I Heart Holiday String Dolls!

Room 13 at Eliot Arts school String Dolls - made by students!

Holiday gift tags, pine cone ornaments, and string dolls at Hoopla, made by Room 13 Eliot students and Artist-in-Residence.

I've been enjoying my time as an Artist-in-Residence at Room 13 art studio at Eliot Arts, and it's truly been a blessing to work with so many kids and to see how art really brightens up their world. I've been teaching the middle school students how to make String Dolls. And this is what they've come up with! Aren't they lovely? Just adorable for the holidays! They came up with their own characters, and they're all too cute! So proud of them. And for today's Small Business Saturday, they'll be featured at Hoopla, a handmade gift shop in Altadena, so if you're in the area, check them out! Hoopla is giving Room 13 15% of their profits today, plus you can buy the kids' string dolls in the shop, and you can get one of these cute gift tags or christmas pine cone ornament with your purchase as a Thank You for your support of Room 13 (designed by yours truly) - Yay!

MEKA at FOE Gallery this month

Preview of Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary Doll by Meka

Common Threads logo design by Lana Crooks

Here's the latest on Meka: 

A special Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary Doll by Meka will be part of the Common Threads fabric arts show at FOE Gallery, curated by Nicole Shea and Lana Crooks. The show opens November 14, and will run until December 7th. This one-of-a-kind doll is handpainted and a tribute to my favorite character from childhood. I've given her more human features, since I've heard Sanrio's statement that she's not quite a cat, (which came quite a surprise to me -- all these years, growing up with her, I've always thought of her as a cat!) Whether she's human or a cat, she still for me embodies innocence and playfulness, and it's great to see her celebrating her 40th year, so I wanted to create a bunka-styled theme for her.

The show has a great line-up of talented artists I'm big fans of, so it's quite an honor to be included among them! The artists include: 40 Threads, Alexandra Diamond, Anne Kirn, Caitlin McCormack, Carisa Swenson, Cat Rabbit, Cotton Monster, Dena Obaza, Diane Koss, Flat Bonnie, Hine, Intimidnation, Jen Musatto, Jezabel Nekranea, Johnny Murder, Jordan Elise, Junker Jane, Keely Benkey-Reichman, Lana Crooks, Laura Bundesen, Leeanna Butcher, Lety RZ, Longoland, Love and a Sandwich, Mariangela Tan, Mekanikku, Melissa Sue Stanley, Michal Wright-Ward, 4 Miel Rose, Moon's Creations, Penny Nickels, Pockit Palz, Rachel De Urioste, Steff Bomb, Stephanie Laberis, Taylored Curiosities, Tracy Kennard, Venetta Butcher, Yummy Pancake and Zoe Williams.

Check out FOE Gallery at www.shopfoe.com

The Bozu Ball Brigade

Bozu balls are here! They're roly-poly balls of sunshine, made especially to chase away the winter storms and rainy days, bringing only sunny days ahead!! Based on the Japanese nursery rhyme "Teru Teru Bozu" and the tradition of hanging little white ghost dolls outside when there has been a bout of bad weather and you're wishing for a nice sunny day. Teru Teru Bozu means Shiny Shiny Monk head (a term of endearment referring to the bald head of a monk), and has a bit of a darker history attached to it than you would think. A monk had promised farmers to stop the rain that was ruining their crops, and when he failed to do so, he was executed. These days they are a common sight in Japan. You can also hang them upside-down when you wish for rain. I'll be making a bunch of these for FOE Gallery, so be sure to get yours there if you're in the area!

Dos Fawns Fantasmas

Dos Fawns Fantasmas, 16" tall  soft sculpture | vintage leather, lace, velvet

Two of a kind, these are Dos Fawns Fantasmas, or Phantom Fawns, Red and Black. The material is the message for these two deer. They're made from upcycled found vintage leather jackets which reinforces the idea of these "ghost" fawns--- the idea of life after death, or giving the leather a second life, in a matter of speaking. The use of leather to create these creatures, is also interesting to me--the fact that a cow gave its life for this material to be used to create other animals.

I loved working with the leather on these, especially the black fawn, whose leather body is so soft and buttery and quite supple to the touch. Deciding to make them larger than my usual deer, standing 16" tall, they make quite a lovely pair. You can see them at FOE Gallery in Northampton, MA.

Feelin' the love at Society 6

Summer of Fireblossoms iPhone skin

Summer of Fireblossoms tee

Return to Innocence laptop skin

Return to Innocence tee

Thanks to the beautiful people at Society6.com, two more of my designs were chosen to be featured in their shop! What a warm welcome...definitely feeling the love there! Great artists with awesome designs, and very supportive community! Here are some other great artists I discovered on there and absolutely love:

I love you more! by Yetiland

Paul Pierrot

Magic in a Cup by Mr. Biscuit

The Steve and Gary Show by Dale Keys

Helix by Amanda Mocci

Society 6 pick

Love and Other Fairy Tales Women's fitted tee at Society 6.com

Cool beans! The awesome peeps at Society 6 just picked my Love and Other Fairy Tales Pink Edition print for their shop! Check it out at society6.com!

Mekanikku iPhone skins

"Silent Spring" iPhone skin on Society6.com

Get cool new iPhone skins with Mekanikku art, now at Society6.com! Check them out!