Friday, August 20, 2021

Restoration: a Rose of Venice, part 1, the Cleanup


I am nicknaming this restoration project doll Rose, and she's had a journey.

I found her on the Bay of E, and other doll collectors had pointed out the lower price of the listing but no one was sure if she was legitimate. Being 'older' in the hobby than some, I recognized that this doll is an older sculpt from back in 2008-2010 style, when recasts weren't such a terrible problem like they are now. So I gambled on her being legit and my own instincts being correct, snagged the sale and got her to my house. 

Detective work ensued! It too AGES to find her original provenance, but she had marks inside the head that helped. The body was just such an older style it was hard to find. She was an Asleep Eidolon Yara, and was probably made in 2009 or 10! Besides some cosmetic stuff, she was in great shape, no major dents or cracks.

She was clearly someone's special girl, and was very well loved. Don't worry, Rose, we'll have you feeling just as loved again soon!

One other way I found her source company was because her factory faceup was still there, I think, especially those eyebrows. She'd been decorated by whoever used to have her, but some of it was glittery nail polish, which can damage resin sometimes. But as it flaked off, the resin beneath showed no damage! With a wig and a dress we can see she's really quite sweet, she just needs some new faceup and blushwork.

 
Here's her face all scrubbed blank and clean. I even did a little sanding to a level to remove some of her yellowing as well. Her mouth, under the nail polish, was undamaged. She's even got little teefs visible.
 
 
 
 
Here she is in all her scrubbed clean glory! She is gently yellowed, and I might restore the pinks faded out from her resin with a light dye bath, or just with how I blush her.