1/4/10

Getting into shape

It's a little hard to see from this photo, but all three of these Goldberger heads have masking tape taped under their chins, running cheek to cheek. Some dolls arrive from the manufacturer with the cheeks out of line with the mouth. I suspect this is caused by too much tension on the rubber band as it is installed. While the dolls likely look great when they are first packed in China, the newly molded heads are slightly flexible and the tension of the rubber band pulls and distorts the head during the long boat ride across the ocean to the USA. So once a doll with this problem arrives at my shop I have learned to reverse the process by first heating the misshapen head to soften it again, then using my hand to reshape the head as it was originally intended, tape the head to hold it in shape, and then letting the head slowly cool and rest for several days with the masking tape in place. After a few days have passed, I remove the tape and the head will retain the proper original shape. Problem solved.

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous1/04/2010

    Clinton
    I pray that God would do that with my heart daily, even hourly. To be remolded by The Master brings everything into line.
    Wes

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  2. These are the little tricks only you would know. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Anonymous1/04/2010

    VERY ingenius! Do you use hot water or a hair dryer for this?

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  4. Anonymous1/05/2010

    Looks like the "Doody's" come in two styles - one with teeth and one without.
    Geoffrey, Australia.

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  5. I just set them close to a small electric space heater for a couple minutes. Hair dryer would work, too.

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  6. No - all the same. The mouth position is just different between the two in the picture - one more open than the other.

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