Preparation of the area you are using to create your reborn dolls is essential. Organisation is the key to being prepared for every step of the reborning process. You will need a large table or flat working surface to place your mixing plates, brushes and paints. The surface area needs to be free of clutter and covered with a vinyl tablecloth that can be easily wiped over with a wet cloth for cleaning. A dowel rod board is also an important tool to have for drying and baking your limbs. Creating this board is easy. At your local hardware, you will be able to purchase a board of timber approximately 40cm by 10cm, and a dowel rod with a thickness of around 1cm. Cut the dowel into four pieces 15cm in width and evenly spaced across the board, standing up with a gap between each of around 8cm. Glue into position and add a nail into the base of the board from the underside to hold the dowel in place. Be aware of this area when taking it out of the oven, the nail heads will be hot.
This board will serve you well as a stable rack to hold your limbs between layers, and will keep the limbs from touching each other when heatsetting your paint. Your brushes and paint need to be easily accessible and visible when mixing your colours. Having these displayed at close proximity to your work area will enable you to mix your paint quickly and keep the blend flowing. Always have a substantial supply of toothpicks, cotton tips, tissues and sponges. These are constantly used during the reborning process to remove unwanted detail or lighten heavy effects in your paint. Having them close at hand is crucial when adding detail to creased areas. If you are working in the same area as your oven, you will need to open windows and doors to make sure you have airflow. Depending on the kit you use, sometimes the fumes can give you a slight headache. Fresh air is essential. Once you have finished your heatsetting it is recommended that you turn your oven up to a high heat to burn off any fumes that may be lingering. Reborning is a relaxing and very addictive pastime. Having the right area to create your reborns will add to the pleasure of the craft, and keep you organised at the same time.
