Softlife Plush Exclusive

Is now online for you to view and love. 

Softlife Plush Exclusive and Interview

My friend Coco is the woman behind Softlife.   I had no idea that she made the most magical creatures on the planet until I saw her show at her, now husband's shop, Anne Bonny.  Her work is inspiring, eye catching and super loveable.  She has made some really fun, summery (which we need big time in these parts) guys for her plush exclusive.  These will begin going on sale July 7th.  Until then learn a bit about the maker.

S- What was your inspiration behind this exclusive?

SL- My inspiration behind this line of toys was New Rave and a longing for the bright and happy colors of summer.

S- One of your dream projects?

SL- There are so many! One thing I would love to do is make a collection of five foot tall Denizens that sprout grass and leave them all over the city. Giant Chia pets everywhere!

S- You will be a vendor at Urban Craft Uprising!  What will mainly be for sale at your booth?

SL- I am going for a carny theme this summer. I have been designing plush toys that are reminiscent of the types of plush prizes I won as a child at the 50th state fair in Hilo. I am also working on a line of plush prize fighters, which for some reason, seem to me to fit in with the whole carney vibe. I will also have Sweater Beast kits, needle felted throw pillows, felted wall hangings, and as always, lots of strange plush creatures.

S- Where you might like to see your art in the next 5 years?

SL- To be honest, I don't really think that far ahead! I have many, many projects that I hope to realize in the next few years, and i would love to teach my Creature Classes to children in other countries. I have been thinking a lot lately about the feasibility of of being a traveling street vendor. The idea of selling art on the street both in the US and abroad, really appeals to me. I have been raising kids for twenty one years now, and being a vagabond sounds very romantic!

S- What are you looking forward to this summer (if it should ever arrive)?

SL- I am looking forward to being home and making art with my husband, Spencer. I will have a month off in August, and I  look forward to having time to paint, play guitar, and taking the needle felted wall hangings in a new direction.

The Year of the Tiger

PicaPau

I still can't decide how I feel about 2009.  It went by so fast it all feels kinda cloudy.  And 2008 seemed so bad that 2009 didn't seem so bad.  I came out with two books, Creature Crochet and Button and Stitch: Supercute Ways to Use Your Button Stash.  It was our first full year of Grassroots Business Association.  I curated a show at Gallery Hanahou and started the plush exclusives and did the usual Schmancy stuff.  It really went so fast and I felt almost constantly busy.  This year there are some secret projects in the works which are really exciting but I also hope to take it easy a little bit more. 

Some things I would like to accomplish in the new year:

1) Complete my braided rug that I started more than a year ago now and for some reason can't sew it correctly.  This weekend I am going to take it apart (again) and try sewing it one more time using directions.

2) See friends more often (this is more towards friends whom I make plans with but it takes us 2 months to actually get it together).  You know who you are

3) If I decide to make a gift...let's say a baby gift, I need to make practical goals so that I accomplish them in time and not 5 months later. 

4) Eat at home during the week as much as humanly possible.  AND eat breakfast!  (i am terrible at that)

5) Try and get wholesale accounts again for some of my items. 

I could go on and on but I won't bore you.  I am hoping because it's the year of the tiger and I am a tiger maybe it's my year.  I'm going with that.  Happy New Year lovelies.  xoxo

Plush You kick off class

Join plush artist Coco Howard of Softlife and Kristen Rask of the incomparable Schmancy Toys at Stitches on Saturday October 3rd from 4:00 to 6:00pm and learn the fine art of making Sweater Beasts! In this class you will learn a very simple, yet versatile technique that will allow you to turn your unwanted sweaters into excellent beasts that will amaze your friends and maybe even your family. Only basic sewing skills are needed. All supplies will be provided. Cost is 20.00 for a two hour tutorial.

Bio:
Coco Howard started Softlife in 2007 as an umbrella company for her various artistic endeavors. She makes plush creatures, engages in amateur photography, creates needle felted wall hangings, sculpture, and installations, and teaches creature making classes at various elementary and middle schools in Seattle. Her work has been exhibited in the US and Japan.
Coco is devoted whole heartedly to fighting the soft fight each and every day.

To sign up please call (206) 709-0707

Tonight at Schmancy

Is the opening reception for 'Is This Love Or Just A Beautiful Dream?'. New work by Spencer Moody and Coco Howard. Here at Schmancy from 6:00 to 9:00

"Memoirs of the Digesting Duck" Exhibition

I am excited to go check out the new exhibit going up at Bluebottle Art Gallery. Be there! This Thursday 6-8. After I gotta go home and make cookies for the show up at Schmancy that Friday with Spencer Moody and Coco Howard. Fun week for art!

April 10th @ Schmancy

Spencer Moody and Coco Howard will be showing new work at Schmancy on April 10th. Mark those calendars!

Coco Howard and Spencer Moody

If you don't live in the area you can still see the awesome show up 'What We Do Is Also Secret' by Coco Howard and Spencer Moody, in this video.

What We Do Is Also Secret

I had the pleasure of getting a sneak peak of the new show going up at Vain titled, 'What We Do Is Also Secret'. The show opens this Saturday from 4:00 to 9:00pm. This show is a collaboration by the super talented Coco Howard and Spencer Moody. I saw it going up in November so it was really exciting to see how much it has come along since then. I have put up a few more pictures here. I hope to see some of you there!

Coco Howard Giveaway

I forgot to mention that there is a giveaway for your own Coco Howard piece. Go here to enter.

Coco Howard Interview and Giveaway!

I am trying to remember the first time I saw Coco Howard's work. (I went over the questions and now I do) I had heard of her because her son Atticus shopped at Schmancy and told me his mom made some plush creatures. All I can remember in my sleep deprived state is how much I was in awe of her work when I finally got to see it in person. I do remember emailing a bunch of folks telling them about it and how they had to see it! It's really amazing-that's all there is to it. I am thrilled that she will be showing this year at Plush You! and so excited to see what she does next. Until then, here's more information about Coco for you. Leave a comment (with your contact info please) to win your very own Coco Howard design!



S- Where to begin....Well for our readers that might not know much about you yet, can you please tell us more about you and your work?

CH- I grew up in Hawaii but have been living in Seattle for the past 20 years. At age 21 I had my first child, Atticus. He started drawing at an early age, and his artwork was my original inspiration for getting into character design. When he started school, I volunteered so I could be with him more often, and it was there that I got the opportunity to start an art therapy program. The program focused on plush toy making, and seeing what the kids made inspired me to start making plush on my own for fun. I’d been selling and giving creatures to friends and family, and a lot of people told me that I should try to sell them professionally, but I never thought it would be practical. Then last year I became a single parent and now I need to financially support my family on my own. My hope is that building the Softlife business will allow me the flexibility to parent while earning an income at the same time.



S- The first things I saw of your work were your amazing needle felted wall art at Anne Bonny. Since then, you have moved on to HUGE installations, recycled materials, various animals and creatures. Was the needle felting where it began or just the first stuff I saw?

CH- My first plush were felted dolls and creatures made from recycled sweaters that I made with the kids in my art therapy program. It wasn’t until I started making things at home on my own that I developed the felted paintings, which are my real passion, although they’re extremely time-consuming!

Read full interview here