Beads, Paint, and Glitter

1/15/2016

My dragon continues to progress, although slowly. I've designed new arms and wings for him, and decided how I intend to attach them to the body. They are sewn and stuffed. The top edges of the wings were extremely challenging to stuff. Now I'm waiting for the Apoxie claws to cure....

I need to wet the wings to let the first layer of paint soak in, and then find something to use for 3-D wing veins. After the top edges of the wings are painted, then I'll do some beading. The final step will be to build up the 'elbow' joint of the wing with Apoxie.

I've painted the dragon's head and am very pleased. Now he's impatiently watching my progress on his limbs. It's going far too slow for his liking.....

So I got some pins to stick his arms on so he could see how they would look....

I think he's pleased....

I'm getting very excited about him! I've always wanted to make a dragon, and even started a wire armature once-upon-a-time with the intention of sculpting one like Marianne's dragon. But I really don't like sculpting, so he was never made. I think this new technique of starting with cloth body parts, and building up details with Apoxie is "my" way to make a dragon. I much prefer working with fabric and beads. Minimal sculpting is tolerable, and painting brings everything together.

I can't wait until he's done!

16 Comments

Lucy

1/15/2016 12:33:44 pm

That is a truly stunning dragon. You have definitely found a way to make the dragon you envisioned. Does he/she have a name?

Martha

1/15/2016 12:36:12 pm

Thanks! He doesn't look much like a Smallworks dragon anymore, does he? I hadn't thought of a name. I guess I should go Google "Dragon Names"

Jane

1/15/2016 12:49:16 pm

He is truly amazing *gasp*
He truly is a Martha dragon.....he is wonderful! Wow!

Brigitte

1/15/2016 12:54:02 pm

The dragon is extremely awesome and absolutely beautiful.

Lorraine

1/15/2016 01:46:09 pm

He's magnificent! He should be extremely pleased that you are such a stickler for perfection.

Donna

1/15/2016 03:09:30 pm

Wow! Wow! Wow! He's got personality plus! I'm almost as impatient as he is to see him all complete :o)

Martha

1/16/2016 11:13:28 am

I wish he was done, but there's still a lot to do. I have to finish beading his fins, and then bead the spines on his wings and a bit on his upper arms. Then paint all his claws, next layer on the wings. And THEN put the parts together.

Donna

1/16/2016 12:44:00 pm

He really is amazing and such a lot of work! Well, I guess he... and all the rest of us... will just have to be patient. But I think you need to be careful because he doesn't look too much like the patient type :o)

Inma

1/16/2016 06:35:15 am

WOW ! I think he is the most fabulous dragon I've ever seen ! I can't wait either to see him finished ! It is a lot of work but the result is just amazing ! I am curious, how did you attach the parts that are done with Apoxie, with glue ? Aren't you affraid they could be detached during transport or manipulation when taking photos ?

Martha

1/16/2016 11:17:32 am

The Apoxie is all in places where there's almost no give in the stuffed fabric. I wet the fabric, applied glue, then the Apoxie. It doesn't seem to come loose. The only spot where there were a few cracks was at the base of one of the ears where they flip back and forth, and the Apoxie was very thing. Even so, the cracked Apoxie didn't come off, but stayed attached to the fabric.

If something happens during a photo shoot, I can always fix it. It's not like I'm selling him, and need to worry about 'quality control'.

Laura J. Underwood

1/16/2016 09:47:19 am

GORGEOUS!!!!!

Laura J. Underwood

1/16/2016 09:50:23 am

Have you seen this, btw. Too big for dolls (about 4 feet tall), unless you are looking to have them meet a giant dragon. Price range is what keeps me from getting one just for fun (and space--he would take up a lot of space).

http://www.creativityinstitute.com/Hansa-Great-Dragon-Ride-On-Plush-Stuffed-Animal.aspx

Martha

1/16/2016 11:20:31 am

That is one giant dragon! But probably about "life-size" for an SD, and maybe even an MSD. But talk about expensive!, esp when you add in the extra 50% for our sinking dollar. There's no way I'd pay that for what is essentially a 'photo prop'. Heck, I wouldn't even pay $100. I'm basically 'cheap' so will make my own.

Sue link

1/17/2016 10:11:24 am

Glued on cotton might work for the veining, we use it a lot on model horses. It needs to be glue infused to get rid of the tiny hairs but it works really well glued into place and then something over the top before final colour coats.

Your dragon is amazing and I'm looking forwards to seeing him completed.

Martha

1/17/2016 11:36:03 am

I'm using 3-D fabric paint for the wing veins and for building up knuckles.

designdreamer

8/3/2022 11:36:10 am

I have NO IDEA WHY but I want to make a dragon!! (It's also what got me reading ALL of your blog posts from the beginning!! I've also been inspired to make fairies, cloaks Celtic maidens, etc. Now whether I'll actually get to them? We'll see.

Beads, Paint, and Glitter

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