Structured Critique Wanted

[Foofaraw]

Hi everyone, I usually shy away from these types of things, but I'm in a artistic growth period and find myself wanting this, so here goes.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Feb-2005/19877-floralbunny.jpg

This is a floral sculptural bunny. It measures 34mm from the bottom of the foot to the top of it's ear and is 17mm front to back. It is all one piece and the hole goes down the center through the head and body. It was made on a 1/16th body. Oh and you can't see them in the pic, but it does have little teeth.

Here is what I'm looking for and anything else you would like to comment on.

1. Would it be better for it to be two pieces, a head and body separate?
2. Is the floral bead as a body too much (visually over stimulating?)
3. You can see rosey cheeks peaking out, should those be moved out further?
4. Do the eyes look odd to you?
5. This question you do not have to answer or comment on. I know this is a seasonal item and really not as desirable for big money, however this little critter takes an hour or more to make depending on the complexity of the floral. Do you feel that $60 is too much to ask?
6. Should it be made on a different sized mandrel?

Ok, those are the questions on my mind, let's here some answers and some good ol' fashion critiques!

[Mark Wilson]

i would loose the flower body, it detracts. it is a cute little bunny, but no way would i pay $60 for it. maybe $15.

[Beth Myers]

LOL :D
I love it! And I am not a big fan of cute stuff, but this one is a keeper. You've got a ton of personality and a unique style going for you here.
And from a girls point of view.......winking at Mark ;) ...........I love the floral body! I think it sets it apart from other little bunnies and gives it a more grown up air. My favorite thing hands down, are the ears! I like the simple black eyes, with all you've got going on here, anything else would distract and become too busy. Remember the KISS rule.
Well done, I can't see a thing to improve on.
Beth

The photo is way too "white" for me.....the bunnie is lost and washed out.

[Tvoyak]

Jen,
The bunny is too cute :) I like the floral body - keep it. The eyes are a bit odd for some reason, just can't decide why! I think more like $35 but maybe after you make a few more you could work the price up. it looks a little rough right now but I'll assume it ws your first one. the cheeks are hidden a bit so I would try to move them out a bit or even go with a lighter pink do they are softer.
Good luck and he is really cute!
Tina

[dread]

Very cute -
Me on the other hand likes the flower body as it makes him different from all the rest of the bunnies seen as beads. I think a sculpture takes on its own characteristics as you make each one so whether his little rosy cheeks only peek out on this one - maybe the next should be further out - but that does not make this one any less unique
Price wise - I could not tell you - it is small but small is hard to do for me - so maybe a smaller starting price and let the auction run and that will tell you a range to get you started.
I do my cats in two pieces but they are much larger - again this piece looks just fine as a single bead.
Otherwise it is a a super piece... :clap:

[JoyceMI]

Well now when I looked at it, I loved the floral body. I LOVE floral stuff! And my first thought was, 'oh he cute and different with the floral body'! I like him/her?

I think everything looks great. Eyes are not too wierd, one might be a bit higher but it gives him his own unique look. The cheek dots could have came out just a bit further to see them a tad more. But overall you did great I think. I love the ears!

As for price, that is always a hard question. If you are going to auction him maybe do it with a starting of say $40-45 with a buy it now of $60.

iditing to comment more: when I first looked at him I thought it was in two pieces. I think the fact that you were able to make him in one is great. You don't have to worry about the lower part shifting around and his feet being in back.

[newyorkglitter]

Hi Jenn :wave:, I think he is so cute! I have to say that I do like the floral body but either way on that would be cute. The floal beads is very pretty and I like it in one piece. I don't think there is anything weird or bad about it. He isgreat just like he is! :D as far as price goes, for myself I would probably only pay up to $40.00 but that is only because I only work 2 day's a week. If I had more money the $60.00 wouldn't seem so much. I know it is time consuming and just the fact you can make something like that without it cracking is beyond my skills! :D I love him!!! ;)
Have a great day!

Allison

New York Glitter Designs

[TheRealCosmo]

I'm not a "cute" kind of guy, but I think I would like it better without the floral.

And, sell it for whatever you think it's worth. It's your work. However, I do think $60 is too high. I would suggest $30, but I didn't make it.

[dogmaw]

I find the floral distracting because it looks grey next to the white. I agree that a lighter shade of pink, and a little further from the nose, would be better for the cheeks. But I love those ears! I like that it is all one piece. One of the problems I have with separate bead animals is that the head rotates one way and the body the other, so all the sudden I have a cat looking at it's butt. :)

Jo

[BeadBraker]

Jenn! :wave: :wave:

I love it!

EYES: I have better luck with following:

Lay down black melted dot, put raised dot of clear....then white dot, then teeny black dot. Gives a luminous 3d quality. Very small dots!!! I know it is a lot...but I like the look!

Cheeks: yep...move them out.

Congrats on a gorgous bunny!!
Nancy B in IL
(attaching my bunny to show you the eyes)

[dasi11]

I like it very much. As for the floral body I like that also. BUT I would try a background of white for the flowers. I think pink flowers with a white base would bring it all together. The pink in the ears and a small amount in the cheeks would look great. The gray background looks out of place. To many colors. I do like the idea. As for the cost. Who knows? I never know how to price things. One person think something is a bargain while another person thinks the same thing is a rip off......go figure. I think atleast $30-40 would sell.

[CharleneN]

Jenn I LOVE the flower body! It makes him so unique. I think the pink cheeks could be alittle further out, but it is ok where they are too.

As far as one or two pieces I think maybe one is better. Would it maybe twist around if the head was a second piece? I don't know maybe not.
I can see the teeth and they are adorable. A larger mandrel? I like the smaller 1/16 mandrels and think that size would be great for putting on a wire for hanging. It would sit nice an snug instead of flopping around which sometimes happens with the larger hole size sometimes doesn't.

The eyes...hmmm..they're ok but I bet you could do better. Me I couldn't but I bet you sure could.

All and all I think it is one of the cutest bunnies I have ever seen! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Helen Simon]

Hi Jenn, excellent beadmaker. I love your bunny, and keep the floral belly. You might want to elongate it a bit to make an egg body, drop the snout a bit. Aim for the eye line on the equator of the head, spread the pink cheeks to show more, wire her up with some crystal and let your generous eBay buyers determine the price...she could fetch 3 digits, I bet, especially if you give her some accent beads, not encased to keep her the Star. Love, Helen

[cynthiabead]

Your bunny is great!! It really caught my eye. The floral tummy is what sets it apart from the other bunnies. A more elegant, mature, sophisticated bunny. My instinct would be to lighten the background tummy color just a bit so doesn't distract from the details on the head. The ears are fun. The cheek color could move out a bit. The eyes give the bunny her own personality. Two pieces would give the bunny some movement but everyone is right in that one of the pieces would be backwards.

I'm no expert on the cost part. $60 seems high by itself, though it's worth more because of the time and effort...

Best of luck! :wave:

[Artaholic]

Great bunny :clap: :clap: Love the floral body!! good luck :wave:

[emmadogdesigns]

Hi Jenn!

What a great idea! As for me, I would make the body a simpler floral...the green cane draws too much of my attention from the rest of the muted colors.

You also might want to consider making some on a 3/32. Since he's a "seasonable" item, he would be perfect for change a bead pendants, and those are usually more suited to beads made on the larger mandrels.

I could see you doing a whole series of little critters based on this idea! Let's see...what would be a good summer critter....? :D

[collectiblesbyrose]

The floral tummy is what I love the most! One ear is too long but other than that I'd not change a thing! OH, gosh, I really love the floral tummy! I'd say around $35-$45 would be more reasonable. I'd love one with a blue tummy! I"d keep the "cheeks" as they are, she is bunny...not a person. The eyes look fine to me.

[Trishki]

Hi Jenn -
First of all I think Bunny is adorable!

1. Would it be better for it to be two pieces, a head and body separate? - No- I prefer him as one piece

2. Is the floral bead as a body too much (visually over stimulating?)
No - I love the floral body- as is no changes!

3. You can see rosey cheeks peaking out, should those be moved out further?
Yes, I would move the rosey cheeks a little out and a little up.

4. Do the eyes look odd to you?
The eyes are cute, I like the simplicity. What I would do is to spot heat the area of the eye a bit, then push in and break off and then slightly heat to make round. That way your eyes are sitting in a little depression and it might give them more life. (I think there was some discussion on eyes in the Spotlight for the inner child.)

5. This question you do not have to answer or comment on. I know this is a seasonal item and really not as desirable for big money, however this little critter takes an hour or more to make depending on the complexity of the floral. Do you feel that $60 is too much to ask?
I think he might easily go up to that amount (or more!), but you would probably get a bit better bidding if you start lower. (Although that might be a bit risky) Also, you might want to include just a couple of matching beads. Like white with pinks cheeky spots or a couple of whitehearts matching one or two of the colors in the body. It is a small addition, but all of a sudden it becomes a mini set, that someone can make maybe a pair of earrings to go with the pendant or something like that. You could also list a set of florals that matches the bunny in a separate auction, and sell Bunny as a "focal" separately. Just a few thoughts.

6. Should it be made on a different sized mandrel?
I personally make pretty much everything on 1/16's, and I don't know much about the diameter of the interchangable bead pendant pins - but I think it is good advice to make it so that it would fit one of those.

One more comment...while I personally really like beads displayed on white backgrounds - I think this particular one might benefit from a colored background. Colors that come to mind are a bright sunny yellow (gets you in the easter spirit), a light pink or a light green that match some of the colors in Bunny.

I think you've got yourself a winner. I have to admit that when I first saw the bead - what first came to mind was "ah, a Corinabead" - and I mean that as a COMPLIMENT - it is just innovative and very well executed - and I'm NOT AT ALL implying that you've copied her ( I know you didn't) -just that it is a fun, cute stylish bead that looks well made. It sort of has that combination of the sophistication of a pretty floral, and the whimsy of a sculptural easter bunny in one. I like it!

[beadsbylaura]

Jenn

I think he is just perfect in every way! :clap:

Clever you!

Laura :)

[tammiemabe]

Jenn,
I think your bunny is absolutely adorable just the way it is, and I don't think $60 is too much. CUTE!!

[GardensOnGlass]

Jenn, it's a great bead. I very, very much like the floral body, I wouldn't lessen the floral aspect at all. As previously stated, it sets the bead apart from other bunny beads out there. I agree with a couple of comments about the pink cheeks, I think they'd look great showing just a tiny bit more as Patricia suggested. Nancy had a terrific suggestion about the eyes. Might be worth a try. I really, really like the fact that it's one bead, not two. I have several sculptural beads that have a separate head & like them a lot, but I think the fact that the head and body are one on yours, again, sets it apart. As far as price, I think $35 or $39.99 as a starting price is a fair starting place. I think it would probably go higher, but I think that's a fair starting point. As a buyer, and it's probably a psychological thing, I'm more apt to put a higher maximum bid (my maximum) on a bead that's moderately priced. When I see them priced too high, I tend to shy away from bidding, even if I'm willing to pay the requested bid price. I'm sure that makes no sense.

[Plato]

1. Would it be better for it to be two pieces, a head and body separate?
2. Is the floral bead as a body too much (visually over stimulating?)
3. You can see rosey cheeks peaking out, should those be moved out further?
4. Do the eyes look odd to you?
5. This question you do not have to answer or comment on. I know this is a seasonal item and really not as desirable for big money, however this little critter takes an hour or more to make depending on the complexity of the floral. Do you feel that $60 is too much to ask?
6. Should it be made on a different sized mandrel?


I like the one piece body, but I don`t like the floral bead :o It doesn`t flow as one piece :( The first thing I saw was a bunny holding a bead. The second thing I saw was a floral bead with a bunny head and limbs attached :eek:

The cheeks need to be moved out a little and lowered :wink2: I like the dot eyes, but they are not placed evenly.....And perhaps a little lower on the head and (maybe) wider.....

Without the bead, you could make a more reasonably priced bunny and increase your sales... making more dollars per torch hour and improving your skills at the same time... :wink2:

:o You asked :p

Plato :) (Old critter maker and guy :p )

[Foofaraw]

I appreciate everyone's tips and comments but am closing this discussion. Last night after reading all of them, Trish's comments about Corina yanked a memory out that I didn't even know what there. I spent a good part of last night going through all of my bead porn and books and found a very similar bunny that Corina did last year. I guess it had been in my head and I didn't realize it. I apologize for not knowing earlier, please know that I in no way blatantly copied Corina, I don't do that. And although the colors are the same, it was just in my head. I'll be more careful next time.

[GardensOnGlass]

Jenn, I think you should reconsider. First of all, I don't think Corina would mind or point fingers. Second, use this bunny as a jumping off point. Try going in a different direction with him. New tummy, different ear shape, I'm sure there are lots of things you could do. You're very talented!

[Plato]

Jenn, I think you should reconsider. First of all, I don't think Corina would mind or point fingers. Second, use this bunny as a jumping off point. Try going in a different direction with him. New tummy, different ear shape, I'm sure there are lots of things you could do. You're very talented!

Yes,yes...please continue...a critique is to help you grow...not to make you stop growing :)

I wouldn`t critique your work if I didn`t respect your art ;)

Plato :)

[sterrekind]

I just love your bunny, and I wanted to reply on your last posting.

Off course you're not copying Corina. Just because she did a certain color combo once does'nt mean you can't do the same thing. You did'nt even know about it till after Trish mentioned it's a corina-bead. I really would take this as a huge compliment since Corina is kind of a bead-goeroe ( don;t know if you all know this word goeroe, means something like godess)

And another thing, Corina made a beautifull book with a lot of pointers in it to use, not to practice and never use it again. I would think it would be a lot worse if you told everybody this was a corinabead, because you are throwing your own wonderfull skills away then!

You should be darn proud of this baby and I would definetly buy it if I had that kind of money.

Love, Suzanne

(ps excuse my comunication skills, I'm dutch and translate directly from dutch to english, hope I made sence without being forward or anything)

[sterrekind]

( and since when does Corina have the single right to make these beads :p just kidding)

[MistyCherie]

I appreciate everyone's tips and comments but am closing this discussion. Last night after reading all of them, Trish's comments about Corina yanked a memory out that I didn't even know what there. I spent a good part of last night going through all of my bead porn and books and found a very similar bunny that Corina did last year. I guess it had been in my head and I didn't realize it. I apologize for not knowing earlier, please know that I in no way blatantly copied Corina, I don't do that. And although the colors are the same, it was just in my head. I'll be more careful next time.

I wouldn't feel this way because bunnies are pink, and if you're doing florals then you need green. ANYBODY could have come up with that color combo just thinking about spring and bunnies. *squish*

As far as critique. I do love the floral body. Move the cheeks out since they're a little hard to see. I like the facial structure, but think you need to add more depth to the eyes. I understand why some people would like to keep them very simple, but I think a little depth in the eyes would balance out the lots of depth in the floral body. (Maybe do white base with clear and a green eye or a blue eye?) Maybe try to make the paw area more paw-shaped? I think I see some finger ridges but am not sure. Also, I don't think you need to bring them as far in front-- or maybe fold the arms up to make it look like he/she's resting her chin on her paws? so very tight V's for the arms. (That would show a little more of the body if you did that.) I like the ears, but I think it makes it more unwearable (for fear of breakage). Maybe make them shorter, but still have the flop. Did you put dark pink on the bottom of the bottom paws? (Just curious...) I think it would work either being two pieces or one. You may prefer trying it as 2 pieces because it may be easier to make--it may also be easier to swap heads/bodies around for different color combos (if you like). Not sure if *I* would pay $65, even though I know your time is worth it--because I have a really hard time spending that much money on anything! I'm not saying it's not worth it, because I think it is a beautiful and adorable bunny--just that that price would just keep it out of my buying range.

*squish*

-Misty

[Connie Bennett]

I think he's sweet!! Love the floral body. Don't have a problem with the eyes at all. I have no clue about the pricing....just getting into that myself, but the bunny is unique and I'm sure someone will snatch it up!

Connie