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Description
Happy New Year, everybody! You may have noticed that there hasn't been much art from me lately. Well, there's a simple reason for that. When I came home for Christmas, I not only got to reunite with my family and my home, but something else that I had been separated from all this time: my modeling clay. Back in the day, I used this squishy stuff and a ton of fine-picking tools to sculpt and create numerous characters, jewelry, and even set props for my photoshoots. Coming home this year after a nearly 2-year hiatus from the clay, I was thrilled to find I had not lost the knack nor had my stored clay lost its modeling properties. We were both ready to go!

A merchandise line called Disney Doorables had been producing these tiny and surprisingly-quality figurines for quite some time, now just entering Series 9. Each series picks a few Disney movies, makes 5 to 7 characters based on each movie, and sells the figures in blind bags (each with a specific rarity value). You know, typical selling strategy that drives the soccer-mums crazy and rakes in sales like no tomorrow. At the time I discovered them, they were in the middle of Series 8...and what caught my interest was that Wreck-It Ralph was one of the selected movies. Even better news, this selection had a total of 9 characters (12 if you count 3 made for a Target exclusive pack), the highest number of characters I had ever seen. Best news of all, 6 of them were Sugar Rush Racers, some of whom have not had merch since their debut with the first movie. So naturally, I went crazy trying to get them. I eventually scored Vanellope, Rancis, Candlehead, Ralph, and Felix, along with Taffyta (who is currently due to arrive in the mail). The last ones in my hunt are Jubileena and Snowanna.

As awesome as it is that they have finally given attention to long-forgotten Sugar Rush racer characters...they didn't make everyone. So what does a guy like me who has access to his clay and modeling tools for a month supposed to do? That's right! I make them myself! The month of December was crazy busy, but I found the time to craft the 5 remaining racers who did not make it into the Doorables series: Minty, Adorabeezle, Gloyd, Crumbelina, and Swizzle. I tried to imitate the Doorables style with huge heads and eyes, and tiny bodies, and even added a 3D-printed base for each racer, including the ones bought from the toy line. This has been an exciting venture and I'm pleased with the way they came out! The order as you see them in those bubbles is the order that I made them (observe the subtle improvements). I also made those sweet treats. Clay is fun! Who knows what I'll make next Christmas when I can come home and do this again? Perhaps I'll have Jubileena and Snowanna in my hands by the year's end. If I don't, I will make them just like the others!

Speaking of merch, they're making 2 chapter books focused on the Sugar Rush racers set for release in June 2023...this year is showing great promise.

Description
Happy New Year, everybody! You may have noticed that there hasn't been much art from me lately. Well, there's a simple reason for that. When I came home for Christmas, I not only got to reunite with my family and my home, but something else that I had been separated from all this time: my modeling clay. Back in the day, I used this squishy stuff and a ton of fine-picking tools to sculpt and create numerous characters, jewelry, and even set props for my photoshoots. Coming home this year after a nearly 2-year hiatus from the clay, I was thrilled to find I had not lost the knack nor had my stored clay lost its modeling properties. We were both ready to go!

A merchandise line called Disney Doorables had been producing these tiny and surprisingly-quality figurines for quite some time, now just entering Series 9. Each series picks a few Disney movies, makes 5 to 7 characters based on each movie, and sells the figures in blind bags (each with a specific rarity value). You know, typical selling strategy that drives the soccer-mums crazy and rakes in sales like no tomorrow. At the time I discovered them, they were in the middle of Series 8...and what caught my interest was that Wreck-It Ralph was one of the selected movies. Even better news, this selection had a total of 9 characters (12 if you count 3 made for a Target exclusive pack), the highest number of characters I had ever seen. Best news of all, 6 of them were Sugar Rush Racers, some of whom have not had merch since their debut with the first movie. So naturally, I went crazy trying to get them. I eventually scored Vanellope, Rancis, Candlehead, Ralph, and Felix, along with Taffyta (who is currently due to arrive in the mail). The last ones in my hunt are Jubileena and Snowanna.

As awesome as it is that they have finally given attention to long-forgotten Sugar Rush racer characters...they didn't make everyone. So what does a guy like me who has access to his clay and modeling tools for a month supposed to do? That's right! I make them myself! The month of December was crazy busy, but I found the time to craft the 5 remaining racers who did not make it into the Doorables series: Minty, Adorabeezle, Gloyd, Crumbelina, and Swizzle. I tried to imitate the Doorables style with huge heads and eyes, and tiny bodies, and even added a 3D-printed base for each racer, including the ones bought from the toy line. This has been an exciting venture and I'm pleased with the way they came out! The order as you see them in those bubbles is the order that I made them (observe the subtle improvements). I also made those sweet treats. Clay is fun! Who knows what I'll make next Christmas when I can come home and do this again? Perhaps I'll have Jubileena and Snowanna in my hands by the year's end. If I don't, I will make them just like the others!

Speaking of merch, they're making 2 chapter books focused on the Sugar Rush racers set for release in June 2023...this year is showing great promise.