My First "Vintage" Barbie: A Doll Customizing History

Does she look familiar? hehehe... actually, she's the doll that's featured in my video located at beginning of my blog page. Well i find it fascinating since my customizing history is similar to what had happened when Barbie started (well the look to say the least). As you can see on the photo, this doll was Inspired by the earlier facial features of a Vintage Barbie. Since I was still on school then, I can't afford to buy myself a vintage Barbie doll let alone even buy the anniversary reproduction doll. I have been reading a lot of articles about doll customizing but I was too afraid that I might ruin my dolls.

But one day, while I was spending my afternoon watching cable television, I ran to this anniversary documentary about Barbie and saw all the vintage Barbie that I never thought would be possible to exist. I was so frustrated so I went to my room to imagine what would it feel to have a vintage Barbie doll of my own... Then it hit me... I've been making clothes for my dolls for the longest time... Why can't I make a vintage Barbie doll of my own? I'm sure that I wouldn't print all those web tutorial for no reason, right?! So I decided to begin my adventure into the world of doll customizing.

So I grab the first doll I saw. Originally this doll has a superstar mold so I had to deal with the problem on how to hide those pearlies of hers. I had no materials to cut and glue her mouth shut so i have to find another way to do so... after a few moments of brainstorming, finally had an idea! I had been making this "Magic Putty" everytime I make accessories for my doll (procedure will be explained in future blogs). I tried it onto my doll... and by-golly-banana-gee... who would have thought it worked!!! ;9 ...If you try to look at the picture on my right you can see that I attached the eyelids and the lower lip (sorry for the fuzzy pic... I took the photo from my camera phone). If you can notice my doll has a 'grin' an evidence of her original face mold. Then I grabbed a photo of a vintage Barbie and copied it... then VOILA!!! I had my Improvised Vintage Barbie. I even style her hair to look "vinatagey" ^_^ ... hehehe and you thought that was the end... I was so happy with the result that I decided to make her an outfit.


My doll's body was pretty messed up from the wear and tear of playing so I switched it with a new body. I used a belly button body of a doll with a freak accident on the head (my mom buys me dolls from patio sales that i can play with and not ruin my other dolls). I chose the belly button body since a lot of play line dolls use this body type so that I can use the outfit with my other dolls... for my first outfit, I recreated the "Sheath Sensation" from the 900 series fashion.





I made the dress using a red cotton fabric. I attached some beads to be used as buttons (cannot be seen in the picture). I also made gloves to complete the look. ;)









For the hat, I crocheted a white hat and treated it with a mild coat of acrylic varnish. This would make the hat more stiff and straw like at the same time water resistant.














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I also made some shoes for my dolls (Note: instructions in making shoes will be featured in future blogs). I attached white satin ribbons in the strap to make the shoes more interesting











After putting all the doll and outfit together....
TADA!!!
....Eversince this first customized doll was made, I got hooked and started to customize the rest of my dolls. Like Barbie, my preference in customizing dolls changed. Aside from making improvised custom vintage Barbie dolls, I also customize dolls that look like celebrities ( I'm still trying... ;9).

Always Remember, there are certain things in life that doesn't work out to our liking. But don't feel bad. With a will and a little creativity we can always turn things around to our advantage. And we might be happy with the results... If you don't like what you see or want something for yourself... do something... just simply CUSTOMIZE your life !!! ^_^ Till my next blog!!!