[ArtKeycaps] No active sales // 100% custom caps open

[Mandolin]

www.artkeycaps.com

No active sales.

History:
# Launch giveaway. Closed
# V1 Sale: demon cat and el chihuahua. (retired models) Closed.
# V1.5: Demon cat and el chihuahua revised, resculpted, remolded (pending orders)
# V2 sale: Franco the bunny and Mr. Pneumonia (new!, to be announced)


Excerpt of my previous sculpting work:

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Wanna Help me? how?: donating or selling me keycaps.

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What do I already have?:
I've got a couple of functional model M's, cherry MY switches and a bunch of cherry MX 80's set caps, plus an alps keyboard with functional switches and nonstandard keycaps that don't fit properly (wobble), so they don't really count. All my sets are ISO

What do I need?:

• A substrate to sculpt over and test the keycaps.
• I chose to sculpt directly over keycaps.
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  Why not duplicate a cap and sculpt over it? almost always occurs contraction or expansion of the mold and/or casting material after it's polymerization and is material specific, but compound with multiple conditions (temp, humidity, proper mixing etc).
  Some brands of molding materials may contract more than others and some casting materials may expand more and irregularly. It could affect the final interface between stem and switch, or change the keycap body overall volume.
  It's wise to discard a step prone to errors sculpting directly over the final piece, and using a molding material of high quality that has a little contraction percentage such as silicone.
  
• Important: keycaps whose stem is in good condition, as they'll become master prototypes for casting.
  
• PBT Keycaps preferably.
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  WHY?: In order to sculpt with polymer clay, that's what I've had the most experience sculpting with (all of my sculpting excerpt detailed job are done with it), keycaps need to be able to support 130ºC, via heat gun or oven, so the polymer clay hardens.

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• Almost the only reason I use epoxy putties is that ABS keycaps will melt when heated and I've got no PBT caps currently.
• ABS works too because some will caps be drilled with a rotary tool and I can use epoxy putty over them, although not ideal.

• ANSI enter keys, because my sets are all ISO.
• ALPS Keycaps
• TOPRE keycaps.
• A little numpad with different switches would be cool
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  to see how the resin duplicates fit and test actuation response so that they're in fact usable, and that the sculpture is not so big that it interferes with proximal keycaps or with the case. I think a numpad or something small like that is more than enough.

• To start supporting more keyboards, the sooner I get more caps, the better.
• Eventually I'll buy all of this myself, but time is precious. Any package takes 1 month to arrive with free shipping from honk kong, china or USA to Chile, where I'm based. I'm already a month or two late (because of christmas) for supporting topre and alps.
• If you got something simple, used and cheap of the above and can ship it, PM ME pls.

Custom orders? (expensive)

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Special orders, one of a kind comission
(0/3 available for 2014)
(5/5 available for 2015)

[e.g.:
- obscure keycap interface compatibility [Atari? space invaders? Honeywell hall effect?], etc
- A favorite thing of yours over a keycap.
- Exotic materials.

Pricing - Time - Materials

- From 200 USD upwards.
- Pricing vary according the complexity of the subject.
- High quality casting and molding materials are costly
- A rule of thumb is to multiply the cost of the materials x2.
- Sculpting a detailed face onto a keycap, down to the skin pores, may take 40 -100 hours or more.
- I may need to do different prototypes. Per batch it isn't costly, for one keycap it is.
- I may use exotic materials if needed (buy strange switches from overseas for example)

[connorelsea]

The pictures won't load. Try to use imgur or some kind of image hosting service if you are using Geekhack's uploader.

The low-res version that were added work for me now. They weren't there originally. They look nice and very detailed.

[tigersharkdude]

Im in for something thats purple or black .
 Paypal ready

[billnye]

The pictures won't load. Try to use imgur or some kind of image hosting service if you are using Geekhack's uploader.

They work fine for me.

These look cool! I'll look forward to seeing more of your caps

[Telephasic]

looking forward to this

[Elocutive]

I loved the zombie figurine, will love a cap.

[clacktalk]

I'd love to participate :]

[JinDesu]

I'd be in for one

[FrostyToast]

In for one! Love your designs, and I may do a custom order once you accept those.

[theteam]

i would like to get in as well

[danielucf]

I am down

[pr0ximity]

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

[JinDesu]

Wewt, I made it!

[Sniping]

Sorry, if these aren't made with mandolin crystal then I'm not game.

[Mandolin]

Sorry, if these aren't made with mandolin crystal then I'm not game.

I will make a mandolin crystal cap in the future, it'd not be the first batch... I know it has to have quartz. Maybe an oversized crystal oscillator (exploded view encapsulated in resin?, dont' know), some precious metals, etc.... Time will tell.

[Joey Quinn]

Sorry, if these aren't made with mandolin crystal then I'm not game.

I will make a mandolin crystal cap in the future, it'd not be the first batch... I know it has to have quartz. Maybe an oversized crystal oscillator, some precious metals, etc.... Time will tell.

Sounds sick.

[GenKaan]

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with

[GL1TCH3D]

I really like the look of the pictures you posted so I'm really interested in what you come up with in terms of keycaps =)

Can't wait to see.

Are we going to choose which ones we get?
(like maybe produce 5-7 and each person on the list picks one?)

Considering the offer you're giving I'm not complaining!

Can't wait to see.

=)

[Lurch]

 

[Mandolin]

I really like the look of the pictures you posted so I'm really interested in what you come up with in terms of keycaps =)

Can't wait to see.

Are we going to choose which ones we get?
(like maybe produce 5-7 and each person on the list picks one?)

Considering the offer you're giving I'm not complaining!

Can't wait to see.

=)

We'll find an option that satisfies everyone. I'll take suggestions, and will try to make the favorite colors of the user for some sales and for others I'll experiment freely with colors, and you'll pick your preference

[dustinhxc]

Omg that dog is amazing. I'd love a chihuahua!

[GL1TCH3D]

Omg that dog is amazing. I'd love a chihuahua!

Maybe a Doge modifier key?
Or the Doge head xP

[Mandolin]

I'm about to begin working in several keycap sculptures at once for a couple of hours, I'd choose the ones that I'd like the most.
Pictures will be uploaded today.

Ideas are well received.

[Mandolin]

Working details.

[MrexD]

wow. nice work!

[GL1TCH3D]

#Chihuahua.

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Work in progress.
I need to wait for the epoxy to cure, then adjust some proportions and add texture.

I'm not sure to cast it, because it goes all the way through the base of the keycap almost and the ears take contiguos space, but it could be used as esc in some keyboards. I'll make next ones smaller.

Yea the only place that would fit is the escape key except my next keyboard won't have a space like that

[fohat.digs]

#Chihuahua.

Forget dogs.

People would LOVE Yodas!

[dustinhxc]

#Chihuahua.

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Work in progress.
I need to wait for the epoxy to cure, then adjust some proportions and add texture.

I'm not sure to cast it, because it goes all the way through the base of the keycap almost and the ears take contiguos space, but it could be used as esc in some keyboards. I'll make next ones smaller.

Cuuute! :) love it!

[heedpantsnow]

Wow great work!

[Mandolin]

What have I learned so far?

- For most keyboard vertical interferences would be avoided with 3mm clearance unpressed and 7 mm pressed.
- Frameless layouts are more forgiving.
- Varnish usually resist compression, but peels off under flexural forces (like when dropped by accident). It can be prevented using a primer.

[GL1TCH3D]

#Angry-demon-cat

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Work in progress.
-Have to wait for the epoxy to cure, sand and adjust things.

Features:
Palatal creases
Front teeth (and some molars)
tongue.
*gotta see if the resin gets to replicate all of this, gonna be rough.

It may have proximity issues with the rest of the keys as the previous one. I still got to test it.

Dang! Looking good =]

[tigersharkdude]

Demon-Cat looks amazing

They all look amazing

[Mandolin]

Materials for casting and molding are on the way.

I hope they'll arrive before the weekend.

[JinDesu]

The detail is impressive and terrifying at the same time!

[SlotH42]

wow. You look like you have put a lot of hard work into your sculpting. good job.

[Mandolin]

[Placeholder]

[Mandolin]

Pro a differentiation characteristic and personal signature I'll use: # Vanity name ^ArtKeycap (descriptive name)

# Gato diablo ^ArtKeycap (demon cat)

# El Chihuahua ^ArtKeycap

My handcrafted keycaps will use the term "ArtKeycap" or "Artkeycap" (at least once in their title or description) as revindication of it as an artform.

Other people are welcome to use this terminology as they think is best.

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Style:

Vanity name:         A spanish humoristic name in bold font.
Descriptive name:  Alongside their vanity name, a short english term in cursive font between parenthesis.
                            Self explanatory or common names in english and spanish won't have a term in parenthesis.

Artkeycap:            Will be written in superscript if available following their vanity name.
#:                        Optional pound sign preceding any name in normal font.

[FrostyToast]

Mandolin caps: naming convention

As part of a differentiation characteristic from other cap makers, it will be as follows:
A spanish humoristic name, with a short english descriptive name in cursive between parenthesis following it.
Self explanatory or common names in english and spanish won't have a term in parenthesis.

# Angry demon cat will be: Gato diablo (demon cat) Keycap.
# Chihuahua will be: El Chihuahua Keycap

Nice names! If the chihuahua was more demonic, I would have called it "El Chihuacabra"

[GL1TCH3D]

=0

Just noticed the custom keycap commissions.

[Mandolin]

- Due to RealLife^TM, casting, finishing of the prototypes and sculpting some more, would be retaken from Nov 19, onwards. I should have the first batch the next weekend.

It's still on schedule as I planned it to have a functional keycap from two weeks since the first announcement.

- Pictures from now on would have better quality. I was gifted a dSLR and decided to order a Macro Lens (it'll arrive in a month maybe).

[Joey Quinn]

- Due to RealLife^TM, casting, finishing of the prototypes and sculpting some more, would be retaken from Nov 19, onwards. I should have the first batch the next weekend.

It's still on schedule as I planned it to have a functional keycap from two weeks since the first announcement.

- Pictures from now on would have better quality. I was gifted a dSLR and decided to order a Macro Lens (it'll arrive in a month maybe). I uploaded a better picture of # Gato diablo ^ArtKeycap on the first page.

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The more I see this cap the more I like it! I'm excited to see what else you come up with.

[fohat.digs]

The more I see this cap the more I like it!

These miniatures are exquisite. Few artists enjoy working at the very small scale.

You guys blew it by not snatching up Sterculius when you had the chance!

[calvinhousecat]

In for a Sloth keycap!   

[Mandolin]

[Placeholder]

[JinDesu]

The third one with the coloured eyes really accentuates the look of the cap. Fantastic!

[tigersharkdude]

[Mandolin]

The third one with the coloured eyes really accentuates the look of the cap. Fantastic!

It's ****ing metal. No color, no tint. JUST METAL.

It shines as metal because it is !

[dustinhxc]

Omg you molded the chihuahua! My chi is laying in my legs right now and it looks just like him! I'd love one. :-) they look rad!

[JinDesu]

The third one with the coloured eyes really accentuates the look of the cap. Fantastic!

It's ****ing metal. No color, no tint. JUST METAL.

It shines as metal because it is !

I'm actually surprised that it's actually metal!

[Mandolin]

[placeholder] Images in the first page.

[Mandolin]

[dustinhxc]

Awee the chihuahua is so cutee!!

[Mandolin]

[BunnyLake]

Awee the chihuahua is so cutee!!

I'll have a GH sale soon but I don't think it'll be this week, as I need many more caps and it takes me one hour to cast two caps with multiple colors and some have turned out with a bad stem. I corrected that too, but it took me many iterations to see what I was doing wrong :/... My secret santa and somebody else will receive a cap ;o

Additionally I put the first awesome keycap on ebay available from now (I need urgently money to buy more materials.). It's not really directed to geekhackers, but some of you will see it. Don't get discouraged by the price, as I'll have things that anybody could buy only on GH (and limited stuff for ebay).

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can we see some shots of this and other caps on a keyboard as well as with the key being pressed

[Mandolin]

Awee the chihuahua is so cutee!!

I'll have a GH sale soon but I don't think it'll be this week, as I need many more caps and it takes me one hour to cast two caps with multiple colors and some have turned out with a bad stem. I corrected that too, but it took me many iterations to see what I was doing wrong :/... My secret santa and somebody else will receive a cap ;o

Additionally I put the first awesome keycap on ebay available from now (I need urgently money to buy more materials.). It's not really directed to geekhackers, but some of you will see it. Don't get discouraged by the price, as I'll have things that anybody could buy only on GH (and limited stuff for ebay).

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can we see some shots of this and other caps on a keyboard as well as with the key being pressed

Sorry, you can't. I sold my last cherry board months ago, I have an 80's plate, no case, with bare switches where I tested the stem fits a switch. No functional test has been done. I got no full set of cherry caps. A couple loose ones that I used to sculpt.

I use a model M on a daily basis.

[Mandolin]

I set up an email and web to streamline the workflow with orders in future releases.

www.artkeycaps.com

Everything is ready to start molding and casting the next weekend. Keep tuned.

[Mandolin]

Preorders open, limited slots with exclusive features. See the first page.

Form: http://goo.gl/forms/Evjld8o4Vo

[GenKaan]

Getting paid tomorrow, hope at least one spot is open

Was hoping to get a demon cat with some bright, almost neon like colors making it look toxic/radioactive. You think that could be done? (Like neon green, orange, black and mby some red)

[Mandolin]

Getting paid tomorrow, hope at least one spot is open

Was hoping to get a demon cat with some bright, almost neon like colors making it look toxic/radioactive. You think that could be done? (Like neon green, orange, black and mby some red)

Congrats! that's awesome .

Check your PMs. I think it's possible.

[Mandolin]

Neon colors option will be supported (glow in the dark): strontium aluminate pigments ordered.

Turquoise, blue, green, orange, pink and purple.

I expect them to arrive the first week of january.

[Mandolin]

48 hours remaining for preorders.

Today I'm going to be casting all entries (preorders+giveaway) to have them shipped on monday. I'll try to do a couple more for a GH sale.

I'm open to suggestions about new subjects to sculpt. Be creative. I may end doing them.

[Mandolin]

Some caps from today's casting. Still need some adjustments (letting red paint dry and applying lacquer, sanding flashing and drilling nose holes).

Chihuahua Moo.
Chihuahua Gargoyle
Chihuahua Piggy.

[Mandolin]

[Joey Quinn]

That gargoyle is terrifying!   

[tigersharkdude]

I need that gargoyle!  :drool:

[Mandolin]

[dustinhxc]

Omg so many chihuahuas! They're so cuute! 

[Mandolin]

I've been casting all weekend  ... and couldn't end all the orders. It'd be easier with a pressure pot, but I'm learning some nice tricks. The rest are due to the next week.

Shipping on monday:
- Fohat digs (ebay+caps)
- Secret santa. (cap )
- tigersharkdude (preorder)
- glitched (giveaway)
- Frosty toast (giveaway)
- Sniping. (giveaway)
- Geenkhan (preorder)

Next week:
- Sinjin.
- Jindesu
- Joey quinn

[Mandolin]

I was sanding and decided to something different. I was overall satisfied with the color of each keycap, but decided to accentuate them by painting each inidividual keycap, and the using nail polish over to protect them. If the paint peels off, the base color is good on itself, but this adds another order of dimesion to the designs.

Preorders end today.

[GenKaan]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet man, cant wait but I expected it to take a little longer. Super happy with the timing
Radioactive/Toxic cat here we go!

[Synjin]

Getting excited that my keycaps will be arriving ^_^ January here I come

[Mandolin]

Shipped.

[tigersharkdude]

Woot woot

[Mandolin]

Chihuahua and demoncat Preorders closed.

New order formulary: http://goo.gl/forms/MPZKVRIYfH

[JinDesu]

I'll break out my macro lens to get some shots to post into this thread.

[Mandolin]

ENHANCING LED SUPPORT WITH FIBER OPTIC:

Currently, to make led compatible keycaps we have 2 options:
(1) To do a thin layer of resin for the light to shine through.
(2) Using a high refractive index material (>water ideally): mineral beads, clear resin.

It's good enough for eyes that are in straight line from the led at the base of the switch, however it doesn't work to illuminate effectively little parts of the keycaps of <2mm spots and or lateral sides.

What hasn't been done?: use fiber optic threads.

Method: at cast time, they should be pinched through the mold and bent towards the base of the keycap, where the led would be located, so they'd be included in the final cast.

Hypothesis: The clarity of illumination should displace poorer performing refractive materials as clear resins or even most crystals.

Uses: to illuminate front and sides of a keycap or accentuate tiny spots on it. If enough threads are grouped together, minor shapes could be achieved such as alphabet characters or little drawings, for instance. It could illuminate just the iris in the eyes.

Dedicated thread

[Mandolin]

Pending preorders of Chihuahua and demoncat are still on schedule to be received by the receipients during the month of january. I'm organizing my workload and ordering the rest of materials to work as smooth as possible because at this time of the year I'm in the finishing the semester at university (exams, midterms), but will be almost entirely dedicated to sculpture  (traditional protraits, 1:12 fine art miniatures, artkeycaps, etc, etc) from 2 or 3 weeks onwards, when also new prototypes of keycaps will be revealed. The macro lens I bought is almost in my hands(update: now I got it) and I've been sourcing various sculpting tools that will result in better and best keycaps.

For any inquire I'm an email away, and usually respond within 1 day.

All the packages sent recently appeared to have arrived at their respective countries.

[Synjin]

Approximately when will the rest of the preordered keycaps be sent?

[Mandolin]

Approximately when will the rest of the preordered keycaps be sent?

2 weeks from now as my first statement was to have them ready for january or earlier, but If you're need them quicker I gave you some options. Answered by PM.

The thing is, I could do them on a rush, but I don't want to compromise quality. The reason it took more time to complete the orders was that I tried to match the orders with the color request as best as I could, and discarded many keycaps in the way and that I'm now painting each cap to enhance their colors and add texture.

During the academic year I can only work on weekends, but in 2 weeks from now, I'd be doing it almost full time.

[thefebruaryman]

Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see how my caps come out. I like the element of surprise with these caps 

[P3TC0CK]

Been following these since you posted them on reddit. Hopefully I can get in on the next preorder 

[Mandolin]

Glow in the dark (strontium aluminate) pigments arrived today, earlier than expected. Optional for future projects.

Turquoise, blue, green, orange, pink and purple.

[GenKaan]

My cap finally got here and clumsy as I am it got dropped the first second and damaged the left ear, not too bad just a small scratch and it kinda works with the design so no big deal.

Love it, looks really toxic / deceased like I wanted it and with soulless eyes. Deferentially someone to keep an eye on in the future.

Some pics:

[fohat.digs]

[Synjin]

Oh my jeez that looks damn awesome. Those toes and fingers as well as that face makes me cry T_T

[Mandolin]

Custom projects addendum:

- Let's clear out that I'm not available to copy another artisan designs.

The work of every artist in this forum is copyrighted. Even adding a small variation to make it legally safe, is just ethically wrong, and plain boring, having the capacity of making another totally new personalized object.

I know how hard it is to work on this, it takes many hours of research and actual hand work to complete a project. I have much respect for every other keycap maker and the certainty that they have passed through a similar process, whatever thing they might do, be it modding, coordinating sales overseas, etc.

[P3TC0CK]

Custom projects addendum:

- Let's clear out that I'm not available to copy another artisan designs.

The work of every artist in this forum is copyrighted. Even adding a small variation to make it legally safe, it's just ethically wrong, and plain boring, having the capacity of making another totally new personalized object.

I know how hard it is to work doing this, it takes many hours of research and actual hand work to complete a project. I have much respect for every other keycap maker and the certainty that they have passed through a similar process, whatever thing they might do, be it modding, coordinating sales overseas, etc. In simple terms, it's not a thing you can just do in a day.

So we can't expect a vader keycap in the near future?  )

[tigersharkdude]

Custom projects addendum:

- Let's clear out that I'm not available to copy another artisan designs.

The work of every artist in this forum is copyrighted. Even adding a small variation to make it legally safe, it's just ethically wrong, and plain boring, having the capacity of making another totally new personalized object.

I know how hard it is to work doing this, it takes many hours of research and actual hand work to complete a project. I have much respect for every other keycap maker and the certainty that they have passed through a similar process, whatever thing they might do, be it modding, coordinating sales overseas, etc. In simple terms, it's not a thing you can just do in a day.

So we can't expect a vader keycap in the near future?  )

Bruh, we need a Jar Jar Binks cap

[Mandolin]

So we can't expect a vader keycap in the near future?  )

A user in reddit asked me to do a 1:1 duplicate of artisan keycaps from another artist and I won't do that.

I do like to sculpt faces more than anything. Maybe an unmasked version is possible, as I'd do it from scratch.

I'm trying to solve some problems adding fur to keycaps, so that could open another set of possibilites too.

But, my preference is doing original designs.

[Synjin]

Unmasked realistic vader would be smexy ^_^ I do think that you are making a great choice by decing to make your own designs because youa re very skilled in sculpting and creating those micro details that otherwise wouldn't be possible from other artisan makers as specific makers specialize in different things.

[Mandolin]

Unmasked realistic vader would be smexy ^_^ I do think that you are making a great choice by decing to make your own designs because youa re very skilled in sculpting and creating those micro details that otherwise wouldn't be possible from other artisan makers as specific makers specialize in different things.

Yeah, I was thinking I could even make it in soft silicone. It should work really good for faces

[Synjin]

  100% supporter on those realistic faces.

[P3TC0CK]

So we can't expect a vader keycap in the near future?  )

A user in reddit asked me to do a 1:1 duplicate of artisan keycaps from another artist and I won't do that.

I do like to sculpt faces more than anything. Maybe an unmasked version is possible, as I'd do it from scratch.

I'm trying to solve some problems adding fur to keycaps, so that could open another set of possibilites too.

But, my preference is doing original designs.

Haha, was just being sarcastic since CC vader caps are design copies of vader. I enjoy your realistic keycap designs a lot more, so wouldn't want to see copies anyway.

[Mandolin]

Custom works revision:

I like sculpting the most, and that's what I'm good for. I'm still in the process of refining my casting skills and will purchase the equipment for pressure casting safely in the future, as now seems prohibitive.

I can offer master sculptures for you to cast yourself, for personal or commercial use. Pricing varies according to the intended use and complexity of the subject.

[Mandolin]

Some eyes for keycaps arrived today .

Mineral stones: Amethyst, lapis lazuli, and others.

When the fiber optic threads arrive too, I'd insert a thread inside, towards the base of the keycap, fixed at half the distance of the mineral sphere, and cover the rest with resin. It will illuminate the eyes with a special glow if used over switches with leds.

[Mandolin]

Fiber optic threads arrived today. I may use them in some casts this weekend. 

I quickly tested them in the mineral eyes, and they glow as I expected, the transparent type. That looks cool, and would need a little bit of resin as a diffusor.

They may even be a little overkill as the shine is too much at the end of the cable.

[Mandolin]

Tests and due orders (tomorrow I'll insert fiber optic threads in their eyes). Not for sale.

[Mandolin]

I was thinking in how to do complex paint schemes, specially shading, and make it integral to the plastic. Not for bulk production, just as an idea. Fine texture would be lost, but you still could paint as miniature canvas onto a resin keycap surface.

You got the polyurethane with it's working time, so one could pour it in the center of a tile and then mix it with different paint according to the desired effect. The paint time would be the pot life, so, you gotta be prepared to work fast, and keep adding layers. For a while, depending on the resin, it would adhere to new resin, so shading would be possible in small increments. A clear resin would be ideal for blending.

I'll do a integral miniature paint in a key cap with this method soon as a test .

[dustinhxc]

So we can't expect a vader keycap in the near future?  )

A user in reddit asked me to do a 1:1 duplicate of artisan keycaps from another artist and I won't do that.

I do like to sculpt faces more than anything. Maybe an unmasked version is possible, as I'd do it from scratch.

I'm trying to solve some problems adding fur to keycaps, so that could open another set of possibilites too.

But, my preference is doing original designs.

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That would be pretty badass!

[Mandolin]

Custom keycap sample.
Details: sword project photo album
Status: work in progress.

http://imgur.com/a/yaVOb#0

[Joey Quinn]

I remember talking to you about this cap, looks like it's coming along great. How long does a cap like this take?

[Mandolin]

I remember talking to you about this cap, looks like it's coming along great. How long does a cap like this take?

As long as I need to finish it as envisioned .

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I work based on objectives. It may take a while or be fast. Simple things (resin) are done in less than a month, a few weeks.

Not less than a month for complicated things as this with a italian leather grip, metallic finish, etc, etc, probably longer, and I don't work on a rush or with deadlines (a stressed sculptor does not have his senses as sharp as he normally would, and it comes at a sacrifice of end quality. Specially in miniature work. My miniature sculpting sessions go from about 2 hrs to 9 hours long in a day, and I cannot do that physically everyday).

I do various projects at a time (keycaps and other sculpting things outside this forum), and only could take a limited quantity of customs because they are all labour intensive. If I need to buy tools or test new materials, I'll do it as long as it makes the keycap look awesome (most of the time at my own expense) and I only take projects that are adequate to my skills. Previously to sculpting, I do a extensive research of options and materials that get documented.

[Paeka]

How can i buy one of these?

[Joey Quinn]

How can i buy one of these?

PM Mandolin, I think the only caps for sale right now are customs.

[Mandolin]

How can i buy one of these?

PM me or send me an email to sales@artkeycaps.com.

There isn't an active sale currently, just limited custom orders.

I recommend interested people as you subscribe to the newsletter on www.artkeycaps.com, so they'd be informed when a new sale is open.

[Mandolin]

Flash sale approaching....

Tip:
- Only available for the people subscribed to the newsletter
- No PMs.
- You'd receive an email announcing the sale starts.

[Joey Quinn]

I love that, Donnie darko is my jam!

[Mandolin]

Work in progress.

"Franco the bunny" is inspired in a time traveler rabbit.
"Mr. pneumonia" is a pale burn victim, harmonica player and fashion victim, who only wears black.
Mr pneumonia is still missing his harmonica.

Non related image:

[GenKaan]

Looks cool man, cant wait to see more

[Noko]

The creepiness... :O

[Mandolin]

http://youtu.be/o3X0xoX0obY

Test: Fiber optic transilumated eyes on a keycap

It's a faulty cast, ignore that.

[Joey Quinn]

http://youtu.be/o3X0xoX0obY

Test: Fiber optic transilumated eyes on a keycap

It's a faulty cast, ignore that.

Damn that's rockin!

[Evo_Spec]

Test: Fiber optic transilumated eyes on a keycap

It's a faulty cast, ignore that.

Damn that turned out awesome!!

[thefebruaryman]

Even more excited for my pair to arrive

[Mandolin]

New character on the way: "master iodine", an ancient sage full of wisdom.

Buckling springs cap (ctrl)

[suicidal_orange]

Awesome!  I woke up wondering why artisans always do small caps when there is room for more art on big ones

[Mandolin]

* Ears are misplaced, they should be located higher.
* Nose is missing the nostrils.
* Eyelids aren't ready.
I'll change some other things, major cleaning and adjustment layer is next.

[jaemzp]

* Ears are misplaced, they should be located higher.
* Nose is missing the nostrils.
* Eyelids aren't ready.
I'll change some other things, major cleaning and adjustment layer is next.

Looks like great progress, can't wait to see the final product! Buckling spring too!

[Mandolin]

Placeholder.

[Mandolin]

Demoncat and chihuahua v1.5:
I haven't forgotten about this pending orders.
I will not ship casts with many bubbles, as they look awful, kinda the one in the fiber optic video. Got two usable of those.
****ty cast after ****ty cast, demon cat and chihuahua molds broke.

I did many pours at no avail, and realized it was due to a defective mold design, so even with mold in good shape, I'd need sprues in places I didn't used.

So I resculpted them, finished them today and I'm gonna remold them. One advantage is that they probably won't have vertical interferences, as I raised them over the keycap (laterals are unavoidable). I'm gonna be using a better silicone and another technique. The bases should be cleaner too.

For the waiting, I'll throw in the fiber optic in the eyes, as promised.

Cheers.

Pending orders are:
-Sinyin
- Febrearyman
-Jindesu (giveaway)
-Joeyquin (givaway)
- Dustinhxc (giveaway)

New molds:

[Joey Quinn]

They look great, also the shadows make the demon cat look like it's wearing a crown. I'm excited to see more fiber optic caps, keep up the cool work bro. 

[Mandolin]

Sculpting...

[sethk_]

Sculpting...

Show Image

Do you use clay to scuplt or something else?

[Mandolin]

Sculpting...

Show Image

Do you use clay to scuplt or something else?

- Waxes
- Epoxies
- Polymer clay
- Photo activated resins

[Mandolin]

[Mandolin]

[sethk_]

Show Image

Is that supposed to be Walter White? If not, it reminds me of him.

[Mandolin]

Show Image

Is that supposed to be Walter White? If not, it reminds me of him.

He is the one who knocks.

Still got to finish it though, the hat is done in plastiline as a composition test, and I've still to do the definitive version add the glasses, sand and texture little bits, adjust wrinkles.

[Mandolin]

First demoncat 1.5 casts will be up in a couple of hours (I poured the second half of the mold a while ago). Pictures pending.  I'd have a couple to sell.

[suicidal_orange]

Unfortunately I have to go to work, would have liked to see these with a chance to buy rather than admiring from afar but it's not my day! 

GLWS

[Mandolin]

24 hrs auction.
Starting form 1 USD.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181651898066


Full Album: http://imgur.com/a/fjrih

[BlueNalgene]

24 hrs auction. Ebay link and more pics in a couple of minutes.

cute!

[P3TC0CK]

Great keycap, but looks like someone wants the keycap a lot more than I do haha. I'll wait for the next one 

[Mandolin]

Synjin will be joining me in a ArtKeycaps partnership during the following months, he'd be in charge of the US distribution and some neat surprises.

Expect more colors and higher quality casts at bare minimum.

[Synjin]

Thank you for the short introduction Mandolin  :thumb:I am looking forward to the future designs and products we plan on releasing as well as other surprises we have planned for the community.

[MythicalWagyu]

Love seeing the behind the scenes stuff and works in progress - will be following with great interest!

[Mandolin]

[jaemzp]

Show Image

Really looking forward to that yoda bs keycap. Looks good thus far, keep up the good work :)

[Synjin]

We've got quite a bit in store for you folks 

[Mandolin]

Almost ready

[sethk_]

Show Image

Almost ready

That looks niiice

[Joey Quinn]

Show Image

That frank cap! I actually need one.

[Peacebucket]

Any updates as of yet? Or nothing important has really happened?
Love your designs and am curious of how things have been going.

[Synjin]

Any updates as of yet? Or nothing important has really happened?
Love your designs and am curious of how things have been going.

We will be updating this quite soon with our upcoming releases but I do recommend having the notification on this thread turned on in case we do some spur of the moment sales. 

[Peacebucket]

Okay, thanks! I've had notifications on for quite a while and just wanted to see if something had happened.

[thefebruaryman]

Thought I would add a couple of pics 

[GeeNDL82]

Your keycap is very nice. I hope to join your GB soon

[HiddenPower]

can you design some style like walking dead? 

[Mandolin]

can you design some style like walking dead? 

I'll consider it. If I come up with something good enough I will do it.

Maybe a zombie face, or a zombified body part.

Some time ago I did a zombie face for a stand alone sculpture. Something like that is possible.

[BlueNalgene]

can you design some style like walking dead? 

I'll consider it. If I come up with something good enough I will do it.

Maybe a zombie face, or a zombified body part.

Some time ago I did a zombie face for a stand alone sculpture. Something like that is possible.

Show Image

Show Image

That hand is sexy.  It would look good coming out of a cap with a headstone behind it.

I've had an idea for a cap like that for a while, I just haven't developed the skill to accurately portray how I envision it.

[Mandolin]

can you design some style like walking dead? 

I'll consider it. If I come up with something good enough I will do it.

Maybe a zombie face, or a zombified body part.

Some time ago I did a zombie face for a stand alone sculpture. Something like that is possible.

Show Image

Show Image

That hand is sexy.  It would look good coming out of a cap with a headstone behind it.

I've had an idea for a cap like that for a while, I just haven't developed the skill to accurately portray how I envision it.

Yeah, and also you gotta consider simplifying it enough, so that a plain or doable color scheme highlights it, and detail don't get washed out or lost.

Zombie subjects are various, essentially iconographic, body parts and scene representations: a tombstone alone, a hand coming out of the earth with a little tombstone, an open ribcage showcasing the internal organs+ ragged clothing, some brain tissue showing through a scalp, a zombie head/hand/foot, a full zombie corpse sideways-3/4view-top view, profile, isometric, zombie+victim, etc. There is enough material to do a whole series.

I'd rather stick to something simple, as I could do small details to depict a whole scene, but without magnification one couldn't really appreciate it.

[Mandolin]

I had some health complications, but I'm good to go. Keycap projects will be resumed from now on. Thanks for the support for the ones who send me PM's.

I'm preparing a lot of exciting new stuff.

[tigersharkdude]

I had some health complications, but I'm good to go. Keycap projects will be resumed from now on. Thanks for the support for the ones who send me PM's.

I'm preparing a lot of exciting new stuff.

Good to hear, I don't remember seeing anything about you being sick

[Peacebucket]

Damn, hope you're better now Mandolin. Good luck with the work and hope you get well. 

[Mandolin]

It was RSI related, needed to take 2 months off everything straining for the hands.

I got some of you on skype, and a few guys knew, but I've always responded PM's in one day maximum for any present or future question regarding my whereabouts, ideas or anything you may wanna talk about.

[Mandolin]

So, I read on reddit a interesting discussion about glass keycaps.

Here is my take on that:

CERAMIC/glass CAPS?

There are some workarounds for any ceramic materials to be used as keycaps.

Metal base + Ceramic top (basically a dental crown)

You ought to do a metal casket, with the switch connection, so it handles the most part of tensile stress and then adhere the ceramic material on top. The metallic base, and onlay would need to be sandblasted, where they meet (this would be hidden to sight), in order to enhance adhesion. Then you apply an appropriate cement/adhesive between both, and that's it.

Creatively you'd be limited to having non transparent caps, as the metal would be seen through.

It certainly could be done, but It'd be expensive. I only see it happening for custom of one of a kind commissions and love projects.

[Mandolin]

Furry keycaps project

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71268.0

[Peacebucket]

Furry keycaps project

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71268.0

Seems interesting. Love keeping up with your work!

[mylove1431]

really nice cap  i hope i will have one of those 

[Mandolin]

Molding + cleaning, refining wax master patterns for the boobiecaps.

[tigersharkdude]

It's alive!