Did you know that there are currently 2.5 billion Barbie's in the garbage, and they'll last a thousand years in our environment? Every new doll becomes an old doll and eventually ends up in the trash or the ocean.
Please visit Lidiasdolls.com and support our efforts by purchasing y our next gift from us. We have hundreds of dolls looking for a home.
But what if I told you that these Barbie's aren't trash at all; rather, they're a business opportunity for you to refurbish dolls and sell them as OOAK custom dolls for profit? There are millions of collectors searching for refurbished toys, and millions of children who want to play with dolls every day. The toy industry is a multibillion-dollar business that contributes to plastic pollution. It doesn't have to be that way, however. Upcycling dolls is possible. Here's how it works.
Sourcing:
One of the most popular ways to find TLC vinyl dolls is on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and other trading platforms. This means they may need a bit more care than your typical product because they were born with some cracks or missing pieces which could lead them being damaged easily in shipping; so don't forget about tender loving care when buying one! If you're looking for cheaper prices though - local thrift stores will always be an option (and probably have better selection too). And if money isn’t really something that bothers us – consider going big time by offering bulk purchases from estate sales instead.
Cleaning:
A secondhand vinyl doll has been on the market for decades, and it is filthy both inside and out. You'll have to clean them in bulk or you won't make much money. As a result, using a top-of-the-line tumbling washer machine is the greatest option. Start by taking off the head and emptying the stuffing. Place the vinyl doll, cloth body and the stuffing into a mesh bag and put her in the washer machine. Depending on the size of your washer, you can probably do from 5 to 10 dolls that way.
If you want to dry your dolls, use a wire rack that fits in your washer. Wash the dolls in the normal way. This helps them stay still so they will not tumble. If they do tumble, this is okay because it won't hurt their plastic body.
Cleaning the head and hair
Cleaning the head and hair
The first thing to do is to clean the doll. You should start by removing any stains with alcohol. Do not use Acetone (nail polish remover), because it will also remove the eyebrows and lipstick on the doll's face. Rinse the doll and wash with soap like castile soap to get rid of any alcohol residue left behind.
Shampoo the hair with a low-cost shampoo from a dollar store. Just use a small amount in your hand and rub it in the hair. Make sure to swirl the hair in the water at least 20 times so that all of the dirt will come out from your hair. You can wash about 10 heads of hair in one sink.
Rinse with cream rinse and swirl. Leave to soak for about 1 hour to restore the hair fibers. Rinse again and swirl. Pat dry with a towel, do not twist. Use a detangling brush to smooth the hairs.
Using the dryer rack, dry the heads in your dryer.
Use a hot brush (a brush that blows air through a brush) to detangle and straighten the hair. If you do not want to get rid of the curls, then use a detangling curved brush made out of boar hair, not plastic.
Assembling the doll
You still have a little more work to do! On some dolls, like the American Girl, it's necessary to tighten the legs and arms. These kits include the correct elastic cord and crimper pieces for you to properly assemble them. No, don't try using rubber bands or hairbands; they won't work and will make the doll's legs too tight to stand up.
Some dolls do not require that the legs be tightened; instead, they are secured with bands.
Once you tighten the legs of the doll, stuff it with cotton wool and replace its head. Some dolls are easy to fix with strings. If not, you will need to cut the ties on the doll's head or replace them with string. You might find that tricky.
Make up
Some dolls have a rather long-lasting make up that requires no additional maintenance. Others have deteriorated makeup. Painting the dolls and leaving them as is is not recommended unless you're an artist. Various firms provide stickers that may be used to improve the eyebrows and eye make up.
If you wish to paint your own lipstick, choose a set of earth tone acrylic paints with flesh tones. Do not attempt to combine the paint; it will take far too long and provide inconsistent results. Keep in mind that the pen should be shaken prior to use. If you make an error, a little acetone mixed with a q-tip may help.
Dressing the doll
Garment sales are a great way to get clothes from the past. Wash them in water and mild detergent, then iron with a little liquid starch.
You may also construct your own clothing using basic designs or by following an old dress as a pattern.
You may get inexpensive clothing on eBay or from China, but the quality is generally poor. You'll be best served by a seamstress if you want custom-made clothes.
Listing the doll
List the doll in marketplaces that also have other OOAK dolls. A new market that will soon allow you to list your dolls for low fees is Bigdollmarket.com.
