New Colorful Knit Dragon Joins the Menagerie at CreativeCritters

This colorful knit dragon is the latest addition to the menagerie of critters available from CreativeCritters.

I challenged myself to create a knitting pattern from scratch for a cute and brightly colored dragon.  I made it up as I went along, writing down what worked, and trying again when something didn't turn out quite as I wanted.  I learned how to follow a sewing pattern many years ago, and using that knowledge (and a lot of trial and error) I figured out how to make my own original patterns.  That's essentially how I made this guy.  I thought of the shapes I would need if I were to create a sewing pattern for a creature like this, then I figured out how to knit those shapes and sew them together.  It wasn't easy- that's for sure!  But I do enjoy a challenge, and I like testing and improving my artistic skills, so although it took a lot of time, I really had fun bringing this fantasy dragon to life,  I used bright purple (my favorite color) for his body, which I knit in a garter stitch.  I used a stockinette stitch and bright yellow yarn for the dragon's belly and the underside of his tail.

I gave him triangular spikes that were knit in bright red yarn.  I sewed all the various parts onto the dragon very securely and stuffed him with polyester fiberfill.  The wings were a bit of a challenge.  I considered creating knit wings, but really wanted them to be more lightweight.  I didn't want to have to use wires to help them hold their shape, as I've done with plush dragons in the past.  I wanted this to be a toy that kids could hugs and cuddle, without any sharp or hard parts.  So I decided to use red and purple felt (I just happened to have exactly the right colors in my fabric stash).  I drew out a wing pattern on paper and used that as my guide.  Then I sewed veins into the wings to give them more stability.

This cute stuffed animal measures about 15 inches long and 15 inches tall.  This guy's pretty special, and I hope when he sells he goes to a loving home.  Until then he can hang out here and make me smile =)  If you want to purchase this dragon, or read more details about him, just click on any of the pictures to be taken to the listing in my shop.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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My entry for the Smooshers In The Ocean Challenge

The theme for the Polymer Clay Smoosher's Challenge this month is In The Ocean.  Once again I had lots of ideas swimming through my head (and not enough time to sculpt them all)!  Eventually I settled on a mermaid.  I always enjoy adding an element of fantasy to projects whenever possible ;-)  Not too long ago I made several beaded pendants using some of my mismatched glass beads.  The beads were all very pretty, but none of them matched.  When I make jewelry I generally like to use matching, or at least similar beads, so this was a good way to display the beads.  I decided that a miniature mermaid wrapped around a pendant made of blue and green beads would be just right for an ocean challenge!

 I started by sculpting the mermaid's tiny little head.  It's always a challenge to sculpt on such a small scale, but this one actually went pretty well.  Sometimes I have to remake a head up to 5 times!  I only had to remake this one twice ;-)  I used tiny blue glass beads for her eyes and gave her fairy ears.  I baked the head at this stage so further sculpting wouldn't distort all the tiny details.   A baked and hardened head is so much easier to work with.

 

 Next came the torso. I sculpted this and attached it to the neck, using diluent to make the seams perfectly smooth and invisible.  I wasn't ready to add the arms yet at this point.  I wanted to sculpt her tail and get her positioned on the pendant before I made her arms.  That way I would be able to position them perfectly so she was holding onto the pendant.

 

I swirled together several shades of blue and green Premo polymer clay to create a custom mix for the mermaid's tail and the teardrop shaped beads I planned on adding to the necklace.  Before positioning the mermaid around the beaded pendant I painted her facial features with acrylic paint and colored her lips and cheeks with powdered pink chalk mixed with interference red/ blue Pearl Ex powder.  I really wasn't sure what color I'd get when I mixed the two, but it turned into the perfect shade of pink with just enough of a sheen to make it look very realistic.  To be sure the mermaid was securely attached to the pendant I added liquid polymer clay where her body touched the pendant.  I baked the mermaid and beads at this point.

After the body and tail were baked and cooled I added her arms and hair.  I used wire through the eye pin to suspend the pendant in a coffee cup while it baked for one final time.  This assured that none of her delicate features would be crushed while baking.
The final step in the necklace was to create the beaded components, which were composed of blue and green glass beads, silver bead caps, and the blue and green swirled clay beads.
And this is how the final piece turned out.
 
I've actually only made a few mermaids (so far), but I have to say this is my best one yet.  I'm very happy with the way she turned out, and I'm glad I took my time while creating this entire necklace.  Once again, this is something entirely new for me- definitely a one of a kind creation!
Thanks so much for joining me on another creative journey!

~Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Animals inspire the artwork of CreativeCritters

A quick browse through my studio will be enough to tell you that I love animals.  My Maine Coone, Calcifer was kind enough to pose as my avatar.  And although they've both passed away, my cats Ozzy and Cedric inspired many of my creations and were the original testers of my catnip toys.  Calcifer has since taken up the role as Catnip Product Tester. The picture above shows my fluffy kitty after a hard day of work ;)  I've had pets ever since I was a young child, and simply can't imagine life without animals. I've shared my heart and my home with everything from dogs and cats to ferrets, turtles, bunnies, and more.
  It wasn't until I got Katherine Dewey's "Creating Lifelike Animals in Polymer Clay" that I felt I could sculpt a truly realistic animal though. You'll find many animal sculptures in my studio that were created with guidance from that book.

  I now am confident enough with my skills to sculpt many different types of animals, and have created several custom pet sculptures for customers.  The sculpture below is Rudy, a Collie/ Irish Wolfhound mix.  This sculpture became an integral part of Rudy's memorial.

  I also enjoy creating whimsical and fantasy animals- I have several dragon sculptures, a unicorn, a griffin, and more available.

  Animals have also found their way into my jewelry.  I offer several one of a kind dragon necklaces and bunny rabbits and cats can be found in jewelry sets, earrings, and necklaces.

And then there are stuffed animals, which I never really grew out of.  Once I learned how to sew and follow a pattern I made all sorts of stuffed animals, some to keep for myself and some to give as gifts.  I love being able to make my own teddy bears and share their cuddliness with my customers!

  When I (finally) figured out how to knit, and consequently found some books on knitting stuffed toys, I found a new avenue for my creativity.  I'm now able to create my own sewing and knitting patterns, making many of my stuffed animals one of a kind original creations. 
 

And I'm always adding more, so be sure to check back often!  Thanks for looking!

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Whimsical Fantasy Snail Sculptures from CreativeCritters

Recently I was sorting through my stash of crafty things I've saved over the years and came across my collection of sea shells.  Looking at the shells I had a flash of inspiration and saw them becoming colorful fantasy snails, complete with snail riders like dwarfs and fairies.  The first thing I did (after thoroughly cleaning the shells) was to paint them with brightly colored metallic paints.  I altered their shape slightly with addition of some polymer clay, which I painted to match the rest of the shell.  Even I can't tell where the shell ends and the polymer clay begins.  I added some fun stripes and swirls, then began sculpting the body and head.  Since these are fantasy creatures, anything goes.  For this snail I used blue glass beads for eyes and gave him spiky lashes.  He's got a cute smile on his face and his little tongue is poking out just a bit.

 

To be sure the eye stalks were strong and wouldn't bend or break I sculpted them around wires which run from the eyes all the way down the neck.  After the snail was sculpted and baked I gave him two coats of high gloss glaze for a nice wet look.  This snail has a dwarf rider who looks likes he's having the time of his life.  What could be more fun than riding a snail through the forest at breakneck speed? LOL

 

My next snail is a pretty purple girl with beautiful eyelashes made from feathers.  I used gold beads for her eyes and reinforced her eye stalks with wires as I did for the first snail.  To achieve the speckled appearance I mixed  white embossing powder with the purple clay.  She carries a pretty flower fairy on her back.  You can see they've been out collecting wild flowers from the meadow.  The fairy even made her pet snail a garland of bright yellow flowers to wear around her neck.  A girl always likes to look pretty you know!

 

 

 

 

 

These two are obviously have a wonderful day together! 

 

As with many of my creations, these whimsical snails are one of a kind sculptures.  I'm never quite sure what they'll look like until I'm finished sculpting.  Their personalities develop as I'm shaping the clay.  I still have plenty of sea shells left in my craft stash, so I plan on making more of these fun characters.  Stay tuned to see what else I come up with! ;-)                                                                                                                          

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

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Collection of Mystical Handmade Creations

I just had to share this wonderful collection created by E-Soy-Candles.  It's full of mystical handmade items from sculptures, to jewelry and buttons, to candle holders and art prints!  I'm so happy to have my wizard sculpture included in this awesome collection! :-D

Mystical Things

   Curated By: E-Soy-Candles

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Photography

-Michelle of CreativeCritters

A treasure box guarded by dragons

I managed to finish the Dragon trinket box I've been creating for my best friend's son.  It's now ready to be shipped for his birthday.  This piece took MANY hours to complete (all those scales were cut out one by one and carefully attached to each dragon), but it was totally worth the effort.  After I finished sculpting Mother and Father dragon, I went to work on Baby Dragon.   His scales are blue and green, a combination of his mother and father, of course!  Each dragon is a unique individual though, with their own personality ;-)
I used blue glass beads for his eyes and rubbed silver Pearl Ex powder on his belly scales, wings, and claws.  The dragons are just hanging out with their friend the Dragon Kitty, and guarding all the treasures that might be in the box.

I stamped Morgan's name on the lid to make it even more personalized and special.

On the back I added a plaque with the word "treasure" stamped on it.  All of Morgan's extra special treasures will be well protected by this family of dragons!  I only wish I could be with him when he opened it up.  Unfortunately Monica and her family live out of state, and I don't get to see them nearly as often as I'd like.  Special gifts like these bring them a little closer though, and they'll always be able to look the gifts I've made them and think of me.  I hope all the love I put into this comes through every time Morgan looks at this special treasure box!  Thanks for coming along on another creative journey!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Work on Morgan's Dragon Trinket Box continues

Morgan is my best friend's son, and he has a birthday coming up this month.  I've been sculpting a very special polymer clay Dragon Trinket Box for him since he loves dragons.  Father dragon is complete, and I decided to add a Dragon Kitty to the box next.  That's what Morgan calls Calcifer: "Aunt Michelle's Dragon Kitty".  So I thought the Dragon Family should be visiting with their friend and neighbor, Dragon Kitty.  I gave him iridescent wings and fluffy gray fur.  I think Calcifer would approve of these wings ;-)
 
Next I started sculpting the Mother Dragon.  I chose to make her in shades of blue.  I covered the foil armature with scrap clay, then began adding the underbody plates, which I cut out with a diamond shaped clay cutter.
 
Then I started adding blue scales.  I sculpted the legs, covered them with scales, then attached them to the body, adding more scales to help secure them.  I didn't use any wire armatures for the legs because they'll be firmly attached to the base, and have little chance of breaking.
 
Once I covered her body and head in scales I added wings, which I made sure to press close to the body and box.  This lessens the chance of them breaking.  I also used blue glass beads for her eyes and highlighted her wings and head with silver Pearl Ex powder. 
 
You can see that I've started covering the baby dragon's armature in clay.  But we'll save his construction for another day.  So far I'm very happy with the progress of this piece.  I think Morgan will really like it too.  Stay tuned to see how this project turns out!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Work in progress- a Dragon trinket box for Morgan

My best friend's son, Morgan, has a birthday coming up in a few weeks and I've started making him his own dragon trinket box.  The last time they were here he saw the one I have for sale in my shop and just loved it.
 
This one's a bit delicate for a child, but I think Morgan will like the one I'm making him.  Like most of my trinket boxes, this one started out with a metal coffee tin, which I covered in Tacky glue (that helps the polymer clay adhere to the metal box).  For this one I added a cardboard base, also covered in glue. 
Then I covered the tin in blue clay and the base in green clay, which I textured to look like grass.
 
Next I made foil armatures for each of the three dragons.  By using a foil armature I can create a stronger sculpture and use less clay. 
 
The one on the left will be the father dragon, and he'll be on the lid.  The middle one will be the mother, and the one on the right will be the baby.  For the lid I cut 2 rectangles from sheets of clay, sandwiching a wire between the layers and leaving about 2" of wire sticking up in the middle of the lid.  I pierced the dragon armature and used liquid polymer clay on the wire and in the hole to secure him to the lid. 
Here's Daddy Dragon after being attached to the lid.  I cut out each of his scales individually.  Here you can see how he looks before he has all his scales on. 
I'm giving these dragons more of a cute look, since they're for a child.  And I'm making them in shades of blue and green, because Morgan said that good dragons are blue and green, and mean dragons are red (wouldn't want to give him a trinket box with mean dragons on it!).  Stay tuned to see how this one turns out!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters

Fairy Tale Pieces from the Smooshers

I've gathered together some of the entries in the Polymer Clay Smooshers guild's Fairy Tale Challenge to share with you all.  To see all the entries and vote for our next challenge theme, stop by the Smooshers blog.  I just love the way everyone had a unique way of representing the theme.  I think these challenges really bring out the creative best in all of us!

A fairy tale collection

   Curated By: CreativeCritt...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

To see more pictures and read a full description, or purchase any of these items, simply click on the picture.
Thanks for stopping by!
-Michelle of CreativeCritters