muqsite’s Neighborhood

Here's my latest project. She's a donation for the Michigan Museum for their Halloween theme. I popped her in the mail to her new home today (with just a smidge of reluctance.)  When this project came up last fall, I was thoroughly engrossed in the HBO vampire series - True Blood - so I decided to sculpt a vampire.

I had no idea how to sculpt one though, and I wanted her to look scary. Also I had absolutely no idea how to sculpt fangs. I decided to sculpt her with a closed mouth so I could get the features in the right place. I then cut a line between her lips and using various tools, I opened her mouth as gently as possible. I don't know if this is a good sculpting method, but I found as I opened her mouth that her features -cheeks, nose, chin, etc) seemed to move into a believable position.

Once her mouth was open I inserted a pre-shaped set of teeth into her mouth. If I ever decide to do a vampire again, I might try baking the teeth first; it might have worked better. However I just inserted the teeth and baked the whole head at once. For her eyes, I used glass pins painted with green glass paints. I shaped her hands into claws as if she's reaching out to grab a victim.

I dressed her in a Victorian style because a modern look required more skill sculpting anatomy on my part. Also her feet/shoes didn't turn out as I wanted. And yes, I didn't dress her in a filmy black hey-I'm-a-vampire type outfit. I thought she'd be scarier if you could imagine she was normal one minute and could transform in the next.

Vampire

What story of personal greatness, achievement or success would your co-workers or friends be surprised to learn about you?
Sponsored by Nature Made.I have had an astounding life singing with my 3 very talented sisters. We started off as teenagers in eastern Oregon singing together and learning to harmonize.  Paying so much attention to each others voices that they became a part of each of us.   We have entertained a thousand people at a time and had a blast.  One of my sisters is a song writer and has written over 1000 songs.  We have recorded a CD and made a music video which is shown in Hawaii often.  I have also sang for Hawaii Stars. My friends would be amazed if they knew I have learned how to make miniature dolls from polymer clay and love it!!!

Yes, I have lived an amazing life and what I have shared was just the tip of the iceburg, so to speak!

`Greetings everyone!  Well we have a new addition to the tutorial CD patterns!  This one - Volume #2, has 19 miniature doll pdfs (wigging, dressing, construction, painting, accessories, stage, photography and more)

Master CD Vol 2 and for our brand new release - tomorrow only - Saturday (1/31) it will be on sale for $12 plus $1 shipping - instead of $15 plus shipping.

Many of these tutorials were paid classes last year - so big deal and another fun way to learn!
Happy Creating!
DANA

Greetings and Good evening everyone!  Hope everyone had a productive weekend!  Nancy you are the winner for yesterday's *comment* section - congrats and email me with your address for your prize!  NEXT ....

http://www.minidolllist.com/Master%20CD.html ... this is a very popular CD, and on sale for HALF price! for the next 24 hours.

If you click the link - you will also see a full length PDF full of all kinds of wonderful tutorial information!

Winner, free tutorial and big sale.  Read you guys tomorrow!
DANA

Greetings and Good evening everyone!  Yesterday my mother fell and seriously hurt her hip .... lots of time in the hospital and taking care of her.

Which brings me to my question for Saturdays email contest for a great little piece of antique lace!  Simply add your comments below and I will select one Saturday Night.

WHAT are some ways you can take your miniature doll making along when you have to spend extended period of time away from the studio? .... Share with the rest of us!  Do you bring small pieces of fimo along for sculpting?  Bodice pieces to hand sew?  Stomachers to bead?

Yesterday's Pregnant picture email winner was Paula Crane.  Congrats Paula - just send me your snail mail address privately at Dana@Miniatureart.com

DANA

Greetings and Good Morning everyone!  WOW ... now that we woke everyone up on the list after the holiday slumber ... its time to get involved and MAKE that doll!  AND to help you do that --- we always have at least 3 contests going at any one time!

(BEFORE I get started .... here is ONE simple thing I'd like you to remember.  There are 1400 members on the list .... with different tastes, life experiences and cultures.  I provide a WIDE variety of activities on the list to  - hopefully - interest everyone.  Don't try to enter ALL the events, contests, rather pick out one or two and have fun.  This way you won't get overwhelmed).

CONTESTS .....

SAME MATERIAL CONTEST .... this is a fascinating and fun use of a single screen printed flower on cotton material.  Cut out the flower, ... use as a ballerina skirt, faery etc - whatever your imagination sees.  This contest photos are due to Marilyn Parke in February ... AND I have 2!!!  that I am giving away as prizes this morning.  Then all packets are sold out.  Simply leave a comment on the blog about an idea for an upcoming contest ... and first two entries will win a flower.

Memories Video Contest .... watch the video - and you will be sucked in!  Such a relevant story for so many of us ... whether in love, gothic costumes, immortal romance, or simply an understanding of old age.  This contest deadline was extended to May 15th ... and you now have time to make that room box - doll - or perhaps the magic mirror!

Valentines BUST Contest .... this is a great contest for new members or busy other members.  Simply dress a half bust (which can also be used as a pin or miniature clothing store wall bust).

All contest details can be found on the list website .... http://www.minidollLIST.com

Alrighty ... that is all for this morning .... a new chance to win this afternoon with another Dana's Musings....

Happy Creating - and PICK out that contest and get motivated!
DANA

Greetings and good Morning everyone!  I hope you are enjoying all the *WHO ARE YOU* emails sent yesterday and again this morning!  I personally like getting to know the person behind the name ... it makes it a much friendlier list if we get to know each other a bit more.

Happy New Year! I haven't updated in a long time, and as usual, I've not stuck to any of my project resolutions as mentioned in my last entry. Right now I'm trying to teach myself how to sculpt my own dolls. I've attached my first fully completed sculpt sans costuming. While she has some obvious problems, I'm not totally disappointed with her. Considering my previous attempts tend to look like aliens with massive foreheads (or Yoda as my last attempt at a fairy did), I was actually pleased that she looks relatively human and that I was able to give her a smile.

She is sculpted with Cernit clay and painted with acrylic paints.

Finished

I'm currently working on more figures since I want to improve so I don't know when she will be dressed. She's going to need a puffy sleeve to hide her lopsided shoulders though. Constructive criticism or helpful suggestions with sculpting are appreciated. Thanks,