Customs - January 2015

My latest job - Rainbow Frankie ^_~

Her owner has requested the rainbow re-root as well ad removal of all her stitches (except the ones on her neck). These are my favourite kind of commissions - bringing to life what my client has already envisioned. Don't get me wrong, I love doing my own designs - but there is something enormously satisfying about a collaboration...and nothing beats hearing "Oh my God, he/she is even better than I imagined!"

I will be tracking the progress of all commissions so owners can see how their beauty (or beast!) is coming along.

Step one - bye bye stitches! Done the 'old fashioned' way with sandpaper. NEVER use acetone on a MH body. It will start to pretty much melt he plastic almost instantly



Next up - hair removal ^o^

It's okay, Frankie! You will be so pretty soon!

First goes down some primary base colours.

 

Getting there!!!



 It's time to style!

Removing Deuce Gorgon's Snakes and Hair

Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of the Monster High boys. Their bodies have a beautiful sculpt - they are quite effeminate, really. The torso is lithe and eschews the bulky, muscular features commonly associated with male dolls (and 'action figures', which are really just dolls with a tough name). However, I can't say that I am as thrilled with the their 'hair' styles. Deuce and Gil have plastic 'helmet hair' with snakes and fins respectively serving the role of Mohawk.
I really struggled to find a way to remove Deuce's snakes and scales in one piece without completely destroying them but eventually came up with this technique. I hope it helps.

What you will need:
Boiling water in a small jug (you will probably need to boil the kettle a few times)
Pliers
Small flat-head screwdriver
Cotton wool

Step 1

Using the pliers, grasp the snakes at the base close to the scalp and carefully twist until they become loose and can easily be pulled out.

You will need to work from the front and back, slowly twisting until they become free. If you try to just yank them out in one go they will stretch and break.

I would highly recommend placing a small bit of cotton wool on either side of the snakes to protect them. Here I have just used the pliers which have left marks on the snakes. I can fix this up later, but cotton would eliminate the problem.

 

The front of the snakes actually embed into the scalp, the back is held in place by the cap.

Step 2

Immerse the doll's head in boiling water for about 30 seconds.

 

Carefully take him out of the water and lie him down on a towel. He will be very hot so watch you don't burn yourself. There will probably still be some water in his head so make sure to handle him with the towel.

Take your screwdriver, place the end flat against his neck and work it up between his scalp and hair. 

 

 

Work your way around his head, slowly and carefully separating the hair from the head.

 

Again, this will not happen in one go. If you get impatient and rush either the hair or the doll itself will surely get damaged, so take it slow.

 

"Ahhhh!"

Step 3

Now you just need to glue the snakes back into place and voilà! You're done.

I was able to lightly sand out any marks left by the pliers. Perfect! Now who wants to be Deuce for Halloween?!

 

 

Please  comment and let me know if this technique worked for you ^-^.

Boil Washing Doll Hair

 I'm sure there's an exception to every rule but, generally speaking, every doll suffers at least some form of box hair. For this tutorial Maddie and Briar from Ever After High will be my models. These  girls have long hair and 'soft curls' which look a fright straight out of the box, a situation not helped at all by brushing. While these girls have curls, the method is generally the same with straight haired dolls


Boil washing will remove the greasy feel and any 'product' (i.e. glue!) put in during manufacture. After washing you also have the option of conditioning, however, this is not essential.

Step 1 - Prep
Take off all clothes and accessories. I gave the girls little toga spa gowns (but am now motivated to sew them robes for next time!). While Maddie's not fussed, I don't think Briar is happy with my choice of outfit!

Brush out the hair using their brush (or a wig brush), starting from the ends and working up to the roots.

* never use any brush that has been used on human hair as there can be oil transfer.


Step 2 - Wash
Boil the water and pour into a small jug. Then, slowly lower the hair into the water and immerse for about 15-20 seconds.

* be super careful when taking your doll out of the water as her hair will be very hot! Hold her over the jug for about 30 seconds and just let the excess drip while she cools down a little.

* wrap the wet hair in a towel and squeeze the water out gently. If you rub to much she will just re-frizz.

Step 3 (optional) - Condition
Take a small amount of conditioner and rub into the ends of the hair. Leave for 30 seconds or so then rinse thoroughly.

* make sure you get out all the conditioner, else she will still have greasy hair when she dries.

* while wig conditioner for nylon hair would be preferable normal 'human' conditioner works fine. Look for one with fewer ingredients and make sure it is OIL FREE.

Oil is absorbed into human hair but just coats nylon, making it greasy.


Step 4
Brush out the hair and leave to air dry

And that's it!