Kyle's under-tunic is finished, and it's such nice weather out today, we needed a photograph. Next step is arm-guards, an over-tunic, belts and scabbard. Maybe a cloak as well.
I'm finally using the chain-mail glove I was given last year. I did take it with me on a trip last summer, intending to spend some free time taking the glove apart and possibly making larger flat sheets of the mail by opening rings and attaching fingers together to make a larger piece. But, I discovered every ring had been soldered, so the only way to open up the glove was by cutting the rings - and re-using them was not going to be an option. Which meant the chain-mail had to be used as much as possible in it's existing form. Tedros' arms were way too big, so that meant using it for MSD-size knights and barbarians. Then along came Kyle.... Chain-mail shirts were always covered or they'd get too hot in the sun, and chain-mail sleeves often extended just partway down the lower arm to meet the arm-guards. So, to be as frugal as possible with the chain-mail, I decided to use two fingers of the glove to suggest a chain-mail shirt under the tunic. That leaves enough chain-mail for at least another couple of outfits. I really like the look of the mail, but I'm so glad I didn't have to make it from scratch. Cutting it apart takes a bit of effort too, but it's a ton easier!
I found some neat little Easter finger-puppets at Dollarama - a chick, a duck, and a bunny. They make great hand-puppets for my tiny girls - who decided to try them out. Today I'm cleaning up all the supplies still lying around from the last project, in order to make room for the stuff for the new projects. Kyle's outfit is stalled, but at least he has pants and boots now - and a bright yellow test tunic. My next commission is a little Native outfit. It's going to be based on a traditional Cheyenne buckskin dress with painted and beaded designs, and lots of fringe. It should be interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
Four photo sessions later and I have a wealth of images. The slave-girl photos had the most opportunity for creativity, but they were also the most challenging. It was very difficult to take natural-looking photos of the two slave-girls. They were part of the 'corps de ballet', and theoretically should be posed in all manner of ballet dance poses. But they are dolls, and won't stand on their own, at least not in any interesting dance pose, and definitely not on one foot. There were a lot of shots with strategically hidden doll stands, and I also made use of an old Egyptian paper maché project my daughter made a long time ago - it's a wooden box covered with golden designs, canopic jars inside, and Anubis resting on top. I figured I didn't have a giant elephant like in the actual production, and Egyptian was close enough to Carthaginian. I'm planning on making a Favourite Photos page with all the best photos - watch for it!
Well, I've spent all of last night, and all day today so far getting ready to take the final photos of Christine. We took down the paper seamless in the studio, laid down a wooden floor, and hung some fringed drapes. A second set of drapes needed hemming and fringe added, and was hung up as well. It occurred to me to try the second slave-girl outfit on Ryung so I could have two slave-girls in the photos. Well, it did indeed fit Ryung. Her bust is a bit larger and her waist is too, but her hips are the same measurement as Rosy, so even thought the bodice doesn't lace up tight in the back, the overskirt still fits on. Well, that meant I had to quickly make a second pair of slippers - a pair for Rosy - since the other ones technically belong to Ryung. I also had to find a wig that would work, and ended up with Nelly's red mohair one. Now I'm finally ready, so it's time to bring all the camera stuff and dolls downstairs and take those photos......
I made a new wig for Kyle yesterday. It's made from two-tone human hair, a mix of blonde and brown, which gives a sort of sun-bleached outdoorsy look, perfect for a teenaged Medieval knight. I did crochet another cap for a mohair wig, but I'm reasonably happy with this wig for now. I think after he gets some clothes I'll decide how he looks and if I need to try again. I have a commission to start, but I'm thinking some simple clothes for Kyle won't take too long, so I'm starting those today. It's so convenient that I kept all the patterns I drew up when I made the costumes for the old M&M dolls. They are almost the perfect size, so just need a little adjusting. It's so nice to have existing patterns to build off of instead of having to design everything from scratch!
Narae and Maya went out in the fresh show again this morning. They know it doesn't last long and by mid-afternoon most of it will be gone. Maya even built a snowman. I created a Favourite Photos page for all the wintery photos of Narae and Maya taken the last few weeks. The second 'Christine' ensemble is finished now too. I wasn't 100% happy with the greens in the shawl so added some blue into the green stripes this morning. Hopefully that will help tie everything together.
I'm also working on a wig for Kyle. Usually it takes a couple before I make one I really like on someone. I know the look I'm after, but it's a real challenge to make a wig like that. |
AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
April 2024
|