We’re a week into the new year already which is hard to believe. I usually do these entries at the end of a year and not a week into the new. But as you know I had so much work clogged up and needed to finish it all before the new year started. So there was no time for blogging. Now I have a chance to start fresh with all old work out the door and an empty whiteboard for the new jobs I will be taking on.
2021, started really well with a lot of amazing commissions coming in. It has definitely been my favourite year so far if we look at the customs I was lucky enough to be assigned. And finishing one custom a month was a really good setup so that I could get some personal work done as well. So this is something I will continue to do in 2022.
The thing that through the second half of the year completely on its head was me trying to create something new, and learn something new. Not only did I sculpt my own creatures for the very first time, but I took on resin casting and was adamant to release my Storm Finch. He was not the first resin toy I released, as he was so hard to get right. So I ended up releasing “Cloudy Slumbers” first. This little Bunny was easy enough for me to cast with the knowledge I had, and in afterthought, I wish I had left it there. But then again, I wouldn’t have learnt anything new, although, it would have saved me a lot of stress.
Now even if you didn’t order a Storm Finch, if you follow me on IG you would have read about my struggles. The Storm Finch ended up being the biggest undertaking of my whole art career. Thinking I had everything figured out, I was wrong. I ordered a faster curing resin, hoping to speed up the process. That summer was so warm and my little studio ended up feeling more like a sauna than a studio. The resin ended up curing quicker than I could poor it even though it had a 7-minute pot life, but the heat sped that up even more. The resin got so hot it completely ripped my mould when I finally got to the de-moulding stage and so I had to start over. I ordered more silicone to make more moulds and they ended up not working. I must have made about five moulds in the end and just decided to go with the last one and fix any problems afterwards as I had run out of money. I could cast one Finch per day as I had to use a very slow curing resin and I was already two months over the said time. I was pulling my hair out at this time and started to get really depressed. Not only did I leave so many of you waiting for such a long time, but I was running out of money too. I had no income for just over three months and it was really starting to affect us financially. After that came the winter with all its beautiful illnesses, especially in my kids. And then came the rona and knocked on the door. I can not tell you how hard the past three months have been. But to finally pack everything up and send it off was such a massive weight off my shoulders. All I can say from this experience is that I am NOT a resin caster and I NEVER will be. It is too much for me. But saying that, I don’t want to stop making my own original characters, so when I have gotten back on my feet, financially, again. I will send the finch, along with some other surprises off to the US where someone will be casting for me. It will give me so much more time to focus on what I truly love and I think it will be a good future for Tomodachi Island.
In all the stress at the end of the year, I decided to stay away from social media as it just made me more stressed and feel like an absolute failure. I have missed it and I do really love your input and your encouragement. But it was a battle I had to fight by myself and in a way created for myself. Never mind! In all the mess I almost forgot how much work I actually did in 2021. It was by far the busiest I have ever been with 37 unique customs and 50 resin toys! It changes everything when you look back at your work and realise how god damn hard you actually worked. And I have given myself a pat on the back this morning for getting through so much and loving every single piece. I also realised that you’ve only seen a fraction of them. Luckily I did photograph them all, just never had the time to edit and upload. So I thought I’d share them with you in this blog entry. I have also updated the “Toys” gallery. You will find them all under “2021” or click HERE.
There is a couple of things coming up this year. I have made a vinyl toy with Weetoys Gallery which was supposed to be released before Christmas but due to the above events, this never happened. Keep your eyes peeled as this will be sooooooon!
ToyConUK is back, buuuuut at this point in time, though I have applied, I don’t think I will be exhibiting. I am still a quivering mess after the stress with the Finches, and putting a convention on myself right now would most likely put me in a place where I really don’t want to find myself again. I have a hotel room booked though so I might still go up and hang out and hope to see many of you there. It’s been too long since I saw your beautiful faces. But yeah, we will see.
Other than that the year looks pretty quiet. I have stayed away to give myself some space to recover. It’s been very tough. So tough that I have reconsidered my career once or twice. I have applied for jobs even, but am finding it very hard to decide what to do. I have decided to open up my commissions’ list this month, however. One thing I do know and that is that I will never stop customising. I love it too much. So the list will remain. I will open up in about a weeks time but will write a new post about that closer to the time.
Now I just want to thank you all for 2021 and the enormous patience so many of you have shown. It would have broken me if it wasn’t for you guys and I want you all to know how much I appreciate you. This became a very text-heavy and long blog entry. I needed to write all this so that you know what I have been through and how hard I have worked despite the radio silence.
Here’s to a new year and not being afraid of learning new things no matter how hard and intimidating they may be. Or how far off course they might throw you (as in my case). And here’s to amazing people and supporters and for what you do with as little as a like or a kind word or two. Thank you for everything! And please enjoy the customs you never got to see down below :)
Ice Errosion Molly and Wee5
These definetly took the number one spot this year. I loved every second of creating these two. It can be intimidating when you’re given “Free Hands” by a customer. This time I decided to set that aside and just trust my instincts. And look! <3
