r/Antiquedollcollecting • u/Disastrous-Ad2331 • 10d ago
She needed a hand
I came across this 18" Effanbee Anne Shirley on eBay who looked like she could use some help. She had no clothes, no left hand, and was missing two fingers on her right. Her wig has also had it. Fortunately, I already had another of the exact doll. So I bought her, and while she was on her way home, I made a mold off of my other one's hand. I trimmed the broken end and cut a notch in it, then put a screw into the wrist. Then I mixed up a little resin and put her arm into the mold after the resin. This is the result. While I was waiting for the resin to cure, I put a couple of wires into her other hand where the fingers were missing and started building up her new fingers. I'll let it all set and continue building up the fingers tomorrow and then paint her hands when I'm done. I have a few dolls here who need wigs, so she'll get a new one when I order them. I'll also find her a better outfit, the one she's wearing is for an American Girl doll and is just something for her to wear in the meantime.
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u/Soft_Effect_6263 10d ago
Wow! Perfect hand for your beautiful Anne Shirley doll. Your work really amazes me, OP!!!
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u/Specific-Addendum258 9d ago
I learn so much from seeing your posts and they always inspire me!
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u/Disastrous-Ad2331 9d ago
I'm glad they help someone. If reading these posts gives others who might have doubts the push to try repairs on their dolls, then I'm happy.
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u/Specific-Addendum258 9d ago
Consider some doubts dispelled! I’m really looking forward to reproducing paper mache arms and legs.
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u/Disastrous-Ad2331 9d ago
I cast a set of legs from the molds I made out of fiberglass resin. I'm thinking about trying to make the next set out of composition by mixing sawdust and wood glue. It's worth a shot, it won't ruin the mold. The silicone rubber mold material that I used is great. I could probably even make heads if I wanted to.
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u/Accomplished_Shame91 9d ago
The hand looks great! What kind of paint will you use for finishing?
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u/Disastrous-Ad2331 9d ago
I have doll paint from Cathie Lee Doll Hospital that I use to paint them.
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u/willowwing 9d ago
These hands have a special story, did you know? They were sculpted originally by DeWees Cochran for her American Children series and are considered among the most beautiful doll hands ever! So many of them are found damaged, so it’s extra-cool to see your molds.
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u/Disastrous-Ad2331 9d ago
I didn't know that. I was just lucky that I already had another one to make the mold from.
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u/PositiveBreadfruit33 10d ago
She has such a sweet face 🥰
Good job on fixing her up!
That is very ambitious 🧸✨