And The BC Awareness Beat Goes On!

I love to gather ideas - ideas and inspiration from people, places, experiences... I am basically a shy person and many years behind a camera lens taught me the power of observation.

The idea I am writing about today was inspired by Stephanie, the owner of Stoopher & Boots in New York City. In late August I asked Stephanie if she would be interested in carrying a few of my little BC Buddies (a variety of pink BC Awareness inspired Wee Ones) ~ with 10% of each sale going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure ~ she enthusiastically said, "Yes! How soon can you send them?"

In the past I had only run my BC Awareness Campaign during the month of October. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York City took place in early September so I extended my campaign to two months. At the end of October I asked Stephanie if she would like to pull the BC Buddies from the shelf until next year. She responded,"I'd like to keep them ~it is always a good time to support such a good cause!"

So thank you, Stephanie! You inspired me to keep the BC Buddies in my Etsy shop year 'round. Because I totally agree ~ it is always a good time to support a good cause! Thinking about it, I realized women (and men!) don't just get breast cancer in September or October. It is estimated that in 2010 about 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women* ~ and that's just women. That is day after day after day after day...

And proof positive of that ~ I have sold three BC Buddies in the last two days. I am thinking they will make dandy Hanukkah and Christmas pressies...

Yay!

*American Cancer Society

Bundle Up for Winter!

Where I live we are having an unusually warm November, but winter will be upon us all before we know it. So some of my Liten Venn* characters are prepared with their winter scarves! Gregory the Penguin and Sasha the Polar Bear are happy to model for you.

The Liten Venns are going to be showing up in many varieties this holiday season. They make great stocking stuffers as most are 6 inches tall and 6 inches wide (from wing to wing or paw to paw). Most of them have some small parts so are for children 3 and up; but I'm always happy to substitute those small pieces with baby-safe features! Exchanging plastic eyes and noses for felt eyes and noses make a Liten Venn completely safe for baby.

So pop by my Etsy shop often and wander the aisles. Hot chocolate and sugar cookies on the table in front. *wink*

*Liten Venn is Norwegian for Small Friend ~ an homage to my Norwegian heritage.

A Little Holiday Tease...

Ruthie the Reindeer (Rudolph's sister) makes her debut.

She and a several of her holiday peeps will be making their appearance in my Etsy shop, Stoopher & Boots (New York City), Modern Mouse (Alameda, CA) and Caboodle (Denver) soon!

Do It for the Kids!

I'll bet it's true in every part of the country ~ I know it is in Denver. The Toys for Tots program operated each year by the US Marines, is desperate for toys. The world being what it is these days, they have received more requests from families in need than ever before and accordingly, donations are at an all time low.

If you live in Denver and can donate anything ~ a yo-yo, a basketball, a doll - anything ~ you can drop them off tomorrow from 6:00am-6:00pm at any American Furniture in town; a couple of Super Wal-Marts (9449 Sheridan in Westminster or 9400 East Hampden in Denver, Bass ProShop 7970 Northfield in Stapleton; or the warehouse for Toys for Tots in Aurora, 12601 East 33rd every day from 8am - 5pm until December 23.

And if you don't live in Denver, consider giving in your community. It's all about the kids.

I decided to start my own tradition this year and go thru my "freckles & friends" inventory in December and donate anything that hasn't sold. What an easy thing to do!! I clear my shelves to make room for new stock in the new year ~ and maybe some little one will go to bed on Christmas night with a smile and a new best friend.

Win-Win. :D

Three Brown Moose

'Tis a busy time in the ol' studio these days. And although I am still filling Christmas orders, my mind is jumping ahead to post-holiday events. I woke up the other day with a fun idea for Olympic Bears (and bunnies and dogs, etc.) So tune in after the holidays! :)

But until then, these three fellows - Melvin, Magnus and Mickey are off to Georgia tomorrow!

Maya, Pippin and Marcus

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Or at least winter ~ as mooses and penguins invade my studio.

This trio was a special order and will be winging their way around the country as Christmas gifts for two little girls and a little guy. The penguin was my first and presented a couple of challenges, but I've got him figured out now. It is surprising how just adding a little scarf can make a special and fun look.

On tap for this snowy, cold day in Colorado ~ two bunnies, two mooses, a turtle and a lizard. Then sleep. ;-)

Holidays are Approaching!

It's beginning to look a little more like Christmas in my Etsy shop! Slowly but surely. I've been swamped with local orders ~ all word of mouth ~ so have had little time to devote to my online shop. Yay for sales, but boo for not being able to update online!

At any rate, these three pups ~ Candy (she sports candy canes on her coat), Avery (that means Christmas elf) and Lumi (that means "snow" in Finnish) are in the shop! I'm hoping to have many more holiday creatures there soon ~ especially in time for my featured spot in the Etsy Toy Showcase on November 27! Stay tuned. :)

Thinking Holiday...

And the holiday frenzy begins... Even though it's a bit of a challenge to picture snow falling, candles glowing, family gathering today as the window above my desk is blowing a warm 80 degree breeze into my studio. *wink*

Yet I am filling a special order for 9 dogs in various holiday-themed fabrics. One down, eight to go... This is the first little guy ~ Nicholas.

Too much fun. :) Puts me in the mood to get my own holiday critters ready for the shop in a couple of weeks!