Russian Christmas Swap!

Every year the Plush Team does a Secret Santa plush swap- and we do it for Russian/Ukrainian Christmas in January, since we are all usually swamped in December. I am finally getting around to posting the great new piece of plush that I received. I was really excited to see the package at my door from Zazu Faure, aka zfla on etsy. Zazu makes the most sophisticated animals, all from up-cycled wool, cashmere, or angora sweaters. I eagerly opened the box to find this wonderful double-sided Rhino and Maple leaf pin inside! I love how he has a calm side, and a jazzy side. :D The maple leaf pin is just wonderful. Thanks a ton Zazu!!



I couldn't resist taking some "artsy" photos with my iphone:



To see what other members of the Plush Team received in their swaps, head over to the Team's Blog, more fun plush get posted every day.

The plush collecting continues...

Hooray for Christmas! Thanks to my family, I received some really great new pieces of plush for my collection.
First off I got this wonderfully huge, completely hand-sewn "Garth of Monoceros" by Diane Koss of Cutesy but Not Cutesy. I love the colors and his horn is terrific. :)


Then there's this really cool vinyl push by an unknown artist that my brother and sister-in-law found for me this past summer at Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle. There wasn't even a business card or a tag of any sort with this plush, so I don't know who created this. It's a pity not to know...


Next is this adorable Knitimal, Parmee, by Danamarie of Greenstar Studio. Hand knit and as cute as a button! Sooo huggable.


Lastly, this is a Christmas present to myself. ;D I have wanted one of Robyn Fabsits' pieces of soft plush sculpture for a long time now, and I finally got one!! This Sad Clown was made for the "Soft Served" art show at OhNo! Doom Gallery in Chicago. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. :D


I'm busy getting my studio organized from the insanity of Christmas- and boy was there insanity- and I will be back making new plush as soon as I can see my sewing table, and the floor. ;)

Got Candy?

As promised, here are my two pieces for the Plush Team's "Candyland" themed art show at Hot Pop Gallery in Milwaukee, which opens this friday at 6pm!! Tons of great candy-inspired plush is yours to behold or buy at the show, so if you are in the area, make sure to go and check it out. The show runs through March 20th.

I did a lot of brainstorming and word-listing before I found the concept that I thought would be fun to make for the candyland theme. I wanted to make sure that my pieces said "candy" without being too literal, and it took me awhile to find something that made me laugh to myself when I was doodling ideas. What I came up with was the idea of a Gingerbread Circus arriving in town, and here are a couple of its performers:

The Ring Master of the Gingerbread Circus, with her lollipop baton, top hat and tail coat:




and a Gingerbread Circus Clown, with his mini bowler hat and giant bow tie:




I am bummed not to be heading to Milwaukee to see the show in person, but I can't wait to see photos from the Team Members in the Mid-West who are headed to the opening this weekend! I'm sure that there will be photos available sometime after the opening on the Plush Team's blog, so make sure to keep checking in there to see all the great pieces the Team made for the show- I know that I will be! :)

Sneak Peek!

Here's a quick look at my pieces for the Plush Team's upcoming Group Show at the HotPop Gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the end of January. The theme they gave us was "Candyland," which was really fun to brainstorm and sketch ideas. I will post actual photos of the finished pieces closer to the January 21st opening of the show. For now you just get to see these. ;D



I'm taking a bit of a breather to recover from all the holiday season madness before diving back in to plush-making, so I will see you back here in a little while. I'm off to catch up on my new books and just chill for a bit. AAaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.