My creatures for Plush You LA at Munky King have flown off to California. The show opens on 26th August at Munky King, 7308 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046. As usual I find myself wishing I could attend, if you make it, take some pictures for me! I can’t wait to see all the plush excellence on display, I think it is going to be an amazing show. Above and below: Fish Boy-The Shaman, The Sad Fate of Mau of the Octopod Clan and Theodore the Stevedore.

Mau looked very different originally. Upright, with a little helmet, claw socks and gloves-she didn’t look right to me when she was finished. I think I made my pattern much too thin, tried to replicate the slightly wonky aspect of my initial drawing. I was so upset by my perceived ‘failure’ that I almost cried with frustration (it *was* gone 3am!) & then I decided to chop her head off & change her story. Gory, perhaps a little Grand Guignol, but she works much better for me now. In fact I feel very protective of her, I hope she goes to a caring home.

Isn’t ‘stevedore’ the most magical word, euphonious, easy on the ear? I’m pretty sure I first came across it in a song by The Small Faces, the tale of Rene, the docker’s delight! Theodore really couldn’t have had any other job, it fits him like a pair of claw gloves.

I came across this image of a Stevedore on the New York Waterfront over at the MoMA website. I like the look of this gentleman, he reminds me a little of my Great Grandad, whose name was Percival Varnum, a fine Victorian name, always shortened to Perce, never Percy! Perce had the prickliest mustache, like porcupine quills and the twinkliest eyes I have ever seen, roguish and full of life. As I mentioned in a previous post I have been tossing the idea of producing a winter collection around, thoughts of Perce are proving to be an inspiration. Think Alec Scudder in Maurice (below).

Probably the most famous Stevedore in popular culture, Terry Malloy (played by Marlon Brando) in On The Waterfront.

I haven’t written a thing about the Fish Boy, I guess he is self explanatory and I wanted to use those feathers so badly! Wish them all a happy voyage if you please.

One of the best makers of soft sculpture around is having an end of summer sale, 15% off the exquisite items in the Astulabee Etsy shop. I wish, wish, wish for the deer above (just incase my secret benefactor is reading this!). This may be your last chance for a while to share your life with a magical, handmade creature. Get thee gone now!
Astulabee

I think that he looks like Nick Cave back in the days of The Birthday Party! Zebra fabulousness (above) from Skunkboy Creatures of course. Here we are again friends, it is time for another plush gathering. I am feeling so inspired by the wonders on display here, my fingers are itchy and desperate to get snipping and stitching and stuffing! Things have been a little quiet on the creature front for me recently, that is going to change very soon though. I had planned to release a little list of the places you can find my work this year, I am waiting to hear if I have been accepted into one particular show, once I know you will know-keep your fingers crossed for me please kittens. Now, feast your peepers on plush heaven!

“Quand la pluie tombe chez moi” by Cocon

Wonder by Melissa Stanley

Victorian Lady by Junker Jane

Lumi by Le Train Fantome

Family by Matilde Beldroega

I can’t help making up background stories for the new creations from Astulabee. Oh, especially the Show Pony!

Endearing foxes from Oso Polar

Super floral fish by Flora Douville.

Kootoom, Turris & Pecten by Sarah Bourque.

Deer by Takiyaje.

Plushrooms from Kitty Bee.

Beuys Bunny from Das Kaninchen.

Jinx Moon Bunny from Moon’s Creations.

Peascape in Strangeland from Kit Lane

Large Fabric Bird by Abigail Brown

Rabbit from Fawn Potter.

Francis by Flannery O’Kafka

Cat from Red Craft Works.

Miss Black Dahlia from Meeniak.

The Classic Maggot in White with Pink Heart from Pterodactyl Pants.

Feathery Doll by Cathy Cullis.

Doli Mary Chestnut from Misako Mimoko

Crazy cool! I want a plush wall. Collected work by Ninon.

Before I forget please do join me tomorrow for the ever shifting weekly interview, so exciting, meet me in Argentina!

Picture this: A 39 year old woman is sitting at her desk, it is quiet, her boy is at nursery, she is planning to write some long overdue emails, she is feeling blocked, the words won’t come. She decides to catch up with her Flickr friends while she waits for things to unstick. She is looking at Fricktoria, recently hearted on Etsy, not explored completely. Allyson Mellberg/Fricktoria made the woman cry. No, Allyson Mellberg’s work made the woman cry, it felt like a rabbit punch in the stomach. The woman couldn’t believe her eyes, so much beauty emanating from a single source, the mainline into her heart filled with tiny tigers, deer and Persian buddies. J G Ballard died, her neighbour died, she misses her son, she is crying over beautiful soft sculpture, just a little.

Allyson Mellberg Etsy Shop
Flickr

Stagger back in amazement! I actually managed to update my shop with some new creatures. I am running with a bit of a circus theme and jumping on the mustache bandwagon at the same time. In honour of my mini update I have gathered together some wonderful things with mustaches attached. Get out the wax and start twirling in a nefarious fashion! Circus Bear, at the top of the post, from The Good Machinery.

Catty Catty Owl Tamers by Me!

Mustache On A Stick from Something’s Hiding In Here.

Felix from Simpli Jessi.

Moustache Tea Cup and Saucer from Surya Sajnani

Weep with me for Jake the Sad Oneyed Lumberjack from Ninon.

Cedar Mustache Key Hook from Suddenly, its real!

Fis & Flo from Psarokokalo.

Ring from Isette

Heraldo from Pink Cheeks Studios.

Pint Glass from Bread and Badger.

Walrus Mustachioed Amigurumi from Melissa Sue.

Print from Ole Rattlesnake.

Ok, so he doesn’t have a mustache but he would probably do quite well in the circus. Velvet Fish Boy makes his debut in the Lou Lou & Oscar shop today. I am really happy with the switch to this new fabric, velvet seems to suit Fish Boy’s temperament and he is so lovely to stroke now! I have some new Fish Boy designs waiting to hit the scissors, very exciting, for me at least. Please don’t forget to join me here tomorrow for the Monday Interview. Good night kittens.

It has been a while since I posted a plush round up so I have many a beauty to share with you today. There are a few notable absences here as I am saving these up for a ‘secret’ post that is coming very soon! I have a couple of new friends to introduce to you further down the page, be sure not to click out early! Enjoy the marvelous softy buffet below. The incredible Kit by Kitty Vane is the little star at the top of the post.

From WAWAYA

Black Sheep by Feltmates

Chester McNutterson from Small Fox in a Big World

The Count from Forest Creature.

Blue Rabbit from Fing Toys

Little Princess from Lillalotta.

Sybille from Astulabee

White Deer from Lemmikkiapina

Little White Rabbit from Little Love Blue

Mandragora doll with glow-in-the-dark eyes from NuitBlanche

Amigurumi 1 by Melissa Stanley

Googly-Eyed Boyl Bear from Hasenpfeffer.

I Love Blood Zombie from Cat Rabbit Plush

Guillaume of Chartres and horse Geraldine from Herzensart

Bunny Yeti from Rosemoo.

Allison from Pink Cheeks Studio

An Egg from Happy Friends

Soft Notre Dame and The tiger and The Tea from Violetta Testacalda.

Lulinda from J Sartist

Jackob Mercoledi from Ninon.

New Lumi from Le Train Fantome.

Today I’d like to welcome two ‘new girls’ to Etsy and Flickr, it is so exciting to begin a new journey or venture and I’m sure everyone will offer their support and encouragement by clicking the links below and exploring their corners of the world.

Flannery O’Kafka opens its virtual doors at Etsy today! Based in Glasgow, Andrea makes really cool plush creatures and dolls, I particularly like Aesop, a sort of fox and the little ‘Unvamp’ doll. If you are wondering about the name of this new shop you should send Andrea a convo, it is an interesting conflation! Welcome to Etsy Flannery O’Kafka, I wish you lots of fun and many sales.

Baby Unvamp from Flannery O’Kafka

Aesop…a sort of fox, also from Flannery O’Kafka.

I couldn’t end my super plush round up without featuring this wonderful little mushroom, complete with baby, made by Rane aka I Remember Sleep. Rane has just opened a Flickr account to share her creations with the world, her enthusiasm and energy are so inspiring. A few days after signing up Rane already has her own group called Forest House Mushroom Drawing Swap, admirable indeed. Welcome Rane! I am so in love with that mushroom!