Calling all Trade Me lurkers!...

[fantail]

A fellow came up with a great idea to get rid of some of the lint and dust falling on your sculpt, that you can make yourself
ooakguild.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=147102#147102
One day I will order some acrylic and make myself one, one day

[Donna]

Hi everyone.
Well, last day of the school hols, everything back to routine next week.
The acrylic tent is a great idea fantail. Honestly I think I would find it quite restrictive to work in tho', would be good for housing between sculpting. Mind you I did drop my piece 3, yes 3, times so maybe I need restricting.
I have had to say the sculpting is finished now, I keep striving for perfection and just end up making things worse, so I will have to say thats the best I can do, and make the final bake.
I am SOOO nervous that it could all fall in a heap hahaha, I'll take a photo to submit in case it does. Fingers crossed for me....

[fantail]

Best of luck with the final bake
Ooh not that long till the end of the month I still haven't got back to mine

[Donna]

Thank you fantail, you really have been a wonderful help to me thru' this project.
I hope you get a chance to work on your project soon.

I still haven't baked yet, I noticed some fine cracks in the legs as I was setting up, (result of one of the "drops") so I will fill these today.
I have already added hair (feathers) and painted the eyes so it will be interesting to see how these cope with baking. I also have concerns about the woven clothing after bake...oh well, learning experience, I will soon find out.

I'll report back with the outcome...
Have a great day.

[Donna]

Patience is not one of my better traits...but I'm certainly learning with this project.

On the good side - painted eyes, hair, woven clothing and pose all survived the bake.

Down side - the minor leg cracks I repaired became major breaks under heat. So I haven't finished after all.

[fantail]

OH NO!
Glad everything else survived
for cracks its best to crave it out - if that makes sense -make it wider before you fill it
Not sure why cracks happen sometimes they are easy to fix sometimes they aren't
Hope you can fix it without any further problems

[Donna]

Ok thanks fantail, I'll carve them out then. I glued them when I first dropped them, using superglue, but I'm wondering if the glue gave out in the heat. I was thinking of trying PVA as I know that will handle the heat. The breaks are quite extensive actually.

I'll have a go at it later on....

Added: I looked up about glues on Glass Attic, which I should've done first I guess. Seems I was right about the superglue and that it won't handle the heat. PVA is what I need to use.

[fantail]

I don't think PVA actually bonds polymer clay to polymer clay
and superglue is not heat resistant which could be why it didn't hold
if you are planning to put it back in the oven use clay to fix it if you can
its hard to explain all the techniques without knowing the full problem
if you're not going to put it back in the oven you can use super glue

[Donna]

Ok, I'll forget the glue altogether, and just use clay.

The breaks (3 fractures) in one leg are deep, deeper than the original break, so they must have opened up with the heat.

I have to sort it as it's impossible to remake the legs.
What a shame..I was so close. I WILL fix it though.

I really appreciate your help fantail

[fantail]

No problem Donna
I just hope you can fix it without further worries
it can be disheartening when you come across all these obstacles
hope you are still having fun

[Donna]

I was disheartened yesterday, but it is my fault really. I should have been much more careful in the first place.

I've had another look at the leg and you are right about the carving out. It would be better if I remove the damage altogether, and re-sculpt that part.

I've learned heaps with this first project, and I'm happy with what I've made. And, yes, I am still having fun

[fantail]

Glad you are still having fun ;D
If the carving back leaves too big (too deep) a whole then you can fill it with a bit of tinfoil but make sure you have enough clay to make it stable

[Donna]

Okay. Removing the damaged section is going to leave a large gap right down to the armature rod. The whole thigh and knee section (bent leg position). I'll wrap tinfoil around the area first.

I'm going to wait until I get a quiet moment. I really want to get it right this time...I want to finish and start something else now LOL

[fantail]

Always fun starting another ;D
Can you also carve a little on the sides so that it goes down in a little (shallow) step not just a wedge to allow the clay to bond to the sides, as well as making it easier to smooth
Hope I'm not too bossy
You are very dedicated, can't wait to see
enjoy the rest of your weekend

[Donna]

Thanks fantail, and no, I don't think your"e too bossy at all. I value your encouragement. Hope I'm not too needy, haha.

I removed broken bits and have started to re-sculpt the leg, can get away with filling a thin crack in the other leg. It won't be hard to fix.

Should I add that I have snapped off the front panel of woven clothing by crushing it with my fingers, and that I mixed the colour from 2 clays and used it all up.. hahaha I'm a NIGHTMARE sculptor.
I'll get it right in the end...

Thanks for caring, and have a great day yourself.

[fantail]

Oh dear Hah, guess its Murphy's Law with your first one
Hehe won't tell you to 'break a leg' with the next one

[BLL]

phew, you've been busy. Gr8 to hear you're persisting. I think i'd get too frustrated and bin it, start again. Glad you're more patient than me.
What about liquid clay as glue when you're rebaking?
erg, back to school tomorrow.

[BLL]

hey that acrylic hood is a brilliant idea. make one big enough and I'll never have to dust anything again!

[Donna]

;D Nah, no patience here, stubbornness and determination mostly.

Just being a drama queen really, I expected everything to be perfect first time, lotsa learning curves. Anyway, it wasn't the poor little creatures fault I'm such a klutz haha.
I've re-made the legs tonight, wasn't as bad as I thought. I'll fix the clothes tomorrow and it should be good to go...

I didn't get the liquid clay in the end, I didn't know what you used it for. I know now, and I'd better get some..

[fantail]

The liquid clay might be great for filling the crack but it melts a bit if you put it back in the oven so I don't know if it would've helped in this case
LOL Bll rubbing the acrylic side of a large room or house every ten hours to keep up the static charge won't be that fun and imagine the hair dos of all your guests

Best of luck with fixing the clothes today

[Donna]

;D 'morning all.

I'm happy to report all going well for me here. I finished sculpting (more like repairing) and did the final bake last night and everything went to plan.

I just have a few final touches now and I'll be FINISHED, yay!
I'll keep it padded up and safe meanwhile.

Hope you are all going well and managing to get some clay time in..

Have a wonderful day ;D

[anubis4]

;D ;D ;D ;D good job ;D ;D ;D

Yep all going well here just got some painting to do and all done.

[fantail]

That's great
I got some sculpting done too
plus I found out this year's September Auckland doll show theme will be:
"Magic and Enchantment"
Now I need to come up with a great idea

[Donna]

It's great to hear you are both going well with your projects. I really can't wait to see everyones creations. It's so motivating to have you all to aspire to.

"Magic and Enchantment', thats just perfect fantail, but the choices!!! It's going to be exciting to share what you create for that. Anubis and Blue, do you enter the doll show as well?

[anubis4]

I have not yet ( Its on will get there one day when Im good list. Still don't have the confidence to play with the big people LOL. )


BUT I WILL.......................... ;D


Blue on the other hand well she is a ribbon queen.