Dragon Skull Finished

Got back home and finished the Dragon Skull. I really like how it came out but next one I make, I'll have to make some adjustments to so that it opens easier.

I definitely see the potential and want to make more dragon skulls, but I'm working on two other human skull projects at the moment.

I also have some wand sets from old designs. I'll post these on Etsy.

Let me know what you think! :-)

New Wand and Stand

It's really great to hear from everyone! So glad to be back.

As promised, here is one of my new ideas that I just finished up. I made the wand a while back, it's design is very simple, so I decided to make an elaborate wand stand to go with it. I added a few accessories to give it that extra something.

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!

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!

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! :)