Help us Fund Our New Studio - Become a Backer

Just Launched our O.O.A.W. KickStarter Campaign!!

http://bitly.com/ArtWorkshopsForKids

Check it out, We are so excited, We finally clicked the "Launch Now" Button. Sooo Nervous!!  We are trying to raise funds to open a new O.O.A.W. Artist's Studio.  I have so much fun with my kids and grandkids working on projects, I thought, WoW!! My little ones are all growing up and it won't be long before they won't want to hang out with their 'Ne'Ne' so much! (of course, we all know that would NEVER, EVER, happen!!)  We should hold workshops for the kids in our area!! Then, I thought, but, the way my studio areas are spread out, upstairs, downstairs, garage, etc. it just wouldn't work.  So, someone suggested, why don't you try a KickStarter project??   Well, I did try it once, I said, not too successful, but, I really didn't think it out so well, it was for my TattBabies, a soft sculpture doll inspired by "Son's of Anarchy".  Mammaw (my grandmother) always said hind sight is 20/20 and looking back I realize now that TattBabies needed more than I was able to do. I would have needed a manufacturer because there would have been no way I could have sewn all of those babies by myself! So, not getting funded was really a blessing!  Anyway, Moving On.

Back to the "Our studio is scattered all over my house" issue.  We really need a place where everything is centrally located and also have a space where we can comfortably hold workshops for several children or adults.  We would need an open space for the tables and chairs and also for equipment and supplies needed to hold the workshops. 

Hey, by the way, I could use a little help with my Backer Rewards T Shirt Design, This is what I have so far, but, I would like to have a lead line above the image something along the lines of "I'm a backer" , but I really want something that includes kids, art, and crafts.  Or, maybe I'll just leave it.  But, if you come up with an idea I end up using on my shirt, I send you one for free!! 

So, here is our Kickstarter Project that will help us achieve our goal of a new studio.

Click to Back Our Project

Cheshire Cat Desk Sitter - We Are All Mad Here!!

 I had stitched out a Cheshire Face, but it was waaaayy to big for my little Sad Hatter in the previous post, but, you know me, I had to find something to do with it, so, I made this little Cheshire Cat to sit on my workbench and he holds my favorite Pen.

Oh, and I decided to try a little needle felting, so he has
a little streak of white angora in a widows peak underneath the black.

Sad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and the White Rabbit

After making "Steampunk Mickey", I had gotten my issue of "Art Doll Quarterly" (love, love, love) and I wanted to make a doll with the expressions on their faces like these had.

The Sad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and The White Rabbit

 Gail Lackey is the artist, and her work is amazing. Oh my gosh!! I just love her work and I am drawn to the sadder darker side of all things artistic.  So, when I saw these, I just fell in love.  Anyway, I decided to try and make my own little character.  I call him the "Sad Hatter".  He started out alone, but, just like everything I do, I had no idea at the time that I started that it would take on an "Alice in Wonderland" tone.  I'm a big fan of "American McGee's Alice" If you are familiar with that, then you know that it is a very dark version of "Alice in Wonderland"

  Of course, my little guy doesn't come anywhere close to her work, but, I still love how he turned out anyway. I also want to send out a thank you for her inspiration.

My little Grand Daughter, Nyah, helped a lot in this production, also.  Just look how focused she is.  She is beautiful.

Here he is with no hair yet, I had made his over sized mad hatter hat, but had not yet completed it yet. 

 His hand looks weird here, but, originally, I had wanted to make a little stick pony, and I've never done hands in clay before, so, give me a break! Okay!

I had found some beautiful velvet fabric, but, not planning ahead, I had to sew them onto his body because his feet and hands were too big to make the clothes and them put them on.  (oops!

 I found some great yarn for his hair, and some organza ribbon for his tie and his cumberbun.

Adding Embellishments to the Hat.  

Added a few feathers and matching organza ribbon for the hat band

Hat is finished except for the handmade hat pins, but, it's soooo cool!!

The Sad Hatter wouldn't be complete without the Cheshire Cat.  Thanks so much to Artapli for this awsome cheshire cat face embroidery design.  I had tried to make another cat from a pattern I had purchased, but, I couldn't get it to work out, so, I just designed my own. This one is sooo tiny.

Oh, we can't forget the White Rabbit, This poor rabbit has been through the mill, he's lookin' a little rough araound the edges.  (On Purpose!! LOL!!)

Oh, I forgot the locket and the watch!  Thanks also to VectoriaDesigns for her awesome graphics designs. Love them and now I  have a bunch of her designs. 

Anyway, say hello to my little Sad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and The White Rabbit!!