Steampunk DS in the works

So a friend recently told me that he would like to see a Steampunk DS come out of my ADD addled brain, and so it's in the drafting phase. Also, I apologize to anyone who probably doesn't check this blog for my lack of posts. Lack of work on consoles + Overabundance of actual work = no reason/time to post. Anywho, check back soon for the steampunk design. So far, it looks to be my most ambitious work yet.

Design Up for Auction/Sale

Well, I just had a customer back out of a sale, leaving me with an unused design. She had asked for a Transformers theme, so I worked up this image for her. I know, scanning it would have been better than taking a picture, but my scanner is broken. Anyway, I'm really itching to complete this design by putting it on a DS (or any other console, really.... I just think it fits a black DS lite), so I've decided to let you all know about it in case any of you would like it. If you do want it, just shoot me an email and mention this post in the subject line. Thanks!

Commissioned Art Requests

Hey everyone! I just thought that it might behoove me to put up a post on how you can contact me if you would like custom artwork for your console of choice. I set up an email specifically for this purpose, and I'm hoping it gets some use. The place to send your requests is gamesmartbiz@gmail.com. If you'd like to have something done, just let me know. Once you let me know what you want I can work up a design, we can discuss price, and I can get to work! And, as a side note, I don't only do game related work. You want your PS3 to look like an Atari for the sake of technological irony? I can do that. How about you want a Wii with a picture of Crazy Frog on the side? Yep. I can do it. Just let me know!

The Rune Factory DS

Well, here's number three, my most extensive project to date. I did this DS for a friend of mine, and I have to say that I'm quite pleased with it. She requested a Rune Factory theme, and more specifically the radish in the upper right corner. Her stylus wasn't the one that came with the DS, and it was way too small. So I crafted a new one out of wood, which was no easy task. The final touch was to make the wooden box. I cut all the wood, fit it together, and did the engraving on the top. Then I used some incredibly soft fabric to line the inside. The DS itself is done in Sharpie oil-based paint pens and Micron pens for the outlining. All of the DS is coated in Krylon high gloss acrylic. There are a few small details that are hard to see in the photos, such as the gold on the outers of the d-pad, and the gold inside the A, B, X, and Y buttons. My best work so far. Only time will tell if my still-in-progress Zelda DS will top it. Till next time!

The Second DS

Well, here it is... My second DS! If you read my first post, then you know this guys history. If you didn't, you can go read it or you can just read the next sentence. My friend gave me his DS when mine broke and so I customized it after my favorite DS game, The World Ends With You. See, that was easy! Anyway, I have no "making of" pictures for this one, since it's already done. But, you can still drool over the completed work. Actually, don't drool. I hear it's bad for your keyboard.

There are a few things I'd like to point out about this particular DS. First, it's done entirely with red and black Sharpie pens with a final coat of Krylon gloss acrylic spray. There are two reasons for this: A) at the time that I was working on this, I had no money for paints, B) I realized that Sharpie, when used on plastic and double-coated, provides some pretty neat effects. The second thing I'd like to point out is that you cannot see the aforementioned effect in these pictures. I'll get a picture of that up soon. The last thing I'd like to point out is: it's done entirely in Sharpie. In other words, not an easy feat. That's a lot of marker, people.

The First DS

Well, I'm assuming you read my first post (if not, scroll down! No sense linking it when it's right there!) and know all about this DS and how it's still a work in progress. Oh, you didn't read my first post? Well, now you don't have to since I just gave you a very streamlined version of what you needed to know. But still, go read it. Or don't. Anyway, these are some pictures of my first DS, which as I said is still under construction. Oh, and I've been using the top screen protector to guard the screens on the other two DS that I've done. Look, appreciate, win!

Post Virginity...... TAKEN!

Hey, whoever you are! Thanks for visiting my blog! Actually, since I can't afford a professional website (I am just starting this business up, after all), this isn't so much a "blog" as it is an "outlet". But, all that aside, Welcome! On this here section of the intertubes you'll be able to view my work on custom console art. I only two projects currently finished, and the third (which happens to be my first.... long story) is almost done.

Well, how about a little history on how I got into this? It started when my original Mario Kart red DS started to go on the fritz. It was out of warranty, so I figured "What the heck, why not paint it?" So I grabbed the black Rustoleum primer and went at it. It went through several phases before I deemed it "done". I hand painted the logo from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (sans crown-thingy... does that thing have a name?) on the cover, and left the red plastic showing through for the lettering. After a bit I decided that I wanted to go further, and so I took the DS apart. Well, while I had it apart the battery decided to officially call it quits on me. Seeing as it's nigh impossible to get and old DS battery, I was left with a rather nice looking Nintendo paperweight. Thus my adventures began.

My friend was kind enough to give me his old DS, which I successfully customized without borking. I later was sent another DS by a friend, who paid me to customize it. And so I thought, "Well, she paid me; and other people get paid all the time for this kind of thing; so why can't I?"

Which brings us to now. I have successfully customized two Nintendo DS systems, and had one die of natural causes during operations. BUT, I plan to fix it. I just decided last night that I want to continue to refine the design, and after a quick search on ebay found numerous DS phats that are ready to be organ donors. Once that's done, I may give it to my friend in payment of the DS he gave me, or (if he happens to buy a DSi) I may sell it. And that's that.

So, to wrap this rather lengthy post up, enjoy the site, look at my work, and send me some feedback. Don't like the background? Let me know. Think I can push a certain aspect of my work further? Leave a comment. Want some custom work done? Contact me with what you want done. Enjoy!