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"

faces

A few new faces. My apologies for the lack of updates. A month without Z and alone with my little man proved more difficult than previously thought. Lots of updates this month, promise!

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!

Babywearing Plush Mama

Even plush mommies know what's best for their little ones! Check out the Facebook Page for more photos or purchase her on Etsy. Also, feel free to contact me to commission your own plush doll (or plush family).

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!

first giveaway!

Ah, November. We are in the month of thanks and there are so many things to be thankful for. I have a lovely family, amazing friends, and am a very happy healthy person. As a thank you, I'm doing my first giveaway. I love to give things so this is very exciting for me. Since I couldn't possibly make enough art to give to everyone I know, I've made a pretty little plush doll that I'd like to give everyone the opportunity to win. She is mostly hand sewn with a hand embroidered face and her dress is made from one of my favorite fabrics. I plan to make many more for sale on Etsy but this little lady is up for grabs and she needs a lovely home. She can definitely withstand baby play (Odin tested) but would also look stunning sitting on your bed or up on a shelf!

You can enter this giveaway a maximum of four times.
-first entry- just leave a comment saying what you're most thankful for.
-second entry- follow Dancey Pants Disco (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 winner will be announced one week from today (the day before Thanksgiving, 11/21) around 10 pm EST. I'll pick a random entry (via random number generator online) from the entries I receive and the winner will be announced on this blog entry and contacted via e-mail. Be sure to leave your e-mail in one of your comments.

Good luck, loves!

EDIT: Giveaway is over! Winner soon!

I wish I could give everyone something.. But please please check the Etsy store over the next few weeks for lots of additions AND more giveaways.
Alright, alright, drum roll please!

The winner is: Errol!

(Well, the original winner was my house-mate Rachel, but she's kindly given me the okay to send her to someone who hasn't played with her already...)

plush girl

She's finished! I'm thinking my first giveaway will be a plush doll like this little lady!

gifts for gifts

I'm making a little plush doll in exchange for a room at a fancy hotel for Z's birthday! I really love making these dolls and I think when I go to Florida this weekend, I may buy some more supplies. It's so hard- there are so many things I like to make. I love making crafty bits as gifts. Or fun little toys to sell. But I really enjoy doing gallery work and making more serious pieces too. I'm not quite sure how to meld all of my interests together. Now that I have a babe, I want to make more toys- wooden and plush, and I've also been really interested in getting into children's fashion. How can I do all of these things and be successful? I feel like it's a hard combination!