How to Make your Dragon

I have had a soft spot for Dragons since I was a little girl. Then I grow up and still can't get enough of them, it's obvious from my collection of little hand-sculpted polymer clay cuties. I have been sculpting Myxie Dragon Pals for several years now :)

But I thought it would be neat to make a big one. So first I started with the general shape I wanted. This Dragon was going to be framed so I was just sculpting the head and neck. 

After pressing in his glass eyes I sculpted the details on the face. With a sharp clay tool I etch each scale into the soft polymer clay. His teeth were sculpted using transparent polymer clay so his toothy grin would look more realistic. 

Not sure what the fleshy part hanging off the neck is called but I've seen reptiles with one so I assume Dragons have one too... so I sculpt one on my Dragon and add more horns down the back of his head :)

After adding his chest plates, a plate at a time, I then add his scales, placing each one by one. Making sure not to forget to add the scales in the frame background to give the appearance that he is coming out of the frame. The process took a while. 

Once each scale was in it's place I was able to attach his large horns. And then he was ready to be baked. Usually with my larger pieces I bake them in sections but I was able to heat this guy all at once.

 Now to paint on the details and my Dragon is ready to hang on anyone's wall. I painted in all the cracks and corners with dark blue paint and then wiped the excess off to make the end result a lovely light blue.

This Dragon was such an awesome experience. I was able to stretch my creative muscle and try out techniques that I haven't been able to try on my smaller pieces. This piece took me over 30 hours and approximately 7 ounces of polymer clay to complete. He stands around 8 inches tall and is probably my favorite of my sculptures right now. :)

This dragon will be displayed in my Gallery at the Dragon Con Art show in September for those of you that would like to see him in person. 

I hope you all enjoyed my Step by Step process. 

Thanks for reading!

~Caralyn 

Dragon Con is that you?!

Hello everyone! So as some of you may know I am getting ready for Dragon Con currently, a Fantasy/Sci-Fi convention in Atlanta at the beginning of September...it is right around the corner EEP! 

For the past 8 years I have been part of the DCon Art Show, where I have a Gallery/Auction table and a vending table. I will finish up the gallery pieces this week hopefully, here are just a few of the newest pieces that will be available in my Galley. 

"Pick a Card" Jester Framed Sculpture

Check out a Step by Step on how I made this Steampunk Carousel horse.

Check out the Step by Step on how I made this Harpy

After the gallery pieces are complete, I will work on the pieces for my vending table. On my table I sell prints, pendants and Steampunk animal pals which you can see on my Etsy store.

My polymer clay sculptures are all handmade one of a kind and I do not use any molds so in-order to make sure I have plenty of inventory for the Art show I have to get started several weeks before. My little Steampunk critters are a fan favorite so I better get back to work. :)

Make sure to keep checking my blog and FaceBook page to see my progress. 
Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn

Step by Step Framed Harpy Sculpture

I really enjoy working on my Framed Sculptures. I just love the thought of a picture that is 3D hanging on the wall. I wanted to keep this piece very simple, keeping the Harpy the main focal point of the piece by not adding alot of frills to her.

I started with the head, definitely my favorite part to sculpt.

After I get the head and face the way I want, I move on to the body. I usually sculpt the body in sections or layers, baking the piece between each layer. The arms and hands are normally the last part to be added.

Now to make her wings.I went with a gold and brown color.

Secure her in the frame and add her wings and horns. 

Now she ready to have details painted on. 

And she is all done and ready to be featured in my Gallery in the Dragon Con Art Show in September.

Keep checking my blog for updates on what pieces I will be bringing to the show.
Thanks for reading!
~Caralyn

Riding a Steampunk Carousel

    I have always loved carousels ever since I was little and didn't have people yelling at me to get off and let the children have a turn...Who says adults can't go to carousels and ride while screaming that they are a princess...Annnywhoo
So I made my own carousel horse and due to my love of all things steampunky, I put a fun little twist to the traditional carousel ride. :)
It's all about dat base so that's what I started with, take several small wood circles, glue them together and drill a hole through the center. ( I got my husband to help with that part because I can't be trusted with power-tools.:P ) Then paint your base, I used white and gold.

 Now for the main part. Sculpt a rough shape of your horse; I usually sculpt the body and limbs separate. After you finish the details on the face you then attach the limbs to the body with wire.

Then you can sculpt any more details to the piece. I usually sculpt pieces that stand freely but this sculpture was a little more challenging because I had to sculpt each part while it had a large wire through the center of it. Made it very difficult to put down, and figuring out how to bake my horse was another chore entirely.

Time to add the steampunky accessories! Using clay and metal jewelry and watch pieces I bring my steampunk carousel horse to life.

All Done! Despite the size of this sculpture, he almost looks like he could carry children around and around until they got sick. FUN!!! :D

I am super happy with how this piece came out, I would love to make a few more steampunk carousel animals but I am not sure if I will be able to with the up coming Dragon Con Art Show I will be attending in September.
Keep checking out my Blog and FaceBook page to see what all I will be working on as the show approaches. :)

Thanks for reading.
~Caralyn

Check out this Crocodile Smile

Spent a few days in Florida last month and it got me in the mood to make an Alligator Steampunk Myxie Pal.

I usually start with sculpting the head on my animal pals and just form a rough shape of the animal's body.

 Then you can start to add the details and smooth out the torso shape.

Then comes the limbs, I sculpt each individually and attach it using craft wire frames. 

Once the body is finished, details such as scales and teeth can be added to the piece. 

Gears, Craft wire and metal jewelry pieces are added to give the animal a Steampunky feel. Then the piece is baked and the remaining details are painted on. And your Steampunk Alligator is done. :)

That's one good lookin Gator. :)

For my available handcrafted polymer clay sculptures, check out my Etsy store. 

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