Brooke Nicole - Photographer + Doll Artist

Fine-Tuning the Supermodel

Monday, March 25, 2013

Some have asked about baby Milaine, and I promise, she is still going to eBay, lol! :) Above is an updated progress photo with a list of things she needs before she can get her hair rooted. Milaine’s eyebrow is shiny because I snapped the picture while her paint was still wet. I was in the process of painting her smoothing layers, and well, the layers of paint must air dry before baking, or baby will turn out shiny. I apply multiple smoothing layers, and each layer takes three hours to air dry (plus baking & cooling time!).

Milaine’s Neapolitan Chiaroscuro (aka the baby glow) is taking longer because I decided to give her my darkest Cacao Silk skin tone. The darker the baby, the longer she takes. ;) Cacao Silk will look wonderful with Milaine’s little peach outfit from Germany. I can’t wait to get her dressed up, but patience is the name of the game. When I finish with Joaquin, I will get back to Milaine. These little bundles can be tedious, but I love this girl! She's been very cooperative during her stay in the BN Workshop, lol! :)

Joaquin In Progress

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Hi everyone! I am running a bit behind schedule as I had to take several days off. I came down with a nasty cold/flu thingy and did not want to touch the babies during that time. No worries, I am germ-free now, lol! :) I wanted to share a picture of little Joaquin. I hope to have him finished up real soon. I started on his hair rooting before I got sick, and now I have to finish it up. He is so precious! I love the Elodie sculpt!

Joaquin will wear this delicious ensemble chosen by his parents. It comes from Next, a European department store that is all the rage in the doll community lately. I am so glad Joaquin's parents turned me on to Next! I have ordered so many adorable things and well, you all know me, I will continue to order until my finger can click no mo', lol! Next is awesome! Joaquin also has an amazing corduroy coat from Baby Gap that I can't wait to photograph.

I will be back soon! Milaine is still going to eBay. The cold really threw me off schedule, but I will finish her after Joaquin. Thank you everyone for your patience! ♥

Retail Therapy & No More Reborn Sales

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

My husband passed away two years ago today and needless to say, I am a bit sulky. I knew I would have a hard time today, so I made sure I ordered goodies to cheer me up. :)

My kit stash was low on sleepers, so I picked out three sleeping kits. The Heavenly kit by Nicole Russell (left) is just… wow! I am just speechless over her detailed and flawless design. I am usually eager to reborn blank kits, but with this one, I am afraid to touch her, lol! I have not decided on a skin tone for her yet, but when I do, there will be no stopping me. ;)

The Khian kit by Tina Kewy (right) is a kit I have wanted for a long time. I have been working on a skin tone that is much lighter than Honey Berry. It is called Toffee Rose, and I think Khian will look wonderful with that skin tone. I also have a Lincoln kit by Laura Lee Eagles on the way. :)

No More Reborn Sales

I have received emails regarding future dollie sales, but I have to stop selling reborn dolls. I tried making the blog private to minimize advertising, but some on the layaway waiting list had trouble accessing the private blog, so I reopened it. As I mentioned before, I accepted Miliane’s prototype job as a favor to my friends in Deutschland, and I will have Milaine for sale soon. But other than that, I don’t expect to have more dolls for sale. I am only making dolls for those on the list through 2014. Thank you all for your interest, I truly appreciate it, and if anything changes, you all will be the first to know! :) :)

Infant Fashion: Nature’s Purest & Beautiful Baby Boy

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

I am loving these pieces by Nature’s Purest! Well, I love everything on the website, but I had to narrow it down. This outfit will look great on Porsha by Romie Strydom. If you have never heard of Nature’s Purest, I beg you to visit their website. You will fall in love like I did. Trust me, lol!

And speaking of love—I have always loved this famous photo of Mother Theresa and her little friend. I think the baby is so beautiful, and I am dreaming of a reborn kit sculpted in his likeness. Ohhh, how I wish I could sculpt, lol! :)

Little Supermodel

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Hi ladies! I just wanted to post an updated progress photo of Milaine. Little cutie will be listed on eBay soon. :)

Milaine Coming Soon & Can't Do Prototypes

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Hi everyone! Some noticed I removed Milaine's progress photos, and no worries, Milaine will be listed on eBay soon! :) I prematurely posted photographs of Milaine's progress, but rest assured, baby will be listed within the week. I love that sweet face!

Q: How much will Milaine cost?

A: Because Milaine is a prototype, I am required to use eBay's auction format to find a new mommy. The reserve will be $2500. I had not planned to have any more dolls for sale, so I am open to an 18 month layaway. I would need a deposit of $850 within 12 hours of auction end from the winner. Current layaway customers are welcome to bid, but please understand that an additional $850 will be due within 12 hours of auction end.

Q: Can you do more prototypes?

A: I have received a few prototype inquires since I posted Milaine's progress photos, and I thank you all kindly for your interest, but I just don't have time to do prototypes on a regular basis. I retired from prototype work in 2008. I only accepted Elodie's and Milaine's prototype jobs as favors to long time friends at Nicky Creation/Real Effect. Thank you all again for the interest though, it means a lot to me. ♥

I will be back soon with photos of a completed Milaine. I will also have photos of a completed Elodie (Joaquin) and progress photos of Porsha by Romie Strydom (Kiana). ;)

Infant Fashion Monday

Monday, January 28, 2013

If someone forced me to choose a different profession, I would design baby clothing without hesitation. No surprise there, huh? :) But really, I don't think I could offer anything new or exciting to the baby catwalk because the current designers are doing such a fantastic job! I tend to go for unique pieces rather than 'run of the mill'. I occasionally venture to Europe to satisfy my craving for photogenic ensembles. Take a look at this eye candy:

This outfit is from the UK (Mothercare). Humphrey's Corner is always a winner! I love elephants and Humphrey is one of my favorite elephants for sure. Not only do I love the double knot hat, but the pink ~~velour~~ cotton, contrasting floral pockets and arm cuffs will look great on the new Lotti kit by Karola Wegerich. Lotti's (Lily Rain) mom found this outfit for her new baby girl. I can't thank her enough! ♥

This velour strampler set is by Jacky-- a German brand that I absolutely LOVE! The little applique and embroidery is totally unique and right up my alley. :) This outfit is for Evelina Wosnjuk's new prototype that I am working on. The apricot color will look amazing with her deep brown skin tone. Thank you, Andrea for helping me with this order! I wish I could come to Germany and give you a big hug, lol! :)

And this set by Kanz is just soooo cute! I did not order it because it only comes in a size 0-3m (56cm). I just can't use that size right now, but I will keep it in mind.

I was able to find this lightweight velour set at an American boutique in a size 50cm which is the German equivalent of 'newborn'. I don't have a doll in mind for it yet, but I can't wait to see it modeled!

I love the European styles, but I can't forget about the good ol' American designs. Here are two outfits for boys that I must have! I ordered the airplane set in a newborn size, but the striped set only comes in a size 0-3M. I don't have a larger boy lined up yet, but I can work on that. The style suggests a kit with open eyes and a calm, newborn expression. Who fits that criteria? So many kits! I have some homework to do, lol! :)

I just love this! I think it will look great on a male Elodie reborn! Hint hint Elodie mommies! :)

Okay, that's all for now. I am going back to rooting. I will be back with pictures of a completed Elodie boy. He is so darling!

Random Pictures and Information

Monday, January 28, 2013

Hi everyone! I am having a random kind of Monday morning. Who doesn't have those, right? ;) Below are a few pictures I forgot to post (sad, I know). :)

Sarah Bella's hair in progress (click the photos to enlarge)
Awful lighting & off coloring, I know, but I was only concerned about the hair that night, hehehe.