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| The Restoration of Bernard Black |
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| In 1972, a Julip fell pony was made. No doubt he was very much loved, and he had his little legs posed many times over the years. Then, he was forgotten about, and stored away. Eventually, he found his way into the hands of a julip collector, but unfortunately by this time he was pretty worn out, and not attached to three of his legs anymore! I bought him from her, hoping I'd be able to restore him to full health. |
| Even before his legs were put back on, I named this little pony 'Bernard', after the character in my favourite ever sitcom, Black Books. |
| (Left) Bernard's left ear had gone all gooey, so had to be removed. Here you can see how I used paperclip wire pushed into both ends of his legs to join them together. Because latex deteriorates rather than snapping off, julips with broken legs will always have gaps where the rubber is missing (see right), so it's not just a matter of gluing the legs back on. |
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| On the right, you can see all the new filler, on his legs and forming his replacement ear. This was only the basic layer, the milliput putty I use can be filed when dry, so the legs can be reshaped a little, and I added a little more in places once the first lot was dry, to smooth out the joins a little. Bernard also had a little accident with my cat at this stage, he got pushed off a table and lost one of his newly mended legs, but I just did the same again to reattach it. |
| And here he is, looking very pleased to be finished. I only repainted the gaps in his legs, the new ear, and the scuffed patch on his muzzle, I don't like to give them entirely new paintwork so the rest of his coat colour is his own. |
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