Dragons In The Clay..

 Everyone that knows me, knows that I have a love of Dragons. Hence, why I have Desdemona's Home for Orphaned and Abandoned Dragons. I also have the Dragonology Books and have been messing around with making some Dragon Heads in Sculpey. I finally managed to make one that I am really happy with. So much so, that I used a two part Silicone mould making kit and took a mould of it. I also found that an empty pen from a certain high-street bank, made a wonderful tool for embossing the clay to make the pattern on the Dragon's skin and my fingernails for the fin.

I took the mould to Gwili Pottery with me and Chris very kindly let me have a go at using the mould to make a plaque to hang on the wall.

The following pictures show the process of adding the Dragon Head to the Plaque with the lettering and edging pattern, then adding the coloured slips and the final result once the piece had been fired, glaze added and fired again. Really pleased with how this turned out. The Colours look so vibrant.

Gwili Pottery, have a wonderful showroom filled with beautiful pieces, which is well worth a visit if you are in Carmarthen. They also have a website and facebook page and they also do commission work, so if you have a special occasion coming up you can commission them to make you a special piece.

Skin & Blister ~ Dragons

 I'd like you to meet Skin and Blister, two new little Dragons that have arrived from Florida, to live in Desdemona's. They were made by my dear friend Carlanne, as a present for my Birthday. 

There is a story behind the names of these Dragons.

Carlanne, calls me her mini Sister & I call her my Skin & Blister, which in Cockney rhyming slang, also means Sister. Carlanne, also made me the Fairy hanging charm, which I have hanging in my Cabin. I think you'll agree, the Dragons look quite at home already.

Carlanne, does have a web site for her beautiful Creations, which can be found here at Nature's Fae.

Desdemona's Home For Orphaned & Abandoned Dragons & Other Magical Creatures ~ 10

 I'd like you to meet a little Green Monster.

 It all started with a picture of some little Monsters.

Now, I haven't played with the Clay for quite a long time, not through lack of trying, but since I've been on my Heart Meds, my hands are either too hot, too cold or too swollen. I started off with a little Egg shaped blob and made some legs. The Egg shape was going to be, an egg on legs. But he sort of evolved. I did nearly squish him at one point, as he just didn't look right, but I stuck with it.

I think he's now got more Dragon Features, then a Monster, maybe he is a mixture. Maybe a baby Monster/Dragon, well dalliances do happen.

His little Head moves, well it actually turns 360 degrees, but his limbs don't move.

For my first attempt, I was pretty pleased with how he turned out, maybe on the next one, if there is a next one, I'll try to add limbs that do move. He stands about 2inches tall.

But I think you'd all agree, he does looks quite at home, in Desdemona's..

Desdemona's Home For Orphaned & Abandoned Dragons & Other Magical Creatures ~ 8

 This was the Wash room, that is attached to Desdemona's. I've removed the tools that were hanging on the wall. But left the decoration as is, it has now become the Dragon & Magical Animals treatment room.

As you can see it's filling up nicely, with all manner of Creatures. I need to put some more hooks in the beams, to hang some more cages from.

The Hanging Pendant light has been removed and will be replaced with a flush ceiling, battery operated LED light. 

The Cages were something that I purchased for Eeylops, then painted them to look old and rusty, but they look much better in here and fit the space perfectly between the front wall and the Copper in the corner. There also Dragon Friendly.

I'm really enjoying filling this room with all manner of creatures, which are also starting to filter into the House as well..

So if you hear of any Dragon's or Magical Creatures that need a good home, having been Orphaned or abandoned, or can no longer be cared for. Desdemona will gladly take them in, she never turns any animal in need away.

Desdemona's Home For Orphaned & Abandoned Dragons & Other Magical Creatures ~ 6

 This was Desdemona's Bedroom, before I got my hands on it. As you can see, the paper was peeling in places and was stained around the window. I've completely stripped all the old paper out and removed the faded Pink curtains. I managed to get the paper on the back wall, out in one piece, so I will be able to use it as a template, for what goes up in there next. The old paper has left a lining paper on the wall, which will make it easier to paint over. Desdemona has requested Dragon Wallpaper for the back wall, but I've not been able to find one, that she is happy with yet. Think I may have to go in a different direction for the paper, instead of Dragons, Owls may be a better option or even Unicorns.  So at the moment the Bedroom is at a standstill, instead I've been working on the outside of the House.

Desdemona's Home For Orphaned & Abandoned Dragons & Other Magical Creatures ~ 5

 I've done quite a lot more on Desdemona's, since I last showed it. The Roof on the House, needed a touch up and the strips that represent the lead flashing's. There were also a few torn tiles that I managed to stick back together. I repainted the lead flashing's with a mix of Grey acrylic paint, which I mixed myself to get the look of real lead. I also touched up the tiles with a mixture of different colours to get the effect that I wanted. The third picture down shows the roof before painting. The bottom picture shows the roof after painting, I am quite pleased with the end result, it looks more like real terracotta tiles now. The Chimney stack still needs some attention, but that's another job on the to do list. I'm going to leave the Ridge Tiles as they are, as in a real house, they do break and fall off and if Desdemona has Dragons landing, there's sure to be some damage..

Birthday Gifts....

 As you know, I'm working on Desdemona's Home For Orphaned & Abandoned Dragons & Other Magical Creatures. Well my friend Debra made and sent me a few little creatures for Desdemona to care for, for my Birthday. They look great in the treatment room. I promise to show some more up to date pictures of the renovations shortly.

The Hat & the Potion bottle were from Michael, who I had the pleasure of meeting at Kensington, last year.

The little Rabbit on the Chair and the teeny tiny little Mouse, were gifts from the wonderful Jain Squires, otherwise known as The Giddy Kipper.

All the Gifts were unexpected pleasures and were much appreciated. As were the lovely cards & emails from other Miniature Friends. 

Thank you all...xxxx