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"

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).

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!

One Little..

One little, Two little, A million little monsters! Nantucket Looms is interested in selling my handmade dolls, like this one and this one. So, to get me back in the plush groove, I made this simple little monster yesterday. It's a bit chilly today, so this morning I knitted the poor creature a scarf to keep him warm while he hangs out in the studio. I think he may stay with little Odin and just be inspiration for the million more I'm planning to make! (Plus Odin's already slobbered all over him!) 

Tallulah and Bernice!

New blog, new blog. I'll start you off with some sweet little hand sculpted dolls I made for a local gallery showing. Tallulah is a tad bit more elegant than her whimsical younger sister Bernice, but the two enjoy their time together. Tallulah is quite the fan of local dances, meeting new friends, and writing. Bernice prefers her time alone, making friends with the butterflies, dancing with elephants, and frolicking often (Oh, and of course her bear hat, which she never leaves home without).

 

These lovely ladies were designed, hand-sculpted, painted, and dressed by myself. These babes are sort of a gateway into the world of puppets. I really hope to play around with some marionette making this year, but for now the obsession is with wooden toys. Recycling (Repainting) one now, so hopefully pictures tomorrow or the day after!

After a long hiatus, it was time to make a brand new blog. The last art blog hasn't been updated since thesis so I'm excited to start fresh!