Flashback to the Studio - 2017

While waiting until it was time to upload the web files for the Personality Collection Thirteen release, I decided it was probably time to organize and clean out the Magpie files since the last time it was done was, uh, never.

It turns out I've taken a good few studio pictures over the years and I thought it might be fun to select a handful from each year and share them here.

Hairing With Mohair - Braided Tail

 Creating a snazzy braided tail is surprisingly easy. You will need the following:

• A strip of mohair or viscose hair swatch long enough and wide enough for a tail
• A pipe cleaner close to the colour of the hair
• Scissors
• Tacky glue 
• Sewing thread to match the hair
• Needle
• Embroidery thread to match the hair
• A fine-tooth comb or clean, dry toothbrush
• Clothes pin or other strong clip
  

Introducing Personality Collection Thirteen!

After a bit of a delay due to the plague, Personality Thirteen is set to be released Sunday, October 18th, 2020. As usual, it consists of three models - Hunter, Arabian, Welsh Pony - in unique colours. Ten of  each model has been produced and is individually numbered and comes with a certificate of registration.

Introducing Personality Collection Twelve!

Interview: Jan Adams, Third Owner of Magpie Models

Jan Adams purchased Magpie Models in 2002 and opened for business in 2003. She has very kindly granted us an interview about her time with Magpie.

Craft Time: Painting the Stone

The trick to getting a nice stone effect is watery, blotchy layers. You're going to need a coarse paint brush, a small dish, water (I use a small water bottle as I'm less likely to knock it over and destroy all of my work), and some acrylic paint in stoney colours.

Craft Time: Cheap and Easy Stone Effect

In Scotland, rough stone barns, buildings, and walls are a common sight. My props and accessories tend to reflect my current location, so things have become rather stony in the Horse Room.

I started this building several years ago with the idea of it being a barn which had been converted into a tack and feed shop. Somewhere along the line it turned into an antique store instead. While I had built the structure, plastered the walls, and put in a stone floor, I never finished the interior or even started the exterior.

I thought it was time to finally finish this project and I thought others might enjoy seeing my process, and possibly trying it for themselves. The barn was built with wood from the scrap bin at B&Q with balsa wood accents, and put together with hot glue. My husband has a very rude term for my carpentry skills, but they work well enough for my purposes. To paraphrase my sculpture professor, wood putty will hide a world of sins.