Checking in...

All this week I have been struggling to find the time to update here. 


I cannot wait until the casting season ends! I have expanded my sculpting skills to felting, and shifting my sculpting media from polymer clay to various air-drying clays. I tend to sculpt on a larger scale that most polymer clay easily allows. I still need to fix up poor baby Winter, but I really do not like Lumina.  He was originally sculpted with Premo pearl, but he is too big to fit in any conventional oven, now. Paper clay, and Premier stone clay will not do...(simply not compatible). I am thinking possibly CP? (cold porcelain) I found a microwavable recipe online, but I am open to any suggestions. 


I have experimented with crayolas "model magic" because I had originally liked the texture. The trouble is, that it is not really intended for artistic use by professionals, let alone experienced sculptors. "Too bad, because it really has a soft velvet feel even after it has dried out completely." I tried to use it on my "FattCatts" but it cracks badly if the material is too thick. (I have been patching one I was planning to give to my mom for Mothers day, all week!)  Maybe I still have a chance to finish it in time....


Felting has turned out to easier, and faster than I had originally expected. I made a model of my recently passed "Furkid" cat Zoe. I managed to get her done in two Saturdays. I found a great short-cut by filling the larger cavities with polyfil stuffing. It actually makes the 'feltie' more "huggable" and allows me to work on a larger scale. The Zoe plush is about 6 inches in length and about 4 inches high; not bad for use of sample sized wool roving. I still have plenty left over! ^_^


Although I enjoy casting doll eyes, and irises for the world, (quite literally) I am getting tired of it! I really miss working on my own art. Breaking my production down into seasons has helped, But I still need to maintain inventory for my shop, year-round. :phew: The income is welcome, But I would much rather focus on selling my OOAK art instead.


I am waiting on my new digital camera to arrive, so I can get all sorts of Photos of these new projects. Hopefully it comes soon! 


 Bye, bye, for now! :D 

Attention all my loyal clients.

(12) Dreaming Tree Studio:

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Shipping Notice

I have been getting feedback from clients regarding shipping issues...I'm not really sure what is going on, but some orders are getting lost, or delayed, regardless  whether they are from overseas or local. There seems to be a sort of ebb, and flow with the post services. First class post is most often as fast, or even faster than priority. The issue keeps coming up every two months or so. I do the best I can, trying to keep costs to a minimum, but if I change shipping services, It will inevitably cost even more. I am trying to keep my price-points at wholesale costs, for the benefit of my client base. Just this week so far, I have customers contacting me regarding ETA's from orders, and purchases placed as far back as in February. Sometimes it is an international customs issue, but there should be no real excuse for the same delays to occur here in the continental United States. I wish I had a solution. The best I can offer, is if a client still hasn't received their packages after 3 weeks of shipping notification, I can either re-cast your items for free, and re-ship with delivery confirmation,....or refund the SUB TOTAL (before shipping costs).  I am sorry for any other inconveniences.  I will include this message in my other sites as well.

Back up running!

...Back in Business! The Dremel part came yesterday, and I am again up, and running! Inventory is low in my Etsy shop. I am trying to finish some popular sizes to list. There will be 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 mm sizes listing soon.

2012 season report

2012 report on casting orders:

When you are placed on a casting queue... unfortunately, you have to endure the waiting period; regardless of how small or large your order is. I have to state that it can take up to a maximum of 60 days.

You are free to get onto March's Casting queue. It will not start production until February's queue has finished. Waiting periods begin upon Opening announcements. Every year, gets more and more hectic, and I have to place more, and more restrictions just to maintain some sort of "Keep-Up" In demand. I have hired my sister to help me to keep up, but I still am the sole caster and that takes time.And now..since I am waiting for my replacement Dremel parts to come in, I am helpless. I am forced to suspend all orders until I can resume work again.

I wish I had a more "Rosy" report to give you, but I am in the very thick of the season, and I see no let up in sight. At least with my queue system, you can reserve your right to get your order made during this years casting season.

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New for 2012!

Here is something new for 2012! Transparent, and translucent Irises and AD Eyes! Prices per pair are $1.00 Less than the Metallic price points. These are great for those who have settings with lights, or want a "see through" look. These all were snapped on top of my light table so the light shines through.

These will be available here:http://www.etsy.com/shop/dreamingtreestudio 
within the next month or so. They will be available in most sizes ranging from 3mm up to 3 inches. 

Time for Vacation! Info on 2012

At the beginning of this year, I never thought that I would need to take a break. Business was very brisk, and kept me fairly overwhelmed most of the time. It makes me very happy to be able to offer something so pretty at an affordable price. Few complaints from everyone as well. 


Starting this Friday, The shop will be set on Vacation mode. I will then re-open the Etsy shop again in January, the second Monday of the New Year, the 9th. Hopefully, this will give me a much needed break so I can enjoy the holidays with my family.


My 2012 plans for Dreaming Tree, Will shift more focus on sculpts as well as some textile work. I will allow a running queue for casting Doll Eyes, and Irises, that will no longer exceed 10 clients. I know that the demand is much higher than this, but ... I will continue to maintain an adequate amount of inventory listed in my shop.Listing was too difficult to keep up with bi-weekly, so in turn, I will again reduce list times to once a week. Popular sizes seem to range from 3 millimeters to 16 millimeters. Those sizes will be kept available at all times, to the very best of my ability. I will list the less popular sizes like 2 millimeters,  Safety eyes, and sizes 18 millimeters and up.


To purchase my works, Artfire will be available. My website will be more of a reference for Doll Eyes, and Irises and their color charts along  with other particulars. My website will also contain a current gallery of my works of art, and crafts. 


So...That is my basic plan for the near future. Updates will appear more regularly here too.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS FOLKS! Enjoy your families!


Amanda <3