Tasslehoff Burrfoot

Character:
Another Dragonlance figure. Raistlin needed a friend, so to speak. Tasslehoff is a kender, which is pretentious writer speak for "We think hobbits are boring". The most adorable of all Dragonlance characters, and second only to the previously posted mage in popularity, words commonly used to describe Tas include 'troublemaking', 'lightfingered', and 'irrepressible'.

My Tasslehoff is approx 10" tall. He carries his hoopak, along with several bags, pouches, rope, and two maps (not pictured). In his characteristic fur vest and blue leggings, he is ready and eager for adventure.

Construction:
Tasslehoff is built on a FoTR Frodo doll. He had all his hair shaved off and replaced with a hand-crafted wig, and his face paint was removed and redone. His costume is entirely handsewn. The Backpack is from the Frodo doll, the belt and the bag with the green strap from a Gandalf. The rope coiled around his arm is actually a hemp necklace, and his hoopak is a carved and painted piece of craft wood. His maps (not pictured) are photocopied from the front of the annotated Chronicles, reduced and printed onto tan colored paper. Originally posted online (different pictures) for Custom Con 16. Completed in 2005.

Raistlin Majere

Character:
Possibly the reason I got into customizing. Possibly my favorite creation. I may make much more elaborate, better projects, but...Dragonlance will always have a place in my heart, no matter how trashy it gets. And for many Dragonlance fans, the soul of the series is Raistlin Majere: The Character Too Cool To Die. Most Powerful Black Robe Mage. Master of Past and Present. Popular enough to merit his own prequel duology, on top of the prequels already written, as well as appearing in one novella and at least three novels AFTER his canonical demise. Another book, currently pending, promises to account for every moment of his life thus far unchronicled. (In other words, he's the proven moneymaker for Weis/Hickman.)

This is probably cause he's Evil. (Sometimes). Selfish, twisted, secretly kind once in a blue moon, and of course, AWESOME.

My Raistlin figure is 12" tall, dressed in black robes. (according to Tas: "Red always makes him look kind of jaundiced, if you know what I mean.") His accessories include the Staff of Magius, two spellbooks and a satchel to carry them in. Seen below with Tasslehoff Burrfoot.
Originally posted online (different pictures) for Custom Con 16.


Construction:
Raist is a 12' FoTR Aragron. I kept Aragorn's boots, and colored them black with a fabric pen. The rest of the costume is hand sewn black velvet. The figure got a paint treatment on all exposed skin/hair after I filed down Aragorn's stubble. I'm not going to go into how long those damned eyes took me. His two spellbooks (Yes, one black and gold, one nightblue and silver) are handbound into fabric covers, and do contain writing, printed off my computer. The Staff of Magius is a painted dowel, a pewter dragon claw necklace bent into a new shape and painted gold, and a faceted quartz crystal. (Yes I know, it's usually described as a ball, but it's faceted in some pictures. Check the first edition cover of Time of the Twins. Picky.) Completed back in 2005.

First Projects: Mermaid

Character:
Another early experiment, I know very little about this girl other than she obviously lives in the sea. Not a true fish-finned mermaid, but some relation.

Construction:
Base: generic Barbie knock-off from the dollar store. Hair dyed with paint, yarn streaks added, full body paint treatment (Note scales on shoulders). Hand sewn costume from scrap fabric. Completed 2005.

First Projects: Amazon

Character:
A preliminary experiment when I was first beginning to explore customizing. Initially I thought about trying to hack off one of her breasts, but the discovery that Barbie torsos are very hard hollow plastic put me off that idea, leading to this simple doll. The toy set-up in the back indicates that this photo was taken in DC shortly after her completion.

Construction:
A beach Barbie, chosen for flat feet and closed smile, got a very different hair-do, removed toenail polish and toned down facial makeup. Hand sewn costume. Dress: linen with button/paint and wire accent, Sandals: Leather scraps and necklace cord, Spear: carved out of craft wood, balsa or similar. Completed 2005

Queen Lizzie

Character:
Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, Queen of Ponyland, Dream Valley, Flutter Valley, and The Volcano of Gloom, Fidei defensor, etc.

Construction:
Conceived and created as a gift, Lizzie began as a G3 "Denim Blue". Received full mane and tail re-root, new symbol (including tiny symbol on off front hoof, not pictured), eye touch-ups to cover ugly little hearts, and hand-sewn costume. Given in custom packaging (not pictured) created by Erin.
Completed 2005

Ayla, Home Time: 65 Million BC

Character:
Ayla. At one point I began a set of Chrono Trigger figures, but only completed a couple before losing interest and moving on to other projects. She came out pretty well though.

Construction:
Began life as a hideous "Flavas" Barbie, chosen for poseability and height. She looks oddly short next to a normal (i.e., inhumanly tall) Barbie, but she would have looked right in scale with the male dolls. Had I finished them. Her hair was restyled and trimmed, and her face painted. Made the outfit out of fake fur that was given a paint treatment.
Completed late 2005

Ninja Bear!

Character:
A very early project based on a sketch done by Erin during the year in Sunderland.
I think Ninja Bear decided that the Care Bear Stare isn't enough anymore.
It's time to take the war to DarkHeart's doorstep. Or something.

Construction:
A new "Daydream Bear" (Who??) got his tummy removed and some of the over stuffing taken out. I removed the existing symbol from the white piece, hand embroidered a new throwing star and heart symbol, and restored the piece. Ninja mask made from scratch, toy scale katana in sheath bought later. Completed 2005 (Sword added 06)

Rogue

Character:
Oh come on. Rogue. Only not annoying, whiny, "I got my personality crossed with Jubilee/Shadowcat" Rogue from the movies. Or....*reading*... new Sunfire-powers Rogue? The Rogue I know and love has flight and super-strength, as well as power absorption. And sounds like Lenore Zann.

Construction:
Rogue started as a Fashion Fever Barbie. I put a wave in her existing hair, added the white streak, and the outfit. She's sewn into that bodysuit, unfortunately, and if you were to see the back, you'd see that the stitching isn't so lovely. Rogue was one of the first custom dolls I completed and so a lot of experimentation went into her. Her 'gloves' are bits of sculpting compound over her wrists, painted along with her hands. Also received paint touch-up on eyes/lips. Completed 2005

Stormy

Character:
Here's the lovely and tempestuous Stormy. Yeah, from Rainbow Brite. Never released as an official doll (except possibly in Germany?) she is a pretty standard project for RB customizers. Cause she's awesome. The Color Kids have powers like... they don't have powers. Rainbow makes things colorful. Stormy can call lightning and make winter happen.

Construction:
Started life as a original 1983 Rainbow. Received full hair re-root, paint touch-up on face to change eye and lip color. New soft body and removable dress sewn from scratch, patterned off of Rainbow. Upper thigh and hand pieces saved from original doll. Completed 2005