Shiny Things Gallery | Dragons | Plush

Soft and squishy dragons, but also shiny.  Very important, that.

Fuzzy Baby Dragon Squad

Fuzzy Baby Dragon Squad

13 January 2022
While Desert Bus for Hope 2021 was going on, I decided to indulge in a project I'd been wanting to get back to for over a year: justifying buying a bunch of fabric playing with a little plush dragon pattern and seeing what subtle changes to the construction might bring. So, I marked and cut fabric during the marathon. I marked and cut a lot of fabric. Then set it aside to get some other things done first, because that is My Way.

Total construction time per dragon, from the initial fabric marking to the final stitch: 7 hours. That translates into about a week "working while living a semi-functional life" time. This whole project took 8 weeks. That is... difficult for me to grasp. Each and every dragon is fully hand-stitched once to actually get pieces together and then reinforcing stitching is used to keep them together. The soft fuzzy fabric is an astonishingly luxurious acrylic fleece, and the belly/accent fabric is either cotton or "rainbow foiled cotton". All eyes are acrylic safety eyes from 6060 on Etsy, with only the silver sparkle eyes on the last dragon hand-painted by myself as a very successful experiment. Each dragon is very much different and the pattern itself was abandoned at various points to let their individuality shine through.

It's been really nice to have this pile-o'-dragon around, but I think they'd really prefer to spread their soft fuzzy goodness around. Currently unclaimed:
Minty Green with Hearts, White with Hearts, Blue with Rainbow Leopard Print, Vibrant Pink with Skulls and Crossbones, Hearts and Camo, Black with Skulls and Crossbones, Hearts and Camo, Rainbow Stripes and Checkers with Sparkly Rainbow Reptile Print
Kaquel

Kaquel

20 November 2015
Kaquel's what one might call a "world hopper"; they like to explore the galaxy by "hopping" between various planets, taking in the sights and sounds of different worlds and never really staying in one place too long. It's the nature of their species to be able to survive almost any kind of atmosphere, which is a really lucky thing as they haven't completely perfected portals and wormholes yet. That seems like a minor inconvenience, really.

I went a little "back to basics" here. There's no internal spine structure, but the legs and toes are wired. There is a criss-crossing wire down their back and tail, though, which does allow for a little posing. I started this with no particular ideas of where I wanted to go with it, so the felt horns just sort of happened. I had some leftover snake/skin agate beads, so those seemed idea for the eyes. Then of course I couldn't stop there with the shiny, so I mixed up some fabric paint with iridescent pigments, and ta-da or something. It was a nice, refreshing project. Somehow.
(For Sale)
Orange Fire-Bellied Dragonlet

Orange Fire-Bellied Dragonlet

11 October 2015
Dragonlets are a breed of "house dragon" which were bred specifically for small spaces and apartment life. They ultimately don't get much bigger than small dogs (think pug or dachshund, depending on the type) and tend to have a varied diet so they're not overly difficult to care for. While they do develop scale patches when they get older, dragonlets retain their "fuzziness" for their whole lives and enjoy the occasional chin scratch or tummy rub. In all, a perfectly reasonable magical pet with a slightly questionable slogan: "Dragonlets, the city wizard's pet."

This particular dragonlet is just a baby of the fire-bellied variety. They're actually relatively rare, as far as type goes. That may have a little bit to do with the possibility of producing flames from their mouths while snoring, but if the proper precautions are taken to fire-proof their bedding, certainly there is no danger to be had. Still, you may want to keep them away from things like hair spray when they're sleepy. Safety first.

This little critter is the result of some self-imposed challenges (1.) can I make a reasonably simplistic plush that's interesting?; 2.) can I actually manage to use NO BEADS?), velboa scraps, fleece I've had around for 7~ years (which is discontinued, argh), and safety eyes that I've been holding on to for a little longer than even that. No wires, no "fancy stuff"; the pattern is my own, everything was sewn and reinforced by hand, stuffed with polyfil, and it's super soft and a little bit fuzzy.

I kind of greatly underestimated the massive "cute factor" when designing the head/face, though. I was not prepared.
(For Sale)
Mage's Familiar

Mage's Familiar

24 September 2014
The truth of the mage's familiar (at least in Rideum) is a little different than what standard tales will tell. It's not a "real animal", and it's not some entity disguised; but a mage's familiar is certainly a companion that they keep with them when they are to take a long journey away from home. It is their connection, their reminder, and indeed many times in the past it has served as the power to bring them back home. When a mage is either selected to, or elects to, use their gifts for some benefit of family or kingdom, then their family (and not merely by bloodline relations; magic cares not for blood, but for heart) gathers together to construct a familiar. No matter what skills they may have individually, from youngest to eldest, they contribute a part of building the familiar so that every stitch, every bit of paint, every bead so very carefully placed will be bound together with one will: to return the mage safely home. Some familiars have been stuffed with patches of clothing from every family member, while others have been decorated with beads from necklaces passed down many generations. Still others are simply constructed of socks and sawdust. (Magic cares not for material wealth, either; the value of will cannot be counted in coins.)

Between you and me, I'm fairly certain this little familiar will get the journey of a lifetime--and safely see their mage home.

So I sketched out a little pattern. Inked it, cut it out. Had some of this almost micro-suede fabric (it's not technically micro-suede, but it feels almost exactly like it; so soft) and decided to oh so carefully transfer the pattern lines and do a test with just a plain, simple, traditional plush. I should have known better. I was all the way through cutting out the pattern when inklings of this story, this creature's origin, started coming to mind. I had already sewn the back and belly when everything was becoming more clear and then... well, it should be more rustic, right? Out the window go the old plans, stomping straight into the front door come the new ones, and... here. I've been wanting to try that old-style "rustic" doll articulation, anyway. And I wanted to play with the idea of little stiffened/reinforced fabric "scales" here and there. So I can't really complain. Just sit back in awe and wonder what happened as usual.

This lovely critter cannot and was not intended to stand on its own, but drapes over one's hand or lap very easily. I mean, this is really soft fabric. And really smooth beads. And is seriously just a nice tactile experience. Entirely hand-sewn, no machine, because I continue to be insane and questionably intelligent. Wings are "unfilled" and "un-wired", but do swivel. Hips, shoulders, knees and elbows are all articulated. I'd intended for the head to turn too, but... the mock-up just did not look right. I like this better, anyway. (For Sale)
Vel and Rox

Vel and Rox

25 January 2014

Vel and Rox are from a species of swamp dragon that science has yet to  name.  The term "swamp dragon" isn't particularly descriptive, either,  though "jewel-headed swamp dragons" sounded vaguely insulting, so that  was vetoed.  Regardless, Vel (blue) and Rox (pink) are a pair of relatively young siblings who seemed interested in traveling outside of the swamp, so they really didn't mind hitching a ride out of there.

I hadn't meant to make them so big.  And I hadn't meant to make two.  So I guess I haven't learned my lesson about not bothering to plan quite yet.  It was really a project to use up some old yarn and play with various colors, and then... well, everything I do snowballs.  I must simply accept that.  Both lovelies are comprised of acrylic yarn, fully wired along the spine, tail, legs and feet.  Their eyes are brilliant red dyed jade, forehead jewels are "cat's eye" glass, and the super sparkly accents are permanently painted on thanks to fabric paint and iridescent pigments.  They both measure approximately 14.5 inches from nose to tail tip, and when their back legs are fully extended perpendicular to their bodies, they span approximately 10 inches from foot tip to foot tip.

(For Sale)

Evalis

Evalis

06 June 2013

Evalis, while still being considered a rather young and technically "immature" Decce, acts as Guardian of the South Sea Temple.  His desire to protect the temple is out of gratitude to the servants for raising him after having found him seemingly abandoned as a hatchling.  He's well-suited to the lifestyle, as far as he's concerned, spending most of his time enjoying the sea breeze, watching over the temple servants and enjoying whatever gifts of food the devoted bring for him.  (He likes cherries, clearly.)  Fierce as he may look, it will take another hundred or so years for his horns to mature in full, as well as the stinging barbs on his tail and the backs of his legs to be at their most potent (though it should be noted that the barbs are only activated in defense; otherwise they're perfectly harmless).

Some have come to believe that the Decce are actually related to the Celestial Turtle.  While their "shells" aren't fully hardened structures, the longer the Decce live, the more hard gem-like structures grow onto their shells.  They don't normally fuse and become fully hard until after a Decce dies; this is where the tales of heroes using Decce shells as shields come from.  Rather than the hero fighting and conquering a Decce, a Decce tribe or family unit would grace someone they felt worthy with ancient artifact so important to them that it is literally a part of their history.  While they were once linked with mages, these days they've become exceedingly rare to the point where not even the great mage circles know whether or not a whole tribe of them still exist.  It's a sad fate, but some argue it's also smarter to hide until humans figure out how to stop destroying themselves.

Evalis was one of those off-and-on projects that I worked on in large pieces interrupted by a week here, a commission there, and a necessary break so that I wouldn't wind up getting stabby here and there and everywhere.  So... what I know is that he took some number of weeks to complete.  Not quite a month?  But definitely more than two weeks.  About three?  Maybe a little more?  Time, what is it?  I did a lot of new things with the internal structure, and I'm sure you'll notice the paws/claws.  I'm so happy with how those turned out, you have no idea.

I can't express how much work went into this.  The entire length of his body from head to tail, legs, and each toe are individually wired and poseable, and boy is he a big fella.  From tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, he's about 20", standing casually at about 8" to the top of his horns.  His claws and horns are polymer clay, and his eyes are a gorgeously red-dyed jade stone.  There are plenty of glass beads and painted highlights using iridescent pigments, as well.  I mean, you know... shiny.

(For Sale)

Acalyn

Acalyn

11 November 2012

Acalyn is a coatl or a winged serpent, really quite content to sing in the highest branches of trees, though given warmth and food and a little doting, she finds human shoulders relatively decent as well.  It's said that these songs are sure to drive away nightmares and bring pleasant dreams to all who hear them, so the next time you happen to hear songs in the forest, you may just want to stick around to listen.  You may also want to see if you can't lure out a lovely singing coatl with some trail mix.  They love the stuff.

I was out to try something different.  And this just kind of happened.  I do like the idea of creatures that can double as jewelry, and somehow it just sort of evolved. this way.  All of the frills are just specially treated fabric so it's not overly stiff and easily flexible, and the fabric paint is the standard type I use for crocheted creatures.  Of course there's also so very much shiny with both tiny glass beads and larger fiber optic ones, plus all of the iridescent pigment mixed into the fabric paint.  I just can't stay away from that stuff, you know.  A large hook and eye finding allow her to clasp shut and turn into a necklace... or a wreath, I suppose.  Either way, her internal structure is wire so she's easy to adjust.

(For Sale)

Sebian

Sebian

18 April 2012

Sebian has a deep curiosity about the world.  A "hunger", if you like.  In fact, he's really very interested in food.  Cooking, as well.  Or rather, he likes to do the sampling instead of the cooking.  Such is rather common of a young bead wing dragon, since they've got an awful lot of growing to do.

Yeah, "bead wing".  What else am I gonna call him?  The only plans I really had for this one when I started were 1.) the yarn color, and 2.) that he was going to be wyvern-styled.  Everything else was kind of just... what happened.  I'd planned to do the wings completely differently, too.  I really, literally, cannot explain what happened--but I'm not complaining.  Even if the wings did take me four days.


Wings.  Four days.  More beads that I will try to count on a thin, easily flexible and "bouncy" wire base.  All very shiny.  I feel it is important to note here that anyone considering caring for this young dragon will need to be exceedingly gentle with the wings.  Yes, the "feathers" were designed for easy movement and poseability, but that means they're very easy to bend.  Gentleness is necessary.

In order to remain stable, Sebian has a reinforced wire spine and double-reinforced legs.  That worked out very well, I must say.  Some poses still take a little work to strike the right balance between legs and arms, but he'll definitely hold there without problems.

And yes, he is fully poseable, fully flexible, and fully scratch-under-the-chin-able.

(For Sale)