2011 wrap up; 2012 hi-yah!

First off: Happy Holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Festivus and Happy New Year. Its 2012 where are the flying cars and why don't I have a condo on the moon?

Since we unfortunately didn't get into Holiday Handmade we thought that our November/ December was gonna be pretty relaxed: sip some egg-nog, bake some cookies, sing some yada yada...WRONG! December 15th was the deadline for 6 plush versions of video game characters from Backflip Studios newest game AAAND the deadline for plushie versions of DISH Network's new DVR system: The Hopper. I'm gonna try and do this in chronological order so lets get started:

Denise did most of the video game character plushies and I helped make one. Which is basically a rag doll of sorts. Here it is all in pieces.

Here it is magically sewn together.

Ta-dah! You can see the other characters in our facebook photos.

One day I was at work and the people I work with were all like,

"Hey ricky you make, like, stuffed, like animals. Do you think you could make one from the two DISH "Hopper" logos?"

And I was all,

"Well how do you want me to make them. Like a pillow or with more depth?"

And they were all,

"Make it both ways."

So I did.

Much testing ensued. First I was trying out sizes and how to get the ears and arms right for the pillow. You may have seen this picture briefly on facebook. I had to take it down because of a non-disclosure agreement. Opps!

I built a full prototype to make sure it all worked ok before doing the final.

This is for the 2nd Hopper logo aptly named the "Joey" logo (Joeys are baby kangaroos)

The pillows came together easier than I expected and I'm very happy with the result. The white highlights I glued on with fabric glue. It looked nicer and cleaner than trying to sew them on. Final Hopper logo pillow:

Final Joey logo pillow:

Next was making the logo version with more "depth"; 3 dimensional if you will. This took more testing. Luckily I came across a picture of an old stuffed animal pattern online that planted this seed in my head. The problem was the arms looked like little chicken wings and the head was on backwards.

So I refined it and brought back the ears from the pillows. I sewed the head on separately and sewed the arms into the seams. I actually made foam wrapped wire "bones" for the legs which gave it great support, but didn't work with the final Kangaroo so I took them out.

This is the "3D" Joey pattern 'bout to get sewn up.

The Joey nub that sits in the pocket of the 'roo.

Final "3D" Joey and Hopper Logos. Again I put the white details on with fabric glue. The pillows and these version were give to the client as gifts. They had no idea we were doing this and were pleasantly surprised.

Speaking of pleasantly surprised. This is Natasha and the skull pillow I've been promising her for 20 years. This was the first custom gift of 2012! Play a trumpet if you've got one. Toot! Toooot! Toooot!

Big things in 2012 people! More custom creations! More new designs and hopefully flying cars.

Don't forget you can find us at the I (heart) Denver store at the Denver Pavilions and at Fresh Soap Company up in Breckenridge.

In the immortal words of Chris Rose, "Have Fun!"

Popcorn & Candyland

With the craft show season over, we thought we'd be able to rest and take it easy. But the gods of plush had different plans for us.

5 more Buster Bears:

We got into a new store. This time in Breckenridge at Fresh Soap. So when you're up in the Summit go check them out. They have the best smelling and most creative handmade soaps.

In other news. We're finishing up plush versions of video game characters from a Backflip Studio's game. Also we're working on a top secret plush version to a certain satellite company's as of yet unreleased DVR system. More pictures when they're available.

In the immortal words of Chris Rose, "Have fun."

Art By Craft-a-rat-a-tat-tat

So last weekend was Art By Craft: part art show and part craft fair. WTS didn't contribute to the art show portion but we represented hard at the craft show. There were a lot of familiar faces and it was a great time! If you made it out you know it was a very eclectic mix of creative wares: clothes, jewelry, plushies, art, hats, soap, hamburgers, hotdogs.... Ok no hamburgers or hotdogs but there was a lot of cool stuff.

The foot traffic was a bit slow, which I'm going to blame on the Denver Marathon: Most of the major thoroughfares were blocked so traveling thru the city was a debacle. Regardless WTS Creatures had fun. And isn't that all that really matters?

(I apologize in advance for the blurry phone pictures)

WTS "reppin" hard. We were snug in between Bitter o'Clock (in background) and Paisley Bird (not pictured)

This is the first time we've been at a show and we couldn't put all the stock we brought on the table. CAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH OF IT! HUZZAAAH!

Yellow Yorg and friends.

Looking down toward the end of our row of crafty crafters. Paisley Bird on the right. Boo yah!

Another shot of the crafty crafters.

Bitter o'Clock and her awesome assortment of crocheted hats.

what! what!

Jennifer Ghormley hard at work as Kurt from Swear Jar Design watches happily.

Beth of Betinworks trying to convince Jenn that she needs to zazz up her wardrobe with a few hand made items. And Jenn is thinking about it. "hmmmm."

Close-up on Beth's dioramas cut into books. NEAT!

And last but not last Banana Creme Instant Pudding exclusively from Clinical Nutrition Center. I'm pretty sure its gourmet 'cause of the accent on the "e" in "Creme".

So there you have it folks. We met new friends(Nicole @ Marmalade Creations and Jesi @ Hip Violet), saw crafts, made smiles, enjoyed art and then there was the banana creme pudding (oh man!). Thanks also to Brett from Vital Industries for helping with the show and for...well....being Brett.

This is WTS' last craft show for the season but I assure you that we won't go dark. The lights will still be on as we toil away making custom creatures for everyone and there mothers.

You can see more pictures from this show and past shows as well as a back log of custom work we've done on our facebook. Get into it and Have fun!

Fall Horseshoe Market

This past weekend was the last Horseshoe Market of the season. It is the largest event we've ever done with over 100 crafters and food vendors! That's like a little village of artsy craftsy goodness living on french fries, pizza and pulled pork sandwiches! The market, the day and the people we're all great! Next year you should definitely check it out!

Now let's go to the slides to see if we can relive the magic that is WTS Creatures at the Fall Horseshoe Market:

Our load in was at 6:45 in the morning, over 2 hours before the event started! No doubt it was earlier but it was great to have enough time to set everything up without feeling like we were under the gun.

Here's the always lovely Denise with the full set up as the sun still rises.

A mere fourth of the Horseshoe Market but still packed with the great vintage and craft goods they're known for.

This little guy didn't know where to start when he walked into our tent. He was shocked into the mumbles and couldn't decide if he wanted to go left or right. Grabbing two Connie Ceptuses, he seemed content with his selection and appeared to be thanking us and assuring himself of how right they felt in his grasp.....before he tried to walk out of the tent. His Mother stepped in, talked him down and made him choose between the two. Here you see a very happy, yet still bewildered, customer.

WTS was snug between the unique handmade stylings of Sister Hipster's tent on the right. And jeweler extraordinaire Maria Sorenson to the left. Both great artists and nice people. Check them out!

This is the tent of our friends, Vital Industries. They have a store front/ workshop at 41st and Tennyson, where they create great hand screened apparel and glass wear. Notice Brett on the right helping this nice lady. Let's listen in on their conversation that I just made up:

Lady, "If my arm was glass could screen stuff on it"

Brett, "umm...yes?"

Lady, "OK, what if it was a shirt. Like, I had a shirt for an arm. Could you still do it?"

Brett, "Yes, most definitely."

Lady, "Super!"

We got coffee and a smoothie at the Cozy Bean. The coolest coffee mobile ever! It's crazy and ingenious how they fit all that machinery into that VW bus!

The view over Finch's shoulder during a lull in the day.

Yummy hand-cut french fries from NZ's Smoking Guns food truck. The were both salty and sweet with a hit of garlic maybe(?) So good!

A glamour shot of yours truly.

The end till next Spring.

The Horseshoe Market was such good fun. We got a lot of compliments on our creations as well as our new display. WTS Creatures hopes to get in again next year. As always, the people and other vendors we met were all very nice. And you should check out everyone I talked about in this here blog.

The holidays are just about to start and WTS has got some great ideas planned so always check back here and our facebook to see what's a brewin'. Have FUN!

Sweet William Market

Sweet William Market was this past Saturday and it was a beautiful day. Held in Stapleton, It seems we really lucked out with the weather. The previous markets fell on some swelteringly hot days.

The day was a bit slow but we met some good people and the creatures were played with by packs of rabidly fun children on numerous occasions. Good times. Now on to the pictures.

Here is a great shot of Denise modeling in our new tent set up. Notice the keen handmade "WTS" banner thwarting the suns rays behind her. Although you can not tell in this picture, the table display, to the left, sports some fancy baskets "overflowing" with Sumis and LockJaws. Plus the "WTS Tower" is look particularly smashing. The "piece de resistance" is the brand new "WTS Cubby-Comb", (I just made that name up..right now)! Let's go in for a closer look.

Ah, The "WTS Cubby-Comb". Where to begin? Well, its made from only the finest cardboard concrete tubing mold and lovingly spray painted with only the finest colors. Everything is held together with shiny wing nuts, washers and bolts. A lot of people were asking us about it and that is no lie. The "Cubby-Comb" needs a little fine tuning but its function and appeal are straight A's. WTS might become cardboard cabinet makers yet!
Come see us next weekend: October 1st, at the Horseshoe Handmade Market to gaze upon the new "WTS Cubby-Comb" and to say Hi. Its the last Horseshoe of the season so come on out!

Sweet Williams Market - September 24th: 9am - 2pm

Sweet Williams market is this weekend! You should totally come out, 'cause its gonna be totally awesome! We've been telling everyone at Sweet Williams all about you guys so you gotta make it out. There's gonna be food and music and WTS CREATURES! (cue guitar solo)

Craftin' Carnival

Like, Whoa. WTS Creatures has been jet setting around the globe and making more of your favorite plush creatures. "Busy" is the word i'm looking for. The one(1). The two(2). and it don't stop.

The past weekend was Denver's very first "Craftin' Carnival". WTS Creatures was lucky enough to join in on this nice event filled with laughter, free cotton candy and many people eating free cotton candy. Lets go to the slides to get a feeling of what was experienced:

the glorious signage proudly displayed on Work Brite's exterior.

Denise getting ready to tell anyone who will listen about WTS Creatures. Notice our new handmade banner? Yeah its new and we made it.

The view of the room. A small but eclectic group of crafty crafters and artists.

Different angle of the room. Here you see Zshanna Kristoff (next to the women in black). A very nice person and talented artist. She draws animals, ladys and hands very well. To the left you can see the delicious free cotton candy.

Free cotton candy and the ladyz who make it.

Cate and Caryn in Cowboy Boots with Cotton Candy.

We were between the free cotton candy and a both that sold middle school kids art. All the kids showed up to see their art and then noticed the free cotton candy. It was all over from there. This picture doesn't do the the mayhem or mob action justice that overcame the cotton candy machine. I saw one small girl eat 9 cotton candy cones. Her mouth was crusted with blue sugar. I think she has diabetes now:(

Anyway. WTS Creatures had a great time! We met new and interesting people and artists as usual and we got to see children gorge themselves on spun sugar. Till next time. Beep Boop Bop Bee Boop.