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Published: 27 October 2023

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Why have I become a reborn artist?  That is a question with a long explanation. Several years ago, I was looking through posts on a social media platform and found a video of a reborn artist creating a baby.  I watched it and became fascinated at the art of making vinyl look like a baby.  I researched more and found other artists who painted but they created different looks to the same kit. It was enthralling.  To take paints, mediums, brushes and sponges and make a little baby with its own personality was amazing.  I decided to try it myself.  Not to mention that I wanted my very own reborn but was not able to spend hundreds of dollars on someone's creation.  This was the beginning of the journey.

I researched artists, watched YouTube videos and joined Facebook groups.  Every artist had different processes and techniques.  They used different paints, such as heat set or air dry.  I watched every video and read every post and article.  I really wanted to try my hand at making my own reborn.  What held me back was, of course, the expense of the supplies.  After all my research, I wanted to use heat set paints due to the durable nature of them, but the starter kit price was a bit steep. You also needed an oven, such as a Nu-wave to set the paint.  That was also too expensive for me to purchase for a one-time project.  So, I set my dream aside for the time being.

One day, on a trip to second-hand stores, I found a Nu-wave oven for $20.  It was in great shape and had the extender ring I would need.  It was karma, fate telling me to go ahead and start my baby.  I purchased the oven with a big smile on my face, knowing that I was ready to start my reborning art.  I scrimped and saved to purchase paints and supplies.  The kit I purchased was an inexpensive one from China (dumb me, I didn't know about knock-offs at the time).  I thought if I mess this up, I won't be out a fortune.  I started carefully and spent several weeks painting and baking after every layer.  When I felt I had finished painting, I looked at him with pride.  But he needed eyelashes.  I didn't like the look of strip lashes and searched for alternative options. That is where I decided to root his lashes, buying a rooting kit and some mohair.  I very carefully rooted eyelashes to his beautiful eyes, hoping I didn't mess up my hard work.  Voila! They turned out better that I hoped.  The last step was putting him together.  I bought glass beads and wonder wafers (for that baby smell) and assembled my reborn.  I named him Liam.  He is my pride and joy in my collection.

A close friend of mine was enamored with him when she saw him.  I offered to make one for her and she accepted.  We picked out a kit she liked and ordered it.  I painted it and rooted hair on her little head.  It wasn't my best work at rooting but not bad for a first time.  My friend was ecstatic with her, naming her Georgia.  

Being proud of my creations, I showed off pictures of them at work.  One of the nurses wanted to see them.  After bringing them in, she asked for one of her own.  Happy to make another, I agreed.  And this started my reborning career.  I would buy a kit, paint it and put it up for sale to fund making more.  Then I had word of mouth from people who bought babies telling others about my work. Their friends and family would contact me to have a baby made for them.  I loved it.

That was years ago, and I am still creating these little characters.  There is something to learn with each one you paint, a new way to add color to the cheeks or a better mix of paint for veins. How to give the look of baby's skin texture or where to add little spider veins for realism.  The better I can be at this, the more realistic the baby.  Now I even make my own bodies and dye mohair to the color I want.  There is no end to the creativity of reborning.

 I have found that these babies bring others happiness.  I think that is the best part of making reborns.  The smile you see when you hand the baby to it's new mommy is so heartwarming and makes me strive to be the best I can be.