Customizing MH Dolls

[MoonHawke]

I really love the MH dolls, but I've been having trouble finding any of the ones that I would like to own in stores or for a reasonable price on ebay. Having started customizing ponies this fall, I have been considering trying my hand at a MH doll.

What sort of advice or suggestions can you give me?

Should I start with a CAM monster, or a finished doll?

Thanks ghouls!

[rayedelsol]

I think it depends on what you want to do. The first doll I rehaired was a CAM, and that's all I did to her. If you chose to rehair [or more accurately, just hair] a CAM, be aware that you might want to poke your holes first. I didn't do that and broke a billion needles that way.

When I order hair, I order from Dollyhair, and a Barbie hank is normally enough with just a little left over. I like the medium length hair.

I remove facial paint with acetone based nail polish. A lot of people say not to do that, but it has worked for me. I use Q-tips, and you just about have to have a fresh one for every swipe, or things start to smear.

DON'T use the same product with acetone for the body, however. That is different plastic and it kinda "melts" with the acetone. It smells bad too! Most people sand over anything on the body, or just paint over it.

There are a lot of tutorials out there, I'd just say have fun!

[Maniah]

Moonhawke, feel free to send me a pm or you can get my number from Zeike and call or text if you like but I am happy to keep an eye out for dolls for you here and mail them to you. My toys r us has a huge section. Their prices are higher but they have variety. And shipping costs between us shouldn't be too horrible.

I haven't started on one yet myself but I have a couple ideas in mind. The CAMs have a hard plastic plug in their skulls that makes rooting difficult. Once I finish up the dragon for your friend, then I hope to try my hand at these too

I love it when people I know enjoy similar things as me

I'll have to edit in some of the links I have saved once I get to a computer. In on my phone currently.

[MoonHawke]

I think it depends on what you want to do. The first doll I rehaired was a CAM, and that's all I did to her. If you chose to rehair [or more accurately, just hair] a CAM, be aware that you might want to poke your holes first. I didn't do that and broke a billion needles that way.

When I order hair, I order from Dollyhair, and a Barbie hank is normally enough with just a little left over. I like the medium length hair.

I remove facial paint with acetone based nail polish. A lot of people say not to do that, but it has worked for me. I use Q-tips, and you just about have to have a fresh one for every swipe, or things start to smear.

DON'T use the same product with acetone for the body, however. That is different plastic and it kinda "melts" with the acetone. It smells bad too! Most people sand over anything on the body, or just paint over it.

There are a lot of tutorials out there, I'd just say have fun!

Wow, good to know about the acetone!

I think the part I'm most concerned with is the rehairing. I was looking at the CAM dolls, and didn't see any plugs in the heads (probably because you're supposed to put the wig on them, lol). I figured I'd have to go ahead and poke my own holes.

  I will certainly do that Maniah! Zeike wouldn't let me help text you on Friday about your spray booth.  I'm just waiting for the day he forbids me from talking to you anymore. First ponies, now MH dolls, lol.

[MacabreDarling]

Monster high dolls wear most 5-6 sized wigs [5-6 wig is what you search for]. You can also search for lati yellow or pukifee sized wigs. They can wear those also. Will help keep you from having to rehair

[rayedelsol]

If you decide to rehair a CAM, what I did was put on the stock wig, and take a pencil and outline where the hairline is. The pencil rubs off really easily, but give you an idea about where to start. I also looked at a stock MH doll, because their hairline around their ears is a little different than the wig.

I modified my line as I went, because I was looking for some ebb-and-flow.
visitors can't see pics , please register or login

Sea Monster - Kappi by reidelsol, on Flickr

[Maniah]

http://madeleinemaistudios.tumblr.com/post/36497847961/customtutorialmaterials1
http://madeleinemaistudios.tumblr.com/post/36931859333/customtutorialmaterials2

These are a couple of the links I forgot to add in earlier. If I find any more, I'll be sure to pass them along.

[MoonHawke]

Thanks Maniah!

With an Amazon gift card I got for Christmas I ordered a CAM set, and an outfit, so they should be arriving on Monday with any luck. I also managed to snag a sig Spectra off of ebay, but there's no way I'm pulling her apart!

[Salli]

My advice is: if you can at all avoid having to do a full body paint, I highly recommend that. I do and can, but it's not very 'play' friendly. See if you can get a doll that has the right body color you want.

Also, don't use as many plugs to rehair one hole as you would with ponies. The hair adds up FAST.