Reborn Artist Celine Pacoret

Interview with reborn artist Celine Pacoret

reborn dolls

How did you get invovled in the art of reborning? I discovered reborn dolls on August 2008 while watching TV programs.I had never heard about them before. I immediately fell in love with them! So I bought two of them first and then decided to try to make my own doll Camille.That was a success, because I manage to sell it !

In your experience, how much has the popularity of reborning grown in recent times? In France, the art of reborning is not really known "in the streets".We only see reborn dolls on ebay. But there are more and more people interested

The end result of the dolls is amazingly lifelike, how much time and money can go into making your best dolls?*

It's sure that the art of reborning needs to have time and it's an expensive hobby. I spend about 30 hours to make one, the most difficult and long work is rooting the head of the doll.Speaking about money,I usually spend about 150 euros (230 canadian dollars) to achieve my dolls

How many dolls have you made?

I've made 28 dolls since September 2008

reborn dolls

What is the general response you've received from people who've seen the dolls or taken classes?

People who have seen or bought my dolls often say that those dolls are so realistic.Some of them are afraid of the lifelikeness!

Is there a certain type of person this craft appeals to? Age? Gender? Occupation?

Yes, I noticed that my buyers are often 40 to 60 years old women who stay at home or their husband!

Do you do custom orders? What are people desiring custom orders usually after?

Yes, I do custom order and I love that.I always let the customs see the progress of my work by sending them lots of photos at every stage of the "birth".Like that I can better stay ok with their expectations.

I noticed that people love the "newborn" kits

Have you ever been commissioned to make a reborn of someone’s baby as a keepsake to remember when they get older, as a graduation present or something?

Yes, I've recently been asked to make 2 reborn dolls that would represent the twins of a family.That's why I brought to life Mélissa and Enzo

reborn dolls

What do you say to people who are scared or unnerved by the lifelikeness of the dolls?

I have one member of my family who can't take the reborn dolls in his arms because he feels he takes a dead baby ! So, I prefer not showing him my work.Fortunately, I don't live with him!

What would you say to people who are interested in reborning, but unsure whether it is something that they can do? How much skill is involved?

Many reborning methods are available on DVD now and some reborners give lessons .But the best way to know if you can do it is trying.I personnaly started with a DVD !

Can someone make a living from creating reborn dolls? Is there a strong market for them?

I think the reborners who are well known on ebay because they 've been practising for many years can live from this art.But not everyone!

reborn dolls

There has been a fair amount of controversy over reborning being used as a tool to deal with grief or loss, in your experience do you encounter this regularly or is it exceptional?

I have never encountered it yet.

Any tips for beginner artists?

The most important thing for the painting in reborning is to use very tiny touch of paints .It's better to make one more layer than having used to much paint at a time.And the master word for reborning is working with your heart!

Any memorable/funny stories from customers or personal experience with your dolls?

Yes.I have a daughter who is 8 and of course she has her reborn doll ! She loves her doll and take care about it very well.When we go out on town, she always wants to take Léna ( the doll) with her.Then all the people look at us and say :Which parents are they to let a such young girl take care about their tiny baby!I often have to tell them it's just a doll!

How can people find you - website or ebay ID

I have a web blog called "La Nurserie de Canou". You can find it on the web on the address : canouunblogfr.unblog.fr And my ebay ID is *paco4275 !

Thank you so much for everything and sorry if my English is not perfect!

Céline