Fairy Clay babies sculpting... Interests??

slcuniques · #1 2011-01-31, 3:16pm

I posted my first Fairy clay baby in the gallery area a couple days ago and it generated a bit of positive interest and several asked HOW, without using a mould. If you are interested, please let me know. I've photographed the processes for those that said they wanted to know.
If so, I'll create a tutorial in the FREE TUTORIAL area. My photo's are ready but there are 43 of them of me sculpting a face for the Fairy clay baby.
My Fantasy film came in today so I'll be adding wings to her tonight. Just checking to make sure before I jump in and start posting them.

Here's my first Fairy clay baby I made last week that generated the interest.

Here's the one I made today for the mini tutorial. Of course she hasn't been fired or stained yet. She's still in the soft clay form.

Idnee · #2 2011-01-31, 4:35pm

Ohhh fairy baby is so cute!!! I would love to see how you scupted her. What a great talent you have....

slcuniques · #3 2011-01-31, 4:40pm

I'd love to share with you! The one little fairy clay baby that is somewhat finished other than her wings, is my first one. I made her last week so I'm not the pro, but I can share what I learned.
Thank you for the compliment and request Idnee!!

cdmaam · #4 2011-01-31, 6:43pm

You are incredibly talented. The baby is so cute! I'm in awe and would love to see the process

Melinda · #5 2011-01-31, 6:46pm

I'd be very interested in purchasing/donating to your tutorial.

slcuniques · #6 2011-01-31, 7:36pm

Ah, You bring up a very good idea Melinda,

Donations! Yes, If you guys like the tutorial, I think it would be incredibly wonderful if you would go to the AGLF website and make a donation. No pressure. I'm going to post the tutorial anyway, but AGLF could sure use the money.

I have all the photo's ready. I'm just writing out the steps with the photos and will post it in the FREE TUTORIALS section when I'm done.
Thank you for your offer Melinda!! That is very generous of you!

Melinda · #7 2011-01-31, 8:23pm

I'll be donating. Thank you for sharing!

slcuniques · #8 2011-01-31, 9:21pm

You're welcome Melinda, Thank you too!!

slcuniques · #9 2011-01-31, 9:21pm

I'm almost done with the tutorial.

theglasszone · #10 2011-01-31, 9:43pm

OMG...you better do this Tut woman!

slcuniques · #11 2011-01-31, 9:54pm

I'm getting ready to post it right now De.. Posting it in the FREE TUTORIAL area.

theglasszone · #12 2011-01-31, 10:04pm

Sandy you're an ANGEL!!!! I will surely donate a bit of what I've just made from my Orchid Murrini Tutorial sales to the fund! Bless you for being so generous! I have a couple questions but will keep my yap shut til you post it! (Well, I'll try at least!

)

I know as soon as I see it, I'll not be able to sleep! Oh, how very wonderful you are!!!!

slcuniques · #13 2011-01-31, 10:08pm

Aww, you're sweet De. Ok, She's up in the FREE TUT area! Go see. I probably have a few typo's but I can edit those.

slcuniques · #14 2011-02-02, 9:44pm

I just finished making a fairy full body. I'm on my second pair of wings using the fantasy film. That's not as easy as it looks and I still don't like what I've made so far.

Here's my fairy. Bad pic with iphone. No light so it's grainy.

I put this set of wings on her but I think I'm gonna try again. I don't like these. I keep melting away too much film with the lighter. Grr. I'm not real impressed with the results so far.

I like how my fairy turned out though. She NEEDS hair! lol
Also, today is not my day for photographing. I can't get my lighting right.

Col · #15 2011-02-03, 6:56am

OMG they are beautiful. They look so real.

Beadanna · #16 2011-02-03, 7:38am

You are a genius and an angel Sandy!

theglasszone · #17 2011-02-03, 8:03am

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! It's just adorable and beautiful!!! Love it!

emoon · #18 2011-02-03, 6:15pm

I just want to touch them!! Beautiful details, Sandy!!

slcuniques · #19 2011-02-05, 12:17pm

I have a new baby I made this morning. She's the size of my thumb.
With my eyes, I think this may be as small as I can go. lol
Unless I work under a magnifying glass.

Teena · #20 2011-02-05, 12:41pm

Sooo cute your new baby! She's so tiny. You do wonderful work.

slcuniques · #21 2011-02-05, 12:47pm

Awww Thank you Teena. This Itty Bitty little one was haaaard. lol
You should try making them. They really are a blast. A little frustrating at times but still fun. The really fun part is when you stain them so you can see all the detail better. What worries me is when I stain and then see all the flaws. lol Some of those flaws are hard to see until it's too late. I'm still in the learning mode. Eventually, I hope, I can perfect them.
This cold weather makes it a little tough. My fingers get stiff and don't always want to do what I want them too. ha! It's old age me thinks..

*Naos* · #22 2011-02-05, 1:50pm

OMG Sandy - they are fantastic - wow! You have an amazing talented soul!

slcuniques · #23 2011-02-06, 8:11am

Amber, You are so sweet. Thank you girl!
I'm still working on getting those fingers and toes to work for me though. Then it's the eyes. I figure if I can get the eyes right with my Alpaca wool sculptures, I should be able to do it with clay. You'd think so anyway, huh?

I took a couple of my fairies up to Hobby Lobby yesterday to show some of the girls I talk to. I'm thinking once I get them just right, asking if I can do a little sculpting class there. They think I'm ready now, but I don't think I am just yet. I asked if they would keep that in mind for a few more weeks though. I's like to do that.

x_phoenician · #24 2011-02-06, 12:15pm

Oh my goodness, these are so adorable! Very generous of you to post a free tutorial and I hope to give it a try when I get some free time!

slcuniques · #25 2011-02-06, 2:21pm

Thank you Tracy! When you do, I sure would like to see.

LesleyMac · #26 2011-02-07, 7:21am

Sandy these are so beautiful you have totally inspired me. I have the clay and some tools to start with. Couple of questions though, if you don't mind.
Can I make a part, for example the face, bake it and then add to it and bake again? Is it okay to do that?

Also do you need stain? Yours look gorgeous but I have pinkish clay so I am wondering if I still need to stain.

I am a total beginner as I have never tried clay sculpting before so no doubt will mess up but these are so gorgeous I just have to try it, thanks so much for the tutorial, its really nice of you to take the time to help other people.

slcuniques · #27 2011-02-07, 8:19am

Hi Lesley,
Your compliments are so nice. I appreciate them very much!
You have some great questions.
Its definately easier to bake sections and add to your work so yes. After i sculpt the head and face, i bake, then i add the ears and bake again but for only about 8 minutes since the ears are so small and thinner in mass. I use sculpey bond to add unbaked clay to baked clay so it wont break away. Bake as you add sections will help you a lot and it will keep you from messing up what youve alread finished.
My clay is pinkish as well. When you bake it, it tends to lighten it a little but either way, straining brings out creases and detail. Dont stain the whole baby. What youll want to do is use a very thin pointed paint brush for detailing. Pick up some staining paint with the brush and paint joints and creases like where you might have one arm crossing the other and they touch. Fill in where they touch and wipe away any excess paint stain so it will only have the crease highlighted with the stain. Anywhere you see a crease or a line, stain it and wipe off as much excess as you can. Same arond the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and so on. After you are done staining with the "heat set paints", bake you piece for 8 minutes @ 250 to heat set the paint permenately. Ah, and dont paint your work until fully baked and cool. Otherwise it wont stain correctly.
My best advice is to just take your time and enjoy the process.

I hope youll share with photos!!

Sent from my iphone

theglasszone · #28 2011-02-07, 7:10pm

Oh, Sandy...here you go again with the great advice and guidance! Luv you!!!!

Now on that "heat set paint", can you tell us what brand you're using? I'm wondering if this is something I can find at Jo-Ann or if I'm going to have to drive cross town to Michael's

And I'm going to get my nails chopped off this week! That should make it a little easier for me to handle...

slcuniques · #29 2011-02-07, 8:47pm

lol, Dee, You're funny. Luv you too girl!
The Heat set paint I use is called "Authentic Reborn".
I don't know if Jo Ann's has it or not. I do know Michael's and Hobby Lobby both carry it.
I'd call your Michael's before making the trip. If nothing else, order it online and save yourself a trip. This is the set I have. http://www.secristdolls.com/inc/sdetail/38954 . This paint goes a Loooong way.

theglasszone · #30 2011-02-07, 10:08pm

Thank you Sandy!