Easiest way to install eyes??

[Annette]

One of the reasons I don’t like painting open eyed kits, is because I have a heck of a time putting the eyes in.
Is there an easy way of doing it? What’s the best way to cut the back of the eye vinyl? Criss Cross or like a flap? Around the top or bottom? Or completely remove the back?
Any suggestions, tricks or advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[georgeanne]

My method involves a lot of swearing and fuming. I find myself having a very hard cutting the sockets inside the head. I just warm up the head blow dryer works and use round glass eyes and they seem to go in fairly easily. I am too fumbled fingered trying to cut the dang sockets and make a mess of it so that is why I insert them from the front. I prefer the kits with open eyes drat it and have thought so many times, why are you torturing yourself like this, just buy close eyed kits. Although I am not buying any kits anymore and have lots of kits I need to list and sell. I have no desire to reborn and no room since I keep all the dolls I make and occasionally give them away.

I hope someone can come along and give some good advice.

[Annette]

My method involves a lot of swearing and fuming. I find myself having a very hard cutting the sockets inside the head. I just warm up the head blow dryer works and use round glass eyes and they seem to go in fairly easily. I am too fumbled fingered trying to cut the dang sockets and make a mess of it so that is why I insert them from the front. I prefer the kits with open eyes drat it and have thought so many times, why are you torturing yourself like this, just buy close eyed kits. Although I am not buying any kits anymore and have lots of kits I need to list and sell. I have no desire to reborn and no room since I keep all the dolls I make and occasionally give them away.

I hope someone can come along and give some good advice.

Thankyou for replying, dear. You made me laugh.
Lol......that’s exactly why I don’t like doing the open eyed kits. It’s so frustrating trying to get those darn eyes in there. Lol. But I have a Madison that I want to get finished, and can’t leave her eyeless.

Maybe I’ll try your method of putting them in through the front. . Can never get the slits done properly in the back of the eyes. Either too big a cut, too small a cut, or just cut them off completely.

[georgeanne]

I am too fumble fingered and trying to put them in through the back, I can never cut the slit right either and then try to get them set with the glue turns into a mess for me. I find for me I can put part of a cotton swab behind the eye before I put them in through the front and they stay put, but not sure if I made my dolls to sell if that would be a good idea or not. They never shift for me putting them in that way but with the horror stories about sellers I would probably use glue. It is also easier for me to use the round glass eyes as opposed to the oval, the round ones seem to go in easier than the oval.

[LadyFortuna]

I just installed Lauscha eyes for the first time today and needed my partner's help and resourcefulness upon realizing I totally made it harder for myself by not buying those flat glass eye ones so I could've just easily slipped them in from the outside without having to create a slit with a scalpel.

My partner ended up using an old headset microphone - the cord like one that is solid but pliable - to attach the eyes and they worked.
Lessons learned do not buy those globe glass eyes.