A belated holiday gift

So, after promising to finish a piece for a couple of months, I finally did and got it mailed...just in time to arrive the day after Christmas.

At least it arrived before the new year... ;)

Here is the little hermit crab...

And here he is with his little friend...

The tiny betta was a bit of a challenge to make...he is the second one that I have done, the first is currently a prisoner in resin and shattered glass.

And, I also sent my friend a surprise necklace, in honor of her gorgeous and whimsical snails.

Packing for the holidays

If you have ever tried to pack up any of your craft/hobby/art supplies for a trip, then you can sympathize with how much of a hassle it can be.  Do I take this set of tools, or that one?  Should I take these beads to work with, along with my crochet...or should I just focus on one project?  What if I have a bunch of free time and wish I had brought X?  What if I don't work on anything at all and just dragged these supplies around for nothing??

Such was my dilemma at 1am this morning.  While a pumpkin cheesecake was cooling on the counter, I was rifling through my clay and trying to decide what projects I might want to work with, what was absolutely essential to take with me and what I realistically would have time for, if there is any time to spare.

Enter: My new organizer.  This is the one I was drooling over at Jerry's a few weeks ago and fortunately, I found one (the last one) in a store closer to me.  I had a coupon at the time, so I just went ahead and picked it up. 

Squee!  It makes me happy every time I look at it.  The handle is round and does not dig into your hand.  The lid has a flip open section for storing small items, such as tools or other essentials...*ahem*

Don't judge me.  In my line of work, I never get the opportunity to paint my nails, so I thought I would toss these in just in case I have "more time." :P

Open the lid completely and you have a great drop in tray that stores a LOT of clay, or anything else you would like, for that matter.  My tool case that my boyfriend gave me for my birthday this summer also fits nicely in there, so it's the perfect compartment.

The bottom is the standard, empty toolbox bottom.  I did not want the clay to react with the plastic, so I lined the bottom with tinfoil and using some spare foam, I cut it to size and wrapped it up as well, creating a divider.  I have shells, armatures and miscellaneous on one side and finished projects will rest on the other side.  In time, I think I will probably divide this into three compartments and maybe put a secondary shelf.  The box is deep enough to allow that.

This will be it's maiden voyage.  I'm curious to see how it holds up, if I'll actually use it and whether it will be a better stay at home storage tote or if it will be ideal for traveling.  I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!  Will you try to tackle a project or will you take it easy and focus on more...culinary projects? :D

Work Table Wednesday

I was able to move forward with the next step of one of my projects, as well as start another hermit crab!

I now have three hermit crabs, patiently waiting on me to start painting.  I think they feel a bit naked, even with their shell ;)  The little creation below is also in the beginning stages...I am hoping it will turn out nicely.  You will have to check back to see how it progresses!

Heigh-ho, Hermit the Crab

As you might have seen in previous posts, I also dabble with hermit crabs.  I have always loved the real animal and for years, I wanted to sculpt in a real shell.  I collected shells for several years, but never could build up my nerves to actually make one until a couple of years ago.

He turned out perfect.  He was also quickly given away to a friend and I began making many more.  I don't work with them as much as I used to..but I always enjoy picking out just the right shell to match the right crab. 

Often, I try to sculpt the crab from a chosen shell, only to have the crab "decide" that it wants a different shell to match it's personality.  Yes, I'm odd.  :)  You know this little guy just wants to crawl home with you.

Work Table Wednesday

A couple of days ago, my friend Coltpixy challenged several of us to start a weekly post called, "Work Table Wednesday."  I thought, what a great idea!  I can show you the latest project I'm working on and get into a more regular blog posting pattern.

Then, ironically, my friend Pamela at Hokkaido Kudasai emailed me this morning and asked if I was still creating.  I realized I had let my blog fall to one side yet again.  I thought, hey, it's Wednesday, I'm working on this latest hermit crab...maybe you would like to see some of my project in process and some of the future shells that I will be incorporating into my designs.

So, thank you very much Star and Pamela, for motivating me to get back to the blog world and to creating. *hugs*

 

 Oh, and see those very organized tools in the background?  That tool organizer was my birthday gift from my boyfriend last week.  I'm loving it!  I can carry them anywhere now and the canvas keeps them from stabbing me!

He needs a name!

So, you saw one of my latest crabs in yesterday's post.  He doesn't have a name yet...but he has turned out very nicely.  I love working with natural shells and even when I'm sculpting a crab, often, he tells me what shell he prefers, rather than me choosing it for him. 

I love seeing the personality that comes out of these little guys when I work with them...this little guy will be ready for his forever home soon!