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Buffington · Guru

My babies listed on Etsy now

smiley · Veteran Member

Wow!!!! Buffy they are gorgeous. My Favourite is Joshua he is stunning WOW WOW WOW!!! Good luck with the sale let me know how you get on, I registered yesterday and would be interested to know along with many of the other guys on here too I expect.
Hugs
Cathy

Buffington · Guru

I sure will let you know. So far no nibbles but I have 4 that heart my Etsy store! lol
And thank you so much for your compliment on my Joshua. I used 3 different colors of blonde to root his hair. Looks pretty realistic I think. I thought it was too fuzzy and fly-away but everyone that sees it says that's how blondes are and boys can have fly-away hair hehehe

-- Edited by Buffington on Friday 28th of August 2009 02:49:05 AM

Tina W. · Guru

I wished you the best, I haven't been brave enough to try it out yet.

Buffington · Guru

Well I figure it runs for 4 mos and at that time I'll worry about the cost, and it should be minimal anyway if I don't sell anything. I'm going to put my kits in next and I do have a few wigs too that I'll list just to see if ANYONE is buying in there.

smiley · Veteran Member

What kits do you have for sale pat if you dont mind me asking.
Cathy

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Putting the kits out there might be a good idea. The sales on my website are flat as a pancake, and I would love to turn over some kits and restock to keep current. I don't know... Maybe I need to sit tight and learn from your experience before jumping in there.

Buffington · Guru

I have just about every kit in stock that Secrist sells. You can click on the link in my post for Timeless Treasure Babies, it'll take you right there. haven't updated it in a while or completed it yet but it's coming along. If you'd like to order from me, I sell everything that Secrist has, plus I accept Paypal if you need to order that way. If I don't have it in stock I can order from Secrist and have it drop-shipped to you. Just let me know if you'd like to order :)
I'm going to try to work on my site this weekend (my full time temp day job just ended on Tues so I have a little more time during the day now) and it's Labor Day holiday in the USA this weekend so a 3 day weekend (yay!!!).
You can also pm me if you like, to make your order or ask questions about my website or your order. If you do regular e-mail, my addy is: buffington@secristdolls.com :)

Buffington · Guru

Last night I listed some kits on Etsy. As soon as I got finished listing my 6" triplet kit #1, someone came on and ordered 1!!! WooHoo! Yippeeeee! Although my newborns have had a lot of lookers (over 150 on one of them) I was really happy to sell a kit! I put the #2 set on this morning of the triplets so we'll see what happens.
I'm gonna have to get busy and get the other kits on there! And I'm up to my eyeballs in outfits! Gotta get those on too! Especially since I'm broke as can be and want Danielle's twins and Steph's quads lol!

jburle · Senior Member

I just love Esty. There is alot of different things you can find on there. and one is lots of reborn babies.... That's good to hear that you sold your 6" triplets. very awesome... I can always find things to buy. I just Love Etsy I am on there twice a day even got my own store. I am going to check out your store Pat.

mine is http://laura1941.esty.com I don't have any reborns but it's loaded with other stuff.

be back later

(I hope you don't mind that I edited the link because etsy was misspelled. Also fixed so the page opens in a separate window. Linda)

-- Edited by Play Days Dolls on Monday 14th of September 2009 06:20:48 PM

jburle · Senior Member

Gott love your site Pat. Every awesome.. I know where I am going after my first is done... catch ya later. byes.

sara zata · Guru

Pat,Checked out you site, it looks great.So you have a daughter helping you. XXXX June.

Buffington · Guru

Hey thanks Jodie! Stop by any time :)

No June, sorry to say my children are not interested in my doll business nor helping me make them. :(
Just like most of my family isn't interested either, so they buy dolls and jewelry (I'm a jeweler too) elsewhere! Go figure eh? I don't understand why they would rather buy something made in China than to support their own country and get better quality. Hmmmm, gotta be something wrong there I think (IMHO). But that's relatives for ya I guess.

I did ask my youngest (Amanda) if she wanted to paint dolls with me and she just kinda said "well I'm awefully busy but maybe some time". She's 20 so I guess she is busy with her friends and such. She's an AWESOME artist though, and was a dancer for 15 years in competition but maybe dolls is not her thing.

My other daughter is in Colorado. She sews Renassaince (sp?) clothing for the Ren Faire in her state. She's pretty good but again, not interested in doing a baby. So that's why I also enjoy teaching newborning. At least SOMEONE is interested in them. lol

I will be putting more stuff on my site this weekend (after I celebrate my birthday which is Wednesday)! We're going to our local Ren Faire, maybe if it still fits I'll go in costume! hehehe

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Woo hoo... congrats on selling your triplet set on etsy!!!! I guess I had better check it out. I haven't sold anything on eBay in forever with the exception of eyes. And... a few dinky little sales for eyes doesn't make enough money to pay the cost of putting them on eBay. Frustrating.

I'm trying to finish up my Phoebe that has been in the works for a long, long time. I have most of the rooting finished and a very nice hair whorl going, if I do say so myself. You know the old saying, "Pride goeth before the fall," or something like that. So....I don't want to congratulate myself too much just yet because there is still plenty that can go wrong.

I was having a little trouble getting to know my Phoebe. Usually the doll sort of takes on a persona that tells me if I'm making a girl or boy, a name, etc. It just wasn't happening with this doll.

And then a friend came over Saturday and fell in love with my Phoebe whose features reminded her of her grandson.. My friend told me Phoebe looks like her Andrew. Andrew it is! Now the doll looks exactly like an Andrew to me.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Pat, your kids sound just like mine. I have four daughters and none of them was interested in working in my businesses. I am just now trying to close out the last of my website clients because it's become too difficult to handle them alone. If any of the girls had an interest in the business, we probably could have prospered. What's funnier is that both of the twins are graphic designers. And, Lindsay has a job that includes developing a new company website. Lesley works in print, and it finally dawned on her that print is probably going away. She signed up for several web development classes this fall to overcome her fear of all things web.

Wendy (middle child - second oldest) came over to help with my first couple of reborning classes. She loved chatting with the students and had a marvelous time painting most of Squeaky. She has artistic talent, but is not interested in joining me in the doll business. Meanwhile, poor Squeaky remains in pieces and unfinished.

Christy (oldest) has always managed to be absent whenever any business plans are discussed.

Too bad we can't get our daughters interested.

Buffington · Guru

I have my Phoebe almost done (except for the back of her head with hair) but I can't sell her. Danielle Zweers signed her for me so she's mine. But that's fine, she likes to lay in the Moses basket with little Vivien (she's got a bald spot in the back of her head too lol). My Phoebe was all girl so at least she spoke up before I made her a boy hahahaha

Ya, it would make things a little nicer if the kids were interested. Well I guess they're not exactly kids, Amanda is 20 and Dani (Danielle) is 33 but she's in Colorado. I have been semi-retired from shows this year, although it just kills me not to be out there. But I can't expect Amanda to tie herself to "my" art I guess. So maybe late next Spring I'll find a few shows.

Date: Oct 13, 2009

baby joshua is an absolute stunner,hes definately going to break some hearts with those beautiful big blue eyes, and that gorgeous blonde hair.with love treaclepudding. biggrin

Buffington · Guru

Thanks Treaclepudding! He's looking for an adoptive mum as I have too many babies in the nursery now. I used 3 different colors of blonde hair when I rooted him. I didn't want him to have "newborn baby" colored eyes and I just love that blue from Secrist. He's also signed by the sculptor!

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Hey Pat... did you finish your Phoebe yet? I had to laugh because I am also working on a Phoebe, and after so many girls... it's finally a boy! He is about 2/3 rooted.

Eveyone who comes to my house gets the same treatment. In the last few weeks, I show the doll's head to everyone who comes to my door and ask, "Girl or boy?"

(So.... do you think that's why it has been really quiet in the past 3 weeks?)

Anyway... boy responses outnumber girl answers by 2 to 1. One woman even told me I should name him Andrew because he reminds her of her grandson. If she wants to adopt him, she can have naming rights.

Buffington · Guru

Have not finished my Phoebe yet. She's still waiting for brows, lashes, and the back of her head to be finished (rooting). She just sits in the Moses basket with little Vivien. I still have Phoebe's head off for work but I kinda set it on the body so it don't look so bad lol.

I thought about doing her as a boy and still might. With short hair it's a matter of clothing change. So I can't wait to see your Phoebe Linda!

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Oh my... I wish I had more time to work on her (ahem, meant to say "him"). I will have Katy every day this week, and lately she has been into more mischief than I like whenever I begin working on dolls or the computer. In many areas of her development, she is 2-1/2 going on 5. Except for the potty training! That doesn't seem to be part of her agenda these days.

Buffington · Guru

Ya, I'll get her done one of these days lol
I'm trying to re-figure everything in my shop downstairs. I've got a desk I bought for $30 and I'm turning it into a jewelers bench. But in order to get that in I have to "shift" everything in the room (it's 21 ft long but only 7 ft wide!). And I have to move out a dresser that I was using for my heat press for making my tshirts. Plus going to school and...
But I'll make time for Phoebe soon. Besides, I have to make a baby for the contest that starts soon! It'll have to be before I get time hehehe

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I hear you loud and clear. Sooooo much to do and sooooo little time! I bet you are never bored with all the different businesses, art forms, school....

I was going to enter a doll in a contest here in AZ but have now been asked to be a judge. I would have loved to enter a doll, but I have to admit it's sort of nice to avoid the worry that I won't finish a doll in time.

What contest are you entering?

Buffington · Guru

The Secrist cover contest of course :)
Submitting starts tomorrow (Oct 22) and only runs through Nov 5 I believe.

GrandmaGail · Veteran Member

Buffi ... they are so cute. I especially love Theresa. So sweet!

Buffington · Guru

Thanks GG! I like your Oops too! I made my oops into a snow angel. She had a sparkle halo, white polar fleece dress and bloomers with gold lace trim, and feather wings. It was a custom order for someones mom (many years ago).

Hey Linda! Are you entering a baby in Secrist's contest?
Oops... mistake on the date (I think). It says on the contest site both Nov 6 and Dec 6th so I e-mailed the office for clarification. If it's Nov 6 I might not be able to enter... too close!

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I noticed the date for the contest is now listed as December 6 so if that is truly the date, I'm happy for the reprieve. If December is a misprint, there is no way I can have something finished on time. unless it's my Phoebe (now Andrew). I wasn't going to enter him because that sculpt was on last year's cover. Besides, I agreed to judge the reborn category at a doll show the next day anyway.

I'm just having a little trouble keeping up with everything these days and hate adding yet another deadline to the stress level. However, I'm currently experimenting on an Erin at the moment so she's a possibility if the date is really December 6. I'm also working on Sweetie Pie, but Erin is further along.

Buffington · Guru

I like the Erin (which is my youngest daughters middle name lol) and I liked Sweetypie so much I ordered 4 kits when the first came out!

I think I might just do the new baby, the 21" Kelly. Not sure though, I won't get the kits till probably next week. I just got my bench moved downstairs (from outside) so I'm probably going to try to play catch-up for the next 2 weeks on wax carving projects for my 2 classes. Sounds like fun I know but it's very exacting. I took incompletes on 5 out of 6 classes last semester and all that work has to be done by Dec 10th and I don't have a lot of time. LIke you said LInda, don't need to add 1 more thing to the stress level (but I know I'm going to anyway) :o

Is the doll show where you live that you are judging? Are they porcelains? I've done them for 20 years. It must be an honor for them to ask you to judge. I won't put any of my dolls in at our local state fair because the judges don't know what to look for. they're just someone who is picked and doesn't have to know anything about what they're doing. They just pick the one they like the best, no qualifications, no training, etc. But Im happy for you hun.

I told Gabe about the conflicting dates on the site so hopefully he got that fixed. Yes, it's December 6. They don't give much time to get it to the printers do they? lol

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Wow, you are b-u-s-y. I believe you about the wax carving being exciting.

As an art major, I took a variety of classes, and can honestly say carving anything is not my strong suit. The projects were exciting but the combination of me and any tool capable of cutting something makes people nervous. My (future) husband's roommate couldn't stand to watch so I typed all of his papers while he cut my designs. We joke about it to this day.

Yes, I was honored to be asked to judge. I have a technical criteria sheet for judging so it is a more fair and objective event. It's here in AZ. Along with porcelains, there are a variety of categories and reborns is one of them.

Secrist's new baby Kelly is really adorable, and I think you will love working on her (or him). Kelly could also be a boy's name, right?

I have almost finished the painting on my Erin. This is the first time I tried used mostly the pre-mixed Authentic Reborn Paint as base paints to achieve the look of newborn skin. There is a lot more of the Genesis type thinner in the Authentic brand paints, and I'm more accustomed to the more liquid paint mixture achieved with the less expensive odorless thinner. Before I knew it, I was tweaking pre-mixed paints--adding dabs of Genesis with dashes of odorless thinner to pre-mixed color on my palette.

I think I am thrilled with the results. I'm never confident the camera will pick up the details. I wish I had a better camera and a photographer that knew how to take pictures. LOL. Anyway, I'm so happy with the way Erin turned out. I'm still not sure I can finish her in time for a contest.

Over and out for now,

Buffington · Guru

I like to keep busy, keeps me from thinking lol.
I love wax carving because I see a lump of wax become a really nice piece of jewelry and I LOVE jewelry hehehe. Right now I'm working on a design to use all the parts of my wedding set (stones, diamonds, and even the gold mounting). It will be a ooak and allllll mine! Maybe I'll post a link in misc chatter when it's done.

Not so bad mixing the ARP's with the Genesis as they're all the same type of paints. Not like mixing or using acrylics with Genesis (not a good idea). I too (as I was trained) like using the thinner more liquid paints but I'm getting used to the no extra thinner needed ones. Got to be sure to mix, mix, mix before using. Makes them go a lot farther too!

I can't wait to see your Erin. Boy or girl? I'm sure you'll get her finished in time for the Secrist contest. :) I'm sure gonna try with my Kelly. Yes, its a non-gender specific name. Don't know if it will be a boy or girl at this point. I'll know more during/after rooting.

I wish you fun on your doll judging! I would love to do that. The competition sounds like one of ours here. Ours is put on by the Ceramic Arts industry. I might even enter one of my reborns as they now accept them. Our judges are "real" judges, went to school for it and everything! That's all they do is go from state to state to judge the doll/ceramic competitions. :)

Oh yes!!! Almost forgot, since I did originally post about my etsy...
I finally sold something on my etsy site!!! YIPPEEEEE!!! I sold one of the Danielle Zweers 6" mini triplet sets to a woman in Australia :) She said she had been trying to get ahold of a set but no one had them as they were sold out! She didn't even mind that she had to paint the eyes on one of them.

-- Edited by Buffington on Wednesday 4th of November 2009 02:57:16 PM

Tina W. · Guru

Congrats on your esty sale!

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Hurray! I'm glad you sold the triplet set.

Buffington · Guru

Thanks! And I just posted another triplet set, again to Australia :)
They sure love Danielle's babies in Oz!

Heather M · Senior Member

I have been on Etsy for a long time but only sold 2 reborns on there. I sell lots of handspun yarn and other fiber on there. Supplies tend to sell better on Etsy than other things, but the listing costs are so low that it's a good venue even if you only sell a few things.

Buffington · Guru

I've kind of noticed that too. My babies just sit there looking cute with many admirers but no one will adopt them :(
I am trying to get my pieces done to list in my Etsy shop of my jewelry. I can't wait to see if they go quicker than my babies. I'm hoping after the end of the semester at school that I can list a BUNCH of clothes for the reborns. I got TONS!!! I even have Secrist/AVDW retired fashions left.
I do like the really low costs for selling but I guess you get what you pay for... low cost, low sales... Hmmmm

Tina W. · Guru

Ebay doesn't seem to be selling much reborn either. It's just the bad economy I guess =( Hope next yearthings pick up some!!

Buffington · Guru

Ya, I know. But thing of it is... they WILL buy! Danielle's triplets went for over $1900 and $1200 last month sold as singles. Lots of variables though I guess. :o

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Pat, do you have any little dresses that are AVDW retired clothing?

Buffington · Guru

Sure do hun! If you have an old catalog or sell sheet or if you can give me a description of it or the name it went by I can tell you if I have it or not. Or you can always pm me kiddo!

-- Edited by Buffington on Friday 11th of December 2009 05:22:57 AM

Tina W. · Guru

I did see that. I seems to be rare though. I've been keeping an eye out on ebay to see what's been selling and whats not. There are a few gorgeous doll that surprised me by not selling.

-- Edited by Tina W. on Friday 11th of December 2009 01:24:18 PM

-- Edited by Tina W. on Saturday 12th of December 2009 12:00:00 PM

Buffington · Guru

Hmmm. Well it is the Christmas season and I know general sales are up in retail and jewelry both. And we've got a few weeks before then, so mayyyyyyybe, eh? :)