Moldmaking Ty - 12cm Tiny - Molding

I love Tiny/Petite BJDs and really would like some of my own, but I haven't been able to find a mold that's really "perfect" for me. Thus I came to begin making Ty. Ty is/will be a 12cm asexual tiny BJD with magnetic headcap, magnets in the head to attach little ears or horns, and a magnet in its back to attach wings. OK, it sounds a little complex, but we're taking it one step at a time.

Here is a Super Sculpey prototype Ty a couple days ago, sans right arm and head. I eventually remade most of the parts shown in this picture...


After much fussing, Ty with a head and a full body. I'm using "peanut-shaped" elbow and knee joints...they're nice but I don't have them fully working yet. ^^; In this picture I had strung the doll with plasticky elastic - need to get some real elastic soon. "Eh? What's going on?" (Yeah, I burned the Super Sculpey. )


"Oh, hello..."


"AAHHH. NO CLOSEUPS D:"


Ty with my 60cm Iplehouse girl, for size comparison.
"why you so big? o_o"


Ty and I thank you for looking

 

twigling: Yeah, I found myself thinking that when I took the comparison pic! ^__^ And as for how...well, with much frustration and mistakes. XD; The hands were the hardest. But I love tiny things, so it was worth it ^^;

Bruny: Thank you! Yes, I'm hoping to reproduce him in resin once I get everything the way I want it. I also have to get the actual mold-making stuff and learn to use it. @_@; But yes, I'm hoping to make more eventually ^^

 

djkhimtaka - I actually made the hands by hand, with Sculpey. It was really hard and took a lot of tries but I like how they came out. I may do some minimal shaping with the dremel...not sure yet.

 

Long time no update! Sorry. ^^; I *have* been working on Ty, just not posting photos. I finally got around to posting some today.

Here are some photos from a few weeks ago. I did some modifications to the joints, which made it possible for Ty to stand for the first time. I'm not happy with the actual joint pieces just yet - they are kind of fragile - but I'm glad s/he is standing now!





I've tried sculpting a few more heads, all with moderate levels of success/failure - and finally came up with a couple of heads that I'm happy with. I have been calling them "the boy head" and "the girl head" but I could see either one as male or female, really, depending on the personality.

Here are a few shots of the body with "the boy head." I'm thinking about calling him Nico.



He is standing really strongly now, and while it does take a minute or two to get him to stand, he's fairly stable considering his teeny feet.




And here's the girl head. I am really in love with her...she's so cute. I'm not sure about a name. Maybe Cara?




I have already got my mold rubber and resin from Smooth-On, so hopefully I'll start learning to cast things in the next few weeks. I think I can do it, though I'll admit I'm kind of scared of messing up! But I'm also really excited about the prospect of making these dolls in resin. Right now I am waiting to buy some 6mm eyes to find out whether I made enough room in the back of the head for the eyes to fit in...until then, I'm tinkering with the joints. I don't want to cast until I am 100% happy with them.

 

I also wanted to do some size comparison shots, since just showing the doll in my hand isn't terribly descriptive. I don't know what to use as an international constant for size, so I used some random things. Playtime for Cara, at the very least.

Cara: You have to mix two parts for this, right?
Kyrie: Yep. Just like I will with the resin when I make more of you!
Cara: Can we make some now?
Kyrie: Copies?
Cara: No, Jell-O.


Cara: Ooh. Is he a doll?
Kyrie: Only in a matter of speaking.
Cara: You confuse me...


Cara: Why am I posing with this?
Kyrie: Because I'm pretty sure Nintendo DS cartridges are the same size everywhere.
Cara: Can I play the game?
Kyrie: After the photoshoot.
Cara: Assuming you ever FINISH the photoshoot! *impatient*


I'm still trying to figure out if there are any other dolls out there whose wigs/clothes would fit these dolls. I think Ty is about the same size as a Pocket Fairy, but I wouldn't know. ^^; I'll have to get some accurate measurements and do more research...

 

Quick update: I'm in the process of mucking around with Oomoo mold formula, and *crosses fingers, knocks on wood* I might be able to start casting tomorrow.

I send out heartfelt thank-yous to everyone who has replied here - your encouragement means the world to me.

Here's to Nico and Cara arriving safely!...

 

hellsingmongrel and Christie - thanks!

I was too slow yesterday...some of the mold casting didn't work out. x_x So I'm trying again now. Maybe some resin tomorrow. ^^;

Sunday Update: Aaaand Kyrie is learning. Slowly. |D; But I'm getting closer and closer, and most definitely will get it to work eventually. Wish me luck!