Here’s a post that shows the progress from start to finish on a new (December 2025) Alpaca bust that I am making from scrap metal.
MOST RECENT PHOTO – Feb 6, 2026
2/7/26- Sat. is a show opening at the MONA (Museum of Nebraska Art) and Sunday is the Superbowl- So I’ll be back in the welding studio on Monday to attach the head to the neck and start adding more hair… I’m excited to start that!!!
For me, it always starts with finding the best reference and fully understanding the subject I am about to recreate. I also received some measurements from the client, and of course, I really enjoyed watching Suri Alpaca videos as part of my research! 😀
Suri Alpacas have a great look and a unique fur that is a big part of their appearance. It will be important for me to capture this part of the animal as well as I can. They actually have ‘layers’ of fur (which I won’t be sculpting), but they are a big part of how the fur flows and lies.
December 22, 2025: But before I get to that, I need to start building the structure of the neck and head.
So after a bit of welding, a little grinding, a little bending and other metal magic, I’ve got a start of the neck!
Here’s where I am at the end of my morning on December 22:
December 23, 2025: I’m working my way up the neck! And BOY! do these animals have long necks! 😀
It’s hard to imagine, but I have about 90′ (27.4m) of 3/16″ (5mm) wire! But I really like the look of it.
December 24, 2025: It was a long night of working on the neck, but it’s about done! 😀 I’m really liking the look of it so far, and I might admit that I’m ready really looking forward to starting the head!
January 17, 2026 – After the holidays, a vacation, and getting caught up from the holidays and my vacation – it’s back to unwinding wire to turn it into hair! 30 feet (9.1m) of cable cut, unwound, and formed. Time to get more!
January 19, 2026: I’ve picked up more wire and started attaching some to the sculpture. Here you can see the base mounting plate as well. BOY! These animals have a LOT of hair! 😀
After too long of a break – the welding shop is finally “thawed out” and I’m back at it!
February 5, 2026: I’ve started work on the face! This is my favorite part of the process – even more than unwinding endless feet of wire! 😀
February 5, 2026: Here’s a time-lapse video of me getting my parts cut – the prep work I need to do before assembly.
February 5, 2026: Here’s another time-lapse showing a few hours of work as I start the assembly of the face.
February 6, 2026: More progress last night as the head starts to take shape! 😀
Here’s a short time-lapse video of me forming an ear from a trowel.
February 6, 2026: Here’s a longer time-lapse showing the head assembly.