DIY Rooting Needle Holder

I don't particularly like any of the commercially made needle holders, I get really bad RSI and i find they make my wrists ache... Plus I am quite heavy handed and tend to snap needles if they are in the commercial holders. So this is my way of getting round those problems, I find the needles flex more this way and are less likely to snap.

You will need:

1 Earplug (you could use something else but I find earplugs cheap and flexible

Rooting Needle

2-3 Hair bands (the cheap ones without the metal closure are best)

You will also need a pair of needle nose tweezers, you could actually just do this with a rooting needle but it runs the risk of bending.

I got these from an electrical store called Maplin for about £2 and I find them great for use during rooting as well for pulling out the extra hairs.

The first step is to poke a hole into your earplug, doesnt have to go all the way through, grab the centre of the ear plug with your needle nose tweezers and twist, that bores quite a nice neat little hole.

Push the end of your needle into the hole in your earplug and pull the earplug down, don't go push the needle all the way through, the earplug will act as protection for your fingertip.

Once your earplug is on take one of the hair bands and twist it round and round over the top of the needle... avoid doing this at the business end... there can be painful consequences.

I find 2 hair bands works fine for me, but you can use 3, twist them nice and tightly.

This is what you should end up with.

First Love Now Named Cora Completed

It's been a couple of weeks since I started this little one and now having completed her, a name just popped into my mind when I looked at her little face.  Cora,   a sweet little name for a tiny little poppet.

Having said that, I am reliably informed that this baby is not a girl and is very much a boy.  No!!! Say it ain't so!  I think I need to stare at her/him a bit more and really make sure.  But I suppose if people can see a baby dressed in pink and surrounded by pink and still tell you it's a boy then hmmm one ought to think again.

Deanna Goes to Spain

I had a lovely little Christmas surprise when one of my auctions finished with a happy ending as little Deanna caught someone's eye. Deanna has now made her way to Spain to meet her new family.  

Maya Leaves The Nursery

Little Maya was adopted just after Christmas,  a lovely couple came to visit my nursery to look over the babies I had available and little Maya caught their eye.

So after some cuddles Maya has left Best Beloved with her new family. It was a very special experience seeing someone fall in love for the first time.

WIP - First Love

This is a sculpt that I just had to get, as soon as I saw the original sculpt by Ruth Annette on Facebook I just knew I wanted to do this little one. That fragile gentle little face is just something very special. 

As a little Christmas light relief I thought I would just enjoy some painting time, it's funny how although it's quite a skillful thing to do it's also very relaxing and I find it very relaxing, I find that as I am painting my mood lifts, no matter how black and the tension I am feeling eases.  Maybe that's just a reaction from doing anything that you enjoy.

I've worked on the base laters, the earliest skin undertones in blue, red, green and purple which always look a little strange.

I am really happy with the skin tones that are developing,  I will update in a few more layers.

Jayden - Completed

This custom ordered Jayden was a joy to do,  I almost regretted completing it, the sculpt is such a fantastic one I will miss having it in the "to do" pile. 

I must do another photo session with this little one before he or she is collected by the new mum which may be any day now.   I will miss this face.

WIP - Jayden

I am currently working on a custom order for a Natalie Scholl "Jayden" sculpt.  I've completed the skin tones and am just waiting to hear from the lady that has ordered the baby.

I absolutely love this sculpt, it is so very realistic,  I would love to leave this baby bald,  the head shape is just perfect for being a baldy, but the customer wants hair on this baby so I am just waiting to hear from her with her choice of hair colour.  Such a shame!

 

I will update my blog in a couple of weeks time when i have finished this baby and have updated photos.