There are different methods for replacing limbs depending on what kind of body the doll has. Michael C. recommends "The Ultimate Barbie Doll Book" by Marcie Melillo for educating yourself on all the different molds. He also states that he has "taken pin pricks out of Mod and Vintage era bendlegs with a curling iron or regular clothing iron set on very low temperatures. Please experiment on a 'junk' doll before trying this on a more expensive one." Holly offers this tip: "boiled water soaks will bring up compressed vinyl and sometimes close punctures, but doesn't help cuts or scuffs." She also offers this advice for removing limbs: "The one-dimensional legs are often attached with a structure a lot like a snap: a socket in the leg and a hard plastic ball coming off the hip. If you pull and/or pry straight out, the leg should pop off. Just try not to break the neck of the ball." If the doll you wish to replace the limbs on, is in bad shape or newer/inexpensive, it might just be best to replace the entire body.

J. Lo' asks:
I want to customize a doll. I have never tried to before. I'm going start with some old dolls before I do the one I want. I want the doll to look like Aphrodite from Disney's Hercules. Could you tell me how I can make her skin pink. What doll should I use to make her from? I thought about the Rapunzel Barbie. Aphrodite's face is big, her lips are small, and her eyes are big. Would that effect work on a Rapunzel Barbie? Could you please help me.

I've searched the CustomDolls' archives and you can either 'brush paint' or spray paint a doll's entire body. Spray painting ends up looking the smoothest. Once the paint has dried, it will need to be sealed. Rebecca C. used an airbrush gun, with thinned down acrylic paint in multiple layers, to create this stunning doll. The small lips/big eyes effect can be achieved by repainting. Just remove the the doll's original make-up, and repaint them the desired shape. Tips on facial painting can be found in previous issues of the ezine.

Here's Rebecca's example.

Ginnymarie asks:
I have began repainting dolls. I really like it. Would you have any idea where I can find the white Barbie size boxes with the clear acrylic lids. Thank you.

There are several sources for this type of box. One is Barbara Peterson (http://www.barbarapeterson.com), who advertises regularly in "Barbie Bazaar". The boxes are available in four different sizes and complete with liners. Another source is the Box Depot (http://boxdepot.hypermart.net/). In addition to doll sized boxes, they offer a wide variety of packaging supplies.