Before meets After

As I have blogged about before, one of the greatest joys I receive from collecting Nancy Ann's is being able to fix them up.

I am self taught and love learning new techniques. It's like I have discovered a hobby within a hobby.

Restoring these dollies to a better state is not easy and patience is key. But for the most part, what the dolls need most is a light cleaning.

I like to use a Magic Eraser for the skin. It doesn't disturb the paint and it really gets into the grooves of the dolls nicely.

Restringing is quite simple and I have begun using elastic cords you can buy online. I use a tweezer to pull one end through and connect it to the other side. I can string a doll in less than 5 minutes now! lol

The mohair wigs and dresses are the hardest part of the repair process. 

The dresses are so amazing but the fabrics are so delicate. I have found the best way to clean them is to use Dawn dish sink soap or any Dove Shampoo. Both products clean well and do not harm the garment.

Always air dry your dresses. I hang mine on upside down glasses so the skirts fill out nicely.

The wigs are another story! You cannot brush them at all or they will fall apart. i simply wipe clean with a damp cloth and reset the curls using tiny doll curlers.

It brings me so much satisfaction to take a broken, dirty doll and restore her to the beauty that she is.

Don't be afraid to look for the worn down dollies. They are almost always easy to bring back to life!~

Here are some of my recent redo's:

This is a Goldylocks doll I purchased from Goodwill. The picture in pink is where I restored her and the last picture of her was from the lady who bought her from me and made her look even prettier!

This pretty girl had a missing limb and her hair was flying away! I used a rubber band to flatten it. Took several days but turned out nicely!

A rare Judy Ann Black Eye Susan that I sold for way too cheap.
This was a fun doll. Her dress was filthy and had very delicate tulle which was already torn. I gently soaked it and the beautiful yellow emerged. The wig was toast so I kept it off. Her beautiful molded hair was perfect.





English rose needed a bath badly. Her hair was so dusty but I was able to save it. She did have minor pant loss on her forehead but I do not feel comfortable re painting at this point.

Bridesmaid needed a new wig and her dress was so dingy.

This doll was unrecognizable as a very rare Flower Girl Series "Marguerite". I think that is why I was able to get her for so little.

Her dress took several soaks but came out so nicely. She is perhaps, maybe my favorite makeover and now has a happy new home with a delighted collector.

This Mary Had a Little Lamb just needed arms, a bath and her attached skirt to be bleached.

I think I have more fun buying the misfits and bringing them back to life than I do buying the ones who are already shelf ready!