Made by Mel Howells
Hello,
I’m a children’s book illustrator who always had the urge to make figurative sculptures. I have used polymer clay in the past but never found that it was truly ‘sculptable’ (is that a word?!)
I’ve watched Jonni’s wonderful videos for a couple of years and decided to take the plunge and give it a try a couple of months ago. I’m loving it and have set up an Etsy shop, where I’ve managed to sell most of what I’ve made and now have a few commissions. Jonni is a constant source of inspiration and a lovely human being (who can also write a cracking good thriller!) so BIG thanks to you.
I’m posting a dog I’ve made; my bunny version of Sigourney Weaver in the ‘Aliens’ movie (bizarre, yes, I know) and my homage to Joni Mitchell & David Hockney!! All have sold on Etsy so I’m really thrilled.
I’m working on smoothing out textures, so these are first attempts. I make armatures from paper, foil and sometimes wire and use a combination of the Original Paper Clay recipe and the Smooth Air Dry Clay. I have needed to sand a lot – not my favourite bit of the process (a: I’m lazy b: I do it outside and it’s really cold here!) although it is a good way to add in detail as I use an electric Dremel tool with various attachments that can be used for sculpting. Hence the need to perfect a smoother final finish.
These are all quite small (around 14cm-ish, the dog around 20cm) so I’m planning bigger things (literally) for the near future! My next project is some of my favourite writers – Virginia Woolf as a wolf (couldn’t resist it); Patricia Highsmith as a cat (probably) and Carson McCullers as – I don’t know, still thinking that one through.
My work is fairly random – I make things based on stuff I love. Books, films, artists, animals always feature somewhere – and the things I sell on Etsy sit there and until a person similarly odd comes along and decides they need them in their life!
Hope you enjoy them xxx
Oh wow. I love the one of Joni and Hockney! Would you sell this one to me? The photo it is based on is one of my favorite photos of all time.
All are wonderful but the rabbit with the cat is my favorite. Good work!
Love them all! They are truly ” alive “
Love, the Bullie!
Wow, love your Work!!
Aww, thank you so much!
Nice! I love them all, especially your version of “Alien”!
Thank you so much – that’s really kind x