Cravings: Objet de Stuffie

Welcome to the inaugural post of Old Soul Handmade! I’m so glad you’re here — I’ve been jonesing to share my addiction to handmade lovelies with other enthusiasts, collectors, and wannabe makers.

The general plan for this blog is still in development, and it’s plainly still a little rough around the edges.  The plan is to have some regular posts including showing others’ creations that I covet as well as showing what I’m working on (gulp).  The reason for my apprehension would be clear if you knew about the pile of half-finished projects I’ve accumulated.  Fortunately you don’t.  Oh, crap.

Anyway, one thing I’m sure I’ll post is this regular installment of Cravings — a recurring display of themed, hand-crafted wonderment.  I’ll jump right into the first edition.  I don’t know why I get all squishy when I look at these  plushies – should I be concerned?  Of course I loved stuffed animals as a kid, but this is a whole different level.   A couple of caveats:  I have a few stuffie sub-category obsessions that I think are so painfully awesome that they deserve their own future postings.  These include amigurumi and Star Wars.  Stay tuned for those special features!

This delicate deer by Finnish artist Lemmikkiapina looks like it’s made of beautiful old silks and brocade. Almost too elegant to call a stuffie . . .

by Lemmikkiapina

Emily Beaulieu of Follow the White Rabbit has such a dreamy,  sweet, and unique vision.

by Emily Beaulieu

I’m utterly stunned at what Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane does with plain old felt!

by Heidi Kenney

Ah, hometown hero!  Carlos the Monster was created by Plants and Animals right here in Portland!  Pretty clever to incorporate the bewildering moustache trend that is sweeping our fair city.  Is this a Portland thing or are moustaches coming back everywhere?  I shudder to think.  I would normally protest this lonely member of the facial hair family (unless you’re my grandfather, Salvador Dali, or Alex Trebek).  But Carlos is looking pretty debonair, so he gets a pass.

by Plants and Animals

Love and a Sandwich created this “Newborn Monster.”  The squinty eyes and snaggle teeth gnaw right through the old heartstrings.

by Love and a Sandwich

I had a really hard time choosing which Sweet Nellie beauties to post.  The two details that put this one over the top are the backstory implied in the title “International Art Thieves” and the detail of the pinking-sheared ears.  I’ll definitely be blogging about her again.

by Sweet Nellie

I could make this posting a whole lot longer, but there are chores to be done, and I don’t want to use up all the fun on my first post!  See you soon . . .