(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.
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