Michelle Smit, a professional reborn doll artist, has turned a deeply personal passion into a craft that brings comfort, healing and joy to many.
Originally from Boksburg and now living in Brakpan, Michelle began her ‘reborn’ journey in 2024 after discovering a passion for the art form.
The mother of three explained what started as a fascination quickly grew into a calling.
“My mother-in-law collected porcelain dolls, but I was never drawn to them. When I saw my son’s girlfriend’s ‘reborn’ doll, I was amazed. That is when I knew I wanted to create something meaningful; something I could one day leave for a grandchild.”
This year, Michelle completed a professional course and officially became a qualified reborn doll artist.
Her lifelike creations have already gained attention; so much that she received an invitation to exhibit her work at an expo in November.
“It is overwhelming in the best possible way. To see my work noticed like this is incredible.”
Reborn dolls are hyper-realistic baby dolls handcrafted to resemble human infants.
The process, known as reborning, involves multiple layers of painting with Genesis heat-set paints, detailed root work for hair and careful assembly to ensure realism.
“It is not just painting a doll. We mimic the natural texture and tones of baby skin and every step of painting, baking and sealing must be done with precision. If we make a mistake, the entire doll may need to be stripped and redone.”
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For Michelle, it is more than art; it is emotional work.
“Therapists often use reborn dolls in play therapy and grief support. Some people buy them because they cannot have children and others use them for dementia care. They offer a sense of comfort, especially for those who are lonely or healing from loss,” she said.
Misconceptions
Despite the positive impact, ‘reborners’ face harsh misconceptions, Michelle said.
Boksburg Advertiser became aware of her craft after a post she shared on the Boksburg Community Group Facebook page, which grabbed people’s attention.
The post, with photos of one of her latest reborns, read: “Tate is looking for his forever home” and, further on, that “he is available for adoption with courier included for R2 800”.
While the post, if read completely, clearly indicates Tate is a reborn doll and not a real baby, the post caused a stir.
“There are people who think we are involved in human trafficking or mentally unstable. They don’t understand the comfort these dolls bring. For many, it is about healing.”
Ethics play a major role in Michelle’s approach. She refuses to include anatomical details in her dolls.
“South Africa has a high rate of child abuse and, sadly, not everyone uses these dolls for the right reasons. I want to protect the dignity of my work and ensure it’s never misused.”
Included with each doll going to its new home is a toy, dummy clip, clothing, nappies, blanket, and burping cloth, given with love and care.
“It is about the experience. These are not just products, they are keepsakes.”
Michelle warns against the growing threat of mass production in the reborn industry.
“Many mass-produced dolls lack the love and detail that go into handcrafted pieces. This is not artistry, it is manufacturing. Often, their owners bring them to us to be redone properly.”
As an artist, she also knits, sews, draws and makes memory bears.
Her creative work started during the Covid-19 pandemic when she began sewing masks and scrunchies.
“That is where the passion for art took hold,” she said.
Michelle remains fiercely committed to authenticity in all her creations.
“When someone shows me a photo of a reborn baby they want, I tell them I can create something inspired by it, but I would not copy it. Every artist should have their own signature. That makes this art so special.”
For Michelle, reborning is not just about crafting lifelike dolls but also creating lasting connections, offering comfort and leaving behind a piece of love for generations to come.
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