I thought it would be fun to show these, the ones that didn't go quite right...
the toadstool that will not stand up, (when I photographed it before, I cheated, and used blue tack on the bottom!)
And the owl egg cosy, that was too narrow to fit over the egg, (cue back to the drawing board with the pattern!)
This one, however, is a wip... a fish,
I'm beginning to hit a stage where things need to change direction slightly. I have plans, but none of those can happen without the work itself being right. I know I love working three dimensionally, I also like working small, the choice I need to sort out is between a style that is cute or do I go down the more realistic route.
At the moment, the fish, is neither one or the other, I'm at a crossroads. The danger of the cute, is the crossover with the toy market, which I want to avoid, (too much red tape for the handcrafted) and the danger of the realistic, is am I actually able to pull that off well, or will it look like I'm trying too hard?.
What do you think...?
I love them all!!! The fish looks great.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that owl! I'd have to get a wooded egg just so's I could display it like that. He (it is a he isn't it?) really makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteYou should be pleased with your fish. It's got that huggable look.
Beautiful work LK.
Do you know, it is so heartening to see that even someone as talented as you can occasionally get it a little wrong LOL!
ReplyDeleteI like the fish, lovely fabric :-)
I love that the toadstool won't stand up on its own! I have that problem all the time with my crochet projects.
ReplyDeleteI think the fish looks great--the shape and fabric and details are wonderful. I'm not sure if maybe the dorsal fin just needs a lighter color thread for the blanket stitch?
love te fish, the shape, the ways the fins are finished in such contrast to the othet stitching...can't wait to se eit in different fabrics and colours
ReplyDeleteI should share some of my hilarious bleepers - yours look amazing compared to some of the disasters I have experienced ;-) I love your fish - I wonder if his top fin should sit higher on his head - what do you think? Your owl egg cosy is so adorable ....
ReplyDeletelove that FISHIE! I see adults buying cute and realistic stuffies all the time. Do what your heart says........your work is unique so sales are bound to follow.
ReplyDeleteI like the fish - he looks like a "fish."
ReplyDeleteI adore the owl and think you just need to adjust the fit but I wouldn't change anything else...he's adorable!
ReplyDeleteI agree with La Manosa with going with a lighter thread on the blanket stitch. As far as realism, maybe you could make a few in both styles and see how you and customers feel about it?
Could you slide something heavy into the bottom of the toad stool, to weigh it down a bit? Or just go with the blu tack solution!
ReplyDeleteI think the blanket stitch on all of your pieces adds to cuteability. So if you decide not to go down the cute look for the fish I would lose the blanket stitch. I think the fish does look more 'grown up' than the rest of your stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm not being a heartless critic - You know I love your stuff.
I like the fishy. He's sweet with his tiny fins. Maybe that eg cozy wanted to be a finger puppet!
ReplyDeleteI just love your colors in your stuffies! Especially that owl! They are all soo charming!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteDo you think that you have to make a choice between cute and realistic? Could your niche be that in-between stage, exactly like that fish? I think that might be fantastic, and just the right style for a lot of adults out there who love cute but not kiddie, and real but not too much so. Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteI think the fish is a bit "sharky" - but if you reduced the size of the fin he would look more like a dolphin and this would in my opinion make him cuter but still realistic
ReplyDeleteAlways reassuring to know others, especially such talented others, get things wrong too! Your work is unique Amy and has a very special appeal so only advice is follow your heart!
ReplyDeleteI like the fish. He's really quite cute and his colours are quite soothing.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the first toadstool that won't stand up. He looks like the most delicious strawberry flavoured pie on the top... and while the owl egg cosy might be too small for an egg, perhaps it would make a nice finger puppet, or a cosy for a littler egg!
i really like the cutesy style of your stuffies - i think the fish would be better with shiny eyes perhaps the plastic safety type eyes? he's not got the "big" personality of the others but i like him!
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep on doing what you're doing because your stuff is way better than 'toys' and way nicer than 'realistic'.
ReplyDeleteI bet that hasn't helped much, has it? :-p x
Even your mistakes are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteooooh big questions. I guess it will depend where you are going with them - I love both styles. keep us posted though.
ReplyDeleteI think your fish is absolutly adorable!!!! As is all of your creations...wish I was this creative. I look at others work, and say *I can do that*...so why didn't I think of it....he he he
ReplyDeleteChar
What a sweet fish just love it cute cute thumbs up on this one just so clever!
ReplyDeleteI love the fish very much. You could make me one in a red/white fabric and I would be happy, happy, happy. :):)
ReplyDeleteYou are a fabulous crafter. Lynn
I think that is the cutest fish ever.
ReplyDeleteI have plucked up the courage to tag you on my blog because I really admire your style. There I've said it! Your fish looks very serious I think he reads a lot. I think that's a good thing, maybe if you make things cute but unhappy they won't look like toys? Dear me, is that my dark side showing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your blunders with us! It's nice to know even someone as talented as you makes errors when trying to create something new! Even if the errors are minor. I love your cats and owls, and fish certainly has possibility. You really are a talent!
ReplyDelete