Oaxacan Wood

I haven’t posted about my love of Mexican folk art in a while. I guess I’m still in mourning since my favorite store for Mexican folk art went out of business. Now I lust over the fabulous wood carvings from Oaxaca that my new favorite online shop features. Sandia Folk Art. Every time their new email pops up in my inbox, I stop what I’m doing to peruse and dream. They offer the best sculptures. I want almost every single one they sell.  So far I have been good and resisted the temptation to add a few to my collection. But I feel my strength diminishing. I’m afraid I’ll be clicking and adding to my shopping cart soon. Here’s a couple of pieces from their latest email that are calling my name. Enjoy.

My Latest Custom Crocheted Critter

Remember how I said I loved custom creations? As soon as I finished my St. Bernard on a ski, I began crocheting a twin for Duncan the dog. His owner wanted him to look like Tony (he’s still waiting for a new home in my shop) but with Duncan’s colors. She sent me a bunch of photos of a really cute dog and I had the best time crocheting him. She promises to send photos of the dogs together. I love that. I can’t wait to see them. Enjoy.

It’s Market Time Again 2013

Hello Dallas. Hello White Rock Local Market. This Saturday, April 13 8am until 1pm will be my first venture out into the public with my critter creations. I have been hibernating for way too long. Come see all my new critter shaped pillows and lots of new catnip snakes and cockroaches. We’ll be at the Green Spot market location on Buckner. I hope to see your smiling faces in my booth.

Pit Bulls

  I love dogs. All kinds. Even pit bulls. I’ve never lived with one but I’ve liked the ones I’ve met. They’re just like all other dogs, be nice to them and they’re nice to you. And you must know by now I love to crochet dogs as much as I love to crochet cats. When I create my crocheted critters, I usually use bright fun colors, the colors the critters would be if they had a choice I always say.

The reason I bring up pit bulls is that my most recent crocheted critter is a lovable, soft, huggable pit bull. I made him by crocheting with three different shades of brown chenille and white chenille to make him sort of realistic looking. I made this cute critter for a benefit art show, Deviant Art: Dispelling Myths. The show, now in its fifth year, raises funds for A Rotta Love Plus, a Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota pit bull and Rottweiler rehoming, advocacy, and education organization. If you venture into Facebook land, and who doesn’t these days, click here for the event page for the show.

My one of a kind pit bull will be available for adoption at the show. I hope he finds a good home.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

In honor of the day, I present to you a group of green critters, all waiting for you in my shop. Drop by and pick up some green. Enjoy.

Earthtones For A Change

You may have noticed that I’m fond of brighter colors. Not a lot of browns in my work. Last month I posted a photo of a couple of custom dogs I made. The smaller dog was made using some abstract patterned tan fabric that I had more than I needed. So I have been starting to make some animal shaped pillows for my shop using the same fabric. Tan. Brown. A change of pace for me.

Keep your eyes peeled on my shop to see what other tan/beige/brown abstract patterned critters appear. Who knows? I may find some more earth tone fabrics and start creating a whole stable of  brownish critters. Enjoy.

Tony, Tony, Tony

At the end of January, I posted some photos of a crochet work in progress. At the time, I didn’t know whether I was creating feline or canine. Obviously, canine won. Meet Tony, a soft, cute and in my opinion, irresistible pup that you just know you need to take home with you. Click here or on his photo to see more photos and perhaps, give him a new home. Enjoy.

Just For You

I love getting custom order requests. It makes me stretch creatively. It brings me joy to please the customer when their desires are realized. Recently, I made a couple of my dog shaped pillows as a special birthday gift for the customer’s sister. My customer was pleased and was sure her sister was going to love these pups. So I thought I’d share their photo with you, I think they look rather cute together. On their backs, I wrote the sister’s dog name that each pillow represented along with a birthday message and my signature and date. So next time you want to give something very special to someone, consider a custom critter.

Mickey Plate

Fun with photographs. I turned this photo into a 10.5″ melamine plate. It is fabulous. You should make a plate out of one of your photos too. Such fun.

My Mickey Plate

Work, Work, Work

These last few weeks have been very busy and I hope that’s a good sign of better things ahead this year. I have been creating as fast as I can in the small amount of time that my day job leaves me. Here’s a few snaps of a work in progress. I still haven’t decided whether this critter is going to bark or meow. Don’t you love the teal yarn? Both yarns are so soft, whether dog or cat, this critter is going to be so huggable. Enjoy.