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Creativity => Customs => Topic started by: MintySocks on February 02, 2017, 09:56:06 PM

Title: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: MintySocks on February 02, 2017, 09:56:06 PM
So I made this. :) I've been trying to sell it as part of a fundraising effort to finance an adoption. I'm having a bit of a tough go of it, mostly tire kickers and people saying "Yay! Cute!" but not buying. So I'm reaching out to all you genius fellow custom arteests to find out what I could do for this girl to increase her curb appeal and make her irresistible. She's pretty basic right now, just left the hair hank-length. What does she need to look more finished? Anything? Just wait it out patiently? I set her at $35, is that a good price?

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Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Baby Sugarberry on February 02, 2017, 10:57:17 PM
I'm probably not the best person to ask given I make my own customs rather than buy other people's, but to me hank-length hair is a turnoff.  It looks unfinished and makes ponies hard to display/handle.  Cut, style and ribbon!  The first thing that came to mind after that is accessories.  Not sure how crafty you are (or what talents you might have access to via others) but HP is full of juicy themed options for accessorizing.  Scarves, hats, wands, capes, broomsticks, cute little familiars, cauldrons, potions, etc. 

I'm also biased against ponies that only have markings on one side, don't like it, even if it's normal for a G3.  I'd much rather see double sided paintwork, even if it's different or more limited on the non-display side.  That's a personal preference though, not sure if it bothers anyone else.  Customs can be a hard sell, particularly themed ones - you're looking for someone who loves two unrelated things, and while both are popular the intersection is a tinier market than the already niche 'MLP custom buyer'.
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: daffodil101 on February 03, 2017, 12:09:32 AM
I'm neither a custom maker nor buyer so not sure how helpful my suggestions would be (I fall into the admire-and-leave category, I'm afraid!)

I agree about the accessories :)  A hat, wand, cape (could you steal them from another toy perhaps?) maybe a DIY spellbook would be super cool.
Maybe you could look around some other communities, try a HP forum and advertise her there?
Good luck!
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Detka21 on February 03, 2017, 09:24:28 AM
I would add a ribbon to the neck with a wand attached to it. Or,  if you can sew, you can make a wizard hat :) EDIT: scarf is a good idea as well!
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Duenia on February 03, 2017, 01:05:08 PM
I'd second the idea for a scarf.

I don't mind the hair length, but I'd definitely recommend doing some styling. Having it completely straight at that length makes it look a bit thin and unfinished, especially since G3s already seem to have rather large heads.
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: kestral_kitsune on February 03, 2017, 06:41:46 PM
ooo hair would make for some lovely pipe cleaner curls,and would definitely say go for accessories
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: MintySocks on February 04, 2017, 10:08:46 AM
Thank you all! I have my creative mojo back and I'm going to report back when this girl is restyled. :lovey:
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Tracks on February 04, 2017, 02:37:24 PM
I'd agree about the hank length hair looking unfinished

Can't wait to see her restyled  :)
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Em_L._Pea_Customs on February 04, 2017, 03:03:44 PM
I definitely think that hair styling and a small accessory/clothes could help her sell at the current price point.  The symbol is really lovely, by the way.  Can't wait to see it finished. :)

ETA:  I thought on it more and I think I would sculpt a wand that could go in her open mouth.  You could mount a magnet inside her snout and then use heavy gauge wire as a base for the wand.  I would also love to see it with a little scarf, maybe even knitted.  Going crazy on well thought out and well made accessories would put her more in the $50+ price point.
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: MintySocks on February 05, 2017, 11:04:44 PM
I'm checking with a knitter friend about getting her a custom-made house scarf. She can micro-knit with toothpicks! Mind blown over here.
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Tracks on February 06, 2017, 04:20:02 AM
Wow I can knit and would consider myself reasonably able to have a go at most things but microknitting with tooth picks  :shocked: Wow!
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: MintySocks on February 07, 2017, 12:52:48 PM
I definitely think that hair styling and a small accessory/clothes could help her sell at the current price point.  The symbol is really lovely, by the way.  Can't wait to see it finished. :)

ETA:  I thought on it more and I think I would sculpt a wand that could go in her open mouth.  You could mount a magnet inside her snout and then use heavy gauge wire as a base for the wand.  I would also love to see it with a little scarf, maybe even knitted.  Going crazy on well thought out and well made accessories would put her more in the $50+ price point.


Thank you. :lovey: That symbol took a couple hours. Magnet idea= genius!
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: LunaMoonCustoms1212 on February 07, 2017, 01:06:38 PM
I would definitely cut her hair, but you may not even have to cut it if you put tight curls in. i don't have much else to say besides accessories, and maybe some body markings? She is looking a little plain.

Hope this helps  ;)
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Uninu on February 10, 2017, 12:38:05 PM
I agree she would be even more fetching with some accessories and some hair styling. Her paint job looks great!
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: MintySocks on February 11, 2017, 12:46:26 AM
Thank you! I'm working on a scarf, witch hat, wand, and hairstyle so far. Luna... what kind of body markings?
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: kestral_kitsune on February 11, 2017, 09:59:26 AM
maybe stockings/socks? a blaze/star or a snip on the nose? in a complimentary color?
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: Duenia on February 11, 2017, 10:37:44 AM
I'd probably wait until you get her accessories on her and her hair done to decide if you wanted to add additional body markings. Since those are already in the works. Don't want to go from too little to too much.
Title: Re: I need advice on a Harry Potter custom.
Post by: LunaMoonCustoms1212 on February 13, 2017, 07:15:01 AM
I'd probably wait until you get her accessories on her and her hair done to decide if you wanted to add additional body markings. Since those are already in the works. Don't want to go from too little to too much.

yep, I agree. I see a lot of customs that are overdone.
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