(http://i.imgur.com/CrptXwJ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tuzcYgc.jpg)
www.artkeycaps.com (http://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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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10347403_10204001986102647_4730284587508891966_n.jpg?oh=b2b30b9f372c2fabd3152efc7ce0f063&oe=54DA7595&__gda__=1423284257_85cf882a43a19db8715fae30287cd33e)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1504021_10204001986462656_8015754997666953074_n.jpg?oh=202c2983a1ef69d7fda463ec57ba8922&oe=54E40651&__gda__=1424222312_7693042a9036c320d62b39fcec24ef6c)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10670237_10204002061264526_8158157092701977021_n.jpg?oh=582f3b79f7c81b71bc469f1ab5f7b41e&oe=54EFFCB4&__gda__=1424892129_60acc69720611293316b1cb1c6e4080f)
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.
- 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)
(http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/o/2015/011/2/a/2ac3908b205771e0de4297a0691ebfa2.jpg)
(http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/o/2015/011/d/9/d9546a684edc63808c2533b2ea0c7467.jpg)
(http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/o/2015/011/2/1/21eecb2184ddf4026fb14b7da19c1816.jpg)
#Chihuahua.
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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10389223_10204013031658779_5540102872810843814_n.jpg?oh=2306860f20c7f674082940e0bfd25c84&oe=54E67D5B&__gda__=1423283021_80082f1d4bf301a5d9d1b15258b9f769)
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
#Chihuahua.
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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10389223_10204013031658779_5540102872810843814_n.jpg?oh=2306860f20c7f674082940e0bfd25c84&oe=54E67D5B&__gda__=1423283021_80082f1d4bf301a5d9d1b15258b9f769)
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!
#Angry-demon-cat
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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10371400_10204014185487624_5832688444888909525_n.jpg?oh=06038b6687c9e325b2549a831e0cbf4f&oe=54D37C92&__gda__=1428057471_5e8cc7e8a721cd6f0ff7394a74a8bbf3)
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 =]
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.
- Due to RealLifeTM, 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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(https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10402764_10204042886645135_7235050438017389736_n.jpg?oh=973b22a50e3c44b151f153dd3c699f95&oe=54D17D11)
The more I see this cap the more I like it! I'm excited to see what else you come up with.
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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(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/LGEAAOSw2XFUcOey/$_57.JPG)
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(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/z5sAAOSwaNBUcOe7/$_57.JPG)
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(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/lwoAAOSwj0NUcOfQ/$_57.JPG)
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(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/jnEAAOSw7ThUcOfY/$_57.JPG)
can we see some shots of this and other caps on a keyboard as well as with the key being pressed
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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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Oa8ZsE6JUQ/UwXBc9bZY4I/AAAAAAAAbZo/QSa6EKeQO7s/s1600/TOY_FAIR_2014_HASBRO_STAR_WARS_DISPLAY_6_INCH_BLACK_SERIES_EPVI_DARTH_VADER_07.jpg)
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(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6d/Chewbacca-2-.jpg)
That would be pretty badass!
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.
Sculpting...
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(http://i.imgur.com/QT5sWvO.jpg)
Do you use clay to scuplt or something else?
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(http://i.imgur.com/989wKKU.jpg)
Is that supposed to be Walter White? If not, it reminds me of him.
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(http://i.imgur.com/ah1HjY4.jpg)
Really looking forward to that yoda bs keycap. Looks good thus far, keep up the good work :)
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(http://i.imgur.com/rp4VAbo.jpg)
Almost ready
That looks niiice
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(http://i.imgur.com/ah1HjY4.jpg)
That frank cap! I actually need one.
can you design some style like walking dead? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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.
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(http://i.imgur.com/GEbJkRT.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/U0gey6t.jpg)
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.