My May...

Want to see how I spent my May? Well check out this brilliant blog post that I took part in and see what I got up to!                                            
http://www.sam-osborne.co.uk/month-in-the-life-taylored-curiosities/ 

Sam Osborne (a superb pattern designer) has been doing monthly features on artists from all walks of life and I took part in the May edition. Keeping a photographic journal of my month I share what I got up to and the things I made.

It's a really nice way to appreciate a month more instead of it speeding past in the blink of an eye. I used an app call PicCal lite to produce my picture calendar.

All the images of my work used in the calendar are fully copyright protected under the copyright law.

'THANK YOU' GIVEAWAY...

As a HUGE thank you to those of you who have been supporting me and my work I am holding a giveaway that will have THREE winners!

You can win one of three Giant Monster Embryo Plush (as seen below)

Each Monster Embryo is made from the softest fleece and has a pair of safety eyes. They have a red felt heart and a plaited woollen umbilical cord. They are stuffed with natural kapok and measure 6" long and 4" wide.

To be in with a chance to win you need to 1) be a follower of this blog and 2) like my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Taylored-Curiosities/281589108552683

Once you have done both, come back and leave a comment here to let me know and to simply say hi.  Your comments can be anything you want, as random as you like.  Then tweet or share this sentence 'I have entered to win a @tayloredcurios original Giant Embryo Plush in a thank you giveaway' tweet the blog link or share it on your facebook page to gain extra entries into the draw (each share adds an extra entry for your name).

I will select 3 winners at random using a number generator in a weeks time (Sunday 9th June) and announce it both here and on my facebook page.

Thanks again everyone :D  

*UPDATE*

The winners are...............................

Number 5: Mireya 
Number 7: Anuardu Jose
and Number 2: Chepcher Jones

First to comment on this blog post with the colour you'd prefer gets it, second gets their choice, the third person will get the remaining colour choice.  Please email your addresses to tayloredcuriosities@hotmail.co.uk and I shall post these out to you.

Thanks to everyone who took part :D

A Giant Embryo finds a home...

You may have seen a few weekends back now I was lucky and took part in the FIRST EVER Designer Toy Convention the UK has seen in London; ToyCon UK! http://toyconuk.com/

It was an amazing weekend and I am so glad I got to be a part of it.  One of the main specials I had created for the day, was a selection of GIANT Monster Embryos. 10 were created in my original colouring; Brilliant Blue and another 7 were customised by some amazing artists! Haus of Loz, Jon Paul Kaiser (who customised his live on the day), Ume Toys, Stitches and Glue, Creo Designs (who also helped me produce these giant embryos), Lisa Rae Hansen and Matt Lunartik Jones all customised one in their signature styles and MY WORD they were outstanding! 

The fab pink unicorn that Loz did for me has found a home and I was really overwhelmed by Rebekahs post that she was kind enough to share with me about her purchase.

"Today i received a truly amazing piece of art :) the monster embryo in itself is a design triumph but to have a one of a kind custom of such an large scale is truly awesome,
the attention to detail is second to none its beautifully produced in every aspect.
as a collector of these fine works i would define this as an epic centre piece to my collection and would encourage anyone who truly appreciates beauty and quality to invest in one :)"

Thank you SO much Rebekah for becoming the owner of this truly superb creation and also for taking the time to leave such beautiful feedback for me.  There are still Giant Embryos left and trust me guys, these are even more amazing in person.  If you'd like to own one then follow the link and check them out: http://tayloredcuriosities.bigcartel.com/

I am open to taking instalment payments on these larger pieces, so if you see one you want and would like to pay in instalments, contact me at tayloredcuriosities@hotmail.co.uk and let me know! 

A Box of Memories...

As most of you know I moved house again recently and have put most of my life into storage for the time being which is proving awkward at times when I remember I need something, but was also really great as it meant I went through and sorted everything first; finding treasures I'd long forgotten.

The best thing I found was this box of memories! It's actually the box my dogs ashes were put in by the vet many years ago, it even has a brass plate on the front with his name (bit morbid I know but the box is really lovely). Inside I seem to have collected a few random things over the years including two of the tiniest Russian nesting dolls (these open up to one that's only a few mm tall), a green haired troll, a cocktail accessory that fans out into a peacock shape, a wooden croaking frog, a cocktail umbrella (I've always had a bit of an obsession with these) and a tiny pot of crystals.

A strange combination yet each one makes me smile and takes me back to a certain time and place.

What's in your memory box?

Safe Place...

I haven't been sleeping much recently (less than usual for those who know me) and it gives someone with an over active brain like mine, EVEN more time to ponder life.  I had a stroll down memory lane and thought about the people I have known and the friends I have lost and how sad and dark some of their lives must have been.  They felt like they had no one to turn to.  I went through it all growing up, so I understand how at times it feels like you just want to curl up into a ball and disappear and if no one cares enough to pull you out of the darkness, then you feel like there's no way out.  Which brings me back to a post on an old blog of mine titled 'Safe Places' and something I said a while back. 

"I have pinched the above image from One Tree Hill, who in turn pinched the words from a John Mayer song, but it represents a feeling that is often hard to find these days.

I know I am a creator, and that side of me you see through my work and my website, but the side of me you can't see is the people collector side. I tend to collect people as I travel through life, they tend to be people who are lonely or are in a low place. I hate to see people sat alone at lunch times when it is not through choice and to see people being left out or bullied.

I would one day like this to be a safe place, a happy place for you to be. Whether you know me in person or just see my work and posts online, I want it to remind you that you are not alone and that there is always someone here for those days when the dark clouds just seem too heavy to bear alone.

Don't ever let anyone tell you or make you feel like you are not strong. We know you are"

Thinking about these people who lost themselves and weren't helped makes my heart cry.  I am not a psychologist or councillor.  I have an A-Level, but that doesn't really mean much.  But I have life experience.  I understand depression and anxiety and fear and worry.  I don't want anyone else to be lost because they have nowhere to turn.  You have me.  I may just be a virtual presence, but I am here.  I may not have magic, but I can listen.  I may not be a doctor, but I can try and help you heal emotionally.

You aren't alone. 

Valentine Fenegrygs...

Even though January is just coming to an end, I am seeing nothing but Valentine posts, so I thought I had best get my butt in gear and give you some Valentine Fenegrygs.  No one is left out at Taylored Curiosities, so whether you like a traditional Valentine or a more alternative one, then you can have a Fenegryg to suit.  Blythe is pretty in pink and Jacque is more Gothic.  Both are available from my online store, simply click their photos to be taken to the shop.

© Taylored Curiosities. All Rights Reserved.

Snow day...

We woke to a beautiful winter wonderland this morning and three and a half hours later, it is still snowing heavily out there.  We currently have about 5" of snow, I went out to play in the garden :P and I sank into the snow repeatedly.  I built a Snow Fenegryg and found some other creatures playing in the garden.  Our pond has frozen over, so I hope the frogs are ok.  I know it's only weather and lots of people get annoyed with the snow, but it has put me on a serious high! The last 7 months have been a roller coaster, mainly going down and it's been rough! This white world has cheered me up more than you can believe.  I even put myself in this snowy montage, but disguised as you know how I am with photos ;)

If you go down to the woods today...

I had a lovely outing today to a nearby forest.  I went to take some photos of the newest Fenegrygs, but ended up having a good old explore as well.  It was beautiful and the sun was shining, which just made it even better!

H.U.S.T.L.E...

I am psyched to be a part of Niall Trutek Andersons H.U.S.T.L.E wave one mini wrestlers! I have created the 'Seedling Warrior' to fight in the ring against the other amazing pieces from some really awesome artists.

The first batch will be making an appearance mid-January at an undisclosed Japan Toy Show in the pictured ‘test shot’ neon pink (and green). The standard flesh-tone release will follow a week or so after, available in either blind packed gatcha style capsules or blister carded 3 packs (prices TBC).

The full line up looks like this: From top left; Hungry Hungry Hordak- Brutherford Industries, Untitled- Manny X, Ray Skull- Hungry Imp, Mekamess- Nama Niku, Untitled- Killer Bootlegs, Super CupCake Lucha- Rampage Toys, Seedling Warrior- Taylored Curiosities, Battle Ready Ugly Cenicorn- Rampage Toys (preview figure), Skworm Hunter ‘Archer’- Tru:Tek (preview figure), Skworm Hunter ‘Youth’- Tru:Tek.

Niall has just today, released photos of a purple wave that will be available and on display at the up coming Clutter show.  'The "(In)action Figure Show" will open on Saturday, January 12th with a reception from 6-9PM and be available for viewing through February 2nd, 2013 at The Clutter Gallery, 163 Main St., Beacon, NY 12508. To get first option to buy from the show, you may want to join Clutter's Gallery Preview List.'

Absolutely love the colour of these and the wrestling ring is ace! Niall has done an amazing job of these.  I will share more info as it unfolds and let you know which colours are available at which events.  Can't wait to get my hands on some of these.

Happy New Year...