Chibitude Chibis are little collectibles, sit-abouts, bric-a-brac, chachkies or dust collectors. :o) They are meant to be enjoyed with the eye and with close attention to detail. They are created to be collected and live together in groups. Chibitude Chibis hope to make you and all who you share them with, smile and feel innocent childlike fascination. Can you live without a Chibitude Chibi??? Yes, but after you’ve seen one in person, you’ll ask yourself why you ever did. ;)
April 29, 2011
My Garden Progress 2
My garden is really growing! It's been 4 days and lookie!! That's tomatoes and onions there :O) If you click the pic it will get really big!
April 28, 2011
Wigging with Viscose April WIP Dr. Who Character
his is for my posable Kawaii Shimai (Cute Little Sisters). This video
shows the basic wig created for the Kawaii. Viscose can be purchased
online and in some art and craft stores. If you'd like to keep involved
with my work, please subscribe to my channel and sign up for my mailing
list at my website. http://chibitude.com
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
Curling Viscose Wefts for April Custom Order WIP Dr. Who Character Kawaii Shimai Style
This is for my posable Kawaii Shimai (Cute Little Sisters). This video
shows how to curl a couple of the wefts for the wig. Viscose can be
purchased online and in some art and craft stores. If you'd like to keep
involved with my work, please subscribe to my channel and sign up for
my mailing list at my website. http://chibitude.com
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
Viscose Wefts for April Custom Order WIP Dr. Who Character Kawaii Shimai Style
This is for my posable Kawaii Shimai (Cute Little Sisters). This video
goes through the making wefts for the wig. Viscose can be purchased
online and in some art and craft stores. If you'd like to keep involved
with my work, please subscribe to my channel and sign up for my mailing
list at my website. http://chibitude.com
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
April Custom Order WIP Dr. Who Character Kawaii Shimai Style
I'm starting my next custom order for a posable Kawaii Shimai (Cute Little Sisters). This video goes through the making of the head armature. This is a short video using 2 part putty that you can purchase at walmart. These little ones look like alien beings until they finally come together. If you'd like to keep involved with my work, please subscribe to my channel and sign up for my mailing list at my website. http://chibitude.com
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
I'm using Loctite Putty, aluminum foil, white floral wire, and water.
If you'd like to see progress pics on most of my newer work you can "like" my Chibitude Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chibitude/110956632275828 Not only do I post the pics, I also sent out notification when my items go for sale.
I'm using Loctite Putty, aluminum foil, white floral wire, and water.
April 27, 2011
My Garden Progress
Click on the photo to see a much much larger view :o)
April 25, 2011
YAY! My Rachel Doll is finished!!!
Even though the egg dye worked better than nothing, it wasn't good enough for me though. Maybe for a fun funky doll, but not for a commission. So today on Easter my wonderful hubby took me out running all over town trying to find a place that was 1. open and 2. sold dye. And he rocks and we found some. I am so happy.
Come to my facebook page and take a look at the photo album with all of her progress pics.
Come to my facebook page and take a look at the photo album with all of her progress pics.
April 23, 2011
Pooped but learning
My Rachel Glee doll's hair wasn't dark enough. The viscose that I have only comes in certain shades, and I didn't have any that was the correct shade. Because I now live in a TINY town (which I love) I have no place to go to get emergency fixes for problems. Our local super Walmart had decided that only children do crafts, so they've destroyed that section of their store. I couldn't find any dye there that I could use. I tried using regular hair dye (I knew it wouldn't work, Viscose is NOT hair) -- epic fail. Exact same color but now smells funny.
One thing they did have at Walmart was this:
Sooooooo, I mixed up the colors of blue and red and orange, and a tablespoon of vinegar and started the experiment.
Inside the dye bath I have enough "red" viscose to create a new wig (with the thought that red hair plus brown/purpleish dye should make a darker brown hair). And also a weft of the brown hair that I used for the current wig. They soaked in this bath for over 10 minutes. Afterward, I rinsed them and placed them on the pyrex pan to go into a 250 degree oven to dry.
While I was at it, using the sponge brush, I soaked the current wig I had made for the Glee character Rachel. This one I did NOT rinse and put on the pyrex dish as well, and in the oven to dry.
From what I can see at this time (by peeking into the oven), the sections that I rinsed are right back to their original color. The wig is still pretty much the color it looks in this picture.
The egg dye kit doesn't say to rinse your eggs when you finish, but I didn't know if I should or not with the viscose. I have no high hopes for this experiment, and am very tired. Tomorrow hubby has said he'd take me to Joann's in the next town to get some acid dye which is supposed to work on viscose. (We'll see) but no matter how you look at it, I'm going to have to make another wig.
Results with be coming as they happen. :o)
I am surprised at the results. I thought there was no difference in the viscose where I rinsed it, but it turns out there is a difference. The piece on the left is the original, and the piece on the right is after soaking in the easter egg dye bath.
There is a difference here as well. The viscose on the top is the original and the lower one is what was in the bath. The difference is not as dramatic with the red viscose, but the color is more intense. I find it to be quite pretty.
And the color change on the wig (that I did not rinse the color out) is a definite difference. I can't lie this next to the original to show the comparison, but I will add the photo below of Rachel with her hair before her dye job and after.
The problem with this is that the dye didn't take evenly as seen in the picture above. The ends are darker.
One thing they did have at Walmart was this:
Sooooooo, I mixed up the colors of blue and red and orange, and a tablespoon of vinegar and started the experiment.
Inside the dye bath I have enough "red" viscose to create a new wig (with the thought that red hair plus brown/purpleish dye should make a darker brown hair). And also a weft of the brown hair that I used for the current wig. They soaked in this bath for over 10 minutes. Afterward, I rinsed them and placed them on the pyrex pan to go into a 250 degree oven to dry.
While I was at it, using the sponge brush, I soaked the current wig I had made for the Glee character Rachel. This one I did NOT rinse and put on the pyrex dish as well, and in the oven to dry.
From what I can see at this time (by peeking into the oven), the sections that I rinsed are right back to their original color. The wig is still pretty much the color it looks in this picture.
The egg dye kit doesn't say to rinse your eggs when you finish, but I didn't know if I should or not with the viscose. I have no high hopes for this experiment, and am very tired. Tomorrow hubby has said he'd take me to Joann's in the next town to get some acid dye which is supposed to work on viscose. (We'll see) but no matter how you look at it, I'm going to have to make another wig.
Results with be coming as they happen. :o)
There is a difference here as well. The viscose on the top is the original and the lower one is what was in the bath. The difference is not as dramatic with the red viscose, but the color is more intense. I find it to be quite pretty.
And the color change on the wig (that I did not rinse the color out) is a definite difference. I can't lie this next to the original to show the comparison, but I will add the photo below of Rachel with her hair before her dye job and after.
The problem with this is that the dye didn't take evenly as seen in the picture above. The ends are darker.
April 21, 2011
Today is a small experiment day.
Ever since I began sculpting with polymer clay there have been little pet peeves that get under my skin. Little problems that I haven't been able to solve in a way that satisfies me. Today I'm working on a couple of them.
I'm starting a new Kawaii Shimai, and one thing I hate about making them is the foil in their heads. I don't like making the foil ball because I don't have as much control of the shape as I'd like. And I smooth it hard with a spoon, which works, but the black aluminum gets on my hands and we all know dirt and polymer clay are enemies!
Another thing that bothers me about the aluminum balls is that I don't feel like they really hold on tight inside of the head, and that it seems like the Shimai's heads have to be "tightened" (turned so the wire twists a little more). Which always concerns me, because wire can only turn so many times and then it's broken wire.
So experiment #1 is that I've used a wooden bead as a core, and then covered that with almost 1/2 an inch of super sculpey. You're not supposed to really use it thicker than 1/4 an inch but I'm going to add to the baking time, and not worry about it darkening (since it's inside).
I'm now baking that in the oven at 275 degrees for 40 minutes.
When this comes out, I may need to add yet another layer of Super Sculpey before I start making the face with the Kato clay. My theory is that the polymer clay CAN be thicker than 1/4 inch as long as it's fully baked at each stage. So the second time I go into the oven, the inside core is already cured, so I should only have to worry about the outer core.
**** Do not confuse this experiment with the INCORRECT information that was being spread a few years ago about baking polymer clay in stages and adding up time to equal a total bake. This does NOT work, and many new doll artists were done a disservice by this information, selling dolls that were not baked thoroughly and setting back the progress of our art in the industry years. It's been a long road bringing polymer clay to the level of acceptance as a quality medium. The experiment I am using today is a theory of MORE baking not less. ****
The other part of the experiment, is that when I started out the head armature, I put 4 wires through the bead. Twisting them 2 in the clockwise direction and 2 in the counter-clockwise direction. This is in hopes that the head will stay tight and never feel like it needs turned.
I still concern myself with the wire, because the wire I used is green painted floral wire, and I notices specks of it coming off in my hands as I was adding the Super Sculpey. I'm not sure how I will deal with this issue, except to be very very careful as I sculpt and next time choose a different wire.
And Off we Go!!!
The head armature came out of the oven and I feel that I need to make it even bigger before I consider putting a Shimai face on it. So I've added more Super Sculpty only to the top of the head. Here's a picture of the new layer of clay I'm going to bake.
This to me looks like about 1/4 inch of clay will be added around for the final bake. (don't mind the head in this post....::rolling eyes:: I don't know WHAT I was thinking when I made it.
Back into the oven!
April 4, 2011
Sculpting a Polymer Clay Chibitude Dragonfly
Well, I've been working on my latest dragonfly and taking video along the way. I thought I could share it with my blog followers since I no longer have any daily friends to chat with, I feel lonely. This way I can still talk to people, and it makes me feel like I'm right here with friends. :o)
I hope you enjoy it :o)
And here is a picture of the finished Dragonfly. (He'll be going up for sale Tomorrow)
The sweet little chibi is finished and listed on etsy. You can view her here if you're interested:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71485030/chibi-dragonfly-art-doll-figurine
Thank you so much!!!!
I hope you enjoy it :o)
And here is a picture of the finished Dragonfly. (He'll be going up for sale Tomorrow)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71485030/chibi-dragonfly-art-doll-figurine
Thank you so much!!!!
April 1, 2011
Dragonfly Armature
Armature's finished and it's just about time to start a sculpting! The short end is for the dragonfly head. I've got a new little sketch that I'm working from, so hopefully it will look a little different than my other dragonflies.
Dragonfly Wings Results
YAY!!!
Here's the materials I used:
Angelina Film Sampler 4"X3' 18/Pkg-Assorted Colors
Fimo Liquid Decorating Gel
Stanley Hardware V2674 24GA Floral Wire, Green
Mighty Mend it
And just in case you're curious about the Mighty Mend it, I got mine at the Family Dollar store that is right across the street, and yes it works very much like Fabri-Tac, it's a little more expensive, but I like it better because the bottle doesn't sit there and oooooooooooze while I'm using it, and it also doesn't seem to be as stringy. My new Favorite Glue.
There are tons of wings tutorials out here on the net, but if anyone wants me too, I can do a tutorial on how I made these. I'd think with the materials list and the picture most people can pretty much figure it out for themselves :o)
I will take some pictures as I work up my dragonfly armature though.
Here's the materials I used:
Angelina Film Sampler 4"X3' 18/Pkg-Assorted Colors
Fimo Liquid Decorating Gel
Stanley Hardware V2674 24GA Floral Wire, Green
Mighty Mend it
And just in case you're curious about the Mighty Mend it, I got mine at the Family Dollar store that is right across the street, and yes it works very much like Fabri-Tac, it's a little more expensive, but I like it better because the bottle doesn't sit there and oooooooooooze while I'm using it, and it also doesn't seem to be as stringy. My new Favorite Glue.
There are tons of wings tutorials out here on the net, but if anyone wants me too, I can do a tutorial on how I made these. I'd think with the materials list and the picture most people can pretty much figure it out for themselves :o)
I will take some pictures as I work up my dragonfly armature though.
Working on Wings for My Dragonfly
I love making dragonflies, but there's always been something that's made them a little troublesome. And yup, it's the wings. Even though there are so many ways to make wings, most of them do not go through the heat of the oven very well. And the way that I make dragonflies, the entire armature is created at once including the wings.
Today I'm trying a little Angelina Film Sampler 4"X3' 18/Pkg-Assorted Colors (which does distort with heat), but I'm also using some Fimo Liquid Decorating Gel
as well, with this idea in my head that maybe the film will shrink and distort, but the Gel will hold together. If I had any sense I'd finish my experiment before sharing in case the whole thing is a failure but heck, I got nothing to do right now while I'm heat testing the wings.
I also should have taken pictures as I moved along in case it DOES work...LOL Well, if it does work, I'll add pictures but for now we're just waiting to see what comes out of the oven in 40 minutes.
Today I'm trying a little Angelina Film Sampler 4"X3' 18/Pkg-Assorted Colors
(which does distort with heat), but I'm also using some Fimo Liquid Decorating Gel as well, with this idea in my head that maybe the film will shrink and distort, but the Gel will hold together. If I had any sense I'd finish my experiment before sharing in case the whole thing is a failure but heck, I got nothing to do right now while I'm heat testing the wings.I also should have taken pictures as I moved along in case it DOES work...LOL Well, if it does work, I'll add pictures but for now we're just waiting to see what comes out of the oven in 40 minutes.
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