Thursday 30 April 2020

Skye

Just the mini-Croi to go now! What colour do you think she will be? I'm hoping for a palomino or buckskin, something nice and showable would be good :D

Anyway, Skye is the third BreyerFest single day Stablemate. She is a very lovely dark colour that Breyer are describing as 'silver black' but could possibly also pass for a very dark liver chestnut depending on what she looks like in the flesh.

The more I look at her the more I actually like her. I'm looking forward to owning one of this mould!



Wednesday 29 April 2020

Orkney

The second Single Day Stablemate was revealed yesterday. Stablemate number two is a lovely gold pinto on the G2 Clydesdale mould.

Look how shimmery he is!



He is just beautiful!



I can't wait to get this set, I just know they will all be LUSH

Tuesday 28 April 2020

Nayati

Nayati is a brand new Breyer Collector's Club exclusive.

This beautiful classic on the new Rearing Mustang mould is a gambler's choice in three stunning colours:


Also has anyone else noticed that the Breyer website is unbearably slow right now?!?!? It's been driving me nuts for days!



I needs one but can I really justify it? Maybe I need a lockdown present...

Jersey

The first Breyer Single Day Stablemate has released and I must say he is rather lush!

This is Jersey:



Look how shiny he is!



Is it bad that as well as getting a full set I want to order some single singles so that I get surprise ponies? Probably.

Monday 27 April 2020

Sooooo Moody......

All the way back in February I impulse bought some thermodynamic paint from the USA and put it to use creating this:

No photo description available.

I was absolutely in love with my creation, as were others, and I had promised to make more. However, life got in the way and I didn't really get round to it.

So a couple of weeks ago I decided that enough is enough and the people need Mini Whinnie mood necklaces! So I started work.

These items are not easy or quick to make, they require a lot of time and patience as every layer takes forever to dry.

You start with a mini whinnie, then you need to add a hook for the necklace. I do this using FIRE because fire is fun (don't use fire people seriously I'm not a safe human). I heat up the hook and then push it into the plastic, this melts the plastic and forms a bond. Great but dangerous.

Then you need to properly prep and prime your mini as you would for any other type of painting.

Then you have to paint it black. The paint needs a black base to properly work. I just use airbrushed acrylics and do a couple of coats for a good matte black finish.

Now for the paint. This is in liquid form and can be airbrushed on. It takes about five coats with a drying time of several hours, so I did this over a few days and did three at the same time.

Once that is fully dry you can very carefully paint the details. I hold the models by the tail for the airbrushing so I can cover all over, which means the tail will need painting afterwards. So I use metallic paint on the mane tail, hooves and eyes.

Once that is all dry you need to seal it all in resin. I use a two part resin that takes FOREVER to dry but it is the one recommended by the paint's manufacturers and I think it's best to stick with what you're told to do somethings! I put string through the hooks, apply the resin and then hang them on the clothes airer to dry. For four days. At least.

Now horsey number two and three are still not dry, which is a bit worrying because horsey one is. I'm not sure why but I'm going to do a bit of heat curing later to try and speed up the process!

Then I just add the chain using a jump ring and I am done! One mini whinnie mood necklace:


Me and my camera have had an argument hence the blur, I don't know what is going on with it at the moment. It hates me. I hate it. Feelings mutual.






Without any heat they just appear black, here you can see the sort of bronze colour that you'll get in winter or when you are wearing lots of clothes. The blue above is what you will get in heat.


Of course you need to know your mood! So I made these handy mood guides (when I say made I Googled it, printed it and laminated it)

No photo description available.

Pretty sure they are the same ones as my local New Age shop has pinned on the counter!

If you like her she will be listed for sale on the website tomorrow under 'gifts'.

Sunday 26 April 2020

Seminar #3 - Cataloguing Models - Friday 1st May 2020

I hope you have been enjoying our seminar series and are learning lots about model horses and what to do with them. Whether you are an experienced hobbyist or new to the hobby each seminar has something for you.

Our next seminar will show you how to effectively catalogue your model horses.

It is important to catalogue your collection accurately for a variety of reasons, we will discuss these in the seminar!

It will show you how to:

  • Put together a spreadsheet
  • Use functions like filters and formulas to get the most out of your spreadsheet
  • Basics about identifying & valuing models (we will do this in more detail in a later seminar)
If you want to take part we recommend having your computer open with Excel (Google Sheets or similar will also work but you may find the functionality a bit limited) so you can make your spreadsheet as we go!


Seminar Date: 1st May 2020

Seminar Time: 13.00 BST (UK Time)


Finally all past seminars are now uploaded to our YouTube channel, so you can watch them when you want :)


See you guys Friday!

Saturday 25 April 2020

Meet Marshmallow

Whilst doing Collector Bingo earlier this month I realised something quite upsetting. I do not actually own a cremello.

Traumatised by my lack of bingo and regretting the day I sold my cremello coloured model I decided enough was enough and I needed one.

So when picking the colour for this cute little Pepys resin I had only one choice really...cremello.

Say hello to Marshmallow :D

No photo description available.

The foal in the reference had this cute white snip that showed up on his pink skin. So of course Marshmallow had to have that too:

Image may contain: outdoor

He is rather squishyful, I do love this mould. I am still upset about the loss of Ponyta (you never know....maybe one day.....)

But for now I will make do with Bubbles and Marshmallow

Image may contain: outdoor and nature

Thank you to the people of Facebook for helping me name him!

Friday 24 April 2020

Single Day Stablemate Line Up!

SCREAMS

MINI CROI

SCREAMS

*breaths*

OK first up they've done a post that explains how these tickets work, I recommend you check it out: https://www.breyerhorses.com/blogs/breyerfest-blog/single-day-tickets

And secondly, here are the moulds:

Meh



OK meh

Meh



SCREAMS



Also check out this sneak peak, it's gonna be lush!



Thursday 23 April 2020

Washi Tape Browbands

Whilst pondering to myself how I could make a metallic browband I decided to have a go with some washi tape.

My first attempt wasn't that successful, I put it on after the browband was attached and tried to bend it around the edges, so it didn't look as smooth as it could have done:


So yesterday I decided to have a go with a sparkly washi tape and this time put it on before I attached the browband and trim it. And I think you'll agree, it look awesome!


So I repeated the technique on the pelham bridle I've been making today:

No photo description available.

Image may contain: one or more people and ring

Now that I've discovered how easy it is to make things sparkly the possibilities are endless! Nothing will escape my sparkles :D

Wednesday 22 April 2020

Well That's Newsworthy Out!

If like me you had guessed Newsworthy as one of this year's surprise models then put your money back in your pocket.

Because the latest store special is...Newsworthy!

And he's a cracker. I love this mould so much, it's just so cute. But I particularly love it when it has a loose mane and I can actually show it as a connemara! It looks like Shawn and Suspense will be getting a new brother this Summer :D

Say hello to W.H. Topgun





My only issue is he looks literally nothing like the actual horse he's a portrait of! But I guess they added all those dapples to make him look different from the Best of British Connemara. That is also a buckskin with no white!

New Breyer Test Run

Breyer have released a new Test Run for collector's club members to enter for.

The model is a chestnut Misty's Twilight, if you are a Collector's Club member you can enter online to try and get her. If you are lucky enough to be selected she'll set you back a mere $850. Which tbf is less than her after market value but still you might want to keep that in mind!





As nice as it would be to own one of these I can't say she is for me. It's probably one of the worst moulds Breyer have ever produced and this colour is a bit "meh" for my tastes. But if you conga the mould then she is a must have!

Tuesday 21 April 2020

Another Sneak Peak - Just Not a Very Helpful One!

This has to be one of the worst sneak peaks ever. Or maybe the best. Depending on whether you think sneak peaks should reveal or not reveal the model.

I don't really think it matters what I guess, it's most likely going to be completely wrong.

So I officially guess that it's....ummm....a......Shetland? I dunno. Your guess is as good as mine on this one!



It's quite a nice colour though, sorta beige but a bit more intense.

Anyway, drop your guesses below. You'll probably be wrong :p

Monday 20 April 2020

Unicorns

There is no denying that I love nothing more than painting some unicorns. There is also no denying that sometimes what I decide to create works, and sometimes it doesn't! Sometimes I create something that everyone loves, sometimes I create something that I hate and others love and sometimes I just create "something".

So I've been having great fun over the last few weeks painting some of the unicorns from the new Breyer mystery unicorn sets. Whilst I took the horns off the new moulds I left the old G2 moulds with their horns on and got creative!

And of course I got my specialist paints out, because why not?

So first up is my favourite of the whole bunch. This is a Breyer Stablemate G2 Clydesdale. He has been painted to black and white. He has then had pink ombre added to his mane and given a white stripe and white horn.

He has then had moons added in white base mixed with lit pigment. I have also added this to his tail, horn, back hooves and to his white stripe.


Lit pigment glows even under normal light, but take the light away and you've got one seriously glowy horse!


Number two was a bit of an experiment. For some reason I decided to do the base colour in colour shift paint on top of white primer. This created an unusual glazed look, in green!

I then dd the shading in a paint called "Blood for the Blood God". This is a technical paint that is designed to basically replicate blood. When sprayed through it creates a translucent and slightly shiny effect. It looks rather cool!

And because all of that wasn't enough for this little guy, I then added white dots across the entire body using the same acrylic/lit pigment mix. Unfortunately the pigment didn't take in all places but there are still quite a few glowing spots, like his face spots!


This final one is less successful. He just looks rather odd. Like a sort of strange bumblebee. But I'm sure someone will love him!


I hope you enjoyed! There are still a few to be finished so there will be more unicorns coming soon!

Sunday 19 April 2020

Seminar #2 - Friday 24th April 2020 - Make Along!

Thank you to everyone who attended our seminar yesterday, it was great fun and I hope you all learned loads! I think we confused some non-model horse people who stumbled upon us but it was wonderful to share the love :D

Our next seminar will be: Friday 24th April

At: 11:00 BST

This seminar is going to be a bit different as it is going to be a 'make along'. The idea is that we will all sit down and I will go through the steps of making a simple headcollar and you guys can follow and make one to! It will be good fun for both experienced tack makers and novice ones alike.



But you will of course have to stock up on supplies first so I have put a list below of things you will need. If you can't get your supplies by Friday don't worry. Yesterday the phone and Facebook cooperated so you should be able to watch the video online afterwards and have a go. There will also be a step by step picture guide on our website.

Supplies Needed

Leather Lace/Ribbon x1m
1/8" Buckle x1
If you don't own any buckles you can make your own using thin wire - the same goes for the rest of the supplies!
6mm Jump Ring x4
Or 2x 6mm jump rings & 2x Halter Slot Rings
5mm Jump Ring x1

Tools Needed

Scissors
Glue
Needlenose Pliers
Sharp Craft Knife/Xacto Blade/Scalpel 

If you cannot get the things don't worry, just join in anyway for some fun or to ask questions or share your own tips. This is going to be an interesting experiment to see whether it works but it should be fun :)

It will be held on Facebook live here: https://www.facebook.com/chestnutridgemodels

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Saturday 18 April 2020

A Welcome BreyerFest Update

Why was I crying last night? This is why. Breyer have announced shipping rates for BF items and they are charging a blanket $25 for international!!!! TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS!

Do you know how much we normally pay for models from Breyer? $70. I was so worried about this. Conscious that I was going to be paying hundreds of dollars for shipping. Upset about everything and about that and about all the things.

And so last night I was crying with relief and joy. This is incredibly generous of Breyer and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I'm literally so happy right now!

If you haven't read the latest update about tickets you can do so here: https://www.breyerhorses.com/blogs/breyerfest-blog/more-info-on-this-years-virtual-celtic-fling

(I'm looking forward to interviewing a horse)

Anyway to celebrate I thought I would do my special run wishlist round up! I have four tickets (obviously Brendon was coming with me to BF so technically two are his, I may be forced to get a cow, at least he won't actually be showing any interest and I won't have to work out how to get twenty million moose into my suitcase after he goes round the Clarion 'shopping')

So here are my BF special run wants, in order:

1. Surprise Model

Surprise! (Not the Surprise Model, though)

2. Brighid & Beltane



3. Lugh



4. Oak



5. Boudicca



6. Hamish



7. Ash



8. Thorn



9. Epona



What I would like is 3x Surprise models and then: Brighid, Lugh, Boudicca, Oak and Hamish. But I'm honestly happy with anything. If I can't get the ones I want I can't get the ones I want. I'm just so happy I'll only be paying $25 shipping.

Also I'm mega excited about the store specials and swag! I WANT ANOTHER PLUSHIE! Also I really really really potato want a Breyer travel mug to take to school. Because the unicorn one just isn't cutting it anymore. I'm the coolest teacher ever and you all know it.

Friday 17 April 2020

Fabio

Remember at BF last year the Collector's Club members got the chance to choose between three different splash models?

Well the winner is....Duende!

Collector's Club members can now head along to Breyer's website and purchase the latest Collector's Club release.

I really love him but I'm going to hold off for now. I doubt he'll still be around when the next vintage club model is released in June but a girl can dream :p If he is then we will test how well my travel card actually works online and spend some of those BF savings.


Facebook Live Seminars - Schedule!

Hello everyone :) So starting tomorrow we are going to be running some live seminars through Facebook live.

To view them you will need to be on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/chestnutridgemodels/

The full schedule is below. Seminars will run every Saturday. Hopefully I will also be able to save and upload the videos onto YouTube after but sometimes my phone is a bit funny about doing this. So no promises! I will add them to the pages story for 24 hours after though x

If you want to work along with the seminar I've added some supplies you will need. However, you don't have to and can just watch!

I will go live five minutes prior to start time to give people time to get settled.

Schedule

Saturday 18th April - 17:00 BST (UK Time)

Breed Allocation & Breed Card Creation

Supplies Needed: None!

Friday 24th April - 11:00 BST (UK Time)

Simple Tack Making - Make Your Own Headcollar!

Supplies Needed: Ribbon/Leather Lace; 4x 6mm Jump Rings OR 2x Halter Slot Rings & 2x 6mm Jump Rings; 1x 5mm Jump Ring; 1x 1/8" Buckle; Glue; Scissors; Sharp Knife/Scalpel/Xacto Knife

Friday 1st May - 13:00 BST (UK Time)

Cataloguing Your Models

Supplies Needed: Microsoft Excel or Similar

Friday 8th May - 15:00 BST (UK Time)

Airbrushing for Beginners

Supplies Needed: Airbrush; Compressor/Air Can; Paint; Water; Pipette; Prepped Model Horse; Airbrush Cleaner; Face Mask

Friday 15th May - 19:00 BST (UK Time)

Add Some Sparkle!

Supplies Needed: Crystals/Gems; Glue; Something to Sparkle (tack, model horse, doll, you)

Friday 22nd May - 17:00 BST (UK Time)

Preparing Your Horses for Showing

Supplies Needed: None! 

Minis Minis Minis!

These little Breyer mini whinnie unicorns are so much fun to paint I've just ordered several more boxes full just so I have some more to play with! They are just so adorable!

Also I changed the settings on my camera today and look at the difference in the first photo! Go team me!


The first model is a bay on the new Arabian (Rose) mould. This model has been painted to a lovely rich red bay with two white socks. I wasn't sure about this mould at first but it is definitely growing on me.


Secondly we have a chestnut on the Firebird mould. This guy has two white socks and a white star. He has a lovely subtle colour.


This one is one of my favourites. As you can see he also has a nice subtle chestnut colour but I have given him a little snowcap blanket, two white socks and a white stripe. Such a cute little fuzz ball!



This little girl refused to stand up. So I added a base to help her be nice and steady on her feet. She has been painted to a lovely dark bay with a white star. The base is purple with glitter on! Because she needed to be nice and fabulous.