busy

I’ve been going in all directions for the past few days. I spent the weekend trying to figure out where I was with everything. Sorting inventory for Craftland meant pulling everything out to see. Sometimes looking with fresh eyes is a very good thing. Hello to this fellow’s NEW face-
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below was his OLD face. It had been bugging me. I am happier with him now. Just a little cosmetic stitchery!

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Getting inventory ready has inspired me to think hard about the hang tags for my dolls. What do you think the difference is between “recycled” and “reclaimed”. I wrote both since both words seem accurate. Any thoughts?

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And my desk and work table are showing the strain of me going in several directions.

I have 3 more tattooed guys in progress but have set them aside to cut out some of the green man faces. I want to have a project to take to Chicago and since I do most of the work on these faces before I stuff them, they are easier then the dolls to travel with. Then, I also have a few pieces that need a little rework before they go on to Etsy or Providence. The tattoo guy on the left of the sewing machine for example. I’m going to give him a belt before I declare him finished (again).

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Piles and piles everywhere!

I posted an annotated photo of the work area here at flickr.

16 thoughts on “busy

  1. I’m in the same boat here. Practically Buried. No surface is safe from “The Upcoming Craft Show”… Dum da Dum! Have a great show!
    ( umm and I think recycled and reclaimed are the same.. so use which ever you prefer the sound of.)

  2. my car is what suffers most from the upcoming craft show, I have had a month and a couple of weeks between each show so I figure to myself, why bother unpacking the car, I never use the back seat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the only thing that makes me tidy it is to book a car wash guy :-)

    I like the word reclaimed, it seems kind and clean, recyled sounds dirty.. is that just me? my bin needs washing. Be well!

  3. Now THAT is a happening place! I always like the words, “previously loved” which is sort of gentle and yet self-explanatory as well.

  4. Looks fabulous (and encouraging)! I tried to get to the bottom of my piles last night. At least now I can see the surface of the desk.

    I, too, have a library card catalog – 72 drawers! But I haven’t filled them yet (much to my husband’s chagrin – he thought everything would magically disappear into them) because I haven’t decided how to label them. The old labels are so charming that I don’t want to cover them all over with “pins” and “knitting needles.” I don’t trust my brain to remember them all; I don’t want to have to open twelve drawers to find what I’m looking for…. I guess I should just admit that I find it much more inspiring to have my stuff out where I can see it!

    Do you have a system?

  5. I like reclaimed for the fabric b/c so often you overdye or print on them, etc. – not just reuse them as recycle implies to me at least.
    kate

  6. Hi Mimi…how about the term ‘repurposed’ fabrics? That tells your customers you have found a new use for vintage fabrics….by the way, your circus men are very, very sweet! I never make male dolls, and it is neat! I love how you used toile as ‘tatoo’ skin. Very clever!

    I love your blog….

    Emily-Hootin Annies

  7. i’m with emily…i like “repurposed”…or i’d go with reclaimed. recycled could make one wonder if your wool was the kind that was actually made from recycled materials…like recycled plastic bottles (although one touch of the fabric would tell you otherwise)

  8. To me both recycled and reclaimed belong on your tags. I also enjoy the new chin on the tattoos man today. Nice work,
    Jaye

  9. I have been going through the same dilema with recycled, reclaimed, repurposed, reused each type refers to a certain mentality. They are all wonderful because of what it is doing to the environment, saving our resources step by step. Both fit with your dolls. Keep up the FANTASTIC work.

  10. I love your work and have been subscribed to your blog for a little over a month now, I think the recycled/reclaimed question is like dawn said based on your perspective. I call most of my work recycled, but now I wonder… maybe a visit to Wikipedia is in order.

  11. Hi Mimi!
    I was thinking about your question regarding ‘recyclec’ and ‘reclaimed’ and wanted to run the term, ‘upcycled’ by you. I recently read an article regarding upcycling and my understanding is that upcycling is when something is taken apart and used to create something new. I wonder if this applies to your dolls? Like Cara said, I wonder what the wikipedia says on this? :D

  12. Hi Mimi: Just dropped in to see what your working on now. Have missed the last couple of Tarts meetings. Had planned on going on Thursday but found out much too late it was on Saturday. called Jennifer about noon Sat to let her know I wouldn’t make it. She thought I got lost! lost isn’t the word for it I guess.
    Love your leaf man what a clever idea ! I have been up to my ears trying to get my sewing room somewhat organized, my son in law is coming to put in new windows ! First he has to be able to get to the window ! Since my sewing maching is in front of the window, I had to get in there and get things put away. Now I have to have a root canal on Thurs. Abcessed tooth UGH! not feeling all that great the last few days. Happy New Year ! , know I won’t be seeing you before the holiday.

  13. Hi! you know that the tattoo guy above that you re-did the cosmetic stitchery on? Before you re-did him, (I was going to tell you, but didn’t!)..he reminded me so much of Justin Timberlake…! now, he is his own person though…! I liked both versions! Keep on doing your thing you do so well! your mind is incredible, I love the creations that you come up with! You are an inspiration. Have looked to see if you sell online..let me know if possible, thankyou.

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