I now have two grandchildren upcycling dolls, so I thought this would be a good place to write down the process I use so they can learn to do it on their own.
Here is the latest batch of dolls I picked up at our local flea market. A motley looking crew. I guess maybe I should back up and start from the very beginning:
WHERE TO FIND DOLLS
People ask me where I find my dolls.
I find them at yard sales, at flea markets, and sometimes on Ebay.
When I buy on Ebay I usually buy HUGE lots because that way I'm only paying $1 to $2 per doll, by the time I cull the ones that I can't use. Other times, if I'm looking for a particular hair color I may buy individual dolls and pay up to $8 per doll. But I like to stick to between $1 and $3 - that way I can sell for a price that makes it worth my time and the cost of my materials.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
HAIR:
First I look at the hair. Tangled or even matted hair is no problem. It can be untangled, repaired and/or restyled. But if it has been CUT, then I usually won't buy it unless there is a good 4+ inches left to work with. Later I'll tell you how I untangle and style the hair but for now, we're just looking.
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| Matted hair? No problem! |
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| Dirty matted hair? No problem. |
If the hair has thread in it like the doll below, consider if you really want to deal with that? Sometimes I'll use those dolls for "hippy" dolls, so the colored thread is useful, but you'll have to work carefully around it when combing and styling.
If you're in an area where dolls are at a premium and this is all you can find, you CAN take out the colored thread and re-root the hair. I have a blog post on this process.
BITE MARKS?
Next I undress the doll and look for bite marks. These cannot be repaired easily, so I usually pass on a doll that's been chewed on. Look closely at the fingers and peg areas - those are the areas usually bitten.
INK MARKS?
Are there any ink marks? Ink is difficult to remove and really not worth the effort unless you REALLY want to use that particular doll. An acne cream with a strong solution of benzoyne peroxide will remove ink. You put the cream on the spot, cover it with saran wrap and leave it in the sun for days, replacing the cream as it dries out.
Alternatively, if the ink is on a limb (NOT the head), you can soak it in a solution of 1/1 Dawn dishwashing liquid and Hydrogen Peroxide for a few days and it will generally fade it out. Never soak the heads. They are hollow and you'll end up with a head full of mold!
PAINT?
Paint marks on the other hand are ok. They can generally be removed easily using pure acetone. Never use fingernail polish on your dolls. It leaves a gummy residue that will turn yellow after time. Use pure acetone. You can purchase it at a beauty supply house, such as Sally's or you can buy larger quantities cheap at most hardware stores.
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| This paint will easily come off with acetone |
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| I didn't notice this red ink until I got her home. Hopefully, I can fade it out. |
5. Look at the pegs. Are they broken or are they in one piece? What will you use for shoes? If you're using boots, the pegs may not be important, but if you are using Bratz shoes, you will need the pegs to be operational.
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| Nice looking pegs |
CLOTHING.
I always look out for clothing and shoes I might be able to use.
Jeans, shorts, modest tops and jackets might be useful.
Miniskirts can be lengthened with fabric sometimes.
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| These are clothes I may be able to use. |
I want my dolls in flat shoes and/or boots with no high heels.
I'll either find them, buy them, or make them.
I'll cover that later.
And that's about it.
Here is the group of dolls I picked up today at the flea market.
Let's turn them back into cute little girls!
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