How to Make Lashes for Polymer Clay Dolls

Polymer clay baby dolls are very realistic and they typically include eyelashes.

Polymer clay, made of PVC, is a popular sculpting medium. Polymer clay is frequently used to make dolls and figurines, including homemade "reborn" baby dolls, which are intended to look extremely realistic. Eyelashes will bring an added element of realism to a doll. Use false eyelashes, available at the drugstore, or opt for eyelashes designed specifically for use on polymer clay dolls. These are more suitable for baby dolls, as young children tend to have very fine eyelashes. The false eyelashes found at the drugstore tend to be too thick for a child's face.

Things You'll Need

• Craft glue
• Cardboard
• False eyelashes
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Toothpick

Instructions

1. Pour a bit of clear-drying craft glue onto a piece of cardboard and allow the glue to set up for a few minutes, making it more tacky and less liquid.

2. Hold the strip of false eyelashes or doll lashes up to the clay doll's eye and determine if the width is appropriate. The strip of eyelashes should match the width of the doll's upper eyelid. Cut the strip of eyelashes down to the appropriate width.

3. Apply a fine line of glue to the edge of the upper eyelid by dipping a toothpick into the glue and dabbing it onto the polymer clay. Place the glue on the edge of the upper eyelid, or on the underside of the upper eyelid.

4. Grasp the strip of eyelashes with tweezers and adhere the strip onto the line of glue. The strip at the base of the eyelashes will contact the glue.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to apply the eyelashes on the second eye.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're working on a small doll and can't find a pair of eyelashes that looks right, cut the eyelashes from the band that runs across the bottom of the lashes and use tweezers to sink each individual eyelash into the edge of the eyelid. Poke a tiny hole into the eyelid using a needle. Dip the end of the individual eyelash into the glue and insert it into the hole in the eyelid. Repeat this process to add lashes to the entire of the eyelid. This method can also be used to add a few lashes to the bottom eyelid.

• If you need to cut the eyelashes, don't cut off the tip, as the tip is tapered to look more realistic. Cut the eyelashes from the base.

• Realistic eyelashes can be purchased from reborn doll suppliers.

• Always use clear-drying craft glue. Otherwise, the glue will be visible when it dries.

Resources

• Hunny Buns Reborn Supply: Doll Lashes