Another Aquatic Adventure

Like I said before, I'm mystified by imagery from the salty depths of the ocean. So when I was commisioned for another change purse with only the instructions, "Any underwater scene will do," I got to work on this baby seahorse. Baby Seahorse likes to chill in the coral reef and throw impromtu dance parties with his reef-dwelling friends. He also enjoys mahjong.

The Lost Port City Market Photos

Here are some pictures of Greta and me at Port City Market with our sweet set-up. I've been looking for a canopy tent so we can do the market again with a better display for our stuff, but so far to no avail.

She's ALIVE!

Once upon a time, I was in a sore mood. After busying myself with some self-portrait doodles of my disgruntled expression, an epiphany struck! Why not turn that negative energy outward into a little creature who could then encapsulate my stores of petulance, frustration and fury, freeing me up emotionally and cheering me with her beguiling good looks.


So this is what I'm working with. Last night there was electricity in the air. A thunderstorm hammered down upon the city as I diligently crafted this miniature malevolent me. I felt like a mad scientist, threading on her little belt, perfecting her twisted glare and knitted brows. I even broke a needle on my machine in my frenzied haste, which only momentarily halted my progress. I quickly retrieved the machine's handbook and replaced it. Phew!

As I completed the stuffing and sewed the scalloped edges of her slip closed on the bottom of her skirt, I was absolutely giddy! She's alive! She's beautiful! She's poseable! (I put pipe cleaners in her appendages.) She gets angry about all the same things I do.

"What do you mean I can't drink in here?!"

"Not this shit again!"

Port City Market: Success!

Welp, Port City Market was a success for both Greta and me! We both made a bit of money, but more importantly we sent our lovable creations out into the world via our satisfied customers. I think we'll definitely do it again in the future, and we'll be better prepared for the perils of outdoor marketing. Huzzah! Greta took pictures, but she's being a little tardy getting them to me. In the mean time, enjoy these little bags which are still available from Felt Up Goods.

Since I posted an ongoing update of how this bric-a-brac bag was turning out, here's the finished product. I wanted whimsical flower-esque things on the trees, so I needle felted white orbs on there. I like it.

This is a change purse with a little strawberry guy on it. He reminds me of a healthier version of Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force with that one tooth. He makes me laugh.

Making Fruitful Progress

I'm still in the very early stages of my felting fetish, so there is a lot of soft, fuzzy trial and error going on. I was attempting to make a set of produce magnets, but this strawberry didn't turn out quite as imagined. He knows exactly how adorable he isn't. But then his self deprecation turns around and makes him cute again. Awr.

This more successful project-in-progress was the first bag I started felting. I set it aside because I felt the birds were a bit overused as a graphic image. I then added hand sewn details and I love the way it draws the eye to the branches instead of the birds. I foresee a lot more combining of needle felting with hand sewn goodies in my felting future.

In conclusion, some great news: Greta at I are the Featured Crafters at this weekend's Port City Market. Huzzah! Come out to the market Saturday at Main St. and Palafox from 9 am-1 pm before the Mardi Gras parade!

Bric-a-Bractopus Bag

Meet this charcoal and turquoise treasure: the Bric-a-Bractopus Bag.

I gave the Squid Bric-a-Brac Bag to my sister for her birthday, so I wanted to make a replacement to try to sell at Port City Market this weekend, where Greta and I will be slinging our handmade crafts to zealous buyers before the Mardi Gras Parade. We are quite excited.

I really like sea creatures, so that will undoubtedly be a running theme in my felting. I also like kitties, dinosaurs, mustaches and food.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Change Purse

This Squid Bric-a-brac Bag can be anything from a makeup bag to a fashion forward pencil case. It is also my first foray into the world of zipper sewing. This exciting development is further displyed in the Baby Octopus On-The-Go and the Change 'Stache change purses, which are pictured here with a delightful felt breakfast.