1:6 scale miniature Sushi Platters

Phew! This has got to be the most challenging commission yet! Late last year, a request came in from a gentleman who was a sushi fan, and he showed me his impressive collection of sushi-related items, such as pens, fake food displays from Japan, Re-ment sets, and even dollhouse scaled miniatures.

You can check out his amazing collection here!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10423851@N06/sets/72157619023642386

Thanks Russell :)

Although I had already stopped accepting commissions late last year due to various personal and health reasons, he had already approached 2 other miniaturists and seemed increasingly dejected about not being able to find anyone to achieve his vision. My own fear was that, due to unpredictable and unstable situations at home and with my health, I didn't want to disappoint him a third time!!! So I requested that I could only do it if I was given a flexible schedule to work with...this is a big ask, I mean, what if I left him hanging, right? Not that I've ever done that before, but ...you know....life being what it has been for me, hasn't exactly been 'less than interesting' XD

Anyway,  we came to an agreement, he left me to it, and 5 months later......

1:6, playscale miniature sushi platter. Microbeads, air dry clay, acrylic paint, UV resin, epoxy resin (oke), paper, sealant 

1:6, playscale miniature sushi platter. Air dry clay, acrylic paint, UV resin, epoxy resin (oke), paper, sealant

these were photos before I glued everything down, the actual items are arranged slightly differently, but I prefer this photoshoot/arrangement...trying to allow a bit more asymmetry into my life (I am the type of person who cannot resist straightening a crooked painting, and as a kid would gladly spend hours at departmental stores arranging toys and candies on the shelves. No, not OCD. Really. REALLY. :P) I guess in my eyes, these little imperfections are more reflective of how my life is like, a little wonky. Looks like I've progressed in that department. A little. yeah, i think too much.

He also took the time to list out each and every sushi name, with photo references, which helped me greatly in achieving as much realism as possible. Although these are also referenced against his actual collection of life sized fake sushi items, I decided to go for a little more realism (or at least, from what I've seen in photos, I don't eat sushi too frequently), and I hope it's reflected in the results.

1:6 playscale miniature sushi variety

Just FYI, the Singapore 10-cent coin is 1.8cm, or 11/16 inches in diameter

Each and every sushi, was individually sculpted. Even each individual grain of rice, although not visible here, was painstakingly put together. You can view them in my WIP photos in my instagram account @snowfern, or facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SnowfernClover. No molds were used, except for the containers/okes, which were made by modifying a random plastic container cover that I found at home ages ago, creating a silicon mold, casting with epoxy resin, and finished by sanding, then detailing the rim with acrylic paint. Although the original oke had a gold image on the sides, the quote did not include it as I have very little experience with painting images, and was afraid it would turn out too primitive/amateur looking. 

The greatest challenge, and why this took so long (apart from real life interruptions) was that I had never made these in 1:6 scale before. The most common scales I work with are in 1:12, 1:3 and some 1:4, and if you've crossed scales in minimaking before, you'll understand that it always takes quite a bit of adjustment and tweaking to cater to shrinkage, the translucency of the clay and paint.....etc. etc. Also, due to this, I had to re-do a number of pieces as air dry clay takes sometimes days to dry fully before the actual colour/translucency is shown, so a lot of it is trial and error. And leftover itty bitty pieces of clay XD

Thus ties up the last of my customer obligations until after my wedding/move in September. People around me are getting more nervous than I am, and I really ought to get that dress and bouquet sewn....so much to do but, yeah. it's not exactly at the top of my priority list. I guess I'm too old to be an excited bride. |||XD |||XD |||XD

(haha those are wrinkles above my brow)

Meanwhile, I will still be working on some 1:12 items and youtube videos, and sprucing up my Patreon page. Plans are, once I've settled into my new life as a wife, and mini-making schedule, I will start work on that book that I keep harping on about. But I need some passive income to make that possible, medical bills and all that :( So if you see posts disappearing or edited to appear 'shinier' and less whingy, don't be alarmed, I haven't changed, I just need to put some spit and shine on this old barn :P

Thanks so much for all the love, care and support this far. *bows* :)

Watch Me Work - 1:6 scale miniature Raw Prawn Nigiri - Youtube Video Part 3

(hrmmm no preview pic :( what happened!! grrrrrr)

Watch Me Work - 1:6 scale miniature Raw Prawn Nigiri - Youtube Video Part 3

Final part of Watch Me Work - 1:6 scale miniature Raw Prawn Nigiri, now with music!

I want this post not just to be an update, but also a review of an app that I absolutely ADORE. My brain must have swollen up quite a bit the past week as I made myself sit down and concentrate on honing my photography skills. It just seems a waste to have, what I've been told many times over, a good DSLR, and not let it reach its full potential. Or at least, enough to do what I would like for it to do....

TECHNICAL WORDY POST AND REVIEW OF DSLRDASHBOARD APP HERE!

The main thing I've learnt (which I had always suspected) was that I needed to stabilize it. The depression of the shutter button was sufficient to result in a blurry photo, especially since I hadn't yet educated myself in the technical stuff like shutter speed, ISO and apertures etc. Which I have, now, sort of. Those terms meant nothing to me even though people have mentioned, and I have read in articles and manuals, countless times, as there was no practical application and experience for me to make it meaningful in my mind. 

After 2 backbreaking days of acquainting myself with the whistles and bells of my Canon EOS 600D, I decided to finally purchase a tripod and remote shutter thingamabob. The tripod was a quick and dirty purchase, in the sense that true camera enthusiasts and professionals will balk at the plastic 'starter' tripod I got, but heck, like I've previously mentioned, I am financially barely scraping by and even SGD$17 is a big deal to me. The remotes available were upwards of SGD$30, and although I did set aside $50 for the accessories, it didn't seem justifiable as I could get one off greedbay for SGD$5, free shipping! But again, that meant I had to wait at least 3-4 weeks for it to arrive. Momentum being what it is, I didn't want to break my stride, and today I went to purchase an SGD$12 micro USB adapter/host, also known as an OTG cable for my Samsung devices.

(Valore is the house brand that Challenger carries. There are many more affordable options but I didn't want to spend hours travelling to and from Sim Lim just to save a few dollars)

This decision was made after stumbling across a number of apps that offered remote capabilities for various brands of DSLRs. Although not stated to support the Canon 600D, DSLRDashboard was the first free app which informed me that the only hardware required (which had multiple uses, when compared to a stupid shutter release button) was a cable/adapter! SOLD! I took my chances, figuring I could use it with my other storage devices if it didn't work.....

GREAT THING IT DID! SO So sooooo pleased ^_^

It was extremely EXTREMELY easy to use DSLRDashboard. The black USB cable is the cable I use to connect my DSLR to the laptop....so instead of doing that, just connect it to your handheld device. Just remember though:

"Not all phones/tablets are compatible. You need at least 4.x Android or higher with USB host support."

(yeah, it didn't work with my Samsung Galaxy Core Prime :( )

The interface indicated Nikon many times over, and in re-reading the specifications, it seems the app wasn't meant for Canon, but worked anyway, so I'm not complaining :P Especially since it's FREE and so easy to use!!!! I can't stress that enough!

Here's a screenshot from my Samsung Note 2. This is the Live View mode, just click on the "LV" button (top row, 4th button) to view what your DSLR is set up for. I haven't yet fully explored the functions, but the ones I have tried are the EV Mode and ISO settings at the bottom bar (highlighted in green)

See what I mean by "Nikon indicated" hehehe. Anyhoo, the app auto-detected my camera as soon as it was connected and turned on. My favourite to use with macro shots was the 5x and 10x live view settings at the bottom row.

Clicking on "5x" brought up this live preview .....of course, I had my camera set to Manual focus, with the EFS18-55mm lens. Maybe if I could afford a 2K macro lens I wouldn't have had to figure all this out, ah well, #firstworldproblems :X

There you have it.

OH oh, nearly forgot about the sample photo ey....

oops dusty :P Fired off a quick shot as I was so excited to do this post :)

You can click on the above 3 pics for a closer look. These were also taken with the help of the DSLRDashboard app :) I think my fave fave fave thing about doing this is I don't have to contort my body and squint at the teeny camera monitor anymore!

Hope you've enjoyed reading this post, or at least watching the videos :) You may also click on the following link to watch all 3 videos in a playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX0nxIZPXchN4Eu1tFCnpAPSXdEnuIXFV

Remember to Subscribe, Like, Comment and Share if you wish to show your support for all the hard work I've put into these videos...if my health permits I would love to make more videos for you to enjoy ^_^

Watch Me Work - 1:6 scale miniature Raw Prawn Nigiri - Youtube Video Part 2

and Part 2 is here :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfPkdrIfuTk

(beware, boring, i fell asleep reviewing it...:X )

Watch Me Work - 1:6 scale miniature Raw Prawn Nigiri - Youtube Video

I have a new video up on my youtube channel ^_^

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GfvhJ40gpY

You may also subscribe via the Youtube widget to the right of my blog!

https://www.youtube.com/user/snowfern

I call this series of videos "Watch Me Work" because I am actually working on a paid commission for this sushi set. Pity I hadn't figured out how to use my DSLR better before I started or I would have had better documentation XD Then again, who knows!

Since the old laptop hiccuped, I swapped it out for this new, or rather, the fiance's ex-laptop. This meant that I have loads more memory to save videos and photos. Best of all, it means it has a WORKING DVD DRIVE which meant, I could finally install the Canon Utilities that came with the camera!!! Which I had previously given up on.......and with the remote and live view capabilities, sharper images and easier photosessionssssssssssss AHHHHHH!!! The last weekend was spent hunting down a cheap tripod, even though I had been advised to invest in one, it is simply not possible at the moment. All my angpow $ has gone to paying for wedding-related stuff......so I got a cheapo SGD$17 plastic tripod from Challenger....well, it works for now, until I can afford better :)

So to celebrate my new skillsets and improved photography, I have taken about 6 videos documenting -most- of my process for this raw prawn nigiri....it is so difficult for me to concentrate on keeping my hands in frame, and worrying about battery life (no power adapter) and focus simply distracts me from my actual -paid- work, 'sides, when I work on minis, the world drops away and time slips and slides from me...........*blissful look*

 Where was I? Oh yes!

This little thing :D I've taken videos of the whole process up to the painting portion, which I had to give up on since there was no way for me to record the painting as I often hitch my glasses up onto my head and squint while painting it, oh, maybe 5cm away from my nose? Bifocals might be a necessity soon T-T @_@

Editing the videos take up a lot of time, this first one took me a good 6 hrs as I tried to figure out all the functions in Windows Movie Maker. Tried to install Lightworks as I wanted to add a logo, alas, all sorts of errors kept popping up and....*heavy sigh*

Will continue editing part 2 tomorrow, meanwhile, please enjoy the video, and remember to Subscribe, Like, Comment and Share if you wish to see more of "Watch Me Work"!

1:48 scale miniature Japanese Teatime items

Happy Chinese New Year of the Goat everybody! It still is Chinese New Year as we supposedly celebrate it for 15 days, but the busiest few days, i.e. New Year's Eve thru till 2nd day of Chinese New Year duties are done with, and the last time for me as I will technically be part of a new family next year :) 

Woah, so many months have passed since my last post, and not much done :( Healthwise, things are still a little more than hinky, but I am trying to motor on with the help of proper dosages of painkillers. Between November and now has been a hazy blur of unbearable ladypains (re: adenomyosis/endometriosis), colds, an upper respiratory infection that wouldn't go away for more than a month, and my old laptop of more than 5 years giving up after I caused a blackout with an improperly plugged in UV lamp :X The weather has also been a lot chillier and wetter, for a lot longer than usual, but it finally warmed up this week, enough for me to head back to the pool to lose the Chinese New Year weight gain :P So I tried my best to continue working on requests that came in last year, while I am able to.......

The good thing is, this lovely customer emailed me last July, stating that she had no problems waiting for this order, and I thoroughly appreciate that. I went about creating the smallest items I've ever attempted!!!

The masters for these, which I have since lost, were turned on my IKEA drill, which has also died :( The humid weather is killing all my electronic gadgets!!! Ah well. As you can see, they're about 2-3mm wide, and I cast them in epoxy resin, because I was fearful that clay would be too fragile at that thinness.....

She had also requested some floor cushions and a tatami flooring, found a lovely floral bias tape with patterns small enough to work for the cushion, and finished it off with a teensy weensy gold knot in the centre. Loving how it turned out! Each is barely 1cm square.

(table is an old Sylvanian family item I collected more than a decade ago! might have been a stool from a sewing machine set, or table from a micro sofa set? or is it Re-ment??! Auf, can't remember, but it's not made by me is what I meant to say.....)

1:48 scale miniature Japanese Tea Scene, UV Resin, Epoxy Resin, Polymer Clay, Cloth, Inkscape, Paper, Acrylic paint

Fired up Inkscape and heavily modified a free tatami texture I found online, did up a sample by scoring along the lines but at 1:48, ey, not sure why I bothered. :-/ I'm not sure if you can see but I've also detailed the Usagi Manju (Rabbit Steamed Bun) with red eyes and brown ears, and the sakura mochi has a teeny yellow centre and detailed indentations.....kind of difficult to detail items approximately 1mm large..... *squints*

I debated over the green, and decided to do a darker and chalkier shade so it 'pops' more, especially since it is sooo tiny, but in contrast, the pink of the mochi seems a little pale in photos?! It is a few shades darker in real life, I promise! Looks like my photography skills have reverted to n00b status after such a long break T-T

OKAY enough self-flagellation, I have another large-ish order which I'm mid-way through, but here's part of what I've completed :) It's 1:6 scale, which I am not often asked to work with, so it posed new challenges for me, which included sculpting with air dry clay since no batch work was necessary!

1:6 aka playscale assorted sushi, WIP. microbeads, paper, acrylic paints, oil based paints, air dry clay, UV resin

Ouf it's almost March.

1:6 scale miniature playscale 80s Singapore tidbits

Cross-posted at http://clover-tea.blogspot.sg/

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The DSLR won this round. I am still struggling with the settings, and the macro clip-ons. I suppose the photos look good from far, but are far from good T-T They'll have to do for now because I am a little busy!

The request was for 1:6 items, a rare request! They are double the size of the ones I made for a personal 80s Singapore project. Quite a number of people have asked where I had obtained the images, all the graphics were made by me using inkscape, referencing photos I had found online.

Yotsuba is 12cm tall, which makes her about 1:10 scale, so these are a tad large for her! They would be suitable for playscale dolls like Barbie. Pullip, Blythe etc, but I think my customer ordered them for possibly YoSD sized dolls? I really ought to put them with some Re-ment but eh, already packed them away hehehhe oops

 1:6 scale miniature White Rabbit Milk sweets and Haw Flakes, polymer clay, paper, Inkscape, sealant, glue

1:6 scale miniature Mamee Noodle Snack, air dry clay, decal, plastic, paper, Inkscape, sealant, glue, acrylic paint

Some of these might not be familiar to those who aren't living in Southeast Asia, but I have had people reporting in from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and even the USA who say they're still available in Chinatown areas! Wooo!

1:6 scale miniature seaweed rings, Spin potato snacks, air dry clay, acrylic paint, sealant, plastic

These were the most time consuming to make, and there are 50 pcs in each package. The Spin crackers used to taste and look slightly different from these when I was younger, and had a flavour other than MSG :X I miss eating them! They also came in a cone, not packaged like this. As for how do I do my plastic packaging, let's just say, I still fail alot and so am not confident in revealing my methods :( But you can try and be creative with an iron, just be careful! :X

GROUP SHOT! I hope she likes them :) I certainly enjoyed making them, quite a challenge!

I have also opened up a pre-order for the 1:3 Ramen and Udon bowls that were pretty popular, you can find more details here:

http://clover-tea.blogspot.sg/p/pre-order-july-2014.html

however there are only 2 bowls left, they were snapped up faster than expected, thank you all :)

1:12 Macaron Sets, a belated birthday gift, and larger scaled donuts

It has been some time since I made these, but have never gotten round to using them. I remember first coming across some beautiful macaron boxes, in a similar design while looking for some inspiration in making petit fours. The idea stuck in my mind, and whilst waiting for a friend's wedding dinner to start, i grabbed a pencil and paper, drew out the template in a random size, tore it out, test assembled it and stuck it in my purse.

fast forward too many months later, i pulled it out from my drawer of half-baked ideas and drew out a template using Inkscape. modified it a little from the original, toyed around with a few colours, and decided that these are the ones i most like. i think i'll start using green in my next batch, and i'll explain a little more later my new appreciation for green....:P

Photospam ahead :P Each set has a different mix of macarons!

1:12 scale dollhouse miniature macaron sets - polymer clay

aaaand, I've also made available printables of these in 1:12, 1:6, 1:4 and 1:3 sizes! so now your macarons can sit in a cute little box, designed by me for your personal use :) 

All available in my Etsy Store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/snowfern

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The bf is such a sweetie :) he surprised me with this dollhouse kit as part of my birthday surprise (back in Dec, i'm super pampered i know :P ).....and frankly i'm quite a terrible person to buy gifts for. Not only am i picky, there's hardly any space left in my room for personal effects now that i've shifted all my work stuff back into my bedroom :S I usually prefer a good meal with good company as i find such moments invaluable, and far more precious than an object i might not even appreciate :X

So when i received this, i was a little apprehensive. i'd never worked on a wooden dollhouse kit, other than the flimsy balsa wood kits i played with as a child. so opening this up and seeing the laser cut pieces, then measuring them and realizing they were 1:48.......AHHHH SO HAPPY!!!! mostly because it coincides with a purchase i've made recently....shhhhh it's a secret ;P

i looked through my stash of scrapbooking papers and decided on a colour scheme....this isn't exactly the sort of colour i would use for my own dollhouse, but the completed piece isn't destined for me ;) (that's a hint!)

i found the laser etched detailing a little too blah, so i added some basswood strips to give the window sills a little more dimension.

 The front door opens!

View from the back

aaaand, cos i have a few gachapon Sylvanian family sets, as well as some cheapo 1:48 furniture sets in my collection of toys........TADAH!~ SO CUTE. the knitted bear on the bed (or maybe crocheted?) is a gift from my friend Sue, and the knitted bunny and bear at the piano were made by me using a free pattern i found on Ravelry (i think i've blogged about it before but i'm in a rush.......AHHHH LATE FOR DATE)

From the front! Will probably add some flowers and more details to the lawn, but this was a complete surprise, and progress this far took me 3 whole days :O i have stuff to get back to so......it'll do for now :)

WIP Donuts in 1:3 and 1:4/1:6 sizes :) Air dry clay

Decided to take more WIP pics, which means using my handphone/Instagram.

http://instagram.com/snowfern

I'm on instagram so...you can follow my progress there too! ^ ^

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On a personal note, my health is improving slightly, and so am starting on commission work again ^ ^ Right now, my commission slots are full for Feb and Mar, but if you have any small requests (literally and figuratively XD ) do drop me a mail at snowfern at gmail dot com and I'll see if I can work on them alongside my current schedule :)