Nutshelling

2016 has been extremely light on the hobby side of things so far. Basically, all I've done is...

...this basic English set I started before Christmas and sold in January. 

I have been busy in the studio, but my January and February were spent cramming on art school application projects...

...with the ponies neglected in the corner.

After spending so much time and energy on application projects, the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time in my basement studio on tack. But then I saw Anna of Dreamflite Design list some seconds of her wonderful western tree cast...

...so there is now a bunch of western-ish pieces strewn around the tack side of the work desk. 

Western saddles are always a challenge for me, and this one will require all new patterns, so I doubt I'll get it done anytime soon. Mostly because I've been struck by hobby inspiration once more, and I have a whole host of project ideas cooking!

I've entered this weird stage of being a hobbyist where I'm not even really a hobbyist? I don't really have a model collection (other than my bag of OF bodies for tack fitting), I don't have a high interest in pursuing showing at the moment, and I'm more than happy to just make things and sell them so others can put them to good use. It's an interesting limbo, but I'm quite content for the time being. 

A few things I'm excited about, in no particular order:

• Gorgeous mini artist resins, particularly Mini Hazel (must! acquire!)
• Breyer's new SM molds!
• The barn trend sweeping my blogisphere- I just love props, man. I'm currently aggressively fighting the temptation to make my own (it'll be so small! Hardly take up any room at all!)