I'm getting ready to start a Morgan kit by Aleina Peterson, and I purchased 18mm half-round Newborn Eyes from Secrist. I have two questions ~ what is the best way to insert the eyes, from the front or back? The eye opening in this sculpt seems pretty small, but maybe heated I can get the eyes in. If not, the neck opening is also pretty small and I wonder how I'm going to get my hand in there to get the eyes in that way. Do I put glue on the eye itself when inserting it?
Well, I guess I have 3 questions, really. Should I wait until after the final bake to insert the eyes? I know that Real Eyes are safe in the oven, but are the Newborn Eyes brand safe, too?
I've only done sleeping babies, with the exception of the Secrist kits that I have ordered with the eyes already inserted. I've been procrastinating doing this kit because of the eyes, until now.
Julie, I would say if they were secrists eyes they would be OK to bake but my personal opinion is to put them in last. Is there any room to cut out the neck to where it is as thick as the vynal? If so you may be able to place them in from behind, by cutting a slit in the eye socket from the back. Once the eyes are inserted properly, then use E6000 glue to seal them in place. I have on the other hand heated them with a hair dryer and put them in from the front, but be carefull not to force them to much as to split the vynal. Hope this info is helpfull. XXXX June.
OK... The newborn eyes from Secrist ARE Real Eyes (they are the original inventor of them) and are safe to go in the oven as you said. Like June, I too would say to put them in last. Going in from the back with this kit is best because of the small eye opening as even if you heat the head you run the chance of splitting the eye hole in the corners. Go in from the back and cut a larger hole in the neck opening. You can put some glue or wax or something on a long sturdy paintbrush and put them in. You should also be able to heat the head making it more flexible to squish the eyesockets closer to the neck opening carefully. These are mearly suggestions. After you put the eyes in you will close the flap and use glue to glue the back of the socket closed.