When you purchase an old thing, you never know what you are going to find when you start digging around. I have never written to you before, but I have watched everything that you have put out there. Your knowledge seems to be unending! I have also learned a few things in my trips around the block. Never really restored compo dolls,but done oodles of miscellaneous old things. I also started out as an artist. I had no idea that you were unwell. I wish you a speedy recovery because we need your wisdom!
Dodi, so sorry she was not original. So gracious of you to make the video b/c it must have been disappointing but still a beautiful doll ready for restoration.
I believe your Horsman baby is "Baby Precious", she looks to be the same mold used by the Reliable company to sell "Baby Precious" in Canada. I have one, but the poor dear is destroyed. Hoping to get her fixed too.
You are absolutely right. She is indeed Baby Precious. For some reason, this restorer wanted to make her a "Gold Medal baby" of the next year. I have a surprise or two coming up, so stay tuned. The Horsman page on dollreference has an excellent piece on the doll, way down, past the Patsy dolls. dollreference.com/horsman_dolls1930-1940s.html
Thank you! I would have thought so...until I stripped her down to the compo. There's a very distinct Horsman branding on the back. Now that Porch Spring baby is done, we're going back to her.
You're not the first dolly mama to notice that fashion in composite dolls. It's an indication that the doll was probably made before 1940. You see, if you look at Victorian pictures of babies, the dolls look EXACTLY like that. Right sized head, masses of clothing, and little arms. Never judge a doll by today's standards, or even the standards of 50 years ago, judge by the era of the doll. I'd bet that the legs are big and round and thoroughly covered by her dress...that is, if she has a dress. Honest she should have a dress! Not pants nor short skirts, but a full on long dress. That's what she's made for.
Do you always have to take off all the old paint from a doll when it starts to flake or lift off? For instance, if the head is really bad but the limbs just have some crazing on them but no paint lifting off, can you just fill in the crazing and repaint?
If you are just repairing one doll, the "shove acrylic paint into the crazing" works well. BUT if you are actually repairing and restoring a composition doll, it is best to take the acrylic off. There is such a difference in the finish of an oil based paint versus acrylic. My point is that I like to keep as close to the original materials as possible...and acrylics weren't patented until 1951.
Thank you! Since I don't have a camera man, I set it up so that I can see what I'm filming. Unfortunately, sometimes I forget that I'm SUPPOSED to keep it in the frame! LOL! The struggle to learn new tech is real!
I've been doing work on plastic for several years, but composition is a fairly recent development. Yes, I've got some vintage books about doll repair...an obscure craft these days. But..I've been an artist for over 50 years, working in oils, acrylics, watercolors, and pastels. This is another medium. Oils on wood is a very old technique, reaching back to the Middle Ages when they literally mixed their paints from scratch. This doll I'll be using gesso underlayment with premixed paint from the hardware store. You'll see the process as I'll be filming it. There are few books on repair, but I've been gleaning information during research. The techniques were once common, but with the advent of plastics, it has fallen out of favor. Needless to say, I've suddenly developed a new respect of the archival aspect of RUclips. There are literally films here that reach back to the turn of the 20th century. That, combined with my knowledge of how the older media works gives me confidence in my abilities. Surprisingly, the "repair" books are all about starting a small business and how to make repair to clothes mainly. They are valuable for learning clothing techniques, but surprisingly little about the actual repair of the doll itself, so archival texts on other matters in household texts are more fruitful. Some of the things I tell are actual life experiences, like the story of the Porch Spring baby, and some are research. Short version? A little of both, hands on experience, and book learning. I want the doll to be exact according to her time period, not according to what we think it should be. Research helps enormously!
Dodi's Dolls I am really impressed with your dedication to your talent. 50 yrs is a long time. I, too, have taken a few watercolor classes long ago, but would have to start from scratch in my knowledge. Remember some things but not much! One of my workshop teachers worked in egg tempera sometimes. Have you ever worked in that?. I have so many hobbies, it’s had to get into any of them as deep as I’d like. I’m retired now, so I can partake more.Would love to see some of your paintings. From your accent, it tells me you live in the south. May I ask where? I enjoyed your seeing your pretty yard. Thank you for sharing your videos. I enjoy your teaching. I’ve been collecting and making antique reproduction porcelain dolls, and trying to dress some. I love dolls! Love always having my eye out for a cheap one with potential. My doll teachers have been restorers, too. I’d love to learn how to do my own purchases. I learn some things from them, but when it’s their living, I hate to be really nosy about techniques. I am learning through you and others on utube. Thank you so much, again! It’s so wonderful that you share! Again, would love to see your paintings. What is the style you use? Abstract, realism, landscapes, portraits, impressionist like, etc., etc? Thank you for your extended answer! Keep “arting”. 😉😊
Hi Linda! I'm indeed from the Deep South. I grew up in Tennessee, but have traveled all over the country. Somehow I've never managed to lose my accent. When painting pictures, I tend to be impressionistic, but that's just my preference. As far as purchasing dolls, especially composition, just look for one that is particularly in poor condition. As you saw in the first video of Porch Spring baby, she wasn't in good shape...but that's a good thing! You get to learn as you go. Just like any other craft, you gain knowledge on how to make things work by experience. Dressing a doll can be a joy. I learned to sew back in Home Ec. LOL! When they taught such things...remember? That's where research comes in! I research A LOT when I'm working on something because it is fascinating.
Hi, Dodi! Love your southern accent! My mother had one, too! She was a Kentuckian, and miss her every day! Love Impressionism, but also love other styles! Thank you for answering my questions. I think I own Porch Spring Baby. I bought mine because she was in excellent composition condition!(Ha! The opposite reason that you bought yours!) Knew she had been a cheap baby, but mine was in such great shape!) Also have three reproduction French Fashion dolls I made to dress and a large Kestner that I’d like to get to. Have the silk to dress one, but need to get started. I have many naked dolls!!!! Have found some magazines that are from Germany written in English versions. They are no longer printing the magazines because of the drop in doll interest, I suppose. But when I got mine, they still let you buy back issues. Don’t know if they still have back issues Gildebrief is the name. They also have a store from which you can buy fabrics and notions for doll dresssing, or they used to, at least. They are online. I enjoy dolls of all kinds, though, and love the old composition. They have a special charm. Have some of them to fix/dress. Your help is invaluable! Like antiquing to look for dolls. Will keep an eye out for a doll in bad shape! Cheap! Then I will practice! Yes, there are many of my own that need help, but would like to take one like porch spring baby to restore from ground up! You and a few others on Utube are giving me the courage to do so. Thank you so much!☺️
I know the feeling about nekkid dolls! My resolution this year is to actually DO all the "round tuits" I have. As far as your bisque babies, here's a link to a nice place to get stuff for the girls. www.dollsparts.com/ They have patterns, shoes, and other things like jewelry for your girls! You might also try thrift shopping...and the Goodwill Online Auction. I found my compo dolls there, because as you know, the South wasn't good to the composition, what with the humidity and all. So try Goodwill www.shopgoodwill.com/ If you decide to shop there, do be mindful of the shipping charges, they can eat you up!
When you purchase an old thing, you never know what you are going to find when you start digging around. I have never written to you before, but I have watched everything that you have put out there. Your knowledge seems to be unending! I have also learned a few things in my trips around the block. Never really restored compo dolls,but done oodles of miscellaneous old things. I also started out as an artist. I had no idea that you were unwell. I wish you a speedy recovery because we need your wisdom!
That is really exciting to see yet another transformation from where this doll started. Will you end up repainting her in the end?
Yup. Already got the paint, just have to clean her off and do it!
@@dodisrestorationandrepair6339 Dodo , I am working on this doll right now. I hope to see what paint did you used.
@@carmencolon3520 That one is easy. I will use oil paints. See the video about painting the doll redux.
Dodi, so sorry she was not original. So gracious of you to make the video b/c it must have been disappointing but still a beautiful doll ready for restoration.
I believe your Horsman baby is "Baby Precious", she looks to be the same mold used by the Reliable company to sell "Baby Precious" in Canada. I have one, but the poor dear is destroyed. Hoping to get her fixed too.
Our "Baby Precious" sold with a wig just like that one. So I believe it might be original to the doll.
You are absolutely right. She is indeed Baby Precious. For some reason, this restorer wanted to make her a "Gold Medal baby" of the next year. I have a surprise or two coming up, so stay tuned. The Horsman page on dollreference has an excellent piece on the doll, way down, past the Patsy dolls. dollreference.com/horsman_dolls1930-1940s.html
Have you done any more work to this cutie?
She looks like a Princess Beatrix doll made by IDEAL. I have one I'm working on and it looks just like her. Love your videos!!!
Thank you! I would have thought so...until I stripped her down to the compo. There's a very distinct Horsman branding on the back. Now that Porch Spring baby is done, we're going back to her.
So looking forward to seeing the end result! Especially interested in how you handle the head and hair.
I can't figure out how to put a picture in my comment! I got a soft body doll with composite head arms and legs. The arms seem to small!
You're not the first dolly mama to notice that fashion in composite dolls. It's an indication that the doll was probably made before 1940. You see, if you look at Victorian pictures of babies, the dolls look EXACTLY like that. Right sized head, masses of clothing, and little arms. Never judge a doll by today's standards, or even the standards of 50 years ago, judge by the era of the doll. I'd bet that the legs are big and round and thoroughly covered by her dress...that is, if she has a dress. Honest she should have a dress! Not pants nor short skirts, but a full on long dress. That's what she's made for.
Do you always have to take off all the old paint from a doll when it starts to flake or lift off? For instance, if the head is really bad but the limbs just have some crazing on them but no paint lifting off, can you just fill in the crazing and repaint?
If you are just repairing one doll, the "shove acrylic paint into the crazing" works well. BUT if you are actually repairing and restoring a composition doll, it is best to take the acrylic off. There is such a difference in the finish of an oil based paint versus acrylic. My point is that I like to keep as close to the original materials as possible...and acrylics weren't patented until 1951.
I love how you film up close so we can see.
Thank you! Since I don't have a camera man, I set it up so that I can see what I'm filming. Unfortunately, sometimes I forget that I'm SUPPOSED to keep it in the frame! LOL! The struggle to learn new tech is real!
How long have you restored Dolls? Have you read books to educate yourself?
I've been doing work on plastic for several years, but composition is a fairly recent development. Yes, I've got some vintage books about doll repair...an obscure craft these days. But..I've been an artist for over 50 years, working in oils, acrylics, watercolors, and pastels. This is another medium. Oils on wood is a very old technique, reaching back to the Middle Ages when they literally mixed their paints from scratch. This doll I'll be using gesso underlayment with premixed paint from the hardware store. You'll see the process as I'll be filming it.
There are few books on repair, but I've been gleaning information during research. The techniques were once common, but with the advent of plastics, it has fallen out of favor. Needless to say, I've suddenly developed a new respect of the archival aspect of RUclips. There are literally films here that reach back to the turn of the 20th century. That, combined with my knowledge of how the older media works gives me confidence in my abilities.
Surprisingly, the "repair" books are all about starting a small business and how to make repair to clothes mainly. They are valuable for learning clothing techniques, but surprisingly little about the actual repair of the doll itself, so archival texts on other matters in household texts are more fruitful. Some of the things I tell are actual life experiences, like the story of the Porch Spring baby, and some are research.
Short version? A little of both, hands on experience, and book learning. I want the doll to be exact according to her time period, not according to what we think it should be. Research helps enormously!
Dodi's Dolls I am really impressed with your dedication to your talent. 50 yrs is a long time. I, too, have taken a few watercolor classes long ago, but would have to start from scratch in my knowledge. Remember some things but not much! One of my workshop teachers worked in egg tempera sometimes. Have you ever worked in that?. I have so many hobbies, it’s had to get into any of them as deep as I’d like. I’m retired now, so I can partake more.Would love to see some of your paintings.
From your accent, it tells me you live in the south. May I ask where? I enjoyed your seeing your pretty yard.
Thank you for sharing your videos. I enjoy your teaching. I’ve been collecting and making antique reproduction porcelain dolls, and trying to dress some. I love dolls! Love always having my eye out for a cheap one with potential. My doll teachers have been restorers, too. I’d love to learn how to do my own purchases. I learn some things from them, but when it’s their living, I hate to be really nosy about techniques. I am learning through you and others on utube. Thank you so much, again! It’s so wonderful that you share! Again, would love to see your paintings. What is the style you use? Abstract, realism, landscapes, portraits, impressionist like, etc., etc? Thank you for your extended answer! Keep “arting”. 😉😊
Hi Linda! I'm indeed from the Deep South. I grew up in Tennessee, but have traveled all over the country. Somehow I've never managed to lose my accent. When painting pictures, I tend to be impressionistic, but that's just my preference.
As far as purchasing dolls, especially composition, just look for one that is particularly in poor condition. As you saw in the first video of Porch Spring baby, she wasn't in good shape...but that's a good thing! You get to learn as you go. Just like any other craft, you gain knowledge on how to make things work by experience.
Dressing a doll can be a joy. I learned to sew back in Home Ec. LOL! When they taught such things...remember? That's where research comes in! I research A LOT when I'm working on something because it is fascinating.
Hi, Dodi! Love your southern accent! My mother had one, too! She was a Kentuckian, and miss her every day! Love Impressionism, but also love other styles! Thank you for answering my questions. I think I own Porch Spring Baby. I bought mine because she was in excellent composition condition!(Ha! The opposite reason that you bought yours!) Knew she had been a cheap baby, but mine was in such great shape!) Also have three reproduction French Fashion dolls I made to dress and a large Kestner that I’d like to get to. Have the silk to dress one, but need to get started. I have many naked dolls!!!! Have found some magazines that are from Germany written in English versions. They are no longer printing the magazines because of the drop in doll interest, I suppose. But when I got mine, they still let you buy back issues. Don’t know if they still have back issues Gildebrief is the name. They also have a store from which you can buy fabrics and notions for doll dresssing, or they used to, at least. They are online. I enjoy dolls of all kinds, though, and love the old composition. They have a special charm. Have some of them to fix/dress. Your help is invaluable! Like antiquing to look for dolls. Will keep an eye out for a doll in bad shape! Cheap! Then I will practice! Yes, there are many of my own that need help, but would like to take one like porch spring baby to restore from ground up! You and a few others on Utube are giving me the courage to do so. Thank you so much!☺️
I know the feeling about nekkid dolls! My resolution this year is to actually DO all the "round tuits" I have. As far as your bisque babies, here's a link to a nice place to get stuff for the girls. www.dollsparts.com/ They have patterns, shoes, and other things like jewelry for your girls! You might also try thrift shopping...and the Goodwill Online Auction. I found my compo dolls there, because as you know, the South wasn't good to the composition, what with the humidity and all. So try Goodwill www.shopgoodwill.com/ If you decide to shop there, do be mindful of the shipping charges, they can eat you up!
oh how disappointing. looks like a mark hartley quality repair