New Blog Devoted to My Plush Dolls

These recycled babies - the Carney Creatures - were the inspiration for creating a new blog devoted to my plush dolls. They are part of the Carney series I started in July. Their name comes from the fact that they are reincarnated from jeans, skirts, wool sweaters and other recycled fabrics. Every thing is recycled except the polyfiberfil stuffing.

This is baby "Shii" (below) and "Xuxa" and they have 11 other brothers and sisters up for adoption. They include Rok, Bloo, Oik, Pip, Tib, Bink, Gloob, Luk, Flek, Min, and Joop. You can see the others on the Polyester Junction Plushomat blog at http://www.polyesterjunctionplushomat.blogspot.com/. Enjoy. :)

Funky Christmas Stockings

Here is my take on the Christmas stocking. Funky indeed. :O

HandMade Pledge

Pledge to buy handmade this holiday season to support indie artists, crafters and designers. To find out more about this pledge, you can visit http://www.buyhandmade.org/. :)

Even More Sale Items - Bags

The "Less Than 15 Days, Less Than $15.00 Sale" continues. I'm starting to feel like one of those commercials where the guy says "ok, folks...everything must go" because he has to make room in the store for new inventory. That's about where I am. It's just incredible how much inventory I have. I really had no idea. When you make and make and one day, you go through the boxes and it's like you have a store. I just have to shake my head. :) Anyway, here are a couple of funky bags for the taking - only $10.00. Email me if you want something - polyesterjunction@yahoo.com.

More Sale Items / Funky Pincushions

The perfect stocking stuffer - handmade, funky, one-of-a-kind pincushions with hand drawn illustrations. Approximately 4" x 4" though some are a wee bit bigger. All are $5.00.

Holiday Sale Starting This Week / Door Hangings Only $5.00

I'm happy to tell you that I will be having my first sale here at Polyester Junction - the "Less Than 15 Days; Less Than $15.00 Sale". You now have less than 15 shopping days left and I'm giving things away for less than $15.00. I did inventory over the weekend and I have way too many items and not enough studio space to house them in. Plus, there are new items that I have to make room for. Feel free to email me if there is something you'd like to have - polyesterjunction@yahoo.com.

These holiday door hangings are all made from recycled, natural fabrics like cottons and wools. Cute is the word I'd use to describe them but they are also organic and crunchy looking, which is quite unusual for me as I am very meticulous and uptight with my work but this was an exercise for me in learning to be a bit more freeform and less rigid, (hence the unsewn seams). This was the result and they are on sale for only $5.00. Happy Monday! :)

New Dolls On The Way

This tattered piece of paper may look like nothing but for me, it was a sight for sore eyes because it's a sketch I did weeks ago of these two characters that I decided would have to become new Carney's.

This was a piece of paper that ended up at the bottom of my bag that I took for yet another "to do" list but when I finally opened it up over the weekend after weeks of being tossed around, I saw the sketches on it and nearly freaked because it had of course become tattered, crumpled and most stunning - pieces were missing...eek! I had a clear enough picture of the guy with the mustache. While parts of his legs and arms were missing I remembered how they looked but the other guy was completely missing and I had no memory of what his face looked like - just his shoes and hands. So I maniacally searched the bottom of my bag for missing pieces and carefully taped them back together. Here's what I found. My boys are beaten up but at least I know what they look like and can bring them to life in plush form. Phew! That was a close one. Stay tuned. :)

New York, New York

Wow... time really does fly. I can't believe I've been away this long. T'is the season to be a little elf and what do little elves do? Why, make things of course. Hats, gloves, scarves, dolls, dolls, and more dolls to name just a few of the things that have to be made for Santa and holiday shows but I did get in a little time to visit my beloved NYC - the day after Thanksgiving of all days. It was madness ... overwhelming, delicious, madness. I loved every minute of it - hangin' with my cousin, the most fabulous cup of coffee from the Bridgeport Train Station (who would'a thunk it), the lines, the Christmas tree, the holiday windows, the subway, the Union Square Holiday Market, the pastry from Juniors (when did Grand Central station become so fabulous?)and most of all ... the hordes and hordes of people. Loved it. :) I've decided that my New Year's resolution is to figure out how I can live in that city without having a truckload of roommates and without going broke.

Crazy 2 Weeks

Well, I'm back...physically, anyway. It's been a rough couple of weeks. Packing, moving, and on top of all that, my mum had surgery. Phew! It's over and thank God she's doing well. The saga continues because now it's time to unpack and find all my stuff. Not complaining though, because mum is great and that's all I care about. Here are some new aprons and product tags. These aprons may look like those from the September 10th post because they are in the same color family but they are different.

In the coming weeks, I will have all new stuff in my etsy shop (as soon as I find it all). I'm gearing up for the holiday season which is wicked busy but my favorite time of year. Can't wait to get started on all of that fun stuff. :)

Think Pink!

Feeling a bit pinky today. Don't know why. I should be feeling blue considering I'm in the middle of moving. :) I've shown you the green pillows, now here are the pink ones. They're in the etsy shop. I've thrown in a pink painting just because of the pink theme. Happy Thursday!

Thank You Treat!

I want to thank Derilyn at Treat for highlighting my work on her fabulous blog. It was the first non softie blog to feature my work and I was pretty excited. Check out her great, inspirational, design, artsy, kick-butt blog at http://www.treat.typepad.com/.

Ugly, Yummy Polyester

look at that tan + white pattern...love it!

also lovin' the cute pink + white floral pattern

Woke up Sunday morning (yes, this post is tardy due to photo upload issues) with one thought pounding at my head ... Polyester! Had to run out to see the "fabric lady" at my local flea market and her stock did not disappoint. Found some things on top but then starting digging through bolt after bolt and found gold. Just what I was looking for, Poly and her sister Ester. I was craving some really ugly polyester. You know ... the kind of polyester you see in the photos of your grampy in his favorite ugly poly pants from way back when. I love that ugly, ugly polyester. To me, it's delicious. I didn't find the ugly stuff but was still happy with my discoveries. Can't wait to dig in. I'm having visions of dolls, christmas stockings, hats, mittens and maybe some bags. Yummy!

Inventory Findings

hand drawn coasters

patchwork pincushions w/hand drawn appliquesThe ProodinThorpe Family of plush dolls

Here are some of the inventory items I came upon yesterday while packing. Some of these goodies will find their way over to etsy the first week of October. Enjoy.

New Items in Etsy Shop After 10/1

Over the next 2 weeks I'll be packing and moving, so I will post all new items after October 1st. This whole process has allowed me to see just how much inventory I have. I came across things I'd completely forgotten about that had all been neatly packed away awaiting the day I had an online shop. I found cat dolls, bird dolls, girl dolls, indian inspired dolls, wallets, pillows, eyeglass cases, christmas stockings and ornaments, some funky, textile wall art - all kinds of stuff. If I do any holiday shows this year, I have plenty of inventory to work with. :)

Polyester Junction + Etsy

Sorry ... So excited to actually have an etsy shop that I had to say it again ... even though I already mentioned it below. Yaaaaaaaaaay!
www.polyesterjunction.etsy.com.

Carneys Are Headin' Over To Etsy

Celestia : Magda

Myrtle : Gingko

The Carneys are leaving Carneyville for Etsy. Well...some of them are heading over to etsy. I can't let all of my babies go. For those of you who don't know the Carney story, they are my latest series of plush dolls who include Myrtle, Valentino, Gingko, Gumbo, Magda, Doodlebug and Celestia. The Carney name derives from the fact that they were reincarnated them from gently used fabrics like corduroys, t-shirts, skirts, etc. I love recycling and thinking of new ways to turn one thing into another thing. Here are 4 of them. I think Myrtle will stay with moi. I love her. She's an odd looking girl but that's what I love about her. Also, she was my first Carney and, thus, has my heart. Enjoy!

Etsy Shop Up & Running

Ok...It's 12:08 am and I've spent the better part of the day...oops...I mean yesterday working on an etsy account and now I can say I have an Etsy shop ... finally! :) You'll find coasters and sachets (like those above) and so much more. Feel free to open the door and come on in to http://www.polyesterjunction.etsy.com/.

Aprons

I've never owned an apron in my life but almost two weeks ago, during an after dinner clean-up, I looked like I'd been in a wicked, water balloon fight with about 20 5 year olds. Lightbulb moment ensued - perhaps I needed an apron. Off to the sewing machine I went and here is the result. Now, I want to make a truckload more - in every color!

New Product Line, Chapter 3, Pillow Talk

For all of you pillow lovers, have a gander at these green delights. All cotton covers with an envelope back for easy removal of the pillow insert. The above pillow is a mod design in shades of green, blue and off white. The pillow below is done in a patchwork of three different fabrics - the mod green to the right, a green paisley to the left and a solid darker green on the bottom right. Passe un bon weekend. :)

My Art Porfolio

I just created a portfolio of my work on a wonderful site for artists to showcase their work called Warm Toast Cafe. I felt it necessary to do so since this blog mostly focuses on the crafty side of my work. For those of you who need a portfolio, check it out. You can see my paintings and collages at http://www.warmtoastcafe.com/art/tracyv/.

New Product Line, Chapter 2, Smell This!

SACHETS: Here are more new goods for the home. These sweet, petite, sachets are filled with the most wonderfully fragrant lavender ever - and it's organic! I've worked with lavender on other projects in the past and was a bit disappointed with the weak scent but this new lavender is really going to make the drawers and closets smell good. I guess organic is better! I was so happy with my herb purchase that I have to share information on this shop with you. It's called Acadia Herbals (http://www.acadiaherbals.com/). The owner is an herbalist (who also makes fabulous soaps), so how great is that for all of you herb lovers out there?

New Product Line, Chapter 1, Roller Coasters

COASTERS: Here is a wee sample of the new products I've been jawing on about. They include pillows, aprons, coasters, sachets and more. These cotton coasters are 4"x4" and the bottom is done in a contrasting color from the top. Enjoy!

Creative Thursday

How nice is Marisa at Creative Thursday? Umm...very! Compliments are always good, especially when they're coming from a bigtime artist and blogger. Thanks, Marisa! I'm glad you like my product tags. :) See her fabulous work at http://www.creativethursday.com/ and see the tags she's talking about in my August 22nd post.

Personal Pillows

Every now and again, I get around to making something for myself. The thing with me though, is I am easily bored with seeing the same contents in my home. But today, I'm liking and having big plans for these pillows.
Next week or next month...who knows? Some very thrilled and appreciative friends will be happy to inherit them. :)

The pillow on top was made out of new and recycled fabric scraps of different lengths and widths that I sewed into an appliqued, patch-work square. The yellow pillow is a cotton, mod fabric that I've loved and had so long. They were scrappy pieces of all shapes that I knew I'd use one day. The backside of both pillows are from a recycled sheet purchased from a thrift store. The green pillow is from new fabric I recently scored from a flea market that I now regularly frequent.

Funky Pincushions

These are the "baby" pincushions I spoke about earlier. The "mama" pincushions can be seen in the July 30th post. The designs are hand drawn and appliqued to the tops.