Steampunk Fairy Pictures

Here are some additional pictures of the Steampunk Fairy I created during the Deb Wood class in Florida. 

I'm back... Steampunk Fairy Class pic

I am finally able to relax... I finished my degree. I'm heading to Las Vegas soon to walk in the graduation ceremony. I am taking the summer off and then we'll see. I may go back to complete my MBA, I may not :0)

Below is a picture of the steampunk fairy I made in the Deb Wood class I took in Florida. To say my skill level increased is an under-statement! Deb is an amazing instructor. She didn't take over, she instructed. When I had a problem or just couldn't' figure something out she would show me, but she would not do it all for me. 

I am thrilled with how this turned out. I am looking forward to sculpting more often now that school is over. 

I will post more pictures of class and this amazing fairy soon.

Now that school is over I am going to finish the ball jointed steampunk doll.

Thanks for sticking around!

Ball Jointed Doll Update - She has Hair!

This project has been fun and I've learned so much while creating this doll. When I make another one there are things I will do differently but overall I am pleased with how she is turning out.

I didn't get her done in time to enter the contest but I'm OK with that. I had too much going on with my family to worry about finishing a doll and I didn't want to rush her costume.

I was happy to get to work on her this week and now she has hair!

I've never made a wig cap for a doll before. It was not difficult, just time consuming since I had to wait for it to dry before I added the hair.

Wig Cap - Drying

Wig Cap - Cut to Fit

Hair! 

Profile 

Hair - Dried and Ready for final Styling

I am very happy with her hair. I will be adding some smoothing oil to it - just a tiny bit - to tame it and the will be adding some curls on both sides of her face. She will be getting some steampunk goggles or a top hat so I won't be doing anything to the top of her hair.  

Her face still needs to be painted, her wig does come off so that won't be a problem! Aside from the initial wait time, making the wig was simple and I love the possibilities of changing her hair.

Next steps... face and body painted then costume. We are in the home stretch. Once she is done I will be working on a Pirate to go with my mermaid for Art Doll Quarterly's "Ahoy Matey" contest and then a doll for their "Haunted Fairy Tales" contest.

Thanks for stopping by!

Once Upon a Steampunk Fairy Class with Deb Wood!

I am so excited! I bought myself an early birthday present. I am going to be attending a live sculpting workshop with the amazing Deb Wood in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in April 2018 (my birthday month!). Deb Wood is the artist behind Enchanted Hearts dolls as well as the International Art Doll Registry.

This class is being hosted by another amazing artist, Adele Sciortino, the creator of A for Artistic online store/classroom and an artist whose dolls and costuming are extraordinary! If you are not familiar with her website you should really check it out. Here you will find are a large variety of online doll making classes for many different doll making mediums(fabric, clay...). The site is beautiful and the classes that I have taken through it are well throught out, thorough and worth every penny spent!

I have wanted to take a class with both of these talented artists for many years and I am really looking forward to this. The fact that the theme is Steampunk makes it even better! I will post my preparations for class (shopping for steampunk themed supplies - swoon!) as well as pics from class once I am there. Thanks for sharing in my excitement!

Another Contest from ArtDolls.Com - Steampunk Ball Jointed Doll

I am having such a great time working through the ArtDolls.Com contests. The current one is a simple ball jointed doll. If you are interested in joining in on the fun here is a link to the contest kit.

I have never made a ball jointed doll before. Until this week I did not think I was skilled enough to do it, however, joining this contest has changed that.

Here is the start of my ball jointed doll.

Head

Head sitting on torso

 Head and Torso

The contest is for a simple ball-jointed doll dressed in Steampunk fashion. The video demonstrates sculpting a much younger and smaller doll than what I am creating but I am utilizing the same techniques so I should be OK. 

I don't sculpt child like dolls and since this sweet girl wanted to be here I just went with it. I will be working on her arms, legs, hands and feet this week. She is due before September 15th as is the Art Doll Quarterly entry for their Age of Aquarius challenge which I am also working on. 

This has been an exciting project for me. I tend to procrastinate when I am unsure of something but in the very beginning of the videos that go along with this contest Arpyl Jensen tells you to take it one step at a time. You focus on one part of the doll, for instance, it isn't overwhelming to sculpt a single leg. Then you focus on the next, then the next until you have a complete doll. So I sat down and sculpted her head, then I moved on to her torso. Next I'll do her legs... I am thrilled with how she is turning out and I am really looking forward to costuming her. I love the Steampunk style and had so many ideas I may need to make friend for her so I can do more than one costume!

Another new process I will be experimenting with on this doll is blushing and painting with the Genesis heat set paints. I've seen them used. I have them, but I've never used them, so with this doll I will be using them which is why she has no color on her face.

Once again I have to say... seek out challenges for your art. Try something that scares you. Your skills will grow by leaps and bounds.

2016 Polymer Clay Challenge - Week 3

I can't believe I am on week 3 of the challenge already! Since I did not work today I thought I would work on some hands.

Here is my week 3 project for the #2016PCChallenge. These hands turned out to be the perfect size for my steampunk girl. She has been waiting for hands, feet and some clothes for way too long!

Here she is, still waiting for boots and clothes. Hopefully soon! Her makeup is way more intense than I normally do but what I plan to do with her requires dramatic! Once she is finished I'll share her here.

Back in the Studio!

I am starting to gear up for the McQueen Craft fair this October and I've been busy in the studio making Steampunk fairy doors and glittered ornaments. This year I'll have 4 different varieties of glittered ornaments and lots of different fairy doors, even some Lucky Leprechaun doors.

Here is a peek at my current work space - so much fun!

It is so nice to be working with clay again. While I was in San Francisco I saw this beautiful church and it has inspired some of my other Fairy doors - you'll get to see them soon.

Aren't those doors amazing! I love the color, the detail, the way they are set into the building, everything about them is inspiring!

If you haven't had a chance to stop by my Mad Tea Party you can see it here. I am giving a set of Wonderland inspired, embroidered (by me) tea towels away next weekend so be sure to stop in and leave me a comment!

Thanks for stopping by!

Steampunk Fairy Door

Today I was so lucky! I had the wonderful opportunity to provide a workshop at the Reno Steampunk Expo! It was so much fun! 

Here is the project we made

I had such a great time! My students were amazing! I had a range of students including a very talented 12 year old named Josh.

Each of my students made unique fairy doors, they were true artists and it was such a great way to spend the morning. I am so happy I was able to participate!

Steampunk style is fabulous! 

Here is one of the stunning sculptures on exhibit at the expo this weekend. I am a HUGE Jules Verne fan so seeing a replica of the Nautilus was amazing!!!

Here is a beautiful art car! So much style and fun! Truly a wonderful experience

This week has been crazy! I've been working all weekend and am looking forward to a little more calm this week! 

Talk to you soon!

2015 Polymer Clay Challenge - Week 9

This is actually week 2 for me in the 2015 Polymer Clay Challenge being hosted by Katie over at KatersAcres but rather than confuse myself I decided to use the actual week number of the challenge.

This week I chose to do another head. Here she is after her makeup:

Steampunk Girl

Normally I am not so heavy handed with the makeup but she is going to be a Steampunk Explorer and the bronze makeup just needed to be dramatic! 

For the challenge I wanted to complete a head, just the head, which does not mean I need to add hair or makeup... but I had to! So here she is with her hair:

Her makeup looks much better now that she has hair. She'll still be getting a trim and some curls and just wait until I add goggles and all sorts of other fun things to her! 

She is still needing hands and feet then I will be costuming her! I can't wait!!

For week 10 I plan to work on boots/feet for either this little cutie or my woodsy leprechaun! 

Thanks for stopping by

Debbie