Got a Kenner in need of a Makeover?
To request a quote and schedule an appointment, send an e-mail containing the following information to melissa@saveblythe.com
- Your name, city and country (to estimate shipping/timing)
- Condition of the doll:
(please be thorough - for example, even if you do not want her lips repainted, tell me if she has a chip in her lipstick. this record is useful to me as a reference once the work has begun, and full disclosure ahead of time means no disappointments when the work is all done.
- carefully examine her scalp and note any plugs missing. missing hairplugs can either be filled with hair or just sealed from inside to prevent further hair loss.
- body damage - cracks, knees not clicking, loose neck
- eye chip condition - check for cloudiness, pupil discoloration, or deep scratches
- eye mechanism - does it work? does it stick?
- makeup condition - some people don't mind a little rub here and there, some people want it perfect. please specify if you want makeup repainted. I do not "touch up" eyeshadow and blush as this is nearly impossible to do invisibly. I use professional quality airbrush paints.
- several clear photos of her damage (ebay auction photos are usually misleading, but can be used for a rough estimate)
- Date you would like to send the doll (due to my schedule, I am unable to accept dolls immediately coming from eBay sellers.)
Turnaround and Payment terms
Once your doll is in the shop, Please expect 2-4 weekends for turnaround, on the average. I will let you know in advance if the job will take more time due to complexity.
I accept payment via Paypal (50% up front and 50% upon shipment) and personal checks (paid in full when the doll is sent). If you send a check, please attach it to the doll with a ribbon or rubber band so it is not discarded in the packaging.
My Philosophy
My approach to restoring Blythes is just that - Restoration. I am always in favor of keeping original parts and makeup and will always lean towards original rather than perfect. For example, if your kenner has a lot of original eyeshadow, but one side is rubbed resulting in a sharp edge, I would rather leave it than repaint both her eyes. It is up to you though, to tell me if the condition of the eyeshadow bothers you and you would like it repainted. If you ask me for something that is grossly un-authentic (for example, purple eyeshadow and gray eyechips) I will have to respectfully decline the job and refer you to a customizer.
When original parts for your doll are not available, I will only use best-match neo-blythe parts, such as body replacements, eyelid replacements, and eyechips. Custom hand-cast eyechips may be used for missing eyechips.
Concerning frizzy hair - Frizz is a condition resulting when a strand of hair has been stretched out, usually the result of heavy-handed brushing and styling. I do not offer a permanent de-frizz treatment as such a thing does not exist. I do, however, gently treat to reduce frizz and offer realistic advice on sustaining low-frizz hair (and even how to embrace it!). I do style Kenner hair for "after" photographs. These are temporary hairstyles and are not a service that I charge for.
I treat every Kenner that enters my space as if she were my own.