Beheading Barbie
So for the two OOAK dolls I’m currently working on, I’ve had to behead four Barbies so far. This is my first time separating Barbie’s head from her body. I took the head off a practice doll (they have since been reunited). Then I had to swap bodies for one custom doll. Most recently I had to command “Off with her head!” in order to start a reroot — my first ever. Eek.
I wanted to share the two excellent resources I used to first start my own little Barbie guillotine:
Chrissy’s Creative Corner — Off With Barbie’s Head — be sure to read the comments if you’ve ever wondered how to reattach Barbie’s head
How to Play with Barbies — CUSTOM: How we re-body dolls
The only tips I would add after my oh-so-extensive (four dolls) experience of decapitating Barbie include to keep reheating the head as needed. I noticed that after a while, I would encounter so much resistance in my attempt to gently lift the head up and around the neck knob and prong(s). At that point, I would re-warm the part of the head that meets the neck, and it seemed to help.
Also, I rarely use a hairdryer. Not sure I even own one anymore. So I used a space heater to warm the head vinyl. Proceed at your own risk if you adopt any of my novice suggestions.
Latest additions: Mer-Barbies
Most recently added to my Barbie collection are these two dolls from A Mermaid’s Tale 2: Ambassador Selena of the Arctic and Ambassador Kattrin of Asia.
In 2003, I passed up a mermaid Kayla doll I liked, hoping to get her later:
She is now rare and going for over $100 on eBay with bid competition.
Lesson learned, methinks ;)
Want it: Princess of South Africa Barbie
I’ve wanted this doll for nearly 10 years now. I’m making it a priority to get her soon.
Lesson learned the hard way: buy the Barbie when you see her in Toys R Us, even if I have to skip a few meals. I’ve found it can be too competitive &/or expensive to try to get her later from eBay.
Fan of: Shannon Craven
Although my heart belongs to Barbie, I can’t help but fall in love with Shannon Craven’s custom dolls.
Some of my favorites include Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman:
Oh Mighty Isis-Isis-Isis:
and, for the honor of Grayskull, She-Ra:
Also, in my book, her Jem doll is the best one ever done (including the official release in the ’80s). It’s truly outrageous:
I feel very lucky that I happened upon Shannon Craven’s creations while Googling OOAK Barbies.
Icees and the Barbie aisle
Getting a Coca-Cola or Blue Raspberry Icee to enjoy while going around Kmart and other department stores and five-and-dimes — and always making sure to hit the Barbie aisle — is still one of my happiest childhood memories.
Decades later, I still make sure to look at the Barbies at whatever store I’m in, time permitting.
So that’s how this joint got its name.
Why don’t you grab a virtual Icee and take a stroll down the Aisle?
The Barbie Aisle 