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FeepFAQ | |
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This is where you can find out all the dirt on Feeping Creatures and Dylan Edwards. These questions are the ones I do, in fact, get asked most often. If you've got a question you don't see answered here, drop me an email (sorry, it's a graphic in a potentially futile attempt to fool spambots; you'll have to type it in to your email client): |
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So, what are Feeping Creatures, anyway? What can I do with them? Do you make these? What are the figurines made of? Are they fragile? Are the figurines painted? Why are some of the feeps signed "Dylan" and others "NDR"? Do you do commissions? What's the best way to buy some feeps? How big are the feeps, exactly? How do you keep them from getting covered in fingerprints?
Q: So, what are Feeping Creatures, anyway? A: The short answer: Feeping Creatures are creatures that look like they'd go "Feep!" The longer and more accurate answer: "Feeping Creatures" is a programming term, a spoonerism of "creeping features." What are creeping features? They are extraneous bells and whistles added to a piece of software that bog it down and make it into a sprawling, lumbering beast. For example, you know a creeping feature is coming when a software developer says, "This is a great spreadsheet program, but what it really needs is a clock function that changes color according to the phases of the moon!" Or when a client sends a request to the programmers that an animated paper clip needs to be added to a word processing program in order to tell users that they may, in fact, be writing a letter.
Q: What can I do with them? A: Depends on the feep, of course. For your basic figurine feep, one option is to set it on your computer. If you're a software developer, you can look at the feep periodically to remind yourself to ask the hard-hitting question of whether or not this spreadsheet program really needs a color-changing moon-phases clock. If you're a software user, you can gaze upon the feep to calm your nerves after the paper clip interrupts you to inform you of the letterish format of your document. Or you can just put the feep anywhere you think your environment could use a colorful little monster. The FlexiFeeps are generally sturdy enough to be used as toys, should you happen to be the sort of person (young or old) who wants a truly unique, one-of-a-kind toy. (Never underestimate the power of children to destroy things, though; even the FlexiFeeps can be demolished by a determined force of chaos. In general I'd say the FlexiFeeps are appropriate for ages 5 and up.) The more recent polymer clay feeps are made of Premo, which is a stronger, more flexible polymer clay than regular Sculpey, and is therefore also appropriate as a toy for kids over 5 or so. The uses of the accessory feeps should be pretty straightforward: necklaces go around the neck, keychains hold the keys, magnets go on the fridge or filing cabinet (but not on the computer, or any other device sensitive to magnets). The dolls are strictly decorative, not really having been designed to withstand the ravages of the very young. They're intended as art pieces, cloth sculptures, if you will. Shadow Boxes and flat art go up on the walls. Shirts are for ... can you guess? Can you??
Q: Do you make these? A: That I do. Every eyeball, every tail, every tentacle is crafted by my own two hands. I don't use moulds of any kind, so while I do return to certain designs, each individual feep is a unique creation, not exactly like any other. The dolls are sewn entirely by hand, the art is all made in the physical world and not on the computer. I will, obviously, use manufactured parts in conjunction with some of the feeps: stuff like leather cord, keychain rings, and magnets (which are affixed to the feep using industrial-grade adhesive). The shadow boxes may contain commercially-produced dollhouse accessories or found objects.
Q: What are the figurines made of? A: The figurines are made of polymer clay (of which some brand names are Fimo and Sculpey). I used to use Sculpey III (their main commercial brand), but have found it to be too brittle for what I want to do and have switched to Premo, their higher-end, more durable polymer clay. Glow-in-the-dark feeps are a mixture of glow PVC/polymer clay and non-glow polymer clay. The FlexiFeeps are made with Sculpey Bake & Bend SuperFlex clay.
Q: Are they fragile? A: The earlier polymer clay and glow-in-the-dark figurines are relatively fragile (especially when they have pokey bits like tentacles or horns) and should be treated with the same care you'd show a ceramic figurine. The more recent feeps (starting about June of 2006) are made of a stronger polymore clay and are not especially fragile. I've dropped them on the hardwood floor and they'be been completely unharmed. The FlexiFeeps are made of a rubbery material and are very durable. In general I've been shifting to making all the figurines as compatible as possible with young children or adults who radiate entropy fields. Necklace and keychain feeps are made of either Premo or SuperFlex clay, so they should last awhile. Keychains in general, it shoud be noted, tend to fall apart over time; I've never had a manufactured keychain that hasn't given up the ghost after consistent use. If you want your keychain feep to last throughout the ages, only put infrequently-used keys on it. Magnet feeps are specifically designed to be sturdy, so be not afraid to affix things to your fridge with them. The dolls and other art pieces should be treated strictly as decorations, not as toys.
Q: Are the figurines painted? A: Nope. All the colors come from the clay itself. Even the pupils of the eyes are made of tiny, tiny balls of clay.
Q: Why are some of the feeps signed "Dylan" and others "NDR"? A: As explained in my bio, for a long time I was signing my art using my nickname "Ender" (which was later shortened to "NDR"). I have recently come to the conclusion, though, that using a pen name mostly just winds up generating more work for me for no tangible return. As I am very lazy, this seems like a good enough reason to jettison the pen name and just go with my real name. So: all 2004 feep figurines and dolls are signed "NDR." Anything made after that is signed "Dylan." Some of the artwork is signed "Dylan NDR" as part of a phase-out process. See? More work. Blah!
Q: Do you do commissions? A: Yes, but first, read this here disclaimer: The feeps turn out best when I don't have a specific goal in mind, when I just let things wander until I suddenly have a monster in my hands. I'm happy to do requests for styles I already work with frequently, like cats or tentacle monsters, so if you see a feep you want but it's already been sold, feel free to contact me about making you a similar one. I'll also do general commissions for things like holiday gifts ("I need 10 dragons for my officemates for Christmas"), so definitely get in touch if you want to place an order like that. T-shirts are all silkscreened by me, so there are a wide range of shirt and print color combinations available. Again, email me to discuss, or use the web form over on the shirts page.
Q: What's the best way to buy some feeps? A: At this point, there are several options for getting in on the feep action, so just go to the Feeps for Sale page to figure out what works best for you.
Q: How big are the feeps, exactly? A: It's not always clear from looking at a photo online how big something is, so here's a size comparison of several average-sized feeps next to a common household object:
Q: How do you keep them from getting covered in fingerprints? A: Ha ha. I don't. But a lot of people who have played a little with polymer clay ask me this, and here's the truth about it: if the clay is on the too-soft side you'll get fingerprints everywhere. If the clay is just right or a little hard, it just won't pick up prints as easily. There are ways to de-soften the clay, but it's not always practical to do that, so you can smoothe off the prints after you finish molding the piece but before you bake it. If you're working with a good-quality clay like Premo you can also file or sand the piece after firing (use miniature files or high-grit sandpaper, 600 or higher).
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All content and designs © Dylan Edwards. Any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. Also, any resemblances to any persons or monsters, living, dead, or undead, is purely coincidental or is intended for purposes of satire. |
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