Awesome.

Moxie was written about on CNN last week!  So awesome! 

I Felt Awesome- Interview and GIVEAWAY!

 As you should all know by now, my friend, Moxie came out with a book recently titled I Felt Awesome: Tips and Tricks for 35+ Needle-Poked Projects.  As I have already mentioned, this book is AWESOME!  Moxie is hilarious and I'm not just saying that because she's my friend.  If you don't like to needle felt you would still thoroughly enjoy reading this book.  I did an interview with  her to join her giveaway here!  All you got to do is leave a comment with what you would love to needle felt and we will randomly choose TWO winners!  #1 winner will receive a signed copy of her book AND a kit!  #2 winner will receive a signed copy of her book AND a little present made by moxie!  Enter to win today!  Winners will be chosen Feb. 16th. 

S- You did all the projects for your book, I Felt Awesome!  How long did this process take? 

M- It seemed like forever! From the day I submitted an inquiry to the publisher to the day the book was on the shelves it was 2 years and some change. (There are a couple extra months in there because of a family emergency, btw.)

S- Not only does your book have GREAT projects but your writing is hilarious!  It seemed like you had a lot of fun.  Do you plan on writing more? 

M- Thanks! It was a lot of fun and a lot of very hard work. I'm not in a hurry to focus my energy on one project like that again for a while. However, if I get a great idea for another book, I'm sure I won't be able to keep it to myself.

S- Do you have any favorites from the book?

M- So hard to choose! I'm really happy with the yo-yo project. The moldy cozy still makes me smile. I also have the Ennui neon sign hanging in my studio and it continues to be awesome.

S- You are doing quiet the book tour!  Where may people find you?

M- Next up is gallery hanahou in NYC. (March 3 for the show opening reception and March 4 I'll be teaching a workshop and signing books.) I'm working on something for Baltimore but the details aren't firm. I have a secret desire to felt in all 50 states so if someone wants me to come to their town, they should drop me a line and see if we can set things up.

S- What are your plans for 2011?

M- Make more art!

I Felt Awesome

I just got a copy of Moxie's new book, I Felt Awesome: Tips and Tricks for 35+ Needle-Poked Projects.

Where do I begin?  This book is, like the title, AWESOME!  Moxie's writing is hilarious, engaging and just fun.  Even if you didn't want to needle felt, you would still enjoy this book.  But you should be interested in needle felting because it's fun.  And if you are NOT interested in it after reading this book then I don't really know how to help you.

Some of the project highlights for me are:

Desk Bowling!  I got a preview of this project way back when and it blew my mind then and continues to do so.

Tilt A Wall would make an amazing gift for any pinball lover.

Bogus Billard would also make an amazing gift but you better really love that person because it looks time consuming.  If it doesn't say 'I love you', I am not sure what will.

Teach Your Children Well mobile cracks me up every time!

Medic Alert Bracelet is not just cute but it's practical.

I could go on and on but I don't want to spoil it all for you.  If you live in the Seattle area, Moxie will be at this weekend's Urban Craft Uprising show where you can pick up a SIGNED copy of her book!  Yay Moxie!  You are awesome.

Speaking of Moxie...

She's having her FIRST solo show at Schmancy this FRIDAY!  You should come!  You would be a fool not to.

Moxie said

If I won the lottery I would buy you for your birthday. I wish you would win the lottery too! But HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOXIE!!!!

More on Urban Craft Uprising

Some other folks I am excited to have at UCU are:

Half Pint Ice Cream

Jill Bliss

Monkey Sock Monkey

I really could go on and on and on.  It is a huge pleasure to be on this team along with Moxie and Lindsey!  The best ladies to work with ever.

Urban Craft Uprising

So the holidays really are not that far away. As I have mentioned I am going to make a full hearted effort to enjoy the holidays this year. I have been stacking away gifts to give for my family and friends for awhile now so that I don't stress out about getting stuff together. I am going to take a little break however because craft shows are coming up and I love to trade and purchase from fellow vendors. I will first be at Urban Craft Uprising which I am so excited for. If you are in the area and going to be attending please do say hello! Anyways, I am still making notes of what I might like to purchase or trade from people and here is a small list to start:

From Urban Craft Uprising


I think it would be fun to get my little doggie nephew a gift from Apartment C. She uses great fabric!


Last winter I did a trade with Berkley Illustrations. I am a huge fan and think it would be fun to get a print for my dad every year for some reason. Or maybe someone new? Either way, they are a must!


I also did a trade with the fantastic duo, Chikabird. I love their notebooks and was happy to give it to someone but have kinda been pining after one ever since. I think it's time. Maybe another trade?


Annie, owner of Dotted Line has mentioned trading and I think I want to finally take her up on the offer!


I was a huge fan of Lush products until I discovered Estrella


One of my goals for next year is going to be send more mail. It's nice to get mail and it so rarely happens anymore. I would be really happy to send love notes with postcards by ilfant


I think my mom and/or aunt would really enjoy needle felting so I got to pick up some kits from Moxie


And I must get one of these shadow puppets for someone...not sure who but I'll figure that out later!

Squeakers now for sale!

You can now purchase these fantastic Squeakers by local artist, Made by Moxie. Exclusively made for Schmancy! Get them here

Made by Moxie toy EXCLUSIVE

I think Moxie makes the most awesome, clever, funny amazing felted toys this side of the Mississippi. Don't you? She has made these adorable squeakers for a Schmancy exclusive. Something I would like to add she doesn't do much of anymore...so get 'em while they are hot! They will be up tomorrow!



S- What was your inspiration behind these fantastic creatures for your plush exclusive?

MBM- Because it's an exclusive, I wanted to make something fun and personable... something that would "speak" to the people. Replace "speak" with "squeak" and you pretty much have it.



S- How has your work evolved from the beginning of creating magical felted monsters?

MBM- While I love making squeakers and finger puppets, I've become driven to creating conceptual pieces. A lot of times my work might be anthropomorphic, but if you look beyond the cuteness, you'll find layers of meaning.



S- Where do you see your monsters in 10 years?

MBM- Ruling the night.



S- What are you most excited for in the next few months?

MBM- I'm excited to be a part of the 5th Annual Urban Craft Uprising show in Seattle. I'm also working on an instructional needle felting book due out in 2010. The next few months will be full of felting, writing and possibilities.

Links

There is an article about amigurumi and it's trends featuring yours truly. Read it here. If you get a chance, check out some of the other awesome articles up there.

There are also notes up on the class given by moxie and myself on Craft Vending A-Z here

Maker Faire HERE WE COME!

I am so excited to get out of town for a few days and go down to California for the Maker Faire. I will be sharing a booth with my birthday twin Moxie. She will mostly be over at her Felt Playground so you can go play with her and learn from the felting master. We will be at booth #60 so please come by and say hello.

I am also really excited that some other local Seattle people will be there. Including my friends from Bluebottle here in Seattle. They will be sitting right next to me selling all of the work by Matthew Porter, co-owner of Bluebottle Art Gallery. I LOVE Matthew's work. It's really fun. I think that's the best word for it. I mean who doesn't love monkeys? Andrea and I also started Grassroots Business Association with a few others and recently started up our blog all about Seattle, Monkey Around Seattle.

Our buddies over at Chikabird/randl will also be a hop and skip away from us. They make really great stuff! I feel like they are always coming up with something new and cool.

Sooo I think for this next week I will be posting a lot about the show, who's gonna be there, how excited I am and all that.

Scrumptious Delights

Moxie is always fantastic about sending me over things she likes and it is always hilarious. Today she steered me over to Scrumptious Delights for her love of this worm. I am a big fan of the cute marshmallow myself.

You Bazaar!

If you are in the Bay Area or in SF, You Bazaar is coming soon. The workshops are now up on the site so check them out and get ready! Read all about them here

Oh Moxie

You are a true genius!

Feel like makin' plush

I just realized that perhaps there are folks out there that don't know how to make plushies, want to expand their skills and whatnot. So here are some kits that might be of interest to you!

If you have ever thought, geez I really wish I could crochet my own happy ice cream cone, well now is your chance.



For the little more skilled sewer this adorable Japanese anime rabbit pattern and kit would make a perfect addition!



Jenny Harada makes some awesome monsters and you can too!



Make sure you check in often with Moxie as she always has awesome kits sure to bring a smile to anyone you love.



I have recently been talking with Jamie from Mary Jane's Attic who has some fantastic kits for sale including this pom pom kit!



Lastly, I am going to order these awesome sock monkey kits for Schmancy soon!