Putting on The Victorian Lady Raven (AKA: Old Crow!)

Posting the steps I took to turn myself into an Old Crow.

I'm adding some really Huge eyelashes here. They almost look like wings. Maggie had to help me put them on because they were so big I couldn't see anything until they were positioned correctly. I added some wispy lashes to the bottom lids too.

Loads of blue and purple and white and silver shadows. Paid attention to the highlighting and shadowy spots.

Here I am applying the lower beak with spirit gum. Always test this stuff on your skin before you wear it for a whole night....... even if you've worn it every Halloween for the last twenty years! I got a rash this year from it on the bridge of my nose.

Putting on the top beak. I applied the spirit gum to the inside of the prosthetic beak and repeatedly put the beak on and pulled it off until it stuck. You can tap the prosthetic gently with a fingertip over where it needs to stick also.

Mom said I needed to define the beak more with makeup. so I added some silver and black shadow to the edges of the beak where they meet my cheeks and chin.

Here I'm just trying to make everything even. Harder than you'd expect!

I thought I'de throw in a side view shot even though it's kind of blurry. Profile looks different than face on.

Here is a shot of Mr. Jimmy and I outside. We were loosing daylight and I rushed out for pictures before I got my beak shaded. But you can see the bustle and the corset doing their trick here. I also have black wings on that I purchased but didn't wear to the Fabulous Birthoween Bash! They were too big and I didn't want to be pushing folks around with them.

I'll post more pictures of the finished costumes as they become available.


*Edited to add incoming photos*

Thanks to a good friend with a good camera, we have a couple more clear pics of the finished Old Crow get up.

Here I am three quarters of the way through the evening. I was enjoying a tall cool glass of squid ink provided by Mr. Jimmy the Octopus.

A SUPER HUGE thanks to the guys for throwing such a fun packed evening. We're already planning for next year!
:D

Beak Prosthetic Progress

I almost have the bottom jaw part of the beak done.

The pieces look like they will fit together pretty well. The top beak part is done. I have to add a few more coats of tinted latex to the bottom half before it's ready to un-mold.

I'll trim up some of the run over latex with a pair of scissors.

Here is a face on view. I think it turned out pretty well. I can hardly wait to put it on!

George the Cat kept leaning in for a kiss while I was coating my beak in latex. I was worried about getting it on his fur. But not too worried to take a picture!

I should have put latex on this guy!
Poor Mr. Jimmy!
His costume is going to be fabulous, we'll post pics of his build next week.
Happy Haunting!!!

Halloween Costume Update

The bustle mini skirt, or Gothic Lolita skirt for my Victorian Raven Lady costume.

I built the skirt on a duct tape copy of me that I discovered how to make through
Threadbanger

There are between ten and twelve layers of ruffle on the back of the skirt, and I'm not counting the three layers of feather boa I have tucked in there to represent tail feathers.
Most of the skirt is hand stitched in place and ALL of the fabric is recycled from pre loved clothing.
A BIG thanks to my Mom for scouring all the local thrift shops for black skirts.

Here is an update on the corset (also made out of mostly re-purposed clothing). I have the eyelets in place, however I don't think they're going to stay there long. The fabric was too flimsy and should have been reinforced down the edges where the eyelets went.

It's hard to see here but there is a scalloped edge on the bottom of the corset. The only new things I purchased for this piece were the bias tape trim (two packs) and the eyelets, everything else I already had or found at the thrift shop.

Singing Angel Ornament

Look who's on the cover of PolymerCAFE magazine for December!

I can finally start to share some sneak peeks with you all.
I've been busy the past few months with commissions and am excited to announce my good fortune in hitting the cover of this exquisite magazine. PolymerCAFE has been one of the best tools we have as polymer artists to hear about new exciting techniques and I'm more than thrilled to be asked to share.

:D

Halloween Nail Break

It was a busy week of making things.
Most of the things were costume related and I'll post progress pictures tomorrow after turkey time. I can't wait, after having the whole gallbladder experience this year I am very grateful for turkey time. All that gravy and dressing and crisp golden turkey skin. So excited!!!

I made some more Hallowenie nails. These ones were inspired by Endora (playeed by Agnes Moorhead), Samantha Steven's Mother on Bewitched. Thanks to my Brother (Thanks Wade!) I've been enjoying the entire series. Endora wears this purple and green combination when relaxing and she has the most shocking orange hair. I'll have to be her for Halloween one year. She is fabulous!
I made the smiling Jack o lanterns and the bats that glow in the dark out of FIMO clay canes. I purchased the gels from Nail de Royale. I chose their ibd soak off gel kit called Paradise. The colours are perfect for Halloween, two fabulous greens, a red orange, an almost neonie purple, the darkest navy blue, and a golden yellow. My first time with soak off gels. I'll let you know how I make out.

More Halloweenie Costume Build Fun!

I've been busy!

I found a fabulous site with instructions and a pattern generator for corsets. Easy peasy to use, and FREE!
A HUGE thank you to Drea Leed, who I believe built this generator!
I am having problems contacting her via her email link. If any of you use the generator please contact Drea and let her know how it worked for you.
I'll keep trying to get her!

Custom Corset Generator

Here is the paper pattern I made using the generator in about ten minutes!

I used a cut open shopping bag as they suggested. It was the perfect size.

This is the inside of my corset. The right side is quilted black fabric cut from the bottom of a coat.
I have hand stitched the two layers together using a contrasting thread so I can see it to remove it later. I did this to avoid using pins to hold the piece together while I sew my channels for my "boning".

This is the plastic I decided on to make my boning. Two of my fabulous work mates spotted it. THANKS GIRLS!!!
It is the plastic shelf covers used to hold tags. I have some trimming to do, but I think these will work just fine.

This is the plastic all ready. I trimmed the edges off and cut the pieces in half. Then I rounded the ends so they wouldn't poke me through the fabric.

Here is the prosthetic piece so far. I have about twelve layers of latex on it now. Eight layers have been tinted with black latex craft paint and I have two layers of loo paper and one layer of paper toweling in there somewhere to give the piece support.

It Has Begun! Halloween Mask Prosthetic Build 2010!

Giving a rare sneak peak at this years Halloween costume build.
I usually keep this to myself until after the parties but this is going to be a good one and I had to share.

I have used the positive of Maggie's face. It's pretty close to mine in size and shape and I've never gotten around to making myself one.

I used dollar store "modeling clay" to make the prosthetic sculpt.

Then I covered the sculpt in a few layers of latex. I will add colour and structure next. This is just the first half of this years prosthetic. It will be in two pieces so it will be a working mask. I have promised not to reveal Mr. Jimmie's mask, but he is working on another amazing piece this year also. Maggs is working away on hers in the basement today with her boyfriend. I think this is his first experience with one of our Halloween's.
Should be interesting!

Some Halloween Costumes Past.

Thought I'd post some of our past Halloween costumes. There are way too many for one post, I'll add more as the Holiday gets closer.

This is my brother and I. I think I was five or so, he would have been four. Mom made our costumes. I remember the hat really well. I was fascinated by the construction paper shapes on the door. We got to help cut them out. The things you remember decades later.......

This is CyJimmy, Pressed Fairy Maggs and Super Me!
This was Mr. Jimmy's first Halloween with us.

The girls winning the Halloween costume contest for our town paper. I loved these costumes.

Mercy, the year we discovered Cats, the musical was on disc at the library for loan.

One of many LOTR based costumes. Mercy was an Ent. We made the mask from lightweight clay and dollar store greenery.

Maggs the mini Andourian. So cute. She looks tired here. This is after the candy getting. No one knew what she was. Poor kid.

My Andourian costume, Loads of blue makeup, an old leather jacket from the Sally Anne and a whole lotta glue. We made Andourian Ale, it was potent.

Maggie's pressed Fairy costume, She looked fabulous, she even walked around with a limp like she'd been crushed.

Close up of Maggie's Goblin ear. We made it by dipping dollar store mixing spoons in liquid latex a bunch of times (like making candles) then peeling it off the spoon and gluing them on her ears and painting them out. This is her real hair colour too, weird.... she has dyed it black for so long I forgot she was a strawberry blond.

Head to toe shot of the goblin. It's amazing how many costume foundations are housecoats.

Jack O Lantern Time.

Here are some of our past Jack O Lanterns

Can't wait to make more.


This is Jack

and his friend Ooogie Boogie


A creepy Skully Jack.

Big Cheesy Grin Jack

I think I have a Booger Jack
(By Auntie J)

I have a headache and I'm hungry Jack.
(By Maggie)

I'm confused Jack
(By Mr. Jimmy)

Have no idea what we're going to do this year. The Jack O Lanterns are never planned. We just wing them. Way more fun that way. You never know who will turn up.

Ball Jointed Doll (BJD) Vampire Face Up.

This is Gretel, Maggie's Ball Jointed Doll. The above picture shows what she usually looks like.
However, for Halloween, Gretel likes to dress up!

Wanted to share this for for all of you who want to Halloween up you BJD's

Some things you'll need:

Various colours of acrylic paint. (I use Golden artist grade 'cause I like it best!)
Fine paint brushes
Small stiff brushes (for dry-brushing)
Water (for cleaning brushes)
Paper towels (for blotting brushes)
Light brown pencil crayon sharpened (for drawing in details)
Spray sealant

Draw in the eyebrows with the pencil crayon. (Erase if necessary to correct)
I hold the piece upside down to see if it's symmetrical. Looking at it in the mirror helps too.

Mix a blush colour and load up a small stiff bristle brush. Rub off almost all the paint and use the rest to blush the cheeks and outer eye edges. A little bit goes a long way, you can always add more but removing it means starting over.

Redefine the eyebrows with the pencil.

Add eyeliner in brown.

I added Twirls on the outer corners of the eye.
I used a fine brush and brown thinned out paint.
I also added red lips.

I painted in two fangs with white paint.

Above the eye crease I added iridescent gold.
Golden acrylic paints have some pretty cool pigment choices.

She can see again. I put her eyes back in.

Easy face up for the Howlidays!