Creative

Creative

Monday, May 12, 2014

Flannel Teddy Bear...

I just sent off a sweet flannel teddy bear to Michigan to be given as a gift for a baby boy due this month.

There are lots of different materials that can be used for these bears from super fluffy minky fabric, to fleece, to flannel, to cotton, and probably most everything else in between.  You can even have a bear made out of someone's favorite pieces of clothing as a memory bear.  Each type of fabric results in a slightly different looking and feeling bear.

My friend knew she wanted a fabric that could be played with and handled and would still look cute.  After telling her about a couple of different types of fabric, she said she liked flannel, but did not want anything green or black.  So I went to JoAnn's and sent her pictures of about 4 or 5 different plaid flannels that they had there in different colors and styles.  She chose the ones she liked the best and a contrasting velour for the inside of his ears and his muzzle, and I got to work.

Here is the finished bear.

Friday, May 9, 2014

It Sounded Like a Good Idea...

I was looking for a new material to make black doll shoes out of.  I had a nice piece of a thick wool fabric left over from a hooded cloak I made my husband for Halloween last year.  I thought it would hold up really nicely for this project.

But I was worried about it fraying on the upper edge and around the cut out on the front.

So I put Fray Check on it and continued sewing the leg.

The next morning, I discovered this… The Fray Check had left a hard, crusty, residue and mark on the shoe… Bummer.


I thought I could just take the bottom of the leg apart and replace the wool shoe with a regular wool felt shoe - but that didn't work either.  The Fray Check got onto the white fabric and stained it as well...


So in the end one doll leg ended up in the trash, but I learned to always verify whether Fray Check will work on a particular fabric or not before moving on to the next step.

Firefly Hollow - The Business...

About a year ago, I started up a small business of hand-made dolls and stuffed animals.

Why?  

Because I like making stuff.  It's about being creative and artistic and about taking several pieces of fabric, some stuffing and some some time and turning it into a finished product.

So I started purchasing some patterns online and figuring out how they work.  And as I figured out how they went together, I started modifying them a bit.  What if I made pigtails instead of braids on a doll?  How would a different hair line work?  What about the shape of the head - can I make it more round?  How does different material feel in an elephant?  Should a puppy dog have a leather nose or a soft fleece one?  Can I make a t-shirt for a teddy bear that can be personalized?

My creations seem to evolve and change based on seasons, moods, materials, etc.

But at the end of the day, I can't keep them all.  And I honestly don't want to, because I want other people and children to enjoy and love the things that I make.

Back to last year…  I put together a Facebook page for "Firefly Hollow" about a year ago.  I talked my brother who is a graphic designer into putting together a logo for me last summer, and I went to my first craft show last fall.

I learned a lot, but didn't sell much… 

So now I'm trying to build my business.  One order and one doll at a time.

If you have any questions or would like to place an order please contact me at:

FireflyHollow2013@gmail.com

Monday, March 25, 2013

Annie



ANNIE is for sale on www.facebook.com/FireflyHollow

$40 plus shipping

Annie is made of high quality cotton fabrics and wool felt.