In today's episode, I wanted to talk about a few techniques I have been experimenting with to make custom action figures. I have, up until now, been using epoxy clay, which you can mold and sculpt until it hardens after about an hour, then sand or file it down until it is the way you want it. It works great, but it creates a hybrid dried clay - plastic figure that while durable to an extent, is still somewhat brittle. I have been looking for a way to create an all-plastic figure for the sake of durability (without injection molding). The last few weeks, I have been playing around with a kind of thermoplastic called Instamorph that softens into a moldable putty when heated to 150 degrees F. While it does cure very fast, it can be heated back up again with a heat gun or a soldering iron and sculpted, just like epoxy clay. As far as I can tell, it's safe to do this and does not release noxious gasses in the process. It anneals directly to the plastic of the figure and, when cool, forms a solid piece, a bit like lamination. It can also be dyed in the soft phase to potentially replace or minimize the need for painting. Speaking of which, I also experimented with applying paint while the plastic is hot, something called plastic annealing, which I think will be especially helpful with joints and other areas of frequent paint rub. There's more on this, plus some visuals, on this video I made. I also talk about some goals for 2026, some of which I talked about last week. The major areas I want to focus on are: -Music - continuing to learn how to use DAWs to make music electronically -Writing - working on The Thirteenth Hour sequel on a consistent basis -Toymaking - continuing to use techniques like this to find new ways of making different kinds of figures more easily and with a wider range of base figures with less prep work needed -Podcasting - adding creators' corner chats and livestreaming of things adjacent to the podcast, like editing writing or making models Wishing you the best in the new year! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Signup for the mailing list for a free special edition podcast, a demo copy of The Thirteenth Hour, and access to retro 80s soundtrack!Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Join the Thirteenth Hour Arts Group over on Facebook, a growing community of creative people.Have this podcast conveniently delivered to you each week on Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, Tunein, and Googleplay Music.Follow The Thirteenth Hour’s Instagram pages: @the13thhr for your random postings on ninjas, martial arts, archery, flips, breakdancing, fantasy art and and @the13thhr.ost for more 80s music, movies, and songs from The Thirteenth Hour books and soundtrack.Listen to Long Ago Not So Far Away, the Thirteenth Hour soundtrack online at: https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/ or Spotify. Join the mailing list for a digital free copy. You can also get it on CD or tape.Website: https://13thhr.wordpress.comBook trailer: http://bit.ly/1VhJhXYInterested in reading and reviewing The Thirteenth Hour for a free book? Just email me at writejoshuablum@gmail.com for more details!
