Introduction
Hello! I’m Sasha (aka MsBigPileofDust). I create custom made action figures and ornaments for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Fray and Firefly. A few of them have been posted on Buffy.nu before here and here. To see all my work, please look at my website http://www.btinternet.com/ msbigpileofdust.
Disclaimer
To quote Willow from The Initiative: “Vague disclaimer so that no one’s threatened!”.
First of all I’d like to say that none of my work would be possible without the superb action figures produced by Moore Action Collectibles (mooreaction.com), now in conjunction with Diamond Select Toys (diamondselecttoys.com). They create flawless sculptures which are then factory produced as plastic action figures and resin ornaments.
I attack them with scalpels, sculpt over them, boil them, glue them and paint them. Bwah Ha Ha! My work is hand-made and far from perfect. I’m an amateur and I only discovered my artistic side recently through my adoration of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I do sell my work either privately or on e-bay but it is a hobby for me, not a business, and the parts have sometimes cost more than the price of the customs.
Some of the folks at Moore have seen my website and they are not offended by my Frankenstein creations.
Inspiration
Joss Whedon is my hero. I adore all his work. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my first love but I also have room in my heart for Angel and Firefly. I read series one of the Fray comics recently and now I’m inspired to do my first comic book line.
I interact with a great community at the BTVSFigs forum (btvsfigs.proboards22.com). I was introduced to it by Flobbster (geocities.com/rigby22003/Flobboscustoms.html). He does exceptional work, which inspired me to start customising, as do many of the other folk at the site. To name but a few: JediDoug (geocities.com/touchthefire2000), Alyrenee (geocities.com/alyrenee/buffycustommenu.html), BuffyAngel1 (freewebs.com/buffy_angel1/index.htm).
I am a member of the Custom Coalition (pilliod.net/coalition1.htm) managed by Casimir. He also hosted the CustomCon10 last week, where my Fool for Love figures were featured (toymania.com/custom/CustomCon10/Sasha/buffy.htm).
Examples
Here are a few examples of the before and after. As you can see, I love using Drusilla’s figure.
No Sculpting
The photo on the left shows the Faith figure and Cheerleader Cordy figure made by Moore. The photo on the right is my custom figure for Kendra the Vampire Slayer (from What’s My Line).
I darkened her skin, gave her fuller lips and rounded eyebrows. I used silver pen for her jewellery but the earrings are made from wire. I used wool for the pony-tail.
The photo on the left shows the Drusilla figure and Buffy figure made by Moore. The photo on the right is my custom figure for Minimal-Drool Buffy (from Hush).
I cut the bodice to make it v-necked and repainted the bottom to be asymmetric. I also feathered her hair. She has Cordy’s shoulder bag as an accessory and a large box of voices from the 12" Sideshow line.
The photo on the left shows the Drusilla statue made by Moore. The photo on the right is my custom figure for Musical-Chairs Dru (from Crush).
I darkened Dru’s hair and lightened her skin tone. I used white pen for the bodice and skirt pattern and silver for the jewellery and scarf. The dolls came with the Dru figure.
With Sculpting
The photo on the left shows the original Willow figure and Buffy figure made by Moore. The photo on the right is my custom figure for Scythe-Swinging Buffy (from Chosen).
I sculpted the extended camisole, the jacket and the flared part of the jeans. I feathered the hair and added a few tendrils around the face and war wounds. The scythe is taken from White Witch Willow.
The photo on the left shows the Drusilla figure and Cordy figure made by Moore. The photo on the right is my custom figure for Pylean-Princess Cordy (from Through the Looking Glass).
I trimmed the hair and sculpted the tiara and necklace. I shaved down the bodice, then sculpted the sequins around the bosom and hips. I also sculpted the scarf. The see-through chiffon skirt effect was done with paint. The details on the skirt and body jewellery were done with metallic pens.
The photo on the left shows the Drusilla figure and Smiling Willow figure made by Moore. The photo on the right is my custom figure for Lethe’s-Bramble Willow (from Once More with Feeling).
I removed her existing hair and sculpted it to shoulder length. I also altered the dress style. The dress pattern is done with paint and metallic pens. She is holding Lethe’s bramble made from Dru’s rose.
Tools & Directions
Customisers use all kinds of different tools. I live in the UK and use these: Super Sculpey, Liquitex Acrylic Paints, Uni-Ball Gel Pens and Windsor & Newton Matt Spray.
If you soak the plastic figures in recently boiled water for a few minutes to soften them, the heads and limbs pop off easily. If you are planning to resculpt hair, it’s a good idea to cut off existing hair first to avoid the big-hair syndrome (I’m guilty of this with a few of mine).
Super sculpey is soft for moulding onto the figures. I find I can achieve most things with my thumbs and a pointy stick (much like Buffy herself)! You are supposed to bake sculpey clay but this would damage the plastic figure, so boil it instead. When you are happy with the sculpt, put it in a pan of lightly boiling water for 2 minutes. This hardens the sculpey.
You can then paint the figure. I use at least 2 coats. If you want to create a shine for leather or satin effect, mix a tiny bit of silver paint with lots of water and do a third coat as a wash. I often use red metallic pen for lips and gold/bronze pens for hair highlights or clothing detail. If you use pens, make sure to spray the figure with a sealant, as the pens can smudge. I prefer matt, because gloss makes the figures too shiny.
For more tips on customising, see Toymania.com.
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