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

All ten year old girls have a crush on Tim Curry...

My sister and I have a Halloween tradition. Every year we watch our favorite Halloween movie. Not a horror film, not It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown...no, the best Halloween movie ever is The Worst Witch.

It was made for TV in 1986 and stars Fairuza Balk as Mildred Hubble (her first role as a witch, long before she was in The Craft.) It also stars Charlotte Rae in dual roles as the school's headmistress AND her evil twin sister, Tim Curry as The Grand Wizard (who is swooned over by every female in the movie) and Diana Rigg as Miss Hardbroom (the not so nice potions teacher who doesn't like Mildred.)

It's a crazy movie, full of songs, goofy 80s special effects, and just plain wacky situations. In the middle of the movie Tim Curry gets his own music video!


Miss Cackle's "evil" twin sister and her coven of goofy witches are dressed like a five year old's idea of a "bad witch." They also have a song...


It really has to be seen to be appreciated. Or maybe you have to be a child of the 80s to love it as much as I do...you can see for yourself. Someone has kindly posted the whole movie on youtube.

Back online

A few of weeks ago my old computer (which I'd had for at least six years without upgrading) stopped connecting to the internet. Oh, no! What was I to do? My dear boyfriend let me use his for a while, but it was hard not being able to log on whenever I needed to. I've realized how very much my life revolves around connection with people through the net. Not a bad thing...I like having friends and customers all over the world :)

Today I finally bought a new laptop for myself! Nothing fancy, but it has lots more memory than my old one. It also has a webcam, so you may see some youtube videos from me soon (not quite sure what they'll be about yet...maybe plush making tutorials or other artsy things.)

Now that my web life is back to normal, I'll be posting more to my sites (especially Etsy and twitter) and trying to blog more. What would you like to see here? Process pictures? Tutorials? Design inspirations/color board posts? Let me know :)

I'm working on some new dolls (monsters, circus freaks, and fairy tale characters.) I'm also taking holiday orders now! There's less than two months until Christmas, and I need to get custom orders by the first week in December. I'll make a longer post in a day or two, with all of the details.

Halloween plushes

I just posted the first few of my Halloween plushes! Nosferatu, London After Midnight vampire, and zombie Poe. Lots more to come over the next week or so!

Doll and plush commissions are open

I just reopened my commissions. If you'd like to order a custom made plush toy or doll, here is all of my commission info: http://silentorchid.deviantart.com/journal/13694803/

And if you're thinking of ordering something as a Christmas gift, you should order early. (I know it isn't even fall yet, but my holiday commission list fills up fast.)

Monsterfest 2010!

In just over a month I'll be at Monsterfest! It's a local horror con that kicks off the Halloween season. This year it will be Saturday October 2, from 9am to 5pm at Chesapeake Central Library. Lots of vendors, artists, writers, horror hosts, and movie makers, as well as panels, films and a costume contest.

I'll be there selling my horror themed goodies. If you have any suggestions for characters, monsters, or Halloween things you'd like to see in plush form, let me know. Anything I don't sell at the con will for sale in my Etsy shop later that week.

And in other news...my commissions will be open again later this week, but on a limited basis. I'll post an official update, with all of the details, soon.

Shop update

I added a bunch of new dolls and plushes to my etsy shop today, including some circus freaks, urban legends, and a serial killer!

New home

So, I moved yesterday. I love my new apartment! It's tiny, but very cute and the perfect size for me and Justin. It's in the middle of Ghent, the "artsy" neighborhood in Norfolk. I'm around the corner from The Naro (single screen, arthouse theater,) lots of restaurants, shops, and galleries. Being able to walk down the street to eat or go shopping is going to be so nice! Especially after spending my whole life in the suburbs, where you need to drive to go anywhere.

I'll post some pictures when I get everything put away and organized.
Also, I'll be updating my Etsy shop soon and re-opening commissions. Stay tuned for updates!

stuffing

Oh, my...does anyone know where I can get inexpensive polyester stuffing for my plushes? I was buying the big boxes of Morning Glory, but I found out today that Walmart no longer carries it. It has a really nice feel (not too smooth or plastic feeling) and was only $10 for 5 pounds.

I've been searching, but I can't find anything. I know I can order some brands online, but with shipping they will be very expensive. Does anyone know if Hancock or Joann Fabric (or some other fabric or craft store) carry stuffing in bulk? My local Joann used to have boxes of poly-fil, but I think they stopped carrying it.

What is your favorite brand? How much do you typically pay, and what size package can you get it in? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Commissions are open

My plush commissions list is once again open. If you are interested in a custom made plush or doll, please feel free to contact me.

You can find all of my commission information (prices, etc...) here: http://silentorchid.deviantart.com/journal/13694803/

Moving!

Last week Justin and I did a little test run of living together. I'm very happy to say that it went really well, and I'll be moving in with him in a couple of months. It was a really nice week. I got to cook (nothing fancy, but it was tasty!) and I set up a little sewing area (and found out that I can actually work on art projects while my cute boyfriend is in the room.) I love that the apartment is in Ghent (the "hip/artsy" neighborhood in Norfolk.) We're only a couple of blocks away from...well, everything. Great food, an awesome old movie theater (and their video store,) and lots of shops...basically everything I need (except for a fabric store...but I have to drive there anyway, so it's not a problem.)

Now comes the hard part...packing up my stuff and figuring out what I don't need to bring with me. I'm living at my parent's house now, and I have a room full of STUFF. The apartment is small (and only has one closet!) so I really need to let go of a lot. I've already started sorting through my clothes, and have a bunch of stuff to send to the thrift store. There's a bunch of junk in my closet but it should be easy to get rid of, since it really is junk.

Going through my art and craft supplies is next. That might be the hardest to get rid of. I'm kind of an art supply pack rat. I've been an artist/crafter my whole life, and I tend to hang on to supplies (even if I don't have a project in mind.) My fabric stash is a bit out of hand, and I have boxes full of collage papers...ugh! I can't get rid of it...what if I need it? ;)

I'm really excited!

Things to come

I've been a bad blogger lately. I've been really busy with commission work and some personal projects and I haven't been posting as much as I'd like.

I'll be reopening my plush commissions the first week in May. I'll post a link to my updated info on May 1 (including some new rules, and updated prices.)

I'm also working on some new plushes and dolls for my Etsy shop, and I'll be posting those throughout May.

After that, I'm going to be working on some new creations for FantaSci, a local scifi convention. I'll be sharing a table with Justin, who will be selling his new pulp novel, The Red Knight.

After that...well, I'm not sure just yet. I'll keep you all updated.

...
On a personal note, Justin and I have been talking about moving in together. It's kind of a scary, grown-up thing for me. I've never lived with anyone before (other than my parents.) We're going to do a trial run next week...just to make sure we can stand seeing each other every day :)

I may blog about it all week. Or at least tweet.

Lovely birthday

Wednesday was my birthday, and it was a lovely day! I spent the whole day with my boyfriend, Justin, who spoiled me rotten :) We had pancakes for breakfast, went to pick up new comic books, and then he took me shopping at Target and bought me a cute little skirt (with pockets!) and a couple of tops to match. After that we sat around Elliot's (local coffee shop) and read our new comics and enjoyed the lovely weather. Later, we got all dressed up and when out for a fancy dinner.

We went back to my house to watch a movie (Lair of the White Worm) and I checked my email to find a wonderful surprise. Evelyn Evelyn tour dates were announced, and they are going to be in DC! It's not as close as I would have liked, but only a few hours away. And I'm a bit obsessed with all things Amanda Palmer, so I bought tickets right away.

It was a really good day :)

New doll

I posted a bunch of items in my Etsy shop this weekend, including three new designs.

London After Midnight vampire

Vampira

Zombie Poe (with tiny raven)


I'm working on some new plush designs (circus freaks, folklore creatures, and robots) so check back soon for more updates.

Commissions and featured!

Oy, it's been a busy month. I'm sorry for not posting and updating you all of what's going on, but I just haven't had much to write about. I've been swamped with commissions (mostly remakes of things I've done previously.) I did get to make a cute set of little b-movie monsters!


Today my Etsy shop was featured on the Celebrate Odd Etsy blog!

In other news...I really need time to make new things for my shop, so I may be taking some time off from commissions next month. I'm also going to be updating (probably raising) by commission prices, so now is the time to order! I'll post an update soon.

Until then, I hope you're all having a fun Saint Patrick's Day! Be safe, and don't drink too many green beverages :)

Happy Valentines's Day!

I hope you are all having a lovely day.

Justin and I had a wonderful pre-Valentine's dinner last night. Even though it was freezing we dressed up all fancy, because we hardly ever get to. We went to the Macaroni Grill, which I'd never been to before. It was really fun! They have fantastic food...I got chicken cannelloni and had tiramisu for desert!

They have paper table covers and give you crayons, which was really fun :) We drew pictures of each other (how romantic!)

His drawing of me


My drawing of him (isn't he cute?)

Valentine cards

New in my Etsy shop, Valentine cards featuring my dark romance art. Three different images available (prints also up in the shop.)

Also, I just got my dolls back from Stuffed Magazine, and they'll be up in the shop sometime this weekend.

Fishnets, feathers, and rhinestones

A couple of days ago Justin and I rented A Wink and a Smile, a documentary about modern burlesque dancers. I loved it! I've always had a fascination with burlesque and vaudeville (the costumes, the cute routines...) but now I think I love it even more.

In the film, ten everyday women take a burlesque class. I had no idea such a thing existed! Now I'm frantically looking all over, trying to find a local class (or at least somewhere to see a show...) but with no luck. Why must everything awesome be so far away?

I wonder...what kind of burlesque dancer would I be? Probably a silly one, as I have no coordination. But I would have a fabulous costume! Something flapper inspired...with lots of beads and feather!

Happy New Year!

A bit late, but I'd like to wish all of you a happy new year!

2009 was a pretty good year for me. I started my Etsy shop in January, and I think it's going pretty well so far. I read a lot of good books and comic, saw some awesome movies, and even went to a couple of plays. I'm feeling more independent, and more like an adult, than I ever have. And of course, I got to spend the year with Justin. He's my best friend, my partner in crime, and the best boyfriend a girl could ever want :)

This year has started out well. The winter issue of Stuffed Magazine is out now (with two of my dolls in it!) I finally bought a drawing table for myself, so I don't have to work on my bedroom floor anymore.

I don't like the idea of "resolutions." I prefer to set goals, and make lists, of things I want to do. Here are some of the things I want to do this year...

*Draw, paint, and make lots of art.
*Start drawing the "Caprice" comic book.
*Make more of my own characters and designs into plushes. Take breaks from doing commissions to focus on my own work.
*Learn to play the ukulele!
*Update my wardrobe. Make more of my own clothes.
*Use the fabric (and other craft supplies) I already have before buying more.
*Organize my room, get rid of things I don't need. Stop hanging on to junk that I might use "some day."
*And of course, blog more! I really need to write here more often :)

I think that's a pretty good start. Happy new year!