Just a little update

Sorry for the late post. I don't have much to report this week except that I have filmed the doll armature tutorial and am working on editing it, so hopefully that will be done next week. 

Also, I am about 60% done with my shawl, she here is a quick update on that:

See you next week, when I will hopefully have more to post!

The Art Exhibition and Maybe a Video Tutorial

The Newport Beach Art Exhibition was a lot of fun. I didn't win any prizes but I'm not too disapointed because all of the art there was excellent! 

Here I am at the exhibition with my two pieces in the background.

If you want to see more of the exhibition, here is their website. I think they will be posting this year's winners on there at some point.

As I work on writing patterns for my two little dolls that appeared in my exhibition pieces, I am trying to find a good way to show the process of making their wire armatures. A detailed photo tutorial might be good, but a video sounds even better!

For the past few years, almost every time I've wanted to learn how to do something I've been able to find the perfect YouTube tutorial: from hairstyles to changing a vaccuum cleaner belt. The one thing I haven't learned yet is how to make a good YouTube video! A lot of good video tutorials for crafting have the camera focused on the person's hands, creating a similar view to what you see when you are looking at your own hands while doing a project. I tried setting up a regular-sized camera tripod next to my desk while making the armatures, but the trouble was in order to get a good view I had to put the camera right where I normally sit and then stand awkwardly over it, which made it nearly impossible to make anything! If only I had cameras in my eyes they would be just perfect for the look that I want to create!

My next idea was to order this cute little table-top tripod. It shouldn't be in the way as much as a full-sized one, and the legs are very flexible so I can easily control the camera angle.  I have yet to test it out, but if it works and the tutorial turns out well, I might want to make more videos in the future. We'll see! 

I'll see you next week, with dreams of contact lense cameras and video tutorials until then!

Exciting News!

I have some exciting news to share: my two little sculptures have been accepted into the Newport Beach Art Exhibition! They will be on display there from 1pm-6pm on Saturday, June 13th, so if any of my readers are in the area and would like to see them in person, please stop by!

For everyone else, here's one more look at the sculptures:

I'm working on another boy doll and another girl doll to test the crochet patterns, which I may then post to Etsy and Raverly.

Also, check out my fancy new business cards, which I had printed last weekend so they are ready to go sit next to my sculptures at the exhibition!

The judges will choose their favorites in the morning, then there will be a fun afternoon of snacking and talking to other artists and art admirers while watching the awards. I can't wait!

Wish me luck, I'll see you next week!

Lots of sparkle...

A couple weekends ago, one of my friends hosted a lunch-and-learn on how to make beaded bracelets. It was a lot of fun and much easier than wire-wrapped rings! Here is the one I made with glass and Swarovski crystal beads: 

I really enjoyed making it and I had a lot of beads left over, so I decided to make another one with the colors inverted:

Earlier that weekend, I was in a costume jewelry store in LA looking for beads for said lunch-and-learn, and happened upon an aisle full of tiny tiaras! I've seen these kinds of tiaras before, but this shop had the best selection I've ever seen! They are just perfect for making princess or queen dolls. I bought my two favorite ones:

And some sparkly hairpins for me:

I can't wait to show you the dolls I'm planning with the tiaras. I hope they are as cute in real life as in my imagination. Until then, may your dreams be full of sparkle!

-Assunta

PS- I haven't given up on that shawl I showed you a few weeks ago, it's just not moving fast enough to get its own blog post. Here is what it looks like at the moment: