no auctions....

Currently I have nothing up for auction. Days have gone by quickly and the weather is bad. I'm hoping to start some new treatments to help with my pain levels so I can begin creating on a regular basis again.

Until then, I still take orders on a slower pace for those that are willing to work with me thru the spondy flares. You can always contact me via email: madebytrudi @ gmail (dot) com. put the words together for a valid email.

Dress up for auction

Up for auction at noon today is a dress-in-progress. This is an interactive auction to where viewers & bidders can give their input for the dress'outcome! FUN!

Here's what I have sewn so far:


I will post picture updates here & (if possible) on the ebay auction. It will be approximately a girls' size 10. Comments here will also be taken into consideration for the gown as well!

Here are some images pictures of my sewing work:

A new thing

my previous auctions are ended.....

I've found a local sculpting friend who is such a lovely gal and fantastic sculptor....www.awakeneddreams.com. She has graciously given me some pointers on sculpting adult females...I've been wanting to start so badly, but all attempts have failed thus far. My time to work & frustrations were too high to do any good for me. Last night I got a good amt done on the head & torso and I'm actually very pleased with her. I am going to make a Greek woman. Not sure if it will end up a fairy, but the holes are there in case she decides to have wings. When I find my camera I will post her picture.

ebay auction is now listed!

Here's my re-listed auction starting at 99 cents on ebay:


my little corn husk baby I made last August..... the corn husk is made of liquid polymer clay... VERY realistic!

baby became a merbaby!

The baby has changed to become a mer-baby... his tail fin is made of liquid Fimo and the fin bones are of clay. They are very fragile and I may need to re-do the fin and use wire instead.

This is my first mermaid sculpt and I'm pretty pleased with his results! I made him gills instead of ears and he's got extra fins on his arms and waist made the same way as his tail fin. The liquid Fimo dries to a rubbery consistency.

This was very FUN!!

twins in a shell

I've been busy with a new weight-loss protocol... and learning all that is entailed.. I've got a Journal Blog going with my progress. Within 8 days I've lose over 13 pounds! Well, more than that but I had a couple issues of immediate gain-back. That is normal, though.

Anyway... I've had very little time to sculpt with spring planting season & tons of yardwork to get done. With the spondylitis, I have to be careful to not overdo anything. Here's a picture of the current sculpt in progress currently in a seashell. It will be laying with a twin and be removeable from the shell. I'm not sure I like the shell but we'll find out as they progress! I'll be searching for a prettier one.

new baby for the week

I'm still waiting for pictures for the customer on #1 on my waiting list so I decided to add a body to a baby head I did awhile back... I tried a new technique I have been reading about. The head is baked. The hands are baked. and the feet are baked. The arms & legs are wire armatured and I baked 'bones' on them, leaving the joints free of clay so I could position them better as I added soft clay to the legs & arms. I think I really like that method and will have to make a video of that technique with the next sculpt!

For those that are interested, I have some natural colors of mohair dyed and are available for sale. $10 an ounce plus $3 for shipping and you can pick what colors you want out of the bunch. Normal rates are $15-30 an ounce. I'm giving a discount to my subscribers & readers.

It combs out very nicely and is very soft. E-mail me if you are interested: trudi@madebytrudi.com

Here's a link to many Hair & Wigging tutorials

Siblings finished

Babies are finished! The difference in size was because of different eyes! Amazing how the whole sculpt is BASED on the size of the eye!

been sick... snif...

Updating everyone on my slow progress. The weather has been crazy.. rain & snow storms blowing in and has been causing crazy flares in my body! With 5 kids doing their thing on days I cannot keep up.. things become a mess pretty quickly. So my good days are spent catching up as best as I can. This week I ended up with a strep infection or something similar to give me a nice swollen throat. Which caused a neck & low back flare like you wouldn't believe! I now know that intense pain CAN make you throw up!!! Strange experience! I'm wondering if I caught something at the dentist or the VA clinic during my 2x a week physical therapy sessions..... hmmmmmm...

All that being said... pfwhew... today was a day that Advil & Tylenol worked pretty well to get me off the couch. I'm hoping to get the next sculpt FINISHED this weekend. Only have hair & blushing to do. I have been taking pictures too for a new YouTube video when I'm finished.

The next person on the list can email their pictures to me anytime now... send it to trudi@madebytrudi.com as well as a reminder of what we agreed for payment/trade.

bibs, cups, shirts... oh my!

I've had several people say they wished they could get a sculpte but couldn't financially afford one. So I set up a store with my recent couple sculpts on keepsake items ... Links to each image is shown at the bottom of the page... but here's a couple sneak peeks....

  
    


Each item pictured is a different picture and will take you to it's particular store with only that one image available. You have to click on each image to go to that store.

Let me know what you think & if you would like to see something different available!

Bright Eyes WIP video

Finally I got my computer working long enough to get this video finished! I should be done with this sculpt soon, all depending upon the time factor. My hubby has been out of state (actually country as he's been in Canada!) again which leaves me with less time to sculpt.



I've also decided to make some of my emotional sculpts into magnets, mugs, t-shirts, etc so anyone can have the opportunity to 'keep' them even if they cannot afford the sculpt! I thought this would be fun. I'm trying to think of a contest to give a few away, but not sure how I'm going to do that yet. Maybe it'll be for those who sign up for my newsletter, or those who leave me messages on Youtube, my blog &/or websit guestbook... not sure yet.... but I'll be thinking about it & posting it soon!!

another listing

Got this one finally listed on OLA...It's amazing how much work it is to take pictures, edit them and then to post! whew! I will be continuing to work on the next baby girl.

More images are in the auction link below...




Delilah on OLA


lemme know what you think!

3 new listings on OLA

My newest listings on OLA:

Sad Choochie Auction

Grumpy Choochie Auction

Escaping Fairy Auction

I also have listed some sculpting kits:

Sculpting Kits

and other things! Check them out!

No pressure

Thanks, everyone, for not putting the pressure on me for the sculpts! I never realized how difficult it would get with so many comissions 'looming' over me to be sculpted! LOL! I've found that if I take some time and make something different, I am able to get my creativity & ability back. I guess I get kind of a 'sculptor's block' or something!! But talking with some of my fellow artists, they all say the same thing and that is why most do not take comissions of such a serious extent!!

So here's two sculpts I made recently and will soon be posting for sale.

sarabear finished

Nearly finished!

I'm finally on the ball! Or should I say.. in the sculpting groove! woohoo! Here I'm trying on wings. I think they may be a bit too large! But I've found an easier way for me to make them so it should be no problem sizing a new pair down to fit better. I still have to sculpt the foot and a few touch ups, bake, paint, bake, add hair, bake... then done! woohoo! nearly there!






I'm awaiting approval of this one to make sure it is acceptable to be finished.


I'm putting together an e-mail newsletter for those interested in my work and/or techniques. It will include pictures of my recent work that is up for sale, my current YouTube video links, tips & tricks I've found as well as other pertinent information that may be of interest to those subscribing.

Please e-mail me at trudi@madebytrudi.com with "Sculpting Newsletter Please" in the subject line. Let me know if you are interested ONLY in emails about my work for sale, or about sculpting information, or both!

Other news... We had a visit from a nurse to teach me how to give daily subcutenaeous injections of hGH (human growth hormone) to my 6 yr old daughter. Very similar to insulin shots. She is not a good patient in the beginning, but if she's anything like getting blood draws... we'll be ok ... as long as it's a routing, she seems to do better. When we had to do weekly blood draws, she was calmer. But when she had to go 2 months or more btwn labs.. she'd become a basketcase all over again!! She is a very strong little gal!! The hGH is to help her body grow inspite of having Turner Syndrome. We're hoping it'll help her grow a couple more inches than without... the goal is to get at least 4'11". So that was today's excitement!!

wings

Here's the first half of the wings for next baby. The other one is drying right now. The color is purple wire with iridescent film that changes colors in the light. In the photo it has a green tinge. That is just the current reflection. Haven't had time to sculpt today. Saturdays are filled with daily things and running around. Where does the time go? Unbelievably fast...too fast!

First one is done!!

Pink fairy baby finished... watch the updated video below.... What do you think?

Updates

Here's the video that will be updated at this spot each time.... instead of making a new one on YouTube each update....

newest wip video for SaraBear

hmm... trying to get it to upload and not sure what is wrong.. I'll post through YouTube and see if that works better. So far, I'm just sculpting the basics... more will be added to the face as I keep working....



Here's A VIDEO I put together tonight for the www.OLA.com auction contest. Please click on it, rate it and leave a comment! The videos with the most comments will win MONEY!!!

Rank Me!!

Click on this link below to rank my site....





More videos should be up today!

I know those ads are annoying on the site, but I get paid a few cents each click. Every cent adds up and helps me out! I appreciate your help!

2 faces done

I've got the next 2 faces finished and ready for their bodies to be sculpted. The faces are very challenging to get to look like a real baby. I think those that are on the list will be my last ones to get a portrait sculpture. They are extremely difficult. I will still take customized orders to have similar features (eye color & hair color) but will not be able to make relicas any longer. It really restricts the creative process!! I've noticed many fellow sculptors say the same thing. Which that could be one reason it is rare to find a portrait sculptor! I have enjoyed sculpting these last 2 fairy sculpts very much! They helped get my creative juices flowing again! I was amazed that I had to squish 6 heads and I just gave up. Then I created the mini pregnant fairy & BAM! I was able to sculpt the 2 heads in one day!! YEA!



I was able to take only a few pictures of my progress before my battery died. So I will try tomorrow to get them uploaded for the blog.

Here's a link to a great article about the chaos going on at eBay.

My auctions are posted in the previous post.

See ya tomorrow!

had to help a pregnant Fairy....

Link to the fairy's auction and more pictures & her 'story' of traveling from the slavery in the Land of Ebae to freedom in the new land of OLA....!

SaraBear...!

I'm trying to get in touch with SaraBear...I have some questions about your sculptures coming up and your email is not working at the moment.. Please Contact Me
when you get the chance! I am also waiting for pictures for customer #1 too... so I'm making eyes while I wait!

newest sculpt on OLA

The link to the listing:OOAK Butterfly Baby Boy, Kheelyn
I had this vision that wouldn't leave me alone! I had to get the sculpture completed so I could continue with my comission work... I used my homemade eyes & tried a new technique for the wings..... I definately have to work on improving my technique more or get a different glue!!! ugh! I don't like the feel of superglue on my fingers for days after!! LOL! So far this little guy is my favorite! It will be difficult to let him go... but I'm sure his new mommy will love him as much as I do!

announcement...

Due to some recent changes on eBay and an expected 'strike' from my fellow artists, I decided to make the switch to www.onlineauction.com before everyone else. I have stopped posting on eBay for quite a few months now and finally found a comparable place to list my work and items. I'm expecting to see a mass exodus withing the next couple of weeks, as many are already trickling over.... I wanted to let everyone here know that I have some items listed there: Madebytrudi

I am diligently working... while I'm waiting for approval for the current commission finalizations, I am working on those who do not want a portrait sculpture in the meantime. Today I will be working on wings... butterfly, cicada, fairy & angel wings. I will try to post pictures....

nearly finished

This is the same link as the video in the previous post... I just updated the whole show with my new sculpting progress.

I can't believe my EYES!!

Ok... got the eyes figured out and have a picture here... I am sooo unhappy with the way the last sculpt is looking and am working on a new one.... with a pair of these eyes. Hopefully they'll work out better! I printed irises on transparency paper, then put them on a bit of white clay, dropped a bit of liquid Fimo on the iris and baked for 5 minutes on 250 degrees. cooled, then added more liquid Fimo across the whole eye to give a 'dome' effect. baked for 5 minutes at 250 degrees. cooled. hit them with a heat gun (I use an embossing gun) a bit until the iris clears up. I made the whites too big so I cut them down a bit which is why they are odd-shaped. The whole white does not show in a sculpt, so it's ok if it's not a perfect circle. Normally, glass eyes cost anywhere from $5 a pair to $30 a pair! And you usually cannot find them at the 2mm or smaller size! The most challenging part is to get the eyes to print at the right size.



Here's a sculpt I did 'on the side' while giving my brain & hands a rest from my current portrait sculpt struggles.




If anyone who's on my list wants this one as their sculpt, let me know. Maybe she looks like one of your babies...? I can add wings if needed. The way she is set up is in the purple flower and in a glass vase for display. But that can be changed as well.


If nobody here is interested in adopting this OOAK baby then I'll probably post her on eBay or etsy.com. Contact Me if you're interested in this sculpture. I love the teeny, tiny feet!!! Look at those little toes!! So far, she is one of my best ones! I'm so glad to be improving each time!



Otherwise, I've been busy trying to update my website in the wee hours of the morning. I've found I can combat that middle-of-the-night wake-up-in-pain problem by not going to sleep until 3 am!! But there's STILL not enough hours in the day to get everything done! Oh well, I'm so glad everyone here is patient with me in getting the sculptures done. Stiff joints & a 'dull' mind are not the best companions for an artist!! Well, I'd better get off the blog now & get back to sculpting... Hopefuly I'll have something 'to show' by tomorrow or at least by this weekend. Stay warm, everyone! We've got over 2 feet of snow on our deck & it's calling for MORE! UGH!!! Time to move to a warmer climate!!

flare, flare, go away....

I've got the sculpture nearly done, but I'm not happy with it's look and I keep making changes. I'm dealing with a surge in an AS flare (my pain has been a consistent 9) so maybe the inflammation is making my hand/brain coordination not working properly..... I've got a new technique for some really neat eyes that I may try and start all over again... I'm praying for a really good inspired day to get it started & completed quickly!

now you gotta see this...

So, I am starting on an open-eyed baby sculpture and figured I'd show you all the 'little' details on the way! I'm using small hematite beads for the eyes and have added white clay to the edges after they're in the socket. I will add liquid Fimo to the hole in the eyes during the final bake to give the eyes a clear 'lense'.

I'm always amazed at how 'alien' the sculptures look when they're in the beginning stages! LOL! Hope you enjoy! It's all a process of shaping, shaping, shaping.....

green light....

I'm going to start the next baby today on the list and will try to get some WIP's here maybe tomorrow. Does anyone know of an easy to use video editing program that is free or not too expensive? I'd love to get the focusing clicks off my videos!!

Oh well, here's a sculpt I squeaked in while waiting.... This one will be sitting in a Cala Lilly:



Here's the YouTube blushing video...

videos on YouTube

I've uploaded my WIP video clips in YouTube. Someday I hope to be able to mesh them all together into one nicely working stream... but until that day, you can view them together in a post below or separately on YouTube. In the column at the very bottom of the blog has my direct links to my You Tube sculpting videos.

I have set a deadline for the current #1 person on my waiting list to contact me with pictures & payment or a response by Tuesday. If nothing happens, I will bump her down to #2 on the list and #2 will become #1. I definately understand if financial strife has happened & am not offended in the least if someone has to back out before I start their sculpt. Please let me know if something 'comes up'.

I thank everyone for their comments both here, on my website guestbook & on YouTube!

Strange thing with this talent, I've noticed my fellow artists have the same dilema... some days, no matter how HARD you try or how much you really want to be creative, your brain & hands cannot work together properly & nothing goes right! ugh!

So let's all pray for many 'good days' ahead so I can get some good sculpting done!

For those who are interested in learning to sculpt, here is a link to a fantastic forum with a plethora of tutorials & seasoned sculptors to ask questions & receive feedback. Many on the group focus on fantasy sculpts, but more & more baby sculptors are joining the group. You can learn a lot very quickly! www.ooakdollart.com

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas & New Year. We had a super busy trip to northern MN & back thru WI & IL visiting family & attending a wedding and visiting more family. Now time to finish cleaning from the trip & get back to work! This week is filled with dr appts for myself & my daughter, R. Her test results have come back showing she does have Turner's syndrome. Her endocrinologist wants to meet with us this week to explain the genetic diseases & the treatments for it. Nonstop things to do!!

I am awaiting payment & pictures for the next order of babies and will get them started soon. If you are feeling a bit generous, please click on the google ads to help give me a few extra pennies! I am also working on uploading my videos to YouTube under the name: madebytrudi, so keep your eyes open for those as well!