More on my BIGG Dragon...

Third stage of Big Dragon sculpt;

Base layer of Activa Celluclay Fast Mache. This will be the substrate that I will sculpt upon with Air Dry clay.

I like the Fast Mache, because it only takes 48 hours to dry completely. Unlike the original Celluclay, which can take over a week! :XD:

I have to suspend my work on it for a while, so I can concentrate on some custom orders. I hope I can get back to it soon.

Meanwhile, I have begun to paint the 'Pocket Drakes'! 

I have a reserve on two of them: the "feather" drake, and the "serpent" drake. I hope to paint up some of the others to put up for sale, at the same time....So, keep a watch on my twitter page for news about them!

BIGGGGG Dragon!

I have finally had some time to do a little bit of work for myself! This past month has been a busy one indeed!

I have been talking about my plans for sculpting a 3 foot tall dragon on all my sites I frequent. I also promised to share my progress as I work. So, Today I am making good on my promises!

The very first thing I did was find some sort of lightweight substrate to build upon. 

Normally, sculptors use a wire armature for the base of any work, but this is such a large piece, that I opted to use the strongest, and most lightweight option instead.
I chose some old roof insulation sheets made of styrofoam, and stacked them together to make a block. I used at first, the spray adhesive you can get at your local craft store...No good. It wouldn't adhere enough. :(
I then tried using hot glue...That worked quite well! Since the insulation is fire resistant, I had no melting of the styrofoam.  I then cut out a general shape from the block of my soon to be Dragon. (I wish I had the Photos of that step) But, I do for the next step!
 

This next step was innovation at its best! :D

I needed something that was lightweight, and could adhere to the styrofoam block.  I tried some of the expanding spray foam insulation that cured into yet another sturdy poly-foam, and the stuff when cured, is super easy to carve!  I had loads of fun making a royal mess of my already crowded studio, sawing off chunks, and cutting out bits and pieces!

I did this to further the lightness of the behemoth form.

 
The Stuff is fairly cheep, and I got my supply from Ocean State Job Lot; a discount store

Today, I will be taking the next step:  Applying the base layer of fast-dry celluclay to further refine my Dragon!

Stay Tuned!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

 

As Usual I have been very busy trying to juggle orders, and planning my own sculpts.  Just as i think I am free to start working on them again, a flood of orders pop up.  My Etsy stock has pretty much sold out, so...instead of working on the foundation of my newest creation, I need to cast a bucket load of eyes to replenish what has been depleted.

I have some new EQ style irises designed as a result of a custom order from a client. They cast well.

 
 

I also had to update my favorite Dragon Series, because I had some new colors to add to this ever expanding collection. This came to fruition because I wanted to create a special design for my (whenever I can get a chance) new sculpt. It is going to be a Phoenix x Dragon and It will be sizable. Now that I have a reliable air dry clay to work with, I can indulge in resuming larger scale sculptures!

I still need to patch my Pocket Drakes, before paint too. I will save a cast for re-cast after fully patched and finished. I was unhappy with the first batch of castings.  "I know there are people waiting on them so I may have to focus on them first before continuing with my Phoenix Drake *frowns*

One more thing...

 
 

I have a straggler to add to my 'Nature Series' This is the color 'Raisin' now included in the line! Its very pretty! I was thinking of a rich plum type color to compliment what exists in the series, and played around in Photostudio to create this. I quite like it! I'll just bet it will POP when cast!  Casting always brightens up any design as the magnifying effects everything. I will do a test run this afternoon when casting my inventory. Even the Semi-metallic treatment would be lovely!

 

Oh, Yeah...One lats bit: I now will offer Paperweight profile to my eyes. I was reluctant, because they are difficult to cast neatly, but there are lots of BJD artists who request them. Besides...I need to practice!  They will be priced differently, and will be available upon customer request.  

The popular sizes are as follows:

8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm.

I have in-between sizes too, for those harder to fit sockets. They can go up to as large as 3 inches, but the minimum diameter size I can cast successfully is 8mm. if clients want smaller diameters, it is best to stick with the standard profile. They go as small as 3mm's in diameter.

That'll be it for this month!  *waves*

...Back to work! ^_^  

Welcome 2010!

This year will be filled with new package designs as well as new options, and images of each item I will be posing! Direct Buy Irises, and Doll Eye items will be displayed in a retail format, while customs, and special orders in bulk, will be un-changed.

As for my website, Please bear with me on it because, I am slowly changing over its look as well. I have loads to do this new year, and want to improve my markets adequately. I have to balance this with all your orders and requests. It is ALWAYS a work in progress, so it is worthwhile to check in there from time to time to see if anything new is uploaded.

 If you need a size, style, or color, that is not currently listed, it does not mean It is unavailable!

You may contact me directly if you need an order request, custom, or cannot wait until the first couple of weeks in January for the new Direct-Buy listings.

I still have to refine all my 'Pocket Drakes' and cast more of them when I am able.  I also have to finish all my original, and One-of-a-Kind Dragon 'Eggletts" so I can post those poor little guys!  There eggs have been a nightmare to finish, and the babies themselves need to get painted! I still haven't forgotten about my larger original Dragon sculpt 'Dragon named "Coffee"' either.  He has been waiting for months now, to be detailed! 

I have some leftover Ornaments that I hand-painted that I would like to sell on etsy as soon as I can get some decent photos of them. What I really needed for Christmas was a better camera. My current one really is terrible, and I struggle with trying to get half-decent shots.

I guess, that is it for today, January 1st..."I'm off to the studio now, to get started!"

Pocket Drakes Preview

Here is the sneak preview of the first run of castings of my New Pocket Drakes.  There is the Chinese Drake, Feathered Drake, Lazy Drake and the Serpent Drake.  They all range in size between 3-4 Inches in size. I will paint, and list on cast per each to begin with. Their pricing will most likely be around $23 or so.

This is the close up Of my Chinese Drake. 

 

This is the close up of my Feather Drake.

 

This one is the Serpent Drake.

 

And this one is the Lazy Drake.

They all need to be cleaned up, and patched before I begin to paint. Lastly, They will all be set with their eyes, and maybe some Swarovski Crystals...we'll see! 

Aren't they just adorable! I really have had some fun making these critters.  Once I can sell these four, I will be able to buy more material to cast up some more! They will be limited in quantity; I will sell only 10 per individual design. So reserve yours today!!! I will personally sign, date, and number each casting.

In Other News:

Remember me talking about my experimenting with casting larger dragon eyes?  Well...I have taken some snapshots of the three I have tried. They are nearly 3 inches in diameter!  I'm not sure exactly what I will do with them, but...I'm sure I will figure something out!

   

This is my new favorite color! It is the 'Magma Dragon' eye.

It reminds me of the burning eye in the 'Lord of the Rings' Movies.

 

This one I still love too...'Nova Dragon' Also nearly 3 inches in diameter. I think the mm sizing is around 75, or 76mms.

 

I was really Bummed out that this shot was so crappy!  It is the 'Black Dragon' color.  It got all blurred and smeary, but the fact of the matter with this one, id the casting was completely bubble - free, and perfect! *grumbles*  maybe I can scan it later or something.

Anyways, I was thinking of maybe taking these huge casts, and using them as a unique lid topper for some of my pyrographed boxes. I think they would be really neat  that way.  They are too large to be magnets, or keychains, but possibly a paperweight???  Who knows....

If anyone has any ideas to suggest, feel free to post!  

 

Expanded Colors in 'Nature Series'

Because of the increased demands of the 'Nature Series'  I decided to expand upon the colors that will be made available.  There are now 22 colors to choose from! We now have some really pretty shades of Purple, and some new shades of Browns, and Blues.

I also wanted to announce that the 'Natural Series' is being renamed 'Classic Series' to keep it from getting confused with the 'Nature Series'.

I am still waiting on my shipment of Silicone Rubber, so I can start casting my 'Pocket Drakes'.  I had made a mistake upon ordering, and got the wrong material. But it will still come in handy later on!

This holiday season, I will continue with my painted glass ornaments, and will sculpt some special pieces 'Leaf Folk'.  They have been lingering within my imagination for a couple of years now, and I have decided to make them come to fruition.  They will be whimsical, One-Of-A Kind Ornaments that once my family gifts are sculpted, I will then make some for next season available to the public.

Dragon Claw magnets, and new pendants, key chains, and cell phone charms are also on the way...However they will not be worked upon until the holidays are over.  Hopefully by then, I should have some of those 'Pocket Drakes' painted, and up for sale.  I also want to get back to some Pyrography too. I really have been missing wood burning.

.............................Well,...I guess that will be It, for updates until the holidays are finally over.  I really must focus on getting my gifts done, as well as any pending orders.  I hope everyone has a wonderful season!

New Dragon Eye colors!

 I was working on a custom order, and in the process...I came up with some new designs to add on to my existing Dragon Eye Series. They are incredible cast in metallic!

I will be modifying my Dragon Eye necklaces into magnets, and pendants.  The pendants will be usable for things like key chains, lanyards, and also can be hung as a sun catcher in either a car, or window too. I would avoid direct sunlight for extended periods of time, because the vibrancy of the color may fade.

They will most likely be priced between $10.00 each, and up to $20.00 each depending on the size.

I will eventually post them in my e-stores soon!