Thought I’d put in a bit of an introduction for myself (and debate what category this should go in).
Anyways, hello I’m Val. I’m 21, and am androgynous. Meaning I am neither male or female (I am born female, but I just highly prefer being identified with neither). I have many, many different hobbies which is what decided my username. I always seem to have, well, knick knacks around the house that I have created. I’ve done loom knitting, costume creation, making stuffed animals, and other things.
So how did I find the reborn community, and by extent Bountiful Baby? Well, I hit a certain point in my life. Things seemed to be going forward. I was engaged, got a nice vehicle, and we were preparing to move out of our hometown and start a family. Before our move, I was pregnant. Despite this not exactly being the plan at the time, I was willing to do anything for this future child. Then, disaster struck and they never made it past the first trimester. My partner and I were devastated. We held off on moving because we needed the support. One thing after another, my partner started to spiral downwards and I could no longer stay. We separated.
About a year later, I went to a doctor to get checked out, and I was given the news that my fertility was poor and I likely wouldn’t be able to ever carry to term due to hormones and my uterus being weak.
I sought support from a family friend who told me about reborn dolls. She said that although they won’t quite compare to a real baby, she thought that I’d might benefit from one as they can look as real or as fantastical as possible. They are often weighted like a real baby, and holding them can provide comfort. Despite being skeptical I looked around online. I found YouTube videos, Etsy listings, and adorable pictures of babies.
Ironically, not too long later my father brought them up at work. Being the horror fanatic he is, he discovered Werepups by Asia Eriksen. He was so enthralled by these realistic werewolf cuties, and even made the comment that if he ever had the money to burn, he would adopt one. He showed some pictures of Werepups, and even some zombie babies an artist on Facebook did (he told me the name but I can’t remember for the life of me). My coworkers were fascinated. Their detail was immense, and the idea of blank kits being more realistic than your typical Wal-Mart doll was just cool to everybody. This reaction, especially from mostly male workers, sprung an idea. I found Bountiful Baby and Irresistables. Lovely kits, and BB even had novice-friendly prices… Wait, a prepainted Fawna? I love deer! I even have a faun costume I made! They’ll fit in the aesthetic of my room, and will fit in for Halloween! Y’know what? I’m going to get one, assemble it, and try this reborn thing out!
So then I got the Fawna on sale. I weighed it with polyester and glass beads I surprisingly had at home from making a plush stoat a while back (though the beads weren’t from BB). I added a magnet for a pacifier, and even added some gloss Mod Podge for a wet look around the eyes and such. I oddly fell in love and named him Beau. With me falling in love, I want to try my hand at painting and rooting my own baby. I want to try for a realistic natural baby, but I do want to eventually work up to doing a Lucian and a Lula Kane since she is now released for pre-order. I’m just waiting for the right kit to get Kit of the Day on BB, lol. That, and wait for my work hours to calm down below 12 hour shifts. After getting Beau, I found this forum and found so many useful tutorials, lovely artists, and so many adorable babies!
TL;DR: I’m Val, I’m androgynous. Found reborns through friend and father. Got the Fawna kit, named him Beau, and want to do a kit on my own. Soon want to do Lucian and Lula Kane.
or any kind of knock off kits you’ll be good lol! We get a little protective about the artists who sculpt the kits we love so much. I’m sure there are a few other things we can get on about but we really are a great group passionate about the art of reborning and everything that involves.
You seem like an awesome person and I’m really glad you are here!