Some people call Kevin Allen the doll guy. Others call him doll face. But rather than be offended, the Bowling Green man sees the nicknames as part of his favorite pastime – restoring dolls. Its a fun hobby, Allen said. Its not your typical glamour doll. You can be more creative. Allen gives his dolls usually Barbie and Barbie-style dolls that he finds at thrift shops and yard sales a complete makeover. They get everything from a new hair-do and highlights to new makeup. Allen sometimes reposes the arms and adds accessories and clothes he makes. His male dolls get new hair and chest hair. Allen then posts some of his creations on e-Bay and sells or swaps them. Both the line of male dolls Male Call and the female line Originals by Kevin have gone to people all across North America. A few even have made it to Germany and Hong Kong. A lot of artists make (a doll) for me and I make one for them, he said. While Allen usually sells his creations, there are a few that he almost loved enough to keep. One, Summers Beauty, looks like Oprah Winfrey. Its the first one that I considered to be the perfect doll, he said, gazing at the creations picture in a photo album where he keeps photos of every doll he has restored. Another, Golden Destiny, also soon will be shipped to a new owner. Her hair was black and I added streaks, he said, picking up a doll dressed in a gold, beaded halter top, a black skirt and boa. Each of these beads were sewn on one at a time. Allens talent even caught the attention of Jim Faraone, author of Fashion Doll Makeovers. Allen will be among doll restorers featured in the series fourth book, which will come out next spring. While it may seem like an odd diversion, its a passion that began when Allen was a boy. My cousin and I played with her dolls and Hot Wheels (cars), he said. I collected them on and off. The fever to collect came over Allen again about four years ago. This time the urge wouldnt go away, especially when he saw examples of other restored dolls. I got on a mailing list (for those who restore dolls) and on the Internet, he said. I thought it was so cool. But he didnt want to just buy clothes for the dolls to wear or use a pattern. So, in January, he asked his mother to teach him to sew. Margaret Allen of Bowling Green was happy to comply. I have his first (doll) because he wanted me to have it, and he made me another one for Easter, she said. I think he is very talented. Hes really artistic and he puts his whole heart into it. Im real proud of him. Kim Reasoner of Hancock Fabrics, where Allen buys much of his fabric, agreed. Ive waited on him a few times, Reasoner said. His dolls are gorgeous and Ive been to his Web site and seen pictures. Its fun to watch what he does with fabric. Hes a nice guy. While Allen doesnt know what his next doll will look like, he plans to learn more about restoring. There are things I want to improve, like painting the eyeball and eyebrows, he said. But perfecting his craft doesnt necessarily mean more money for Allen. I dont really want to make a lot of money because then it becomes a job, he said. I want it to stay something I really enjoy.