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A Shout Out to Passion Projects

If you have tried to sign up for one of the live shows hosted by Breyer during Breyerfest, you know about the technical snafu that postponed the registration date.  This got me thinking about all of the websites, video channels, Facebook groups, and Instagram posts that I frequent in the hobby. Not to mention the live shows I love to attend. From Identify Your Breyer to Model Horse Place to Model Horse University these passion projects are huge undertakings. Hosting a live show takes months of planning. And unlike the big guys, these projects are operated by a few people if not a single individual. Hosting a website, recording a podcast, writing a blog, taking photographs, and filming videos all take skill. Some of these projects have affordable subscription options, live shows have entry fees, and some websites are free. There's not a lot of money flowing around. No one is making a living doing these things. Yet, as an artist selling model horses, I have piggybacked my sales onto ...
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Recent posts

In-Person vs. Online Sales

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...
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NaMoPaiMo 2025

Sometimes a challenge is just what I need. I've been sidetracked by my side projects for a whole year. I was writing one book, then I started another. I've customized and prepped twenty or more models but only started painting a few... maybe you've been up to lots of projects, too. So NaMoPaiMo is National Model Painting Month and like previous years, it isn't a show, contest or competition. There's no judging. It's all about motivation. It is, however, a challenge for artists to paint a model in a month. It's a great opportunity to try something new, or in my case revisit my favorite challenging coat pattern--the appaloosa. I'll probably do a bay with a large blanket. (This portion of this blog is Mr. Pot's approved.) My model is a Breyer Stablemate Giorgio sculpted by Brigitte Eber made into a mare with a running braid and three bows. She is still in the prepping stage, but I've got my fingers crossed that the Michigan weather will hold out for...
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My NaMoPaiMo Pony: Firebird

  National Model Painting Month 2024 ( https://namopaimo.net/ ) was a huge success for artists around the globe. Many thanks to Jennifer Buxton of Braymere Saddlery ( https://braymere.blogspot.com/ ) for hosting this inspiring event. My model was a Stablemate Fireheart with a tiny change to his front leg. I was going for an Irish Cob Quarter Horsse cross so I could use this lovely fellow as a color reference ( https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/cremello-pinto-irish-cob-stallion-stands-1365263501 ). I got a later start on Firebird because I had been finishing three other Fireheart models. They looked so good together,
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New Stablemate Molds 2023-24

  Brio 712497 (photo by Breyer) There's a new rearing mold in the Stablemate lineup. Brio is a Mustang stallion by artist Mindy Berg. Mindy's sculpture has lovely shapes and details that remind me of Kathleen Moody and Maureen Love sculptures. I could imagine this boy in bone china. He's a big boy both in his build and in scale with the other models—which will make him a joy to customize. His ears are back, with one wrapped in a bit of forelock. His head is tucked up tight against his muscular neck.  Brio was a 2023 Stablemate Club Model.   Photo by: identifyyourbreyer.com Akilah is an Arabian mare positioned for showing in-hand—which makes many of us do a double take on her front legs. She is a mini of Zafirah, a Brigitte Eberl sculpt who debuted as a Traditional 2022 Premier Club model.   Horatio (photo by Breyer)   This mini Othello—aka Horatio—is a Deluxe Collector Club Bonus model for 2024. Othello/Wintersong was sculpted by Kathleen Moody. We first saw h...
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Looking back at 2023 - 44 custom mini model horses

I was busy customizing this year. I finished 44 models—more than usual for me. I usually work slow so some of these were months in the making. I just happened to finish them in 2023. I put together a video. It's here: https://youtu.be/WRSNfdAw6FA  The big reason I focused on customizing this year was that I had a table at Artisan's Gallery at Breyerfest. Some of my most requested models are mules:   Some of my favorites were Fireheart. This boy is fun to paint: Some of the models ended up in my show string. I love the MFT mold.   And there was a pony binge:      Sometimes a reference is so cute I paint it twice: There were a few drafters: And lots of foals: Gotta love dapples: A few had patterns:   Then there was a Halloween tangent that took two months:   I think that was everybody! Thanks to everyone who purchased a model in 2023. Every penny went toward board and care for Mr. Pots. 
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Trick-or-Treat!

Most of my custom mini work is realistic with an occasional touch of whimsy with a cat or a bow, a rolling horse, or a misbehaving pony—so I finally tried my hand at some Halloween decorator customs. Boo with his cat Binx, and Jackie O. The idea began with tiny gaming sculptures that wear capes and cloaks. Would there be a way to have "fabric" sculpted on a model horse?  So... there is! I used Milliput in Fine White. This is a two-part epoxy similar to Aves Studio White or MagicSculpt White. I found it at Michael's and also at Great Lakes Hobby & Toy here in the Detroit area. I rolled the epoxy out like pie dough in between two pieces of sandwich bag plastic, using water to keep it from sticking too much. Sabrina and Silk   These sheets of epoxy became my models' sheets—their spooky Halloween costumes painted purple, black, and green with contrasting colors underneath. The sheets are supported and connected to the models on the underside with more Milliput. Sabrin...
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