RAISING ARISTOTLE

Lovely people!

I just feel so utterly silly at the moment that I have devised a little competition for you.

Here's your chance to be the lucky winner of the delightful Aristotle Otter and then you could be the one RAISING ARISTOTLE (and he's really no trouble at all -  I was exaggerating in the last post).

With apologies to the Coen brothers

ABOUT ARISTOTLE
Aristotle Otter is about 19cm high and has a very cute face.  He and his chums are part of Shark Alley's new hand-stitched range - entirely hand made by me on my sofa (probably whilst watching the Mad Men box sets).  He is made from brown and white felt, is stuffed with hollow-fibre polyester and has sequins for his shiny little eyes.  I would probably not recommend him for children under three, as they do love to put things in their mouths and may accidentally chew off his ears or something.

Aristotle Otter - a magnificent and noble beast

Aristotle comes from a large (and ever-growing) family and I'm struggling to name them all.

 So here's what you can do to help and be in with a chance to adopt Aristotle:

HOW TO ENTER
Think of THREE OTTER NAMES along with their pastimes/hobbies/likes (along the lines of the ones shown below for the otter keyrings - but better!)

You can post them on the comments section here on this blog OR go to Shark Alley's Facebook page (and please feel free to 'Like' it while you're there, if you haven't already!) and post them there BEFORE 1pm (BST) on FRIDAY 22nd JULY.  If you feel shy, you can email them to me at sarah@sharkalley.co.uk

I will agonise over all the suggestions over lunch, have a nice cup of tea and then choose Aristotle's lucky new parent.

The winning names and descriptions will be proudly adopted by these little critters in time for the Makers' Boutique market the next day on Saturday 23rd July.

We haven't got names - awwwww

 Thank you and good luck!

PS If you want to get your hands on your very own otter, go here. Free postage until 1st September!

Terms & Conditions

This is a fun competition - so let's all play nicely!

The three names and hobbies will be selected at lunchtime on Friday 22nd July and the lucky genius will be notified that afternoon and announced on here and on Shark Alley's Facebook page (if you would rather not be named, please let me know). As soon as you provide me with your postal address, I will post Aristotle to you 1st Class Royal Mail, or Air Mail if you are not a UK resident. Shark Alley promises not to use your suggested names and hobbies if you don't win, use or share any of your details or bombard you with spam (Aristotle hates spam).

SO CUTE, IT'S A FREAKIN' CRIME

WARNING!

Shark Alley's new range of hand stitched standy-up otters is to be launched on an unsuspecting general public at Makers' Boutique on Saturday 23rd July (Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton 11am-5pm).

These otters are so cute, it's a crime.  They need to be put under house arrest immediately, and I shall be relying on you to help out.

Keep an eye out for these reprobates;

PLUS! 
A standy-up otter has been spotted on CCTV quite clearly being cute in a built-up area

They may also be operating in the vicinity of Oak Studio, Perrin's Court, Hampstead some time early next week, when they are thought to be launching the London phase of their terrifying campaign of cuteness.

FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO WIN ONE OF THESE CRITTERS IN AN AUDACIOUS SORT OF COMPETITION THING, STAY ALERT!   

Details to follow next week.

PS If you want to get your hands on your very own otter, go here. Free postage until 1st September!

We Make London Summer Boutique pt II

I went up to London yesterday to help out in the shop in the afternoon and attend the launch party in the evening.  It was lovely to meet so many crafters and swap ideas and experiences, and the location of the shop is perfect - in a delightful pedestrian street in the middle of Hampstead.  The quality and diversity of the work is amazing and very inspiring. 

Result - I'm there at the same time as the cupcake decorating workshop.

Massive shout-out to Mary and Julie who have put in an incredible amount of work to make this event happen.  I'm so proud to be a part of it.

We Make London Summer Boutique

The We Make London Summer Boutique opens Saturday 2nd July - click here for details.

All my stuff is priced, boxed up and ready to be delivered on Friday. Keeping everything tightly crossed for good sales.

The Evolution Of Otters

Experiments in felt have proved a pleasant diversion from reality . . . and as mentioned previously, I've been trying to capture the essential otteriness of my current favourite animal.  Why?  WHO KNOWS.  Will anyone want to buy one?  WHO KNOWS.  Have I enjoyed it?  HELL, YEAH.

I've been working without any kind of 'official' pattern or guide, just making my own templates from drawings I've done from photos.  The results have been variously bad, hilarious, dinosaur-esque, wonky and cute but ultimately pleasing - so much so that I thought I'd put together some 'evolution diagrams'.

Fig. I

Fig. II

Fig. III

The choice of felt colours has been limited though - I'd love some of that more handmade-looking, subtly-coloured textured felt.  I will have to look in a few more specialist shops, which is possibly an excuse to go to London. And spend money.

If you wish to own a fine example of 'OTTER PERFECTION', click here!

10% off!

After some social network jiggery pokery, I can offer you - yes, YOU - a 10% discount off any purchase from online retail website Giftwrapped and Gorgeous.  Just quote the code PWC6GM2.

If you go down to the woods today . . .

'Into The Woods' was a runner-up for the best Open House in 2010 and it reopened again this year at 8, Grantham Road - a little shop in Fiveways.  Expertly curated by the very talented Mia Underwood, the shop is staying open throughout June and July and features a range of gorgeous stuff, mostly inspired by birds and animals, so I'm thrilled to have been invited to show there too.

I'm really loving the work of Mique Moriuchi who illustrates and makes beautiful cute felt animals.

INTO THE WOODS, 8 Grantham Road, Brighton open daily 11am-5pm