critter

Amanda Louise Spayd Brings the Harvest Moon to Bewitching II

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Amanda Louise Spayd is one of those artists whose work consistently impresses and inspires me, and when the air grows cool and the trees become a mosaic of yellow, orange and red, she’s in her element. Magic happens. She reignites our imaginations and reminds us that while we wander the forests listening to the crunch of the leaves beneath us, the sound me not be from our feet alone.

Harvest Moon is a custom sprite that’s bound for Bewitching II, Stranger Factory’s annual Halloween haunt, opening tomorrow. Complete with hand-cast resin face, custom forehead adornment, seriously stylish leaf mane and Beetlejuice slacks, s/he’d make a perfect centrepiece for any Thanksgiving table. As always, I’m curious of the scent: cinnamon? Pumpkin pie? Dried leaves? Mmmm, creature therapy.

A Full Reveal of CMR’s ‘Bugglestump Forest’

Every once in a while a project comes along that really, genuinely, excites me. It may be because it’s new, appeals to my personal tastes, or is just out-of-this-world conceptually.

Chris Ryniak’s Bugglestump Forest nails all of these things.

Did you catch last week’s teaser? The wooden collab project with Austin-based Ink It Labs is definitely not what I was anticipating and this is one of those rare occasions where I’m damn happy I was wrong. This combines everything I love (and is right) about the designer toy movement: artistic merit, superior quality, ingenious design, affordability … and what’s more, it’s 2D and 3D at the same time. It’s a freaking wooden pop-up block, people! I’m sitting here totally tripping out and poking my computer screen.

Oh! And did I mention they’re packaged flat in a custom box? Look!

(Dimensions are 3” W, 2.5” L, 2.75” H if you’re wondering.)

This is just too cool. And I know you want one. Are you going to SDCC? Well, if you are, stop by the Dragatomi booth (#4935). Fifty will be available and they’re $50 each. If by freak occurrence there are any leftovers, they will be available via Dragatomi a bit later. And don’t fret if you’re not going to Comic Con; this isn’t an exclusive. Just sit tight here and release info will be along soon!

(Sickeningly) Cute Charms and Pendants from Amanda Louise Spayd + A Secret Project …

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Is this not the sweetest thing on the planet?! We’re talkin’ instant toothache as soon as you set eyes on it. Brand new from Ms. Amanda Louise Spayd is a series of acrylic critter charms and pendants that will be available via her webstore very soon. For all you ABQ locals, you can also grab them at Stranger Factory.

The pendants are yet to be revealed, but the Bee charms (above) are double-sided and have a 1-inch wingspan. They’re a run of 100, price to be announced!

And who’s this little lady? Mandi tweeted her yesterday, with a promise of ‘more info soon.’ I have no idea what she’s for, but stylistically she’s right in line with the charms and Mandi’s recent antique pendants (which sold out in like 5 minutes).

Then there’s this little blue beaut, who’s destined to be a collaboration with A Little Stranger for a certain special something. ALS x ALS? Don’t mind if I do!

And special something? Why, that sounds vaguely familiar … hmm ;)

Updates to come, as always!

 

Amanda Spayd’s Original Sketch Pendants Drop Tomorrow!

We have a date! Amanda Louise Spayd is releasing her handmade art pendants TOMORROW (June 12) at 3pm EST via her online shop here! Each silvertone metal pendant is one of a kind and features an original graphite sketch on vintage paper and set in apoxy resin. Prices range from $20 to $48 (chains and ice-breaker guarantee included). Be sure to pop by the shop to see all the designs! Good luck!

 

A Whole Whack of Stuff from Amanda Louise Spayd

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Whoa. Amanda Louise Spayd is in full production mode over there in Ohio with all sorts of goodies in the works. First: those pendants we were talking about two weeks ago. Mandi has decided to go full steam ahead with the project (yay!) and they will be released soon — likely through her shop. We’ll release details on this as soon as they’re revealed. Exciting? Exciting!

Next up are new critters! No word on when or where these will be released, but maybe we have another online release in our midst? Loving the forehead embellishments on these — you can see the previously-announced Bee critter on the far left and also below:

Bzz bzzt!

Now this is curious … a small Col-Erase critter for a top secret project that she can’t yet divulge. The aquamarine eyes are killing me, so beautiful. Very excited to see where this leads; Amanda’s 2D work is like dessert to me.

And just in case that wasn’t enough newsplosion for one evening … a local PBS affiliate paid a visit to Studio Spayd a couple days ago to do a quick TV segment about her work. For serious! We’ll be sure to post it up here as soon as it hits the air.

More on ALL of this very soon! Damn, girl — you’re quick with this world domination stuff!!

Bzzz bzzz bzzz …

What happens when you can’t find striped felt? Paint the stripes on yourself! Seriously, between the faces and the bodies, Amanda Spayd’s forthcoming bee critters are going to be almost entirely hand painted and will also smell of lavender fields and honey. Yum.

As of right now, Mandi anticipates the edition to be larger than Belladonna, which was 50 pieces. Something tells me she’s going to need something a bit stronger than wheat beer by the end of all this ;)

Very excited to see how these turn out; updates to come!

The Swarm is Coming! A Wee Bee Tease from Amanda Louise Spayd

Well, well, well, what have we here? Amanda Louise Spayd recently posted this on her Twitter, along with a very cryptic: “Doing final cleanup on the master for my next edition, before sending it off to be replicated!”

!!!!

When?! Is it for an event?! How many?! How much?! What is eeeeeeet?! Well, fortunately we know the answer to that last one: shortly after Late Season, Mandi had expressed an interest in making her beloved Bee critter, Bumble, into an edition. Looks like our wishes are about to be granted, folks. Stay tuned for more peeks as the project develops! And here’s hoping Mandi makes use of some of those jars of honey she was collecting …

Mandi had a Little Lamb …

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With Monsters & Misfits II packed up and shipped, Amanda Louise Spayd has the old Vesta working overtime as she queues up production for Forgotten Finery, her solo show at Rivet Gallery Saturday. A rather flocculent little lamb is the newest critter to be revealed and while my penchant for wittle toofs is no secret, the shadows around the eyes really do it for me with his piece. Not to mention the thrill (and hilarity) of seeing her monsters turn into animals; pastel-colored bees are also promised at the exhibit, along with the odd overly-ruffled ballerina. That oughta be good.

Forgotten Finery opens April 7th and is on display until the 30th. Amanda will be there so pop by and say hi if you find yourself in Columbus!

Amanda Louise Spayd’s ‘All Mine’ for M&MII

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I had to laugh. This is ‘All Mine’, the first critter unveiled by Amanda Louise Spayd for Monsters & Misfits II. She’s a bit candy hoarder (All Mine, not Mandi. Well, maybe Mandi too, you’ll have to ask), and is looking rather befuddled whilst sitting upon her mound of chocolate and … teeth? Ha, welcome to the realm of the weird. Stay tuned for more from our favourite needle ninja — she’s juggling Monsters & Misfits as well as Forgotten Finery at Rivet, so providing she doesn’t pass out in a giant pile of stained fabric, April shall be most exciting. You go, girl!

New from Amanda Spayd: Critter Sketches!

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Followers of Amanda Spayd’s Tumblr have likely noticed something a little different in the Critter Workshop as of late: her dudes have gone 2D! Yes indeedy, Mandi has busted out the sketch cards and pencils and is exploring the world of monsters in a simpler, albeit more intimate format than her popular mini print packs.

While she pegs the sketches as just a fun venture for now, expect an opportunity to purchase some original 2D work from Mandi early next year. More info on that in the coming weeks!