Announcement: Anthrocon FYI

[Aurorous]

So what I'm hearing, and please please correct me if I'm wrong guys, I need feedback to make this game what y'all want, is that folks seemed to prefer the entirely hand sculpted ones. And would prefer we go back to that method, but are primarily concerned it would add to wait times/drastically lower the availability of Standard Wyrms?

If thats pretty much on the money, I'll try to test a new standard head this coming week, and try a push mold to help me get the basic shape. If it works, I can offer the more unique, individual standards, with lots of different expressions, and have the 'setup' for them be a tad more streamlined and quick. I do want to clarify though...either way, I'm looking at taking a few less Standards per season, resin casting won't change that. A dozen on top of Wyverns, royals, and con stock is just too much, and I'm constantly feeling guilty about people being so patient and the turnaround time being too dang long. It's not just the sculpting, it's the eyes, painting, horns, padding, sewing the bodies, wings or tail plumes, etc etc. But I think I can find a happy medium between too many and not enough.

Thoughts? Folks would have to keep in mind the clay heads are a tad more delicate, solid resin you'd be able to toss across the room with less fear of damage, though I can't fathom why you'd WANT to. I just know *some* doll makers mention this as part of their sales pitch, so wasn't sure if it was a big deal for buyers?

I like the push mold idea a lot; the details on the hand-sculpted heads just look so nice. I'll be interested to see how that method turns out.

[SandySchreiber]

I will admit that I adore the hand-sculpted heads! I know they take more time, are more delicate, and would cost more, but nothing beats the detail and personality you put into each work of art you produce.

The idea of a very basic mold to get the underlying shape and to reduce weight is a good one. It gives a stronger base for the clay and cuts down sculpting time.

One of the reasons I love minis the best is that I get the complexity of a standard without being too big or too costly.

[HopefulMonster]

Yeah, after a bit of talk amongst staff the suggestion was made to reduce the size of Standard heads a bit to make them more proportional to the body size. I want to keep the 2foot length, its perfect for wrapping around the neck as a fluffy scarf, but the heads are simply too bulky right now. So I'll try the pushmold to get the basic shape and 'skull' structure, which is the biggest pain, and go from there. Combine the best of both worlds. If it doesn't work, I can always look into the outsourcing resin casts. But this seems a more preferable option at the moment, and allows me to really make each one truly one of a kind.

[Ponygirl]

I like that idea too, I kind of felt that the one I had was a bit head-heavy. Made her a little hard to wear, eye-poking aside, since it felt like the whole thing always wanted to lunge forward and down.

[Karannia]

Admittedly I love the sculpted heads over the resin ones.. I know that resin tends to be lighter, but with humble honesty I didn't care much for the pock marked looks and feel of the resin heads..

[ShyCrestedGirl]

Admittedly I love the sculpted heads over the resin ones.. I know that resin tends to be lighter, but with humble honesty I didn't care much for the pock marked looks and feel of the resin heads..

So much this.

[HopefulMonster]

Going back to clay heads wouldn't change the fact that Standards get a sort of 'skin' texture, they've always been textured to be more realistic and detailed. Its one of the many things that makes them different from Teacups, aside from their size. I've actually been experimenting with different custom texture stamps, and future Standards will likely have particular textures based on their Type, rather than all being the same.

I've got about a half dozen different texture 'stamp' tools right now and am going to be working on making a few more today. I appreciate the feedback and encourage it_ but want to warn folks that the Standards are *not* going to be smooth like the Teacups.

[ShyCrestedGirl]

Even though I'm not a textured fan I SO can't wait to SEE these breed specific textures. That sounds mega cool!

I think breed specific things are neat. Like the shakra ish gem on the standard qui. So neat.

[SandySchreiber]

Going back to clay heads wouldn't change the fact that Standards get a sort of 'skin' texture, they've always been textured to be more realistic and detailed. Its one of the many things that makes them different from Teacups, aside from their size. I've actually been experimenting with different custom texture stamps, and future Standards will likely have particular textures based on their Type, rather than all being the same.

I've got about a half dozen different texture 'stamp' tools right now and am going to be working on making a few more today. I appreciate the feedback and encourage it_ but want to warn folks that the Standards are *not* going to be smooth like the Teacups.

I like the idea of leaf crawlers having leaf patterns...I wonder what the others would have? A wave pattern for the water types, pointed scales, rounded scales, 'fur', pebbled....? I look forward to seeing what you come up with!