Barbie Makeover

I chose something very simple for this week’s blog, but it might just come in handy sometime. I have spent years rescuing Barbies from swap meets, yard sales, Goodwill and many other places. I buy those for about 50 cents then with a little TLC turn them into perfectly good dolls that most little girls would he very happy with. Many of my 50 cent finds have made their way to loved ones as collectibles, like in last week’s blog. I also buy these and fix them up so I can always have a good supply on hand. I never know when I’m going to meet a little girl, or adult, who doesn’t have any.

When you are looking for these cast off Barbies, there are a few things to check. Make sure the head is on properly, if it looks like there is no neck, it the wrong head. Look for good fingers and toes. I’ve seen some beautiful Barbies, but the family pet used them as a chew toy. Things like marker don’t usually wash off. If they are just dirty, that can be fixed. 

I’ve given some examples to show how with a little creativity, not all Barbie’s or dolls, are lost. I use the cheap shampoo and conditioner for the hair. Wash them, and the hair thoroughly, then really load on the conditioner and let it sit for about 20 mins. Or so. Then rinse it very thoroughly. Now the more difficult part is in combing it out. Take a pick, or something like that, and start combing small sections at a time starting from the ends, or the bottom. Make sure you have a good hold of Barbie’s head. If you start combing without doing that, you could break her neck. Bet you wonder how I know that! Plus it makes it easier. Now don’t worry if some of the hair comes out, that’s normal, plus it’s a good way to think it out. There are many different types of hair on Barbie, and some that almost feel like wool are the hardest to do, but as I show in the picture, I cut it, crop it or spike it, and the kids really love it. Plus it’s a good style for the really young ones. (My girls had Barbie’s as infants.) Once you are finished combing, just start cutting and styling. Its fun to see how many different new looks you can give Barbie.

Collectible Barbies

This week's blog is going to be more of a show and tell piece. In past blogs I've shared tips on how to use all sorts of things to create doll outfits. Today I'm going to show just a few pictures of what my family and friends call my "Collectible Barbies". These pictures are of collectible barbies I made for my sister Charlotte many years ago, and all are made from scraps, and remnants, etc.

The wedding Barbie was made from the dress my niece was married in. She (my sister) wanted a keepsake of the day, so they asked me to make them each a Barbie from it.

The Gibson Barbie was made from the silk of a wedding dress, some velveteen scraps and a scrap of real mink someone had given me.The hat and muff of course, are the mink.

 This one is from a scrap of purple velvet my sister found and requested this particular Barbie. After searching high and low for some white fur for the hat and muff, and not finding any, I bought a cheap white stuffed animal and took it apart. Worked perfectly.

 This is one of my sisters favorites. She named her Chantel. It was made from scraps of white velvet, different shaped pearls I'd taken off garments along the way, and scraps of trim saved from other projects . This was a little work because I hand strung all the pearls hanging from the cape.

So look around, get your creative juices flowing, and see what you come up with. It can be alot of fun.