Otterly infatuated

The best part of making my stuffed animal art dolls is creating the face. That’s where the personality is, and that’s when they tell me their names. I love that the slightest change in eye position can alter the entire mood, and the right nose can really bring them to life. Look at these three otters for example– all using the same pattern, but all with very different characters. (Of course the fabric choice also plays a big part in that, if you want to get scientifical about it.)

• 

  Brimley

• 

  Clementine

• 

  Florence

Brimley (named after a certain Wilford due to his mustachioed appearance) is a bit mischievous, while orange Clementine is curious and bold, and sweet Florence is maybe a bit shy, but will open up once you get to know her.

I really enjoy doing photo shoots with these guys. I took them on a field trip to a botanical garden/zoo and we all had a great time with the statuary at the otter exhibit. I love otters. They’re the best.

Check these guys out in my etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/galacticbloom

Advertisement

Best of 2017

Astrid the Astronotter was in the shop for less than a month when one of my friends bought her for his girlfriend, M. Ever since, they’ve been sending me shots like the one above—Astrid in the new scarf M made for her (omg ❤ right?!) Astrid chasing ducks in the park, Astrid building a snow otter. This really is the best possible outcome—it’s almost like selling my otter and keeping it too—and I wish all of my customers would send me pics like this. (hint, hint for any of you reading 🙂

I also did three custom orders in a span of a few weeks, and they were all fantastic learning experiences. I love custom orders, they always make me stretch in unexpected directions and that’s good fun. I made a fox, a dragonfly, and a goblin.

But that goblin tho…

He’s one of the best things I made in 2017, along with Astrid the Astronotter. I’ve been sewing like mad to replace stock in the shop for 2018, and four new faces now grace the shelves, with more to come.

Big plans for 2018, more about that in another post.

Otterly Obsessed

Otters are probably some of the cutest animals on the planet right now. I’ve been obsessed with them for a while, and the more otters I see, the more I love them. I love their little kitteh-pupper faces and their little t-rex arms and their little busy people-hands. I love that they collect pebbles and enjoy juggling them. And I absolutely love that *they have pockets* hidden in their baggy-skinned armpits where they sometimes keep their favorite rock.

I bring all of this up because I’ve just created a new otter stuffie pattern and have already made three of them and I’m definitely keeping one for myself because omg lookit these guys:

One of these brown tweed fellas is named  Maynard and is in the Etsy shop. And then there’s Astrid the Astronott, who’s going to Otter Space. She has a papier mache space gear and is ready for lift-off:

I’m pretty sure these are the cutest guys I’ve ever made. I want to keep them all, but I CANNOT.

Furry McMurray’s, animal pub

When the zoo closes and all the people go home, the animals clock out from their jobs as species ambassadors and diplomats. Some like to unwind at Furry McMurray’s, an all-animal pub on the north side of the zoo. It is a very chill place.

The sloth arrived 45 minutes ago and has just made her way to the bar. She would like to order a sloe gin fizz please. No rush though—take your time.

And this is what I’ve been working on since my last post, when I wasn’t randomly visiting goat farms, making cheese* or working as an ambassador for my species. I’ve been doodling animals with beverages and animals doing people things for quite a while now, and there’s a bit of a backstory developing. There’s an air hockey table that the otters especially enjoy…

All the random little drawings in my sketchbooks are coalescing into a cohesive Thing. This could be a goal, even… more on that story as it unfolds.

*YASSS, I have acquired the ability to make cheese in my kitchen. #lifechanging
Also more on that—and the goats—later, I’m sure.

Screen Cleaner

You’re welcome.

Otter Hockey

Dear Internets,
Here. Have some otters playing air hockey. You’re welcome.
Love,
Angie

Otterly Ridiculous

It was an otterly ridiculous sweater party. This sweet little watercolor is now available in my Etsy shop. It was inspired by the real life events of last weekend’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with my friends – who are not, in fact, otters, except in spirit.