Monday, November 28, 2011

Switching to Tumbler

Hello there.
I know I never update this blog. I'm sorry. I've been distracted by something shiny and new! Tumbler is the kind of blog I've been wishing for since I started posting on livejournal in high school. Not only can I write my own blog posts (and post my own pictures, links, videos, etc.) but I can also re-post things from other blogs. Instead of simply seeing what I'm doing, you can also see what is inspiring me and things I find interesting, and I think my personality is going to come through much easier than it does on a simple blog.

So this is my last post here on blogger. You can now find me at http://silentorchidstudio.tumblr.com/

Hope to see you all on Tumber!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

New York City trip!

Next week I’ll be going to New York City! My boyfriend's movie, Caprice, will be screening next Tuesday and Wednesday night at The House of Yes in Brooklyn.

It will be my first trip to the city, and I was wondering if you lovely people had any suggestions for things to see and do. I’ll only have two days there (Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th) and I’m on a budget.

I'll probably be staying in Queens. I’d like to visit the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. They have a Jim Henson exhibit right now that I really want to see. Any other places near there that I should go? Restaurants, shops, or other museums?

I’m already planning on stopping by Obscura and My Plastic Heart (on the Lower East Side) so if there's anything else near there that I shouldn’t miss, let me know.

And of course I’d love to see other parts of the city, too. It’s such a big place and I have so little time!

Also, are there any places or neighborhoods that I should avoid completely?

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Gallery piece!

I know...I'm a bad blogger. Honestly, I started a tumblr page and I'm kind of obsessed with that right now. I've been posting/reblogging lots of stuff on there lately.

My month off of commissions is going pretty well. I'm getting some work done on my own pieces. First, I was accepted into a gallery show! It's a Kaiju Monster themed show. I made a monster attacking a city! All in plush, of course.

Kaiju monster soft sculpture, closeup

The show is at Cade Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona. I starts July 1st and runs all month.

Other than that, I've been making a bunch of little things. I'm trying to get a lot of plushes and dolls finished before I start taking pictures. Instead of etsy/blog style quick pictures, like I usually take, I want to do something more professional. I'd like to make postcards, buttons, and prints of the pictures. I may even make some backdrops or scenes...we'll see.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

First of June

I can't believe it's June already. This year has flown by. I'm taking this month off from commissions and making things for other people to focus on my own work and my business.

Since it's the first of the month, I did what I always do on the first. I sit down and do business things! I've gotten into the habit of using this day (or at lehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifast part of it) to make sure finances and such are in order. First, I figure out my income and expenses for the previous month. After that, I fill out my state sales tax form and pay my Etsy bill. I like to get these things done and not have to worry about them for the rest of the month.

Today I also started getting ready for this weekend. Justin and I are going down to Charlotte for HeroesCon! Yay, a whole weekend of comic books and geeky fun!

I'm not sure if we'll have internet access at the hotel. If we do, I'll be sure to post about the trip. If we don't, I'll be posting from my phone to twitter.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Art show!

Exciting news! I've been accepted into the Monsters kaiju art show at Cade Gallery in Phoenix, AZ. I'm planning something really special...stay tuned for updates and pictures.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Been a long time

I know...it's been a long time since I've posted anything. The last few months (since the Christmas season, actually...) have been very busy. I've been working nonstop on commissioned pieces and I haven't had any time to work on my own designs.

I love making things for people, but quite honestly, I'm starting to feel burned out by this. That's why I've decided to take the whole month of June off. I'm going to use that month to regroup and put my focus back onto my art and my line of dolls and plushes. I'm going to try and make a new piece (a doll, plush, or art piece) every day. I'll also be restructuring my prices, so if you're interested in anything in my shop, now is the time to buy!

I'm going to try and blog (or at least tweet!) every day of June. I'll be posting progress pictures of my work, what's going on with the business side of my shop, and what inspires me. Hopefully by the end of the month my business and shop will be back in order and I'll have a blog full of resources for other small businesses. Let me know if there's anything you'd like me to post about.

And if you need a custom plush, please let me know now so I can have it finished by the end of May. Or you can wait until July, when I'll start taking new orders.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Commission/custom order info

Commissions for custom plush toys and dolls are once again open. If you have an original character (or a TV, movie, or comic character) that you would like me to make as a plush, please feel free to send me an email at silent-orchid@hotmail.com

Reference pictures are very helpful. Please send them along with your request (links to pictures are fine.)

---Prices---
Prices on all custom plushes are based on size and complexity of the character. The base prices below are for a for a standard plush made from felt. For a more detailed, complex character and any extras (different fabrics, yarn hair, removable clothing, etc.) the price will be higher.

Under 6 inches - $30
6 to 10 inches - $50
11 to 15 inches - $70
16 to 20 inches - $90
21 to 25 inches - $110
If you would like a plush that is larger than 25 inches tall, please send me a note and we can discuss the price.

All prices are in US dollars and do not include shipping. Please let me know your zip code (or country if you are not in the US) and I'll figure out the shipping cost.
If you need your order in less than three weeks, there will be a rush fee of 20% added to the cost of the plush (before shipping.)

I prefer to take payments online (PayPal and credit cards.) I also accept money orders (and if you are in the US, personal checks.) If your order is larger I do not mind being paid in installments, but I will need to be paid in full before I ship your order.

Refunds cannot be issued for custom orders.

Generally, I do not give discounts for multiple items purchased together. I do accept wholesale orders from shops, boutiques, and artists who order original character plushes (to be resold at conventions, etc.)

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When we agree on a design and price I will send you an invoice though PayPal (or my address if you are sending payments though the mail.) I can only begin working on your plush when I have received your payment.

It typically takes me between two and four weeks to make a plush, depending on how detailed the design is. I will send updates on the progress as I make it.

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If you have any questions, please leave a comment or email me at silent-orchid@hotmail.com