Taking the dive in....

Well, I just took the plunge. Dove right in...head first and went for broke! I've wanted to do it for a long time, and I just did it. And, of course, I'll pay dearly for it later, and I'll be begging for mercy.


Even though I already had the Jack Johnson's dvd on making a Santa Claus and costume to boot, I just HAD to do it! So, I bought Judith Klawitters 1,2, and 3 videos! In case anyone is interested, or does not know, she has them marked down by about 50%. So, it was why I could take the leap. If it were full price...I'd still have to go on dreaming of sugar plums and what nots. I will say this about Judith, she and her husband are great ppl. They responded very quickly to my emails; over a holiday weekend too to boot! She is very eager to help and puts herself out there for her customer. It's very nice to see that there are ppl still like that our there in the world. They are great patriots! Perhaps next month, if I have some extra cash, I can afford to get a couple more of her videos. I'm thinking on the armature one, and the final one on costuming and accessories. (I think that is what it is called)

Anyway, just couldn't wait to share my wonderful good news! Can't wait to sneak them into the house without the worse half seeing them.

Lori, sounds like you're ready for a great time! Thanks for letting us in on your secret (although I'll be that your husband will be happy that you're happy! ) Can't wait to see your Santa!
Diane

I think the only thing my hubby will be happy about is the fact that I'm not tied up in his hair some place! Poor fella, unfortunately, he'll get forced into doing critiques once I finish the next santa. And, as you know.....he ALWAYS gives the right answer. lol

Lori....thank you so much for letting us know about the discount. Let us know what you think about each DVD please. DH was laid in May and just now found a temp job so it will be awhile till I can SHOP or sneak things back in BUT there will come the day when I can again...ummmm..not that I use to sneak things in ohhh nooo not me...hehe!! I'm looking forward to seeing your Santa. Happy claying!!!! Hugs, Regi

Will do, Regi. I'll be happy to post my humble opinion. I should be getting them within the next couple days...tomorrow even if I'm lucky. I haven't checked the delivery status just yet. They were mailed priority. I can't wait to get them....good thing I have a head set with my computer so that I don't drive the fellas crazy with the videos.

Ohhhh Lori....I know that you must be sooo excited. I hope that they come tomorrow. I LOVE Judith Klawitter's work...especially her Babushka that she did sometime ago. She looked like my grandmother
I'm so excited for you . Hugs, Regi

I liked her Babushka too! She has many nice santas. Hopefully, I'll learn something from her that I'll incorporate in all of my work, not just in my santas. Waiting for the postman is like watching this tumbleweed. lol

Now Now Lori...you know the saying..."A watched pot never boils" or sumthin like that...LOL!!!!! I know that you are so excited and I'm sure that you will learn something to add to your already wonderful dolls. Can't wait to see!!!!

Hugs,
Regi

Got some nice shiny curly mohair today! You guessed it...for an upcoming Santa! Unfortunately, it's still for the videos. lol By the time they get here, I'll be like this ------>


ooooohhhhh the pain of it all.

OMGOSH....girl you make me laugh til I cry. It will come tomorrow.....sending fast and speedy delivery thoughts for you.

Hugs,
Regi

<------ my thoughts on waiting for these videos


LOL

My videos arrived today! (it only took a week for priority shipping......go figure)

I'll catch you guys later!



Hugs,
Lori

I'm happy you're happy! Have a wonderful time watching them!
Diane

Today must be like Christmas! Let us know what you think of them. I have thought of ordering them myself. I love her work.

Darel

I will definately let you all know what I think of them. I probably will not get to watch them until Friday.

Regi running around doing the happy happy joy joy dance for LORI!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad they finally came girl. But OMGOSH...talk about snail mail....LOL!!!! Have fun this weekend watching them... , sit back and learn learn learn!!! Just don't sculpt sculpt sculpt unless of course you don't eat butter on your popcorn....hehehe!!!

Hugs,
Regi

LOL I will be too busy watching videos to be eating . It definately was like christmas to get them. I sure hope I can put some of Judith Klawitter's techniques to use before christmas. I think I should find time to atleast watch the first one tomorrow when I get home from work. I'm so glad that it is my Friday.

hugs to all,
Lori

I have them all except for the make up vid. To me the costumeing vid was a big disappointment. The first cd was nothing but pictures of other peoples work. The second got more into how she antiques her accessories and such. Guess you cant have every thing.

Well, I think for me, more or less, I am really more interested in the make-up of aging. I have discovered I do not like putting so many age lines in my santas. (or other sculpts as well) Perhaps, in another 20-30 years...when I have more laugh lines and crows feet, these might be more interpreted in my style..but for now, I'm quite content on keeping him "ageless" so to speak. lol (even if I am 40 y/o rofl) I already have Jack Johnston's vids on how to make a santa and costume a santa. So, I think as long as you know the basic principles, you should be alright. For example, understanding anatomoy, and male/female bone structure and nuances. But, regardless, I'm hoping to come home with atleast a couple pointers that I had not thought of before in sculpting.

Many hugs,
Lori

I get carried away with wrinkles sometimes, they're lots of fun to do. One thing I would suggest,using her vids is trying her techniques, but start tossing in your own little nuances once you get the technique down, It was kinda weird when I first started with her head vid, that my heads started to look a lot like hers. Oh and one other thing, I don't make my own teeth, I actually use dentures, they are so realistic looking. People send me dentures all the time, plus I have gone to dentists offices and nursing homes to pick them up. Glass eyes are really pricey, I use acrylics. When you are baking your heads cover the eyes with wet cotton balls. Most times they won't melt if you keep them wet.

Hiya Paula,

What size oven do you use to bake your dolls in? I have a General Electric convection oven that works fine for my smaller dolls, but, I'm obviously gonna have to go bigger for her head size.

Nice idea about the dentures. Do you use the entire top/bottom dentures or do you only use the first 4-6 teeth up in the front? Also, on your eyes, do you use the round eyes or paper weight style eyes? I think I would still prefer to use the glass eyes, but I agree, they are very pricey. But looks like you can cut the price down some if you get the 1/2 eye (paper weight kind). I wonder if building up the eye socket to place the paper weight eye into would work just as well. But, I do like your idea on the wet cottom ball. I was looking at the soft glass eyes. I'm wondering if they would have a tendency to melt if baked like Judith instructs, or should you just put an wet cotton ball over that as well.

So many questions, so little time. LOL

Hugs,
Lori

I use a convection oven for my smaller pieces, but for large heads I have to use my regular oven. Mine has a build in cleaning system so I have no problems. As for the dentures, depends on what kind of smile you want. Most of the time I just use the top plate, but I saw off the back teeth and the roof of the mouth then only use the front four or six. It's easy to just shove them up into the clay then do any adjusting on the smile. Just remember to cover at least half the teeth with the lips. They will look buck toothed if you dont. On the eyes, I actually use both the flat and the round. Use an eye sizer for either one, but for the flats u will have to fill in a bit in the socket. Any thing that is acrylic (plastic) need to be protected by a wet piece of cotton ball. I have had glastique soft glass eyes melt on me even though the directions say they will hold up to polymer clay baking temperatures. Nothing is more frustrating to work hard on a head then to have the eyes melt, so I dont take any chances. If you series bake the same applies, cover those eyes. I hope I have helped you out a little bit. Huggs Paula

Thanks, Paula,

All the tips are appreciated. I normally use the paperweight glass eyes in my smaller dolls. Have never used anything else. But, couldn't help poking my head around for some of the round shaped realistic glass eyes. Still just too pricey for me. I have seen a lot of eyes listed on Ebay too, but a lot of them say for BJD. I don't know enough about the BJD to understand what their eye types are. I'm guessing they are round eyes. But, who knows. I'm tempted to buy one and see what they look like. It's too bad I don't have a store just up the road to go and check it out. lol Also, sense you have Klawitter's video...have you managed to find a place that sells that "motion lotion" at a reasonable price? I've looked all over the place and all I can find is stuff with grit in it....and it is a fortune. (I'm starting to sound like a penny pincher here. )

Anyway, thank you very much for your replies. I appreciate it!

The motion lotion I went round and round with that one. They no longer sell that particular brand so I had to experiment. I use Permatex hand cleaner. It can be thinned down, it desolves clean and you dont need much, works great for smoothing with a large filbert brush. I keep this stuff in my laundry room, its great for getting out stains. Comes in a white tub with blue label and I get it at Auto Zone. Go sparing it can turn your clay to mush.

Sparingly is a BIG FAT word. lol Perhaps I'll give that a try...thanks for the tip.