Life's Big Canvas - unique gifts from Chloe McGenn

The pannier market at Granary Wharf began on Saturday. It runs every last Saturday of the month, and there were some ace new artists I hadn't come across yet. Instead of picking everything from Etsy this week, I picked the ones I liked the most from the market.

The Sulky Cat

Lovely handsewn items. At the moment, there are only knitting needle holders on her Etsy site, but on Saturday she had amazing floral patterned pears and cats.

Coyle and Hall

These beautiful handmade bags caught my eye, not just because they were on the stall  next to me. Sumptuous fabrics, big buttons, and those lovely clasp handles.

Hannah Stained Glass

Exquisite stained glass bowls, hanging things and even brooches. They tinkled in the wind, and caught the light beautifully.

The Clever Cupcake

I really wanted to buy some of these, but they sold out so quickly! Next month, I promise, there will be a review of them.

Toasty Bonce

Not at the pannier market, but I can't bear leaving it at 4 people, and I did see these people at another craft fair, and have wanted to mention them ever since!

Ralphie Kidson is fantastic. I can't talk about him without using superlatives. Every time I get a little parcel of fun zines from him, I giggle like a child, and get a bit star struck because he actually knows my name. About 15 years ago, he drew me as an elastic band, and I kept and framed the little comic. This time, I got myself a hand drawn comic about a slow snail which eats pot plants and talks in cod french. I may have to make a plush version of this snail.

Anyway, I have 2 copies of Giant Clam numbers 1 2 and 3 (usually £1 each plus postage), because in my haste to not miss out on Ralphie fun, I ordered copies of zines I already have. In order to spread the Ralphie love, I'm going to give them away.

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is post a link to this giveaway, and then comment here with a link to your blog/website/twitter/facebook. Winner will be picked randomly on Monday.

A link to an interview with Ralphie

These all are my paintings on the theme of transformation.

This is the start of a Catrina puppet to go with the skeleton marionette

This week, I've been looking around at felt, dolls and toys. I'm doing a project (as you might have noticed) about odd toys and games, death and the unexpected. I usually only do 5 picks, but there was such an amazing array of toys and dolls, I had to choose 10.

Monkey with a Fez magnet

Not strictly a toy, but I had to include him. I love the description, and the look on his face is priceless.

Cup of Water

There's something really charming about these crocheted molecules in this shop, but it's the cup these 2 come in that make them my favourites.

Slar

I don't think I need to explain why this is awesome do I? It's an alien dude in a cape, standing next to a sports car.

Unhappy Cancer Sucks bunny

These bunnies are really cute, but have grumpy faces and odd sayings on their chests. I think they're the perfect mixture of cute and slightly creepy.

Anna and Molly

These conjoined twin dolls are beautifully made, but have the creepiest eyes I've seen on a doll. I love them.

Mommy Selena

A slightly nightmarish voodoo rabbit doll, adorned with her voodoo doll and gri-sgris staff. Gorgeous.

Iggos/Bumpy

This cute fleecy robot with fire shooting out of his feet and a claw for a hand is my favourite in this shop, although I like the other bunnies too. This one just seemed to grab my attention

Elephant Girl

This whole shop is like a victorian freak show, but Elephant Girl is the one I would buy. It's meticulously made, and beautiful. If only I could be as good as this.

Sockbot no 3

A move away from the usual sock creatures, these sockbots introduce hard surfaces, and have grabbed my attention. I love sock monkeys and bunnies, of course, but there's something I like about the dichotomy of comfy socks being mechanical.

Sally

and to prove the point, here's my favourite current stuffed bunny.

This is the best tattoo ever. Seriously, I couldn't be happier!

I'm currently working on this oil painting. It's a sort of octopus woman emerging from coral. Or something.

I've been very remiss with keeping up to my own schedule. To try and make up for it, I've decided that today's fun will be a featured artist. Sort of two birds, one stone.

This Etsy store is actually one of the best shops I've come across on Etsy. I don't really know why, it just makes me chuckle every time I look at it.

My favourite item has to be the Christ on a Cracker necklace, which I definitely want to buy - I think it'll be my celebratory gift to myself when I eventually sell something on this website.

I also love Professor Jellyfish. Who wouldn't?

This will be a short one, but I didn't want to miss my second week of doing this! Have a massive migraine and need my bed, so sorry there isn't much information. If I'm posting it here, I love it.

The picture links to the listing, and the name links to the shop.

Horse dress by hissyfitoly

The Great Wave laptop bag by BabaLaptopbags

Plushie Pancake Pals by kittypinkstars

Fabric flowers necklace by
spottedlobes

Handmade anime artist bear by
greeniemarie

I borrowed this book from Katie, and before reading it, I hadn't considered making sock toys as being much of a hobby. A couple of weeks later, and I've sewn a life-size skeleton. Granted, I haven't often kept to the pattern, in fact, I don't think I even made one creature which is featured in the book, but the techniques were invaluable, and has opened a new realm of soft sculpture.

Finally finished the skeleton!