SCHMANCY EXCLUSIVE

So my FeeJee Mermaids are being exclusively sold at Schmancy starting June 3rd. They will be available at the store as well as on line. You can put one on hold if you email them. Here's the interview I did with Kristen Rask of Schmancy.

YIPEEE!!!

All done! Yeah! These guys are off to Schmancy in Seattle. I literally finished them up last night. More info will be come about what they'll be doing there. I've stated before that I'm not a big fan of making duplicates but I felt a great sense of accomplishment seeing these all grouped together, tagged and ready to go. I felt good. Seeing Handmade Nation yesterday got me all jazzed up too.

How cute are they all lined up like that. Of course my husband thought it looked like a mass grave of FeeJee Mermaids, with all the crossed eyes and some of the arms were crossed too. Yikes!

Close up of the tags.

HANDMADE NATION

Sometimes it pays to work at Hallmark. Faythe Levine came and spoke and also showed her film Handmade Nation. I've been eager to see this for a while but there haven't been any showings in this area, until today. Check out the link if you're not familiar. Here's a bio of Faythe Levine taken from the blog.
Faythe Levine is a filmmaker, author, independent curator and creative director. She is currently documenting the rise of DIY and the new wave of art, craft and design.

A HEAP OF MERMAIDS

Yes I'm still working away on the mermaids. I can see the finish line. I officially have 11 completely finished and the rest just need to be sewn together and have a little detailing to complete.

I thought these guys looked so sad all laying around so I took a pic. I've been dragging a bit because I caught a cold 2 weeks ago that I thought turned into a sinus infection only I found out today it's just allergies. But I did have a cold thanks to my daughter. So I've planted myself in my no so attractive recliner where I've been sewing up the bodies, drinking OJ and watching TV. My husband and I just discovered the animated series Making Fiends on Nicktoons. It's by creator Amy Winfrey and it originated as a web cartoon. Check out her site here.

SAVE HANDMADE

There have been many concerns with indi artists, crafters, and small toy manufacturers about the new Consumer Products Saftey Improvement Act. This puts new restrictions on toys. Which is a good thing considering the recent issues of lead found in toys. However it will put small indipendent creaters out of business because of the testing that is required is to expensive. I think testing is fine but the cost is outragious. What I don't really understand is that most of us are creating work from supplies bought out in retail. Shouldn't that stuff have been tested for lead and phithalates? If I make a plushy out of fleece sold at Joann's is that not tested? I could understand if I raise my own sheep and make my own wool, or make my own dyes, etc. If I was creating the materials to make the item then I think there is an area for concern. This doesn't exactly affect me since my work isn't really geared for children. I even specify that it's not. But it kind of walks that fine line. Anyway, I know many people who make items for children and will be directly affected by this. To get more info go here.