My Breyerfest Sale Is Here!!!

 

Well, sort of.

My health issues amplified in the middle of June and therefore caused me to simplify what I can produce....which....included all the new customs-to-be designated for both the sale and the photo show.

I did try to get out of Breyerfest Marketplace, but was unable to because it was so close to the event. I literally thought that Breyer had some sort of special platform to upload all of our wares to....only to find out that really it's my studio's name in the program and have a link that goes directly to my Facebook Studio page. Yeah, my brain complicates things a lot of times.

As far as inventory goes, surprisingly, I actually have quite a bit.

I have:

Upcycled Cardboard Boxes for props and play,

Some small Watercolor paintings,

Keychains,

Model Horse Traveling Satchels,

Haynets,

More Upcycled Cardboard/Popsicle Sticks boxes for props or play,

This one would be available through the Breyerfest Marketplace/Studio Page (I was hoping to have more of these type of pieces available, but of course, life happens and you have to adjust your outcome),

Mini Mailers - two types: Open (like the photo above - with a goodie inside) and Closed ("filled" with foam to appear to have something inside, but is un-openable),

Yes, those are tails, and since I sculpt my own tails, I don't really have a use for them, but some customizers literally buy lots like this for their own creations,

Some of my older customs,

Fun drawer knobs available only through my sales album on the FB group, Breyerfest Vendors,

And some Pole Bending poles.

One thing

Remember those three boxes?

Everything is labeled as One Of A Kind (OOAK)

Some items are in-fact OOAK, but some are OOAK only to each box. The reason for this is because I didn't have enough supplies to make multiples of each item.  So if you visit each album, you'll see some "duplicates", but you'll know why.

Here are link to the sale items:

UPDATE: Everything has been moved to my Studio Page Albums - Please Check them out!

Horse Color Galore! An intro to the Leopard Complex and PATN1!

 

The pattern in which Appaloosas are famous for is called Leopard Complex and it actually originates from Europe. This gene is known for it's wide expression of patterns ranging from a completely solid colored horse with Molted skin on the thin haired regions; to an almost white horse with teeny tiny colored spots and a dark mane and tail. There are so many different expressions on this gene, that it can be confusing to just wrap your mind around it. So, in turn, for this first installment of the Horse Color Galore! Color Genetics Series, we'll discuss the general knowledge and history of the gene; while explaining the different patterns in later installments.

The genotype symbol for Leopard Complex is Lp. This gene is in charge of Molted Skin, Striped Hooves, Visible Sclera, and a progressive pigment loss pattern commonly known as Varnish Roan. This gene also causes Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) when expressed Homozygous. Now, where is all the loud spotted patterns?! That is actually caused by the combination of Lp and PATN1. PATN1 is a recently discovered gene that plays a huge part in breeding horses with the Leopard Complex. This additional enhancer gene causes the regular Lp gene to express more than 50% amounts of white, according to UC Davis. However, it is also noted that PATN1 cannot express on it's own - N/Lp (Heterozygous) or Lp/Lp (Homozygous) has to be present.

Dappled Horses at the Pech-Merle Cave, France.

Surprisingly, spotted horses have been depicted in art for several thousands of years. The oldest known display is The Dappled Horses at the Pech-Merle Cave, France, in 25,000 B.C. Since then, "spotted" horses popped up in cultural artwork and documentation throughout Northern Africa, Persia, Asia, and Europe. The spotted pattern, in short, is a mutation that occurred through domestication as a side effect to breeding for desirable traits like endurance and strength. Eventually, the new color pattern became sought out for and even royal.

Johann Georg DeHamilton's Curly Lp Lipizzaner Stallions Paintings

As with many other extravagant colors valued within the human's grasp, the urge to own a spotted horse declined as the rise for solid colored horses - therefore causing the gene to become extinct in certain breeds (such as the Lipizzaner above). However, the gene was introduced to the Americas via the Spaniards with the extinct Spanish Jennet. Just like the other horses who became loose from their grasps, their spotted horses became prized possessions of the Nimipuu natives (Nez Perce) along the Palouse River - these horses are what became the Appaloosa. Interestingly enough, in recent years, spotted horses have been making a come-back. Any breed exhibiting the Leopard Complex and the PATN1 enhancer gene, have been used to "bring back" historical breeds and colors; as well as outcrossing to create new breeds.

Breeds where the Leopard Complex is present:

Altai, American Baskir Curly, American Shetland Pony, Appaloosa, Australian Spotted Pony, British Appaloosa, British Riding Pony, British Spotted Pony, Colorado Ranger Horse, Dartmoor (present, but restricted), Falabella, Felin Pony, German Classic Pony, Gotland Pony, Gypsy Vanner Horse and Pony, Hungarian Coldblood, Karabaier, Knabstruper, Lewitzer (present, but restricted), Malopolski, Miniature Horse, Mongolian Pony, New Forest Pony (present, but restricted), Nez Perce Horse, Noriker, North American Spotted Draft Horse (present, but restricted), Pony of the Americas, American Quarter Horse (present, but restricted), Selle Français, Miniature Shetland Pony, Silesian, Spanish Colonial, Spanish Mustang, Tennessee Walking Horse, Tiger Horse,  Welsh Pony (Sections A & B), Wielkopolski, and the Yakut.

Breeds where the Leopard Complex is Historically documented, but is no longer present in the breed:

Fredricksborg, Hackney Horse and Pony, Kladruby, Lipizzaner, Morgan, Spanish Jennet (extinct), and the Welsh Cob (Sections C & D).

References:

An Almost Complete List of Breeds & Colors by Lesli Kathman file:///C:/Users/Daphne/Desktop/NewColorCharts2020.pdf 

https://dartmoorponysociety.com/the-breed/#TheBreedStandardoftheDartmoorPony

https://www.murderhollow.com/breeding-faq.html

https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/leopard-complex

https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2013/10/27/leopard-complex-spotting-17000-years-research/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4275893/#:~:text=Today%2C%20leopard%20complex%20spotting%20phenotypes,Knabstrupper%2C%20Noriker%2C%20Karabaier).

Breyerfest Prep

It's been a little hectic lately.

Yeah, sure Breyerfest is creeping closer everyday and I still have a ton of work to do on photo show pics (which isn't that bad) and sale pieces.

But being sick doesn't help, either.

For the entire month of May, I had been having weird health issues. First was the common cold - no big deal, easy to take care of, know what to expect. Second, is the never ending monthly battle with an infection in my foot - got quite a history in this problem, it's either eczema or athlete's foot....but we don't know which, and that doesn't help when you're trying the homeopathy method, since the western medicine didn't work on it. Third, is something weird. I don't want to go into details. We don't actually know what it is and how to get me down the path to healing. All I do know, is that it's affecting my ability to walk correctly - which is something that I already have a problem with, but this is absolutely new. In turn, all of which makes my energy drop - making it hard to get down to business in customizing model horses, tack, props, blogging,....whatever.

So, it's been a slow process in just plugging away at creating the items (more info on that later).

By the way, I love this shot of Brishin! He's so calmly crazy in the cool light!

Springtime Beauty and Goat Mommas

 

If I could figure out how to price my photography of nature - this would be a selling piece. There is absolutely zero computer altering. It's all just using the right settings, the right lighting, and focusing on the right place.

The Crab Apple Tree bloomed this weekend. It's funny to think that this little tree with such huge blossoms produce these little, cherry-sized, sour apples.

While I was capturing the details of the Tulips and Daffodils, there was a loud bang sound.

Well, it came from our neighbor's new sheep. They were acting quite springy.

Springy enough to make loud noises and spook their big buddy, Beau.

Pink Sunset

Chloe wondering if I have a treat for her. She's so cute, but she can be quite the pill with a teenager set of mind when it comes to food and trying to pet her. I wonder if she's ready to be the nanny when the babies come.

Bonnie was supposed be due with her babies this week, but then early last month, she went into heat and we're like "WHAT!!??"

So we bred her again and she's now due in September...which is still a good time before winter sets in to have baby goats. But REALLY!!?? Could we just have everyone due in the same week? But, NO! No, we gotta have one in May, one in June, and the last in September!

Lizzy is due the last week of May and is about ready to burst. This is her fourth pregnancy, so really they can come any day now. I can't wait to see what "colors" this Golden thrower would throw this year (she throws predominantly Max. White Golden babies - Paisley and Moo are the only "other" colors she has produced....and we still don't really know what color Moo is, since his spots are all in the wrong places for Agouti Pattern identification).

Double wide = 4 babies!

Paisley is due in June....since she is nearly impossible to tell if she's in heat or not! It's going to be interesting seeing how her crazy attachment to her momma when not just her little siblings are born, but also her own little babies.

Paisley finally came over to the fence. We are wondering if she is going to have twins. We'll see when she gets closer to her due date.

Of course, naturally, she climbs up to see if I have anything to eat. She's just as bad of a foodie as Chloe! This picture is so awesome! Her eye is completely in focus!

Stay tuned for the baby goats update when Lizzy's babies are born!

I Don't Just Photograph Model Horses

Or clouds...or mountains....

Though, the landscape looked really pretty the Friday morning of the 4H Dog Show (the same weekend as the Field of Dolls Online Show Results Announcement).

I am notorious for taking pictures through car windows - they still come out OK.

My dad and I picked up Kneaders French Toast for the judges, my family,....and any leftovers can be used for gaining the dogs' attention during the show. Yes, the kids take anything from dog treats, hot dogs, cheese, French toast, or any other appealing smell/taste to a dog and rub it all over their hands since food/treats is not allowed in the show ring. It has become a Dog 4H tradition to get Kneaders French Toast on show days.

Just saying, if you're ever coming through Logan/Cache County, UT, make sure you go by Kneaders - they have really good food! Kind of like Paradise Café.

More clouds...

OK, now the dogs.

Photographing in indoor arenas are an absolute pain. The lighting is terrible if you are wanting anything to come out clear. This was the best I can do at the moment. Someday, I'll figure it out. But for now, it's just use'n' the tripod at the openest aperture, 1/60 shutter speed, 1600 ISO, and custom White Balance (focused on my brother's red and white Playmate lunch box!)

The first show of the day was Showmanship. Showmanship is basically judged on how well you work with your dog. My little sister, Victoria, showed both our brother, Kaleb's dog MerkTavitch (Merk for short); and her dog, Jasper (above).

This was Merk's very first show. It was very exciting, and new....until...

His owner was judging the other dogs in Obedience!

(Obedience is judged on how well the dog obeys their handler).

Typically, for this exercise, the two cones are actually two people standing as posts, and the dog has to make a figure 8 around them without paying any kind of attention to them. Though, the cones are still pretty distracting to the dogs. MUST SMELL EVERYTHING!!!

As far as Kaleb's attire - it's a 4H themed Hawaiian shirt. He has it as his official judge shirt.

I didn't get any pictures of the kids doing Rally, which is an obstacle course with signs that tell you what to do before advancing to the next sign. I was getting tired and was really needing food at the moment.

Saturday was Agility and Fast. The pictures I have here are of Agility. Agility is basically an obstacle course where the dog runs through either on leash (in the beginning stages) or off leash (more advanced). Placings are judged on how fast the dog went through the course without any faults (knocked jump bar or skipping an obstacle because the dog isn't comfortable with it yet).

I didn't get any of Fast either, due to needing to eat and take a nap (which I did - part in a camp chair and the other in my dad's truck). As far as what Fast is, you're on a set time and you gotta have your dog go through/over as many obstacles as possible to gain the highest points collected (jumps are 1, the tunnel is 5, I don't remember what the A-Frame is, though).

Of course, anything fast with the lighting circumstances does not go hand-in-hand...more like against each other. When photographing high speed stuff (or shake free, as I cannot stay completely still while photographing still stuff), I like to have the shutter speed at 1/125. 1/60 is just not fast enough in this terrible lighting to get a clear picture.

Victoria and Jasper doing the Weave Poles. This is a very tricky obstacle for the dogs and it sometimes takes them awhile to master. It's amazing watching videos of super speedy dogs going through the Weaves.

 And we end with beautiful clouds. Between the colors of the sky and the trees - it could totally be turned into a painting.

Of course, the end is actually with all of us getting sick with a cold. And when a sickness goes through my family, it goes through ONE PERSON AT A TIME! It doesn't help that there are 6 of us! We're on the tail end of it now. But that means congestion for eternity (or so it seams)!

Behind the Scenes: The Proper Way to Decorate Cookies

 

I absolutely LOVE this entry!

It was loads of fun to make!

The sweatshirts are all hand-sewn and the pockets are real.

The bloops of "frosting" is actually dried paint left in plastic paint palettes, then removed by soaking it in water, and left out to dry.

The cookies are clay, then painted.

The icing bag is clay, Saran Wrap, and aluminum foil.

OH! Yeah! And all that "Powder Sugar" is...

wait for it....

Baking Soda!

Yep, because you can make a mess with it and nothing gets sticky!

This is how the dolls look behind the costume. Partly Cloudy's was the hardest because of how low her head is bent and somehow the holes for her ears got a little too far back - making the cinched hood want to come over her eyes.

I decided not to put the Kinetic Sand footing down, because I wasn't sure if Partly Cloudy was going to stand very well. Her mold tends to be bowlegged and I actually had to heat up her foreleg to adjust it, because all of her contact hooves were almost in an exact line - making it impossible for her to stand.

I originally wanted to have Partly Cloudy's pose to have the dolls more upright, but either the arms were too short or her head wasn't down far enough. The thumbs up pose still work - hard to photograph, but still awesome!

You can see it better on Cupid, but they both have "powder sugar" on their noses to show their messiness. Cupid is so expressional! Especially since her human just knocked over the orange frosting!

One thing I did run into - is that it was a very sunny day when I did the photoshoot. Lots of hard light and shadows. Not to mention that this is supposed to be in an indoor arena.

Then I remembered we had a photographer's reflector. I literally photographed with that thing propped on the arena panel and the top of my head!

Now I just need to remember it for next time I need to get arena photos on super sunny days...

Need to watch the video again?

You can find it on my personal FB page.

(It should be easy to find - I rarely post anything there!)