Claire Dawson
American Girl Dolls are designed for all ages and are crafted with care to be cherished for generations. The American Girl Doll Care Centre, previously known as the American Girl Doll Hospital, offers a range of services to restore dolls to their former glory. These services include skin cleaning, hair brushing, restyling, and repairs. The centre also provides treatments for doll accessories, such as hearing aids. While the official Doll Care Centre offers expert care, some people choose to craft their own doll accessories, such as stethoscopes, hospital gowns, and syringes, for a more personalised touch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To repair dolls' skin and hair, whether from age or an accident |
| Items included | A Certificate of Good Health, a get-well card, a Doll Care Center gown, and socks |
| Additional services | Skin cleaning, hair brushing, restyling, attachment of hearing aids |
| Time taken | Approximately two to four weeks, depending on volume |
| Craft ideas | Stethoscope, hospital gown, syringe |
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What You'll Learn
Making a doll hospital from scratch
Plan the Layout and Gather Materials:
Start by deciding on the size and layout of your doll hospital. Determine the number of rooms, such as a reception area, examination rooms, and patient wards. Gather materials like cardboard, fabric, paint, glue, and any other craft supplies you may need.
Construct the Hospital Building:
Use cardboard boxes or foam boards to create the structure of the hospital. Cut out the walls, windows, and doors, and assemble them to form the rooms. You can use hot glue or strong adhesive to secure the pieces together. Consider adding multiple levels by stacking boxes or creating cutouts for stairs.
Design the Interior:
Decorate the interior of each room to resemble a functional hospital. Create furniture, such as reception desks, beds, and medical equipment. You can use smaller boxes, cardboard tubes, and other recycled materials for this. Paint or cover them with fabric to add colour and texture. Don't forget to add small details like medical charts, flowers, and teddy bears to bring the hospital to life.
Craft Medical Accessories:
Make medical accessories and equipment for your dolls to use. Create stethoscopes using wire, small suction cups, and paint for the bell and chest pieces. You can also make hospital gowns, syringes, and other medical supplies from craft materials and fabric. Don't be afraid to get creative and add your own personal touches.
Add Final Touches:
Complete your doll hospital by adding signage, both inside and outside the building. You can make a reception desk with a small bell, magazines, and a computer for appointments. Consider adding a waiting room with miniature chairs and a children's play area. The more details you add, the more realistic and engaging your doll hospital will become.
Remember, this is just a starting point. You can continue to expand and customise your doll hospital however you like. Enjoy the creative process, and don't be afraid to experiment and add your own unique touches!
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Repairs and restoration
The American Girl Doll Hospital has been rebranded as the Doll Care Center, reflecting an expanded range of services beyond simple repairs. The Doll Care Center offers skin cleaning, hair brushing, restyling, and repair services for dolls' skin and hair, whether damaged by age or accidents.
To send your doll to the Doll Care Center, first, select the type of doll you want to admit, then choose a care-and-repair service. Be sure to follow the instructions on the form to ensure a quick return. A typical visit to the Doll Care Center takes two to four weeks, depending on volume, from the date of admission until the doll's return.
To track your doll's progress, the Doll Care Center will email you three times: once after you submit your order, once when they receive your doll, and once when your doll is shipped back to you. Each treatment includes free round-trip shipping for US customers, as well as a Certificate of Good Health, a get-well card, a Doll Care Center gown, and socks.
If you would like to make your own doll hospital, you can craft accessories such as stethoscopes, hospital gowns, and syringes. For example, to make a stethoscope, you can use a small clear rubber suction cup for the bell section, running a small wire through the top and attaching it to a tube. You can also paint the earpieces black and the chest piece silver.
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Skin and hair treatments
Skin Cleaning:
Start by gently wiping the doll's skin with a soft, damp cloth and lukewarm water. Avoid using any harsh chemicals or soaps, as they may damage the doll's material. Pay extra attention to areas that are prone to dirt and grime, such as the hands, feet, and face. Ensure the doll is thoroughly dried afterward to prevent any moisture buildup.
Hair Brushing and Detangling:
Use the appropriate brush for the doll's hair type. For wavy or straight hair, opt for a wire wig brush, and for curly hair, use a hair pick to define the curls. Hold the doll securely by the neck when brushing to avoid accidentally loosening the head. Be gentle when removing any tangles to prevent hair breakage.
Hair Washing:
Fill a small basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild dish soap or shampoo. Avoid getting water in the doll's eyes as it may cause rusting. Gently dunk the doll's hair in the soapy water and use your fingers to distribute the soap evenly. Rinse thoroughly with clear, lukewarm water to remove any soap residue.
Hair Conditioning:
Create a conditioning solution by mixing liquid fabric softener with lukewarm water. Dunk the doll's hair in this solution and ensure it coats the hair evenly. Rinse the hair with clear, lukewarm water, and gently comb through the hair to remove any tangles. Allow the hair to air dry, and avoid using a blow dryer as it can damage the hair.
Treating "Glue Head":
Some dolls, particularly those made by Mattel from 2010 onwards, may suffer from "Glue Head," resulting in gummy and oily hair. To treat this, you can use the Oxiclean method: mix Oxiclean powder with boiled-temperature water, and soak the doll's hair and scalp for 30 seconds to a minute. Comb through the hair during the soak, and repeat the process for a more extended period if needed. Rinse the hair with lukewarm water, then wash with mild soap or dish detergent. Finally, rinse the hair with lukewarm water once more.
Restyling and Hairstyling:
Offer various hairstyling services, such as braiding damp hair and letting it dry overnight to create waves. Provide hair accessories and styling tools like hair picks and wire wig brushes to achieve different looks. Educate doll owners on the importance of avoiding certain styling products and tools, such as gels, mousses, blow dryers, curling irons, and hot rollers, as they can damage the hair over time.
By offering these skin and hair treatments, your AG doll hospital will ensure that each doll leaves looking and feeling its best, ready to return to the loving arms of its owner.
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Doll accessories
American Girl Ideas is a blog that provides craft ideas for American Girl Dolls. The blog includes ideas for doll accessories, such as a doll computer, dog food bowls, a pet carrier, and a dollhouse or couch.
The Doll Boutique is a website that sells doll accessories, including clothing, shoes, boots, hangers, and backpacks. They also sell accessories for specific doll outfits, such as a pair of sunglasses for the Tribal shorts set, and a real umbrella for the raincoat outfit.
American Girl also sells accessories for their dolls, including earrings, hearing aids, and braces. They also sell doll furniture and accessories, such as beds, kitchen sets, and bakery sets. They also offer play sets for 18" dolls, including a coffee shop set.
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Doll hospital vs. doll care centre
Doll hospitals and doll care centres offer similar services, but a doll hospital generally refers to a place that offers repair services for broken dolls, while a doll care centre provides a more holistic range of services that go beyond repairs.
Doll Hospital
A doll hospital typically specialises in repairing dolls, from basic fixes to extensive reconstruction. This includes cleaning, restyling, and attaching accessories like hearing aids. Doll hospitals may also offer restoration services for antique or porcelain dolls. Before sending your doll to the hospital, it is important to take pictures for insurance purposes and ensure that the doll is insured for its replacement value.
Doll Care Centre
The American Girl Doll Hospital, for example, has rebranded as the Doll Care Centre to reflect its expanded range of services. In addition to the repairs offered by doll hospitals, care centres may provide skin cleaning, hair brushing, and other services to enhance the overall appearance and wellness of the doll. This shift towards a care centre model highlights a more comprehensive approach to doll maintenance, ensuring that dolls are not just repaired but also cleaned and styled to look like new.
Choosing a Facility
When selecting a doll hospital or care centre, it is important to consider the specific services offered and whether they align with your needs. The Doll Doctors' Association provides an online locator tool to find qualified doll repair specialists near you. This can be helpful in finding reputable facilities with the necessary expertise to handle your doll's unique requirements. Additionally, be mindful of shipping policies, turnaround times, and any additional items or services included with the treatment, such as certificates or get-well cards.
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