You guys! Beatrice is out of town so I get to do my first solo exhibit! Woo hoo!
<Ahem> In the grand partnership that is Etsy Stalker, we Curators work together to bring you the finest in handmade goods. As Head Curator, Beatrice brought me on as her apprentice and she has been so pleased with my Stalking that she entrusted me with a Solo Exhibit. I endeavor to take this responsibility seriously and make her proud. Yippee!
Melissa Sue Stanley describes herself as “a full-time artist, amigurumi-maker, doodler, dreamer, maker, etsy-person!” As we peruse her shop, you’ll see just how apt that is.
Does her little soft felt house ring any bells?
What about if I showed you the Baba Yaga version with chicken legs?
We first discovered Melissa Sue in our Home Is Where The (Etsy) Heart Is exhibit and were immediately enchanted by her combination of sweetness and whimsy seasoned with a healthy dose of , well, wacky. Her simplicity is paired with a terrific attention to detail Like in her Strawberry Bird soft wall sculpture.
Isn’t that sweet? (Warning: You may want to hide the children before looking at this next piece.) In her words, “Super sweet, mildy creepy, and slightly cannibalistic, strawberry birds are ready to fly into your home.”
Aside from felting and putting legs on things ordinarily legless, Melissa Sue also experiments with muslin, watercolors, and embroidery floss.
Her latest passion is amigurumi. (Not sure what that is? You’ll understand by the end of this exhibit!)
Melissa Sue was kind enough to sit down and answer all my questions. Read on!
Curator V: Could you give us a brief bio of your evolution as an artist?
Sure! I have always been painting and drawing, I love to do portraits in oil paints, watercolor, and graphite. I think the ability to draw helps a lot with creating my plush. I started designing amigurumi about 2 years ago, and then four months ago I started teaching myself how to sew plush. Now my portfolio has moved from 2-D art to pretty much just fiber art – amigurumi, soft sculpture, embroidery, cute plush, etc. In some ways it has been a little difficult because I always thought I would be “a painter”, so it took a while to come to grips with the fact that I am really a “fiber artist”. I still draw and paint all the time though, so I guess the definitions and boxes I put myself into are sort of meaningless. Now I just say, “I make stuff”, and don’t worry so much about what that means.
Curator V:Your items are so unique–where does your inspiration come from?
Thanks! I work hard at keeping my stuff really original. I have a couple different sources for good inspiration – I have a big back-log of stories in my head, and some of the items are just illustrations of these. A few of my pieces are made specifically with one of my muses in mind – I have two and I am constantly inspired by them. And, I really have the world’s best customers – I get a lot of inspiration when someone places an order and gives me a basic outline, but leaves the rest to me. Some of my best work has come from that sort of project, and I love collaborating with people to make them things that they love.
Curator V: Could you tell us a bit about amigurumi for our readers who might not be familiar with it?
This is a tough one for me! I can tell you that amigurumi is the Japanese art of making little critters and things by crocheting or knitting in-the-round. Like the rest of my work, I push against this genre pretty hard, as while I follow the basic formula of amigurumi, I am always seeking to make it different, weirder, more my own. I’m always experimenting with the sculptural process of amigurumi, seeing how I can use it to make new forms and ideas. I like being a part of the amigurumi community though – there are a ton of clever people out there making really kawaii stuff, so that’s fun.
Curator V: Of all the items in your shop, which are your favorite to make? Why?
Oh goodness. I like them all, hahaha. I’d say my favorite is the custom orders. Having people come to me with a very basic idea and then letting me run with it – that’s the most fun. And, as simple as they are, I do really love making my little birds. I make them in big batches, so I love to wake up at 5am, put on a pot of coffee, pull out a few dvd’s, and then sit at my desk and just meditatively sew sew sew all morning until a little flock is looking at me with their button-eyes.
Curator V: Why did the house with chicken legs cross the road?
Look, when you’re the home of Baba Yaga, you pretty much do whatever you want and we don’t ask questions.
Curator V: How long have you been selling on Etsy? How did you decide to set up shop there?
I opened up my shop in June 2006, just selling (or trying to sell) hats and scarves. I was crocheting at night to unwind, so it seemed like a good way to get the stuff out of the house. I started making amigurumi in June 2007, and that was just sort of a hobby but they sold pretty well. For most of 2007 and 2008 I was sort of casually selling things, trying to figure out what I wanted to do. In December of 2008 I started sewing birds to give away as Christmas presents to my family – I had never really sewn plush before and was determined to do it without any patterns and wanted to teach myself. You should see the first couple birds, they are terrifying. Once I sort of figured out the birds, I slowly started sewing other things, and then realized that sewn plush allowed me to create all the little creatures that crochet and yarn just didn’t really fit with. So, I’ve been on Etsy for a long time now, but it wasn’t until January of this year that I really jumped on it full-force. I cleaned out my whole shop and gave it a clearer focus, and have really been working my butt off on it.
Curator V: Do you have any words of advice for aspiring Etsians?
It’s been said a million times before, but you really do have to do what you love. You get out of your shop what you put into it – and this goes for satisfaction more than profit. If you are just making stuff to sell, you won’t have nearly the same level of satisfaction as those that are making things they really love and feel passionate about. Ignore the trends, don’t worry about what other people are doing. What do you have to say? Etsy is your place and chance to do that one thing you always wanted to do, so make sure you’re doing just that, and not looking for just another way to make some cash. And, read the articles! Specifically the featured artists, studio tours, and quit-your-dayjob series. These are great and full of helpful stuff. If you can, join a team, that is also a great resource. I’m on PLUSHTEAM and they are a fantastic group. Work hard, and be fearless. Xoxox.
Stalkers, when I saw the items that Melissa Sue made for our giveaway, I honestly gasped with delight! She custom created two darling felted birds for one of you lucky people. (Violet considers creating a fake identity so she can enter the contest.)
Just look at their widdle feet!
You know what to do, Stalkers. Visit Melissa Sue’s shop then scurry right back here on your chicken legs and let us know your favorite item!
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My favorite item in her shop is the Strawberry Bird! That’s so clever! and springy!
I absolutely love Melissa’s work! Everything she makes is wonderful, but my favorite is the Hello Critter: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18414210 – I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.
I am in love with the strawberry bird that is a’twig against the ‘fresh’ backdrop. It gives me so much inspiration.
The reason I started watching Melissa as an artist was because of the Baba Yaga house. I didn’t really even notice the legs at first; I was too entranced by the little house! I do dollhouses and miniatures as a hobby, so people are always sending me links to ‘tiny house things’ (a technical term, I believe). When I clicked through a few more of her projects, I was instantly hooked! I adore the little creepy-cutie critters, and the fat little birdies are heart-stoppingly lovely. But the fantastic little fabric houses are the blue-ribbon winners in my book.
Oh my god. The little mushrooms for SURE.
Creepy-Cutie! That’s it exactly, Kim!
What a wonderful exhibit Violet, it looks like you had fun!!!
I really loved Melissa Sue’s shop: her work is unique and fun!
If I were to make a purchase at this moment, it would be:
The Little Soft House!!!
It reminds me of family, friends and the good times we share in our home!
Thank You for introducing me to Melissa Sue – it was a pleasure!
Great solo exhibit, and this is a lovely etsy shop you’ve introduced to us!
I think my favourite item is this birdhouse: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22119596
I Love Melissa Sue’ etsy shop, and I love following her blog even more. Its so exciting to get to see the creative process behind her amazing work! If I were to make a purchase it would definitely be the Eggplant With Chicken Legs! Its the perfect combination of whimsical and weird. Love it!
I love the Tootsie monster. It inspired me to add Melissa on LJ!
love many items but the melancholy monster calls to me!
oh, i love the new tootsie monster! It’s nice to finally see what i was always afraid of at night as a child. It’s actually quite adorable…
It’s so hard to choose my favourite of her creations – I would definitely have to say the houses, particularly the ones with the chicken legs! I’ve been a long-time watcher of Melissa on LJ and would love to be able to take home one of her birdies!
~Holly
http://twocheeseplease.livejournal.com
I love them all, but ESPECIALLY the little fat walrus-looking guy.
I love a lot of Melissa Sue’s creations. I am envious at times at her great talent. I would have to say that I love the Red fox-like monster the most…followed by her melancholy monsters, the white tootsie monster…well, pretty much everything but the Fox-like monster is number one.
I love her Cat Cow amigurumi, but since they aren’t currently listed, I’ll have to go with the Melancholy Monster in all white. ^_^ I think she is an absolutely inspired *and* inspirational artist!
I love all of her creations and enjoy reading her blog to see what she’s come up with next.
But I’d have to say that the Melancholy Monsters are my favorite, especially the Fox like one! If only I had the money to adopt him! =D
Wow! Amazing article! But for me, it’s not hard to choose a favourite item from this awesome artist! <3 My absolute favourite of her various creations would be the absolutely adorable {and custom} Melancholy Monsters! Those little sparkly tentacles make me swoon! LOL
Oh god, I love them all! I especially love the gourd-shaped knitted creatures, or the felt monsters with the :E teeth. Or the ones coming out of the wall! Or the tiny birds.
Dammit I love them all D:
I love her work and I’m a happy subscriber of her blog
I love her monsters and my favorite it’s not in the shop hahaha so I choose a White Tootsie monster
Thanks for the contest I cross my fingers!!
Definitely Eggplant with Chicken Legs. Purple is my favourite and this is Purple with personality!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22193436
Katrina
Cute items!! I especially love the Little Felt Bird Ornament!
I’m a big fan of Melissa Sue art!!
My favourite item form her shop is this guy: http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.59252724.jpg
How adorably beautiful he is!!!
I’m's sure I’ll purchase him for me someday ?
Everything in the store is too cute. I love “Hello Girl”. It is one of those unique little pieces I know I will look at every day, every now and then, and smile. I also can put it with other pieces and it will always stand out as a conversation starter. I love all the detailing. I now have another favorite seller!
I love all of Melissa`s works! Most i like this little bird
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23172801
Silvia
One sure sign that Spring has arrived is that I am awakened by the singing of birds out my window. I love it! We live in a wooded area and there are many different varieties of birds singing a symphony of tunes.
My favorite item in Melissa’s shop is this bird…he looks just like the one I often see when I first awake each day…
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21121392
I am just becoming familiar with amigurumi and I think I am in love!
I love the fantastic White Tootsie Monster!!!!
cal_rubies at yahoo dot es
happy suscriber!
cal_rubies at yahoo dot es
I love the Red Fox Monster and his little scarf – he’s not for children, he bites!
I love the little birds and the strawberries that sit on a branch:)
Eggplant with chicken legs!
http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.59252724.jpg
He’s my absolute favourite! So adorable.
Love her work, the strawberries are my favorites
Oh! I am quite exited about this! The eggplants with chicken legs are my favorites, because they are so unique!
Thanks for the great interview! Melissa is one of my favorite plushie makers and it’s great to hear about her process. As for my favorite plushie currently in her store… definitely the eggplants with chicken legs. The Baba Yaga houses are second.
Although I am completely enraptured by the little birds right now, Melissa’s Original Sketch is something that I just adore right now and I quickly added it to my favorites.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20150664
Thank you for giving me yet another shop to enjoy!
Such wonderful creatures, but my favorite is “Bring Spring In!”
I can not choose in the Melissa’s store, I love them all!!! one of my favorites was the Sepia Amigurumi – Crochet Creature, but it’s no longer available, right now I’m loving the: The Red Fox-like Monster – Amigurumi Creature http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23656063 So lovely
My favorite item is the White Tootsie Monster. It’s awesome!!
My favorite is and always has been the Hello Girl. It’s what inspired me to make art a bigger part of my own life.
The Melancholy Monster Amigurumi is adorable!
my favorite work of melissa’s is the eggplant with legs. i was really impressed with the chicken-leg additions, but the eggplant somehow works the best. maybe it is because i don’t like eggplant, so making it some kind of faceless monster with bird feet seems appropriate to me. oddly disconcerting, but i would absolutely love to have it in my home and see it every day. her work is really fantastic though, the right balance of cute and creepy and just Miyazaki-esque creativity. it seems like a lot of people try for that kind of combination and fall short, or seem cliche, but Melissa is the real thing.
My favorite is and continues to be the Tootsie Monster. So scary and awesome! I think I would have nightmares of it stalking me at night.
So of course I want one!
-moo
Have I to pick one??? Bummer… I love them all!! If I had to pick one item it would be her Melancholy Monsters. They have so much detail.. I love the beads sewed onto their legs!! She’s has excellent talent… and PATIENCE!!!
~Lisa~
I really love amigurumi esp your sepia amigurumi. so inspiring
I *Love* these little felted birds!!!
I want a billion of ‘em
My favorite is most definitely the boxy Baba Yaga house with the blue roof.
Everything in this shop is unbelievably cute. I love all of the birdies, but most especially the bird with the birdhouse. So adorable! Thanks for sharing Melissa Sue’s work!!
She has the cutest things! I love everything, really! But, if I was forced to pick a favorite, I’d have to say the Eggplant with chicken legs! The little birds are absolutely adorable – I love the monogrammed ones!
It’s a tie between the Tootsie Monster and the Melancholy Monsters. Her work in incredibly inspiring. The first time I stumbled upon her blog, I read all the entries and was struck with inspiration and drew about 10 stuffies in my sketchbook. She is incredibly creative, and I look forward to seeing her Slothy Wall Monster at Mortal Plush this summer.
Keep up the great work Melissa Sue!
I love everything Melissa makes, but I especially adore those things that hang on the wall, like the little birds on a branch. Recently on her blog I saw that she’s combined the plush monsters with the round frames that hang on the wall – one was curious and another melancholic and they are absolutely stunning. Not sure if they are meant to go into the store now or what but those are awesome.
GOSH! I am a bit overwhelmed by the enormous creativity behind Melissa’s art. The sheer creepiness, combined with giant amounts of cuteness combines for a genius affect. You don’t know whether to be a little uneasy or cozy on up to each piece (especially the Tootsie Monster:).
My favorite I think would be the “hello girl” stitched and watercolored piece.
It is very inspiring and quietly beautiful.
I would love to make a home for the two little giveaway friends—make sure to tell them to fly to my house!
<3
just so incredibly talented – without a doubt its ‘spring is coming i promise’ if i ever sell some work i’m commission a threesome of birdies coming out for my wall…….so clever and beautiful all your work you make the rest of us look bad!
Her birds are my favorite! The green, baby blue, and lavender shades are my favorite: http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.67785437.jpg. So adorable
Love the widdle feet! I love all the items with feet. Don’t know quite why, but I find them very appealing.
I love the Baba Yaga house!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24845489
It’s been in my favorites for a while!
Those birds are absolutely adorable! On another note, the original sketch is also amazing!
baba jaga strawberries have just made my day
Such amazing work!
This little spring bird won my heart the first time I saw it! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23172801
those melancholy monsters have stolen my heart. how I wish I had the money to spend on one (or more)
such beautiful and whimsical work. just the kind of things I LOVE!
My fave is the spring song bird, blue and pink. I want that!
I’ve always loved those Baba Yaga houses. Hilarious.
Whoa! Those felted birds are the cutest things I have seen in awhile, nothing cuter than tiny little birds as it is, but these are just insanely cute. The Spring is Coming I Promise – Little Bird is definitely my favorite!
I love this white tootsie monster its awesome .
and i will love this birds if i win ^.^ but i live in germany can i win this? or does it dont woork for me -__- *
I love Melissa’s work, it’s so whimsical and creative. Fantastic article!
wow, you guys! your comments and support are so wonderful, thank you
definitly helps get me out of bed for that 5am wake up call. thanks so much
xoxox
and yup, i ship anywhere in the world, so no worries for international commenters
<3
I love Bring the Spring Inside. A little bird with a little house – so cute. I realllllly want to win this one. ‘K?
I can’t choose! I LOVE the “Spring is Coming I Promise” wall art, but the “Hello Girl” is STUNNING.
Everything Melissa makes is enchanted and speaks to me! If i had money, I would buy everything at once. However, my two favorite items, or rather series of items are: Baba Yaga houses on chicken legs. I could see them running around my living room while laughing madly and plotting something wicked. I’m also in love with each and every one of the Amigurumi Monsters. I don’t know how you can pick just one… they are all so wonderful!
I probably won’t win b/c I never win anything, but IF something wicked happens and I do, I will start making a nest in my house for the 2 little birds right away
Hello! My favourite it the mushroom plucked from the forest. Mum used to draw lots of little mushrooms for me when I was sad, so I knew there was a magical place we could escape to together. She drew mice and all sorts of creatures. And it worked. I always cheered up.
(Side note: If I won, one of those little birds would fly interstate to Mum.)
Honestly, I’m really in love with the little birds, like the ones in the giveaway. They are adorable!
The Birdies are the Best by far!!
i love the melancholy monsters:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22230388
especially the black one.
The White Toosie Monster has to be my fave- for now, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24649486
With the Melacholy Monsters in a close second! Just unique and fun- both made me smirk and chuckle when I saw them. The mushrooms made me have flashbacks though, so as cute as they are, I’ll just step away from the table for now. Love it all! Keep up the great work!—————–^v^
I favorited melissa Sue’s melancholy monsters looooong before I re-discovered her here! But I’d have to say that I love her strawberry birdies! So cute!
As a strawebbery person myself (fragola means that in Italian) I’d go for Fresh and Sweet – Strawberry Bird – Soft Sculpture Wall Hanging ^_^
I love her Hello Girl: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18335941 What a great curation, I just love this wee shop! xo
did I do this already? definately the Baba Yaga house. reminds me of stories I read as a kid.
I love everything, but if I had to chose it would be the sweet strawberry bird. Lovely and silly.
Well I must say that I LOVE this sketch: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20150664 and also the white tootsie monster is very intrigueing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24649486
fabulous stuff!!!!
I adore Melissa’s work. I think Tootsie is my favorite in her shop right now. So hard to choose, though!
I love all of Melissa’s creations! I think my favorite items are her watercolor / embroidery designs. Everything she makes truly is original and down right adorable. Thanks for this great feature!
Ok I love everything Melissa Sue Stanley creates, but especially her strawberry birds and The White Tootsie Monster.
Any of the Baba Yaga houses! FTW!
This is such a great etsy find! they remind me of alice in wonderland! sweet strawberry on a little twig so clever and creative – new fav seller on etsy. hooray
love the Bring the Spring Inside birdhouse, though the snake is pretty endearing, too.
I love the Custom Little Bird by Melissa Sue, they are just too cute. Can see my niece loving them and my nephew for that matter.
I love the “Bring the Spring Inside – Custom Birdhouse”. So sweet and so well made. The colors and textures are perfect!
The monsters are adorable!! I dont know how she comes up wiht so many really cute things!
First of all…I found this site via myspace, and I’d have to say this is about the first really interesting thing I’ve find by going to myspace.
Second, and most importantly….I love the Baba Yaga’s Chicken Leg house!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21492784
Melissa Sue’s work is enchanting! She has quite the imagination! Her felted birds are darling, and her houses are oddly quainte! Who would’ve thought of adding legs to a house? That being said, my favorite item in her store, that I’d love to purchase is the Baba Yaga’s Chicken Leg House : http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22230178
My fave is Spring is Coming I Promise – Soft Sculpture Wall Art by Melissa Sue
I love the little blue bird (Spring is Coming I Promise)! And I love the creativity of her Amigurumi creations!
I love all of her work, but my favorite is the Spring is Coming little bird on a branch.
Melissa’s creations are amazing! Isn’t it interesting what runs around in talented minds?
It was really hard for me to pick a favorite. The runner ups are the Eggplant With Chicken Legs and the Melancholy Monsters. But I absolutely LOVE The White Tootsie Monster. He’s my kinda guy, even if he does steal toes.
I love love the spring is coming bird, so cute:)
I loooooove those sweet little birdies! The Spring Song Bird is my most favorite thing in her shop – I just love little bluebirds. ?
I really love the Melancholy Monsters!
Ohhh those birdies are so cute!
My favorite from her shop has to be the Summer Song Bird
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