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Do you need some help with a particular customizing technique? Did you find your childhood dolls in the attic, and would like to restore them to their former glory?  Perhaps you'd just like to know who your recent thrift store find originally was, before you start a make-over. Please submit your questions to candjp@yahoo.com, and we'll do our best to answer them in a future issue of the ezine.

Devona asks:

     How do fashion doll designers reconstruct the doll's waist in order to
insert a belly button and shape the waist so that it is curvy and has more
of a natural looking hour glass shape?

     I've consulted the experts, and body switching, rather than reconstructing, seems to the consensus. For the past couple of years Mattel has released playline dolls (i.e. Surf City, Jewel Girl, Palm Beach), which feature belly buttons.  Gene, Tyler, Alex, Daisy and Willow also have belly buttons. If you would like to give reconstructing a try, Tess Barton offers this tip:  "The only thing I could think would be to build up a little tummy with modeling paste, and sand it into the desired shape, and then paint it to match the body."

Carol Ann asks:

     I have been trying to dye barbie's hair with no luck.  Please advise how
to do very bright colors with staying power.

I've found that using a mixture of acrylic paint and water is great for dyeing Barbie's hair. If you want a brighter or darker color, just use more paint and less water in the combination. I received a doll with bright yellow painted hair back in 1998, and the color hasn't faded at all. For more examples of painted hair dolls, please visit our website.
 

Golden Harvest 'Sunny'
by Hilda

Suzi asks:

     Many people use acetone (nail polish remover) to remove the face paint on Barbie.  It works really well, but when I tried it with reds (like on lips), it leaves a reddish stain on the face and I can't find any way to remove that.  I'm sure it is because the dye in any red coloring is worse, but I'm hoping you have a solution?

     Michael C. offers this advice for removing stains: "Lots of folks have used Oxy-10 or a similar acne cream-type product with success in removing pen or ink stains and it would probably work in this case too. Apply the cream to the stained area and set the doll in a sunny spot. Leave for the day. You may need to repeat the process a few times to get it 100% faded. I've used Avon's Anew with good success as well."

Wanda asks:

      Is there a better to remove face paint other than with acetone? I am finding that the little paint flecks on the q-tip rub in the corners and stain.

     Cutex makes a nail polish remover gel that works well for removing a doll's face paint.  Just put a drop on, let sit for a minute, then wipe off.  Heather recommends using several Q-tips to remove the paint (one for each wipe), and advises against 'double-dipping'.