So long 2018, Helloooo 2019!

Hello Art Fans and 2019!
Ushering in a new Year always leaves me wondering where the Old Year went so fast. You blink and it's over and you are left thinking about all the things you didn't get to do. Well I am not going to dwell on the things I didn't do, I'm going to use this blog to appreciate all the things I actually got done this past year.
As always I created alot of my little Steampunk and Animal Pals.

 Some of the same critters I have done before...still adorable though. :)

 But also some new creatures, this was my first time sculpting a Pegasus, and Purrmaids to Welcome Mermay.

I also took some of the animals I have made in the past and put a new spin on them, like with the shell designs on this turtle. How about some sweet White Flying Foxes to change things up?

I celebrated 10 years of Dragon Con! A decade of being a part of the largest Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention in the South-East.

I won my 7th award at this year's Dragon Con Art Show. 

I created some fun pieces for my 10th Dragon Con. One of which was my largest sculpture to date.

This Sea Dragon is 10 inches from tip to tip and took over 100 hours to complete.

Making Little Red's Mask was a fun adventure.
I used techniques that I had never tried before. 

Blew the Gryphon is probably my favorite piece from this year.
He has a unique personality that just makes you want to play with this little guy. 

 Blew the Gryphon 

I worked on more commissions than I have in previous years and have tripled in Followers on all of my social media sites. All the love and attention from my fans has made this year one of my best yet.
I finished the Year with my 6th annual Christmas Myxie Ornament.

I enjoyed several interviews and my art was featured in a few blogs this past year.
It was a fun exciting 2018 and I can't wait to see what 2019 brings. I hope you all had a Wonderful Year and an Amazing New Year!

Thanks for reading Everyone!
~Caralyn

Thankful for You.

Hello Art Fans!
As it is getting very close to the Thanksgiving Holiday, I wanted to take the time to mention one of the things that I am thankful for...my customers. Without you all I wouldn't be able to do what I do every day.
And a big part of how you help my business grow is by leaving reviews for my work. Your reviews help other customers find and make decisions regarding my shop.  Reviews also help me to know if I am doing a good job providing services or if/where I need to make improvements. Your thoughts and comments help me adjust my work or shop to get the most out of my business.
Here are a few of my most recent reviews. I just want to say how awesome it was to read these and to know that I made someone's experience a good one.

This review really tugged at my heart strings. :)

I love this little guy so much! My university mascot is a bear and I'm actually an amputee, so when I saw him I had to have him. He's beautifully made and shipped very quickly. I definitely plan to buy more sculptures from MysticReflections in the future!

The fabulous platypus has arrived safely, he’s perfect and astonishing of details. Contacts are simple and clear, you can with no problem buy magic objects from this shop. Thank you so much for your talent

Absolutely amazing. Stunning. I am tickled by this beautiful piece of art and I will treasure it forever. I'll be back to build my collection.

To read more of the reviews on my shop and merchandise or to leave a review, Please visit my Etsy review page. :) 

I appreciate all the feedback and Love that you all show my work. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn 

Round 2 of Then and Now Polymer Clay Creations!

Sorry it has been a little bit since I blogged last. The Dragon Con Art Show in September takes alot out of me and then my work usually increases due to the loads of custom requests I get swamped with afterwards. Not complaining, I love the work but it leaves very little time to blog and since most of the commission requests I am currently working on are for Holiday gifts, I can't post my progress.
But I can post my sculpting Progress over the years. I like to encourage artists to never stop trying. Practice really does make perfect but improvement comes slowly sometimes and can be discouraging. But don't give up fellow artists.
Here are some of my Then and Now sculptures that I hope will help motivate and inspire. :)

I hope you all enjoyed my throw back photos. Here's another blog of my Then and Now Progress pieces if you need more encouraging.
Then and Now Polymer clay creations: Always Keep Trying! 
Check out my work on my Instagram and Facebook!
Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn

10 Years of Dragon Con!

This labor day weekend marks the 10th anniversary of my artwork getting accepted into the Dragon Con Art Show.

Ever since attending this amazing convention for the first time, I dreamed of being a part of their art show. With encouragement from my family I attempted to join the show. But was rejected by the judges. :( The next year I reluctantly applied again. 2008 was apparently my year, I passed the jury.

I proudly set up my booth with my make shift signs and backdrop. I felt like a fraud that first year. I was selling my artwork next to amazing artists, with years of experience behind them. No matter what I felt or not, the artists and art directors welcomed me into the DCon family.

This was the set up at my 1st craft show ever, as you can see my booth has come along way from this first tiny show.
I didn't even have sculptures yet and Yes, that is a poster-board sign with masking tape. LOL

More handmade signs and displays.
My family and I call this colorful table cloth "the magic carpet" and it has been covering my booth table every single show since 2007.

2009 and you can see my booth is looking a little more put together. 

2nd Dragon Con booth set up. Not too bad, still had so much to learn though.

2011 Dragon Con booth set up. Starting to look legit? 

Dragon Con is the largest Sci-fi/Fantasy convention in the South-East, with over 80,000 attendees last year, but only a decade ago it was bringing in 30,000 people, still the largest show I had ever been a part of.
10 years later and this art show has proven to be my most successful convention each year. I have won several awards in the Art show, from best fairy to best horror, believe it or not. :)

I have also met the most crazy yet most interesting people here and made many friends and con buddies.
I completely believe you never stop progressing and improving as long as you keep doing, and the same goes for shows/conventions.  Each year I learn something new about my art and the business.

2014 booth set up.

2015 booth set up.

2016 booth set up.

2017 booth set up.

Though it is a stressful time, getting ready for this convention every year;

Taking months to build inventory and working many nights and weekends to prepare, I love this Art show and the inspiration it has been for me.

Here's a look at how far my artwork has come in the 10 years of Dragon Con. :)

Dragon pals 2008

Dragon Pals 2011

Dragon Pals 2014

Dragon Pals 2018

Steampunk Dragon Pals 2012

Steampunk Dragon Pals 2013

Steampunk Dragon Pals 2014

Steampunk Animal Pals 2013

Steampunk Animal Pals 2014

Steampunk Animal Pals 2015

Steampunk Animal Pals 2016

Looking forward to being apart of Dragon Con again this September. Can't wait to see everyone there. :)
Thanks to everyone that has supported my art and encouraged me over the years. And Thanks to Dragon Con for letting this little artist be a part of this awesome show for 10 years. :)

A super special Thank You to the people that help me at the show every single year, without these few I would not be able to handle the stress of those 4 con days. I love you all so much and appreciate all your help. Laralee, Julie, JR and my sweet wonderful husband.

Thank you for reading!
~Caralyn