Meet Elliot the Elephant

Everyone loves an elephant!

The Price of the Poke

With the current "economic downturn" that we are experiencing it seems that a lot of prices are falling. Generally this is a good thing. I'm happy that I can buy cheaper toilet paper and eggs and soap. Maybe the only time this is not so great is when you are an artist and the falling prices mean that other artists are dropping their prices to a degree that is simply ridiculous.

Needle felting is a relatively new craft that has only recently gained the kind of momentum as other fiber arts. When I started felting I couldn't find books on it. I had to order needles online and the wool I used was being sold for spinning. Now in any yarn shop there are books and supplies for felting. This discovery of the medium by the crafting public also happened to coincide with the boom that hit Etsy. The result is that there are a large number of needle felters selling their wares on Etsy now.

I would not be disappointed about this if it were about having more competition. I belong to several groups and enjoy seeing other work and bouncing ideas and techniques around with other artists. The problem is that a lot of these very new crafters who are also inexperienced Etsy sellers price their felt work so low that it makes the rest of us look like we are grossly inflating our prices. Whenever I show people my work if they are unfamiliar with needle felting they ask why something so small would cost so much. I kept a log while I was working on the Sleepytime Pip for an example. It took me over 7 hours to complete that piece. Selling him for $69 is not really a profit! I do it because I love it and I hope some day in the future that I might be able to cut back on my "real" job and make my art a more substantial part of my life.

People who are selling little needle felted pieces for $15 are damaging the work that the community has done in establishing the medium as a fine art. Other types of art dolls and artist bears don't sell for that cheap regardless of how small they are. I understand the lure of pricing items really low on Etsy to make more sales. You simply have to understand the value of your work and realize that selling something hastily thrown together at a very reduced cost it is hurting all of us. It makes needle felting look like something that is fast and easy (which it is not) and it makes those of us who are really taking the time to learn and perfect this craft look like we are just price gouging and pulling the wool over our customer's eyes, which we certainly are not.

Somebunny I Love

This is Susie Rabbit and her doll Annabelle.  She's named after my sweet mom.  At MousePants.etsy.com now! (the rabbit, not my mom)

Sleepytime Pip

Meet someone special.  Sleepytime Pip is responsible for putting everyone to bed at night.  He carries his pocket watch so he is certain not to be late for bedtime and a little bottle of sparkling sand to sprinkle in your eyes.  Once his sand hits your eyelids you drift off into sweet, blissful sleep.  Since he is used to sneaking around in the night Sleepytime Pip is a quiet little fellow but he is one of the most gentle and friendly Pips and a true friend.  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25941041

Help Homeless Felties

While I'm in the process of moving my Etsy shop to mousepants.etsy.com I am having a 25% off sale (pre-shipping) just for my blog buddies.  If there is a piece you have had your eye on send me a convo mentioning my blog after your purchase but before paying on Etsy and I will send you an adjusted invoice.   You can shop from the old address at mjkeeton.etsy.com or the new one.  I hope this can get some of my felties into good homes!  

Moo To You!

Please do me the honor and come visit my little felties at The Wooden Cow Gallery in Albuquerque, NM if you get the chance. It is a great, unique art space dedicated to promoting artists rather than pandering for profits. Sorry about my absence. Many changes in my life. I hope to return with a bang! XOXO

Feeling Green

Why make a panda in black and white when you can go green? This is Shandy- he's on Etsy now!

Meet Orly

I'm still here! I've just been having a hard time with the juggling act of life as of late. All that water did inspire this little otter though.

A Mouse in the House

Mena the Mouse Ballerina. A new piece finally on Etsy. It's been a busy week but she came scurrying out of my head at last.

At Last

Frida and Zapato are all done. What's next?

The Orderly Chaos That is Me

Remember when I started Little Frida in Felt? Well here she is, nearly finished. I decided to make her monkey friend out of paper clay which I have only just discovered. It is quite fun to work with. I think her little monkey is named Zappato but he actually looks more like a bear or a cat. Maybe he needs some big monkey feets. I went out on a limb here and decided to give you a look at part of my desk where all the magic happens. Actually, it happens all over my apartment so the whole dang place looks like this. As you can see, I keep things nice and clean but Martha Stewart would definitely not approve of my organizational skills.

Felty of the Future

Socket the Sappy Robot
I liked the idea of making a robot, something typically made of metal and electrical components, out of squishy soft felt. Socket has a little story of his own that explains his big heart. Go to my Etsy store to read it!

Better Late

I met someone friendly on Groundhog Day and lost my focus in a bit of juvenile twitterpation. How could I possible ignore a holiday centered around a fat, bucktoothed marmot? Since my post is a little untimely I thought I would share some great groundhog facts and give you a little update. First off, did you know that groundhogs weigh about 13 pounds but can reach up to 30 lbs? That's some big rodent, huh? The groundhog has many names including woodchuck, whistle pig, marmot, and land beaver. The average groundhog moves 700 pounds of dirt while digging its burrow. If they're that industrious how are they also so rotund? Now that I have given you a few bits of animal knowledge that you can use to impress your friends I'll get back to today. It's been very busy. Lots of work. Etsy has been slow. Since I've had so much work I haven't had a lot of time to make art. I do have a custom piece that is almost done. On a happy note, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Well I guess that might or might not be happy. I bought myself some ridiculously expensive chocolates. Maybe tomorrow I can drum up something more exciting to tell you. Who knows, you may end up getting to meet my new friend who distracted me in the first place.

Also- to everyone who has left me kind comments here, thank you! I appreciate your encouragement and love to hear from everyone whether I know you already or you've just tripped and landed in my little corner here.

Two For Tea

This week has got me feeling like a hamster on a wheel. Actually, I think most hamsters run on their wheels because they enjoy it, right? Hopefully this weekend I can take a cue from my bunny pals and kick back with a cup of tea and a book.

Pig on Pointe

Out of the Woods

I like to make squirrels.

A Broken Heart Leads to Art

Being booted off the train of love like a vagabond has inspired me to create art. Something a bit different: Meet Mr. Elton Skelton.