Meet Valentina! American Girl Truly Me #132

Did you know my first love of dolls sparked from American Girl? I remember growing up reading every book in the American Girl historical series that I could find at the library. It was an interesting way for me to learn about US history and how women and girls lived back then. I later learned of the doll line through these books, and I was enamored with them! Here it is over 20 years later, and I am still very fond of them. I'm happy to have added my first AG doll to my collection this week. I am sure there will be more to come in the future.

Recently, I browsed the American Girl website and found that a lot has changed over the years. I remember they offered tons of options for doll face molds, skin tones, hair colors/textures and hair styles. It seems a lot of those options have retired. There is a Create Your Own doll line alongside the Truly Me line of 18" dolls. The sad part is, the CYO options are limited. Currently, these are priced at $275 USD before tax/shipping and take a minimum of 3 weeks to make! I was pretty disappointed with that, especially since none of the current options looked like me or really piqued my interest.

I'm clearly not frugal when it comes to my doll hobby, but with that money I was sure to find something custom made and unique-to-me. I always enjoy supporting a small business artist who hosts a shop on Etsy. I decided to continue my AG doll search there. I discovered three small businesses in my search:

Custom American Girl Dolls

• Enchanted Dream Dolls (Prices: $275-335)
• One Of A Kind Dolls by Design (Prices: $199-359)
• Oh Deer Custom Dolls (Prices: $120-185)

 

It was a tough decision as I was absolutely in love with Enchanted Dream Dolls works but a girl from OOAK Dolls by Design stole my heart. Her beautiful ethnically diverse facial features, fashion style and overall adorable color theme was just my style! With a girl created in the month of love (February) and a pink theme, the name Valentina fits her perfectly.

Originally, Valentina's eyelids were not painted but for an additional fee, the artist painted them pink for me. I think it brings out her overall look even more. Valentina arrived in the mail packaged well and in pristine condition. The artist also sent her in an original AG doll box that I can treasure as a keepsake for my very first one. Thank you, Shannon!

I'm so happy! I can't wait to try on different cute outfits and share with you how AG compares to some of the other big box store 18" doll dupes.

Meet Valentina! American Girl Truly Me #132

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Why do people collect reborn dolls?

(Pictured: Shelby - Realborn June Awake 6 Month by Bountiful Baby | Reborn by Kory Fann of Pumpkin Doodle Babies)

Reborn dolls have been making an appearance more often in mainstream media. I come across news articles and TV spotlights interviewing collectors who have them. Sadly, it never puts the hobby or the talented artists in a positive light. Today, I wanted to give anyone who's curious a Reborn Dolls 101 crash course on these seemingly peculiar dolls, what they are and the reasons why some people own them.

What are reborn dolls?

Reborn dolls are dolls that are hand painted to look like a real baby. The blank doll parts (cast in vinyl or silicone material) consist of a head, arms and legs. Collectively these parts are known as a sculpt or kit. Generally, there is one artist who sculpts reborn dolls for kit production and a second artist to paint and customize the sculpts and sell to doll collectors. It is not uncommon for an artist to be skilled at both sculpting and painting reborn dolls.

There are different sizes and types of reborn dolls. Dolls have a size range from infant, toddler or child. There are also alternative reborn types, that depict fantasy creatures or animals such as: fairies, elves, mermaids, aliens, wolves or monkeys. A popular alternative doll seen around holiday time is sculpted after The Grinch.

Why do people collect or buy reborn dolls?

There are many reasons why people may be interested in reborn dolls and each reason depends on the type of person and their needs or interests.

Doll collectors - Many adult doll collectors have been interested in dolls since childhood and enjoy owning different kinds of dolls as new types are created through the decades. It is not uncommon for a doll collector to have an interest in porcelain dolls, fashion dolls or even luxury stuffed animals. Owning a reborn doll is a different type of doll in their collection.

Grief Therapy - Child loss leaves a huge impact on many people's mental health. In some instances, people have sought out reborn dolls as a way to cope and have comfort from holding the weighted doll. They may be recommended by therapists, in some cases. It is not uncommon for those to own reborn dolls who may not have the opportunity or ability to have children. Of course, a doll can never replace a child, but people find comfort in holding their doll, changing their outfits and sharing photos of them online.

Elderly & Dementia Care - Elderly care givers and family members have given positive feedback on the use of reborn dolls with dementia patients and their elderly loved ones. The weighted doll gives them a sense of calm and a safe distraction for busy hands or nervous feelings.

Models - Reborn dolls are a popular stand-in for child actors for television and movies as well as companies/stores for product photoshoots and clothing display. Medical professionals in varying fields may also be interested in a reborn doll to use as a learning tool.

Artists who enjoy learning how to draw, paint or sculpt the human form may also enjoy having a realistic object to study, versus flat photographs.

For the most part, these are all the reasons I know that people collect or may buy a reborn doll. As you can see, the majority of these reasons are to deal with emotional or physical health ailments, which is a positive benefit of these beautifully crafted dolls.

Why do people collect reborn dolls?

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Robin by Nikki Johnston

I learned of the Robin sculpt by Nikki Johnston years ago. At that time, it was a new release that sold out quickly. I'd seen a couple versions of this sculpt in person and liked her a lot. A chunky 3 month sized reborn with straight legs was a new style of doll I'd not had before. Robin wears 3 month and some 3–6-month clothing so she's so fun to dress! She also can accommodate a modified pacifier, which makes this accessory even easier to use. Alas, this one slipped by me.

The opportunity to purchase a dream doll came, and I took it! Here it is six years later and the same doll that made me fall for the Robin sculpt, was available! It is absolutely incredible. I am still surprised that I was able to have this doll in my collection! Thank you so much to her previous owner, for allowing me the chance.

I've been quite pleased with my latest adoptions, but this one definitely has me on Cloud 9. Her beautiful caramel brown skin tone, blush mottling, subtle veining and meticulously mono-rooted soft brown hair is simply amazing. I can't say enough great things about her. She may be the reborn doll to make me end my YouTube hiatus and start making videos again!

I wanted a soft and whimsical name for this girl and her cute face. I decided to name her Melanie.

Robin by Nikki Johnston

Monday, November 10, 2025

Haven by Izzy Zhao

I've enjoyed the changes happening to my reborn doll collection the last few months. As I am getting accustomed to being a reborn artist, I find great joy in adding "forever babies" to my collection that I painted with my own two hands. It's a very special and rewarding feeling! Even if my reborn doll creations do not sell at the prices, I'd like them to yet, I still find great joy in the process and keeping them if I have to.

I've sold off a lot of my original collection, but I don't think I'll ever stop collecting work from other artists! I found Rebecca Nation's work on Reborns.com a couple of years ago and I've admired it ever since. The way she captures the translucent delicate baby skin of fair toned reborns is so beautiful! It's definitely a technique I admire and would like to learn to immolate in my own work. Creating deeper skin tones comes naturally to me, but the real challenge is the realism for lighter skin tones (both African, biracial and Caucasian). It's something I'd like to work more on in the coming year.

When I saw this sweet Haven I knew I had to bring her home! She sat on my favorites list for quite awhile before I purchased her; it was meant to be! The artist shipped her quickly and with care. Her box packing was simple and safe. Once she arrived, I re-weighed her to be just the right kind of cuddly I like. She's adorable! I've named this girlie, Kimiko.

Haven by Izzy Zhao

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Delilah by Nikki Johnston

I'm excited about this little girl's progress and how she came out! I decided to give this tiny peanut my middle name since she is a portrait baby of myself. Welcome to the world, baby Shea. When I first saw Delilah by Nikki Johnston released, I immediately thought that she would make an adorable portrait baby of myself. I was born premature at 2lbs. and I had the same tiny and delicate features this sculpt has. She has been such a joy to reborn.

Surprisingly enough, the initial paint job on this doll sculpt did not turn out as I had liked so I took to stripping it down for a fresh start. I'm much happier with my results on round two. On the second go-around I tried my new Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft pastels. I ground them up using a palette knife to create a fine powder. These powders are then applied using a small detail brush to areas like creases, nail beds, ears, and anywhere else that benefit from shading. I love these powders so much! Having this set of 60 pastels makes it easy to create some custom colors too; perfect shadow colors no matter what skin tone I am going for.

My favorite part of working on this sculpt has to be the hands. In the beginning of my reborn learning, hand details were something I dreaded because I had a hard time creating the look that I wanted with paint alone. After using the pigment powders, I am enjoying the process a lot more; dare I say it has become one of my favorite parts? I still struggle with getting the nail tips as thin as I'd like, but now I've started using light skin tone colors (instead of off-white), so they look like naturally grown out baby nails.

Somehow during this process, I had forgotten all about the belly plate! So now, I am working on that. One thing that I have learned from repeated stripping paint and starting over, is how to color match. So I am confident I will be able to match the belly plate even though I didn't paint it along with the limbs. Soon, I'll be working on her painted hair, seal/varnish and wait for her to cure before assembly!

Delilah by Nikki Johnston

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Vincent by Nikki Johnston

Up until now, I have only painted reborn dolls that are NB-3M. I have headed in a whole new direction with the Vincent sculpt because he is a teeny preemie baby measuring about 17" and only weighing an estimated 3lbs!

During my visit to the Kansas Doll Show last year, I got a chance to see this sculpt (and cuddle) him in person. He reminded me of my own baby photos as I was a 2lb preemie at birth. Since then, I knew this sculpt would go on my wish list to paint and the day has come. I have headed in a whole new direction with the Vincent sculpt because he is a teeny preemie baby measuring about 17" and only weighing an estimated 3lbs!

During my visit to the Kansas Doll Show last year, I got a chance to see this sculpt (and cuddle) him in person. He reminded me of my own baby photos as I was a 2lb preemie at birth. Since then, I knew this sculpt would go on my wish list to paint and the day has come.

I'm happy with how he turned out! I tried some new details like a heart-shaped birth mark and baby scratches. They are subtle, which is what I like. I always like to do my melinated reborn babies with darker ears, as that is customary trait of darker skinned babies when they are young. He has the cutest little cry-baby face! Originally, I thought this baby would be a girl but by the end I saw all boy! I decided to name him Oliver (I call him Ollie for short).

Vincent by Nikki Johnston

Friday, August 1, 2025

Realborn Tessa by Bountiful Baby

It brings me so much joy and pride to share my first doll collection addition of 2025. This girl is special because she is the first reborn that I have ever created. I can hardly believe I accomplished this! I'm so thankful for the artists I've chatted with who gave me advice and answered my questions and so grateful to all my friends who encouraged me.

I present, Realborn Tessa Asleep by Bountiful Baby. I have named her Scarlett; inspired by her fiery red hair and overdone blushing (which was intentional, and I love it!) She's not perfect by any stretch of my imagination. Especially in areas where my painting neatness can improve (hands and feet). Despite my joy in painting baby fingernails and toenails, I suck at it! I know this skill will improve with time and neat painting only comes with patience and practice, which I plan to do a lot of.

Realborn Tessa by Bountiful Baby

Thursday, January 9, 2025