Creating Cadence Part 2

Hello Dears,

I made some great headway on Cadence this week, but first a tiny bit of news. For those of you who follow my Warcraft fan fic, "Straydog Saga" I've finally posted Flea 43. Go check it out via the "Ori's Fanfiction" link to your right. I've also got a few ponies in the pipeline that I'm making for friends and family for the holidays. Hopefully my left index finger doesn't fall off before then.

Anyway, here's part two of my multi-part plushie creation series "Creating Cadence":

Session 6: Tripod pony?

So I sewed all the accent slippers on the legs...just didn't manage to get them all on the pony that night. Still, Cadence had a nice roll of paper towels to lean on in the meantime.

Session 7: Fully stuffed, all legs on and wing planning

Hooray, Cadence can stand on her own at this point, fully stuffed and all. At this point, I was getting ready to sew the wings on, but it took staring at a few reference pics to get them at the right angle and placement.

Session 8: Eye can see you!

This may not look like much work, but hand-embroidering is THE MOST time consuming part of making any stuffed animal with hand-embroidered eyes. Its always a little bit of a crap shoot in getting these things on and even, but this time around I'm almost sad one of them is going to be covered with mane.

Session 9: Starting to look more like a pony now! One eye and one wing on!

 This unfortunate eye will be the one covered by Cadence's epically long and flowing mane. But her hair will be movable so it wont be covered up all the time. The pulling around the eye has also been corrected. I also used this opportunity to get a quick win: embroidered ear accents!

Session 10: Two eyes and two wings on, chest guard and crown planning

Both eyes came out really even, which I'm happy about. Both wings are on in the right place and at the right angle too. Starting to get the chest guard and crown in order here before I work on the technical marvel that will be her mane.

That's all for now dears. Keep an eye out for the third and final installment of Creating Cadence, which should be ready for you sometime next week.

- Ori

Creating Cadence - Part 1

Hello Dears!

I'm back from my trip to wine country -- Northern California -- and I feel amazing. I have a few news items to get out of the way before I move on to the purpose of the post. As some of you may have noticed, I spruced up the blog with some new graphics! I've also changed my commissions status and am working on providing some better pricing and portfolio examples of past commissions.  You'll also see the new "Buy Me's" section where my commissions and any for-sale items will be.

And now onto the real reason for the post! I decided to do a full progression for one of my plushies. Since Princess Cadence is my "me" pony I thought I'd pick her for my first ever "inside look" at the pony plushie production process (say THAT 3 times fast).  Since this is a rather lengthy process so I'll break the progression up into a series of blog posts.

 I'll be doing this by "session" or the 1 to 3 hours a night I set aside to doing plushies. I'll do 5 sessions per post with progress pictures! Lets get started shall we?

Session 1: Planning, draw and cut out the body bits

This part is pretty simple -- but I have to be careful not to make the body too skinny. I always make sure I cut around the line, leaving about a half-inch of fabric if I can.

Session 2: Sewed/embroidered the horn, ears, face, back, neck and front legs

I improved the pattern slightly by making the horn an inseam. The ears are always done first and then sewn in while I'm stitching the top of the head. Legs are always pretty easy and I could switch to using a sewing machine if I ever learn how to use one without sewing myself together...

 
Session 3: Dat tail...

This was a little tricky. I wasn't sure if I should make the ends of the tail curly embroider the curls later. My sanity thanks me for doing the latter. Its a tad short on the plushie but its perky and cute :) so I'm pleased with how it came out.

Session 4: Finished the legs base, started designing the wings, tail planning

At this point I usually sew on the legs and then the tail. But I opted to do the tops on the "slippers" first but I wanted to see how the plushie was coming together, and correct anything I needed to.

Session 5: Draw eyes on interfacing, sew slipper tops, sew in legs, sew wing, embroider nose and mouth

This took the better part of a Saturday. Slippers, for whatever reason, take me FOR-EVER The eyes were a little too Celestia-like but I was able to correct them and make them less narrow when it came time to embroider them on.

That's all for now dears. I'll see you in Creating Cadence Part 2!

- Ori

Bonnie Bell's Faeriecon Adventure

Hello Dears!

For those of you who were not aware, the every glittery and fanciful Faeriecon East recently occurred 2 weekends ago (I wanted to make this post sooner, but I'm headed to California for a week, so I had much to do before I leave!). Faeriecon, as you might have guessed, is a convention dedicated to all things fae and fairy (kind of the same thing really, oh well, semantics!)

Unfortunately, I was only there for a short time on Friday with a friend of mine, due to an ill opportune head ache (oh well, our girls night just started a little earlier, oh woe is me, wink wink.) But before our early departure we did manage to take a few good pictures.

Bonnie attended the convention, along with Lennard the fox pelt!

It was a gorgeous day, really nice weather, so while many of the vendors were still setting up, me Foxy Molly and Bonnie Bell decided to spend some time in the sunshine. We made Bonnie our fawny ambassador to the sparkly fae within. While we were waiting for things to be set up, we met some really interesting people, including a wizard!

"Please don't turn me into frog!"

Like the Renaissance fairs, you can expect to see some really fantastic costumes at Faeriecon, although, as expected, the focus is on fae, faries, and all things fantasy here. We were unable to attend, but they have the good faeries and bad faeries balls-- which, from what I hear are always a treat. There are panels from artists and figures in the scene, just like at any con, and just like most conventions there were vendors!

And at one such vendor, a lovely costuming booth from the Virginia-based FaerieWorks, was nice enough to strike a pose with Bonnie and me in my new set of faerie/Queen Crystalis wings!

Faeriecon gives you WINGS!! And small daffodil dear apparently...

You can check out what other goodies Faerie Works has at their website here: http://faerieworks.biz/ Though my time at Faeriecon was short this year, I did have a ton of fun with my good buddy there with me. Who knew deer and foxes could get along so well :)? Next time I'll have to include my squirrel friend in on the action and we'll be a posse of totemic goodness.

That's all for now, dears. I should mention though that little Bonnie Bell is looking for a home. If anyone is interested in taking her home, please drop me an email at: oriwhitedeer@gmail.com I just drew up a ton of new designs for graphics for the blog so brace yourself for tiny adorable deer doodles.

Well I'm going to be traveling on a jet plane, have a wonderful week, dears!

- Ori

Maryland Ren Fair 2012 Year in Review!

Hark, Dearest Readership!

I've been wanting to do this post for a while, and the time is now! For those of you who don't know, I'm a big Renaissance Fair enthusiast and am fortunate enough to live right smack in the middle of two such fairs (Virginia and Maryland.) I unfortunately didn't get to go to Virginia fair this year, but I did get to go to the larger, longer-running Maryland fair this year.

Please note that there are A TON of wonderful things to see and do at fair, and it would simply take too long to go over them all. This post is to give newcomers a little sample of the things to see and do at fair, and hopefully change the perception perpetuated by movies like "Role Models" and the like.

Before I begin, if you're super interested in fair based on my amazing rhetoric so far, you can visit their website at: http://rennfest.com/ Now, without further ado, here are some of the highlights, happenings, and reviews from MD Renn Fair 2012!

An opening roll-play of the King just before the gates open on the final day of fair

This year was a particularly fun year for me, as I'm typically quite shy and reserved in public, I met a ton of really awesome people this year. Plus, I got to visit my good friend who worked at one of the shops at fair, which I'll be plugging a little later. The weather on the last day was absolutely amazing and I got to see some rather interesting things on the "Day of Wrong." Speaking of theme days and strange garb-- lets move on ahead to our first topic:

Costumes!

There is one thing even the most inexperienced fair-goer knows about attending fair: there will be plenty of people, young and old, in costume! From the accurate to the fantastic, to the down right freaky, MD Ren fair never disappoints!

Each weekend there is a special theme. Whether it be Celtic weekend or pirate weekend you know you're going to see some amazing outfits. Lets take a look at a few shall we?

This merry gang of fantastic friends are from the Fairy Grotto Group. Photo by Yenra Photography: http://www.yenra.me/

Toothless the dragon and a rabid white deer!!

Fluttershy, is that you!?

Shows

What many people don't know is that Renn fair does have shows other than the famous joust! You can listen to the many talented musicians, hilarious comedy acts, or even watch scenes from Shakespearean plays. Here were some of my favorite performers this year! I'll feature just one, my absolute favorite this year.

While I only got to see The Rogues (arguably THE BAND of MD Renaissance fair), once this year another group has swooped in like a mythical raven and stolen my musical heart! I'm speaking of course about the bagpipes fusion group, "Cu Dubh", pronounced "ku-du."

Album cover to Order of the Owl -- love this CD

I have their album "Order of the Owl" and it is amazing!! You can check out their website here: http://www.cudubh.com/Cu_Dubh/Cu_Dubh.html

And a performance, of which I attended, of their song "Hrafn" Which, when the Baltimore Raven-loving crowd heard meant "Raven", they went wild! At the beginning of the video, you'll note the gentleman in the middle confusedly say "this one's for them!"

youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWqchS8hWT8&feature=relmfu

I should not that the video doesn't do them justice, so you'll just have to go see them live.

There are many other talented acts, however, so if you make it to Maryland Renaissance fair next year, check them out!

Shops

What many craft fair enthusiasts may not know is that Renaissance fairs are typically a wonderful place to shop for unique gifts. Each one of the vendors has been approved for quality by the other vendors as well as other staff. Nothing there is "made in China" and you'll often meet the very person or persons who created whatever you might find in their shops.

I myself have several shops I like to frequent for all of my costuming and even real life clothing/jewelry needs. Once again, it would take several blog posts to plug all of my favorite shops, so I'll just pick one for now. It just so happens to be the shop my best sister worked at this year! I am talking, of course, about the ever popular Potomac Leather Company

I particularly liked this shot with the happy sunshine. You can visit their website here: http://www.potomacleather.com/

I've purchased a few things from here over the years and they have lasted! I have a green suede dryad vest and a lovely black, runed leather belt. They see everything from coin pouches to leather accessories like bracers and decorative belts, to full leather coats like the one you see in the picture.

I've been coveting a pair of awesome deer-skin pants from them FOREVER. My squirrel friend looks amazing in them, unsure if this deer would look equally as good. Ah well, maybe next year...

Favorite Moments

I asked my friends to share some of their favorite moments at the Maryland Renaissance fair this year. Here are some wonderful stories from real fair goers that aren't me!

Holly H.B. (otherwise known as 'The Seelie Queen of the Maryland Faerie Festival: Her Majesty, Queen Ilex Aquifolia, Protector of Animals and Mistress of Wild Natural Places') wrote...

 "My favorite memory is the praying mantis that found me one morning, and rode on my crown all day. (The Crown was made by Leah Odom of MythicalDesigns.) Ken Morrill of Yenra Photography got a great picture."

The little stow-away. Photo by Yenra Photography: http://www.yenra.me/

Molly H. a.k.a Fluttershed wrote...

 "Seeing someone dressed as Spiderman scaling the rock-climb wall!"

Brandulfr wrote...

 "I liked being able to walk in the cool rain on a really hot day in my 14th century reenactment garb while everyone else had to duck and cover to avoid damaging their costumes."

Joe K. wrote...

 "I really liked spending time at the White Hart-- drinking beer and watching the shows."

Rosanna K. wrote...

 "I liked the shows and seeing people dressed up -- I thought that was cool."

Closing Thoughts

I hope this little blog post gives you all a bit of a better idea of what goes on at fair. It was a really great year -- great weather, great activities, and as always -- great atmosphere! When I first brought my dad to the MD Renaissance fair, he mentioned that he wish he'd have known about this when I was little. Well we've been making up for lost time, haven't we?

I hope to see some of you again next year, but until then have a great winter, spring, and first part of summer! 

- Ori

Applejack is ready for her Japan trip!

Howdy Dears,

Well she's finally finished and ready to be shipped all the way to the land of the rising sun! Applejack and her little sister Applebloom will be packed up and shipped out to my super special family in Japan, where I know they will be loved and cuddled endlessly. But before our adventurous equines ship out, here's a few snaps of our hardworking and honest Applejack!

 I went all out on this one for Kuniko-san. Apples on both sides of the flank, a little hat, hand stitched scrunchies and a young lady's plane kimono (she wouldn't accept anything fancy, as always ;) ) They'll be headed to the country city of Okayama, where I know they'll fit in with their Japanese country kin.

And as always Applejack's faithful canine is by her side -- wait, that's not Winona...

 Applejack might be a tad nervous traveling so far away from her birthplace here in the states, but at least she'll have her sister to keep her company and keep her from getting homesick. Hopefully this will not be the last we see of the Apples, as I've asked Tomoko and her mother to send me pictures of their adventures abroad.
 

That's all for now dears. I don't currently have any commissions in the queue, and I know I still need to finish my Zecora plushie but with Pandaria, writing, and other things taking up my time I'm not sure when she'll be done :(. Hopefully I'll get some inspiration when episodes of MLP FIM S3 comes out.

Later dears,

- Ori

Fun times at the Maryland Renaissance Fair

Hello Dears,

While I'm still working on my plushies, drawings, updating the graphics on the blog, and novel writings, I do need to take a break once in a while and leave my little apartment in the city. So where does this white deer go to have a bit of fun beyond the conventional travels to the mall or pub?

There is no better place to go, dress up (in period costume, fairy garb or pirrrrate outfits), drink and have some fun than at the Renaissance Fair! No, not that weird place for LARPers and socially awkward losers (otherwise I wouldn't be allowed in ;) ) but a really fun, unique place that anyone can enjoy.

They found a witch, lucky for me, they didn't burn her...

Beer and mead is served there for the adults, as well as some really good music and comedy acts with some cheeky themes. And there are some games, a joust, and pleanty of stuff to keep the kinder happy too.

I did a product review a while back, and I'm thinking of doing one for the Maryland Renaissance Fair, since its the most well established one I go to on a regular basis. Every vendor there is approved by a board for quality, creates their own wares (no made in china stuff!), and are typically really helpful.

I'll do a full write-up in a few weeks (I may be at the DMV next weekend getting my license changed from Delaware to Virginia, yippee!) once I get some material and more pictures. But for now,back to working on the Applejack plushie for my mama in Japan!

good morrow, dears!

- Ori

Bonsai -- Banzai!

Hello Dears,

So I rescued a half- dead, discounted Japanese holly tree a few weeks back, and through some suggestion form my friend Brandulfr, I decided to turn it into a little bonsai tree. We had to cut it back a bit, lots of dead leaves and branches to prune, but about a month later, it came back like a champ!

It's hard to see, but the blossoms have a tint of pink!

I had a bonsai plant when I was 8 or 9 but, lets just say, I had not yet aquired the wisdom to know when to bring pants inside in the dead of winter, let alone care for a tiny, fragile tree. But when I found this little beauty clinging to life, I figured "why not?" and decided to give it another try,

Brandulfr is saving a special pot to transfer it into as he is an avid bonsai enthusiast himself and will be freeing up a really nice, Japanese pot for me to put it in. For now, though, it seems to be flourishing in the plastic pot it came in.

I've taken to decorating my balcony with some foliage as of late, and I've managed to put a few interesting plants up there. I currently have: A fig tree that actually produces yummy figs! (once you get past how creepy they are, they're rather tasty!) a really soft and fluffy wormwood plant, a show cypris, and another Inkberry holly that isn't doing so well right now.


I made the newbie mistake of putting that holly in a pot without a drain at the bottom. We've since poked holes in the bottom of it and have been watering it a bit less to keep the roots from rotting, so hopefully it will pull through.


I'm also having fun in the fine art of picture-bana, in so much as I have a lot of photos for this entry but not a whole lot to say about it, so I suppose I'll shut up now and let you enjoy the zen plants and super zen pup!

- Ori