The Best Online Reborn Help Forum!

jerbear · Veteran Member

Is it worth buying "complete starter kits"?

Liselle · Guru

I have a complete kit that came with body, eyes, hair, paints, etc. I think it was worth it, because I know I have everything I need to finish it.

Buffington · Guru

Most often they are a good deal. To tell how much you are saving, add all of the prices individually together and see what the total is. And don't forget to calculate your shipping too! Then make your final decision

honeyloves · Guru

Secrist paints are 50% some anyways !?

jerbear · Veteran Member

Thanks :)

Not ready to jump into it yet. I'd like mom and I to watch the DVD to see just what it takes first.

honeyloves · Guru

You could go on youtube they have videos of ladies reborning that you could watch with your mom !!! :)

jerbear · Veteran Member

I've found some but I figured this was more in depth then those since it's a 90 min. DVD

Georgiaga · Senior Member

jerbear wrote:

Thanks :)

Not ready to jump into it yet. I'd like mom and I to watch the DVD to see just what it takes first.

I bought a Secrist Course #2 and it came with all I needed to learn the basics and get my feet wet to see if it was for me. I loved it! Then I ordered kit #3 and it is more in depth , but you already have the basics under your belt so you can easily understand the rest. It just requires practice later on and through trial and error you will learn what you like to do and what you don't. I felt the pricing for those kits was reasonable...both came with DVD's and I watched them 4x and took notes on course #3 so I could go to the table and just start and follow my notes as to what to do next, and next, and so on....I highly recommend it! You certainly don't want to invest in paints and supplies and then decide you don't like this hobby as it's expensive. JMHO smile

Buffington · Guru

Yes, personally I think if you get a smaller starter kit, you are still able to do several dolls with the paints and you'll have the brushes and things you need to paint with. That was part of the idea behind making the petites. And if you order like set 1 or the like, also purchase a flesh 7&8. I don't believe they come with it. G can tell you for sure.
But definately watch the DVD several times through before making a decision. If you have a Hobby Lobby near you, you can also purchase/look at some of the things there before going online to order.
I am a dealer so if you would like to order through me that would be good. Secrist allows me to mention this in forum because I'm the moderator :)

jerbear · Veteran Member

yeah the kits I had seen were $200. My mom is good at sewing and decent at painting. Sadly I didn't get her,or my other grandmothers talents,but I'm thinking I could do the gluing and rooting and other things.

I figured for $18ish if we decided it was too much I could always put it back on ebay and get some money back.

Georgiaga · Senior Member

The DVD is free with a $99 kit which is the DVD, the eyebrow, blush, and lip paints, the doll head, limbs and body slip to stuff, and an outfit with a matcing hat. Very basic to start with. This is for course#2. I didn't make course #1 as I wanted a larger baby to learn with. Still it was only a 17" preemie, so not too big.
You are looking at serious kits and I think you should really start with the Secrist $99 kits! If you get the DVD seperately it will cost more. I still had paint left over from the kit to use again, as in the DVD it will show you and tell you how to use these SPARINGLY!
I got mine from Dollsbysandie.com and I got to choose the doll out of 3 options. You can probably get it direct from Secrist online also , but they don't take paypal and sandie does. That was a sticking point for me as I like to use PP.
The full kits from BB online are too advanced in my opinion for a beginner. It has everything , but the DVD instructionis terrible. The DVD by Denise Pratt goes so fast that you already need to know how to do basics to understand it and everything is shot far away, so no close ups. I loved Secrist's DVD as he had everything close and he slowly demonstrated everything.
If you get the course #2 kit at Hobby Lobby it will not be your choice of dolls, only Zoe, who is great, but DBS give you a choice in the matter.
The only thing you'll need extra is Flestone 08 if you want to try it, but I did the doll without and she came out fine. Remeber this is just to teach basics. $99 is it and don't spend anymore until you do that kit and decide if you love it or not. It took me 5-6 hours to do the doll as you bake it in between painting layers and then let it cool before moving on, but it's simple and you just need to jump in and do what he does on the DVD.
I watched the DVD 2x, then again with paper and made notes on what to do first, 2nd, 3rd, etc. then i laid it all out on the table and just did it! Hope this helps. PM me with any further questions, but don't pay $200 for a complete kit when you can start with a $99 one. I will post pics in the Artist Showcase for you of my $99 Secrist Course #2 kit- Gumdrop...the one I chose to do. Look there under Secrist Course #2 kit. Georgia "G"

honeyloves · Guru

If you buy starter course #2 at hobby lobby it is only $59.99 or $59.95

Georgiaga · Senior Member

honeyloves wrote:

If you buy starter course #2 at hobby lobby it is only $59.99 or $59.95

Thanks Ashley! I didn't realize it was cheaper...thanks for telling us!

sevritania · Member

If you go to the Hobby Lobby web site they often have coupons for 40%, off which makes the #2 doll course even cheaper. The coupons are good on any regular priced item. You can save money on the reborn kits, the sculpting supplies etc... They carry three different 6" kits. One is the learning course and 2 are just the doll w/ clothes and parts. I have purchased 2 course #2 kits w/ Zoe. I like having the extra set of bushes and paint and the extra dvds can be sold. I am using the more advanced techniques on the second baby and since it is the same kit, I can compare the differences and see which ones are more life-like.

There are still things I buy from Secrist, not to mention I don't plan on doing 20 Zoe's no matter how cute she is. :P But for me, starting like that has been the only way I could afford to start reborning. Since the kits gave me the basics I have been able to order what I need for course #3 a little at a time. I admit it would be easier to just buy course #3 but if you are like me and can't, it is a way to begin. I hope this helps.

honeyloves · Guru

Yep! Your welcome, I just went there earlier ! Thanks for telling us about coupons!

Buffington · Guru

Isn't this just the greatest forum?!! Everyone sharing and caring, helping, no drama! You forumers are all AWESOME!! Thank you so much for sharing :)
Dolly HUGS

honeyloves · Guru

Thank you :) hehe Pat your pretty amazing yourself ;)

jerbear · Veteran Member

honeyloves wrote:

If you buy starter course #2 at hobby lobby it is only $59.99 or $59.95

Mine doesn't carry reborn stuff. I checked where the dolls and doll parts are. All they had were the cheap plastic dolls that open and close their eyes. I may check at another when I'm out of town sometime and they have a coupon out lol

I got my DVD today so it will probably be either this weekend or next week before mom and I can watch it all together. I just wanted the general idea of what it takes to make one.

It'll be a few months before I'd be able to buy a kit if we decide we can make one between us.

Don't ya just love it when plates and insurance come due at nearly the same time?

Thank you ALL for your help.

jerbear · Veteran Member

I just looked at course #2 kits and it looks like I'll have to buy things separately as I'm not allowed to have closed eyed dolls. I know that sounds odd but it brings back too many painful memories of my 2 cousins, that passed away as babies, for my mom and grandma.

Also i looked for a course #1 at DBS but could not find it.

Buffington · Guru

Hmmm, I thought all the HL's carried the dolls and supplies. Maybe they are franchises individually owned. IDK.

Well, take your time and watch the dvd a few times. It's not an inexpensive hobby, fun, but can be spendy to start.

If you and your mom decide to order, let me know and I can take care of that for you :)

jerbear · Veteran Member

Not sure. I live in a smaller city and our HL has scaled back on lots of things. They even shrank the material dept. I'll keep you in mind for the kit ;) Like I said it's gonna be awhile. Tags and insurance are expensive even on my little car.

Buffington · Guru

I hear ya on that one. We have 3! OUCH.