5 Awesome Art Supplies (And where to find them)
Monday, August 8, 2011 at 08:39AM You know how sometimes you stumble upon a new tool or supply and you wonder how you ever lived without it? And you know how sometimes you covet that material and wish to keep your special resource secret from the world? Here I dish on five of my favorite 'top secret' supplies. :]
Tiny Zippers
Whether you sew or not, you have to admit that teeny tiny real working zippers are pretty darn cool. I love to use them for things like doll bodices (above)--they can be dyed, cut, altered, enhanced.... Purchase them in a wide range of colors from Zipper That Doll (they also have a huge selection of other tiny & hard to find things like micro buttons).
Pulp Lace
This stuff is weird. And wonderful. It is cotton netting with bits of paper pulp blown and fused into it. It's a paper and a fabric at the same time. Pulp lace makes awesome collage backgrounds, doll clothing and such. It is also fun just to ball up and crinkle. It dyes and colors beautifully too! Get this from Loose Ends.
Glass Doll Eyes
People often ask where I get the glass eyes for my dolls and art busts. I get these from Mini World Dolls--I love the quality and the price is great too! My favorite eyes are the third section down--the oval 'realistic glass paperweight' eyes--I buy these in all different sizes. My favorite colors are the green and hazel, but I also like the blue and violet--My favorite real-life eye colors are actually grey and brown, but the grey and brown for this brand and type of eye is just too dark. The hazel is a great substitute for brown. Get these from Mini World Dolls.
Twisted Opal Wire
This wire is another Loose Ends product. It is a beautiful, shiny iridescent twisted wire called 'Neon Wire' in the color 'Opal.' This wire bends and coils and looks fantastic. It makes a super base for fairy wings and crowns--in both doll and people scales. Also excellent for sprucing up a collage or wrapped gift. Get this here from Loose Ends.
Prosculpt Polymer Clay
In honor of my newly released workshop, Face Cabs Tricks & Techniques, I am including my favorite polymer clay here. This clay is fairly familiar to many doll makers, but I am always surprised by the number of people who have never heard of it. This clay is hands down my favorite for sculpting. It conditions, blends and smooths unlike any other clay. Don't let the higher-end price talk you out of it. You will more than make up the cost difference in the time you save with faster smoothing and blending :]. Get this from the Art Dolls Supply website. Get on the mailing list, as sometimes the company offers great deals on clay!
Do you have any special secret supplies?
Reader Comments (3)
So if I get all these supplies I'll be as good as you and make boku bucks?
You don't say what the clay is in the last picture. Are you talking about ProSculpt?
Bobbie, of course you will be as good and better ;]. Yes, the clay is Prosculpt--I had put the title for it above the picture all sneaky-like ;].
Hope you are doing great!
This clay is hands down my favorite for sculpting. It conditions, blends and smooths unlike any other clay. Don't let the higher-end price talk you out of it.