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.

A braiding we will go...

Updated pics of Amy's native set.... got most of the braidwork done on the breastcollar and halter.

Some Assembly Required ;-)

I've been working away on Amy D's red native costume. Finished putting together all the tassels required (over 120) and finished braiding the floss for the halter and breastcollar. Trimed down the drape pieces and laid them out together to take a few artsy photos. Why not have fun with the creative process all around, I say? Since I was getting a strong amount of natural sunlight, it tends to wash out the greens and make the red seem waaay more pink than it is. Ah well. I assure you, they are all nice primary colors. You may notice that I use 2 different shades of each color to make my tassels. I have found that it gives the finished piece a sort of glowing look... like when shadows are cast.


Better views of the work-in-progress:
I am in love with my Nikon D60!

That's all for now. Back to watching superhero movies while sewing ;-)

~Heather

Red and Blue on the way

After enjoying the blogs of several other tackmakers, I finally caved in and decided to begin my own. Since I update my site only when I finish a piece (which can be few and far between, I admit) I thought this might give others an insight to my creative process. I warn you now: creative minds are seldom tidy, and I am certainly no exception to that rule!

I have recently re-opened my books after a 1 year hiatus. It did not take long for slots to begin filling up, to my delight. I love working on commissions! Going along with my good friend Jennifer Buxton's desire to never post without a picture of some sort, I took a moment to snap a few shots of the beginning drapes of the new orders.

This red rug will end up as a native arab costume similar to my Bint Aisha one that placed at NAN last year:



This blue rug is destined for some added sparkle :)


I am off to match embroidery thread at my local JoAnn's!

~Heather