I like holidays.
a) I don't have school/work
b) I can sleep in
c) I can eat lots of goodies
d) I can make lots of goodies using my mom's expensive kitchen equipment
e) I usually get a lot of craft-time in
Craft time! I love craft time. I remember spending hours upon hours in my youth doing any craft possible that would require a lot of skill and time to challenge myself. I started out with paper-mache/newspaper stuff, and small sewing projects, then when a cousin had introduced me to Sculpey/Fimo polymer modeling clay it was game over -- I made Pokemon figurines, very convincing Lord of the Rings props, fridge magnets, etc... Let's just say after the Sculpey thing, I identified myself as a "sculptor".
For my brother's wedding, he asked me if I would be able to make a Wall-E and EVE cake topper like one he had seen on Etsy. I said "of course!" because it was just another way I could challenge myself and make something cool that they would be able to keep as a lovely keepsake from their wedding (aside from photos and the bill, of course... haha). So I was working on it tonight, starting with drawing out sketches, pouring over screen captures, re-watching the movie, and drawing out stencils for the shapes needed... and I realize how much I loved doing this "creative work", and how much I've missed it since being so busy with school at University. It makes me plan, think, troubleshoot and solve in a non-stressful kind of way. I'm always expecting more from myself in this respect because I know I can make some pretty good things, I'm not going to lie. I don't mean to sound pompous or like I'm bragging, but when it comes to imitating something, I'm pretty good at making clay replicas.
Anyway, so I'm about 30% done Wall-E's parts (there are a lot of details in his little robot character). Yay! I have a picture but it's on my camera and I can't be bothered to upload it right now... (I've used about 1/2 of a yellow block just for the outer shell of Wall-E's body). I was at Michael's craft store today buying more Sculpey because I was out of the colours I needed, and I was kind of shocked at how expensive this stuff is! I still have the metallic Sculpey my cousin gave me like when I was 12 (eep 12 years ago!) so I don't have to buy this stuff that often, but man, at up to $4 each, that's insane! I decided to cop out and buy some "Craftsmart" brand of polymer clay for $2.29 each, and I have to say, it's not bad. I like that it is softer than Sculpey III, which makes it easier to handle and less hard on the hands (muscles get tired!), and while the colour range is somewhat limited, the colours are vibrant and nice. I also like that the Craftsmart polymer clay is very smooth in texture -- I found that certain Metallic Sculpey III colours were kind of flakey and wouldn't hold together well. I haven't baked it yet, so that's an entirely different story that I'll have to update on later.
I always feel good about myself when I can use my talents to help someone... what better way than to help my brother with his wedding?! There's a little more pressure than usual (self-imposed) just because it IS for my brother's wedding and there will be photos of the cake, most likely, and then any flaws will be photographed and preserved forever... O_o... gotta make it pretty darn well near perfect.
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