Sock Monkey Make-Over

Had a rare day off yesterday! It was a lovely day spent hanging out with my brother and sis-in-law (two of my favorite people in the whole world). First we went to the movies (something none of us had done in at least a year) and saw Super 8. We all really enjoyed it. Even had popcorn and soda. And, very happily,  there was no one making noise in the theater to ruin it for the rest (woohoo!).  Then we had take-out dinner and spent the evening chatting away. 

Also, I gave my sock monkey a make-over. Now he has teeth, which he's reasonably happy about. He never gets terribly happy because he's overall a very grumpy monkey.

Hope you're all enjoying a day off, 

or at least the anticipation of having one.

New Stuff

All of yesterday's to-do's got done!

They're all one-of-a-kinds, and they're in our shop now.

I can't pick a favorite this week, although I'm sorta partial to that/those two-headed rainbow-eyed monster(s). Not sure what their magical powers are yet, but they sure are sweet.

Tuesday's Artist: Elly MacKay

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better.

This week's spotlight is shining on Elly MacKay, an artist living in Owen Sound, Ontario. She makes her dreamy images by cutting paper figures out and layering them in a miniature theater. Then she "plays with the lights and filters to create atmosphere and then photographs the scenes." I really love the illustrative quality of her cut out bits combined with the depth of the photography. To me, it feels like storybooks have come to life.

She says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be heartbroken. Perhaps I would be a set designer or something else that would allow me to make things with my hands. I've always wanted to run a general store too - filled with wonders in little drawers.


Today, I'm listening to the CBC - Q.

I'm really good at reading stories out-loud to my little girl, making cookies, and finding horn coral on the beach.

I'd like to be better at learning languages, singing, and gardening. Our family has taken up gardening and we are transforming the backyard. The poppies, forget-me-knots, and herbs are bringing it to life!

When I was a kid I was a dreamer. I still am.

I hate it when I realize I've left the laundry out and it begins to rain. Fortunately, my husband usually does the laundry.

 My workspace is messy today. Project on the go.

Right now, I'm really into penny candy and raspberries. I'm pregnant and can't get enough of either.

I hope that my art makes others feel like spending a little time dreaming too.

You can see more of Elly MacKay at her shop, website, or blog.

Today's Table (In the Works)

Here's who's waiting to be finished today-

I don't like this all-by-myself thing.

Probably why all of this week's creations have companions

(even if it's just an extra head).

G. . .and some other stuff too.

Just finished the latest in our Alphabet Series.

G is for Garrison Goat and his Green Guitar-

here

Also, yesterday's mysterious circle is revealed . . .

Tah-Dah! It's a skirt for a panda girl-

I finished Miss Pandy last night too. Isn't she darling? Panda's always remind me of my girly. She has a stuffed toy named Pandy that has been her companion since she was 3 days old.

Pandy Panda is a one-of-a-kind piece.

You can see more of her in our Etsy shop here.

-Sold-

Finished two more new one-of-a-kind pieces too!

Alice in her wheelie Cheshire kitty. . .

. . .and Pinocchio's done too. 

(Little Red is quite rightly hesitant to trust him.)

Whew. . .Now on the the next batch!

One Enigmatic Peek at Today's Table

Any guesses?

Tuesday's Artist: Elizabeth Frank

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better. 

This week's spotlight is shining on Elizabeth Frank. Most of her artworks are carved from fallen aspen that she gathers in the mountains of Northern Arizona and New Mexico. She combines the carved wood with an assortment of other reclaimed materials. I love her folky, quirky, colorful creations.

Lady of Wildflowers

She says:

If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be an archaeologist.

Today, I'm listening to Pandora Radio. Coldplay is playing now.

Monster Heads

I'm really good at standing on my head.

I'd like to be better at speaking Spanish.

Tiny Red Bunny Monster

When I was a kid I was the artist in the class

I hate it when the hollyhocks are finished blooming.

Tin Can Angel

My workspace is sawdust heaven.

Right now, I'm really into making a sculpture holding a giant magic book.

Man and Universe

I hope that my art touches someone’s heart, or bends someone’s brain or makes someone smile!

You can see more of Elizabeth Frank on her website, her blog, or her Etsy shop.

Today's Table (In the Works)

Yesterday's starts are becoming today's finishes. I just have to attach them to their various bodies and/or limbs. And Alice is getting some feline-esque transportation so that she may wheel around the studio in style.

I'm kinda in love with Pinocchio, even though he's obviously not trustworthy. Taking a picture of his sprouting branch of a nose is proving to be difficult for someone with my very limited picture-taking abilities.

I'll keep trying.

Just like Pinocchio.

Chocolate-Dipped Pinocchio

Here's a peek at today's table-

So excited to be working on a bunch of one-of-a-kind pieces this week!

The sculpted heads up there are in their chocolate-dipped phase. I like to give my paperclay stuff a couple of nice fat base coats of burnt umber before painting them with their more colorful base coats. Is it still a base coat if it's 3 layers deep? And I'm making a Pinocchio too! Obviously this particular Pinocchio has been less than honest. His tell-tale nose will be sprouting tiny fabric leaves before I'm done with him. Lots more stuff in the works too. I'm having a little trouble reigning myself in.

Today's Table (In the Works)

Today's worktable is a panorama of silliness-

 Dylan (who does all the sewing, stuffing, and making of stands) is getting ready to take our son to Florida for a two-week vacation, so he has been getting me all stocked up on starts so that I have enough things to finish while they're out of town. (Some attempt to keep me out of trouble I suspect.) The good news is, I'll be doing lots of one-of-a-kind pieces over the next couple of weeks! The bad news is, I'll have no one to pester with their flying kisses once they're finished. I guess I could bug my dog, Tuzy the Wonderfluff,  but he has the utmost patience for my shenanigans, making it less enjoyable (from a pesty point of view) than inspiring eye rolls from The Teenager. I've started collecting 2 weeks worth of hugs and kisses to last me through the separation (which is a lot on account of I'm a huggy/kissy kind of wife/mom), thus receiving more eye rolls. I've never spent any amount of time alone. I'm 38 years old, and I don't think I've ever had more than a whole day to myself. Should be interesting.

How about you? Do you like alone time?

Tuesday's Artist: Jennifer Davis

In order to keep my creative tank chugging along I like to fill it with all sorts of visual fuel. This "Tuesday's Artist" thing is my way of sharing some of the artists that inspire and delight me. I asked them to do a little finish-this-sentence sort of mini-interview so we might get to know them a little better. This week's spotlight is shining on Jennifer Davis in Minneapolis. I love her curious creatures, rich patterns, and her playful and unexpected use of color.

Circus

She says:

•If I wasn't an artist maybe I'd be some sort of planner/organizer. "Type A" behavior is fun for me.

•Today, I'm listening to National Public Radio, cat snoring, birds chirping...

•I'm really good at using my imagination.

•I'd like to be better at cooking.

Kitty

•When I was a kid I was prone to talking to myself. Still am.

•I hate it when there is a US Postal Service holiday. I live for mail.

Curious

•My workspace is white.

•Right now, I'm really into painting, my bicycle, Netflix, reading, playing outside...

Falling

•I hope that my art makes people feel happy.

You can see more of Jennifer Davis on her website, her blog, or on flickr.

The Latest Silliness

Grrrrrrr. . . .

Just finished my latest paper doll.  Woohoo!

Making him 3/4 view like that was challenging, 

but I really like the way he turned out. 

He's a dapper fellow, but a wolf nevertheless; 

so don't go trusting him with your grandmas.

Hopefully he'll be all printed and ready for sale by the end of the week.

Easy Peasy Bead People

I made some bead people ornaments today and thought maybe you'd like to make some too.

Did you know that if you paint cotton fabric with acrylic craft paint it behaves like really strong paper? It's true. Easily cut with reasonably crappy scissors. No fraying. I paint a lot of fabric for beastie dresses and such, and thus happen to have plenty of scraps around. So I used painted fabric, but felt would work too.

You'll need 2 pipe cleaners (aka chenille stems). 

Bend one in half, and cut one into thirds.

I made a simple little dress template, 

then traced in onto my fabric with a fold at the shoulder line.

Slide that little dress onto the folded pipe cleaner, 

leaving enough space at top for your bead head plus a little loop for hanging.

Insert the shorter piece of pipe cleaner. . .

. . .and glue the dress together and the head on.

I used Tacky Glue to glue the head on, and hot glue for the dress.

Then it's time to pick some beads.

I don't have a lovely organized bead stash, I have bead soup.

 Using tacky glue, glue on beads for hands and legs.

I painted on a simple face, hot-glued a button on her dress, and added an embroidery floss hanger.

All done!

A happy little bead person-

Then I made her some friends!

You could go all out with details. Maybe even make them not-so-bald.

I plan on tying them to gifts, but I suspect they'll end up hanging all over the house.

F

F is for Finnegan the Fishing Fox

The latest in our ongoing Alphabet Series is up! You can see more of him here.

Any time I'm designing something new I like to start by inundating myself with visual imagery.

 I always enjoy seeing different artists' interpretations of the same subject matter.

Here are some more foxy foxes to look at-

abigailbrown, mabgraves, SandraHealy,

OrangeOptimist, 3Crows, AgainstTheWoodGrain,

JCStilesArt, lulubugjewelry, kharaladonne.

Wouldn't you just love to have a big bushy fox tail?

Maybe it's just me.

Today's Table (In the Works)

I'm feeling kinda quiet lately,

so I hope it's okay if I just let the pictures do the talking.

E

E is for Evelyn Elephant wearing earrings.

here

Today's Table (In the Works)

Another paperdoll in the works. 

I find the back of this one disconcerting for some reason.

Disconcerting can be interesting though.

I have to finish 4 other pieces today before I can finish this one.

Horse Drawn Carriage

I really like the work of Sanya Glisic. 

She does amazing screen prints that are some of the best I've seen.

I especially like her Zodiac series.

So cool!

You can see more of her awesomeness in her Etsy shop, HorseDrawnCarriage .

(Even her shop name is cool!) AND she's having a sale. Woohoo!

○ ○ ○

I'm thinking it would be fun to do a little weekly (or maybe monthly) featured artist here, 

maybe with mini-interviews. 

What do you think?