Pretty as a Peacock

So it has taken me a little while to recover after the hectic craziness that is Dragon Con, but I have finally got back to sculpting. I had a few requests for commission pieces at the beginning of October that I had to work on but with those done one of the first new pieces on my list was a Steampunk Peacock. Oooooooo :)
As always I start with the general shape of the bird, hand sculpting it out of polymer clay. Then I made some polymer clay canes for the feathers. A cane is comprised of two or more colors that you stretch and press together to make a rod that can then be cut to make several polymer clay "stickers" if you will, to be added to your sculpture.

The large tail feathers were canes that I press together and then stretched out to make a teardrop shape. 

After my canes were finished I flushed out more details on the face and body of my peacock.

I made some legs and feet for my sculpture and then started to add the small cane feathers. I placed each of them one at a time, smoothing the tip after it was placed. The end result was a fun array of black/white and green/yellow feathers covering my peacocks back.

Metal jewelry pieces were then carefully cut to the desired shape and added to the piece. Thus the Steampunk Peacock was finished and ready to brighten up anyone's home. :)

I hope you enjoyed and learned alot from my blog. This beautiful piece is available on my Etsy store, but there is only one so make sure to check it out. :)

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn 

Whisper to a Hummingbird

I just finished a piece I have been working on for a friend. Her mother-in-law loves Hummingbirds so she wanted me to make something special for her for Mother's day.
I wanted the Hummingbird to appear like it was flying while drinking from flowers, not an easy task but I had an idea of how it would work. I started by making the flowers for the base.

Azaleas are a good pretty Flower to sculpt. 

After all the flowers were sculpted, I attached them to a wood base using glue and craft wire. Then I sculpted small polymer clay decorations to the corners of the wood base.

Just add a small message and painted details and the base is ready for the next step.

Sculpting the little Hummingbird was the most fun, I sculpted the sweet little body and wings separate and then attached them with liquid clay and craft wire.

I sculpted the little bird with a wire going through the length of his body and out the tip of his beak, to help attach him to the flowers. Then details were painted and the little guy was ready to add to the base.

ALL FINISHED! 

I really enjoyed working on this piece, and my friend was very pleased with how it turned out.

For commissions/custom orders contact me through my Etsy store.

Thanks for ready!
~Caralyn

First Time Wood Burning Experience

My husband and I just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary this past weekend. We like to stick to the "traditional" wedding anniversary gifts and this year was wood. So off to Michael's Art Stores to pick up a little wooden box, they aren't expensive and they come in several different styles. The one I got was specifically chosen to hold my husband's Bicycle playing cards collection. Originally I was planning to just draw all over the box with a Sharpie but as I walked past the wood burning tools, I was intrigued to give it a try. They didn't have too many tools to choose from so I purchased the least expensive one, I'm sure there are much better quality burning tools but as a first time user, I wanted to make sure I would enjoy it before spending alot. So now that I had my tool and my canvas, it was time to go home and see if I was going to create art or burn the house down :D

After carefully reading the user directions and making sure I was following the safety tips, such as wearing gloves, I was ready to test out my new toy. I started with a small box I purchased just for the testing of my burning tool. 

Holding the tool takes a bit to get used to, you hold it much like you would a pencil, however you are gripping it higher on it's base so it feels slightly awkward, at least it did to me. Touching the tip to the small particle board box and the wood melted away easily leaving a nice black dot. Dragging the tool along I was able to draw, not as smoothly as you would a pencil but without too much difficulty. Before I knew it, my little testing box was covered in my scorched doodles. Now to move on to the gift box.

I was not happy with the little latch that came with the box so I first replaced that with another I was able to purchase in the wood section.

Then I sketched out the picture I would be burning; there is no eraser for the burning tool so I wanted to make sure I knew where my lines would be. 

Burning this box was slightly more difficult than the smaller box, I am not sure, but I think it was due to more knots in the board. But I was still able to fill my little particle board canvas with lots of art work with a small amount of effort. 

Make sure to always wear gloves when working with your wood burning tool, I was thankful I had gloves on when about half way through my work I smelt leather burning and realize I had rested my ring finger on the hot metal of the tool, had I not been wearing my protection that would have been a painful lesson that no one wants to learn.

After my box was covered in my burned designs I stained it. I am sure that the particle board was mostly to blame but the stain washed some of the burned lines off and I had to reburn them. If I had used oak wood or some other type of wood it may not have erased my lines but it was not that difficult to touch up my piece.

My gift was done and my husband loved it and promptly stored his card collection inside.

I loved wood burning and am definitely going to use my new tool again soon :)

Hope you all enjoyed reading about my first wood burning experience that since I didn't set my home on fire I plan to be doing again :D

Thanks!

~Caralyn 

 

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT!!!

Hello Art Fans!
The Dragon Can Art Show is fast approaching (ONLY ONE WEEK TO GO EEP!) and I haven't completely gone bananas yet....I think that is a pretty good accomplishment...I deserve some type of glittery star sticker :)
So I'm super excited for this year, especially due to how well last year's Art Show went. That was our best year ever so I'm hoping to break the record with 2015's Art Show...fingers crossed.

I have a whole bunch of brand new pieces for the show. My Gallery will have two new fairy sculptures, my Traveling Turtle and his fairy friend and a racing snail with his rider :)

 Also I will have several new prints available at my booth this year, includes Steampunk set, Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent, and some small StarWars and Firefly Doodles...don't you just wanna Squeeee :)

And I can't forget my little guys! I have been sculpting my little fingers off to make a tiny army of Steampunk animal pals and I think I've done pretty well. Here's the Dragon Can Art Show Class of 2015 (Steampunk Honors Class) :D

Well, I need to go finish getting ready, the show will be upon us in a blink of an eye and I still have Prints to mat so I will leave you but I hope to see you all there, come by my booth and say hi to me and my little animal friends :)

Thanks for reading, Tootles!
~Caralyn

Never Any Doubt.....okay maybe a little...

Heard back from the Dragon Con Art Show Jury, I got in to the Art show....7 years of Dragon Con and it is still nerve-racking to go through jury. But now to get to work on some brand new Gallery pieces, I'm getting started a bit later than normal but this year has been crazy busy.
Anyhoo, got some fun stuff planned, new Framed sculptures, more animal pals, Steampunk animals pals and Steampunk dragons , some of my Steampunk Pocket Watches and a few other little critters including my Cute'Thuluhs, this will be their 1st Dragon Con. :)

So much to do before September!

Can't wait for Dragon Con to see my little guys? You're in Luck, I will be at TimeGate Con May 22nd - 24th, so make sure to stop by and see us :)

Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn

Why Hello there 2015 :)

Super Excited for 2015! 
Looking forward to the projects I have planned for this year. I have a whole bunch of new animal pals planned along with plenty more Dragons, not forgetting Steampunk Dragons and Pocket Watches. I have a few more Framed Sculptures that I will be working on and hopefully, I will be able to color the mountains of Sketches I have waiting on me. AND we might be seeing a few of those sketches make their way onto T-Shirts EEP! :D
Also, I have had a lot of you ask about sculpting tutorials so I am planning to do some step-by-step art videos for you, walking you through creating my Dragons and Animal Pals.

Last year I put off some of my commissions, but this year, I should have some of my schedule open up so I can start taking requests again, just message me on FaceBook or email me at mysticreflections@gmail.com 
I am currently working on the art for a fun children’s book, I won’t give you too many details yet but I’m super excited about it and now that the holidays are over, I will be able to put more time into it. I’ll try and post plenty of progress photos along the way :) 

If things go as planned, you will be seeing a lot more from Mystic Reflections. Can’t wait to see what this year brings! :D

Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn 

How-To Easter Center Piece

Got some crafting done last night YAY! :D
Made a fun Easter Center piece, it was really easy. All you need is some Easter decorations/accessories (works best if they have a long stem/stick) I got mine at the dollar store, YAY CHEAP ART! Some Craft Foam, you can get it at any Art Supplies Store and then a basket, I used a fun little wooden bucket that I found at a yard sale for a dollar WHOOT! Fill the bottom of your basket or bucket with the craft foam then just insert your Easter accessories into the foam as if you are making a flower bouquet, arrange them any way you like, Yep that’s all, it’s that simple to make a fun Easter Center piece.
Happy Arting Everyone! :)

For more Eastery Fun Check out my newest Sculpture!
Easter Bunny on Etsy

Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn

FREE BOOKMARKS!

Finished the bookmarks for my husband's book signing. We will be handing these out, They are of the three main characters from his book Winston & Baum: and the Secret of the Stone Circle

Get your copy of Winston and Baum

March 22nd stop by the Book Worm and get you a signed book and a Free bookmark. :)

About the Book Signing

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn 

Sombulus Fantasy Adventure!

Hey everyone! I am super excited to share this with you all.
A wonderful artist, friend, and story teller, Christina Major is trying to get her adorable, fun, adventure web comic made into a book.
The webcomic is Sombulus, it's a light-hearted fantasy adventure that Christina writes and illustrates and she publishes a new page every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sombulus.com
She only needs a few backers on Kickstarter to reach her goal.
I'm also sooo stoked that she let me be a part of it. One lucky backer will receive... among loads of other super awesome prizes...a one of a kind piece by me, a sculpture based on her sweet creation Reggie the Dragon, HE SO CUTE!!!

So check out her kickstarter link here!
Sombulus Webcomic Pledge Now!

Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn

PASSED!!!

PASSED JURY! I have been accepted into the Dragon Con Art Show in September! :)

http://www.dragoncon.org/?q=art_show_view

Unfortunately this doesn’t guarantee me a spot, they have so many participates, that sometimes they don’t have the space for everyone. So fingers crossed, the Myxies get to attend their favorite Con this year.

Only a little over 4 months to get all the inventory I need ready for the show, that isn’t long at all, I need to get my rear in gear. Speaking of gears, I will be working on a bunch more Steampunk Dragon Pals AND their New Friends, the Steampunk Myxie Pals, for the show. Along with brand New Myxies, New Prints and New Paintings. So much to do, so little time to do it in. Wish me luck everyone. :)

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn  

Fly my Steamponkey

Okay this guy took me about three days because I kept having to start over, I just couldn’t get his face to look right. I had to print out a photo of a real monkey and Finally I got him the way I wanted and he turned out really cute, despite the initial issues. Flying Steampunk Monkey, complete with mechanical leg and arm to help him maneuver the cyber jungle :)

He is available on my Etsy Store. Also check out my store for other Polymer Clay creations.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126778163/flying-monkey-steampunk-myxie-pal

Thanks for reading.

~Caralyn

Oooo Shinny!

Mischievous Little Raccoon Steampunk Myxie Pal. He is all ready to go scrounge up some shinny gems. :)

Get this cutie at my Etsy Store!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126091336/slick-raccoon-steampunk-myxie-pal 

Thank you for reading.

~Caralyn

Steampunk Rabbits

My Steampunk Rabbit was feature in an adorable Blog, TotusMel’s Wunderkammer: Rabbits

Today’s blog gives a shout out to Steampunk Rabbits, seems appropriate with Easter right around the corner.

http://totusmelswunderkammer.blogspot.com/2013/03/rabbits.html

So check it out!

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn

A Mouse in my Steampunk House

Steampunk Mouse, Loved this little guy after I finished him, I might have to make a few more Steampunk mice :)

I’ve posted the mouse on my Etsy Store, https://www.etsy.com/listing/124982730/gismo-mouse-steampunk-myxie-pal

Started on a Steampunk monkey last night but he might be a little out of my element, because I think he came out looking more like Gollum. I may have to put that one to the side and finish a few more rodents and bunnies for a bit. But a friend of mine gave me two ideas for more cute animals I hadn’t thought of, a Raccoon and a Squirrel, CUTE! So I’m adding those to the list.

Should have some more photos for you on Monday so check back.

Thanks for reading.

~Caralyn  

Keepemcomin

Newest Steampunk Dragon Pal, now for sale on my Etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/124179631/goldngears-steampunk-dragon-pal 

Working hard getting as many Steampunk Dragon Pals as possible before the end of this month...cause next month I'm planning to get started on NEW MYXIES!!! So keep checking my pages so you can see what new pieces I come up with :)

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn

STEAMTASTIC!

Added two brand new Steampunk Dragon pals to my Etsy Store. That’s’ right, I have started working on the fan-favorites again, with all their Steampunky goodness  :D  

Past few months have been so hectic for me but I'm finally starting to get back to my normal routine enough that I was able to make these two little darlings last week. I won’t be able to get very many done this week, due to a much needed vacation I will be taking WHOOPWHOOP! But the following week I will hopefully be able to get a bunch more sculpted. So keep checking my Blog and Facebook page for updates. https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mystic-Reflections/146566330160 

Here are the listings for the Steampunk Dragons. Enjoy!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123320077/lock-n-key-steampunk-dragon-pal  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123319518/key-to-the-heart-steampunk-dragon-pal?ref=v1_other_2 

Thanks for reading.

~Caralyn

HECK YES I WANT FREE SHIPPING!

OH BOY FREE SHIPPING! Get Free Shipping on all my Artist Prints Today! That’s right, don’t pay a cent to ship! Just use coupon code JANSHIPPRINTSFREE at checkout on my Etsy Store, and SAVE!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/MysticReflections?section_id=6561503&page=1 

Sorry I haven’t posted much these past two months, The holidays were just so hectic for me this year.  But I am planning to get back to work this month and I have some really great pieces lined up.

My last two Steampunk Dragons just recently found new homes so I am going to start the year off with cranking out a few more of them, since everyone seemed to enjoy them so much.  I also have a bunch of new Myxies planned that I am super excited about.

So hoping to have some fun blogs for you all very soon :)

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn

Whatcha Doin?

Just wanted to share this adorable Fun Etsy Treasury with you all.  My little Doll Steampunk Dragon pal was featured in it.

Check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjQ3MTgwMDd8MjcyMzUyNzYxNg/not-all-dragons-are-scary?ref=af_shop_tre 

Working on many new pieces before the end of the year, it’s coming fast I know but I’m hoping I can get at least 3-5 new Myxies done by then. Keep checking my Blog and Facebook page for updates on my work.

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn

OH BOY! NOW I CAN BUYZ STUFFS!

Added the last of the remaining Myxie Dragon Pals, Steampunk Dragons and Steampunk Pocket Watches to my Etsy Store this morning.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MysticReflections  

It’s always difficult to get back in the routine of sculpting again after Dragon Con but I’m looking forward to it.  I’m getting into the spirit of Halloween with Fall coming up and I have a few fun ideas that I can hopefully pull off before the season is gone.  I really loved the Candycorn Dragon a did last year so I was thinking of doing a similar one. I also have a Myxie Witch planned that will be candy themed and maybe another thing or two if I can get them done in time. I have also been thinking a lot about doing some unicorns, I did a few a couple of years back and I’m itching to give them another try. Then there are all the Myxie ideas that didn’t get to make it to this year’s Art Show that still want to be created so I have a full schedule of sculpting planned in the next couple of months.  

Keep checking my Blog for the new pieces I’ll be working on. Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn

LET'S GET THIS D-CON PARTY STARTED!!!

Here it is again, Dragon Con http://dragoncon.org/ is right around the corner. So I have been steadily working on pieces to fill my booth and cranking out a ton of my newest (and funiest to create) additions to the Mystic Reflections Family, Steampunk Dragon Pals!  These little guys will be making their 1^st Art Show appearance at this year’s Dragon Con, they are nervous and excited :)

I have all new Myxies for this year too, they will be for auction in the Art Show Gallery. I will also have Original Paintings and Scratch Art in the Gallery.

As always, I will have a whole bunch of prints in a few different sizes at my booth and then, of course the Dragon Pals. AND Mystic Pendants which will include some other new additions, the Steampunk Dragon Pocket Watches. 

So I have a lot of new fun pieces this year and am so ready to get the DRAGON CON FUN STARTED!!! So make sure to come see me at my booth and to say hello to the little Dragon Pals…they will have so many little dragonflies in their stomachs and will need the support LOL :P

Can’t wait to see you all there! Thanks for reading.

~Caralyn