The Customs Booking Process
For Custom Orders from January 2026
A dedicated, Members Only App
Charlie developed an App to manage her custom work. The Bluebird Customs App is only available to clients who have previously adopted a Bluebird reborn art doll at a live event or for individuals with a recommendation from an existing App Member who is willing to provide a supporting character reference. If you are eligible and interested in joining, please submit a Membership Request.
Overview
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Custom Project Slots are released in the App in October and April
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Choose an available Custom Project Slot
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Pay the non-refundable deposit of £100 via Zettle Payment Link (UK Members only) or via PayPal/Bank Transfer (International Members only)
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Choose your sculpt/kit
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Complete a Customs Booking Form (at least 1 month before the Project start date)
Custom Project Slot Release
All of Charlie's custom orders are managed as project slots, which are allocated on a first come first served basis during releases and cannot be reserved in advance. Charlie does not operate a waiting list and cannot accept custom order requests outside of these releases in the Bluebird Customs App.
New custom project slots are released every October and April. The October Release covers projects between January and June. The April Release covers projects between July and December.
Each project slot is for one custom art doll, which takes between 3-6 weeks to complete.
International Release
One project slot will be made available during each release in October and April. This is published in the App for a period of 48 hours. International Members must contact Charlie during this time to request the project slot.
If more than one International Member requests the slot, it will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The £100 deposit is required via PayPal/bank transfer at that time to secure the slot. The deposit is non-refundable but will be deducted from the total custom fee due.
If no International Members request the slot during the 48 hour period, it will be released to UK Members with the remaining project slots.
UK Release
48 hours after the International Release, all available custom project slots will be published in the App with a dedicated Zettle Payment Link (UK Members only) for a £100 deposit. Deposits are non-refundable but are deducted from the total custom fee due.
Each Payment Link will only take a payment once and only from one UK Member. Once a project slot has been booked, the Payment Link is removed and replaced with the Member name as soon as possible to prevent confusion.
Choosing a Sculpt/Kit
Bluebird Nursery Supplied Kits
The Customs App has a list of all kits in stock and on pre-order. Along with the kit name and sculptor name, the list includes the kit's edition details (including the limited edition number where relevant), the kit size, limb type and whether it is sleeping/awake.
If a Member would like a particular kit but it isn't listed in stock, it may be possible to order it in. Initial enquiries from Members prior to the release are welcomed to check availability with suppliers.
If a kit needs to be ordered from a supplier outside of the UK, there will be additional fees to cover the shipping/import costs. These fees will be due in full at the same time as the deposit, so discussions ahead of the release are encouraged.
As a proud member of the RAA, A.R.A., and the IRDA, Charlie only works with authentic sculpts and takes great care to only source kits from reputable, authorised suppliers or from the sculptors directly.
All Bluebird Nursery Reborn Art Dolls come with their CoA and Nursery paperwork, but a copy of the supplier invoice can also be provided upon request.
Supplying Your Own Kit
Charlie is happy to work with kits supplied by Members under the following conditions:
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The supplied kit MUST be authentic. Charlie will need to see the kit's CoA and supplier invoice to confirm its authenticity before beginning the custom project. This requirement is non-negotiable with no exceptions to preserve professional integrity and support the industry's sculptors.
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The kit can be dropped off at any of the upcoming live events - please ensure the kit is boxed with the Member name and kit name clearly labelled. Otherwise, the kit will need to be securely packaged and shipped to Bluebird Nursery by Royal Mail Special Delivery to ensure it is fully tracked and insured. Kits should be dropped off or shipped at least 1 month before the project start date.
If the kit is lost or damaged in transit, the Member will need to file a claim with Royal Mail for its value and arrange a replacement before the custom project start date. All packaging and shipping costs are payable by Members choosing this option.
Customs Booking Form
When the deposit has been paid and the Member's name has been published with their project slot, a booking form should be completed as soon as possible and no later than 1 month before the custom project is due to start.
Booking forms are only accepted from App Members with a confirmed custom project slot.
Receiving Your Custom
Collection
Members can arrange to collect their completed custom art doll for free at:
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Any of the upcoming live events Bluebird Nursery is attending; or
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Costa in Tesco Extra, Church Street, Lichfield, WS13 6DZ
Personal Delivery
Members can arrange for their completed custom art doll to be personally delivered to a Mainland UK location of their choice. This incurs a fee of 50p per mile in addition to the standard customs fee. To calculate an estimate, please use the Costa in Tesco Extra postcode: WS13 6DZ
Courier Delivery
This option is available worldwide using sustainable packaging for custom art dolls up to 24" in size. The estimated fee for courier delivery to a Mainland UK address will be £50 in addition to the standard customs fee. For larger reborn art dolls and all other destinations, Members should contact Charlie for a quote.
For shipping outside of the UK, a customs declaration form will need to be completed including details of the value of the custom reborn art doll. Members may incur customs/import fees and taxes and should check the regulations for the relevant country/state.
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Bluebird Nursery Passport
A Bluebird Nursery "Security & Customs Passport", with details of the art doll and samples of their weighting materials, is included in the shipping quote for all art dolls leaving Mainland UK.
These "Passports" are also available for all clients (including Bluebird Customs and Bluebird art dolls adopted at live events) to purchase separately. They can be particularly useful when navigating airport security if you wish to take your reborn art doll on holiday with you.
