Icytoes, Elf Mage of Ice

I can't quite remember what urged me to create an elf mage toothpick dolls series, but I will talk about it anyway.

I guess it was because I liked watching shows with elemental abilities like Avatar. Even the Kpop boyband group EXO whose debut single Mama used 'elemental powers' for each of their members, and I must've listened to the song for God knows how many and I lost count. And it just so happens that my favorite member of the group was Xiumin whose element was the frost. So I guess he inspired me to make a toothpick doll ice mage.




While I was brainstorming for design ideas, I thought of consulting old uncle Google for inspiration. The suggestions mostly showed mages with wands or scepters, wearing capes and hoodies, and with details that are geometrical which I believe must be icicles attached to their costumes (if they were actual people, how do they walk so dignified while there are thick icicles sticking out of their backs?)

Then I saw one photo with elf ears. It caught my attention, because elf ears always catch my attention. I tried looking for elf mages this time, instead of just an ice mage. But then I didn't see anything whose costume fits my toothpick doll-making skills that time (the costumes they had on were mini dresses, capes, and with details I wasn't sure I'll be able to pull off). So I shelved the idea of making elf mages, and figured that maybe it wasn't a good time yet to make something a little complicated than usual. I set the idea aside for a while longer, but my hands ached on making the elf mage doll as soon as possible. It even haunted me at nights, it made me sleepless not being able to do it soon. Just imagine the anxiousness and excitement of finally making something you think is a great idea and concept, but due to lack of resources and inspiration, you are forced to put that aside. It felt like buying a dress you've been wanting to wear, but had to wait for the right occasion to do so.




Eventually, my almost sleepless nights ended when my cousins invited me to watch The Hobbit. I was never a fan of Lord of the Rings, but I said yes anyway. And watching Lady Galadriel looking so elegant in her all-white costume ignited a spark within me. And I just knew then how to design my elf mage a costume.

Presenting Icytoes, the first elf mage toothpick doll I created. She's an elf mage with the ice element, from the Kingdom of endless winters and hailstorms. She's got a cold personality and an obsession to anything white. 

But she can be occasionally playful. She loved creating snow for the children, and watch them play snowball fights, make snow angels and would secretly name every little snowman she meets. She can also go overboard with her playfulness, she would often bring hail stones to people stuck in traffic, or even to the dear neighbor's garden full of winter pansies.

I was able to come up with the design on my mind, and materializing the design was challenging. Adding specific details here and there just to create the type of character I want her to portray was a little difficult. But anyway, I used a metallic silver thread to create a snowflake detail on her overlay skirt. I also gave her uneven haircut just to add a little attitude, and gave her crisscrossing ribbons to add a mysterious personality.

Cute like a button isn't she? Don't you just love those tiny elf ears? I could swear I stared at her for hours just because I couldn't get over those adorable ears.

Oh and ain't her puff-ball sleeves also look gorgeous?