A few of my humble Lovecraftian creations (photo heavy)

[Herbert West]

 Hello all. (lord, introductions are soo awkward) I've only just started here, and have only officially been into the Steam scene since the Fall, thanks to Steamcon here locally.

 As you can probably tell, I'm mostly into the Lovecraft side of things and thanks to Promnomicon (who I think I've seen around here) got into prop making just a few months ago. Since I've always had trouble keeping my projects tidy, and I'm working on a very small budget, most of my creations tend to be worn and decayed looking, like something found in a tomb or an abandoned cellar.
 Lately I've just been doing small boxes, but I've tried my hand at Things in bottles, tome making, and even a steampunk style walking stick and log book. I thought I'd show off a few creations and possibly get some feedback from the experts.

 And I do appologize for my poor photography skills.

A few small knick-knacks I've cobbled together between projects.



My first 'Thing in a bottle'




A small 'Great Race' box with copper trim and rivets. Made from a cheap $1 box I found at the craft store.




My preserved Mandrake root.



 I have more, but I don't want to swamp the board with pics my first time out of the gate. I'll post more later if theres enough interest.

[garato78]

these are cool in an odd way? it has a very caribbean look to it.

[Pocko]

The thing in a bottle looks really authentic, but the Mandrake root is my favourite. Please show us some more of your stuff!

[Paulstaf Green]

Really loving the Thing in Bottle, I've considered making something skin to that myself, but not had the time with college work and things. I will do it eventually and we can compare or something.
Love the other pieces too, they're all fantastic and I'm an avid follower of Lovecraft.

[SeVeNeVeS]

Cant go wrong with "a thing" in bottle, jar or vial as far as Im concerned. Some interesting stuff you have created so far, and I for one, would like to see a little more of your creations, if you would be so kind to show us all.

~SeVeN~

[Dr. Madd]

I'm gonna have to be the one who asks: What is in the jars?

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

The 'Thing in a bottle' is really rather lovely. Please do show more.

Given your forum name and the title of the thread I was expecting to see... well, say we just say something a little more animated. 

[Herbert West]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Much appreciated. Here are a few more shots of my TiaB.


The front side (including my atrocious handwriting)



 Heres the little darling before he was pickled.



Hes basically Super Skulpy over a foil armature, painted with acrylic then a thin layer of latex carpet sealer. This was my very first creation so I didn't realize at the time that latex soaks up water and turns white. So he took a lot of touching up before I was happy with the finished product.
 After much trial and error, I found that a few drops of brown acrylic ink colored the water a really nasty yellowish brown. Much more realistic  than food coloring. Then the outside  of the jar was lightly sprayed with matte clear fixative to frost the glass.

 Heres another one I did around Christmastime for a friend.






And a few more shots of the mandrake box.

Inside the lid.



And the outside.





 Not bad for a $4 pinewood box I found at a craft store.

I'm gonna have to be the one who asks: What is in the jars?

You mean the big one, or the tiny bottles in the first shot?

The 'Thing in a bottle' is really rather lovely. Please do show more.

Given your forum name and the title of the thread I was expecting to see... well, say we just say something a little more animated.  

I was planning to, but sadly none of them have been QUITE fresh enough...

 Hope you enjoy. I'll be back with a few more items tomorrow.

[Clym Angus]

Very nice work sir!

[Herbert West]

Time for another creation. This one will probably be going to a friend this weekend. I'll miss it as its probably my favorite so far.

Yet again, a $2 box from Michaels craft store thats been abused with wood stain, files, and Professor Dremel's miracle crafting tool.

Top.



 Underside



 And the interior.



The specimen itself.


Closeup of the 'tooth' base.



More to come, unless you're all sick of me already.

[Lady Ashgrove]

may I see some more please sir?

and what did you put in those baby jars in the first pic please?

[Clym Angus]

Ha ha ha! I see a house in your future full of interesting things! That guest will explore at their peril!
A pertinent perveyer of perpetual peculiarities, promoting aberrant strangulation of the sanguine intellect and will.

Keep up the splendid work.

[Herbert West]

may I see some more please sir?

and what did you put in those baby jars in the first pic please?

 Ah sorry, I forgot. They're actually just tiny vials, about 1.25 inches long (should have put a ruler in the pic dangit)

 One is just something from the spice rack. Oregano maybe? Another is baking soda with a few specks of black pepper. The third is a small latex worm that unfortunately seems to have absorbed all the water in the bottle and swollen up.
 Props *snicker* to Propnomicon for the easy worm making technique.

 Oh, and I should also give him credit for the fang pictured above.  It was based on one of his creations. I just boxed it up.

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

Heres the little darling before he was pickled.

An embryonic Cthulhu! How sweet! 

Jolly nice stuff, Sir.

[Herbert West]

You're too kind Captain. Thank you very much.

Well heres my last finished project. But never fear, construction of new horrors continues.

I decided to have a bit of fun with this one, and just go way over the top. He will most likely end up in this years SteamCon art show.

Again, its a $2 wooden box. Stained and distressed, with tentacles constructed out of Skulpy. The slime is clear casting resin dabbled on with a Q-tip. Adds a bit of sturdiness as well.

Note: I've added a bit more slime since these photos were taken.










Oh, you want a peek inside you say?  

[JennyWren]

Lovely work, would love to see more

[markf]

Ditto, first rate stuff. markf

[Herbert West]

Thanks again everyone.

Hmmm, note to self. Next time I do a 'Thing in a Box', try to figure out a way to make the wee beastie extend to the edges and up the sides of interior.

[rovingjack]

Thanks again everyone.

Hmmm, note to self. Next time I do a 'Thing in a Box', try to figure out a way to make the wee beastie extend to the edges and up the sides of interior.

depending on the means of creation there are some options. If it's poured liquid of a thin consistancy a turn table with the object ever so slightly off center would help with a irregular bowl at the bottom, thicker liquids can be rolled on there sides just fast enough to allow slight flow but relying on the viscousity  to prevent over much. Or you can pour the material back and fourth between two of them. Just some thoughts.

I like some of the work here it very much matches some things I've been working on. But I fear your are maybe a bit better.

[Herbert West]

depending on the means of creation there are some options. If it's poured liquid of a thin consistancy a turn table with the object ever so slightly off center would help with a irregular bowl at the bottom, thicker liquids can be rolled on there sides just fast enough to allow slight flow but relying on the viscousity  to prevent over much. Or you can pour the material back and fourth between two of them. Just some thoughts.

Oooh that would work. Fill in the gaps with epoxy putty, which doesn't require baking, then coat the lot with clear resin. *smacks forehead for not thinking of it himself* Thanks!

I like some of the work here it very much matches some things I've been working on. But I fear your are maybe a bit better.

 Aww, thanks Jack, you're too kind. Wouldn't mind seeing some of your creations though. Are they here anywhere?

 I confess these are my first attempts at making things like these. But I've been a scale model builder most of my life. So I guess thats helped.

 The only downside is it interferes with my steampunk creations. I keep wanting to age and weather everything.

[Professor Griffiths]

Good Day Mr. West. I write from my office here at Miskatonic University. Do you also hail from Miskatonic?

As to your specimens, you sir have found some wonderful specimens and would love to meet with you at the University.

Professor Balthazar Griffiths
Miskatonic University

[Herbert West]

 A pleasure to meet you Professor! I am indeed a member of that proud institution, although my particular area of study lean toward the quieter hours of the day. Perhaps a meeting might be arranged during daylight hours?

[Endeavour Cull]

You Sir, make awesome stuff!!

[MillicentFinnVonHerts]

I am inspired and teriffied, the group here at d&d love your creations, keep on that taxidermy


MillieFinn

[Professor Griffiths]

A Daytime meeting would be welcome. Though I teach a few classes  usually give only Lectures at the University. I spend a majority of my time visiting places within my field of study and procuring items to bring back and study.

Perhaps you can name the time and place we meet?