Consider Yourself Plushed

It's this time of year again. It's Plush You! time! I've been lucky to be invited to participate in this show for the past four years, and each year I try and push myself to make things I've never made before. This year's challenge? Plush wearing clothes!
After admiring the work of the amazing Felt Mistress, and successfully making plush that can stand on their own, it was the only obvious next step up the evolutionary ladder to start constructing garments for my plush. Granted, those couldn't really be worn by humans, but they work just fine on display.

And so, without farther a due -

Heathcliff

Professor Hobart

and Hannah

More photos here.

Plush You! opens October 14th, 5-9PM at Schmancy in Seattle, WA. If you're around, you should drop by to check it out. Hooray!

First Plush (and Post) of 2011

Happy new year + a month! It's been industriously quiet here since we came back from our South African holiday adventure (photos and tales of wonders soon). So much to do, and so little time, eh?

I've been doing a lot of drawing and some sewing - and here's the end result of some of it - 

This is Gus my first complete plush for the year, made for a little gallery show at work. If he looks familiar it's because he was originally meant to go to Chicago with these guys. 

More photos here.

Happy February!

New Plush! Well, Plush-Y Stuff Anyway

I think I mentioned this before, but this has certainly been the year of Plush for me. One of the coolest things that happened this year, is getting invited to participate in the annual Luv-able & Hug-able show in Gallery Hanahou. Super flattered! This show always amazes me.

This year, the show's theme is Luv-able & Hug-able & Wear-able. Yep, clothes and accessories related plush. What's a girl to do? Make monster-y garb! Introducing:

Mila Hat, Scarf and Pin

and Milo Hat, Scarf and Pin

More photos here.

The show opens December 9th, in NY, NY.  More details here.
Go get yourself a furry monster scarf. It's going to be a cold winter.
Ciao!
Michal

They Too Came from Planet Plush

If you're in Seattle this weekend, you should definitely check out the annual Plush You show over at Schmancy. There's going to be some seriously gorgeous plush and lots of fun activities. Go-go-go!

My contribution this time is part #2 of my series They Came from Outer Space that I started at Plush You LA a month or so ago. Why quit when you're having fun?

Watch out - some aliens are coming your way!


 The Brain

Sergeant Moffat

I'm not in love with the photos... It's finally fall here in LA and it's been raining for three days straight (remember the temperatures here last week? So weird...), so I used my new portable light box that Ant got me (yes, I know he's the best). If you have any tips and tricks for using those to take awesome photos, especially with a white background - I'm all ears.
Stay warm!

Introducing... Mystic Forest Dwellers!

This year has definitely been The Year of the Plush for me. I'm participating in three major plush shows, I taught a class about making plush, and have been working on one major secret plush project that is finally ready to be revealed. It had its ups and downs, debates, setbacks, collaborations and contemplations - until it took its final form and shape. I am so very excited to introduce to you my new project - Mystic Forest Dwellers.

Mystic Forest Dwellers is a line of plush, handmade in small batches, of a unique set of characters designed by me. They are are a bit animal, a bit magical and always full of personality. The line is made of five regular forest habitants and future limited edition friends that will come for short time visit. There are additional products planned for this line, so stay tuned.

You can follow the adventure of the dwellers on their blog, facebook page or twitter (yes, they have internet access and they are not afraid to use it). And most importantly...

Mystic Forest Dwellers will officially begin selling plush goodness on Thursday October 14th. This week, we will reveal a new design every day up to the beginning of the pre-sale, which will be Thursday September 30th. Crack your piggy banks and make room on your shelves kiddos because we are in business!

The dwellers and I are so excited, we can't wait to meet you!

They Came from Planet Plush

Wow, the Plush You LA opening was incredible! If you saw me there and we never got to talk - sorry, I was running around like a plush headless chicken a bit, he he. The show is up until 9/19, and you can also purchase available plush online through Munky King right here.

These are my contribution for the show - my new mini-series They Came from Outer Space:

The Little Pilot

The Kuzbanian Marsh Dog

Admiral Ka-Blast

More photos here.
Part two will be in Plush You! Seattle, in october. Extra credit for figuring out the geek reference in these dudes.
Exciting updates coming this week, stay tuned!

Plush You LA is here!

Plush You, if you've never heard about it, is one of the bigger annual plush shows. Back in 2007, I first participated in one, and I have to say - I don't know where I'd be plush-wise without it.
It takes place in Seattle once a year (usually in October), but this year, we're also having a show here in LA, at Munky King. So excited! If you live in the area, please do come in. It'll be awesome! I'll be there, as well as Kristen Rask of Schmancy, and a slew of other talented plush peeps.

PLUSH YOU
8.26.10 – 9.19.10
Opening Reception: Thurs, August 26th 7-10pm

Plush or Mush!
Yours truly,
Michal

Breaking News! Breaking News!

Hi Kids! How've you been?
It's been a bit of a quiet month here, quiet but busy. And I can finally share with you one of the things I've been working on - and boy, am I excited!
I'll be teaching a plush making class! Yes, indeed. I've wanted to do this for a very long time, and the guys over at Blue Rooster Art Supplies thought it would be cool. How lucky am I?

If you live in the LA area and always wanted to try it, this is your chance. The class is for all levels, even if you never sewed a button and will take you from an original drawing (by you, your kids, your friend) to a finished plush piece to be proud of. Excited yet?
Here are the details:

Make your own Plushy!
Cost: $150
Duration: 4 sessions (three hours each) 11am - 2pm
Upcoming Classes: Four Saturdays 6/19 - 7/10 & 8/7 - 8/28

Learn how to make plush toys of your own design! Plush toys are not just for kids anymore, they hang in galleries and high end shops around the country. If you ever wanted to learn how to make them, this class is for you.
The class will cover every step from the initial design drawing, through construction, pattern making, fabric choice and sewing. We will focus on creative problem solving and student's self expression. Please bring a drawing (a doodle will do, more than one is welcome too) you would like to turn into plush, and let's get started!
Our motto is to teach you how to make the plush you want to make, looking for creative ways to make it happen.

About the instructor:
Michal Wright-Ward is a designer and illustrator with a degree in animation. In her four years experience as a plush artist, her work has been featured and sold in galleries and shops around the U.S. and abroad. She draws her inspiration from children's books and the animal world. She hates the words "you can't". She lives in Los Angeles with a menegerie of pets, monsters, and one very patient husband.


To sign up, click here, come to the shop (Blue Rooster Art Supplies: 1718 N. Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027) or call (323 661-9471).

See you in class!

They're here!

Hooray!
My Plush exclusive is available for sale here. Get them while they're still available!

Plush You!

Tonight at Schmancy, Plush You show opening! We couldn't make it this year, but if it's going to be anything like last year, it'll be awesome.
I realize I never got to show you what I sent in this year (it's been nuts around here, I'll tell you some other time), so here they are:

Rose

Violet

and Lilly


More pretty pictures here. Progress pictures here.

Hi kids, I have some cute for you

Man, has it really been almost a month since my last post? Is it really almost December? Sheesh, time flies when you're having fun (and we are. Fun and way too much work, as usual...). I owe you many a story, but for now, I'd like to interrupt this blog slumber with an announcement - you ready?

I have plush to sell!
If you ever wanted to buy any of my plush creations, check out what's available below. To avoid confusion, mishaps and disappointment, please read all the details below first:

This is how I'm going to do this:
1. You look at the plushies available below, fall in love with one and want to buy it.
2. You email me at michal AT michalwright DOT com and tell me you're interested. If said plushie has not yet been sold, I'll give you my paypal address so you can make a payment. Please note that this is done on a first come, first serve basis.
3. We'll determine shipping costs before any money changes hands, based on your shipping address (yep, I'll ship internationally. Why not?)
4. Until payment is made, I will not consider the plush sold nor ship it to you. I will hold a plushie for you for 48 hours, unless we agree otherwise in advance.
5. If no payment is made in 48 hours, the plushie will be taken off hold, and if another person (the "next person in line", sort of) is interested in it - it will be sold to said person.
6. I'll get back to you either way within 12 hours. Yeah, I'll check my email more often. Promise. : )
7. If you're interested in gift wrapping, Christmas delivery or any some such, please let me know.

Please email me with any questions.
Happy shopping!
Michal


Yorick"Monstrously Nice" for "Crammed Organisms", 2008
Original design, synthetic fur and wool felt, cotton, polyfill, Hand Sewn.
Remember when your mom told you not to take candy from strangers? I hope you listened well. Because if you don't watch out for Yorick kids, you might end up in a Kid Stew. Yummm...
SOLD

IgorF"Monstrously Nice" for "Crammed Organisms", 2008
Original design, synthetic fur and wool felt, cotton, polyfill, Hand Sewn.
Igor has a present for you, and it's exactly what you want. You'd better wait for Christmas though, because what Igor wants, is to make you into meatloaf. Yup
SOLD

Stella"Monstrously Nice" for "Crammed Organisms", 2008
Original design, synthetic fur and wool felt, cotton, polyfill, Hand Sewn.
Stella loves to bake. She makes the best cupcakes you've ever eaten. But watch out, or you might end up in one of them. With cream frosting and a cherry on top.
Available from Wizard Sleeve Toyz here.

Olaf"Monstrously Nice" for "Crammed Organisms", 2008
Original design, synthetic fur and wool felt, cotton, polyfill, Hand Sewn.
Olaf knows kids like bunnies. They're so cute and soft and cuddly. And so are kids, as it turns out. Especially ones that have been made into stuffed toys. Monster children need toys too, you know.
SOLD


AlexOriginal design, wool felt, cotton, polyfill, Hand Sewn
Price: $50

Hi girl!

At last, the last plush for the show season 2009 is done! Well, she's been done for two weeks now, but I'm still recovering. She's hanging out at Ruban Rat waiting for Plush It! to begin.
Ladies and gents... please welcome - Fifi-Lou!

I love how her little hair ribbons turned out. So cute.

more pictures here.

and work in progress pictures are here.
And now - off to plan 2009!

Buonas noches, Señor Muertez!

I was recently accepted into the cool Dia de Los Plush show, at Red Hot Robot in Phoenix, AZ. Honestly, it was a short notice and I really had no time at all to even think about it, but I was intrigued. My art work, in case you're not very familiar, tends to be cute on the side of sweet and i've been trying to bring it a bit "to the dark side". I want to make it more edgy, a bit darker, more cynical and a bit creepy. Hence the child-eating monsters and the interest in a show that's inspired by the Day of the Dead.
Some research, some eating "Dead Bread" (provided kindly by one of our PA's wife) and a lot of gringo (read "white Jewish girl from the holly land") head scratching - and in came Señor Muertez,


(more pictures here)
He's Death's accountant (i've been watching too much Dead Like Me lately), and he's a crafty little guy. He made his own headdress himself. No, he didn't, actually. I did. And yes, it did take forever.

Adoption day

Why did I disappear and what was I doing?
I was fostering these three babies:

Toby

Princess Lulu

Mr. Muffin

Yes, raising baby monsters is no easy feat. Just figuring out what each of them will eat was complicated. And then there was the feeding schedule, and baths, and playtime, and sibling fights, and fleas, and vaccination, and teething... Sheesh! Now they're big enough to fend for themselves, and they're making their way to Seattle, to Plush You. Hopefully, all three will find a loving monster-parent who'll be ready to give them a good home. How can you resist this lovely face?


(More pictures here)

Kristen already outed me, but here's the official announcement - we're going to the show this year! We're going for a four day three night vacation in Seattle. Except for the main attraction on the 10th, any other fun events to look out for? Anyone else coming? What do people do in the Starbucks State?

Almost here!

Don't forget! Next weekend is the first night of Crammed Organisms. We ended up having to give up on going, but if you're in the St. Louis area - you really should go. Looks like a blast!

I love...

... How a scribble...


... Turns to this...

... Which turns to this...

... and then to this...

... and finally to these:
Yorick

Stella

Igor

and Olaf

(more pictures here)
These are the monsters of "Monstrously Nice", my submission to Crammed Organisms.
I love how they came out, but I swear - never again will I commit to something I so blatantly have no time to do. I had a month to create a portfolio and these guys, and for someone with a day job, well... not quite possible I'm afraid. Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited, super thankful and happy to have been accepted to the show, but I really finally need to learn how much I can do at any given time. I seem to always think I can cram more work into the time I have, and the end result is usually a massive lack of sleep, a filthy house and a very neglected husband. You'd really think that in twenty eight years (yeah, I almost forgot - it was my birthday last week) I'd learn my time-space limits. I need a Tardis, I really do...
And how are you? how are your creative juices doing these days?