Doll Restoration

We are delighted to welcome back Andrea Salkowe, longtime doll doctor for Debra’s Dolls.  Andrea recently returned to Debra’s Dolls after a year-long absence due to an injury.  She is now fully recovered and excited to resume working on dolls for our doll hospital.

Andrea has a Master's Degree and has done post-graduate work in the Arts with specialties in Metalwork, Ceramics, and Painting. She has studied porcelain restoration and doll repair with noted experts in the field, and participated in doll restoration and conservation courses given by UFDC under the direction of Bettyann Twigg. She brings over 20 years of experience plus a genuine love of dolls to her work, and adheres closely to museum conservation standards.

Due to the quality of the work provided and the volume of dolls restored by our doll hospital, please allow 3-6 months for the completion of your doll restoration project.

LIST OF DOLL REPAIR SERVICES AND PRICES

Doll Bodies & Heads
• Cleaning face & body $50-$100
• Re-stringing $50-$125
• Composition restoration and repainting (varies depending on extent of damage) $125-$350
• China, bisque, and porcelain restoration (visible with black light) $150-$850***
• Papier mache restoration:depends on damage to materials $75-250
• Modern doll restoration (including artist & play dolls) $25-125
• Reproduction composition replacement ball-jointed doll
bodies $50-200
• Antique bodies:depends on type,quality and availability,usually $125-$400
• Cloth doll body re-stuffing and cleaning $95-$150
• Antique bisque & china replacement heads – prices vary
• Re-sculpting of broken/missing bisque/china fingers $95-$165 per finger
• Replacement “crier” on cloth body doll $25. plus cost of repair
• American Girl Dolls – cleaning of face & body, clean & style wig, re-attach limbs $65-$145
• Re-sculpting of composition fingers $40 per finger
• Rebuild composition fingers $55-$95 per finger

We are currently not repairing bisque or porcelain heads which have shattered or cracked.

Doll Eyes
• Re-setting rocker eyes to “sleep” (open & close) for open dome head/no damage to rocker  $95-$165
• Re-setting rocker eyes to “sleep” (open & close) on solid dome head/no damage to rocker $145-$225
• Setting paperweight eyes stationary using black wax $80-$150
• Setting eyes in the stationary position $55-$95
• Build a new eye rocker mechanism and re-set rocker eyes to “sleep” $225-$375 plus cost of replacement eyes if needed
• Antique replacement eyes (large selection) prices vary
• New replacement glass eyes $45-$95
• Re-wax eyelids on antique glass sleep eyes $75-$125 plus eye re-setting fee
• Replace eyelashes (bisque & composition dolls) $65 pair
• Replace irises (composition dolls) $95 pair

Doll Wigs
• Repair ,clean and enhance existing wigs  $85-$250
• Replacement wigs (synthetic, mohair, or human hair) $75 & up
• Custom made wigs (includes synthetic, human hair, or mohair) $150-$350
•
Clothing
• Custom made outfit using antique fabrics or similar materials $75-$450
• Cleaning & pressing of antique clothing $25-$75
• Custom made undergarments
• Mending antique clothing and/or replacing missing buttons, trims, etc prices vary

Shoes
• Antique & vintage replacement shoes (supplies limited) $45-$295
• Modern/reproduction replacement shoes (leather or cloth) $18-$75

There is also a $5 handling fee per doll.
 This covers our insurance on your doll while in our care,  plus packing materials and other fees.

For a rough doll restoration estimate, please email clear photos and measurements of your doll plus a description of the work requested.
For more information on doll restoration, please visit our FAQ page or email Debra with questions.

From our Customers:

Debra,
The dolls arrived safely and they look great. We are so pleased. I have them dressed and in their places with the other dolls I have that my mother made. Thank you so much for doing such a beautiful job.
Shirley S, Tennessee

Hi, Debra!
 
I have received my restored Ginny doll, and I am also delighted by her beautiful hair.  Your new restoration expert did a great job!  She is much more dramatic than the birthday Ginny you worked on for me a couple of years ago.   I am also delighted by her satin slippers with their tiny rhinestones and by her new panties.  Thank you for including them.  I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!   
 
Christine (a/k/a Ginny) B (Florida) 

For more customer feedback, please visit our Testimonials page.