The Cotton Monster

Happy New Year (3 Weeks late!)

2012-01-18T09:00:00.003-05:00

Just a quick post to let everyone know I'm aliiiiiivvvve! In case you were wondering!
I've been in quite the time-warp since the holidays. Frantically working on tax stuff (not fun), working at the puppet theater, catching up on custom orders AND working on a couple big top-secret sewing projects (that hopefully i'll be able to share with you soon!)

I don't think I will be able to get more beasties into the Etsy shop before February sadly..But if you want one don't give up hope! Check back next month or email me if you have a specific custom request, and I'll let you know what I can do...

In the mean time, here are pictures of some holiday commissions: custom kitties and monogrammed monsters!

a few of my favorite things...

2011-12-20T13:40:00.004-05:00

a roaring fire in the wood stove...

homemade granola mmmm...

making pizzelles at my mom's house!

THANK YOU & christmas shipping deadlines!

2011-12-14T09:25:00.006-05:00

Thank you Marylanders for coming out to Holiday Heap! It was an A-MAZING turn-out! I dare say it was an unprecedented crowd! You all almost completely wiped out my holiday stock! I've been busy the past few months with some other big projects (deets to come in 2012!) so i didn't have time to churn out as many monsters made as i had hoped, but TONS found good homes for the holidays, and for that I am truly thankful!

There are still a handful in the Etsy Shop, and I've been adding one or two beasties each day as I get 'em done..But please TAKE NOTE Christmas Shipping Deadlines are fast approaching:

**Last day to order a "big" or "giant" monster from the shop
for arrival by Christmas (within the US) is TODAY! Dec 14th!!

**Last day to order any other smaller monsters (i.e. little monsters, little buggers, jellies, pents, katz, etc.) for arrival by Christmas (within the US) is December 19th!!

**International Shipping by Christmas deadlines have already come and gone. Sorry!

And you can still find Cotton Monsters at Renegade Handmade in Chicago and Craftland in RI Gallery Hanahou in NYC AND the DCCA in Wilmington DE!

HOLY HEAPS! Holiday Heap THIS SATURDAY!!

2011-11-30T09:31:00.002-05:00

Charm City Craft Mafia's
Holiday Heap!
Saturday Dec. 3rd 10am-5pm
2640 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Click HERE for vendor list and more info!

It's just a few days away and I am sewing my little fingers off getting ready for Holiday Heap! Look for me at booth #37! If you are NOT able to make it to the show (yes, I know not everyone is lucky enough to live in/near good ol' baltimore) do not fret! I will be updating my etsy shop asap (probably monday or tuesday) AFTER the show! Just in time for some online holiday monster shopping!! Check back soon for updates!

Luvable & Hugable @ Gallery Hanahou in NYC!

2011-11-26T09:08:00.004-05:00

This year's show is comprised of handmade plush crafts from 25+ artists hailing from around the world. As always, for this show, all purchased plushes big & small can be taken home on the spot for immediate hugging (or giving), so no waiting for the end of the show to receive your items!

Show dates: December 1st - January 6th

Opening reception: Thursday, December 1st, 6 - 8 pm
RSVP: info@galleryhanahou.com

gallery hanahou

611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC

7th Floor of the Cable Building, NW corner of Broadway + Houston

(646) 486-6586

www.galleryhanahou.com

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Not in NYC? Not to worry, ALL of the amazing plush work in the Luvable & Hugable show is available NOW thru Dec 1st at noon for PRE-Show sale! CLICK this LINK and enter the password: welovehugging for access to download the show catalog and pre-sale buying instructions!!!

Or preview my five creatures on flickr HERE

Opening TONIGHT in Northampton!

2011-11-11T12:48:00.003-05:00

Bad A★★: Fabric Arts Group Show

@ Foe Store & Gallery
28 Pleasant Street
Northampton, MA 01060

November 11th - November 25th, 2011

Handmade fabric art has been enjoying a renaissance. The contemporary DIY movement, Etsy, Sublime Stitching, Handmade Nation (book + documentary), Mr. X Stitch and indie craft fairs everywhere have helped create a vibrant making community. Artists are utilizing fabric and thread to create 2D and plush works from cute to adult subject matter. FOE Gallery is proud to host 11 artists local to national for a group show of fabric fabulousness opening Friday, November 11th from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.

Featuring: Ali Diamond, Cindy Steiler , Jen Musatto, Jennifer Strunge, Johnny Murder, Lana Crooks, Leah Moses, Liane Shih, Nina Alexander, Penny Nickels, William Schaff

one more for halloween...

2011-10-31T20:22:00.002-04:00

Here are some pics of the spooky shadow puppet show I helped the kiddos at the rec center make for halloween! Its a shame kids can't use x-acto knives!

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeen!

2011-10-31T09:29:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween everybody! Hope you had a good weekend, whether it snowed or rained or sunshined on ya! Though I didn't dress up, I did a few halloweeny things, most included cooking/eating!

Friday I made this nut-stuffed squash recipe from Shutterbean (my most favorite food blog ever!) along with some lentil soup and salad with my old buddy farmer jen. We got to see our favorite musicians, Walker and Jay, play in an old-time murder ballad show at the Creative Alliance to get us in the Halloween spirit.

Saturday it was pouring rain, which is when I seem to be my most productive, I sewed in front of the space heater all day long, and in the evening played some halloween-themed scrabble while watching Willard with some of my favorite ladies!

Sunday was the first day in what seems like forever that I made a point to not do any work at all! How Glorious! Early am farmers market trip, then the mr. and I made our favorite mac & cheese & cauliflower recipe substituting purple cauliflower from the market, red onion, goat milk yogurt (instead of sour cream) and brown rice noodles. YUM! We ate it for breakfast, lunch AND dinner (with some salad of course), and there is just a teeny bit left! Went for a long chilly walk with another dear buddy and took some time to pack away my summer clothes, won't be needing shorts for while! Later on, Jay and I made another delicious Shutterbean recipe for hot toddies, which we drank while carving our pumpkins and roasting seeds!! Perfect!

Today I'll be helping kids at the rec center perform a spooky shadow puppet show, pics to come!

PLUSH YOU!!!

2011-10-19T15:07:00.008-04:00

Meet Squirmilini Mama! My submission for this year's PLUSH YOU show at Schmancy in Seattle! And above that is a photo sent to me by my online buddy Dawn of Look What I Can Do! Her adorable offspring is sporting a cat head I made and posing at the show's opening! I love how they spelled out the title in plush, such awesome letters. I think the "u" in "you" might be my favorite! The show opened last week, and I believe any work that didn't sell at the opening will be available online soon! Thanks so much to Kristen for continuing to put on this mondo amazing plush show, I'm so glad to be a part of it!! See pics of the show HERE!

Fall Shop Update!

2011-10-10T17:37:00.001-04:00

I filled the Etsy Shop this morning with Watchful Eyes, Little & Big Monsters, Little Buggers, Jellies, other guys AND brought back the 5 patch variety sets! Check it all out in the shop!

Thank YOU DC & More Patch love!

2011-10-05T20:04:00.005-04:00

Crafty Bastards is ALWAYS an amazing show, and this year, despite the almost freezing temps and cold cold rain, it was STILL AWESOME! So many people came out (even though they could have stayed in bed under blankets to do some online shopping!) Some of them came in my booth determined to get themselves one of my beasties and some wandered in to discover my work for the first time! Its always so great to meet people who have supported me in the past and get to meet new admirers! To all of you, THANK YOU!

A whole lot of people went home with my block-printed patches, and one of them, picked out by my buddy Pepita, already made it into an awesome project, whipped up by her talented mama of Sweet Pepita fame. Check out what they did with their Cotton Monster patch HERE! I'm blown away!!! And if you do something cool with your patch, be sure to send me a picture!

If you couldn't make it to the show, but would like to get a new cotton monster (or patch set) for yourself, I'm *hoping* to get the new work photographed and into the shop this weekend! I'll let you know!!

PS! Its NOT too late to cast your vote for the Craftiest Bastard Contest! You have 'till Oct. 8th!

TBD.com Photo Feature! Just two days till CRAFTY BASTARDS!

2011-09-29T11:06:00.004-04:00

photo by Joshua Yopyn for TBD.com

AAHHH! SO fun to be photographed by a professional! Joshua Yospyn came for a studio visit last week and took a ton of great shots of me and the Cotton Monsters, including this funny one above! I think I look my best with crazy monster eyes! Don't you?! Please click the link to see them all at TBD.com HERE!

Craftiest Bastard Contest is back!

2011-09-20T14:09:00.003-04:00

Its that time again! Time to gear up for Crafty Bastards amazing arts & crafts fair in the neighborhood of Adams Morgan in Washington DC October 1st, annnnnnnnd time to cast your vote for this year's Craftiest Bastard award! There are sooooo many amazing vendors on the roster this year, take a moment to check out the vendor list and vote for your favorite! You can vote in five seconds online (all you need is an email address) or in person at the fair!

Patch love!

2011-08-31T08:32:00.003-04:00

Many of you who have visited me at craft shows have seen my piles of colorful block printed patches, adorned with monster or kitty doodles. I carve them on soft rubbery blocks and print them with block printing ink on old sheets or fabric remnants and sell them with unfinished edges.

Some people see them and say, "what in the world would I do with this?" and I run through a list of ideas, my usual explanation being to use one to cover up a corporate logo on a freebee tote bag or baseball hat or jazz up an old book-bag or t-shirt...or just to sew it on anything! And some people who come to my table have that look in their eye like they know exactly where their new patches are going to go and spend a long time picking out just the right ones. I think Alyson fits in that second category!

I just came across Alyson's Blog, "The Hasty Quilter" and was pleased as punch to see what she had in the works with the patches she bought at last years Crafty Bastards! She is making Monster Baby Quilts for a couple of friends! Here is a photo of one in the works:

Quilt & Photo by Alyson Olander

If you have an interest in things sewn, definitely check out her blog! Its really quite lovely and her photos are simply gorgeous!

I love knowing that some of these little patches with my artwork on them have worked their way into other craft projects and are truly serving their function as an inspiration for folks to sew! If you've made or adorned/beautified something with your own Cotton Monster patch/es, I'd love to see!

New Cotton Monsters up in the Shop!

2011-08-23T08:52:00.004-04:00

Tons of new beasties now up in the Shop!

Mark Your Calendars! Oct. 1st Crafty Bastards!

2011-08-22T16:49:00.005-04:00

Saturday, October 1, 2011 • 10am - 5pm • Adams Morgan

Wahoo! So excited to be part of the Crafty Bastard crew once again this year! Its always my best show of the year, and I'm pleased as punch to be among these other awesome vendors! You can search them alphabetically or by state ('cause they come from all over the place!).

Even if you are not in a shopping mood, Crafty Bastards always offers tons of other fun things, craft making tents, break dance competitions, and yummy food vendors! This year there will also be a Young&Crafty section for young kiddo selling their wares AND a Food Craft section. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and ingesting some extra caffeine that day so you don't miss a thing!

2011-08-08T23:37:00.003-04:00

Just returned home from a camping trip, a few nights at a old-time string band festival in WV and one in Shenandoah National Park, VA. I was out that way last weekend too, and am already excited to go back again! There is something really magical about those mountains. And I'm not sure if its the heat, the rainstorms, or that compost tea I fed the plants, but our backyard garden was looking mighty happy upon our return! I posted some more pics of my weekend and garden here!

(can't help but think of cabbage patch kids when I water these little guys!)

What's new?

2011-07-26T11:43:00.010-04:00

Greetings Blog buddies! Here's a little photo re-cap of what's new in my world...

Just received the summer issue of Niche, which includes a nice little blurb on Splashlife's "30 under 30 crafters" and me! Wahoo!

I've been working on restocking everything, slowly but surely...

Finishing up some over-due commissions...

Teaching summer camp arts & crafts. Pictured is my lovely co-worker Lisa in our paper-bag puppet making aftermath!

And of course, gardening and eating!! This is all freshly picked from my back yard..kale, tomatoes, cukes, and basil. yum!

All in all, a pretty nice summer so far! Now, back to sewing!

a little update...

2011-07-08T22:32:00.000-04:00

I'm baaaaaack

2011-07-08T14:05:00.003-04:00

photo by Ashley North Compton

Just made it back home after a long, lovely family vacation (still have the salt water in my hair to prove it!)...Bet you didn't even miss me! It was so nice to get away, unplug, and recharge after Pile of Craft. I must give a huge THANK YOU AGAIN to all who came out vend, shop and gaze at the magnificent craft spectacular! If you missed it, or if you want to relieve it all in the comfort of your air-conditioned office you can see a whole lot of lovely photos taken by miss Ashley North Compton on CCCM's Flickr page!

Right now I'm finishing up sifting through a sea of emails and photo editing some pics for a small Etsy update...I'll be putting some random monsters and kitties online shortly!

Then I can't wait to get back in my studio tomorrow (maybe after breaking down and putting in an AC unit, it pretty darn sticky in Baltimore!) to work on some commissions!

Hope you had a great 4th of July!

PILE OF CRAFT THIS SATURDAY!!!!

2011-06-21T14:04:00.002-04:00

Holy Moly....just a few days away!!! I'll be there, Saturday, June 25th with a table full of Cotton Monsters (look for me in the back room this time) Remember there are TWO ROOMS full of CRAFT GOODNESS!!! Please come out and support this awesome show!!!

Click HERE to see all the other awesome vendors and more!! And HERE for the Facebook event page!

Sooooooooo Excited!

Puppet Slamwich Tomorrow!!

2011-06-17T08:33:00.006-04:00

If you are in Baltimore and looking for something to do this Saturday night, on the early end or later (there will be TWO SHOWS!) consider heading down to SoWeBo (the free circulator bus stops right around the corner!) to Black Cherry Puppet Theater for our 4th Puppet Slamwich featuring a brand new beautiful shadow puppet cranky by Katherine Fahey of 2 Hawks 2 Fishes and new tales from Sherrywood Forrest by artist Kevin Sherry of Squidfire fame! More Info Below!

Black Cherry’s puppet slam series, Puppet Slamwich! returns with a new show on Saturday, June 18, 2011. THERE WILL BE TWO SHOWS!!! 7pm and 9:30pm! Tickets are $7. Advance ticket sales are available NOW online at: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/181238
Tickets will also be sold at the door, thirty minutes before each show. Seating is general admission and limited! 1115 Hollins St. Baltimore, MD 21223

June’s Puppet Slamwich delivers up a succulent stack of folksy performances! Baltimore’s Kathy Fahey premiers her latest shadow puppet show “Elizabeth Whitmore” (pictured) on the old time cranky with live accompaniment! Kevin Sherry serves up new tales from “Sherrywood Forest”, full of mischief and mayhem. Mika Eubanks presents variations on an ancient trickster tale, while sheriffs and outlaws duel in Miranda Pfeiffer’s animation, “Food for the Worms”. Jen Liu’s ukulele tribute to American popular tune “Frankie and Johnny” makes clear why hell hath no fury like a puppet scorned!

NOT TO BE MISSED!!! Tell your friends!!

the windy city

2011-06-14T23:36:00.005-04:00

I just got returned home this evening from a five day jaunt to Chicago to see two of my dear old friends. (See all the pics on Flickr!) It has been quite some time since we were all in the same place at the same time, and boy-oh-boy was it nice to be with those ladies again! It was also my first time traveling to the windy city, and I loved every minute of it.

I got to visit an awe inspiring Baha'i temple and pick seashells and crab claws on the beach. I walked through the great gleaming halls of the Art Institute and toured the fiber facilities at SAIC (ah, to be back in school again!), including my buddy's studio. We ate tons of yummy vegetarian grub and worked it all off at many hot yoga classes...peaked in the adorable Renegade Handmade shop and tried on hats at Goorin Bros....watched Werner Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams (in 3-D!!!) and lounged on blankets in Millennium Park for a free concert, drinking wine and people watching.

It was so refreshing to get away, relax with my gals and meet their friends, i miss them already! Today its back to work, slowly but surely, with Pile of Craft less then two weeks away and a long list of other business to attend to! Starting.....right.....now!

Cotton Monsters at the DCCA!

2011-05-31T09:31:00.004-04:00

Look out Delaware! This Friday Cotton Monsters invade the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts' Alternatives Museum Shop. They will be on display and for sale June 2- July 29! I was pleased as punch to be invited to be Alternatives' featured artist for June/July! If you are in Delaware be sure to stop in the shop and of course to see the DCCA's current exhibitions!

200 South Madison Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302.656.6466

May Shop Update (finally)

2011-05-27T12:11:00.004-04:00

Finally got the shop loaded with new Cotton Monsters!! Hooray!

AND finally sent out an email newsletter! If you are not a subscriber here is a link to the newsletter I sent out today if you are interested to see what it looks like! I just switched over to Mail Chimp, a free email service, as I only send out a few each year. It's been working out great so far..very user friendly and pretty professional looking (i think)! Let me know what you think!

HANDMADE MART THIS SUNDAY!

2011-05-16T10:23:00.005-04:00

We are officially crossing our fingers for beautiful clear skies this Sunday May 22nd for HANDMADE MART (10am to 5pm) in Silver Spring MD! Check out their lovely online vendor gallery and look for Cotton Monster in booth #24! They are doing daily blog posts with vendor profiles too!

Want to know more? Check out this blub about the fair I copied & pasted from their website!:

The Handmade Mart is an annual, juried, independent craft fair that takes place in Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. Launched in the spring of 2009, the Handmade Mart has already become a mainstay of the local art scene with 60+ craft vendors selling handmade goods, live music, and hands-on workshops.

Created by Kimberly Dorn (Festival Director of the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair and Executive Director of Hello Craft) and Debbie Lee (Founder of Rock n’ Romp and board member of Hello Craft), the Handmade Mart already has a buzz that has brought in top-notch independent crafters and local music favs.

The Handmade Mart takes place along Ellsworth Drive (between Georgia Ave. and Fenton St.), in the heart of the shopping & dining center of the city. With the Silver Spring Metro station close by and tons of free parking in the adjacent garage, this fair is a highly accessible for all to attend.

Supported by Downtown Silver Spring and the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, the Handmade Mart is proud to the part of the ever-growing Silver Spring arts community.

Green Eyed Monster Earth Day Post & Giveaway!

2011-04-22T11:26:00.008-04:00

The Cotton Monsters are featured today on the Green Eyed Monster Blog! If you check out the post on THEIR site and comment, you will be entered to win a cute little green-eyed Jelly monster! Nice!

Their site is really cool, especially if you are into "DIY fashion, sustainable living & handmade goodness" which of course you are..right?! In addition to the blog with regular features on green design, products, artists AND weekly GIVEAWAYS they have a lovely online shop with tons of great environmental friendly goods. I have my eye on these GLASS drinking straws (something I didn't even know existed until today)! A guilt free way to drink from a straw, so smart!

Designer: Glass Dharma

and...
Happy Earth Day to All!
We are SO lucky to live on this amazing and beautiful planet.
We ALL must share in the task of keeping her healthy!

April Update!

2011-04-20T12:47:00.004-04:00

I updated the Cotton Monster Etsy Shop yesterday morning! Check it out...it's chock full of Little Monsters, Little Buggers, Mini Bottomfeeders, Space Crabs (well, it was, but most have sold..I'm currently making more of those guys!), and Pentapods!

still here!

2011-04-07T13:40:00.004-04:00

I realized today it's been quite some time since I've posted a post, uploaded a photo or updated my status! Time is flying by and I've fallen behind in the virtual world! I've been a busy bee finishing up a puppet residency and filling an order for an upcoming artist feature at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts' gift shop (more info to come!). I've also been trying to stock up on monsters...many of whom are sitting on my sewing table right now waiting for me to stich their eyeballs in! The shop has been pretty scarce for a couple months, and I do apologize! I'm aiming for a big mid-April Etsy shop update, so check back soon!

Share your pics!

2011-02-21T15:08:00.004-05:00

photo by Look What I Can Do, just added to the NEW Flickr Group Pool!

Have you bought or been gifted a Cotton Monster sometime in the past 7 or so years that I've been making them?? If you have, I bet there are atleast a couple pictures floating around of you and that Cotton Monster posing for the camera...or that monster riding your bicycle...or passed out after too much monster partying! If so, and if you'd like to share a photo or two or twenty, now there is a place to do it!

I just started a Flickr Group called Cotton Monster Friends where you can add those funny/cute/serious/dramatic pics of your Cotton Monster! If you have a Flickr acount, then all you have to do is 'join' the group then select which photos you would like to add...If you don't already have an account, its free and super easy to sign up for Flickr (a great place to store and share your photos online).

I absolutely LOVE to see where my creations end up...with well over 1,000 (2,000? I don't know I totally lost count) made there have got to be some good monster pics around!

Feel the love

2011-02-14T00:23:00.001-05:00

I just received this image of a commission I completed last year for a Cotton Monster fan's wedding. The bride and groom displayed the monsters on a table at their event, they even got their own cute little chairs! So glad these little beasties were part of their special day! Here's wishing the newlyweds all the love in the world!

Happy Love Day!

Still time for V-day orders!

2011-02-03T09:55:00.005-05:00

I just put up a few new Von Katz kittens and Big Monsters in the shop! There are a bunch of buggers, pents and jellies up there too! And there is still time to get yours for Valentine's Day (or shipped to someone you loooooove!) Please place your order by Feb 8th!

Love Bugs!

2011-01-17T09:51:00.005-05:00

In honor of us approaching that time of year where we declare our love for all things pink and red (and for each other) I just put up a whole batch of new Little Buggers (and a few other species) in tones of red, white and pink (and blue! I'm a fan of Blue Valentines myself!) Nothing says lovin' like a gap-toothed grinning monster!

Also, to note, I'm trying out making the Little Monsters with pocket mouths (like the big guys). It takes a bit longer, and changes their expression a bit...I'd love to know what you think! Open mouths or closed?!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-09T15:40:00.002-05:00

Just looked at the calendar and I realized I was a week and a half late in wishing you all a very Happy New Year. So.....HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The new year brought me a nasty cold (all gone now, thanks to high volumes of ginger-cayanne-lemon-honey tea and lots of rest in a super comfy bathrobe I received for Christmas) and a heap of backed up bookkeeping. But things are finally looking up. I attended the first in a four session class of Kitchen Medicine, taught at Baltimore Free School, that has got me all excited about making new medicinal elixirs, eating more colorful food and gearing up for a bigger herb garden this spring. I made (and ate) two pots of yummy comforting soup (lentil and split pea) and gave the sewing studio a looooong overdue tidying. AND finally I got some sewing done. Pictured is the start of a set of Little Buggers for Valentines day...hoping to get them up by next weekend or early next week!

Hope this new year brings good things your way!

That time of year...

2010-12-22T09:40:00.004-05:00

THANK YOU to EVERYONE who has taken an interest in Cotton Monsters this year! And an EXTRA big thank you to those who adopted one for your very own (or as a special gift). It is because of you're continued support and kind words and that I feel like I have the best job in the world!

FREE SHiPPING for 24 HOURS!

2010-12-16T11:29:00.003-05:00

For all you last minute shoppers like me....

FREE SHIPPING (within the US ONLY!!) NOW through Friday at 11:30am in the ETSY SHOP!

Luv-able, Hug-able & Wear-able!

2010-12-07T22:44:00.007-05:00

The 4th Annual Luv-able & Hug-able & Wear-able Show in NYC at Gallery Hanahou (611 Broadway #730) opens this Thursday Dec, 9th!

However, RIGHT NOW you can buy yourself a one-of-a-kind piece from the show BEFORE it even opens! That's right, Gallery Hanahou has set up a Pre-Sale! Follow this LINK to download a pdf of the show's catalog! Ordering info instructions are on the last two pages of the file!

I made two luv-able monsters, as well as this Wear-able Greeny Monster Head Gear, Claw hand warmers and an eyeball brooch! There is a TON of other amazing work in this show! Wish I could see it in person!

Holiday Shop Update!

2010-12-06T11:18:00.002-05:00

The Etsy Shop is full of over 40 new beasties, just in the nick of time for your holiday wish list!

IF YOU WISH TO GET YOUR ORDER BEFORE DEC. 25th, please place all order within the US by December 17th at the latest, and all international orders by Dec. 8th at the latest!!

Happy Shopping!

Thank you!

2010-12-06T11:10:00.003-05:00

Thank you to EVERYONE who came out on Saturday to make this year's Holiday Heap the BEST EVER!!! The space was filled all day long with shoppers and friends spreading good vibes all over the place! The Christmas lights glittered, tons of Cotton Monsters found good homes and most exciting of all, we raised over $800 for Heart's Place, the homeless family shelter in the basement of St. John's Church. Thanks to everyone who bought a raffle ticket for the cause!

Attention Rhode Islanders!

2010-12-02T08:53:00.002-05:00

Tonight there is a party at Craftland! Early birds will get some rocking goodie bags! Shop from over 190 Artists (including Cotton Monster!) tax free! The Holiday Show/Shop will be open now through the end of the year! Buy Handmade!

Holiday Heap THIS SATURDAY!!!

2010-11-28T09:40:00.002-05:00

In less then one week, it will be Holiday Heap time!! I'm still frantically sewing up new beasties hoping to have an overflowing table...waking up earlier and going to sleep later in order to get those last few eyeballs stuffed and sewn in place! You can check out nice little interviews with some the vendors on the CCCM blog HERE!

Remember to bring an extra dollar or two (or three...or ten) to buy some raffle tickets for the amazing basket of craft we'll be giving away to one lucky winner! ALL proceeds go directly to Heart's Place, the shelter run in the St. John's basement!

If you are not in Bmore, no worries, i'll be putting up all my stock that does not find homes at the Heap ASAP after the show! So keep a look out Dec. 6th on the Etsy shop!

November Shop Update!

2010-11-13T11:51:00.002-05:00

The Etsy shop is freshly stocked with a ton of new creatures! Just in time for holiday shopping!
Buy 'em here or look at some photos of them here!

maniac

2010-11-04T13:58:00.006-04:00

While I'm working like a maniac trying to get my final pieces finished up to send to CRAFTLAND in RI, in addition to a few other last minute projects, AND my attempts at re-stocking von katz/kittens/and monsters for the holidays, thought I'd leave you with this Cats in Sweaters link! REAL Cats in sweaters! Mmmmhm! (but not my cats..unfortunately they don't like wearing clothes) Thanks to Rahne for the link!

Halloween weekend

2010-11-01T09:15:00.009-04:00

Even though things are getting crazy busy here as the holidays and other deadlines quickly approach, I decided to give myself the whole weekend off! Fall is my most favorite time of year, and this weekend was a particularly good one to play hookie from the studio. Friday my dear friend from PA came to visit and I helped work on her costume, while making myself some antenna (wire/hot glue and fabric). That night I dressed in a black poofy dress and went dancing as a bug (though the antenna were a bit too long to wear on the dance floor).

Woke up bright and early the next morning and hit up "bag day" at my favorite local thrift sale that happens just twice a year, and stocked up on sweatshirts and turtlenecks for this next month of crazy monster production. I made it out in time to get to the farmers market, which abounded with beautiful fall produce (picked up spinach, beets, apples, red cabbage, butternut squash, and a bright orange head of cauliflower, yum!). Then to a hot yoga community class with my buddy, lunch, and then a LONG nap before heading out to the always amazing Great Halloween Lantern Parade! And ended the night under a blanket watching Ringu with my honey (closing my eyes for the really scary parts).

Sunday I did tons of laundry, had brunch with another long lost bud and then headed into the woods to gather sticks and small branches for future fires in our little wood stove...then spent the rest of the afternoon hauling logs in the wheelbarrow from the back yard to front, as Jay did most of the chopping. You can kind of make out my beautiful wood stack in the nighttime photo below. After that I set out to carve my pumpkin, mostly just because I wanted to toast and eat the seeds (which I burnt, but ate anyway). We were visited by one adorable little trick-or-treater and her sweetpepita family...And ended our night again on the couch watching The Witches (based on Roald Dahl's book). I must say the weekend was pretty much perfect, and a perfect way to welcome in November! Now, enough dawdling...there is real work to be done!

monster head gear

2010-10-26T12:51:00.001-04:00

Made this head (and a few other goodies) for an upcoming show in December at Gallery Hanahou, "Loveable, Hugable & Wearable!" Wish I had time to make more! I'm feeling quite swamped lately, and time is just whizzing by! I haven't even gotten a pumpkin yet! Back to work for now. Hope I have more goods to show you soon!!

Heidi Kenny at Atomic Books!

2010-10-12T10:00:00.005-04:00

I just found out that Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane will be coming to Atomic Books here in Baltimore this Friday (Oct. 15 from 7-9) to discuss her work and process and to also sign copies of her new book, Every Day's A Holiday! If you're familiar with her blog then you know what a completely awesome crafter, artist, and mom Heidi is! Her prolific work and positive attitude have been an inspiration since I discovered her way back when...as I was starting up the Cotton Monster biz! Sometimes I'm left boggled by how in the world she had time to bake that gorgeous cake, make cute healthy lunches for the kids, go thrift shopping, sew a ton of donuts and make new designs for fabric (not to mention photographing all of it and then getting it up on the blog)! And occasionally when I find myself with a few kids to entertain or a massive stack of work before me, I think to myself...what would Heidi do? Ha!

I'm pleased as punch to get a copy of her book to share with the little ones in my life and get it signed by this lovely lady (who also has this magical power of bringing cupcakes with her wherever she goes!)

Halloween Show in Chicago!

2010-10-08T09:38:00.002-04:00

Stop in and say hello to my newest creation Mondonoctipus at Renegade Handmade's Halloween Show, in their Spotlight Gallery Oct.9th-31st!

Shop is stocked!

2010-10-05T10:24:00.002-04:00

Tons of new Monsters and Big Von Katz (only one kitten, sorry...more are in the works!) are now up in the shop! And they've taken up reading (and eating) books! Who knew?!

Plush You! opening Friday

2010-10-04T11:27:00.006-04:00

If you live in Seattle, then you probably already know the goodness that is Schmancy and the annual Plush You! show put on by the fabulous Kristen...If not, shame on you! Get your fine self there this Friday Oct. 8th from 5-9pm for the opening of Plush You! and say hi to my two pieces (pic below) and all the other amazing work! I just posted some more images of the Golgapus creatures here !

THANK YOU CRAFTY BASTARDS!!

2010-10-03T11:29:00.004-04:00

I'd like to send a big ol' squishy THANK YOU to the entire Crafty Bastards crew and Washington CityPaper for making this event the most amazing craft show ever! There were dollies waiting for us to load in our wares, volunteers who helped us carry our 100 lbs of cat litter (for tent weights), a very friendly CB member that took hold of my cell phone and talked my vendor friend through the extremely confusing streets of DC when she got lost along the way, free lunch and water, and other treats. The whole show was so amazingly well organized and full of good vibes, that the only stressful part of our day was finding our way there (googlemap directions never again! Its time to invest in some REAL fold up paper maps)!

AND of course, the show would be nothing without those Trillion-BAZILLION customers coming from MD, VA, and DC, shelling out dough to support local/independent businesses! You are the BEST!! Thanks to everyone who came out and visited our booth, my cheeks still hurt from smiling at all the nice comments! We saw tons of super fashionable kids and mamas (and other folks) many of whom walked away with a little stuffed creature or two. And I heard the comment "I'm totally going to buy some of these when I have kids/know someone having kids" so many times I lost count. Who needs kids, I'd reply, get one for yourself!

Oh, thanks also to Jay for making me all those new display pieces that magically fold up and fit in the car! We got many compliments on the new shelf. Thank you's all around to everyone else I missed! (see more pictures here)

If you were not at CB and are in the market for a monster, get ready, 'cause I was so well stocked for the show that I have many MANY monsters to add to the Etsy shop over the next couple of days!

THANK YOU!

DC here we come!

2010-10-01T22:25:00.004-04:00

The car is all packed up with tent, tables, chairs, new display pieces and of course, MONSTERS (and the new cats pictured above)! The studio feels mighty empty without any monsters in it (well, hardly any). Apologies on the very slim stock in the Etsy shop, as mostly everything is coming with me tomorrow. Please check back on Monday, as I plan to put up all that is left from the show up online ASAP afterward!

However, if you are in or near DC, then you have no excuse not to come out and say hi to the Cotton Monsters in person at CRAFTY BASTARDS!! Saturday October 2nd 10-5pm. We'll be in booth #69, look at a vendor map if you can't find us!

VOTE for this year's Craftiest Bastard!!

2010-09-20T13:33:00.007-04:00

Time once again to ask for your vote for this year's Craftiest Bastard Contest!! Last year, with your help, I made the top 5!!! Maybe this is my year to win?! Voting is easy peasy, and don't worry, you won't be signed up for any follow-up mailings (unless you check a box requesting future emails!)

Click on the image above (or on the right side banner) to cast your vote (only one vote per person please)!!

THANK YOU!!!

Crafty Bastard Spotlight!

2010-09-09T09:50:00.002-04:00

A super sweet write up on Cotton Monster was posted yesterday on Crafty Bastard's Blog! Check it out HERE!

Three biggies up in the shop!

2010-09-07T23:15:00.003-04:00

The stitches on my shoulder have been slowing me down to a snail's pace in the sewing room but I managed to get a few things photographed and up in the shop this evening. These three big monsters are now available here! Looking for a red or green Big Monster? Or a Von Katz kitty? Check the Renegade Handmade online shop or visit them in person in Chicago as they gear up for this weekend's Renegade Craft Fair...Good luck to all my buddies who will be vending this year! I hope the winds are kind!

one arm..

2010-09-02T17:33:00.003-04:00

A minor surgery yesterday (removing some bad mojo on my right shoulder) has left me with a ton of ugly stitches and instructions to keep my arm immobilized as best I can for proper healing (2 weeks minimum). After attempting to do some machine work today, and realizing my left arm is pretty useless at ironing and just about everything else... I returned to bed with a few monsters and some hand-work, four episodes of the new season of Weeds, and a pack of ice!

I've been singing one of my favorite Willie Nelson tunes all day to the kitties..."if I only had one arm to hold you..." Oh right arm, how I've taken you for granted! Hoping the discomfort wears off by this weekend, as Crafty Bastards is just ONE MONTH away (gasp) and there is much to be done!

Plush You LA!

2010-08-31T22:47:00.005-04:00

I sent two wee little monsters to this year's Plush You show in LA and forgot to tell you all about it! One of them pictured above, a new little alien dude...the other a grey Squirmy which was the proto-type for the Sea Squirmy schmancy exclusive! If you are interested in seeing a video made at the opening reception check it out HERE! The show is up for viewing (and buying) at Munky King, in LA until Sept. 19th, so if you are in those parts then stop on by...it looks like a great collection!

BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-08-27T17:36:00.002-04:00

Go to Renegade Handmade's Blog between now and Sunday at noon and comment with 'what you are most excited about doing this weekend' and you'll be entered for a chance to win a Jelly Monster and five block-printed patches! SO EASY!

Cotton Monster Crush!

2010-08-26T10:10:00.002-04:00

Check out Renegade Handmade's Blog post today! Crushing on ME!
How Sweet!

Attack of the Littles

2010-08-24T11:30:00.003-04:00

Twelve Little Monsters are now up in the shop for sale!

And one new Big Bottomfeeder!

Crafty Bastard Countdown!

2010-08-23T10:52:00.001-04:00

Happy to announce that yes, I am in fact a Crafty Bastard again this year!!

Mark your calendars for October 2nd if you are in the DC area! The Crafty Bastard Arts and Craft Fair It is always such a blast...amazing turn out, fantastic vendors, demos and music! The ladies at Crafty Bastards have started a countdown on their blog and will be highlighting vendors in the weeks to come! Check it out HERE! Time to get back to work!

cape cod toes

2010-08-20T18:10:00.002-04:00

be back friday!

2010-08-17T09:19:00.004-04:00

(me and christa on a salty bay somewhere in RI)

Visting RI and Cape Cod for a bit! Be back friday for emails and post mailings...maybe!

In the mean time, check out this AMAZING photo from Renegade Handmade in Chicago! They received a huge shipment of Cotton Monsters from me last week, and they are now available in their online shop! Horray!!!

still here!

2010-08-05T14:10:00.004-04:00

The past few weeks went by in such a busy blur that I hardly had time to step foot in my studio until this past monday (picture above for proof!). My dear sis and her crew visited for a week filled with eating my weight in pasta, painting nails and swimming in the shallow end of the pool with kiddos! Also, I ended up working many more days then I had planned at summer camp (which ends tomorrow..phew) and taking on a bunch of custom orders and some side projects...

There are still a few more Sea Squirmies over at the Schmancy Shop and I am desperately trying to get a large batch of monsters shipped out to Renegade Handmade in Chicago ASAP....then it will be all about re-filling the etsy shop and gearing up for this fall's Crafty Bastards!!! (that's right, I can proudly wear the title of "craft bastard" again this year! Mark your calendars for Oct 2nd if you're in the D.C. area!)

Can't wait to get back in the swing of working from home!

And they're up!

2010-07-21T15:49:00.003-04:00

A limited edition of 10 Sea Squirmies, now up for sale at Schmancy!

Cotton Monster Exclusive at Schmancy!

2010-07-20T14:22:00.005-04:00

Kristen of Schmancy and Plush You fame asked if I'd be interested in making a line of small monsters for this month's exclusive series at the shop and I hopped on it! A limited edition of ten cool ocean-colored Sea Squirmies will go up for sale in the Schmancy shop on Wednesday! To read the little interview check out the Plush You Blog! To see a few more photos of the bunch check out Flickr!

A monster break...

2010-07-13T09:53:00.004-04:00

Here's a detail of my collage, "Our Lady of the Old Tomatoes" up now at the Mt. Royal Tavern's annual Foodscape show! To see an image of the whole piece, click HERE! Its really good for me to take a break from the sewing machine every once in a while to delve back into materials I used to love to use. I remade this piece about three times, as it took me a while to get back into the swing of things. I don't think I'll ever tire of cutting paper. Working on this project really made me want to do more 2-d work! Maybe later this summer...

In addition to cutting and recutting tiny paper scraps, I've been spending the past two weeks getting ready for our Maestro Sensational puppet variety show at Artscape...pics to come! So far I've constructed a giant (8 ft?) suit, cut and painted ocean/grass flats, hot-glued a handful of sock puppets, re-painted the hand puppet stage and cut paper signage for all the acts! And there is still so much more to do! Only four days away, the pressure is ON!

Teaching arts and crafts at a recreation center in the city has also been keeping me busy. Right now we are making an army of cardboard box robots!

Yikes..Maybe next week I'll get a few full days in the sewing room!

Restocked!

2010-07-05T14:10:00.007-04:00

After photo editing through the holiday (don't worry, I snuck out for a quick evening dip in a river and caught the end of some fireworks from a distance last night) I FINALLY got the remainder of my stock uploaded into the Etsy Shop! Check out the 47 Monsters (and cats and eyeballs) for sale HERE!

Please note Space Bugs are now on Sale! And there is a NEW BREED amongst the others! The Little Buggers are my newest small creations...similar to the Space bugs, but much smaller, without pocket mouths and with wings! I sold a bunch of these at Pile of Craft and will be making more ASAP!

Phew! Just a few more to add! Enjoy!

Thank You!

2010-06-29T14:25:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all who came out to Saturday's Pile of Craft! Hope you had as much fun as I did in the photo booth!!

I'll be posting tons of new monsters in the shop later this week!! Check back soon!

PILE OF CRAFT TOMORROW!!!

2010-06-25T15:40:00.003-04:00

Its finally here! I'll be heading to the church tonight to help w/ set up...then back home for some emergency late night eyeball making! If you are anywhere near Baltimore tomorrow, then you have no excuse not to come by Pile of Craft! Even if you don't have much to spend, there will be a great raffle basket, benefiting the Village Learning Place , a FREE old fashioned photo booth, and of course lots of things to browse and buy! Exciting!

Apologies for the low stock in the Etsy shop, I've taken most things out to bring with me, and will hopefully have lots of new work to add after the show!

toes in the pacific...

2010-06-18T23:41:00.003-04:00

...and boy is it chilly! Be back Wednesday!

busy busy!

2010-06-14T09:00:00.004-04:00

In case you're wondering what I've been up to the past few weeks...as posts here and on Etsy haven't been too frequent. I've been doing my best to prepare for the upcoming "Pile of Craft," making as many monsters as I can and helping out with Craft Mafia tasks, as well as preparing for an Artscape project (more on that later) and a plush exclusive for Schmancy (coming out in July). I took a day this weekend for printing new patches, and will be printing up some more today in different colors! See more photos of the prints and new work HERE! I forgot how much I love the immediacy and repetition of printing, it is so rewarding to fill a room with a hundred of your creations in just a few hours (where as with sewing, a few hours yields just one, maybe two finished works!)

Also of note, I'll be heading to beautiful San Francisco this week for my yearly visit with one of my favorite ladies in the universe! I couldn't be more excited, but I still have TONS to do before I leave, as I return just a couple of days before Pile of Craft! So back to work for me! Busy busy bee!

Pile of Craft count down begins!

2010-06-10T23:27:00.005-04:00

There are just about two weeks left until St.John's Church in Charles Village is transformed into an amazing indie-craft market place for this year's Pile of Craft! I'll be there with a table full of monsters...along with about 40 other awesome artists! Check out the list of vendors and mark your calendars for Saturday, June 26th!

Lost at Sea comes to a close..

2010-06-09T10:13:00.004-04:00

Just a quick note to let those of you in NYC know that this Friday (June 11) is the last day to see the Lost at Sea show in person at Gallery Hanahou! The work is still available for a limited time in their online shop HERE. I'd like to say another HUGE THANK YOU to Kristen, to the kind gallery folks, to everyone that came out to see the show, and to those two AMAZING fans that purchased big pieces of mine! You are super!

Mini Shop update!

2010-06-07T12:12:00.002-04:00

Nine small newbies up for sale now in the Etsy Shop!

Farm life

2010-05-27T10:50:00.004-04:00

Jay and I spent the weekend with our old pal Jen on the farm where she works in PA. It was a really magical place...these goats don't even look real to me! We picked strawberries (I was pleased to find they make the cutest popping sound when plucked), talked to a donkey, drew pictures of each other, stuck our feet in a chilly stream and were followed around by a very cute kitty named chard. I forget sometimes how amazing the country is, what it feels like to not walk on concrete for a whole days at a time and the way light changes when walking through a thick forest. I think my next home may have a goat or two...more pictures here!

I worked a few days this week doing a puppet residency, spent all day yesterday on a commission (pics to come) and now its time to buckle down and get a ton of monsters made! But first....must clean the studio the VERY messy studio!

Big guys

2010-05-19T11:00:00.004-04:00

I just put up four Big Monsters into the Etsy Shop! I'm finishing up a batch of Little Monsters today and will hopefully get them up in the shop later this week!

Click here to see more of the four dudes above on Flickr!

Lost at Sea work now up for sale!

2010-05-16T20:21:00.004-04:00

(pictured: "Ancient Nautilus" by Hine Mizushima)

Just a quick note to let you know that all of the artwork from the 33 artists (including your's truly) in the "Lost at Sea" show is currently for sale in gallery hanahou's online shop HERE! There is a lot of nice fiber work worth checking out! If you can't make it to see the show before its closes June 11th, browsing through this shop is the next best thing!

Happy.

2010-05-13T13:42:00.003-04:00

Opened my email and had a photo from Firth Pentapod's new owner waiting for me...This is exactly what I needed to make me smile today!!

Gallery Hanahou Opening and other ramblings..

2010-05-10T10:49:00.004-04:00

Well, I had a wonderful two days in NY, attending the opening of the Lost at Sea show at Gallery Hanahou! I got to meet a long time amazing customer (who is now the proud owner of the White Nautislugious), some sweet sweet ladies who work at the gallery as well as some awesome gals who work at Etsy, and the lovely Kristen of Schmancy/Plush you fame who curated this show! I have a feeling I babbled to them incoherently and red-faced, as just before the show I had my first coffee in well over a year (it seemed like a good idea at the time) followed up by a glass of champagne at the opening! The combination made me feel a little out of wack, and the place was packed full to the brim the entire time (I spent most of my time hanging out in the hallway to get some cooler air!).

After the show I had a nice night out on the town with one of my best buds Christa, her amazing sister and an old classmate from MICA! So much fun!

Jay and I visited the Whitney's Biennial and the New Museum (which is my favorite place to visit), strolled through central park, ambled through brooklyn, ate some good grub and, after a few snags on the subway, made it to our return bus just in the nick of time on friday...New Yorkers, I don't know how you do it!

Saturday we celebrated Jay's birthday with a hike in some gorgeous woods on the Gunpowder river, ate at our favorite thai place and caught a late show of Banksy's "Exit through the Gift Shop."

All in all a fabulous few days, except that I managed to get sick towards the end...writing this from under the covers!

Click here to see a few more pictures of the opening, (and of our hike!)

Lost at Sea OPENING TOMORROW in NYC!

2010-05-05T12:54:00.002-04:00

If you are in NYC thursday night come on out and say hello! See some awesome work by 32 fabulous fiber artists, including yours truly AND the amazing Heidi Kenny of My Paper Crane, Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching among many others! Visit gallery hanahou for more info!

If you can't make it to the show, I posted a few photos of my pieces that will be on display on including this golden guy above! But if you're coming, don't peek! It will be a surprise!

Three New Von Katz Brothers!

2010-05-04T12:23:00.004-04:00

Click HERE to see photos of the Kitties on FLICKR~

Click HERE to Link to ETSY for shopping/browsing!!

Featured on the Front Page of Etsy this morning!

2010-04-27T10:39:00.001-04:00

(thanks to "The Flibbertigibbet" for the tip!)

Mini Bottomfeeder Etsy Update!

2010-04-26T11:27:00.002-04:00

Just added 5 new mini bottomfeeders to the Etsy shop! Check them out in the shop or view more pics on Flickr! Slowly but surely I'm restocking the shop!

Little Update!

2010-04-21T11:33:00.003-04:00

10 new little monsters are now up in the Etsy Shop!

Tomorrow!

2010-04-20T14:58:00.003-04:00

I'll be posting this rainbow gang of little monsters in the Etsy Shop tomorrow! Thought I'd have time today, but after some finishing stitches, photographing, and editing, I've run out of time for uploading! Now I'm off to Job #2 to do some arts and crafts with kiddos then to Job #3 to scoop some corn for movie-goers...then, if I can keep the momentum going, maayyyybe some dancing!

I'll post more little monster pics tomorrow (and will AIM to have them up in the shop by noonish)!

New Watchful Eyes in the Shop

2010-04-16T15:18:00.002-04:00

Ten new Watchful Eyes are now up in the Shop!

I love my fans!!

2010-04-16T09:58:00.003-04:00

I just got a lovely email from France! A pretty awesome illustrator was gifted a Cotton Monster by a friend and they liked it so much that they made this ADORABLE video with their new monster! Check it out!

Isn't that adorable? I swear I have the best fans EVER!

p.s. I've been working on some stop animation with the monsters too!! I hope to have something finished to show you soon!

Lost at Sea!

2010-04-13T09:48:00.003-04:00

Maybe you thought I was lost at sea these past few weeks, well in fact...I was! I was sewing like crazy, sewing and seam-ripping and re-sewing, lost in a sea of cut-up sweatshirts and stuffing... turning inside-out three-foot long tentacles, many, many eyeballs and a mountain of teeth for this upcoming show at Gallery Hanahou!

I made five pieces, maybe should have stopped at three, but I was having too much fun!! The details are below, if you are going to be in NYC between May 6-June 11, you should most definitely see the show, there is an all-star cast (which I feel honored to be on) curated by the lovely Kristen Rask of Schmancy/Plush You fame! Want to see a SNEAK PEEK of the pieces I made? You do? Well, Click here!! I'll wait to put up full shots of the Sea Creatures until May!

May 6 - June 11

gallery hanahou / 611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC / galleryhanahou.com

Opening reception: Thursday, May 6, 7-9 pm RSVP info@galleryhanahou.com

"There is something about the malleability and textures of fabric, thread, and yarn that speaks of the sea and its many mysteries. Curated by Kristen Rask of Schmancy and "Plush You," "Lost at Sea" gathers 32 exciting artists who share underwater visions of items lost, creatures forgotten, and life that struggles to stay with us. The show will feature a broad array of amusing and uncanny works in embroidery, plush, and other materials."

Last Week to apply for B'more's Pile of Craft!!

2010-03-25T12:28:00.002-04:00

Applications are open for Charm City Craft Mafia's Pile of Craft 2010!!!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Pile Of Craft is our annual juried Spring craft fair, featuring handmade and original items from 40+ talented artists from all over the country. Apparel, ceramics, handbags, jewelry, fine art, scuplture, homegoods and more - made by hand, sold by the artists themselves!
Want to be a vendor? You can APPLY HERE. Applications to Pile Of Craft 2010 are open until April 2 at midnight and we will be announcing the accepted vendors by April 9th.

SPRING!

2010-03-21T13:59:00.006-04:00

Hooray for Spring! This past week was a busy one, entertaining my baby nephew/godson who was visiting from Michigan, cleaning and helping out with an evening event at the puppet theater, cutting cardboard and painting sets with third graders from the residency I've been teaching, leaving absolutely no time at all for studio sewing. But this weekend I did find a few spare moments to see some friends and get some work done outside in the glorious spring weather!

Right before winter set in, my mom and I started fixing up an old rotting picnic table, and it was in desperate need of finishing. Finally this friday after work I set out with a palm sander and two buckets of old paint leftover from a mural painting and springed it up a bit! I think green may be my new favorite color! To see a few more pictures from the week, click HERE!

Ten more monsters!

2010-03-14T11:10:00.004-04:00

Just a quick post to let you know that 10 new Cotton Monsters just went up in the shop!

This week I'll be working on restocking Watchful Eyes, as well as some Von Katz and Big Monsters, so check back soon!

FEATURED SELLER ON ETSY!!!

2010-03-08T13:07:00.005-05:00

If you look at the front page of Etsy today (and I think through the wednesday afternoon) you'll see ME!! Cotton Monster was chosen as the Featured Seller today, March 8th, which just happens to be my birthday!! What a wonderful present! Click HERE to read the interview!! Thanks to everyone who has sent such nice comments my way!

fishes and jellies and sharks, oh my!

2010-03-07T13:28:00.003-05:00

Kristin of Plush You/Schmancy fame has invited me into a show she's curating at Gallery Hanahou in NYC this coming May (more details to come). It is an "underwater" themed show, which happens to be one of my favorite subjects! Jay and I took this opportunity to venture downtown to the aquarium on Friday. I snapped some photographs and soaked up some quite inspiring views of the sea creatures. More fishy and jelly photos on Flickr!

snow back up...

2010-02-24T09:40:00.003-05:00

Since the blizzard of 2010 backed up all UPS shipments in our area, I've been waiting (not so patiently) for my gigantic stuffing shipment for two weeks now! In the meantime I've been sewing away as best I could, leaving me with a stack of monster skins anxiously waiting to be stuffed and brought to life. Luckily my much anticipated box 'o fluff finally arrived last night and I'm pretty darn excited to get these guys filled up! Also, thought I'd snap and share a picture of the inside of this big monster in the works...often the ugly sweatshirt designs end up on the inside of monsters...you'd never know they were there!

Five little kitties in the shop!

2010-02-15T12:37:00.003-05:00

To see them in the shop, click here!

To see more adorable photos on Flickr, click here!

More snow and more sewing!

2010-02-10T10:00:00.003-05:00

Being housebound by the blizzard (and the NEW storm that's blanketing us again as I write) has actually made me quite productive! There are six big Von Katz kitties ready for photographing...then they'll be up in the shop. And a few big monsters and space bugs too!! Click here to see a few more sneak peaks of the kitties AND the real kitties that inspired them!

Snowed in for good!

2010-02-07T10:08:00.003-05:00

The snow is still here! I took a few more pictures yesterday of our outdoor adventures (we didn't make it too far). Most of the storm I've spent inside by the fire, sewing on some monsters and cats, knitting, making Valentines for a few of my girlies, eating yummy snacks and of course watching a ton of movies. Who knew a movie about a little talking pig could be so heart-wrenching!? Ha!

Though I love being stranded, I've decided it may be time to dig a path out of the house and MAYBE start shoveling out the car....though our hill is not yet passable. Crossing my fingers school is closed all week so I can stay put right here and keep sewing!

Also, all the orders placed by Friday went out before the storm hit and hopefully are speeding their way to you! Here is a picture of the poltergeisted stack of packages on their way out to the post!

Etsy Shop Update!

2010-02-03T15:24:00.005-05:00

Just in time for Love Day! (order by Feb 8th to be safe if you want your monster by Valentine's day!) I filled up the Shop with little monsters and pentapods over the past couple of days! Buy/Check them out here! Also, I started making these kitty cats in pretty little shirts, the Von Katz Family!...the six I had sold out already, but check out photos of them HERE! I already started working on more this afternoon!

February? Seriously?

2010-01-31T20:16:00.006-05:00

Sorry for the long pause, those of you who read this or who check here occasionally for Cotton Monster news! January has been a very slow month for me, meaning mostly that I am moving in SLOW MOTION! It seems since I left my studio for Christmas break, it now takes me twice as long to sew/accomplish anything!

I'm not saying nothing happened...a little trip to new york, a surprise visit from my beautiful sister and nephew (who incidentally just took his first solo steps across a room today!) I taught a bunch of kids to sew (now if I could only teach them to thread and knot their own needles), I've been working on some kitties wearing cute little shirts, trying to reboot monster stock (slowly), getting things ready for the tax man, chopping wood and all that jazz...but still I can't believe a month has come and gone so fast. I swear new years was yesterday!

This winter I re-found my old pal Meagan, who has traveled the world, experienced so much, and blossomed into quite an amazing woman and writer. You can find her insightful blog here: The Lady Who Lunches. A while back she tagged me with the duty of posting my "favorite photo of all time." This was weeks ago and I've been thinking of it ever since...but have come to the firm conclusion that it is a completely impossible task!!! There are just too many! I found myself digging through my shoe boxes of old photos and sorting through masses of digital folders on my computer, and there are just so many that I would never want to part with. Twenty-seven, going on twenty-eight, years on this earth = a whole lot of photos!

In high school I found an old roll of b&w film in a drawer and developed it in my photo class. This picture was amongst the shots on that roll; my brother, sister and I perched on an old big wheel bike in our front yard. Sticking with the theme of my life right now.. time flying by at record speed..I keep going back to this photo. My sister now has a baby of her own, about the same age as the baby she is holding up in the photo (Me!). Crazy and wonderful...

Just to be clear Meg-o...I'm not committing this one to favorite of all time!! But its up there on the list!

p.s. this one of Jay and I (taken by Brendan) was also pretty high in the ranks!

Craft Hope for Haiti

2010-01-18T10:39:00.002-05:00

Want to help out Haiti? Consider shopping at the just created Craft Hope for Haiti Etsy Shop! All proceeds (minus Etsy fees) will go directly to Doctors Without Borders for relief efforts in Haiti. Are you a crafter? Consider making a donation!(more info on how to do that here).

I just donated a mini bottomfeeder...not sure when it will go up for sale, the shop is being run by two dedicated mamas working as fast as they can with the donations coming in!

The Cotton Monster

Happy New Year (3 Weeks late!)

a few of my favorite things...

THANK YOU & christmas shipping deadlines!

HOLY HEAPS! Holiday Heap THIS SATURDAY!!

Luvable & Hugable @ Gallery Hanahou in NYC!

Opening TONIGHT in Northampton!

Bad A★★: Fabric Arts Group Show

@ Foe Store & Gallery28 Pleasant StreetNorthampton, MA 01060

one more for halloween...

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeen!

PLUSH YOU!!!

Fall Shop Update!

Thank YOU DC & More Patch love!

TBD.com Photo Feature! Just two days till CRAFTY BASTARDS!

Craftiest Bastard Contest is back!

Patch love!

New Cotton Monsters up in the Shop!

Mark Your Calendars! Oct. 1st Crafty Bastards!

What's new?

a little update...

I'm baaaaaack

PILE OF CRAFT THIS SATURDAY!!!!

Puppet Slamwich Tomorrow!!

the windy city

Cotton Monsters at the DCCA!

May Shop Update (finally)

HANDMADE MART THIS SUNDAY!

Green Eyed Monster Earth Day Post & Giveaway!

April Update!

still here!

Share your pics!

Feel the love

Still time for V-day orders!

Love Bugs!

Happy New Year!

That time of year...

FREE SHiPPING for 24 HOURS!

Luv-able, Hug-able & Wear-able!

Holiday Shop Update!

Thank you!

Attention Rhode Islanders!

Holiday Heap THIS SATURDAY!!!

November Shop Update!

maniac

Halloween weekend

monster head gear

Heidi Kenny at Atomic Books!

Halloween Show in Chicago!

Shop is stocked!

Plush You! opening Friday

THANK YOU CRAFTY BASTARDS!!

DC here we come!

VOTE for this year's Craftiest Bastard!!

Crafty Bastard Spotlight!

Three biggies up in the shop!

one arm..

Plush You LA!

BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!

Cotton Monster Crush!

Attack of the Littles

Crafty Bastard Countdown!

cape cod toes

be back friday!

still here!

And they're up!

Cotton Monster Exclusive at Schmancy!

A monster break...

Restocked!

Thank You!

PILE OF CRAFT TOMORROW!!!

toes in the pacific...

busy busy!

Pile of Craft count down begins!

Lost at Sea comes to a close..

Mini Shop update!

Farm life

Big guys

Lost at Sea work now up for sale!

Happy.

@ Foe Store & Gallery
28 Pleasant Street
Northampton, MA 01060