What??  Someone ACTUALLY Trademarked THAT?

This is pretty much the most outrageous thing I've seen yet in my days as a reborn artist, and I began doing this in 2002.  I remember back years ago, one artist tried to claim she inventing reborning, and she was considered a laughingstock soon enough.  Lots of people thought of doing what we called "reborning" at various times over the years starting as early as 1939 according to Wikipedia.

Now, we have one Amy D. Wilson, with the effrontery to file for a trademark on the words "reborn baby doll".    She is harassing people on eBay for using that term.  She is systematically using the VeRO system (and whatever they use on Etsy) to shut down all auctions in which the word reborn is used.  

You DO know that many reborn artists work all year long getting their dolls ready for the Christmas season, right?  She chose this month to suddenly appear on the scene and begin taking away reborn artist's livelihood.  In the name of "protecting my trademark...it's not personal or anything....."

Yeah, legally right now, she CAN do that. 

Let me explain something.  There's a reason McDonalds™ or Wendys™ never trademarked the word "cheeseburger" or "french fry".  There is a reason Kimberly Clark (owner of Kleenex™) never trademarked the word "tissue". 

Those are commonly used descriptives.  It is illegal to attempt to trademark commonly used descriptive terms.  But here, we have a case where using a third party trademarking company with their internet attorney, DID NOT perform due diligence in examing the claim that nobody had ever used the words Reborn Baby Doll previous to June of 2015.  Had that slacker of an attorney done one simple Google search, she would have seen the evidence in thousands and thousands of hits and images that in fact, the words "reborn baby doll" have been in use since the late 1990s.

"So, what do we do now?" you might ask yourself.  

GOOD NEWS!  A team has formed, including Bobbi Barfoot, Debra Jadick and myself and an attorney, and with legal counsel from several sources, we are working hard to overturn the fraudulently obtained trademark. 

There is an online petition you can sign to make your voice heard. 

Click to Sign Petition

And we have a GoFundMe account to which you may donate to cover legal costs.  

 

https://www.gofundme.com/rebornbabydoll

It might be as simple as using the appeal process afforded by the US Patent & Trademark Office, or it might turn into a long drawn out legal battle, Federal Court in Washington, DC and all.  We hope and pray that the path of least resistance will be the result.  

That said, if you would like to follow along step by step, there is a Facebook page devoted to this fight, titled "Exposing "The Original Reborn Baby Doll".  

(by the way, yes she owns a second trademark by that name.  The joke there being she has been "reborning" for less than 2 years by my account and we can only find 4 dolls she's ever sold!  "The Original" my eyeballs...).

I hope you will join the fight. As Edmund Burke once said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” 

And above all....

No, I'm not going out of business!

I am, however, holding a MASSIVE liquidation sale in order to clean house a bit, and then concentrate on selling only those products that have historically done well in the past for HunnyBuns.  

I have plans to add new types of inventory in the future (considering mouth blown glass eyes, baby clothing, expanding my WaterBorne and Genesis PreBlended paint systems, etc.).  I will hopefully also offer more OOAK and finished reborn dolls (my first love).

There will be amazing deals to find at www.hunnybunsrebornsupply.com in the coming weeks.  Some supplies are limited, so don't procrastinate!

A New Baby To Love!

 Meet "Grayson" -  HunnyBuns Nursery's newest arrival.

You can read all about him here 

Thanks for visiting!

Everybody loves a Sale!

Ever been to my store?  HunnyBuns Dolls & Reborn Supply is having a Big Spring Sale

http://hunnybunsrebornsupply.com/

And if you'd like to sign up for my New Dolls and Sale Email Newsletters, you can do that by clicking here:  Email Sign Up

 

BEWARE CHINESE KNOCKOFF "SILICONE-VINYL" DOLL KITS!

Open letter to anyone who buys cheap or "wholesale" advertised reborn doll kits from such sites as Alibaba, Aliexpress, dhgate.com, or any of the myriad Chinese doll manufacturers popping up on eBay or on the Internet. 

If you are new to the reborn doll world, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION. Please.

YOU ARE BUYING STOLEN COUNTERFEITED COPIES. YOU ARE PAYING AND ENCOURAGING UNSCRUPULOUS THIEVES WHO HAVE NO MORAL OR BUSINESS ETHICS. 

You're supporting an evil industry that takes money out of my pocket, my family's pocket and every hard-working and talented doll kit sculptor and doll dealer in the world.

What are they doing, you ask?  

There are Chinese doll companies that take original vinyl doll kits sculpted by talented sculptors around the world (such as Natalie Scholl, Natali Blick, Bonnie Brown, Adrie Stoete, Ping Lau, Cassie Brace, Tina Kewy, Laura Tuzio Ross, and many, others too numerous to name), and creating NEW molds without permission and selling them.  PIRATED COUNTERFEITS!  They even steal the promotional photos of talented reborn artists to market these counterfeited copies.

Here's another clue: so-called "silicone vinyl" is NOT a real thing! That's the buzzword they use. It's your signal to run the other way.  Silicone is chemically incompatible with vinyl, period.  With the recent craze in the dolly world of dolls poured in real silicone and selling for thousands of dollars, it's not hard to figure out why unscrupulous people would try to cash in on that band wagon. 

I've been involved extensively in the reborn doll industry since 2002. I'm not some johnny-come-lately hysterical fear monger.   I've had my own dolls copied in China and show up on sketchy "reborn doll kit" sites.  It's time we got the message out so that honest reborn artists won't get sucked into buying and supporting (and thereby encouraging) this practice.  

I know reborning is expensive, but you'd better realize that savvy collectors are going to be looking for certificates of authenticity and sculptors marks on the doll YOU sell them.  If it's not there, guess what?  You are in collusion with the Chinese scam artists.  Don't be that person. 

Here's just one site that describes the problem (and it's not just dolls, it's happening with just about everything!)
 
"Unfortunately, much of the world’s problem with intellectual property theft can be traced to one country: China. Eighty-five percent of the counterfeit goods seized in the European Union in 2010 were were believed to come from China. In the United States, the 14,841 seizures of counterfeit goods and unlicensed knockoffs had a domestic value of more than $260 million and accounted for 76 percent of all counterfeit goods. Almost 8 percent of China’s gross domestic product comes from the counterfeiting of creative works, consumer goods and industrial products, and software.

One recent newspaper report recently disputed the common belief that counterfeit products are turned out by small-time counterfeiters who “reverse engineer” products developed and manufactured in the United States. Rather, the report said, “sophisticated counterfeiters go straight to the source and steal design files and software code from the manufacturer.”

www.ncpc.org

ncpc.org

So what can you do to protect yourself and the rest of the doll world from this thievery?

If you buy from eBay, ask questions, and require proof that you are purchasing a doll kit that has identifying marks from the original sculptor.  UNDER NO circumstances buy a kit direct from a Chinese seller.  

Do not search the web for "cheap doll kits".  You'll just get a page full of the Chinese scammers I listed above.

Buy your doll kits from established American and European Doll Dealers.  There are quite a few to choose from, and it's pretty easy to vet the ones whose websites you may find in a Google search.  Here's a hint...none of them are in China.

To get you started, here are some dealers I personally know and trust:

Irresistables

MacPherson Arts & Crafts (Canada)

Dolls By Sandie

Bountiful Baby

HunnyBuns Dolls & Reborn Supply

Dolls So Real

S&T (formerly Secrist Dolls)

Creative Impressions Nursery

DollDreams

KiddiesKorners Reborn Supply (Ireland UK)

Rebornshop.at (Austria)

Tinkerbell Creations (UK)

 

This isn't an exhaustive list by any means.  If you want to know if someone is reputable you can ask in the comments section and I'll try to give you a fair answer.   If you'd like your doll shop listed here, drop me an email at hunnybunmama@gmail.com

Let's Discuss Art & Magic WaterBorne © Paints for a Moment! POLL INSIDE

Hi again!  In the interest of continuing improvement, I've been reviewing bits and pieces of feedback about the WaterBorne paints, in addition to having made some observations as I've worked with them myself.  

I would like to hold a poll and get some more concrete ideas as I work to improve this line of paints.  Would you like to help me?  I sure do appreciate it!

Follow this Link to Survey Monkey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVFM9RQ

**************************
Ok, so it's been a few days and I've gotten a few responses (not enough...please go to the poll above if you have a moment please!)

I was not surprised by the comments.  

For example, I know there have been color-matching issues as there were a few times when I could not purchase the base colors I use to make up the Preblended Doll colors.  I have a formulary and a color card to help me stay consistent, but I also think that the lighting in the doll room makes a big difference, and I've recently moved to a much nicer place with a bright and sunny work space.  

The other thing I've been thinking about is letting the colors stay a bit thicker in the jars.  It's a fine line between concentrated enough to go farther with each purchase, and so thick that it will dry faster between uses.  Which is NOT good!  
One response commented on an odor with some of the colors.  Yep...it's the reds (Creases and Blush/Lip color).  There is something about the red paint and the additives I use to help it blend easier and stay wetter longer that gave the red colors a sort of skunk-ey smell.  It didn't stay on the doll, but when you open the jar it's noticeable.  I have recently changed the formulation of my red-based colors so that shouldn't happen again - I hope.   

I hope more WaterBorne paint users will take the time to help me out with this ongoing research and development project!!  Thanks to those who have already!

Let's Talk about Art & Magic WATERBORNE © Paints!

USING THE NEW "ART & MAGIC OF REBORNING WATER BORNE ©" Air Dry Paints

First off, in 2011 I was a total rookie when it came to using air dry paints on reborn dolls.  I researched various types of paints until I found one that is actually a vinyl-based highly pigmented paint.  After I did some experimenting and fiddled around with blending the colors for about a year, I turned to my friend, Debbie Henshaw of “They Never Grow Up Nursery”  since she was my “go to”  expert on reborning with air dry paints.  She helped me develop these paints and the results can be seen on her blog:   http://theynevergrowupnursery.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-and-magic-water-borne-air-dry.html

I’m always open to hearing how any of them might be improved.   Formulas have been tweaked and colors modified in response to customer feedback since I introduced WaterBorne © paints a couple years ago.  This may result in some slight differences if you don’t order the paints often. 

There are a few very important details you need to know before you begin working with your first doll and WaterBorne paints.    You must PREP THE VINYL OR BAKED POLYMER CLAY BEFORE PAINTING!   Critical first step...do not skip it.  Without a proper prep coat on bare clean vinyl or baked polymer clay, failure is likely.

I've compared prepping bare vinyl with Genesis Matte Varnish, and another with Folk Art Glass & Tile Medium and a third with my Clear Base Coat & Surface Prep.  I prefer the Glass & Tile Medium or the Clear Base Coat to the Genesis Matte because the Matte creates slightly more texture on the bare vinyl (it can feel a tiny bit sandpapery) and in addition, the WaterBorne paints "grab" that surface very quickly and are difficult to get off if you make a mistake.   I sell all three of these products so you can try them and see which suits you best.

Basic Supplies Needed:

• You can use any type of dish or well palette for these paints
• Distilled water to thin
• Folk Art Glass & Tile Medium or Clear Base Coat & Surface Prep -  both are sold in my store, and included in any full set of WB paints.
• Ultra Matte Gel is GREAT to mix in small amounts with your final WaterBorne layers to create a softer, velvety finish.
• Sponges:  cosmetic wedges and natural sea sponges or cellulose sponges torn into small pieces about 2 inches across.  The new honeycomb sponges are awesome!  Demonstrated on Debbie Henshaw's painting DVD, and I carry them now too.
• “Art & Magic Water Borne © Paints” sold by the set or individual jars.

First, the Good News :-)

• You can work on your kit without trips to the oven. Generally, the layers dry within a few minutes and you may proceed.  (Debbie adds:  "I made it a habit NOT to put layer upon layer at the same moment.")  As with Genesis painting, apply one small area of paint at a time and try not to over-paint it immediately in order not to muddy up your color layers. 
• It takes 24-48 hours for your kit to fully cure or dry.  Rooting can take place after this time.  On humid days, you may find that your kit needs a little more time. The use of a heatgun, set on low, can help.
• You don’t have to turn your oven on!

Then the “Bad News”

• You’ll need brushes not used for Genesis Heatset Paints (or any type of oil paint) in the past – or make sure you have washed yours very thoroughly with dishwashing detergent so that no synthetic oil residue remains in the brush.
• Each jar comes sealed when new.  Keep that seal!  And I strongly recommend you add a drop or two of water before re-capping your paints.  After you get the amount of paint you need to use, re-cap each jar quickly.
• Since these are AIR DRY paints, you won't be able to leave them on your palette, but will have to store the leftover thinned paints in airtight jars.  You can purchase several sizes of jars from HunnyBuns Reborn Supply.   If you’ve been using Genesis ® Heatset Paints you will find that mixing the colors is quite similar.  Application is also similar.  I use the same types of brushes for the WaterBorne colors as I do Genesis. 

 The biggest difference?  Instead of using Odorless Mineral Spirits to thin the paints, now you’ll use water and whatever various acrylic mediums you desire.  And of course -  not baking.  Woo hoo!!  You just got your kitchen back.

For experienced artists who prefer to blend their own palette, I offer Basic Colors, both individually and as a set.  For those who appreciate having Pre-Blended colors, I offer those as well.  The range matches some of the original Genesis ® colors or my own Pre Blended Art & Magic GENESIS colors.  Even if you buy the Pre-Blended Colors, I suggest you get the BASIC colors – at the very least, Basic Red, Yellow Ochre and Basic Black – to tweak the Pre-Blended Colors.   

You can download a Color Comparison chart here.   
And full instructions and more techniques and tips for using WaterBorne Paints HERE.

Hope this is helpful.  If you have questions or problems, please feel free to  email me at hunnybuns@roadrunner.com or hunnybunmama@gmail

I'm Baaack!

So How's THAT for a Hiatus?

Here I am again...re posting and resurrecting this blog after more than 5 years.

Yes, I'm still kicking.  I guess I should also say I've been celebrating 5 years of surviving cancer, too, YAY!  I did take a little time off at the end of 2009, which extended into a good part of 2010 and 2011.  A bunch of stuff happened, not the least of which was a divorce after 22 years of marriage.  That tends to take the wind outta ya sails.

But enough about that.

I'm going to be posting a lot more frequently in the future, God willing.  I want to have a place to discuss thoughts about reborn doll making, sculpting, paints and etc.  All things related to this business we love so much.

I started a new book about using my WaterBorne © painting system, but there just hasn't been time to finish it and publish it, so I thought it would be great if I could use this blog to share what I know about it, how I've developed the product line and answer questions.

And of course I'll let you in on new goings-on with HunnyBuns Nursery and HunnyBuns Reborn Supply.com  I have been pretty busy all this year sculpting for other people, trying out some different ideas.  Right now I'm painting one of the prototypes for my newest kit "Rosie" which is being produced by Irresistables.

So that's about it for now.  I'll spend more time decorating the place up a bit, fixing some links and adding a bunch more soon.  Comments are welcome :-)

Two New Kits this Summer!

It's been a busy year here at HunnyBuns!

Last winter I sculpted my first (and the reborn kit industry's first) set of Quadruplets. I'm very happy to say that the kits, "Micro Preemie Quads Kyrin, Katheran, Kylie and Kirsten" have been well received around the world.


After the Quads came out, I worked on a sculpt by request from "Simply Reborn Kits" Ruth Annette and named this one "Xavier". "Xavier's" features were sculpted to reflect a multi-racial baby and I can't wait to see the interpretations from reborn artists as this doll hits the market this summer.


Then there's "Kendall". Kendall is a small newborn size with legs drawn up making the finished length only 16". "Kendall"s prototype made her eBay debut this past weekend - beautifully done by Selena Saxton of "S'Real Babies Nursery" of Australia.

In addition to working on new kits for the reborn world, I've faced a real health challenge, too. I was diagnosed with cancer in March, and have completed my course of treatment as of mid-June. I never knew there were so many genuinely caring and loving people in the world, but I have been overwhelmed with emails, cards, flowers and good wishes and prayers from literally all around the world. It's humbling. God has proven His love for me through people! It's true, we are His hands and feet in this world. I'm so grateful to each and every person who cared enough to pray for my recovery and to beat this terrifying disease.

Last week, I received some good news. My first post-treatment PET scan came back clear! We are so relieved. I know I have a ways to go - healing is still a process that may take the better part of this year - but I already feel so much better than I did even a month ago.

So, now I'm back working on new sculpts and have plans for a few reborns too, as I get back to doing what I love the most. Thanks for reading :-)

Just Gotta Brag!

Last week, one of my IRDA gals got an article written up in Chicago Times! Way to go, Donna!!
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/1320622,CST-NWS-dolls09.article

Hopefully many more good reborn artists will get the notice of their local media to help spread the word about these amazing dolls and the ladies who create them. We've had to fight some pretty nonsensical negativity in the media over the past couple years, but articles like this help us all.

Well Now, Wasn't That Special?

Have you seen this episode of "The View" yet? It aired on 7/25 and oh boy, did they open a can o' worms.

Click here and then click on 7/25 Baby Doll. If the link doesn't work then go to Hot Topics and you'll see it there.

Some of it was humorous, but I have to say Joy Behar went a bit too far thumping the doll around on the table and tossing it to a member of the audience. Everyone else treated the dolls with the respect and curiosity that they deserve.

I know Reborns aren't everyone's thing, but seriously, if someone is willing to pay $1000 for a lifelike collectible doll, don't you think you oughta treat it with a bit more respect?

I'd imagine, although I haven't checked in at Bountiful Baby forum yet today, that Nevin and Denise might be a bit appalled and insulted. If they are not, then kudos to them for having some real alligator hide. I know the reborn lists are buzzing like mad bees.

Yes, I wrote them. I would love the opportunity to explain to Whoopi and the others what we do and why we do it.

In a nice way, of course :-)

I Wrote a Book!

I know....I can hardly believe it either. But yes, I sure did.

One reason this blog has been so woefully neglected, actually :-D

It's available now for sale through Lulu.com and also through my online store site, www.hunnybunsrebornsupply.com

Hopefully if you get it, you'll let me know what you think of it. I have some other editions planned for specific topics later on, too.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! Have a great weekend, and God bless.

More Thoughts about Fake Babies (Real Reborns)

A week has passed and the whole Fake Baby thing is getting more and more out of hand.


The media in the US has gotten wind of the UK documentary and are now looking for people to come forward and talk to them about how they use reborn dolls as substitutes for deceased babies or babies they are not able to conceive.


Most of the reborn artists I'm in contact with have either NEVER been contacted by a person wanting such a doll, or at most, have done one or two.


I want to repeat that the vast majority of reborn collectors are normal, healthy people with a firm grasp on reality, and who have a fine appreciation for the amount of love, skill, time and intense labor that go into creating a quality reborn baby doll.







**Why can't that be enough?

**Why must it be about bereavement?

**Why must it be about the extremely tiny minority of collectors who might have reality issues with their dolls?

**And most of all, WHY is that anyone's business but THEIRS?




I had an interview this week about "Angel Babies" with the Wall Street Journal. Whether that article will be published remains to be seen.

At least I came away from the interview with a bit of insight as to why people outside the doll world might think that the main reason we make reborn babies is to replace real infants.

There are many, many "nurseries" (yes, that's what most of us call our reborn doll businesses) with the word "Heaven" or "Angel" in them. It dawned on me during the WSJ interview that that's the implication that the media are picking up on.

Get it? Angel Baby = deceased baby.

Not to cast aspersions on any nursery name with that sort of title. Shoot, when I was new to reborning and trying to come up with a good name, I went through a 100 names with Heaven's this and Angel that. All the good ones were taken :-) Hence, HunnyBuns. (there's a story to that, but it's for another day). Hey, some of my best friends have Heaven or Angel in their nursery title....

Just sayin'.
The public is a bit confused as to why all the references to heaven and angels.

Ok. So let me tell you why we like names like that.

Most reborn artists are women. Most of us dearly love babies. We love dolls. It's what got us interested in the art of reborning to begin with. We enjoy re-making dolls over into what can fool anyone into thinking for a moment it's a real live infant. We all get a kick out of that. I know collectors enjoy the realism as well.

But I think deep in a lot of women's hearts is the belief that babies (real ones) are indeed, a gift from God (whatever their perception of Him may be). A true gift from Heaven. That a new baby is a tiny angel sent to earth. Something along those lines, anyway.

That's where the Heaven and Angel thing comes from. Not because most reborn dolls are created to replace a dead infant.

Google Fake Baby today and see what you come up with. It's not pretty, folks.

I hope that those who agree with me (and I know there are many) will continue to speak out and educate those outside the doll world who are confused and thinking we're all a pack of loons who can't separate reality from fantasy.

Oh...and for those of you that think we ARE all a bunch of loons, and that reborn dolls are creepy and sick, well...you're entitled to your opinion! Have a nice day anyway :-D

Links to the My Fake Baby videos

I didn't have these in a list the other day, so I thought I would add these here so you may view all of them in sequence, if you like:

ETA 1/30/08: I guess they got pulled for copyright issues - sorry!! They are no longer available for viewing.

Sorry....They are NOT "Fake Babies"

So I guess I'll come out of hiding and blog about My Fake Baby :-)

No doubt this will step on a few toes, but yanno what? I don't think they did the world of reborn doll making any huge favors.

Sure, it's nice that a TV documentary was made showing the world what "reborns" are. It's the after-spin that I find distasteful.

Whose idea was it to call them FAKE BABIES anyway?

They aren't FAKE anything. They are REAL dolls :-)

I've been creating reborn dolls for almost 5 years and teaching the art of reborning in live classes and on DVD for 3. So I have a bit of visibility in the doll world.

Only twice in all that time has anyone contacted me about creating a special doll to replace a lost child. Yes, I did it. (I'd never judge what it takes any parent to get through the day after having lost a baby).

Do I think a vinyl doll can replace a living, breathing infant?
Not for me, it wouldn't. (But who are you and I to sit in judgment?)

Having said that, I'm of the opinion that there is a VERY small percentage of reborn doll collectors that fit this category.

I believe the media is taking this tiny fraction and spinning it to their advantage to make money at the expense of the sensibilities of reborn artists, exploiting the collectors of reborns, and blowing the entire thing out of proportion.

Go do a search on eBay today: "fake baby". A month ago you'd get zero hits. Today there are 3 and there were a couple more that ended over the weekend.

Pullllleeeze. It doesn't even SOUND nice!

'Reborn' might be a contrived name, but at least it has a decent connotation. I honestly do not care at all for this new bandwagon. It's about the money...the latest buzzword....whatever people think is going to give them the edge on eBay to sell their dolls or more advertising on the TV channels.

Pssssst....Artists! I have a secret for you: LEARN THE ART. Get good at it! That's your best hedge against too much competition in the reborn market. Not pandering to the newest and latest fad name.

Did putting "OARB" in your auctions revolutionize the reborn world? Nah.
Did a glut of Reborning Guilds do it? Double nah.

An important point to remember: some reborn artists toss their credibility in the trash for the sake of trying to rise head and shoulders above the eBay masses. It takes time, talent and lots of practice to become an accomplished and recognized artist. Sticking some new letters onto your nursery name won't do it, sorry.

Now, am I saying that women who love to dress up their reborns and take them places to fool people are nuts? No. (Well, no more than anyone who dresses their toy dogs in little jewelled collars and boutique clothing and carries them everywhere tucked into a $185 designer carrier. If it floats your boat...)

But I've been reading the comments in response to the new blogs and reviews of "My Fake Baby". Ruh roh.... Somebody tell me, did they do us reborn artists any favors?? In fairness, I suppose that remains to be seen. Right now, though, it doesn't seem to me as like they have.

So, you won't see HunnyBuns Nursery jumping on the "Fake Baby" bandwagon. I'm usually one of those on the list to be contacted (I was interviewed last summer by a lovely young woman with True North Productions in the UK) by the documentary producers and magazines. Somebody from a Miami Fla. paper contacted me about 2 weeks ago, in fact.

I just don't think Channel 4 did anyone on either side (artists or collectors) any favors with the sensationalizing.

What I don't get is why people can't appreciate the art of reborning and newborning dolls as simply what it is, a creative and endearing art form, like lovely classic porcelain dolls and quirky, imaginative art dolls.

Anyone who knows me and follows my work knows that I am one of the artists who push the envelope with ultra-realism in my own dolls. So it's not that I think that the realism is a problem.

Blurring the lines of reality between real infants and dolls? Yes, I think I have a bit of a problem with that.

I don't begrudge the artists who lent their names to the documentary. I seriously doubt they knew going in how the end result would turn out. I haven't been to DollFan much in the past couple weeks to read the discussions, although I suppose I should. If those artists gain more publicity and their dolls are worthy of the high prices and well-made genuine collector's quality reborn babies, then I wish them all the best success.

I truly hope that's the case. Poorly made reborns hurt all of us by damaging credibility and reputations among collectors. (This is a soapbox I jumped on a lot in the past).

Suddenly the new buzzword is Fake Baby. So how many people are going to jump on eBay or start frantically googling for fake babies? How many artists are going to suddenly decide to capitalize on the new craze? I see dark clouds gathering on the horizon if this happens.

Impassioned but uneducated buyers plus artists who will do anything to sell a doll = very bad combination.

I guess I've gotten at least 3 emails this week as a result of Channel 4's broadcast and the YouTube segment.

Don't get me wrong, I think some parts of the documentary were tastefully presented. But much it was so dramatic, so contrived. Harry's grandmother's comments about a doll seeming to replace a child "no longer around" even creeped ME out a little. I would say, misleading! The ending on the first YouTube segment was deliberately provocative, and the grandmother was in reality, not bereaved, but rather the grandchild had relocated. Big difference.

I've seen 3 out of the 5 YouTube segments now. I don't know when I'll view the rest of them. The last one really "icked me out" to tell you the truth. I don't know one single collector who carries on the way the couple did in Segment 3/5.

So that's why I'm not so pleased about any of this. I don't like the skewed perceptions. I don't think it's fair to any of us.

I'm not at all surprised that people outside the doll world think the whole business is screwy and sick. And as a reborn artist, THAT saddens me.

Getting Started

Ah....where to begin?

First I would like to thank my friend, Mel, for introducing me to blogging and to this site. I've really enjoyed reading her blogs!

Please bear with me while I master this new form of writing. Over the next few days and weeks, I'm sure I'll change the looks of this thing about 50 times - that's how I am.

By way of Gettin' to Know Ya, here's some stuff about me, and what I'm all about:

First off, I'm a Christian - since 1977. That's a story for another time, but it frames who I am and what I say--almost always ;-) I'm a member of the local Vineyard Church and run the soundboard as part of the worship team.

I'm married, have one daughter and one granddaughter. Another one on the way :-D

I *have* 3 Golden Retrievers, (truth be told, they own me), one African Grey Parrot, and a longhaired cat. And a saltwater reef tank and a freshwater tank. I used to be much worse in the menagerie department. I'm happy to report that I am a Recovered Animal Maniac. I worked for about 6 yrs for a veterinarian and another 1 in the pet industry.

I make handmade soap (soaper's blog coming in the near future!). I also dabble in lotions, creams, aromatherapy, and other bath and body stuff. My business name there is BubbleBee Soapworks. Another blog..another day.

About 4 years ago I discovered an amazing thing on Ebay: Reborned Dolls. I was smitten, obsessed. You can visit my website, HunnyBuns Nursery for "the rest of the story" and a peek at most of the dolls I've created since that time.

After fiddling around for a couple of years repainting and reborning vinyl dolls, I decided to try my hand at sculpting ORIGINAL clay dolls. Although my first looked like Neanderthal Baby, my second and third attempts were a big improvement. By #4, people were saying, you need to do this all the time and sell these!!
So, now I do. More on that later.

Another thing, (and I'm soon going to add yet a third blog to cover this), is I've recently discovered Low Carb eating. I've struggled for most of my adult life with increasing weight. This past year has brought me some really scary health challenges.

So I've really been studying and working on improving my eating habits and learning as much as I can about nutrition. Cancer prevention is at the forefront of my research now, but healthy weightloss is a BIG #2.

Early in June, I joined the latest low carb rage, Kimkins. I lost 10 lbs in 10 days--WOW. I believe I've found a way of eating that will truly work for me. It's kind of a hybrid diet based on Stillman's and Atkins. Low carb, low fat, moderately high protein. You may have seen the article last month in Women's World magazine.

Another blogger who has made quite a splash in the Low Carb world online is Jimmy Moore: Livin' La Vida Low Carb He's also following Kimkins.

I don't know if I'll stick with that exact program for a long time, but for now it's working pretty well for me and most of all, I FEEL GREAT!

That's all for now...ya'll have a great weekend. Thanks for reading :-)

First Time Out....

What is a Reborn Baby Doll? Who is Stephanie Sullivan?

What do I sculpt and why?

Answers to these burning questions and many others coming soon :-)