on gingham giraffes and lovely words such as “Brilliant!”
Ok. So, sometimes I need a break from science. Especially when I’ve been at battle with my computer for more than a dozen hours. Ok. So, not technically with my computer, but more specifically with EndNote. Yes, it’s supposed to make life so much easier, but quite frankly, given the choice, I’d prefer to type in all umpteen references at the end of my manuscript. And, I think my computer would prefer it too. Pardon my grunt!
In an effort to relieve a bit of technology-induced tension, I opted for a bit of crafting last night. Now, I’m going to apologize in advance, as I need to include one more small complaint before I can introduce my creations. Last year, while Jimmers was out visiting, we attended the League of New Hampshire Craftsman Fair. If you haven’t been to an event like this, you really should check it out. There were too many fantastic things to share. Actually, I might have to include a separate post just to share a few as they were quite marvelous. There was one particular booth that I waited the entire day to check out–the one with the lovely stuffed toys. I can’t help it–I have a weakness for cute stuffies–they just make me happy! I can’t recall the name of the vendor group, which is probably good–they make darling stuffed animals out of recycled sweaters. Interestingly enough, the crafters all live together in a utopian commune type place. I made the mistake of mentioning to the woman at the register (after nearly choking at the $78 price tag on a 6″ baby elephant) that the animals were darling and that they reminded me a bit of my crazy sock monkeys. Now, honestly, I would never try to promote my monkeys as a work of serious craftsmanship–not even worthy of being juried for a craft event, seeing as I don’t make the socks from scratch myself. But I’m fond of them nevertheless. Ok. Back to my story–the lady was absolutely appalled that I would mention a sock creature in the presence of her sweater creatures since they “didn’t even require sewing”. I’m not sure how she assumes they become assembled, but to give a bit of justice to my monkeys, they are each hand-stitched, with the exception of the original assembly of the sock. And, quite frankly, they’re not particularly difficult, but they do take a decent amount of time to make.
I decided, however, that maybe it would be interesting to venture into the realm of non-sock stuffed animals. While perusing the web for ideas on other sock creatures, I came across a how-to on “wikiHow” about how to make a stuffed giraffe. Seemed like a good starting project given my lack of sewing skills. An hour later, I had a lovely little stuffie, that I promptly posted on Etsy. If you haven’t yet checked out Etsy.com, well, you should–it’s crafter’s heaven!
Meet Alfred.
He was simple enough, but he’s pretty tiny, so I thought I’d try making a slightly larger version.
Meet Bertram.
I’m rather fond of Bertram, actually, but I need to adjust the legs on my future giant baby giraffes. Altogether, though, not a bad showing. The most difficult part was fraying his mane–took longer than everything else combined!
Which brings me back to the point of my rant. I managed to make two full giraffes in less than half the time it takes to make a single monkey. Is the giraffe any more virtuous being made completely from scratch? I’m not convinced. Perhaps if I used recycled socks, the sweater animal lady would have liked my monkeys better…I just can’t bring myself to make a perfectly good monkey out of a stinky old pair of socks! Notably, Alfred’s underside is made from recycled denim from my favorite pair of jeans–they busted out in the tush and I couldn’t bring myself to try and patch them. Ok. Enough ranting! I guess it’s rather ridiculous to be trying to justify my products of procrastination! Oh well. Happy Sunday! And cheers to you, fellow procrastinating crafters!
Ok. I feel obliged to add a small amendment to this post, seeing as someone actually landed here via a search for “recycled sweater stuffed animals”, and in the event that anyone else arrives here in a similar manner, I don’t want to seem like a crazy, cranky, un-skilled craftsperson knocking on a master craftswoman’s work. The actual studio that I mentioned above is Pear Tree Studio, and having looked it up, I actually like the concept behind a lot of the work (and therapy) done by the master craftsperson. The founder of the studio was quoted as saying, ““Central to our lives and work is the knowledge that each one of us is an artist,
a crafts person and an apprentice in our own capacity…each of us has special gifts and needs,” (www.heartofnewengland.com). I think the individual who I encountered at the fair violated this tenant, but that shouldn’t speak against the group as a whole. Ok. That’s that. I’m gearing up to make myself a camel.
These are so cute….once you are back here, we should be craft buddies….although you’ll have to bring me up to speed.
Wow! I had no idea the world of crafted animals was so cut throat…