Friday, October 29, 2010

Some More Pumpkins


Yes, here are some more little guys! These ones I decided to sell individually and not on a board. The "baby" pumpkins are so cute.

Pumpkins are not the only pieces I have been making lately though. There are lots of new pictures that I have to download pretty soon. What would I do without a digital camera??
In the mean time, I have a long (but hopefully fun) weekend coming up... not to mention halloween on Sunday! Back to my minis now.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Pumpkins!

It was great to be selling my miniatures again at a craft show! Yesterday was very successful and way too much fun. Today I have returned to making minis like crazy as I try to rebuild my stock for my next show on November 6th. I have a very, very busy two weeks ahead of me before the next show.

I have also discovered a love of making pumpkins. It's so fun to make different shapes and sizes. Here is a rustic hand-painted board with eight cute pumpkins... a few of my leaves are scattered in between. Somehow I wish this season came around more often just as an excuse to make more pumpkins... and because I love roasted pumpkin seeds!








Monday, October 18, 2010

Tutorial: Miniature Leaf


Tutorial: Miniature Leaves



Step 1:


Supplies needed (as shown in picture):

  • Wax paper

  • Toothpick

  • Shiner/Glaze (I use Gallery Glass for this project)

  • Real leaves from outside

  • Leaf paper punch (I am using Vaessen Creative's 5'8" inch Maple Leaf Punch)

  • (Optional: Dish soap, water, and 2 hand towels)


Step 2:
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Gather your real leaves from outdoors.
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Step 3:

Retrieve your paper punch and leaf of your choice. Try to align the veins of the leaf down the center of your punch as displayed in this picture. It looks more realistic this way.
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Step 4:

Apply some glaze on a toothpick and spread it across the miniature leaf. Make sure you do not overload the glaze; the goal is a thin layer. Be very gentle so that nothing rips. The glaze will help preserve the leaf and make it just a little bit shiny. I highly recommend this step.
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Step 5:

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Place your leaf punches on a wax sheet of paper and let them dry. Carefully peel them off when they are dry; if you do this properly, they will come off easily. I like to bend my leaves at this point to make a curled effect using my fingers. On occasion, depending on what kind of leaf your are using, it will curl by itself.
You can store your leaves in a box (or a bag), but preferably something that won't smash them together. Note: Some types of leaves will fade/darken in color before or after this process. I personally think it is nice to have a variation in shades, so I don't mind if a couple of my leaves change a bit in color.

The finished product:

All of the leaves are colored and textured just like a real leaf (that's because it is a real one) on both sides! Add these beautiful little leaves with your own miniatures, use them as confetti, or do whatever you like with them.





Saturday, October 16, 2010

Cold... but Sunny!

It is really chilly outside, but all the same it is so sunny! I am impatiently waiting for our leaves to turn colors... although the majority of our leaves transform into a plain brown shade. (The neighbors' large, crimson tree across the street puts our tree to shame!) Despite the blisters and splinters that I receive from raking, I will never stop loving autumn!

So here's a little carrot cake to warm up your day... or at least mine! I am craving something sweet at this moment.

For the past two days I have been working very hard on new little miniatures. It is such a wonderful feeling to work with my gooey clay like good old days!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Purple Birthday


Because today is my birthday, I thought I would share with you my newest birthday cake set. Purple is my favorite color, so I centered the theme around a lilac shade.

As you can see, there is a vanilla (although chocolate is my favorite) cake with purple icing, candles, cookies, and a rectangular present... all purple! My dream has come true!

Now I am going to go and enjoy what is left of today! May I dream of purple tonight.



Macaroons!







Some random cookies.



The cake!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Little White Ducks

Ducks are just too cute! Unfortunately I don't get to see ducks too often where I live. My miniature birds have always been popular. Occasionally I am asked if I make any miniature birds. These new ducks are very simple, but all the same they were very tricky to sculpt. I don't make birds that often because the structure and texture is so time consuming.

Babe was a movie that I always watched when I was growing up... and these little white ducks remind me of little Ferdinand!






My little white friend.



A duck teapot (with a tea cup). His bent "tail" is the handle and his open beak is the spout.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

After the Weekend

I have some planning to do for the weekend, so I will not be able to post until after then. =/ All this planning has been the main source from keeping me away from miniatures.

Last evening, two of my cousins and I were invited to dance (at a closed performance) to a live band. The music was just beautiful. It was quite an experience, and one I will never forget!

As I have mentioned before, I have a craft show on the 23rd of this month. I cannot wait! It has been four long months since participating in my last show. Craft shows are fun inside and out.

In the meantime, enjoy the calorie-free snicker doodle cookie earrings (pictured above)! Indeed I have been building my stock of miniature food earrings. The food earrings were extremely popular at my last show.