How to restore, Paint, and Repair old composition dolls, restoration

[@icemansmom00]

These are true works of art-I would rather have your gorgeous artist dolls than plain old compos

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

icemansmom00 that is so kind of you to say, thank you!

[@brucestevens2639]

Hi there..... I am usually a porcelain doll lady....I have been working with them for about 35 years. Recently I saw your video and was absolutely blown away by your talent and the information you gave us to be able to save a piece of history. Somebody had lost a toy and to see that doll restored was amazing. My husband just bought me a lot of 7 composition dolls for the upcoming Christmas as a present. Your video will be my go to place for inspiration. Thank you ......I have watched your videos about a dozen times and don't get tired of watching them. You are amazing and your dolls look like they just came from a toy store in the early 1900's. Truly fantastic.....Thank you

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much. That is so sweet of you to say. I hope you enjoy restoring your 7 dolls.

[@ginaostrowski6357]

God bless you ..... It's like you brought them back to life... I know this is going to sound crazy , but I swear each one looks so happily grateful you did this to them.... it's on their beautiful faces.... what work you do !!!! So talented and so gifted, my goodness. ...

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Gina Ostrowski Thank You so much😊

[@workinonleavintheliv]

These are breathtaking!! wow!

[@mariemayhew5627]

Can,t wait to find some old dolls and get started, its hard to find such character faced compo,s here in u.k. though, love the soldier boys faces.Thank you for a lovely easy to understand video

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I’m making more youtubes on composition doll restoration.

[@delightfulreborns7291]

you are the most talented lady I have ever seen repairing the old compos. my goodness they are better than original, but somehow you retain a very vintage look so they don't look refurbished, but very authentic. what a gift!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

delightful reborns thank you so much for such a nice compliment.

[@livingmybestlife8641]

Fabulous restorations! Before reading any comments, I could tell that you must have reborn experience. They are the MOST realistic composition restores I have ever seen!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Rebecca Gage thank you😊

[@bowenfarm1]

Wow, I really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful doll faces, no one makes such lovely faces on dolls like they used to, really amazing work in their restoration.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

bowenfarm1 😊 thank you

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

You are a true miracle worker... you have saved these dollss from the ash heap of history...the garbage can...you have great patience to restore these dolls...you are a great artist...thank you and God bless you for your hard work...thanks for sharing

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Kathleen Murphy thank you so much.

[@l.cerrito.thompson]

I am SO IMPRESSED with your mad skills!!! Absolutely fantastic. I wish that I could understudy with you. What an incredible talent and gift!

[@juliecollins9333]

Absolutely gorgeous 💕🤗💕

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you! 😊

[@katbozz]

I Appreciate you sharing your amazing knowledge and talent. Your art work is A++. Thank you 💙

[@samjones2790]

These are amazing! I wish I had your mad skills! Looks like a lot of fun!

[@claudettethompson9449]

You're work is breathtaking! I actually gasped when I saw your finished dolls! But, I feel that you are not actually restoring old composition dolls. You are, of course, making a new doll out of the old one. It seems to me that there's no way that a collector could figure out what the dolls were originally without your pictures. You are right in that a lot of these dolls do not need to have anything done to them--they are a piece of history, and I'm blessed to own some of them. When I opened the box that held my first composition doll and held it in my hands, I gasped then, too! I'm glad to see that you are taking the dolls that look beyond repair and making something beautiful. You are so talented, and I'm sure a lot of people want to collect your special kind of doll.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Claudette Thompson 😊 thank you,

[@jacquelinecruickshank4194]

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen on dolls. You are an amazing artist and you can see all the love and care you put into these beautiful dolls, thank you so much for showing us your magnificent work.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much Jacquelin for all the kind words.

[@sewpreciousart4693]

Thank you for this video, it gave me motivation to try to fix my 56 yrs old doll!

[@sherrys.4595]

Precious Green Hi, I would like to know where I migh

[@l.cerrito.thompson]

WOW! I stumbled upon your video because I found a very very old doll that spoke to me. She is in desperate need of repair. Lots of cracks and holes in her head but she has the most beautiful little face that has inspired me. I decided to look into repairing her on my own. I've never done this before however I am an artist and so I thought that I'd look into it. Your work is absolutely amazing and astonishing. I actually cried while watching your video. You are incredibly gifted. Obviously it will take a lot of time and patience, skill and fortitude but I really want to learn this craft. I wish that I could talk to you in person. Thank you for inspiring me!

[@nathaliesayada291]

Très très belles restaurations ….. masterpiece

[@buckiannscreations9089]

Oh how i love them..Normally Im partial to girl dolls but i just love the little sailor boys,,how adorable

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

PattyAnn thank you do much.

[@TheDollyknickers]

Incredible... so beautiful. You have a gift. I want to learn this.

[@shelleymb49]

Amazing.....you are gifted in restoring these wonderful dolls!

[@thomasplouffe1363]

little fun fact, the "solider" dolls are actually boy scout dolls, some have American boy scout uniforms and others have english styles

[@moneciaboozer9903]

Amazing!

[@lindahowell1110]

Love your work! Beautiful!!!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Linda Howell Thank You

[@crest4sensation938]

Simply beautiful!

[@thomasplouffe1363]

I'm actually happy you posted the airbrush because I have one and I didn't know how to get that skin tone, my best friend has had a baby doll in had family for well over 80 years and it was finally broken, I was one of those super old moving eye jointed body ones that got knocked off the shelf and all the paint cracked, I was able to save it and it actually looked like it was fresh from the toy shop all those years ago.

[@christinajohnson4342]

You are a true artist!! Your work is amazing. I wish I could do this kind of work. I am in awe.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Christina Johnson thank you so much.

[@teressaalvaradorunnels6627]

WOW Love your work!!!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Teressa Alvarado Runnels thank you

[@jennineallen6383]

Unbelievable , wow they turned out great

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Jennine Allen thank you

[@snugglebabiesnursery1471]

I think you showed us old dolls were beautiful when they were first made. Over the years the materials break down but making them new again, shows the beauty that they once were. But in some cases the doll might be worth more in it's antique form, but when the doll is super damaged, this is certainly the way to go as far as making them re-usable again.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Snuggle Babies Nursery yes I agree if the doll is in decent shape I usually don’t restore them .

[@valerieking2592]

LaDonna, I just happen to see this video when searching, How to restore composition dolls. I wasn't the least bit surprised to see that you have done this and what amazing outcomes. You are my favorite reborn artist. Another artist friend of mine saw you at ROSE and took pics of your dolls for me. Just breathtaking. I can't go, as it's too far for me. I'm hoping someday you can make it to the Orlando show. At any rate, My hubby has a Very old composition doll that was his Mom's. She passed away right after he was born so he never knew her. It's pretty much all he has left from her. I would love to have her restored. She's a mess. I know you are not restoring now, but I really don't know if I want to invest in the supplies for one doll and only to mess her up more. I wish I could send you pictures of her. She has to be 90-100 yrs old. Well, just know that you have a huge fan here. God bless your talent. Valerie :)

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Valerie King you are to kind, thank you for the kind words.

[@margaretlynch1494]

Precious!

[@studenteurope8920]

What beautiful work

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much 😊

[@annagiusti8361]

Bellissime complimenti grazie video.

[@joannewesloh8630]

I am sharing & keeping this forever. I honestly had thought about learning but I'm too shaky now. You're work is fantastic!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you Jo!!!!

[@MegaSimona67]

Menuda maravilla, Felicidades un trabajo perfecto y maravilloso ❤

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

MegaSimona67 Thank You

[@DiannelLaird]

OMGosh, so beautiful. You have an amazing talent.💕

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Dianne L Thank You so much 😊

[@woolandwaterknits4801]

LaDonna, this is a beautiful video! I just love your artisan work! I have 3 comp. dolls. One is a very nice KW doll. One has paint missing only from the eyelids. One has a very very dirty cloth body - how do you clean the cloth bodies on vintage dolls? You are an inspiration and thank you for showing everyone the right way to do this. Hopefully not too many dolls will slopppily "restored". If I don't know how to do it I am not going to. Please keep posting your wonderful videos.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Anon Ymous thank you for watching. I usually don’t clean the cloth bodies. If I have a body that smells really bad I will toss it but most of the time there is little small so I keep the body, even if it appears dirty. When dressed you can hide it. I always prefer to keep the original body when possible.

[@denises3]

Oh I just love these!!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you.

[@rebornhugsandkisses5848]

I absolutely love the outcome of these babies! Have you ever thought of selling some of the babies? Or repairing dolls that are sent to you? I would totally pay for repairs like this on some of my vintage babies :)💖

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Hi Rebornhugsandkisses. I did doll restoration for 3 years before I started reborning and sold all the dolls that I restored, but as of now I am only reborning.

[@ohbabycustomdolls8716]

Your work is beautiful!! Do you recommend using the original cloth body and stuffing?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Lisa yes I always prefer using the original body and straw stuffing if there is no strong order.

[@ohbabycustomdolls8716]

Thanks!!

[@TinyMagicalCreatures]

You breathe creativity ~ I absolutely L👶VE your channel Xx

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@guyloufraser]

Thanks for this great video! Which airbrush to buy? Do you have a link please?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I used a pasche brand. I think I spelled it correct.

[@JeansDolls]

So clever.

[@MamawsRebornPunkinPatch]

this is just amazing. WOW.. great job

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you !

[@Amandahugginkizz]

I was obsessed with the Dionne quints when I was little lol. Where do you get all these dolls? Any I've seen are so expensive. I did just move in a state that has a 900 mile yardsale so I cant wait for this summer to find some goodies.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Kayla Austin I have always loved the Dionne quintuplets too. I am planning on reborning a couple of sets for the Rose doll Show next year. I found almost all my old dolls on eBay.

[@mommato2tots]

I literally don’t know how I got along before I saw your channel. These babies are absolutely incredible!!! 2 questions...one, do you take all of these dolls on for customers to repair them? Or do you buy and repair for selling or for your personal collection? I have a small one that I would LOVE to have you repair sometime. I don’t know if you’ve seen my channel but she’s in several of my videos in an antique stroller. Two, if you do keep them and have them on display, can you do a video sometime showing us how you have them set up? I keep imagining a magnificent room full of antique baby items and beautifully restored composition dolls. Heaven!!!!

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Monique Dolls-Bradley thank you for such a sweet compliment. I bought these dolls to resell and only kept a couple over the three years I did restoration. Now I paint reborns full time so have stoped working on the composition dolls. I love the Hugh carnivals type dolls that you see in my KZbin and am always keeping an eye out for them. They are rare and hard to find. I have around 10 of them waiting for their turn to be restored so do plan to do more restoration on old composition dolls someday. The only dolls I have restored for others were a few for my friends in my hometown. Thank you for watching and thank you for the questions.

[@loveart1637]

Amazing work - love the tutorial. Can I ask why you use acrylic paint not oil paint for the facial details? Does the acrylic paint “stick” to the spray sealer you use after the flesh coloured paint? Wanting to repair a doll I have bought and want to do a good job.

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Acrylic is easier for me to paint with. I feel I can do better details. I spray the composition with a sealer when I’m finished painting the final details with the acrylic paint.

[@TheEmptyNestRebornDollNursery]

wow, wonderful

[@snowsnow2244]

Can I use acrylic paint for the face and hair? Do I have to prime the head before putting the acrylic (if I’m able to use acrylic)?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I use oil base for the skin and hair but some artist paint only with acrylic paint. I add my detail with acrylic then seal

[@youtubeguest6177]

Is there any way to remove paint other than by chipping it off with razors? Could I use paint thinner or acetone?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

maximus bugati most of the paint was really really thick. I think a razor will be the fastest.

[@LesleyFeatherstone]

I am wondering, after you hand paint a couple of coats of flesh colour do you then spray flesh colour before spraying hair?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

@@LesleyFeatherstone I hand paint about 6 layers of flesh then airbrush the hair.

[@annalynncabinbabiesnursery9984]

Absolute magic 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Thank you Diana.

[@thomasplouffe326]

What was the bigger doll at 3:00 made of? I’ve never seen compo look like that

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

They are all composition. Some are harder then others. The really old doll heads seemed to be pressed tighter and very hard.

[@danafigueroa7739]

My mom has one of these dolls and I always want to hold her,but my mom was so worried she would fall apart..Do you restore them for customers?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

No I don't, but to bad your mom wouldn't let you ever hold her old doll. Dolls don't mean much to anyone unless you get to play with them and hold them. I decided even the most valuable things we have from our childhood and past need to be used and dislayed or they hold no meaning to our children and grandchildren.

[@user-mr1bp7zf4g]

LOVE these!!!Do you sell them?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Bellow42 thank you. I paint mainly reborn dolls now so don’t restore old composition dolls anymore at this time.

[@thomasplouffe326]

Oh those aren’t soldier dolls, they are Boy Scout dolls

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

They were soldier dolls made around 1910 to 1915

[@cicihong586]

Hi are you selling some of them？if u do please leave me your contact！That is best repair i saw for composition doll！

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

cici hong thank you!

[@sherrys.4595]

Hi La Donna , I contacted you before about purchasing one of your Beautiful dolls. I tried to message you on FB but it would not go through. Is there any place I can get in touch with you? Thank you

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Sherry S. Try pm on fb Sweet Potato Pie Nursery

[@IslaAndMegansMom]

Do you still restore these old dolls?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I haven’t for a while but plan to again🙂

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

I’m restoring again and adding more youtubes.

[@SwankyKittyDolls]

what doll is that at minute 3:16?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Hi Linda, it is a Deans Rag Doll. I have never found another like it. I'm not doing doll restoration anymore, but still buy when I see a rare one lol. Hoping someday to do a few more.

[@olgavodolazovaz5081]

Какого года эти куклы?

[@ladonnabriggs8487]

Around 1915

[@rainbowisnotemo]

creepy👺 to angle👼