meowy christmas!

it's a white christmas here in chicago! that didn't stop this gal from doing her rounds in the neighborhood, what a nice thick winter coat gemini has. i've seen her coat get super full and puffy during the coldest months, like a raccoon. she's a robust lady! warmest wishes to you from us here in the windy city... may you have peace and plenty. xoxo

nomadic winter wardrobe

i usually don't talk fashion but folks, i waited all year to bust out this combo: red plaid tartan laces in green vintage dr. martens. so what if i look like a nomadic elf. all second hand of course, wool skirt too. just about everything i wear is thifted/ vintage or handmade, except for underwear, socks, bathing suits and exercise clothes- those gotta be new. i love mix and match colors and patterns, and i think that comes through my work too, yes? some winter wardrobe inspiration here:

bolivians

tibetans...

tibetans living on the "roof of the world" in american chucks.

i am proud to say i haven't worn my (low self-esteem) parka in 2 years! i just don't feel like myself in it. so i figured out a solution: layered clothes with a sweater, lightweight windbreaker and a long wool poncho over everything + hat, gloves, 1-2 scarves. my neighbor saw me bundled up and said i looked like a tibetan (well, i am half chinese). i'm not a wintery person, so this tibetan look i call my "survival" look. my philosophy is, when the weather is drab go the opposite in clothes :)

holiday bears update today!

my first ever... bees! busy helping the elves...

come and see all the new mini bear ornaments today on my web site! part bear, part elf, and a big dose of good times- they are dressed up in their long stocking caps and ready to hang. enjoy!

❆ holiday update tomorrow ❆

surprise!! yes, there will be new creations on my web site tomorrow at 12 noon central (10am pacific/ 11am mtn/ 1pm eastern). there will only be 8 bears so be sure to stop by early! been sewing like crazy and flying by the seat of my pants (on ice, lol) to get these ready to show you. i must say.. they are very adorable and looking a lot better than my hands! ☺

etsy treasury ~ bears!

an etsy treasury dedicated to none other than...bears! sweet n' simple. i like that. curated by elzystudio. my blu bobo epattern is featured. speaking of, i've been meaning to put a new pattern in the shop but just caught up in other projects. a bad case of etsy-neglecty... yet somehow folks are finding me and being so nice to put me in their treasuries! i think it may be sign. i'll try to get that pattern up soon... * have a great saturday *

PFATT Marketplace: spirit bear ornies!

they're baaaack! mini mohair spirit bears... ready to hang just about anywhere you want a little luck and good fortune! or if you prefer to wear your bear, i can put a ribbon in so you can wear as a necklace. see them on PFATT marketplace, special PFATT price: $44 each! whoo-hoo!

god dam! (thomas dam that is)

do my eyes deceive me? a rare vintage Thomas DAM monkey boy troll?!! where have you been all my life? just take a look at those toes. he fits right into that niche of uglycute. but alas, he does not belong to me.. i spied him on eBay and just had to share him with you. judging by the out of con-troll bidding i'm not the only one who's tickled by him. dam monkey boy troll, dam you.

*ps. i just read this in his description: "but is missing his sailor hat and his pants." now that would have been too much!

mini bear ornies!

part mini bear, part elf, part holiday hijinx... my first mini bear ornaments! "snowflake" and "krimson" were made for Collins Gifts Christmas web show, which is happening tonight! i just remembered! (sorry for late notice, frozen brain cells :) xoxo both SOLD

bare branches

a study of trees in winter
or
california dreaming.
we're heading out west in february for a week to thaw out. i know it's a ways off but i can't wait! every winter i am reminded how crazy i am for living in the midwest. it's 15 degrees outside. yep, i'm insane {*.....*}

etsy ugly cute team

recently i was invited to join etsy ugly cute team. yay, go team! wouldn't that be a great team sweater? ugly cute in big letters with double zeros. i've always liked toys considered "ugly" or slightly grotesque with an annoying cuteness ie: troll dolls, which i was addicted to, big-eyed Keane waifs similar to these vintage paint-by-numbers sad ballerinas i had long ago:

horrible but compelling aren't they? :) and remember these gems:

at the height of my vintage Russ figures collection, god, i must have had about 40 different ones, and a few rare giant ones. this was way before digital cameras, so i never took pics. i had planned to catalog them somehow like a mini museum book. where was flickr then??

so back to my original thought (: i'm flattered that my tiny Bronwyn twins sculpture was included in etsy ugly cute treasury, curated by darkfaerie. check out all the uglycuteness before it expires!

abracadabra bears have arrived (finally!)

cozy new friends for december!

*this luxurious hand dyed red mohair with black tips is one of my faves... i had just enough to squeeze out one more bear. it's a discontinued mohair, so there's no more left!
great news! my november bears have finally arrived at Abracadabra UK shop! as i suspected, the parcel was held up in UK customs (grrrrr!). i breathed a big sigh of relief when i heard the news today. the bears have missed their party cake (banish the thought!) so they're needing a little extra spoiling for all their hardships. could you find it in your heart to spoil a hungry little bear? adopt them over at abracadabra teddies.

"Who will love a little sparrow...

...who's traveled far and cries for rest?" (Simon and Garfunkel "Sparrow")

so you're thinking, what's this? yet another bird post? it just happened that way, i swear! my grandpop was an avid birdwatcher. he took my brother and i birdwatching as kids, and gave us those little red wooden bird calls. maybe a bit of the birdwatching is in my blood.

the first day of december has brought us our first snow. i don't know how these little troopers survive the bitter mid-west winters. but somehow they do...

as the wildflowers roots do. as the evergreens do.

as we will do... with the aid of thick blankets and hot drinks :)
stay warm!
xxxx