Novus Antiquae

Honored guests, welcome to NovAnti! Here you will find steamwork wonders, beautiful dolls, and mystical objects for all. Occasional selfies may appear. I have two Etsy shops: Novus Antiquae for human jewelry, and Vanilla Mint Designs for doll jewelry/repaints.

[novusantiquae]

My second-ever BJD, Winter, bought long ago (and also the second-ever doll faceup I did). Inexperienced as I was, I still think her faceup looks really good. In the head-only pics, that’s the original unchanged faceup; In the others, she’s been modified just a tiiiiiny bit after I found her again (her head has been missing for like two years because I have only one body that I share between two heads, and hers wound up in a drawer I never looked in somehow). 

I darkened her brows just a little (I used pale grey instead of light brown, because I always put her in that white wig and white clothes, but her bangs are too much in the way to see). I filled in her lower lashes just a touch, added subtle white eyeliner, and re-glossed her lips. Otherwise, she’s still as pretty as I somehow managed to make her five-ish years ago. (IMHO, anyway. Um.)

Minifee Chloe, of course (I have three; well, two-and-a-head, I guess). The tiny necklace I made for her is genuine freshwater pearls.

The lighting is less good in the “after” photos, which is why her lips/blush look more washed-out. Blargh. 

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Solana looking quite fetching in her new wig. Relaxing with a good book on a lazy Sunday in her new shabby chic “bedroom”!

The room (diorama? Tableau?) isn’t finished yet; I’m painting the black shelf a chalky off-white right now, and the other table needs a better cover at the very least. I’ve also added a window (with a lovely background showing a glimpse into a verdant forest); I’m thinking of trying to make curtains for it, too. Lastly, I’m working on a 1:3 scale fireplace; we’ll see how that goes.

Solana’s faceup and shirt by me; also all bedding, pillows, sheets, coverlet, etc. I also painted the bed and added the decoration (it was a cheap off-brand American Girl bed, hideously white with stupid-looking flowers on the head-and-footboards. I like it much better in chalky blue).

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Don’t forget the awesome Summer Sale right now in Novus Antiquae! No coupon code necessary-- just fill your cart and get an automatic 20% off your purchase of $15 or more! Several coveted out-of-stock items are back in the shop, and there’s something here for everyone, from gamer-geek to mori kei chic to modern pagan jewelry and more! Don’t forget the fandom-inspired scents, soaps, and pins!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NovusAntiquae

SALE ENDS JULY 27TH!

[novusantiquae]

SALE! Automatic 20% off on all orders of $15 or more. OOAK handmade jewelry, soaps, unisex fragrances, geeky fandom pins and more! 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NovusAntiquae

[novusantiquae]

Newest faceup on my newest BJD, which a friend helped me get for my birthday. She’s my first Soom doll-- the NYCC Special Alex Warrior Lady (elf version, obvs.).

Her faceup was challenging-- she’s as big as my Feeple65 Chloe, but she has a smaller head, a much more narrow face, and smaller eye-holes. The eyes I’m using here are temporary-- they’re way too big at 16mm. I think I’ll have to get 14mm, or maybe even 12mm. Wig is temporary too, until I find something I like better. I think she needs bangs of some sort.

Her lips came out WAY more bright magenta than I intended, so I might re-do those too. And finally, I need to finish her body blushing. But I’ve been working on her since mid-April and I REALLY wanted to see her somewhat “finished”.

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There are great new items in the shop, along with plenty of old faves! Handmade OOAK jewelry, unisex game-themed fragrances, pins, soap, and so much more!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NovusAntiquae

[novusantiquae]

I’m hoping to re-open my doll shop on Etsy (Vanilla Mint Designs) very soon! I offer lovely Monster High repaints, great doll-sized jewelry and fun props/accessories (in 1/3, 1/4, and 1/6 playscale sizes), custom faceup/repaint/body blushing commission services for all-sized BJDs and Monster High dolls-- with more awesome items to come! I hope you’ll stop by and take a look at everything I have to offer.

My Etsy shop (still on ‘Vacation’ for now while I re-stock, create more items, and paint more dolls) can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaMintDesigns Do please feel free to hit the “Email me when they’re back” button to receive notification the moment I’m back open for business! Otherwise, watch this Tumblr for updates!

See you soon, doll enthusiasts~!

[novusantiquae]

Can I just say that I can’t friggin’ wait for CandyKittensEmporium on Etsy to re-open after their holiday break? I need more gorgeous eyes for my dolls. Seriously, acrylic and even glass eyes just pale in comparison. I wish I knew how she makes these-- even if I could never be skilled enough to do it myself, it’d be amazing just to know the process involved.

Also I need moar dolls. Too expensive right now-- but I’d love to get another Feeple65 Chloe, or another elfy girl from a different BJD company. <3 All my dolls are MSD except for Avrinne up there; I’d really like to have another SD-sized girl.

(Faceups by me. I love doing faceups! All jewelry by me also. ^^)

[novusantiquae]

I made my beloved doll Avrinne a pair of interchangeable earrings! They’re “clip-on” style fake piercings meant for humans-- but they’re WAY too small to fit on any human ear. They turned out to work wonderfully for this, however, and it’s so much more convenient than gluing a gem to your doll’s ear (or even modding their ears to have piercing holes!). 

I went with tiny key-charms to complement the “handcuffs” theme, but they’re easily switchable with any charm or jewel I want! 

I’m hoping to re-open the BJD shop (Vanilla Mint Designs) on Etsy soon; BJD jewelry and props, faceup/repaint commissions, and repainted Monster High dolls all for sale! Keep an eye on this Tumblr or click the “Email Me When They’re Back” button on my Etsy shop page to know when I’m back in business! 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaMintDesigns

[novusantiquae]

WELCOME TO WINTER SALE!

Get 10% off all orders of $10 or more, now through January 10th, using coupon code 10FOR10 at Novus Antiquae! 

Fantasy and neo-pagan jewelry, unisex fandom fragrances, geeky pins, handmade scented soaps, and so much more! Buy yourself a little something with all of those holiday gift cards, or get a loved one a special belated present that says “I was waiting for the perfect thing to give you”. 

Some items, fragrances, and soaps are already out-of-stock, so don’t delay! Take advantage of the post-holiday sale!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NovusAntiquae

[novusantiquae]

FINALLY getting back to working on dolls. This here is a re-re-redo faceup/body-blushing (I’ve redone this MSD Fairyland Chloe SO MANY TIMES and have never been satisfied with the outcome.) 

However, I sometimes forget how this sort of thing might look to OTHER people... “I know this looks bad, officer, but I SWEAR she was like this when I found her!”

Anyway, my next goal is to get back in the swing of Monster High repaints. Hopefully I’ll be able to re-open my doll shop (Vanilla Mint Designs on Etsy) so I can offer lovely repaints, handmade doll jewelry, and BJD/MH custom faceup/repaint services again!

[novusantiquae]

MH Doll Giveaway Contest Update

I’m SO sorry, but it looks like I’m going to have to cancel the MH doll giveaway contest due to disheartening lack of interest. :( I got only two or three responses, which hardly a contest doth make.

I’ll probably repaint Operetta when I have some free time, then try the giveaway again. Thank you to the few people who entered, and I’m sorry to disappoint. 

[novusantiquae]

I’M NOT ACTUALLY DEAD!

Custom repainted Monster High doll giveaway contest! I’m trying to exercise my waning creativity, and repainting a doll for a lucky winner seems like a great way to flex my brain-muscles. 

Just take a look at the above picture for more details on this contest. This doll will be absolutely FREE, painted as you request, and shipped to your address of choice. Winner will be chosen via a random drawing on December 1st!

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BACK IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! My Etsy shop, Novus Antiquae, is now up and running again-- with tons of new items and plenty of old favorites for all your gift-giving needs! There’s something for just about every taste to peruse, from video game-themed custom unisex fragrances to jewelry for every budget. Pins, soaps, room fragrances and more round out the endless possibilities. Get something for someone you love-- and don’t forget to snag a little something for yourself!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/NovusAntiquae

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SHOPS ON HIATUS

Just an update: Novus Antiquae and Vanilla Mint Designs, my Etsy shops, are currently on hiatus. I’ll announce it here the moment I open back up for business again.

Thank you all for your support and patronage so far. I’m hoping to be back soon with new jewelry, scents, and doll repaints that you’ll all love!

[lilyvonk]

Hi there! I was fortunate enough to take 4 years of life drawing sessions in my college which helped me feel much more comfortable with drawing from life at a faster pace, but mostly what improvement comes down to is repetition. You have to unlearn the instinct that’s afraid of making mistakes, and get hungry for the mistakes instead. 

If you had a 4 hour life drawing session, for instance, and you come out of it with a pile of drawings you hate, then that’s still fantastic progress if you can pinpoint the pattern in the drawings you’ve done that’s bothering you. For most of us I think it takes piles upon piles of trash drawings to push yourself up to the level you want (this blog is continuing proof of my own trash pile) As long as you pay attention to the weakest areas, it will help your subconscious navigate what to improve, gesture by gesture, in the fast pace of a life drawing session. If you can let go of the pressure to make something pretty, it’ll make the short timing much less stressful too.

I guess in short, avoid the poison that is perfectionism at all costs if you’re looking for improvement, and don’t stop drawing! Accuracy will come naturally with repetition, your eye will get better at comparing proportions and noticing trends in anatomy. It’ll be great, just keep going \(ツ)/

[novusantiquae]

Super-good advice for aspiring artists. Lily has tried to help me with my own drawing skills (unfortunately, I’m a lazy and terrible student who doesn’t practice), so I can say her tips are top-notch if you’re dedicated and willing to put in the effort!

[novusantiquae]

I have GOT to find a better backdrop for my doll. She looks so ~ugh~ just sitting on the floor in front of my Ikea shelf.  Anyway, I trimmed her bangs just a tiiiiny bit more; I’m going for my Inquisitor’s hairstyle/color from Dragon Age: Inquisition (hence the Dalish face tattoos as well). Her black asymmetrical dress is a bit plain for my tastes, but I tried to jazz it up a bit with jewelry and a belt (all made by me). Thanks to @lilyvonk for the focal piece on the necklace; it was perfect for what I needed! 

Her gorgeous eyes are, as always, from Candy Kitten’s Emporium on Etsy. I think the shop is currently on hiatus, but it’s worth the wait-- I don’t buy my dolls eyes from anywhere else. (This color is, I believe, “Bewitched” in 16mm.)

(Pssst! Faceup commissions are still a thing I do. I LOVE painting dolls, but when I don’t have any commissions in line I obsessively erase and re-do my own poor dolls. Save them from my meddling by stopping by the shop; any size/model BJD (I’ve done everything from the Feeple65 SD down to tiny Obitsu heads), any Monster High doll, only $20! Body blushing just $5 extra! Your doll, your specifications!)

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaMintDesigns