Craft Update - Blog Posts

Craft update #4: Gertrude from start to finish

started: 6 Aug 2023 finished: 17 Aug 2023 status: guarding the encyclopedia

yes, I painted her with wall paint

Craft update #3: The hand from start to finish

started: Aug 2022 finished: Dec 2022 status: falling apart

at first I taped my hand with masking tape to draw the segments directly on it and then trace them onto paper, but it didn't help much as they would end up not matching each other anyway - I got fed up with it very quick and just freehanded most of the parts

yes, at some point I tried sewing it onto a woolen glove (it was way too thick) - ended up sewing my own glove out of a stocking and used WHITE THREAD, because I didn't believe any of this could be done anyway

thought it will be impossible to glue the segments to the glove, because it had to be done when wearing it - the polyurethane glue reacts with the fabric, gets hot and melts it, so it would probably burn my skin and then stick to it forever

I managed to evade that with wearing a latex glove underneath, although I could still feel the heat; it then had to be cut out from the inside of the gauntlet somehow

I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to ever put it back on (thought it would all fall apart), but it's wearable, just takes some time to adjust it to fit and you're ready to pet the rat!

the sewing is definitely the weakest part - besides visible white thread there are holes on the sides that I can't keep up with repairing next thing is there's nothing on the inside of the hand, just the plain stocking, where I should probably put some thicker fabric elements I'm looking forward to make an improved version - I have a lot of ideas and some more cans, but nothing more so far

anyways, it still is the coolest thing I've ever made; maybe that's why I'm anxious about making a new one

Craft update #2: (Arcane) goggles

started: Nov 2023 status: poor paintjob, unwearable

I've been obsessed with welding ("steampunk") goggles for a very long time now - I remember wanting to buy a pair on my first convention, but my dad didn't approve ("what are you even going to be welding?") and I didn't have enough cash on me (they were crazy expensive)

my love for Arcane has given the perfect opportunity to try and make some on my own, although I had no access to any materials besides cardboard boxes, so the purpose was to try and see if I could at least paint them properly (I couldn't, but I had fun), rather than to make something one could actually wear

ingredients: - toilet paper roll - rice box packaging - two large tictac boxes - I got possessed and weaved the belt out of embroidery floss like it was a friendship bracelet making competition and my life depended on it (because a leather belt would be too thick and I could't find any flat string/ribbon)

making props is another dream of mine and I'm looking forward to learn to work with different materials - I wish I could make things real and heavy, using as little plastic (worbla, eva foam, etc.) as possible, so not what you usually see in cosplay the main reason I can't do much (yet) is that I spend most of the year living in a tiny rented room in a flat, with no access to my family workshop, where all the fun tools are

Craft update #1: the cardboard dragon

started: Aug 2023 status: abandoned

last year I had this wonderful idea to make a big articulated dragon thing (a childhood dream come true) ideally it would be made out of thin wood sheets (balsa wood?) and have bolts for joints - I guess the plan was to make a cardboard and toothpicks sketch and then a pattern to have it all laser cut (if you can even order smth like that), but I stopped at the (unfinished) sketch

it took days to cut out the segments (with the hind legs being remade entirely at some point) and I wasn't satisfied how the limbs connect to the torso (because I didn't plan it) - it would probably have to be remade/fixed a lot more, but I simply got (very) tired of it

now, the wings were supposed to be the really cool part, with hinges to allow them to move up and down, inner bones made of wire and some fabric for the membrane.. this never went anywhere and stayed as an idea in my head (one shitty cardboard wing sketch was made)

as of now, the dragon has been taped together to prevent everything falling apart, and is hanging from the ceiling to watch over when I sleep (first pic)