Custom Mini Model Horses

Even the title here, In-Person vs. Online Sales, has a little bit of tension implied. This year while at Breyerfest, I caught a social media comment or two that echoed this feeling.    My simple set up in my Clarion Room for in-person sales  As an artist, I value every hobbyist who enjoys my work. That's why I create models—to share, to make someone smile, to bring a Stablemate-sized moment of joy.  As a itty-bitty business, I create models to sell. I use the money I make to take care of my horse, Mr. Pots. He is 29 this year and needs medicine, special food, a farrier, a vet, and a dentist. He isn't living in my backyard any more so what I used to spend for a year of hay is now spent every month on board. I'm going to be honest. I prefer to sell models in-person.  As an artist, I want every customer to see the model before they decide to make a purchase. I want them to pick it up and turn it in the light. I want them to ask questions: what mold is this? wh...

I've had a bit of a bumpy road to Breyerfest 2022. My Boston Terrier, Nicki, is elderly and needs lots of care, so leaving her is hard. I have my fingers crossed that she'll be good while I'm away. I'm keeping my trip short this year and not showing at NAN or seeing the sights. Nicki I had hoped to reserve a table at the Breyerfest Swap Meet like I had in previous years. (I had my fee returned for the table I reserved in both 2020 and 2021.) And this was the bumpy part... this year, Breyer decided against having custom models at the Swap Meet and limited them to the Artisan's Gallery. But, not surprisingly, the AG didn't have enough space to meet the demand. While I was waiting to hear back from Breyer, I had been to two large live shows in Ohio and Michigan and didn't sell models just in case I would need them for three nights of sales. When I got the  news that I didn't get a table at the AG, I posted cuties on my website and shipped models to collect...

 I’ve finished customizing a Connemara Pony from the jumper mold (with a G1 Morgan Stallion head), but before I paint her, I’ll focus on tack, doll and jump to complete the picture. Bits and pieces of my project. Because I want my pony to appear petite (14.2 ha) I am scaling up the items around her. From the size of the jump to the adult rider, I’m hoping she’ll look like the pony she is, not a big warmblood. My ratio is 1 foot equals .425 inches. My first project to tackle is the plants that will decorate my jump. Today’s hunter fences have lots of “fill.” For this I purchased a bouquet of fake flowers with small-scale components. I’ve trimmed off some pieces to use—and found that some unraveled completely!  Fake flower bouquet with small components. For my flower boxes, I began with 1/4 inch square dowels and cut them to about 4 inches long. I painted them with craft acrylic paint and sprayed with matte finish. For the greenery, I used coarse turf that’s used in model railro...