What is a Reborn?
A reborn is a lifelike art doll, hand painted to be as realistic as possible. It’s created from a kit, a vinyl doll sculpt. It can take anywhere from weeks to months to create, based on an artist’s speed and skill.
Do you accept custom orders?
Yes – I sure do! When my custom list is open, there will be spots advertised here: rebornsweetshop.com, otherwise the list is closed but you can request to be added to the wait list here, email me at rebornsweetdolls@gmail.com. I currently offer 4 slots per queue but they fill up super fast! Custom openings are currently closed, but you can be put on a waiting list! I only offer sculpts I currently have in stock. You pick the customization, hair type (rooted/combi/painted hair, hair colour, eye colour, skin tone, birth marks). My rates are affordable but priced according to the market rate for reborn dolls + the time and artistry put into each one. I also sell premade babies rebornsweetshop.com. I ship worldwide.
How much do you charge?
I price according industry standards for dolls of my quality. I am a WAHM so my costs cover everything that went into my dolls (the highest quality items, genesis heat paints, highest quality mohair, polyfil and glass beads to weight the body & all my time and work invested into bringing your beautiful bundle to life.)
Why are reborns so expensive?
Here is a rough breakdown of some of the materials and costs involved in making a custom reborn doll
-Basic vinyl kit of arms, legs and head – these can cost anything from $75 (Realborns) to $210+ sold out or LE kits. The average sculpt for me costs about $150 with taxes & shipping. All of BB’s I have to import from the US and I always get duty fees which makes an average BB sculpt about $90 something when shipped. I have also had to import sculpts from overseas. I’ve bought from Australia before for a custom order too! And believe me, shipping & duties can be more than the cost of the doll kit.
-Doe suede body – $30 depending on size and make. I like the quality bodies because they stand the test of time and look the most realistic on the doll. If a torso or ball joints are involved this is often $50+ and may involve needing additional hook tools to assemble.
-Eyes – German glass eyes are $70-100 a pair + depending on where I buy and how I need them shipped & again, duties.
-Hair – I root with Slumberland or Delta Dawn mohair, which are the best mohairs out there. It is $50-110 for every half ounce. A head of firm vinyl can easy break or blunt half a dozen rooting needles during the process.
-Glass beads for weighting – for about 10lbs, it cost me about $40. So each baby, give or take, is another $35 of glass. And then there is polyfil. About a half a small bag for one baby. There will also be cable ties to secure the limbs in place, and materials such as felt or e6000 glue.
– Earth magnets. About 3 per baby. For their paci and inside their mouths. And with baby girls, they also get an extra magnet for a hair bow.
– Layette – the clothing and items they go home with. I send a 3 piece outfit with each baby, sometimes this is two onesies & pants, other times a three piece dress or sweater set. I also include a sleeper. A custom knit hat. Pacifier & hair bow (or headband). Birth certificate, diapers, and a receiving blanket. I also include a scent wafer and if I have them, baby is tied up in a ribbon – gifts are wrapped. My average layette is $200+ everything is brand new and chosen to compliment each baby.
– I also include things like birth certificate, gift wrapping, a plush toy, little extras like pacifiers, headbands, pacifier chains, a hair care set of conditioner and baby toothbrush, and keepsake photo albums.
So therefor, the average baby easily costs me about $500+ to make. And this still doesn’t include paints, brushes, thinners, varnishes, glazes, palettes, sponges, glues, mod podge, prisma pencils, shipping boxes, printer ink, paper, bubble wrap, oven cost, energy bill from my oven cost & lighting, or all my time and skill put into each baby.
For me, it takes me 4-8 weeks to reborn a sculpt from start to finish. And an additional 2-4 weeks to root a head from start to finish. Then photography, box packing, shipping an extras like Etsy or Ebay fees, and Paypal fees, etc. They are truly a labour of love and a work of art! This is why I cannot, no matter how much I would love to, offer discount or free babies on request – it just isn’t possible.
To give everyone a chance to have a reborn doll of their own, I DO offer regular FB giveaways giving away a free reborn doll. There is a lot of lead up time so everyone can get in, so make sure you’ve become a fan of my page to follow a long and get your chance. 🙂
Anything else?
MSG me @ rebornsweetdolls@gmail.com. I welcome all questions and would be happy to help you, if you’re a reborn artist starting out too.
Oh my goodness! I have been away most of the summer and I just got back home. I was too excited to do a box opening and pose these gorgeous babies. I have to say Shaylen Maxwell, you out did yourself. I love, love, love my babies!!!!! Everything about them is perfect! I am going to get back to work making my own babies while these two give me much inspiration. Thank you so much!
Wauuwww what a talent my baby boy reborned by the amaaziing Shaylen Maxwell wuw those details he is so so realistic <3 <3 <3 my little love. thank you
He is just so absolutely amazing! I love soooo much how he came out! He is just sooo above and beyond!!!! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for him. He is a very special baby to me, I have named him after my uncle. He will hold a very special place in my heart always. Thank you so much! Thank you so much for all the goodies that you sent home with him! I love soo much all the clothing that you sent home! They are the cutest outfits ever! And thank you so much for the kitty and the booties! I love them so much! I have a feeling that kitty wont be leaving his side. Thank you so much for a gorgeous baby and a amazing box opening! I loved everything! 
Reborn, Sweet - dolls by Shaylen 