Custom Mini Model Horses

Need support and inspiration for your next customizing project? Join the  International Customizing Equine Event (ICEE) Facebook Group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/133596534164710 ) and challenge yourself this fall. Diana MacDonald, one of the administrators, shared that "The sign up will be your Artist Declaration (in the Facebook Album on the ICCE page) - description and photo/sketch, etc. You will then have 60 days to complete your project equine - don't forget to ask questions, give us updates with photos, etc. Share tips, tricks and ideas. Then once compete, where you feel there are no more major changes to make, then you upload your completion photos (in the appropriate album here). Your prize is your completed equine. No entry fees. No entry forms. But you can still hashtag what team you are on - country, state/province, name, type of project, etc."   It couldn't be easier!     My project is going to be a new hairdo for the Stock Horse Mare by Maggi...

National Retro Vintage Month is a customizing challenge for artists working in a vintage style. For the month of August you can join Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig and others on Facebook as you work on your project. For me, this is a great time to break out a G1 Stablemate! I think I’ll work on a Maureen Love Standing Thoroughbred foal. Such a cutie! So to participate in NaReViMo, just follow these parameters: ~ Customize any model in the vintage custom style. ~ Use any methods and media, old or new. ~ Don’t copy any vintages or other people’s work. However, if you created a vintage custom in the past that you’d like to attempt again or it’s been destroyed and you’d like to recreate it, go for it. ~ You can just do a repaint, a repaint/hair, or a full blown repaint/remade/hair, it’s your choice. Sculpted manes and tails or original manes and tails are okay. ~ All participating models must be signed and dated for posterity. ~ All models must be created only within August as defined as August ...

I've been looking forward to the new line of "mini me" Stablemate molds, but because I decided to support local toy stores and tack shops by shopping here in Michigan so it took me a little while to find them all. Mini Connemara Mare with slight customization There are seven new molds, increasing the total number of Stablemates to 82: Mini Smart Chic Olena inspired by "Smart and Shiney" sculpted by Susan Carlton Sifton Mini Connemara Mare, or "Croi," inspired by "Bramble" sculpted by Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig Mini Fell Pony inspired by "Black-Eyed Susan" sculpted by Kathleen Moody Mini Missouri Fox Trotter in shaded fleabitten grey also by Moody Mini Indian Pony in vintage-style chestnut tovero sculpted by Chris Hess Mini Fighting Stallion in vintage-style glossy charcoal also by Hess Mini Clydesdale Stallion in vintage-style woodgrain also by Hess 2020 Breyer 70th Anniversary Smart Chic Olena Stablemate   The first lit...

Hello and happy summer! I chose not to go to Breyerfest this year, so I’m home working on more custom minis for my show string and sales list. I’ve got a variety of models in progress and they all need a little structure for one reason or another: a forelock that will be free from the face, new ears, tailbones, tail swaps, a mane swap, a peg for a base, and my least favorite—repairing a leg. For these situations, I’m using paper clips! Paperclip for a forelock New ears and tail Mane swap Tail swap with two pins fixing a broken leg Paperclip and small drill bit First, I found a drill bit that was the same size as the small-sized paperclips. I’m using a Drexel tool, but keep in mind that a drill or hand-drill would also work. The big thing here is to hold/secure your models in a safe way so you don’t drill your fingers (ouch!). Wrapping the model in a towel and placing it in a small vice is a good choice. Second I drilled the holes, often cleaning the p...

Most days when I start a new custom mini model, I get out my saw and cut off the tail and Dremel off the mane with the intent of sculpting new hair from scratch—but upon closer inspection, I’ve noticed that it isn’t that the original tails are all terrible, it’s just that I’m tired of seeing them on that particular model. My first tail swaps began with Valegro’s tail. Here it is on a TWH: And again on Mirado, but rotated: I thought I’d share a little bit about my process for those of you who want to experiment. If you are keeping the mane (and it isn’t braided) find a tail that matches in sculpting style. For example, the G3 Peruvian Paso and the G4 Driving Horse (now sometimes called the Walking Warmblood) both have hair with many detailed sections—a perfect Jane Lunger match! Carefully cut the tails off of both models with a small saw, always being mindful of your fingers and using a vice to hold the towel-wrapped model if possible.  When the tails are of...