First tack piece in 6 years

It's been a few years, to be sure. Many people take hiatus from the hobby at times. I only took one in the past during the end of my teen years... but I always come back. The plastic ponies call to me and require tack. In the meantime, I've become a software developer - and through that endeavor became the privileged owner of a few horses - the real mccoy. All of them have been purebred or half Arabians (no surprise, I'm sure). I had the distinct thrill of showing both of my geldings at the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma last past October, and thanks to their incredible breeding came home with Top Ten honors. After all that excitement, I've settled down for a long winter and can return to some crafting again, finally!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and I took some color inspiration from the holiday for this next piece. It is a stablemate/mini scale native Arabian costume, modeled closely after a historic Jordanian saddle, with a slight tweak to the colors. It is the first 3/32 scale embroidery I have done in ten years, so I enjoyed starting the challenge. This will become a sales piece the weekend before Valentine's Day.

Compared to inspiration:

Blab Costume

Here it is, all finished and photoshopped with a desert background and everything ;-)


More photos can be found on my website

I also had an eventful show weekend! Finished one of my LOTR inspired costumes for my David resin newly finished by Chris Nandell; and collaborated on a medieval inspired piece for the Peasant Stomper resin owned by a good guy friend of mine. Pics to come tomorrow, hopefully.

Care for a slice of Swarovski?

Ok, so I may have got a bit carried away with the bling here.... but the long wait is pretty much over now! The Model Horse Blab blue crystal costume is 95% done now. Just need to add the snaffle rein, stirrups and girth... maybe a few tassels here and there, but I think less is more where that is concerned. I based this design after the real showring costumes from Almost Ranch Arabians with the nylon headstall attached to the rest of a double bridle. I did add a seat cover on top of the McClellan saddle to match the rest of the costume.

I also tried a new technique with this set... double wrapped tassels. I had noticed that the real tassels used on several modern arab costumes were tied in two places, creating a sort of small "bulge" in the middle for added interest. I thought it would make a nice departure for me, so I gave it a go. It took twice as long to do each tassel of course, but I'm happy with the results. It is my sincere wish to get better with each tack item I create, so of course there is accute desire to try it again in the future.

I say... the crystals and beads on this piece were expensive! Since I wanted 100% genuine Swarovski, that is. Nothing sparkles and shines like these components. I haven't counted how many I put on, but suffice it to say it was enough ;-) I am really excited to see how this costume does at a show! Of course, the photos do the piece no justice at all... you really have to see it in person for the dazzle effect :)

I tried using the flash to expose the flat backed crystals and make them shine a bit :)

First Place!

Complete with his "digital documentation" (hey, I was in a pinch and it worked), here is my OF Equine Collection Arab "Winter Solstice" taking the costume class at Ozark Mountain Live yesterday with Amy Davies' new native costume. Just thought I'd share!

Shot of it on my Musetta just for fun...

And...

While I was there, I put a bit more tackamking time into the Model Horse Blab costume contest entry (about 1 year overdue!) and began setting the Swarovski crystals for it. There are going to be tons of them - but tastefully done (hopefully!) in AB crystal, sky blue and sapphire colors. Chris Nandell approached me about claiming it for her Khemosabi resin when it's finished. Here is a very work in progress shot of it on her lovely guy:

Still waiting for Fire Mountain Gem to ship me my order for Kat's blue costume so I can get started on that one too! My life, as of late, seems to have turned blue. :)

Hanging Drapery

With the bridle, breastcollar and halter done I've been turning my attention to the saddle drape. It looks so very Joseph-And-The-Amazing-Technicolor-Dreamcoat, doesn't it? ;-) I am hoping to have this set done by tomorrow! I took the bridle off to readjust it, so it is missing from these photos. What do you think?

Droolings

Benevolence V
21 Year old Chestnut Arabian Stallion
Huckleberry Bey & Bask bloodline
Owned by Far Niente Farms

I found this online. Isn't it breathtaking? I think it's going to be the next personal costume down the pike... any suggestions for what resin I should have customized to this position?

Progress peek

The wheel of time, she be a'rollin... and here is the halter, bridle and breastcollar for the red native set minus the tassels. I tried a new technique with the cowrie medallions - backing them with black skiver leather, just like the real tack! I am very happy with the results. I'm at work doing a double shift at the hotel but I just HAD to put these up before I forgot to journal the progress. I also found that I love the precision tip cement found in the glue section of my local JoAnn's. It helps the assembly process of the shells and micro breads fabulously!




You can tell I took this pic on the desk ;-) Please forgive the lighting.