Magnets

Meet Waz and Tralana's hummingbird!  I needed to complete these guys in time for the Bookfest in Kirkland.  I sculpt, paint, and sign each one individually.  Right now they're available through the Hummingbird Lane gift shop in Bothell and at book signing events.  I will eventually figure out methods and costs so I can ship these safely through sales on my website.

I hope to add other characters to this collection by Christmas. As you can see from the pictures, each one turns out a little bit different whether I intend it or not.  I start with a mold that I make from the first piece I sculpt and bake, then insert wire where needed as an armature for the wings and tail, add the eyes, sculpt details and accessories (add feather texture, harness and hair), bake, then hand paint and airbrush as the mood dictates.  A little labor intensive, but  they're made in the USA!

 

website addtions

I've made several updates to my website today:  williamwestwoodjr.com or talesoftremora.com.

Sold books the last couple of days through Amazon.com to folks in Indiana and Bellvue, WA, an eBook on Barnes & Noble and have had 5 website visits from Moscow, Russia!  It's always exciting to make sales based on word-of-mouth or marketing efforts...  But, progress remains glacial at best.  Just gotta keep on keepin on...

Thanks to all of you (14 to date) who have left comments on Amazon.com.  You're amazing! I'm going to send you all Shimmering bookmarks in the very near future as another thank you.  Hope I have all of your addresses.

Next project is to get the magnets ready for the bookfest in Kirkland Oct 1-2.  BTW I will be on a panel with another author from 11-noon on Saturday answering questions about the process of writing... 

Kalib and his ellie finished and ready to travel

Kalib got pretty bossy in the end.  Demanded more jewels, then thought he looked too fat...  Took a week.  Will be displaying this sculpture on Sept 17, at the Country Village in Bothell, WA from 11-2 PM on "Pirates Day" at J.J. Books.  Then again at the bookfest in Kirkland on Oct 1 and 2.  Please try and stop by.  Might be a bookmark in it for you! Here's a candid look at Bill as he is today.  I know a number of you haven't seen me before or not for about 30 or 40 years!  PS I think you have to join Blogger or get a yahoo account or something to make a comment.  A number of folks couldn't leave comments even though they used the comments button.  I think that's the problem.  Am still investigating.  Can anyone help?

Kalib's ellie all dressed up

Next: Kalib on top of this elephant, on top of the platform, sitting on his throne, with his favorite parasol...  Please say hi if you're following my attempt at "social networking".  Thanks...

2nd bake, paint, Kalib waiting patiently

Next, to sculpt some very small brass and gold items to sell at the Bearcamp market.  Then, the most challenging part of the sculpture: Kalib atop his ice cream sundae.

Had a call (in the middle of  creating a couple of spears) from Kendal Furnas.  Heather and I met her and her daughter, Elyse, at the "Fresh Paint" art fair at the Everett Marina.  She called to buy a personalized book after visiting the Tremora website.  Thank you Kendal!

New Sculpture and new scheduled book signing

Kalib has been on my mind lately as I work on my second book.  So, since I want to have another sculpture ready for the Bookfest in Kirkland the first week of October, I decided to sculpt an illustration from Book One of Kalib on his way to Bearcamp.  Here are a few in progress photos.  I will be adding Kalib and his mobile throne over the next week or so.

Once again I invite you to visit me at the Country Village in Bothell, WA Sept 17th for "Pirate Day".  I will be signing books, giving away art work and bookmarks, and displaying sculptures at JJ Books from 11 to 2pm. 

Sculpting book characters

Recently, Erik Korhel, a friend, children's book author, and also the distributor for The Shimmering, asked me to sculpt the main character from his first two books (Erik himself as a child!).  I was also asked to sculpt a couple hummingbirds for The Hummingbird Lane gift shop in Bothell, WA.