Glue Babies April 2025 in Review
more panic shopping, a well-kept art secret, a new diorama, and April lovely things
Hello all and goodbye April!
Thoughts on April
After a few months of a five day work week I feel like I am finally getting into the flow of things. I am the kind of person who likes to go, go, go and get things done, but I have started batching my studio workflow more and it’s cut down on constantly resetting and cleaning my main work table. Now I will work on the miniature sculptures for a few weeks, paint for a week, resin while editing photos so I don’t need my table, etc. The only thing I haven’t worked in perfectly is preparing social media posts. I still struggle to find enthusiasm for filming or editing them, though once they’re done I’m always happy. I think I am just about done posting on TikTok. I’ve met such amazing people there, but it’s just not where I want to be anymore.
In a recent short video, Chelsea Fagan talked about the ROI (return on investment) of a good partner, which is so true. I’ve known artists whose partners were photographers, videographers, fabricators, etc. and if you start paying attention you’ll see how many successful artists have a partner backing them up. If you think “there’s no way they’re doing all this alone,” they probably aren’t. My husband is the shipping department, as you know, but oh how I would love to outsource more to him (like researching equipment or editing long form video, things I will probably never get to on my own). Aside from packing and boxes and shipping them, I run this whole outfit solo1. It’s a lot! This all to say that, if you are struggling to do it all alone and comparing yourselves to others, please do not. You have no idea how many people (often silently) have a second person helping in a major way behind the scenes, even if it’s purely financial. Imagine how creative you would feel if you knew you couldn’t fail, that your bills would get paid no matter what. How could you not thrive? So go easy on yourself.
In other news, I spent another month panic shopping and the positive side is that I shouldn’t have to buy any more supplies for quite a while. I always think best when surrounded by lots of little bits and bobs; now I have lots of options to choose from.
I am also so happy that I finished the second Glue Baby diorama (above) this month. This idea - making larger version of the Tiny Terra - has been something I’ve been kicking around in my head for ages. After the lotus diorama “prototype,” I searched for supplies that would allow me to make the piece versatile to display and also have a removable dome. I had to buy and return a lot of domes and bases before I found the right combination. Research and experimentation is a huge part of the art process that you don’t “see” and it’s easy to forget about. I’m finally happy with the design and feel like it looks like a porthole to another world. Can you imagine a dozen of them on a wall? My dream gallery show! (Manifesting it.) I have started a new one (back to the lotus design), but I’m not sure if it will be ready for May or we will have to wait until June.
April Lovely Things
Here are some lovely things from April that I hope will give you a smile …
This cat statue at the Getty Museum needed a name, and now it has one. Truly, I think the background acting of the employees makes this video and I was all smiles watching it.
Olive aka berry.freshh makes the cutest journals and in this video she goes over a bit of their construction process. I miss collage so badly, I need to jump back in with a collage journal.
All I want from my art is to evoke the whimsy of this Sylvian families fairy castle.
“Dreamer” mask by Darya. I am floored. Now this is what Kid Vampire meant when he called it the ancient art of paper mache.
Suits of armor for mice! I actually had pet rats for the longest time and I would love if they had little tiny suits of armor. Would really help with the slap fights at the food bowl.
I am getting FOMO from these ceramic fake cakes by teagan. They are dreamy.
Need to print this out and frame it.
If you’re looking for a slightly longer watch and you are a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, may I suggest this shot-by-shot analysis of the Mimi Imfurst vs everyone fight. The video is genuinely good, funny, and this fight is iconic. C’mon Teletubby, teleport us to Mars!
May 2025 Lock Screen and Wallpaper
I had multiple photos that I wanted to use this month, but I went with the seahorses because I love the sparkly, pink coral reef they live in and the pops of white look quite pretty on the pink. These are also posted to my IG where I have a monthly Story highlight that I regularly update, and Patreon where paid subscribers get a bonus wallpaper set each month (strawberries this time!).
Thank you for reading the April 2025 recap and I will see you again in a few weeks for a tour of Tiny Terra Series 24.
I don’t even have an accountant which most people will tell you to get.