Cutting Corners

I would have to say I don't  have a lot of money to spend on my models. I buy cheap bodies to customized them and with tack I make my own... or cut corners. I will let you know my tips and tricks through out this blog.

This english saddle I made from a bag of scrap leather I found, I think it was my mums handbag once. The bridle I bought of ebay for only $20 and the stirrups were only $7.50 from Rio Rondo. My set up has placed first at Bowral Live. 

 

  My racing set was made out of a breyer 80's racing set, bought on ebay for $10. I remade the girth to a elastic one with over girth. The bridle is the same one as above but with new racing reins and shadow roll. Easy to switch the reins and remove the roll. Took out Grand National Champion at DUN.  

My western set was the first tack I ever made. Its a kit from Rio Rondo, only $24 but what it taught me was priceless! I highly recommend this kit if your starting out. 

Western show halter was made with leather lace and parts for yet again Rio Rondo. The silver plates are  are made out of aluminum. I will do a post about how to make them and other silver parts.

Arabian Costume

I'm going to take on some thing I have never thought I would ever make, a native Arabian costume. I'm  terrible at sewing, I don't know why in the world I decided to take this on. Going mad maybe? I think it was the beautiful turkish rugs I found by chance a while back. 

The main colour will be the red, the other tassels yellow and blue. I don't have much of a pattern... just going off what I have seen. So if you have any tips or tricks please let me know! 

This could be a complete fail but I will keep you updated to how it turns out. I've only just started the halter and so far so good, touch wood. As for Wee Dini he is prepped I'm waiting for a nice day to prime him, nothing but rain here.

Showing Off

I thought I would show you some of my finished work. I'm still learning and practicing how to do most things. I've painted 6 stablemates, 5 classics and etched a couple. Looking forward to painting a lot more!

Breyer warmblood jumper to dapple grey hunter,

back legs raised, neck lowered, braided mane and tail.    

Breyer Belgian to show Clydesdale,

feathers, mane and decoration added.

Breyer Thoroughbred to Polo Pony,

roach mane and polo braided tail.

Breyer Morgan to National Show Horse,

straightened head, new mane and tail. 

Breyer Duchess to stock horse,

smoothed out bumps,  new mane and tail.

Removing Stains

While I was making adjustment to my western saddle set, I accidentally stained my Breyer Windtalker. I left the saddle on him to long in the heat, doh.

A little hard to see in the photo but there is two orange/brown mark down his barrel. I tried soap, warm water, every cleaning product in the house but nothing would remove it. After some research on the internet I came across a method of removing stains with bleach. You soak the paper towel with the bleach and sit it on the marks. Do not rub it it might remove the paint! It might take a few hours but soon the bleach will remove the stain.

Doc's Fly Bar is as good as new!

Bowral Live 2012

On the 7th of January the first live show of the year was held. It was a spectacular sunny day and a perfect place for a live, Bong Bong Racecourse. With huge open windows letting in the delicious sunlight, highlighting the quality of the models in the ring and getting a birds eye view of the real horse show going ons out in the grounds.  Thank you Georgie Beresford for putting on this wonderful event.

Here are some photos from the day, please forgive me if I get any ones horses mixed up.

The view from the live show window.

Sparkle Rey, owned by Jennie Johnston.

Cool Change, owned by Wendy Hinson. 

Tanami, owned by Libby Eyre.

DP Synchrony, owned by April Rattery.

Atticus, owned by Georgie Beresford.

Lickety Split, owned by me, Fiona Covert.

Collectors Group winner, owned by Jess Grimes.

Geronimo owned & painted by me, Fiona Covert.

Burlesque, owned by Libby Eyre.

I bought my first resin! Cant wait to put some clothes on him. 

And here is some of the real ones. (Well the ones that breathe.)

Off & Running!

Welcome to the blog of Covert Studios! I'm Fiona Covert from Sydney, Australia. It was my New Years resolution to make a blog about my model horse creations. I mostly customize breyer model horses but I also make props, tack and etch. I hope to keep up to date as possible! Thank you for stopping by.