Giving a Tiger His Stripes

There are two ways I know of to add color to your sculpture. You either paint your sculpture or you use colored clay. I like to use colored clay on my pieces, I just like the look of it better than when paint is used. So I try to paint as little as possible on my pieces. It sometimes adds more time to finishing a sculpture but it also adds quality in my opinion.
So now I am going to walk you through one of my sculptures, using colored polymer clay to add stripes to a White Tiger.
I start by sculpting the body using white clay. I add colored glass beads for eyes and pink and black clay for a tiny nose. Then I mix black, white and a small amount of blue clay together to make a soft gray. I roll the gray clay out into long snakes/rods, trying to get the clay as thin as possible.

The next step is to lay the lengths of clay rods on the Tiger's body. Once you get the pattern the way you want, start flattening out and pressing the clay until it is smooth. 

This part is very time consuming but worth the end result. :)

Keep lining up the rods in the pattern, pressing and smoothing each line out. Make sure to be mindful of the flow of the back so you don't end up with wonky stripes...Yes, wonky is bad. :)

All his stripes are added, he is looking like a fine white tiger and he isn't even baked yet.

 After the sculpture is baked I then add small painted details to give depth and highlights to my sculpture.

The end result is a unique polymer clay piece. By using less paint, the color on this sculpture can not be scratched off or fade.

This little guy has sold but visit my Etsy store for my available pieces.

Check out my Step-by-Step blogs to see other times I used this technique. 

How to make your Forest Dragon

Pheonix always rises from the Ashes

Pretty as a Peacock

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn 

Steampunk Cuties

That time again when I crank out new Steampunk Dragon Pals. My last few shows/conventions cleaned out my inventory on these lovable little critters, so I've been working on some brand new little darlings. :)
Here's what I've gotten done, I may work on new Steampunk animal pals for a bit but don't you worry, I'm not done with the fan favorites just yet. :)
Oh and by the way, I was accepted into the Dragon Con Art Show in September again this year so I will be sure to make plenty of these little guys before then. :)

Love the metal butterfly wings on this one. 

Really fun colors on this little guy, the gold and the dark gray make such a nice contrast. 

This little one is my favorite so far....don't tell the others ;P

I have posted most of these guys on my Etsy store, check out the link for my available pieces. :)

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn

What I am Working on for Steampunk Expo

It's been a little while since I've blogged, Facebooking & Instagraming I am good at but trying to remember to blog often ... it's probably just easier to say I am lazy LOL :P
Anyhoo, I have a convention coming up in April, Steampunk Expo. I'm super excited about this show because it will be the first Steampunk Con I've been to, my work should fit in nicely don't you think? :)
So I have been getting ready for the show by working on some new pocket watches. I sculpt polymer clay fairies and animals into hollowed out pocket watch casings to create a sculpture that you can wear. This convention seems to be very cosplay driven so I figured I would make plenty of pieces for the costumed attendees to choose from. So here are a few of the most recent ones I have sculpted.

 Hummingbird; carry one in your pocket watch for good luck. 

Myxies peeking out of their pocket watch world. 

Scorpions are a symbol of protection in some cultures. 

Clever Fox knows how to keep time on his side. 

I am really enjoying creating these new pieces and I hope that the Steampunk Expo attendees with enjoy them too. Well time to get back to sculpting. :)

Thanks for reading, keep checking my sites for more updates on what I am working on.
~Caralyn

Cuteness Overload!

So I completely sold out on my sculpture inventory at the Dragon Con Art Show but never fear, I have been steadily working on some new little Steampunk Dragon Pals...and my goodness the cuteness factor is overwhelming LOL

You may have already seen them if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook but I'm going to post their sweet faces here too, just in case you missed 'em :)

Hoping to make a few more little guys but then I'm going to start on some new Steampunk animal pals, so keep watching my pages for photos. 

Thanks everyone for reading!

Have a Super Day! :D

~Caralyn 

Do You Have the Time?

Last year I did two Steampunk Myxie pocket watches. Trapped Myxie & Beyond the gears 
Having a small Myxie trapped in your pocket watch isn't the best way to keep time but it isn't too bad a way to travel. Keeping a Myxie close by will bring you luck wherever you go, and what a better way to keep them close than safely tucked in your pocket. :)
I really enjoyed making last year's and wanted to do some more.  These little guys will be making their debut at Dragoncon this Labor Day, (any that are left after the show will be available on my Etsy store.)  I hope you like my little time pieces and I really hope to see you at Dragoncon.  :)

This little one seems to have gotten stuck.

I even made a few sassy ones this time. :P

And beware the dreaded Clocktopus, he's escaping!

I found this little locket and decided to do something a little different with it.  

When you open it up, you'll see one of the Sandman's helpers.  If you can't get to sleep, just open the locket, wake up the sleepy Myxie inside and he will bless you with a good night's rest.  

I have a few more pocket watches that will be available at my booth at the Dragon Con Art Show, look forward to seeing you all there! 

As always keep checking my blog and Facebook for all my latest creations.  

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn  

  

My Pretty and her little Gun too

So I started a two drawing Steampunk Oz Theme. I posted the very rough sketch of the Steampunk Wicked Witch of the West, I will hopefully have that one inked this week. Anyway Here is my Steampunk Dorothy and her little....gun too :P  See the Emerald City in the back, it of course will be all green and shinny once I color this piece, along with those big ol’sneakers, they will be RED-Rubyfied. :)

I have been working on inking a few of my newer sketches so keep checking out my FB page and Blog for updates.

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