Hi,
My intention in making my first two reborns is to give them to my granddaughters on their birthdays. The younger girl will be 13, the older 16. Their mother is not sure they will like the babies. Both are quite artistic, and have given me several things that they have painted or drawn. They do not know about the babies, and have not seen them.
Does anyone have daughters or granddaughters of similar ages to ask what they think a general opinion would be?
Thank you for helping with this decision. The first birthday is coming up very soon!
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I’m 15 and I love them! A lot of girls my age seem to really like them too. I used to take them to school with me all the time, And they were all going crazy over them. I think that both girls would love one 
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There are lots of girls that age that love reborn dolls, but there are also lots that don’t. It really depends on their personality, more than age. Maybe causally introduce reborns to them and see what their reaction is?
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I bought my granddaughters one each at Rose show, they loved them they are 9 and 13, if they come from you they will treasure them.
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I gave one of my reborns to my friend for her granddaughter who’s 11. I warned her that she might not like it because some people don’t and that if her granddaughter didn’t like it she could keep it herself. Long story short, her granddaughter took one look at it and said ‘It’s kind of creepy, Grandma.’ She didn’t want it so my friend kept it herself which was fine with me because she really likes it.
You could always show them pics of reborn dolls and see how they react. Since they are artistic and have made things for you, I’d say there’s a good chance they’ll love the dolls.
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Amy’s idea is a good one. Then you won’t put all that work into it and be disappointed if they don’t like them.
My daughter will be 16 and the she doesn’t play with baby dolls, she loves the reborns. She dresses hers and swaddles them up. I’m currently making her another one right now and she can’t wait for her to be done, so I think the ages of your granddaughters would be fine. At least they are old enough to know they have to care for them and be gentle with them and that they are not Just baby dolls but a work of art that their grandma made for them, so I think the older aged teens are better anyways,. I have one I made for my almost 4 year old and she is rough looking bc as much as she tries to be gentle, she still occasionally carries her by an arm and it pops off. And the rooted hair on her baby is almost gone compared to my 15 yr olds reborn, which looks like it did the day she got it still
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I think you should know your granddaughters and whether or not they like dolls period, If they already like dolls you have NO problem, they will love them, If they are girls who have never really shown any interest in dolls then you may have a problem. I think they will keep the dolls and take good care of them simply because Gramma made them, Go with your heart it knows best. Good Luck.
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I have to agree with Lynn in that it will depend on your granddaughters love of dolls…though having said that, the fact that you made them for them should make them extra special even if they don’t normally go for dolls…
I have a series of dolls I call my Young Collectors Series that I make specifically for younger ladies and I sell them very regularly and very quickly when I list them so I know that there are lots of young ladies out there that really do love them…
What do you do differently with these dolls?
Amy, with the Young Collectors Series, I use sale kits - will use BB sale kits or preemie size kits, etc I weight them a bit lighter, I only use yearling mohair (never kid mohair or alpaca) , they come with with a romper and one other cheaper outfit, things like that…I still reborn them to the same standard as my other dolls but I am able to sell them cheaper because they are not the more expensive kits, etc…I weight them at no more than 4 pounds, use the yearling mohair because it doesn’t matte or tangle like the finer alpaca or kid so that they are easier maintenance for the younger ladies. Because I use the cheaper kits, I can sell them at a reduced price so that young ladies who are starting out collecting can afford them (or anyone really who is looking for a quality reborn without the higher price tag…) 
I normally sell them in the $280 - $325 + shipping range where my usual newborn size bubs sell starting at $400 + shipping and up…I always try to keep the cost on the lower end so that with all my dolls I can provide the most reasonable price to the customer…I have never been in the game for money per say and I do not fault anyone for how they price their dolls as everyone has to be comfortable with what they are doing…I.have had some artist upset with me because I won’t rocket my prices telling me that I am under-rating myself but it I am not insecure about my work at all…it is a personal thing for me and my motives are not the same as theirs I guess…I like to make a few dollars but am more concerned with seeing some joy spread around in a world that may not be so lovely for some…
Here are some examples of my Young Collectors Babies
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Great idea, Starr! And beautiful babies.
Thanks so much Amy! 
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I was a tomboy but I always loved my baby dolls. I loved real babies, too. At 16, I still had my dolls. I didn’t play with them but I wasn’t ready to part with them, either. I remember begging my mom for a baby doll at a local store that cost $150 and she actually put him on layaway for me. I remember how excited I was when the final payment was made and I got to take him home and snuggle. It really is an individual thing, though.
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Beautiful work, Starr! And great idea too.
I was exactly the same…always say guys as competition when I was younger (that changed of course by 15…heehee) but I ALWAYS LOVED DOLLS - ALWAYS…I am 54 and I have still not out grown them yet…lol
Thanks so much Izzy 
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i gave one to my daughter when she turned 12. she is almost 13 now and she still wants to hold her baby
I have 2 granddaughters who are both quite artistic…neither one of them like reborns and the younger one calls them creepy, the older one acknowledges the realism and quality but would not want one…when I first decided to REBORN my daughter asked me why would I ever want to do that…??..Hubby is very supportive, Thank God…!!
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I just turned 16 years old on September 18, and I’ve been making reborn dolls since 2015 and they came out pretty nicely!
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