Fri, Nov 28, 08 at 11:06 PM
Author:Jill Wilson
Subject:Beginner
I have ordered your dvd/and book today. I would love to prosculpt mini dolls. Making the head and face are difficult.I want to know for mini polymer dolls what type of tools are most important...I have some tools already......but what tool is no. 1 to have at all times? I want to be for sure I Have It..It is difficult for me to make the cheeks,mouth,and nose.......forming....I will be glad to get your book/dvd soon.....to learn......Thank You Much JIll
Fri, Nov 28, 08 at 11:16 PM
Author:Chris Jones
Subject:Re: Beginner
Hi Jill, yes, the facial features are difficult to make on mini dolls. I started sculpting in 2002 and I have always used a long toothpick. I cut the point off one end and leave the other end pointed and I lightly sand the toothpick so that it is as smooth as possible. You see, now I have a two headed tool. I'm sure others can let you in on what they think is the best tool for minis, but I am never without my toothpicks.
Good luck with your sculpting!
Sat, Nov 29, 08 at 9:55 AM
Author:Jill Wilson
Subject:Re: Beginner
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Fri, Nov 28, 08 at 11:26 PM
Author:Jill Wilson
Subject:Re: Beginner
Hi Chris, I do have toothpics...I have just started. I am wondering how long it will take to make the face just right...Mini Doll's look so cute...How long did you practice before you became good,,,or is it still hard for you?? The first one I did a few days ago,by my self, looked a little like GEICO#$%^*%^(cavewoman like)...i've gotta lot to learn...Thanks for talking with me...JIll
Sat, Nov 29, 08 at 11:48 AM
Author:Chris Jones
Subject:Re: Beginner
Hi Jill, sometimes it is still difficult to make the tiny faces. But, you know, doing the big dolls is more difficult for me. I guess some people just do small better and some do big better LOL.
Jill, I look back now and think how terrible my first dolls looked, but, I started selling on Ebay right away in 2002. Of course, I didnt get a lot of money , but it encouraged me to keep going. And thats is what you must do is just keep practicing. I love to do it enough that I still just sit with a ball of clay working all the time. Sometimes the clay turns into a doll and sometimes it doesnt.
So, if you want to do it, you can, keep working with the clay and try to get all the information you can.
It is a pleasure to share with you my thoughts; I think doll making is a art that we need to not let die.
Sat, Nov 29, 08 at 2:41 PM
Author:Jill Wilson
Subject:Re: Beginner
Hi Chris, What name is your e-bay store/auction under? I would like to see what you have made..I need to look at some steps on how to mold the face right. My cousin makes mini dolls and sells them on ebay too, I went to her house about 11/2 wk.ago and she walked me through the steps. The first doll I did with her help was kinda cute, but the next one alone with no/one had that cave look. I wanted to know it all in 1 day. I still need something to look at. I'll be glad when I get the dvd to watch. It would be hard for me to let go of something I made. Even though I would like to try to sell some to. Little Dolls are so cute...I Love them......Jill
Sat, Nov 29, 08 at 2:58 PM
Author:Chris Jones
Subject:Re: Beginner
Hi Jill, I have a website now and sell some items on Ebay as well. With the economy like it , sells everywhere are very slow.
My website is www.chrisjonesoriginaldolls.com , and I have some dolls on the gallery here at Jack's site.
Lately, since, website sells are slow, I have been taking my spare parts(doll heads, limbs, that I made and never finished) and reviving them into dolls and selling them on Ebay for a lot less than my dolls on my website. Just trying to do something to keep money coming in and to give people a ooak at a bargin during this finanicial crunch. My ebay Id is chrisjones*originaldolls(I hope thats right, I have senior moments now and again).
Jill, I still look at other dolls and pictures of babies and children all the time. Doll magazines are a great inspiration. The gallery here on this site has some wonderful dolls that inspire many people. So, look at anything you think will help you. I go into stores and look at the toy section all the time.
When you look at my site, look at the "full sculpt gallery" , that is where most of my smallest dolls are posted. I have been trying to do some a bit larger lately and now feel comfortable making dolls like my Hildy and Zoey who are 14inches. For me , that is hugeLOL.
Jill, it is hard to let some of my dolls go, but harder to keep them. If I am not passing my dolls and talent on to customers who enjoy them, I feel sorta of depressed. It keeps me going , when people want my dolls.LOL
Good Luck, and have fun with the learning.
Sat, Nov 29, 08 at 3:43 PM
Author:Jill Wilson
Subject:Re: Beginner
Wow Chris, What a wonderful job you are doing. Your dolls look great.I wish I had all that practice behind me and could do the face impressions like that..They Look great ..I ordered some caucasian flesh pro sculpt.I hope that will give the dolls a natural look like yours. Im unsure about the colors now. I used some clay on the 2nd doll I did and she looked like a brownie. I dont like skin mucky. I like fresh baby skin, natural.. Is there a special color you use? Thanks JIll
Sat, Nov 29, 08 at 11:27 PM
Author:Chris Jones
Subject:Re: Beginner
Thanks Jill, I'm glad you like my dolls. See what practice can do! Gosh , my first babies did'nt look much like babies at all:) They hardly looked human, but I had encouragement from my husband and the people who first saw a glimmer in my dolls and that kept me going.
I recommend ProSculpt Baby for a natural baby color. Some clays are much too light and some are darker, but ProSculpt Baby is just right. And it is easy to work with. I find that you need a firmer clay rather than soft to make mini babies. It holds the detail. And I'm not just saying that because I am on Jack's site. It took me a while to try it, so I have tried bunches of clay and it is really the one I like best.
I do use other clays some lately since they are available locally , but to get a good color , I have to mix two different ones together and it is kind of a headache. So I have mixed Fimo flesh with Premo beige. That makes a pretty color. But as I said, I really dont like mixing clay.
Jill, I'm sure when the holiday is over, some of the others on the forum will have some great advice for you too. You have come to a good place to start at this websitem and I can tell youm for a fact ,that there are many ,many talented artist here.
Best of luck,
chris
Sun, Nov 30, 08 at 12:39 PM
Author:Jack Johnston
Subject:Re: Beginner and the "new" Johnston Mini Tool
I'm always amazed at miniature doll artists. I love the detail and the ability to achieve realism in such small scale. I may have an idea that will help those of you that make miniature sculpts. As you may know, we hand make and polish our tools. If you would like I will hand make a Johnston 3 and 1 tool for miniatures. We can make the sculpting end of the tool in miniature and give it a highly polished finish. This will give you the size you need for very small places, yet make the tool out of stainless steel so it will last forever. I will make it available to you at the regular price of $15.00. Let me know if you are interested in such a tool. The sculpting end would be about 1/10th the size of my current tool. I could even remove the fingernail tool on the other end and make a pointed tool like a tooth pick. I will build one for myself and let you know how it works. Write me on this forum if you are interested. If I get enough of you interested in trying the new mini tool I will start making them. Thanks, Jack
Sun, Nov 30, 08 at 4:24 PM
Author:Chris Jones
Subject:Re: Beginner and the
Jack it would be nice to have a good tool for miniatures. Sometimes, I get a toothpick broke in and then it breaks. That is the thing that brothers me with them. So if you would make a tool like you said and let us know how it works that would be great! I'm sure there will be many people interested in such a tool.
thanks,
chris
Sun, Nov 30, 08 at 5:43 PM
Author:Jack Johnston
Subject:Re: Beginner and the
If you wish to order one, just click on www.artdolls.com and then click on Catalog and then go to "Tools". Once you've ordered the tool, write "change the size to a miniature tool". I will watch for your order and make the tool for you. I don't think we will ever mass produce a miniature tool, but we can make them one at a time.
Sun, Nov 30, 08 at 9:47 PM
Author:Jill Wilson
Subject:Re: Beginner and the
Hi Jack, Yes I would like to have the 3 in 1 tool in miniature size. I tried to ceck out and send an order in but it kept saying error..I don't know whats wrong..I'm sure you have my info./and I would like to have one in mini size, please. Thank You Much, Jill
Thu, Dec 4, 08 at 4:35 PM
Author:Christine Wex
Subject:Re: Beginner and the
Hi Jill,
I make 1/12th and 1/10th dolls for 2 1/2 years now. I use stainless steel dentist tools for the details. Otherwise I use just normal wooden tools. I think every one has his or her own preference. You just have to try everything out. After a while you will know which tool you work best with, what your sculpting weaknesses are ... and so on. Just relax and enjoy making dolls.
Christine
www.cwpoppets.net
Thu, Dec 4, 08 at 4:49 PM
Author:Jack Johnston
Subject:Re: Beginner and the
We have made several of our new Johnston 3-1 mini tools. Those who have used them love them. They are made exactly like our regular 3-1 tools, but the sculpting tip is 1/4th the regular size. They seem to have very good balance, will fit in the smallest of areas of the face and hands, and they are highly polished stainless steel. These tools are at regular price as they are hand made. We also have a special price of 50% off on our seven dental tool package right now. The tools are wonderful for miniature dolls. They are fifty percent off if you call your order in directly to me at 800-290-9998. The discount does not show up in the catalog or on the Internet, so you must call me. I want to help our miniature doll makers if I can. Thanks, Jack