Elf Queen: Phase II

My plan for the Warrior Elf Queen antler headdress (seen here and here) was to take the original models to a caster and have them cast in sterling silver. Well...do to some unexpected costs, ie: the molds were wicked expensive, I decided that I'd have to do the whole project myself. At first I was worried about this, but I can say now that I'm really happy I did. I learned a lot about the mechanics of casting and this new information will help my design work in the future. So definitely a lemonade moment here.

Anyway... the next step in the process then became making molds of the antlers for lost wax casting.

Here are my babies in the mold frames and getting ready to be covered in two part, pepto-bismol pink, silicone.Actually the pink brick in the pictures holds one of the antlers already. They had to be molded in two separate molds because of their size.

And here's how they came out.

Amazing right? They are so cool. There was a lot of clean-up at this stage but because they are wax it wasn't too hard. I was also able to make some fun modifications to the horns at the same time. The waxes have the same wonderful texture that I was so happy with in the originals and obviously the shape is the same. So I really couldn't be happier.

This week I will be able to make my plaster investment, next week I will pour my first vacuum cast ever, and then I'll have sterling silver antlers. I hope. Cross your fingers for me and check back next week if you want to see how things went.

Marie's Shoes

I knew that making shoes was going to be hard. Let me rephrase that, I thought, I knew making shoes was going to be hard. But really I had no clue how difficult this project was going to be. But in the end it was so rewarding. They turned out just as I envisioned them.
I love construction and engineering and it's a good thing because this project was all about construction and engineering. I wanted every part of this shoe to be special. So I tried to add as many one of a kind details as I could pack into these small shoes. The exterior texture has the feel of a vintage textile, which is exactly what I wanted. I love it. I also gave the sole of the shoes a cute little bird detail. Is it possible to have to many details in a Marie Antoinette shoe? I didn't think so.
And I'm in love with the heels. They were difficult to get right, but I'm glad I redesigned them a couple times and never compromised, because I really love the way they turned out.
The decorative trim is a ribbon flower I found in a fantastic embroidery book, an amethyst and opalized Swarovski crystal, and an amethyst briolette. I'm also designing a little Fleur de lis dangle that I'm really excited about.

I'm so happy with how these little shoes turned out. And if the crown and necklace turn out half as good as these little beauties, this Marie Antoinette set is going to exceed my wildest exceptions.

Wow it worked!

I'm so excited to show how the antlers have progressed. They look exactly like they looked in my head. That doesn't happen often, so I'm over the moon with joy.

Front View

Side ViewBack View

It's hard to see in the pictures but the texture of the antlers is really nice, all rough and organic feeling. I know I have some more work to do when I get the wax castings back but I'm just so happy with how they are coming along. I'll keep you posted.

And if you are asking yourself how are these antler going to stay on the doll's head? This is a question I have grappled with also. In the sketches you see that one drawing shows a head band with what appears to be the antlers broken off. That is going to be a structural head band that the antlers attach and unattach to. Cool ha! Here's my first run at the head band, in copper.


I like the shape so I'm going to move onto building it in silver. For all kinds of reasons the copper snapped when I tried to bend it to fit on the head model, but that was all user error, so I feel confident to move onto silver.

And if that's not enough, I was busy all weekend at an amazing jewelry workshop with a fabulous teacher. I'll tell you all about it later this week. I made the funnest "Alice in Wonderland-ish" pendant. So stop back later in the the week.

What is with me?

I'm usually the kind of person that has serious tunnel vision. I get an idea in my head and I can't do anything until I complete it. Because of this, I have a little guilt that I haven't progressed on my Elf Queen project very much. But I have been designing, designing, designing. It's so strange for me. The minute I get the idea on paper, I have another idea I need to get on paper. So here's what I've been up to...

"Marie"

I designed about 10 pairs of shoes and I seriously could have done 10 more. Shoes are super fun to design. But I really like this one, it's clean and looks good both embellished and not embellished, so that makes me happy. I didn't want to create a shoe that would only look nice half covered by ribbons, tassels, and beads.

The crown can be either pearls or gems and I haven't decided which I like better. The pearls and gems are both very pricey so that's a factor. I could do pearls and Swarovski Crystals and that would look beautiful and keep the price reasonable. But I can wait to make up my mind until I have all the metal work done. So no pressure there. I really love the look.

And the necklace is very simple by comparison but I think it will look fantastic with the crown. It will be solid silver with a pearl or gem that matches the crown. It's kind of a cuff necklace. It will be form fitting and rest around the shoulders. Very cool.

I also got some great pictures back from one of my fantastic models Iðunn. She's a modeling sterling silver, rose quartz and freshwater pearl choker. It fits just where I had hoped, so I'm really really happy. And I love her in this blushing pink color. She is so beautiful any color would look good, but I think the pink really enhances her blond coloring. I sent some earrings as a thank you giftie but Iðunn doesn't have the kind of pierced ears that can wear french hooks. Boo Paige. But I really love this picture so I wanted to share it.Well I'm back to the drawing board, literally, for more design work. Seriously what is with me these days? What ever it is, I'm going with it. And I have permission from my good friend and amazing artist M, to just let it happen. So I'm pushing back the guilt and enjoying the design time.

And I'm off

Because "why not take off running the second you learn to stand?", I have started working on a Warrior Woodland Elf Queen set. Why? Because I want my doll, when I get her, to be a Warrior Woodland Elf Queen of course. So she has to have horns/ antlers and a staff. So I've done some sketching and I created my first ever wire armature.
I'm so thrilled with how they turned out. Now full disclosure, the antler armature came before the sketch, because I couldn't sketch them until I had them in front of me 3D. I'm just not that good of a sketcher. But I'm glad I've been sketching the rest.

And I've set a goal for myself to spend a lot more time in the paper design phase from now on. With all the issues of size and scale, not to mention just working smaller than I'm used to, I feel like I need to be more disciplined if I want to continue on this path. And I really want to continue on this path. So from now on you'll see sketches, sketches, and more sketches.

And then............

as if to confirm that I'm going to be fine, I had two more big wins this morning. First we have Arya with a swirl necklace that I just love. I made the earrings also. They have the cutest little ear wires.
I love it so much. I'm so happy the size issues are worked out on this design. The necklace is Sterling silver hammered and shaped by hand with a tourmaline and Swarovski crystal dangle.

Then if that weren't enough Nayana arrived wearing this little crown. Sterling silver and Amazonite. I'm so happy with this crown. The thing I'm most excited about is, I can get away with using a much larger stone in the next design. These dolls are so exquisite that you can really push the design elements without over powering them. I love it.

Put one in the win column!

Actually make that two, and they both fit. Yaaaa!!!

The first is modeled by the beautiful Amalie and is 2 2mm opal Swarovski's, 4mm Garnet and Sterling silver chain and hook clasp.



The second necklace is modeled by Firenze and is 3mm picture jasper, Freshwater pearl, and Sterling Silver chain and clasp. This necklace is the test piece for a roaring twenties look I'm currently dreaming about.
In order to put this information to the best use I created a new bust, sense I don't own one of these lovely dolls, to check size and fit in the future. The bust is aluminum foil packed and shaped to 3mm-5mm under the dolls measurements. Then I rolled out polymer clay to a thickness of 2 playing cards and covered the foil structure. Double checked the measurements and baked. So far it works great.

The learning curve.

The problem with the learning curve is... well, it's a curve. So you can't see how much is left in front of you as you travel this necessary, humbling, and sometimes frustrating path. So here's a little more of my journey on the curve.

If your a smart person you make one thing send it off and wait. See the results and make the next piece. Well I'm not a smart person, or at least not a patient person. So I made a batch of things and sent them off and well...you can imagine....

Now all the smart/ patient people saw it coming, the same results as last weeks post. Proportion is great, I'm really happy with that, but size is magically off by around the same amount on all of them. How did that happen? Patient people around the blogosphere are shaking their heads and saying "you should have waited". Well I didn't and I have all these great pictures to share on my blog...taadaaaa lemonade!

But as if like a little miracle from down under. It's true things work differently in Australia.

Crowns and earrings aren't necklaces. Who knew? And with this new boost of confidence and all the knowledge I should have waited patiently for but couldn't, I made my second batch and sent them off to these beautiful women in Sweden, Belgium, France, Australia, and Kalamazoo. Yes I said batch. What can I say I'm not smart. I'm impatient and I'll grab the donuts every time. If you don't get that last one, trust me it won't help if I explain.

So that's been my journey so far. Hopefully I've reach the top of the curve, but it's a curve, so you just can't tell.

I've gone to the dolls

I've been working on something a little different, emphasis on little. I've been making doll jewelry. And I'm afraid I'm hooked. It's so little and delicate. I even did a little enameling and I mean little. But I have one problem, I don't have an Enchanted Doll of my own. Enter a generous group of doll owners from the Enchanted Forum. And I've been sending my creations around the world for fittings. I've sent to Belgium, France, Sweden, Australia and Kalamazoo. No really Kalamazoo MI, how fun is that? The first fitting is in and...

Oops

I think I just need to add one jump ring. But I also think I can make my hooks a little bigger. They are so small right now, that you almost need a tweezers to hook the necklace. But given this picture the hook could be bigger, making it easier to hook the necklace.

But I did get proportion right. So I'm very happy about that.

The necklace really suits the delicate style of the doll. And that's what I'm shooting for. This and all the jewelry I sent off in this first round of fitting has been very simple and all about size and proportion. But once all the info is in, from these first proto types, I have some really ambitious designs in mind. Think, Crowns and Pendents and Horns, Oh My. I can't wait.

Weekend Eye Candy - Secrets Revealed

In order to bring you this weekend's eye candy I have to admit to something I generally keep secret. I love dolls...now. As a little girl I never had a doll, I never even wanted a doll. I was quite the tomboy. But as I've grown up I've been drawn to dolls. Not the lace and dolly dolls of old ladies, but beautiful and daring art dolls, like the dolls of Marina Bychkova. I blogged about these beauties awhile back. Well these dolls led me to...which led me to...which led me to...you know how surfing the net goes, but most importantly I bumped into artist, and fellow Enchanted Doll fan, Monika Viktoria.


She has a playful, fantastical and whimsical collection of original artwork on etsy, at crazy affordable prices. Her shop is The Long Lost Woods Boutique. She also blogs under The Long Lost Woods. She is talented, imaginative and as I learned this week extremely nice. Please check out her shop and blog you'll be happy you did. Good Weekend!!

P.S. if I didn't mess up, in a couple weeks, I'll have pictures to share that will prove what a great person Monika is. Until then go snap up her artwork.

We have Guests!

For the last four years our back yard has been home to a series of humming bird nests. Each time two adorable little hummingbirds fly away from home, from my home. And I'm happy to report that this is year five.


Welcome back little humming birds. I can't wait to see your babies.

Very Happy Surprise

I came home the other night to a great surprise. A very nice lady in Wisconsin had ordered two pieces from my etsy shop. Woo Hoo.

These are the babies that found a new home.

Off they went today.
I hope she loves them as much as I do.

Weekend Eye Candy - I'm in Love

I think these are just about the cutest little creatures in the world. They are the creations of "Sweet Bestiary", and I'm in love with them. I think it's the whimsy that gets me, or it could be the imagination. No, I think it's the sweetness in their little faces. I've got it, it's the...okay I admit it, it's everything about them. I just love them. The artist has a blog by the same name. Very inspirational and full of great eye candy. Please check out the blog and shop, you'll be happy you did.

Then on Thursday and Friday of last week...

OOPs I have to start with a little back story; on February 7th I gave a demo on enameling to the LA chapter of the PMC Guild, the New Metal Artists. A great group of ladies. Because of the demo I had 4 charms in various stages of completion, to show all the steps in enameling. So Thursday and Friday which were cold and rainy, perfect weather for snuggling with a 1400 degree kiln, I completed three charms.


I'm very happy with how they turned out. Two are for the guild's "charms for charity bracelet" project and the other one is for me to do with what I will. Maybe I'll start that charm bracelet I've always wanted.

That leads us to Saturday of last week. A dear friend of mine was in town and totally spur of the moment we decided to go to the Getty. We walked thru the beautiful rooms and talked about art, life, books, and well everything. It was a magical day.
And last, but not least by any means, Sunday I finished painting my living room.

This project has been on my "to do" list for about three years. I don't know how, but it just never got started or finished, until Sunday. Don't think I can paint an entire room in one day. That's superwoman stuff and I'm no superwoman. The painting of the doors and trim started on Tuesday, went to Wednesday, and final touches Thursday night. All in all about 15 hours of doors and trim. Then on Sunday I edged and painted the room, that took about 5 hours. So total running time on this project about 20 hours to a new room. Totally worth it.


It was an amazing week. That's the thing about turning around and focusing on the future. There's so much more to do tomorrow than you can fix about yesterday. Thank you all for your patience.

I've been thinking.

January has always been a big time of refection for me, and this year was no exception. 2009 was one hell of a year for me, as it was for many. And like Narcissus I got a little caught up in my reflecting. But last week I walked out of my self reflecting cave, back into the sun, and I had the most incredible week.

Monday of last week...

Thru a strange twist of fate my Honey and I met a friend, not for the dinner out we were expecting, but at his gourmet hot dog truck on Abbot Kinney in Venice. We shared a Dogtown Dog and Tatter Tots...they were amazing, I'm so glad the fates twisted. You must check out Dogtown Dogs if you get a chance. And I can highly recommend the Dogtown dog and Tatter tots.

Dogtown Dogs

Then we walked and window shopped Abbot Kinney from end to end. This street is one of the coolest parts of Los Angeles and has several of my favorite galleries. It was a great way to start my new start. Then.....

Tuesday of last week...

I got a rare and very special treat. We went to an invitation only dress rehearsal of "The Subject was Roses" at the Mark Taper Forum Staring Martin Sheen. The play also stars Frances Conroy and Brian Geraghty. If you get the chance you really must see the show.
Marin Sheen first appeared in the play on Broadway in 1964, he played the son home from the war. Now he's appearing in it again, but this time as the father. To watch Martin Sheen live on stage was very special. He's so alive and dynamic. It felt as if he took you by the hand in the opening moment and said "Come with me, I want to show you something". Then he lead you thru the life of the play with confidence and grace. To see Martin Sheen on stage is a treat you will think about often, I know I have. Then on......

Wednesday of last week...

My amazing Honey called and said he had tickets to the theater again, but this time it was a surprise. And I couldn't have been more surprised. I put on my theater duds, and it's a good thing I dressed up, because we ended up at the opening night of "The Color Purple" at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.

The music and cast were amazing. I cried like a baby. The Color Purple is my favorite book of all time and the musical definitely captures the scope and joy of the book. I'm not an American Idol watcher but the cast reads as a who's who of American Idol. I especially loved the actors playing Harpo and Sofie, and I can't find my playbill anywhere to tell you their names, but they were mind blowing. So an early, but very much loved, Valentine to me.

But it doesn't stop there. On Thursday I played with glass on metal. But you'll have to tune back for those pictures and stories because this post is already waaaaaaaay to long already.

So I'm out of my cave and back on the shore. And it's nice to be back. I missed you all.

Better Late Than Never

I have a couple last minute Holiday projects to share. This one is a ginger bread house that my friend Taylor and I made. This whimsical little house took about 5 hours to make and was totally worth it.


It was a kit from Michael's but we added a ton of custom details. My favorite is the candy wreath. I cut up a couple of the spearmint candies, then attached them to a peppermint candy, and lastly added red candy dots as holly berries. We also added a lolly pop lane and coconut snow.

I hope you like the last hurrahs of my Holiday fun.