diamond dogs

"young girl.. they call them the diamond dogs" - david bowie

this is a special order doxie i just finished up. her argyle outfit is individually sewn on tiny wool felt diamonds. yes i am crazy, but you already know that! her name of course is Diamonde. gold chain leash with leather handle, a functional/ fashionable accessory for any lady pup.

i'm definitely stealing this idea! this pic was sent in by a collector who came up with a clever way to display her peng peng dachshunds: the guy is walking the gal. i can just hear bow-tie saying in a Bogart voice "you belong to me sweetheart! let's go!"

i'm working on a larger, or shall i say longer-sized doxie in Alfonzo red (that's red mohair with yellow backing). a limited edition of two. will be sure to let you know when they are available. ☺

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!

rare antique googley eyed mohair dog on ebay!

woof woof! i'm an antique, circa 1930's mohair pekingese dog. i make a loyal companion for teddy bears and humans :) will you give me a kind loving home? dogs like me with the glass googley eyes don't come around very often! catch me now on ebay!

a long-time fave from my personal collection. isn't he just awesome?! to a good home only.

pengy's in paris

oh la la! a parisian hug of mini's! sent from a lovely collector in paris, france. wish i could squeeze myself into the box next time and visit :) thanks for sharing... il est très mignon!

Spring Snow

*Wouldn't it be neat if snow in spring was colorful like this?*

You should have heard Rob when he pulled back the curtains this morning: "it SNOWED!". Um, good morning 1st day of spring? Well, I ran out of daylight to take pics of the new Spirit Bears, so was unable to get them in my shop today. Good news is they are indeed DONE and will be listed Sunday :)
I'll be sure to send out an email announcement when they're up, so you can relax and enjoy your Sunday - just check your inbox though! :o)

It's been a long while since I posted anything in "collectors corner". I'm always incredibly flattered whenever I receive pics of my creations gracing your home and HUG. There are so many great ones, even though I am slow to post them here! Here's little panda "Domino" from my Valentine's update, sharing clothes with a vintage troll. Tracy is their mommy, and she's an avid vintage toy collector. I've been stalking her vintage troll collection on her blog, 'cos in case you didn't know, I used to have a serious troll addiction.

(photos by Tracy)

Doesn't it make you want to go play? :)
Have sweet dreams of many mohair things.

Greetings from Playland

I'm always tickled to see collectors pics and the fun, inventive ways they display their Peng Peng's and other bears. These pics were sent in by Tracy and she's graciously allowed me to share them with you. Above: Buddha Bear with his mushroom house. (that house!)

Here is Mr. Yams "at work" in his circa 1914 toy grocery store (made by the Cass Toy Company).
Glad to see he's earning his keep, lol! It seems fitting that Mr. Yams would be a grocer, sorting yams and such? I think he needs a bow tie now. Meanwhile Ting Ting is doing nothing but riding around on a vintage mohair ducky (and how nicely Ting Ting fits in with the old bears :)

Adorable HUG or what? :) Thanks so much for sharing Tracy!

In Etsy news: (I intended to get this posted sooner, but was so busy with my Little Wunders update) My miniature Gnome was featured in another lovely Treasury this month, curated by LaTouchables Bags and Things. Thanks again Dawn, you're too good to me! Miniature Gnome is still hoping for a forever home, and is available right here.

It's a rainy, cool day here...who would guess I'd need long sleeves in June? Hope it is warmer where you are! Toodles for now. xoxo

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

"Ting Ting" (a Limited Edition I created for the Toy Shoppe years back) is enjoying the out-of-doors, feeling the warm breeze on his fur, hearing the birds a'twitter, and with a glimmer of sunshine in his eyes :O) Isn't this a fab collectors pic?! I simply had to show it to you :O)
Tis a gorgeous day in Chicago (and i hope it is where u are too!)~ the kind of day I long for during the seemingly never-ending, dreary Midwest winters. We requested a tree-planting by the City of Chicago for our home, which they planted in the fall (8 months after my request, but delighted nonetheless). They selected for us a "Homestead Elm"...it was a joy to see it's first green leaves appear and birds sitting on it's branches. It is a time of renewal and in the spirit of, i have a fun new project i'm working on and hope to share with you really soon! And yes, it involves socks & a large dose of cuteness ;o)

Now and Zen

It always makes my day to hear from my collectors (U R the Best!) and it humbles me to learn that in my own little way, i have inspired others; whether it be to pick up a thread n' needle, or to explore your creative self, or to simply follow your dreams (that is the motto my mother taught me). Today i received this heartfelt e-mail and (with authors' permission) thought to share it with you:

"Peng Peng, you have inspired me for years, I love what you do. I have sewn ever since I was a little wee one (I used to cut my clothes up to make things, which I soon learned was a big no-no. So I started cutting up my mom and dad's bath towels, which also wasn't allowed! :O)
I've learned a lot since then, and have grown into my own style using fabrics that I buy with my own money! And that leaves me with a closet full of wearable clothes, which is a plus.

I just wanted to say, that even though I feel that the possibility of me making a living doing what I love (making friendly creatures) is slim, I feel good at least knowing that someone as creative as yourself has found a way to do it!
I have attached a photo of one of my creations, "Little Zen bear" lol. I just can't seem to get him to stop meditating!

Thanks so much for bringing me joy and giving me hope for my own future...

katie a."

Thank u Katie! your Zen bear is adorable ;O) Keep following your heart!
~~Do you have an inspiring tale to share? Feel free to post it here or email your story to me, i'd love to hear from ya!

Scone anyone?

MMmmm... whats that in the Eazy Bake oven? A delicious bear-sized scone! Thanks to collector A.R. for sending these delightful 'kitchen adventure' pics of her Peng Peng bear "Lili"~ she's become quite the domestic goddess (check this previous post)
Bring a plate~ there's plenty for everyone :)

Elefriends!

This pic just gives me a chuckle :oD Thanks to the collector for sending me this pic of her adorable Herd, featuring the newest addition "Jaffies Junior" the little orange guy seated left side, front row :O) Glad to know he is fitting in nicely with the olde ellies!

Hug o' the Month!

"Helloooo...Can we have all the primates please, ladies and pachyderms get in a group...Little Squirt can you come forward a bit? GREAT! (*click*)


Teddy Bears.. can you congregate along the garden wall there.. PERFECT..give me a big smile.. (*click*)


Now everyone, everyone, gather 'round for the group shot and say... PEANUTBUTTERN'BANANAHONEYSANDWICHES!" (*click*click*click*)

~~Big hugs and round of applause to Carolyn for the PP Hug o' the Month! Thanks for sending in these fun pics!
I always get a kick from seeing your HUGS, so if you want to share pics just send 'em to me!

Just Crazy Cute!

When I opened my email and saw this pic, i said: OMGaaaaaahhh!! How insanely cute is that set up??!! Look how the knit cap is hanging up on the peg! "Oh, dear me, I forgot the kettle was on.... please sit down while i bring you in some tea and butter cookies!" The mousey friend was created by another artist (name unknownst to me). Big wide hugs to collector A.R. for sending this in :O) love it!

Sock Monkey Greetings from Netherlands

Anjo Noija of Bearable Bears, Netherlands, with her Peng Peng sock monkey girl writes:

"Hi Peng Peng!
Greetings from me and my sweet monkey."
~July 2006

Perhaps the first ever Artist Bear TATTOO!

Leona from the UK is a Peng Peng Bears superfan! June 2005 she got a tattoo of a Peng Peng Bear on her wrist for her 30th birthday. WOW! It is the image of "Mini Master Poe" (the brown bear) I created June 2004 for Bear Paths Plum Club.
Rock on Leona! :O)

House of Peng Peng Bears

April 2005:

Adorable photos submitted by Karen, a new Peng Peng Bear fan.

This is Karen's 5 yr old daughter Erin with the "House of Peng Peng Bears" poster that she made. Erin had the idea to print out pictures of the bears from my web site and make a cardboard house for them. A masterpiece! (my only suggestion is maybe add a 2nd bathroom to accomodate all these bears! LOL!)

Olde Meets "New"

2 FuN Fotos submitted by a Peng Peng collector:

"Bebe" a Peng Peng monkey (left) pictured here at her loving new home in Pennsylvania, with her new best friend "Carly" a vintage sock monkey, a match made in monkey heaven!

Next, pictured on the left is one of my creations "Rich Poor" Antiqued Sock Monkey, bonding nicely with olde timer Mr. Bob.. discussing the virtues of plaid and oversized trousers.

Shanghai Surprise!

Peng Peng bear "Fran" travels from Chicago to China as a special Birthday gift! Phew, that is a long flight. Thanks to Eric from Shanghai, China for sharing this photo of your girlfriend/ new Peng Peng Bear mom.