New Wand Stand...

So here is my whimsical creation I have been working on. A new forest-like, vine strewn, wand stand. Complete with flowers, flower buds, leaves, and mushrooms :).

I have not created the wand for it yet, I'm thinking of a very light colored wood for it though. Maybe something vine themed like Hermione's wand in the 3rd movie. But sometimes I'm a little ambitious, we shall see what I can actually come up with :).

I have also made some more wands for Etsy, some of my tried and trusty rustic wands. I have also listed a bunch of other items that I had left over from previous listing periods.

Well, let me know what you think of the new stand!

Last Chance for Free Shipping!

Just a quick reminder that I am offering free shipping in my Etsy store until the end of today, 04/01/2011.

Just use coupon code DHMBD04012011 when you checkout.

I am also applying free shipping to any emailed orders, either custom orders or recreation requests from my website.

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I'm working on something fun and whimsical right now that I will put out in the next few days, I'm deciding on coloring for it right now. Sometimes I get stumped on color :).

Beauchene Skull Finished...

I finished the stand, it's on its way to a happy home!

Beauchene Skull...

I have a new creation for you. This is just a sneak peak, I'm not done with it yet.

It's called a Beauchene Skull, sometimes also referred to as an Exploded Skull. I saw it on TV twice in one week on two totally unrelated shows and just new it was a sign that I had to make one :). It's just my meager attempt though...

I think most beauchene skulls are dis-articulated into 14-22 pieces, mine is only 9 pieces since it's so small. I made it in 1:12th scale. It's made from polymer clay and the stand is brass. I'm still working on the base, so maybe I'll have it out in a few days or a week.

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On another note... Not much has been moving in my Etsy store and I've been feeling like my prices are too high lately. I want to make sure my items are affordable so I'm lowering prices. I am also offering free shipping until 04/01/2011. Just use coupon code DHMBD04012011 when you checkout. I hope that can make a few people out there happy :).

Thanks for following my blog!

Wand Box Stacks & Wand Stands

I've been on a sort of break from things, spent some time with the family. And I've had these wand boxes half done for weeks and weeks, maybe even a month or two. I finally put the finishing touches on them and made some wands to go with them. The idea for these came from a custom order request I got a while back and from the Harry Potter 2 movie, the Flourish and Blotts scene with all the wonky and twisty stacked books.

I'll be listing them on Etsy right away, I made two of each kind. I'm also contemplating making some similar stacks without the open/display box and wand (it would cut the cost by $15.00). If you are interested in some of those, please let me know, I might not make them right away unless someone wants them.

To give you an idea on the pricing...
-Closed non-opening wand boxes $8.00 each
-Open Box/Display Box $10.00 (lid is removable)
-Rustic Wand $5.00

Hope you all like them!

I've really been into wand displays lately. I've looked at pen stands and sword stands to get inspiration. Here is one of the pieces I made with a brand new wand design.

I'll also list this one on Etsy right away, I only made one stand, but I made two wands so I'll be selling one wand all by itself.

I've been working on a multi wand stand too, I have it all done and just need to make the wands to display. Hopefully I'll kick myself into gear and finish it next week.

Well I know I've been missing for a while but aside from spending time with the family, I've also been learning some metal smithing techniques that I hope to put to use in some new mini ideas I have. It might be a while before I can bring them into fruition though, I'm still taking my time getting started, I'm still kind of unsure of my skills with metal :).

More Nightmare Before Christmas...

I can't seem to shake off the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. My daughter made me a sketch of a box that instantly reminded me of Sally's dress and I had to get to work right away. Of course when I was watching the movie again I decided to make a box resembling the Halloween Town tree and another Jack box. Here they are:

 

I'll be listing these in Etsy. Hope everyone likes them!!!

Oak & Walnut Wand...

Here is another new wand I created. I kept a classic style to this one, I wanted to make sure that I provide more than just themed wands for those that want wands that can fit into any scene. I'm calling this one the Oak & Walnut wand. I guess I'm imaging the colors as a Golden Oak with a nice dark Walnut.

I also made a nice box for this wand, it's a wine colored top with a brown bottom and it's lined with a wine colored ribbon. It's got a silver fleur de lis embellishment on top.

Then I also made a simple stand to go with the wand. It's just brown and gold.

I will be listing this wand on Etsy in three different ways to keep it affordable. First just the wand on its own (I have two to list like this), then the wand plus the box as a set (I have two to list like this), then the wand plus the stand as a set (I only have one like this).

I hope everyone likes them!

Wands inspired by Tim Burton's The Nighmare Before Christmas...

I have been just so excited to show everyone these! Lovely Kate mentioned my skull wands reminded her of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and then asked if I could make one for her that's more Jack-ish. I set to the task last week and let me tell you, I am having to pry these from my own hands to give Kate hers and sell the other one. My family isn't helping either, my daughter just keeps saying that I can't sell them and that I need to keep them forever.

I imagined two different wands and so I needed two different stands for them so I made two whole sets. Here is what I made:

 This one is inspired by Jack's outfit and Tim Burton's style of trees. I incorporated those curly branch things to hold up the wand and painted the stand in Jack's classic black and white. I even added the bat bow tie. As with my skull wand stand I felt something was missing, so I added a couple of spider webs.

The other set is inspired by Jack's Coffin Sled.

 I wanted to make the lid open the way it does in the movie (with two sections opening in different directions), but my history with hinges made me too afraid that I would mess it up. This design has more display options anyway, and I was able to incorporate a lovely Nightmare Before Christmas plaque that really adds to the style.

 The inside is lined with a beautiful burgundy velvet and the inside of the lid is done in a quilting pattern and painted to match the lining.

The wands are both longer than my other wands, it kind of goes with Jack's long features.

Since Kate chose the set with the stand, I have listed the coffin set on Ebay. I figure it will be more fair since I only have one and don't plan on making another any time soon. If it doesn't sell on Ebay, I'll move it to Etsy.

Here is the listing for the Coffin Set on Ebay.

Steampunk Wands done and for sale!

I finally did it... Early last week I finished all 5 steampunk wand sets and sent three of them off to new homes around the world :). I also decided to keep one for myself. I realized I don't really have much of a collection, even of my own stuff, so I think I'm going to start making an extra one of each wand style just to keep. It's more work, but I think it will make me happier in the long run.

Well, that leaves one steampunk set available for sale. I just received the parts to make more, but that probably won't happen for quite some time. I did make some extra wands though, I'll list those in Etsy. The set with the box and electronics I have listed on Ebay.

I don't usually sell on Ebay but I have a hard time deciding if Etsy's "first come first serve" way is fair if I only have 1 of a rare or popular item. What do you guys think? I used to sell on Ebay just a little bit, but I wasn't very well known so it was difficult. Etsy has been great for me, I use it as my main selling point.

Oh well, I have many more things coming. I've been busy creating and haven't had time for photos or blog posts but I think I'll have time this weekend to list and post.

Here is the listing for this last Steampunk Set on Ebay.

Not done yet...

Hi everyone! I'm still working hard at my new job, they have lots of vacant shifts due to holiday vacations and openings and I have been working day and night! This has left little time for my minis, and even just for being in contact with everyone.

First things first, Merry Christmas to all my friends and followers! It's coming fast and I might not be able to post anything new before it comes.

Second, sorry to everyone that I have been ignoring!

Susan, sorry for the delay in finally getting your steampunk set to you, hope it arrived in one piece.

Nikki, I got your package ages and ages ago, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've been meaning to do a whole post on it but haven't had time.

Ewa, oh my gosh thanks so much for the Christmas present! I couldn't wait and opened it early of course! I'll do a post on it later on. Thank you!

And I'm sure I owe words to many others, thanks for being patient with me!

Okay, now I need some help with my steampunk dilemma. While I was building the other 5 sets, I noticed the first set was loosing it's light quickly. I found out that the bulbs were needing too much power and my tiny batteries couldn't provide it long enough. So, in talking to Susan about what could be done, we came up with a base that held a bigger battery (one of those 3v lithium coin cell batteries) and a switch. We also swapped out the bulb for an LED bulb. I wished I could have made the base much smaller, but I think Susan is happy with it :). It's the one in the pictures below:

So my dilemma... I have 5 original sets pretty much done. I have to make the tiny pressure gauges and then just permanently secure the bulbs (they're just being held with putty at the moment). It's been so frustrating with the lighting not working the way I wanted, I really wanted everything to be hidden in the original wand box and not have to have extras, but I can't have everything I want! :)  So I wanted to see what you guys thought about these two options:

The set goes for $39.00 and it comes with the box and the wand. Should I cut $10.00 off the price and sell it without it being able to light up?

or

Should I build the base like I did for the one pictured above?

Here is what they look like so far: (click on the picture to see it bigger)

They still need the pressure gauges and the bulbs are being held in place with putty at the moment, but they are very close to finished.

So, tell me what you think and we shall see where it all goes :)

Thanks for your help!

Celebration!!!

Remember the big stuff that was happening that was making me all stressed at home but I kept saying it was a good thing? Well it has reached its peak!

I used to work for a great company for 10 years, then went bonkers and quit because I had health issues. Well I really just should have kept working through my health issues and sought help and learned to cope... really, the grass is not greener on the other side! I've spent over a year in crappy jobs and scraping by financially and worrying every second.

Recently, I've been trying to get back into the same industry because other jobs just weren't cutting it and minis aren't paying all the bills. Finally, while interviewing a few times at a shiny new company they asked me to contact my old employer to get some references. It was looking extremely promising!!! I had a feeling they were really going to hire me! So, I contacted my old employer (the place I gave 10 years to) and they did what they could in regards to references. But.... they called the next day and asked me in for an interview there! OMG!!! I was so excited! The interview went great and I had a strong feeling I was going to be asked back. The next day, the shiny new company calls and offers me a job. It's the exact same job that I interviewed for with my old employer... now what was I to do! After a really long night I decided to hold out for my old company so I told the new guys, thanks but no-thanks. It was the hardest thing I've done since quitting. How could I turn down a job I've been searching for and worked so hard to try and obtain again!

Luckily, a few days later my old employer called to offer me a job! So I have a really great job again! With great money, and great people that I know and love and have missed for so long! So I've been running around and doing paperwork and making arrangements... whew! I'm tired and I haven't even started yet! :)  Busy, busy, busy!

So, what does this mean to my mini world? Only that I'll have more money for supplies!!!! Yaaayyyy!  I was doing this job when I first started making minis, so I really don't think it will be a hindrance, although I may slow down a little at first.

Okay, so, packages have been sent for everyone that ordered stuff around the skull wand time, I've shipped some on Monday and some today, sorry for the delay but I threw in extras for everyone. I'm still working on the steampunk stuff and hope to have it out around the weekend. I think 3 of the 5 sets I am making are spoken for, plus the preview set is also spoken for. That means I have 2 sets that will be listed on Etsy and hopefully some loose wands too.

Oh, and to celebrate my new job and old life returning,

I am taking 30% off all books in my Etsy shop.

I'll head over right now and start reducing prices.

Skull Wand Stands

I've been a little slow with emails over the weekend, sorry about that! The weekend just slowed me down to a halt :). I'll get back to those of you who are waiting today.

Here are the skull wand stands I had talked about before.

This one is my favorite, I'll be listing these on Etsy when I'm done blogging.

Here's a little bit of a top view. 

And here's a view for size reference. 

This one is the first one I made , remember I said I wasn't happy with it.

I think the bones that hold up the wand are too tall.

And it feels like it's missing something. 

Maybe a rose, or a spider. Anyway, I'll list this one for less since I feel like it's missing something. 

I also painted the rest of the skull wands I had. I'll be listing these on Etsy as well. Wand 'J' is all crooked though, so he will also be on sale.

I have enough stuff to make 5 steampunk wand & box sets, I'll start working on those this week. I think I have enough stuff to make more wands after that (without the boxes), I'll have to check though.

I also have an idea for an industrial wand, kind of like the steampunk style but more steel and nuts and bolts. We'll see how far I get on that! :)

Steampunk Wand - Preview

Okay everyone, here is a preview of my new Steampunk Wand and matching box. The box still needs work but I am very happy with the wand.

That is a working light bulb on the box. It only lights up when the box halves are together.

Here is a slightly different view, it's hard trying to get all the details to look just right in the pictures. 

The inside of the box is lined with leather.

Leather and steampunk, perfect match :). 

Okay, for the details on the wand... There is a copper coil all down the wand, imagine it's the conductor of the electricity or power for the magic. In the hilt of the wand we have a pressure gauge. You know how machinery can be tricky, better keep an eye on it! If your magic starts to get away from you and overload, use the handbrake :). 

I incorporated some gears and watch parts in the hilt too. 

The box, I like to imagine it is the charging station for the wand. I put in another copper coil and pressure gauge. Some watch parts for that popular steampunk look, and a working glass light bulb.

I tried to make the box look like it was made from scrap metals. It's actually all clay and painted in various golds, coppers, brass, and silver.

So why don't I like the box 100% yet? I want the edges to be sharper and one end is narrower that the other because I held it there too tightly before I baked it. Can't really see that until you look for it, but I know it's there :).

Okay, I really need to paint those skull wands and list them. I'll list them on Etsy tomorrow around 11am or 12 noon my time (US Pacific time). According to the little gadget on my blog, I think that is 6pm or 7pm UK time. I'll only be listing 4 wands and 4 wands + boxes. Each little skull turned out different so I'll take pictures of each so you can pick your favorite.

I'll be making 4 skull wand stands, but I'll need some design help so I'll do a blog post either later or tomorrow on them.