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

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

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.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

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.

Monday, October 11, 2010

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!