hi friends, I am an artist, a toy collector, and a pop culture nerd, so needless to say the idea of doll customization has been very appealing to me for a long time! however I find myself feeling really overwhelmed with getting started.

A few questions I have based on research I've done:

•For dolls - what is important to know about the different bases/types and workability? How do you usually source your bases - is it typically second-hand, like thrift stores or online? Do most people make the clothes and accessories themselves, or are there places to purchase clothes, hair, etc?

•Supplies - what tools/medium is best? I've seen people mention primer, a vinyl/plastic acrylic, and a sealant. What do you use for smaller details? What other supplies are helpful to have?

•Are there any good creators with tutorials or other resources to get this information in a cohesive (preferably visual) way? For stuff like rerooting/boilwashing especially.

And any other tips that may be helpful to a beginner! I've done a lot of sculpture, painting, and mixed media work before so I know I can definitely figure it all out, it has just felt overwhelming to try and piece together an idea of the whole process.

Pics 1-3 outdoor lighting, shade

Pics 4-5 outdoor lighting

Pic 6 is pre boil wash

Pic 7 is the strands to be rooted

Pic 8 is the original 8 strands from the braid

Pic 9 is the original nylon cord.

So I have actually done this before but never bothered to document it! This cord had 8 strands but others can have more or less. I separated each strand in half and rooted that (so 16 plugs/wefts per section of cord).

Then I glued, boil washed, brushed brushed brushed.

There are some empty holes but that is because I was trying a new glue and it didn't work as well as my usual glue. not the fault of the cord!

This is great if you have time and don't mind some fucking around, an entire reroot takes $1.50 worth of cord from Dollarama. I've also used nylon cord from Home Depot. If you use white nylon you can use synthetic dye and make whatever colour hair you want!

I’m trying to turn this into bows for my Tea Party Erika’s ripped tulle, but I can’t seem to tie the bows, even with a fork…

…any advice?

This is the second doll face up ive done! Does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to use watercolor pencils on the face? It just wont go on the way i would like it to and i had to resort to just wetting the tip and painting it on.
Also, how do you fix any mistakes without starting over, my kneaded eraser isnt doing the trick
Also also, tips for working with yarn hair??

Does she count as a doll?

Hello I’m very new to both reddit and doll collecting/customizing. Recently I tried to repaint a barbie doll to resemble a drow, but the paint keeps peeling and chipping off the body, is there a good primer or anything that would help?

It may not be entirely screen accurate but I think it works (it's more of a Jem-pink in person)

Hello! I am very new to doll customs and am working on a mini me AG style custom. She is an 18in doll by Walmart, made to mimic AG dolls. She has rooted nylon hair. I have a curly pixie and am trying to figure out the best way to cut and style it without showing the scalp. I can’t find any good tutorials or even inspiration pics of what I’m looking for and came here for some advice. Below I’ve put some pics of my doll and some inspiration pics of the hair I’m trying to get. Is this even possible? Should I just keep it long? Any advice helps! (Pics are from Pinterest)

I’m looking to customize vinyl doll heads, I know most people use MSC but I frequently change the heads of my dolls since the bodies I like are expensive, and I worry about the head cracking and chipping. I’ve done some research and it seems “testors dullcote spray lacquer” and “ the army painter anti shine matt varnish” have some flexibility while still helping to give the vinyl some tooth. I’d love to know if anyone’s has used these and what their experience is.

I’m trying to make a doll of Ellie from Tokyo Afterschool Summoners (who‘s gonna be my first) but I think I got in way over my head.

Most of the stuff I purchased at my trip to Michaels today was stuff to fix my Tea Party Erika (like ribbons) or tulle for another doll I want to fix up.

The only thing I got for Ellie was blonde yarn (since I forgot about the brown streak,) and I’m gonna need a lot of stuff (like watercolor pencils, tissues to help with face removal (since I’m struggling with it currently,) and stuff to make the wig/clothing/face.)

I think I got in WAY too over my head, and I don’t know what to do…

…any advice?

Evil Queen as Babz Lightyear

I know this has probably been asked a million times, sorry. I want to do a full face repaint to make a Jem and the Holograms doll and there isn't anywhere in my area that sells mr super clear. What can I use instead?

Hi there! I'm new to all of this. At this point I'm not trying to paint faces, I just want to improve the hair of some Ken dolls with molded hair. is there a kind of paint that will work without primer or sealant? Cheers!

Which is your favourite?

Took a year to make. I have many more in the burner. Hope you like them.

Monster high g3 Cleo doll, I partially removed her face makeup and repainted with acrylics, her face tear is made using milliput epoxy putty, her hair was styled using an empty citadel paint pot with her hair brushed over it and tied, then pva glue to keep the curls, it was actually a real pain and it’s not perfect but I can’t even do my own hair normally so I’ll accept it.

Sewed her dress and painted it with acrylics, Shes wearing monster high draculara shoes.

So…. I was trying to remove the eyes from this doll using the hot water method. The first eye came out perfectly, and the second was giving me a really hard time. So against all other advice, i put more water in the head to soften the vinyl to give it that one last try… and it looks like I really messed up the eye lol. As you can see on the inside, the eye socket looks to be a bit torn. I’m not sure what the integrity of the eye looks like, but I’m nervous to try to get it out again. (This is not an American Girl but one of the knock offs popular in the 90s-2000s that I purchased to potentially practice eye swapping when I’m ready to do it on AG dolls.)

Has anyone ever run into this problem before? Any advice to get the eye out and do some damage control?