30-40 hours meticulously stripping an old vinyl doll and giving it a fresh new look. The materials alone cost around $100, but then you must account for all of the time and hard work that goes into crafting it. This is why high-end reborn dolls cost several hundred dollars.

If you are going to adopt a reborn doll, be prepared to drop at least a couple hundred dollars. In addition to buying a doll, you’ll also want to buy some clothes, a crib and other accessories. The good news is that reborn dolls hold their value exceptionally well. With the hobby continuing to grow at a rapidly alarming rate, collectors are always eager to purchase unwanted reborns. Check out our selling tips for advice on how to sell your reborns.

The Bottom Line on Adoptions
The fact is that reborn dolls aren’t for everyone. The stunningly realistic works of art are no longer toy dolls, so they must be treated differently. Tossing them around like a normal toy doll will likely result in damage to a delicate reborn. If you want a toy doll, then you should pass on adopting a reborn. If you want a collectible work of art, however, then a reborn is right for you.

With that said, adopting a reborn can be a life-changing experience that exposes you a highly rewarding hobby. There’s a certain personal connection collector develop with their reborns that’s simply not found in other hobbies. And it’s this strong connection that makes the hobby of adopting and collecting reborn dolls well worth it in the end.

Thinking of Taking a Reborn Doll Making Class? Read This First
Taking a reborn doll making class is a fun and rewarding way to learn the reborning process in a hands-on environment. Instead of watching countless hours worth of YouTube videos online, you can see exactly how a professional artist is able to transform a regular vinyl doll into a reborn doll.

Reborn Doll Making Class

If you are a visual learner who needs to see how things are made firsthand, then you should consider signing up for a reborn doll making class. Before you choose the first one you come across, though, keep reading to learn more about how to choose the reborn doll making class that’s right for you.

Do I Really Need To Take a Class?
The truth is that just about anyone can purchase a reborn doll kit and turn it into a doll. The modern-day kits available for sale now make the process of turning a regular doll into a reborn a breeze. As long as you can follow some basic instructions, you can use one of these kits to make a doll. With that said, it takes firsthand knowledge and hands-on training to create a truly unique, lifelike reborn doll. This is where the real benefit of taking a reborn doll making class comes into play.

Whether or not you should take a reborn doll making class is a decision that only you can make. Those who are serious about learning the hobby will obviously benefit more from it than someone who simply wants to make a single reborn doll. Ask yourself what you want to get out of the reborning hobby and then make your decision. Personally, I highly recommend taking a class if you plan on reborning multiple dolls.

Choosing The Right Reborn Doll Making Class
Participating in a reborn doll making class can either be a helpful tool for learning tricks of the trade, or it can be a total waste of your time. To ensure you actually learn something, you need to carefully choose a class that’s right for you. Check below for more info on choosing the right class.

Finished Reborn Doll

Here are some things to look for in a reborning class:

Location – Unless you want to spend countless hours driving, it’s recommended that you choose a doll making class in or around your area.
Price – I’ve seen classes available for as little as $20 bucks a head, and I’ve seen them for hundreds of dollars. Contrary to what some people may believe, a higher price doesn’t always translate into a better learning experience.
What’s Included – Carefully read the description of a reborning class to see what tools it includes. Most classes require students to bring their kit and paintbrushes. There are some classes, however, that will provide kits and other equipment for an additional fee.
Day and Time – Of course, you’ll want to choose a reborn doll making class that falls somewhere in an opening on your schedule. If you have another job or daily responsibilities, you’ll have to choose a class that’s timed just right; otherwise, you’ll end up paying for a class but not going to it.
Teacher – Do your homework ahead of time to see who’s teaching the class. A quick Google search will likely reveal some of their past work and experience. Having the average “Joe” trying to teach you the art of reborning isn’t a good idea.
Required Skill Level – Most, but not all, reborn doll making classes are intended for people of all skill levels. Some of the more advanced classes, however, may require some knowledge with painting, rooting mohair, etc.
Number of Lessons – Typically, reborn doll making classes are broken up into multiple lessons. Creating an authentic reborn doll takes well over 20 hours, which is why multiple lessons are used in classes. Check to see how many lessons a class consists of before signing up.

Where To Find a Reborn Doll Making Class
Because the reborn doll hobby is still relatively new in the grand scheme of things, some people may have trouble locating a class in their area. If you live in a rural area that’s far away from a major city, your options might be somewhat limited. The good news is that there are classes out there; it’s just a matter out locating them.

The easiest way to locate a reborn doll making class around your area is to connect with other artists and collectors. In addition to keeping up with the Reborn Doll Mart’s news section, you can also visit some of the popular forums and message boards. One of the elements I find most enjoyable with reborning is the networking and conversations I have with other artists and collectors. Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to ask other people if they know of any classes around your area.

Here are a couple conventions and shows with doll making classes:

Reborn Class Tips
To get the most out of your reborn doll making class, it’s important to show up for each and every lesson on time. You have to remember that classes are broken down into separate lessons. If you miss an important lesson, such as hair rooting or painting, chances are you won’t be able to create a reborn doll on your own. In the event that you are busy with other obligations and are unable to attend a lesson, talk with the instructor to see if they have “makeup” lessons. At the very least, they will likely give you a brief overview of what you missed.

Another little tip that’s sure to help out some beginners is to bring along a pen and notepad for writing down notes. Some people might feel silly showing up to the doll making class with a writing supplies, but trust me it will help out in the long run.