There's Art Underneath The Microscope

Just when you thought you seen it all, you come across something as extraordinary as this. We've all seen forms of artwork that are truly breathtaking. It could of been a painting, sculpture or landscape. Or maybe it was an abstract that you just had to add to your home collection. Whatever it was that intrigued you, if your a true art enthusiast, this will certainly grab your attention. I'm talking about the creation of microscopic art.

Willard Wigan is the man behind microscopic art. He is a sculptor from Birmingham England that creates tiny works of art placed inside the eye of a needle or atop the head of a pin. As a child with undiagnosed dyslexia, he was ridiculed and made fun of by teachers and classmates for his inability to learn how to read. He attributes his early drive to sculpt to his need to escape the negative attention. Willard's ongoing quest is to create even smaller pieces that can only be viewed through a microscope. In fact, most of his work can measure as little as 0.0002 inches. That's amazing!

Some of his famous pieces include:

• Michelangelo's David
• Lloyd's Building in London
• The Obama family
• and the astronaut Buzz Aldrin

Obama Family

Some of my personal favorites include Bart and Homer Simpson, Betty Boop and Big Mommas House to name a few. So your probably asking yourself, how in the world does he create these sculptures? That's a very good question. Let's take a look, shall we?




First off...

• It takes him on average about 8 hours to complete one sculpture which is physically challenging.

• He's learned to control his breathing and nervous system to ensure he does not make any sudden movement and destroy the work.

• He enters into a meditative state, slowing his heartbeat allowing him to work between heartbeats

• Wigan uses surgical blades or hand made tools to carve. (some are made out of sharpened microscopic sliver of Tungsten) made by attaching a shard of diamond to a pin.

• Nylon, grains of sand, dust fibres, gold and strands of spiderwebs are used to create these sculpt

• Wigan often uses the hair of a deceased housefly to paint his creations

To own one of these works of art of course is going to cost you a pretty penny. They can range anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 Euros (that's about 7,000 to 14,000 Usd's).  If you have the means to invest in these sculptures and are looking to collect something truly unique, you just might want to consider looking in to them. You could be alongside avid collectors such as Sir Elton John, Mike Tyson, Lord Bath and Simon Cowell. Oh yeah, and they also include their own custom display cases! And to think that the dust you clean off of your coffee table, or the sand you vacuum up from your living room floor can actually be used for artistic means. Truly Amazing.

Check Out Some of His Works

Click to View Official Website

Look No Further, These Figurines Are A Must Have

There's no denying it, we all have the same problem time and time again. What would be the perfect gift? I need to find something truly unique that stands out above the rest. How in the world am I going to top last years gift? Hmmm. A personalized gift perhaps.

Personalized Flip Album

Over the years, we have seen the expansion and diverse assortment of personalized gifts on the market due to a continued increase in popularity. These are consumers that choose to go above and beyond the traditional gift or keepsake that have become quite common. Personalized gifts tend to have more sentimental value and lasting appeal than say, a new computer or brand new pair of shoes. Now don't get me wrong, I would love to wake up Christmas morning and find a new laptop waiting for me underneath the tree or a pair of shoes that just happen to match that new outfit I bought the other week. But, it's in our nature to eventually become bored with these things. After a few months or a few years even, we're ready for the next big thing. Suddenly that computer or pair of shoes is not all that great anymore. Especially since they have released a new and improved version of that same computer or pair of shoes that I got to have. These are just examples, but you get my point. Most of the things we purchase or receive as gifts do not have a lasting appeal. I'm not saying that everyone is the same way in this aspect, but the majority of us are. This is what sets a personalized product above any other gift.

Personalized Mug Set

Nowadays you can find many ways to personalize a gift. Everything from mugs, picture frames and clocks, to bar ware, ornaments and t-shirts. Of course, how can I leave out our beloved custom bobblehead dolls! These collectible dolls are sure to bring many laughs and make great conversation pieces. People have become fond of these products and these "wacky head wobblers" continue to increase in popularity as well. All of these types of products are great gift ideas, but let me tell you about a product that displays true creativity, personalization and uniqueness. Try looking into finding collectible figurines. No, I'm not talking about Thomas Kinkade or Hummel figurines, although these are absolutely beautiful and make excellent gifts as well. I'm talking about a fully customized, hand sculpted figure of you or a loved one.

Now I know what your thinking, why would I want a statue of myself? Well, let's think about that for a moment. We all love to take photographs of special occasions or fond memories from our past. It's our way of freezing time, a way to look back at all of the special times we had in life. Now imagine taking one of your favorite photos and creating a three dimensional work of art with it. Imagine displaying this in the curio cabinet in your living room with a personal inscription of that special time. This is certainly not something you see everyday and is sure to be a topic of discussion when guests arrive. This is also a gift that can be passed down in the family for many generations.

Custom Military Figurine Based Off Idea

These pieces are hand painted and sculpted based on a photo or an idea specified by the client. They are made using a polyresin material which allows for adding an intricate level of detail to the sculpture. There are many possibilities in creativity when investing in a custom figurine. Besides having it inscribed, you can add real fabric or beads in some cases. You can also design a beautiful custom base for it. Perhaps the greatest thing about a personalized figurine is the fact that you don't have to base it completely off of a photo. You can give the artist an idea or concept as to how you want it created. It could be something as simple as reading a book or riding a bike, or something mystical such as a winged fairy or a person riding a unicorn.

Custom Wedding Couple Figure

What about a wedding cake for that special day? Instead of the traditional plastic faceless topper, imagine the reactions from your guests when seeing a custom wedding cake topper with the actual faces of the bride and groom! Now you can create your very own figurine for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and more. Choose from a variety of molds or have one made completely custom from head to toe measuring anywhere from 8" to 12" in length. You will also receive unlimited revisions until you are completely satisfied. These exclusive figures can only be found online through Face It Figures.com. So, the next time your considering purchasing a unique gift, try looking into a personalized gift of more sentimental value.

Couple Figurine Created From Submitted Photo 

How Do They Do That?

Take a look at our video and see what goes into making a custom bobblehead or figure. Also featured are a few examples of our work.

How To Find Custom Bobblehead Dolls

by Art Gib, freelance writer on behalf of Face It Figures (28-Jul-2011)

Custom bobblehead dolls are special types of collectible toys that often have oversized heads. These dolls are specially designed and created based on an actual figure, picture or image. There are several companies in the industry that offer bobblehead dolls for all occasions such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other types of parties and events. These dolls are excellent gift ideas and your loved ones will surely be amazed at the likeness of the actual doll figures. Ordering these dolls can be quite difficult, especially if you do not know of companies in your area that offer high quality services. You need to be sure about a company's performance because making these dolls is truly not a joke. It entails a lot of skill and talent to be able to create a single doll that is based on an actual figure; therefore, you need to be very selective when choosing a specific maker or supplier.

If you do not have any idea on where to begin, you can always ask for some recommendations from friends and colleagues who may have an idea about these dolls. You can also look through local malls and doll suppliers because most of them also offer bobblehead dolls that are customized according to your preferences. The internet is also a very rich source of these types of products, and you will be able to see a few listings in the industry that offer the best dolls. Try to check a few user reviews and ratings to see how a company has performed based on the experiences of previous customers. Try to do a thorough background check to be able to come up with a great decision.

When it comes to choosing a specific bobblehead doll supplier, you need to take note of the quality and likeness of the dolls. These dolls are definitely not easy to make, and it takes a very talented sculptor to be able to do the job. Look for a company that has the best sculptors and doll makers who have undergone a high degree of training. It is also advisable to stick with experienced companies because they usually have the best quality of dolls in the market. Try to check the details of the products, including tattoos and logos on the uniforms. Compare the prices and the sizes of the dolls offered by different companies, including the estimated turnaround time for delivery. Weigh all your options selectively and carefully, and hire the services of a supplier that offers the best custom bobblehead dolls at an affordable rate.