babywearing portrait

I'm hosting a little giveaway over on the baby blog! Check it out! If you're a babywearing mumma or know someone who is, you should enter. <3

the wait

A piece for this Friday's gallery show at Graficas.

too much hair

This sweet thang was just listed on Etsy! Check her out here.

For Jess

A little drawing for a dear friend.

studio

current project//desk space//storage space//life//fabric

I'm excited to have a little nook to call my own studio. It's larger than any other studio space I've had before so I'm very content. It's starting to come together and slowly become more organized. I try to organize a little every opportunity I get. I'm working on a new piece for a gallery show at the end of the month. I'm surprised I was able to complete so much of it this weekend. I still have a lot to do, but I'll be posting here as soon as it's finished. I'm excited to make a few more baby wearing dolls as soon as I can. I feel like they'll do well in the Etsy shop.

custom plush and some Etsy additions

It's been awhile, friends.

After a month of moving and settling in (and a first birthday party too), I've finally started to get back into the flow of things. I was able to finish a ton of sewing alterations this past week as well as finish up a custom doll for a dear mama/friend of mine in Florida. She commissioned this dolly from me and I was happy to oblige (she's a photographer and has taken tons of shots for me since I was a wee girl! Her website is here). I'm always available to discuss custom plush dolls so please e-mail me for availability, michellemakesthings (at) gmail.com.

I have an awesome new studio space where I've been able to set up a sewing shelf with all of my fabrics conveniently displayed, as well as a separate area for painting and drawing storage. Once the studio is a little more set-up, I'll be sure to post photos here to share with everyone! It's always interesting to see the spaces that nourish creativity. Today I was able to get a majority of work done on a new gallery piece which will be showing on Nantucket at Graficas at the end of this month. I'm pretty excited about this one and can't wait to post photos of the finished product. Be sure to check out the FaceBook page for progress shots and other fun things (link to the right)!

Two pieces that I've previously posted are also currently available on Etsy:

"Cry Me a River"

"Leafy Pea"

Happy Valentine's Giveaway!

Some of you may know that every year I get pretty excited about designing a new set of Valentine's cards. Last year's cards were pretty adorable and definitely more popular than I thought they would be. I made a brand new set for this year, but also re-printed last year's designs! Both super rad sets are available on Etsy. I'm even including a bonus card (a brand new design!) with the purchase of more than one set. The older designs still have the blank backing (other than my website) for extra love notes, but the new cards have a special design on the back of the card for the to and from that I'm pretty excited about.

Check out these brand new babies:

And last year's adorable designs:

Now for the part I know you're excited about, the giveaway!

This time around, I'm going to give away not one, but two sets. One set of this year's designs and one set of last year's designs. You know what that means, we'll have two winners! We'll do this giveaway just like the last one.

You can enter this giveaway a maximum of four times.
-first entry- just leave a comment saying which card you like best!
-second entry- follow the Dancey Pants Disco blog (at the bottom of this page) and leave a separate comment saying you've done so.
-third entry- share this giveaway post on your Facebook, blog, or Instagram (#danceypantsdisco) and leave a separate comment saying you've done so.
-fourth entry- pop on over to the Facebook page and hit 'like,' then comment again saying you've done so. (If you've already 'liked' the FB page, just leave a comment saying so!)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. The winners will be announced a week and a half from today, January 27th, around 10 pm EST. I'll pick two random entries (via random number generator online) from the entries I receive and the winners will be announced on this blog entry and contacted via e-mail. Be sure to leave your e-mail or contact info in one of your comments. Some of the entries last time forgot to do so!

Good luck, loves!

Graficas gallery show

I have a spot in a little gallery show this Friday- I was able to complete three small pieces for it. I would've loved to do more, but my interests have been elsewhere (plushies!). I'm working on a larger painting which unfortunately I didn't finish in time, but will definitely have it done for the Spring show. I'm loving making these tiny little paintings, if anyone has any small old frames they need to be rid of- PLEASE let me know, I'll pay shipping!

So here are my three little friends. Say hello!

'Scuba Jacque'

'Leafy Pea'

'Cry me a Rainbow'

Whatever doesn't sell will be available on the Etsy page soon.

31 Postcards, finished

The 31 postcard project was so much fun. I think if I can manage it I'll do a similar project on my own in January or February, 30 portraits again! I'm still terribly fond of that project. Well here's the initial 31. I still owe some people postcards (sorry, guys!) but since I received those addresses after the initial 31 and I put a lot of effort in each card, those will have to wait just a little longer. Hope everyone loved their cards, I'm excited to do a project like this again soon!

Also, don't forget! The giveaway ends today so be sure to enter to win a cutie little plush doll!

ball-point postcards

I forgot how much I loved drawing with a simple ball-point pen. I really REALLY love it! Thanks to my friend Laurie at Ringling College, I received a package of Ringling goodies (sketchbooks and art books and pens and temporary tattoos!) and I drew all night. I plan to do the same today! I can't wait to finish the postcards, they've helped me come up with loads of new ideas for paintings and other creations!

Apologies!

I've been so preoccupied with this 31 Postcards project that I've neglected the blog! So here's a sneak peek, a few little pop-up gnomes. One of the many cards I've made so far with another 25 or so to go. (I was sent many more than 31 addresses!) Once they're finished, I'll have them all scanned and photographed and I'll put them all up here. I'm really excited to use this opportunity to make a variety of mini illustrations and cards to sell on the Etsy! So if you see one you like, keep an eye out for the sale!

31 Postcards in 31 Days

This remind's me a whole lot of George Pratt's infamous 30 portraits in 30 days assignment that I did my junior year at Ringling College (you can see some of those awesome portraits here). I loved that project and think about it constantly. Ive always loved working on too many things at once and projects  like these really allow me to do just that. 

The 31 Postcards in 31 Days is more about the promotion of letter writing, but I'm going to use it as an excuse to doodle/create and share. I'm going with the USPS postcard size standard and using some thicker cardstock. The cardstock is still not quite weather/mail proof so I'll be putting them in envelopes and sending them that way. I also have some pretty crazy plans for most of them (think of my paper toys/paper dolls) and they'd definitely be destroyed in their passage across the country. I sent out a Call for Addresses on Facebook and received way too many addresses, but I'm a sucker and will probably send some to those that volunteered after the initial 31 anyway. The event is open to whoever wants to participate so maybe some of you will read this and decide to do so too! (If you want my address, just let me know!) 

When they're all finished, I'll have them scanned. After I send them out, I'll post pictures here! I'm really excited and hope I get some pictures of them in their new homes! (Especially the ones that need to be cut and assembled, GAH I'm so excited.)

I've finished three, I'm working on the fourth and I just started today! I'll be working on them every chance I get in hopes to finish them all by the beginning or middle of October as they all need to be sent IN October!

This is going to be SO much fun! I hope some of you decide to do it too!

Children's Book!

Anyone remember this lil' lady? She's the main character in the children's book I'm now working on! I'm pretty excited to get started on this one. Lots of character design sketches today, maybe some sculpey work, and if Odin let's me- storyboarding!

Wooden Puzzle.

Finally! This is the beginning of a long line of wooden puzzles we'll be making this fall/winter for a local shop on island as well as online sales. Since this is the prototype, we're giving it to little Odin. Odin's one lucky babe.

Painting Break!

My wooden puzzle is almost finished, but I had to take a short break to paint a little monster for my little monster!

(Look at that nefarious little face!)

I'll be finishing up that puzzle and starting a few other projects soon. <3

Valentine's Day is Just Around the Corner!

Hello hello!


I have a habit of making lots of little gifts for all my friends. I'm excited that this year I made a set of Valentine's Day cards available to purchase, which you can do on my Etsy. These original designs are all illustrated and printed by me. Please check them out and maybe get some for your loved ones!