New toys in store

Two new toys are now available in the HiiRagi online store (as well as at Salamanca Market and the other ones popping up at the moment). They are:

RU1035: Ground Logistics. Yep, he has a belt with explosives and scars to match. Sexy stuff indeed.

OF2023: The Pilot. Goggles and a scarf, may sound new age SNAG but he's all robot. Goggles! That's all I can say.

Brooches are out, War Medals are in

I get bored. I am now bored with my large brooches and, as with all my whims, I have decided to discontinue them so if you are have been wanting one, you should probably hurry up a bit and get one before they go (either online or through the Market). To date the rabbit brooch and the ninja brooch have sold out. Fear not though little minions I have been busy designing new and exciting things and to replace the hole left by the brooches, I thought it would be much more fitting to develop a HiiRagi War Medal:

That's right! Our very own War Medal on pretty stripey ribbon. The medal bit is made of Myrtle and is limited to only 50! Each has its number engraved into the back (see below). Mmmmmm....war medals.....

Available online and at the Markets.

Terrain Training Tuesday: Hostage DIY

Yep, once again I have been distracted from my outfit (we all know I'm going to go for the military look anyway)for the joys of a good hostage situation. You can take anything hostage and still get all the thrills and excitement. Recently I had the opportunity of taking a certain minions precious thing,in this case a small vial of gold (see below) hostage.

Now it's a pretty small vial, and yes, that is the gold in the bottom sparkling away, so pretty.... Due to the size I'm thinking a Gulliver's Travels theme is in order. Theming your hostage situation also adds to the drama and humour of the situation, after all just because it sounds nasty doesn't mean it has to be, a bit of humour can go a long way. Now go take something hostage. Once you have, to complete this you are going to need:

String, brown is the craft classic.

Tacks or small nails

An army, these ones are about two cm tall and are ace! I found them at Sorell Market and nearly wet myself with excitement as my hostage plans all came together!

Ok. SO from here all you need to do is arrange your scene showing that you have the hostage and that, while it is still safe and sound, your image needs to show that it is in REAL danger. Take my example:

As you can see the hostage is clearly visible in one piece, with the army quite menacing as it surrounds our victim. It's a beautiful thing. The string adds to the scene where the vial could be in a bit of physical pain and anguish. Mental anguish is also assumed and increases our bargaining power. From here we need to record the scene, I find polaroids are best:

They give off a certain charm, don't they? The blurriness also adds a certain desperation to it all. These were taken with my Diana f+ using the Instamatic back and the Close-up lens. Admire your genius and then pop them into a plain envelope:

Next we need to write a note. Show good faith by saying your hostage is well, put in a condition of its safe return and then place a thinly veiled threat in there somewhere too. Below is my example:

The note reads: "AS YOU CAN SEE YOUR GOLD IS ALIVE AND WELL, I HOPE TO RETURN IT TO YOU IN THIS STATE. BUT THIS ALL HINGES ON THE SAFE RETURN OF MY BELOVED COMPASS...WE WOULDN'T WANT THIS TO TURN NASTY NOW...WOULD WE?"

As I previously commented, there is no cost to being polite about the whole thing. Unfortunately this situation has escalated due to the minion taking one of my compasses hostage (look at what happens when you give a minion just a little bit of leeway, they just stab you in the back...unfortunately that's also why I like them). And I've added just a little bit of a malicious comment at the end that things could go bad if they do not comply. Usually I wouldn't recommend using your typewriter as it can be easily traced to you, however as this minion knows I am in possession of the vial, it doesn't really matter. Nothing beats letters cut out of the newspaper though. It's a classic combination. And then TA DA! All ready to go! I'm going to deliver this later in the week and will let you know how it all turns out.

*An important thing to remember with hostage taking, you MUST be prepared to carry your threat out. NEVER make threats you do not intend to carry out when provoked. That is NOT the HiiRagi way. We are people of our word...most of the time...Good luck my little minions!

HiiRagi does The Market Hobart Look book

It's coming up to that time of year with the next 'The Market Hobart' on April 22nd. And the lovely ladies of 'The Market' have put together the look book so if you want a bit of a peak at who's going to be there, apart from myself, though why you need another reason I will never know, take a look here.

Terrain Training Tuesday:The Mad Scientist Look

I'm quite fond of the Mad Scientist. There is something about the combination of being intellectually gifted (usually) and completely socially inept and awkward. It's quite endearing really. Make sure that you really are of superior intelligence (otherwise this may all turn out really really bad) and have a good dose of insanity so that you really do think that you are unstoppable (there is no room here for logical rationale or self doubt, trust me). You need to make sure of this because to take on the 'look' of the Mad Scientist is quite easy, mess up you hair (colour is irrelevant but better to be grey), done a white coat, dental outfit or a simple rumpled suit with a few Sulphur stains and you're done! The look in the eyes though, that's something you just can't fake...

If you are going to rock this look, the most important feature is going to be your laboratory...how else will you be able to recreate life or build gigantic and powerful inventions?

All of these examples are good reference. You may also want to add a laboratory assistant, these are great for throwing large switches and seeking out body parts for you when you are simply too busy being a genius. I always loved the guy out of Young Frankenstein.

For those with a touch of the musical about them, there is always 'Dr Horror's Sing-a-long'. Check it out.