the mystery of the missing mojo

(via)

I’ve been going a teensy crazy. Sitting in my cute studio, holding my man dolls which I love, and drinking tea. I ought to be tickled pink, except I'm not, really. It’s the case of the missing mojo. Again. I know I’ve talked about my mojo a lot, I whinge about it every now and then, and you really are very nice people to listen patiently. Please humour me (or go do something else. That’s ok, I don’t mind a bit, honestly.)

It’s just that my creative mojo is a finicky creature, I need to treat it gently, nurture it, and oh definitely listen to it. Or it up and goes, and I am left spending my time staring out the window/playing cards/reading a book on the couch/whinging about things to you, dear reader. Or perhaps it’s still there. Hiding in a corner with a slight petulant scowl saying NO.. in a little voice. And stamping it’s little feet. my mojo refuses to cooperate, and it becomes a struggle.

I’ve tried everything. I’ve rearranged and labeled everything in a satisfying way. I’ve bought a new lamp. I’ve brought tea and chocolate reinforcements. I even bought a little oven timer in an effort to work solidly for a block of time. I’ve thought of a gazillion reasons to want to sew; but I.don’t.want.to. I make myself and force every.stitch. Which makes me feel rubbish. After all, I have my own studio, full of materials and a nice big table and light and time; how lucky am I?

Well it turns out my mojo doesn't like being told what to do. The thought of making another doll the same as the last ones just doesn't excite.it.one.little.bit. So it's gone on strike, and I went and got a job. However, the idea of drawing my mojo for this very post made me want to stride into the studio immediately. Excitement and new ideas, this is the foodstuff of the mojo. I want to make things I have never tried, have my own exhibition of soft sculptures with pointy detailed not-suitable-for-children bits, I want to make things until I am satisfied, not until they are good enough. I want to make things for the love of it, not the money.

SO I am working hard to finish off orders, and thinking hard and carefully about my next step, and how I will coax my mojo back.

Does this happen to you?

etsy love- upside down

Somersault: large print 11x14"; Upside down boxer dog 8x10 black and white print;
Mustard Yellow Upside Down Pineapple Cake Pan; Upside Down Clock;
Loyalty and Blood upside down ship sweatshirt; Day Trippin Print;
Swinging Child Print; Upside Down Wall Art Quote.

plush you!

(all photos via Schmancy)

Plush You! is an annual exhibition of plush toys, curated by the ace Kristen Rask of Schmancy Toys in Seattle (You may also recognize the name from the book they brought out a few years back). I was super-excited to be part of this years show with my bearded men!

I've had a look on the interwebs (alas I did not fly to the US for the show. Woulda been nice.) at some of the artists, and good heavens. This gal is my fav, methinks. Although it's very very hard to choose. You can see a bit about it here on Unanimous Craft, or you can read my interview with Kirsten on the Schmancy blog over here along with a whole lotta interviews from plush artists and links to their work.

Yay!

around these parts

I framed my favourite Copenhagen souvenier, set up a drawing space (complete with cat belly), carved my first pumpkin and loved these flowers.

:: Quotation

via

" If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself.

Rollo May

etsy love- naps

girl sleeping on train print; 1970's alarm clock; letter pillows;
lot of 30 granny squares; sleeping fox pin; Zzz's cushion;
mustard coffee mug cozy; I heart naps; sleepy fawn bead;

see the full treasury here

Be Optimistic

‘Be Optimistic’ Felt Badge by BestMade Co.
via swissmiss

new stockists! hooray!

Shorties
537 King St,
Newtown, Sydney

A gorgeous mix of whimsical fairytale, hipster fashion and uber-trendy, with lots of handmade and uniqueness. The kind of store that makes you want to go and procreate, to justify buying half the stock. Yes.

Spacebar Gallery
Studio 021 (off Woobys Lne)
Salamanca Arts Centre
77 Salamanca Place
Hobart TAS 7000

a retail gallery in the thriving art community of Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart; with local and interstate designers of fashion, jewellery, accessories, home wares and visual art. Spacebar Gallery also showcases exhibitions, installations, events and fashion shows in it's beautiful historical building.

Im Wunderland
244 Hyde St
Bellingen NSW

A shop full of surprises, from swedish wool throws to rare books and local artisans goodies. There is a homebrew beer corner and antique linen from glory boxes and homemade home wares. Something for everyone, and in a swell place like Bellingen too.


These guys have stocked Pepper Stitches for a little while, but I've just gotten around to sharing their awesomeness with you! Hooray for awesomeness!

You can see all of my stockists here.

new bearded men and chickens

Bearded viking doll, bearded super hero doll, bearded merman doll and cuddle chickens in my etsy, madeit and bluecaravan shops (along with custom bearded folk man dolls). And yes, as fun to make as they look!

new bearded men in progress, merman, viking and hero

Working on versions of the bearded folk man. Why not a bearded super hero? (he looks a bit funny without eyebrows on yet) Mermen are too awesome to be forgotten (and with tattoos)
And Vikings? Well.

Anyone else need a beard?

::today

:: listening to Horse Feathers, my new favourite band. thanks last.fm
:: painting a little violin for custom order
:: wondering how I'm going to choose few holiday photos to show you out of gazillions
:: looking forward to working with someone else in the studio
:: reading a novel written entirely without the letter 'e'
:: drawing ideas for new bearded men. It's a surprise.
:: planning on starting after-school sewing classes
:: missing my family. after 4 weeks together, you kinda get used to the constant chaos and being surrounded by love.

happy last-day-of-winter (or last-day-of-summer, depending on where you are!)
x

:: Quotation

via

"Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already done, you will never grow."

Ronald E. Osborn

wanted: crafty sewer assistant

sew print by masacarphotography

Hi!I need an assistant!

My stockists are growing, and I need to step away from the sewing machine to design new ranges. I am looking for a crafty sewer/ sewing machinist to work with me in my sewing studio, mostly sewing but may be some cutting, stuffing and finishing. You need to be pretty quick, and we can chat about payment per piece or per hour. Suitable for a friendly, creative type with just a few hours a week to start (good for mums too).

Please note that you would be hired as a contractor, not an employee, so you may need an abn (but that's pretty easy); and I'm in Brisbane, so you'll need to live close by. If you're on my blog, you probably already know what I do, but you can see more here.

If you have any questions, or would like to meet for a cup of tea and a chat, drop me a line at pepperstitches(at)yahoo(dot)com; and if you know of anyone who might be interested, please pass this along! That would be ace!

Pepper x

48hr 'Going on Holiday' Sale! and Giveaway Winner!

Before I close my shops, I thought I'd have a bit of a yay! going on holiday sale! For 48 hrs (until 10pm Wednesday 21st July EST) everything in my online stores is available with a 40% discount! That's, like, heaps!


For purchases in my etsy store, use coupon code YAYSALE2011 For purchases in my madeit or bluecaravan stores, mark payment as 'bank deposit' and I will send you a paypal invoice for the discounted amount. Be sure to check out each store for different colours and fabrics and cute options!


And an extra Yay! The winner of the Kids Crafternoon Book is Angela! Please email me your address, and I'll have the book sent to you lickety-split.

my week in pictures

(yes blogger, please do turn random photos sideways. that's much more interesting.)


:: grrantlers for a new stockist. these ones look like really old ladies, I think.
:: making instruments for something really exciting. Yes.
:: patchwork tablecloths at the local quilt show on the weekend
:: I now have a collection of spoons. Because I needed another collection. (see the one with the wren? that's my favourite.)
:: cupcakes at a friends daughters birthday party
:: I bought a polaroid camera. it was cheap-as-chips, so I had to, really.
:: I made a passport cover, and a travel paint set from a vintage first aid kit, and a travel journal

I have been finishing orders, making piles of things to pack (5 sleeps to go!), breathing deeply, and not blogging much. Not blogging much gives me a bit of the guilts. Do you get that too?

'Holy Dooley I'm In a Book' Giveaway!

A while back, I made some cushions for a book project and yesterday in the mail came the book! (Reason #128 I love my mailman)

Compiled by Kathreen from Whipup, Kids Crafternoon: Sewing is full of simple sewing projects for kids from crafters around the world; and there is my pocket cushion project, on page 94! Sewing is the first of four great titles in Kathreen's Kids' Crafternoon series. Papercraft, Felting and Beading are due for release in November 2011. Yay!

I have a copy of Kids Crafternoon: Sewing to give away (thanks to the lovely folk at Hardie Grant).

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post by 10pm Tuesday 12th July.

Yay Again!

what I did yesterday

Made a little guitar for a custom order. Not finished yet, I will add the strings and a little guitar strap too.

etsy & poppytalk love- camping

Compass Necklace; I'd rather be camping Papercut Postcard; Vintage Camping book, English, 1963; Everything........ (vintage shirt); Backyard Camping - An Original Vintage Photograph; Free Papercraft printable July 2011 Calendar via poppytalk; Felt Camp Fire; Antique Oil Lantern; a cute boy I found here. I would very much like to take him camping; 1950's antique thermos; Houndstooth baby bindana; 1oo% Authentic Bigfoot Hair; Vintage Canvas Backpack; Camp Journal via poppytalk.


Gee I like camping. I haven't been camping in years, I don't think. I would like to go in Spring, I think. I might plan it now, and then it might happen.

Where is nice to go camping in Queensland?



see the full (etsy only) treasury here

my (two weeks) in pictures

:: fresh flowers make me happy. they just do

:: mum, grandma and auntie (me) walking the kids to school
:: this little guy fell and broke his arm (photo taken a few days before. I'm not sure if it's the early morning or a possible aversion for cameras but that face while sipping his babycinno speaks volumes, don't you think?)

:: early morning drive to the Handmade Expo markets

:: sniffle supplies

:: duck noodle soup. the search continues

:: making bearded folk men. Will I ever tire of them? I think not

:: my twin sister moved into our lovely house, hooray!