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

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"!

SGDC2014, pre-event update!

*sings* It's the final count dowwwwwnnnnnn~~!! One day (and a half) left to Singapore Doll Carnival 2014!!! Remember to join us at *Scape if you're free, drop by and say "HI" to Asuka and I! We're probably the first table you'll see as you enter the venue :E Woot Woot~!

"ONCE UPON A TIME"

Date : 16 November 2014 (Sunday)

Venue : The Treetop, Scape (level 5)

2 Orchard Link, Singapore 237938

(Nearest train station : Somerset)
Time : 12pm - 7pm
Ticket Price : $18 (door tickets)

(hahha I kope'd Asuka's edit :E)

View the other vendor offerings here!

http://www.sgdollcarnival.com/booth-list.html

After my previous update, I went into full throttle mode and came up with a few more items....

 1:3 scale miniature potato wedges, chicken tenders (suitable for 1:4 too, or YoSD), with BBQ sauce. Air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paint, sealants, paper

2 sets available for each, all items loose

 1:3 scale miniature fish and chip sets, with coleslaw, lemon slice and tomato wedge. Air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paint, sealants

1 set available, the square bowl at back. Casserole set reserved!

1:4 scale miniature nuggets and fries set, for 1:4 or YoSD. Air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paint, sealants, paper

2 sets available.

1:3 and 1:4/YoSD junk food sets XD

Repost of the first pic cos I can't find the photo for the 1:3 nugget set....gyaaa...lazy to take pics. The 1:3 scale miniature nugget and fries sets come with ketchup, coleslaw in a lettuce cup, and a tomato wedge in a ceramic dish. 

2 sets available (far right in photo)

1:3 or 1:4 miniature tomato wedges, air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paints, sealants

For those who have 'liked' my facebook page or followed my Instagram, you probably have seen these.....they seem to be incredibly popular! I made them a tad small so I could use them in 1:4 or 1:3 settings.....they were incredibly time-consuming to make, but well worth the effort I think ^_^v

Back to Japanese food! (or at least, Singaporean versions of haha)

1:3 scale miniature chashu ramen bowl, air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paints, sealants, polymer clay

Only 1 set available, ran out of time to make more T-T 

1:3 scale miniature kitsune udon bowl, with attached chopsticks for posing with dolls! air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paints, sealants, polymer clay, bamboo

Only 1 set available, not sure if this format will be popular...if there's demand I'll make more when I have time!

1:3 scale miniature kitsune and enoki mushroom udon bowl, air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paints, sealants, polymer clay

2 sets available

1:3 scale miniature kitsune and chikuwa udon bowl, air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paints, sealants, polymer clay

Sold, was a custom request that came in while I was prepping the udon bowls :D Thank you!

1:3 scale miniature egg mayo takoyaki, air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paints, scenic scatter, sealants

Sold, thank you!

1:3 scale miniature takoyaki, air dry clay, epoxy resin, acrylic paints, scenic scatter, sealants. not sure what the boat material is, same as the real takoyaki boats....some sort of wood pulp?

2 regular takoyaki sets available, with mayonnaise and bonito flakes. The 'bitten' takoyaki is loose for ease of posing!

1:3 scale miniature lobster salad/salmon mayo, avocado hana maki, air dry clay, microbeads, acrylic paints, sealants

I LOVE EATING THESE! Well, the lobster salad ones. Have never tried the avocado, but seen plenty of photos.....avocado is also so so omnomnommy! ^_^

4 sets available (in trios like in photo)

1:3 scale miniature okonomiyaki, air dry clay, acrylic paints, sealants, scenic scatter, epoxy resin

Bacon and egg okonomiyaki available, 'cut' okonomiyaki sold, thank you! :D

These are work in progress photos, as I have packed them up safely, but hope to take some photos of everything together tomorrow as I price all my items and do a test layout. 

1:3 scale miniature chopsticks in paper sleeves. paper, inkscape, bamboo, sealant

Many sets available! For individual sale at SGD$4, but only SGD$2 if purchased with any Japanese food sets ^_^ 

I also spent a bit of time designing chopstick sleeves from scratch....my initial design was a fugly pink sakura themed one as I felt panicky and rushed to get a generic design out....luckily CH gave me pause to rethink the design. It so happens that we both share the same Chinese middle name, "Yan4", which means "Swallow" (the bird, not the verb heheh), and I had to give my brain a few seconds to recall how to write my name.....*hangs head in shame* In my defense, I hadn't written it in over 2 years......at least I think that's when I last practiced writing it?! *embarrassed* 

Anyhoo, she suggested I use it as inspiration for the design, and I whipped this out in maybe 10 minutes!!! That's got to be the shortest time I've ever spent on a new design bwa ha haaaaaa! *puffs up chest*

The Chinese/Kanji characters mean "Swallow Sanctuary". The 2nd character, "Ting2" could also mean pavilion....or gazebo maybe? I thought it quite sweet :)))) The hiragana should read "tsubame", the Japanese word for Swallow. I hope I got everything right and not committed some faux pas. Out of all my BJD group of friends, I'm the least Japanese-savvy one!!! Heck, I can't even manage my own grasp of Mandarin and I'm =at least= 3/4 Chinese.....*derisive snort* 

1:3 miniature scale "Large" waffles with butter and honey. Air dry clay, acrylic paints, sealant, epoxy resin

Asuka had made some beautiful waffles, and I had coincidentally left some to dry as I worked on the Japanese foods...and when she updated with photos I squealed in delight because 

1) WE ARE TELEPATHIC (hahah joke, joke, I don't believe in woo)

2) as proven many times over, it didn't matter if we made the same stuff, our styles are very different!!

I'll talk about this topic (friend? competition? business partner? collaborator? Folie à deux?) another time as I've been asked a few times how it was that Asuka and I happen to work so well together....it's embarrassing watching us do events, we bicker like an old couple hahahhaha

-_-""""""

ANYWAY. I went back to work on them.....

1:3 BJD scale miniature "Large" waffles vs 1:12 scale dollhouse miniature butter and honey waffles....

Only 1 set available. Waffles attached to plate.

A closer look.....in case anyone was wondering, that's a Singapore 10-cent coin, which is approx 1.85cm diameter. I tried to make the butter look melted.....will try to take a better photo with the DSLR if I have time (or remember to....)

Not for sale at the moment....only made these cos the waffles had been lying around in my UFO (unfinished objects) box for ages, and only needed the resin to complete it...and I knew I would have extra from making the 1:3 one......it also makes this post valid for this smaller scales blog hwa hwa hwa.

WIP 1:3 scale miniature "Large" waffles with icecream, syrup, whipped cream and topped with cherry

Allowing the final sealant coat of resin to cure....I've also broken out in hives from a week of working with resin *heavy sigh*

Above 4 designs available, not attached to triangle white plate (as seen in the honey/butter waffle pic)

My cousin D came over yesterday and helped me finish up the sushi boards, SHE IS A LIFE-SAVER!!!! XD So I'll spend tomorrow sorting out sushi sets....the shoyu dishes are also curing (first attempt was megafail, frustrating, but finally got it right) and will be available separately only with purchase of sushi sets :) I -might- sell some sushi a la carte, but it depends on whether I can figure it all out.....am so tired....and pricing is so difficult...and I can't figure out how to pack everything into the carry-on suitcase.....and my arm itches.......and my bed is covered with unfolded laundry.......and stocks cos I ran out of space to store them.......WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *whinessssss*

but so exciting na~~~! :P Remember to say Hi! I love catching up (when it's not too hectic) with dollfriends at our "annual meets" haha! So envious when they bring around their new dolls.....Oh ya, I don't think I have space to bring any of mine :( Maybe Yotsuba if I remember........she can sit in my pocket haw haw *manic laughter*

time for bed. been running on only 4-6 hrs of sleep each night the past week. and coffee. mmm. coffee.

SGDC 2014 - Singapore Doll Carnival 2014, Sunday 16th November 2014

Are you interested in BJDs? Perhaps if you are new to the hobby, and would like to learn more about it, do come down to *Scape next Sunday, 16th November 2014 to see some of the dolls up close! Also, for the first time, there will be doll vendors at SGDC, and of course, Asuka and I will be there again!! Come say hi!!!!

"ONCE UPON A TIME"
Date : 16 November 2014 (Sunday)
Venue : The Treetop, Scape (level 5)
2 Orchard Link, Singapore 237938

(Nearest train station : Somerset)
Time : 12pm - 7pm
Ticket Price : $15 (Early Bird ticket sales from 1st - 30th September 2014)

$18 (door tickets)


Asuka & Snowfern are back together with Matsuri Tabemono!! Their handmade miniature food props will definitely satisfy your dolls' cravings! Please visit www.asukasakumo.com or www.snowfern.com for more details!

For the experienced BJD collector, Singapore Doll Carnival is the (seemingly) only BJD-only event held in Singapore, we enjoyed ourselves tremendously at last year's SGDC2013, and naturally signed up for SGDC2014!

http://www.asukasakumo.net/ ,

https://www.facebook.com/Cloudy.Purplesky ;

http://snowfern.com ,

https://www.facebook.com/SnowfernClover

Asuka has been working hard at her new day job, but also made time to come up with delicious new Japanese food items for your dolls! You can also visit her blog to see her latest offerings made exclusively for SGDC2014 :)

http://www.asukasakumo.com/

A: Golden Tales & Eccentric Romance
B: Nyann & CK
C: TTYA
D: Euphoria Zone
E: Sseiren
F: GG Doll Fashions
G: MaroSweetCraft
H: My Little Memory Doll
I: Pitscraft
J: Darak-i
K: DollHeart
L: M-style
M: Dollfie Dream Network @ SG
N: MyDollChan
O: Oscardoll
P: Arietta Project
Q: Ddress
R: Anemone
S: Clockwork Forest
T: Princessdoll
U: Asuka Sakumo & Snowfern Clover

We both have been working hard to fill our table, and you can find us at table U (as soon as you enter the event area :D :D :D

(OMG I just went to check out the list of vendors are there will be 2 Korean doll companies selling dolls AHHHH I AM SO DEAD)

*composes self ahem*

SO what did -I- make exclusively for the event?

Sushi!!! These are tentatively displayed this way, but might be split up into gunkanmaki and nigiri sets, depending on whether I have time to make more boards....or whether I have any more plates. 

1:3 scale miniature assorted 'raw' sushi, air dry clay, microbeads, paper, acrylic paint, varnish

(this plate is actually a cup cover I found at a neighbourhood store XD everything else is made by me!)

3 sets available

Customers will have an option to pick from this, or the octoganal ceramic black/white plates~ The wooden ones are not available for sale, sorry :( I will try to get more material next week but....depends on whether I can get stocks.....

1:3 scale miniature assorted 'cooked' sushi, air dry clay, microbeads, paper, acrylic paint, varnish

1 set available, but might not have wooden tray....will have to look for another display option...

Next up! For those who do not like raw sushi~~ or for kids!

1:3 scale miniature Ikura, California, and Uni Temaki, air dry clay, microbeads, paper, acrylic paint, varnish

1:3 scale miniature meals, air dry clay, paper, acrylic paint, varnish, epoxy resin

 1:3 miniature yakitori set, air dry clay, paper, epoxy paint, varnish

All items attached to bamboo plate (purchased from neighbourhood tea store), grated radish, 2/3 pcs pickled radish attached to Shiso leaf, lime wedge and 1/3 pc pickled radish loose, Shiso leaf loose

Only 1 set available

 1:3 scale miniature Hiyashi Chuka, air dry clay, acrylic paint, paper, resin, sealant. Plate is a purchased sauce dish

Only 2 sets available.

1:3 scale miniature tempura sets, air dry clay, acrylic paint, sealant. All items loose. Pickles and wasabi attached to Shiso leaf. Dish is purchased sauce dish

2 sets available. Each set contains eggplant, shiso leaf, sweet potato, pumpkin, mushroom & lotus, and EITHER green bean OR grated carrot. 

I will try to make more dipping sauce bowls but they will be sold separately.

I still have some Udon bowls and takoyaki sets, as well as a set of hana sushi waiting to be completed...and if there's time (and if the weather is co-operative, been really wet and humid lately), maybe waffles.....

All  items are sold on a first-come-first-served basis at SGDC 2014 next Sunday! See you there!!! Hope to be able to update again with a 'proper' layout next week :D :D :D So excited!!!

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 :)

Funan Anime Matsuri 2014 - June 14th & 15th, See you there!

Marie Antoinette inspired 1:12 scale dollhouse cakes, polymer clay (custom order)

Finally, an update, and in 1:12 too! This is a custom order for a very nice and patient customer!! 

===================================

I have been busy neglecting this blog (:P) as I have been working on items for sale at an upcoming event in Singapore, details below :)

http://www.funananimematsuri.com/

Funan Digital Life Mall June 14th -15th 11am-8pm

For those who are (or will be) in Singapore, please do drop by and say Hi to Asuka and I, for we are back together for another event, Funan Anime Matsuri! We will be sharing a table at the Creators Hub ^_^

I am still busy putting together items for sale for the weekend event, photos of what will be available can be viewed here:

Post by Snowfern Clover.