High Flying Easter Bunnies are Back!

The high flying Easter bunnies of Bliss Forest are back! I've been having so much fun, making new bunnies and replenishing all the favorites of last year. Here is Sunny Bunny - ready to bounce into your easter basket. :-)




Candy Stripes high flying Easter bunny.

Coming soon: my first, for-sale, bunny pattern!




Hmm, what do you make of this? I found this sour looking bunny in my studio one evening. Did he eat too many jelly beans in preparation for Easter or did he turn........ zombie?

Hand Jive

Welcome the latest in my hand series of charm beads: Live Long and Prosper. This is a Vulcan hand sign that we so often saw the solemn Spock make. It was said that Leonard Nimoy made up the sign, on set, just before that classic series to his homeland. Years later, he let fly that it was a Jewish blessing sign he had seen as a child. Shalom hand. I love that story.

Wear "Live long and prosper" charm bead. It's a little bit treky, a little bit kitch, a little bit of ancient Jewish blessing, and a lot a bit fun.



Peace. Peace, Man. Victory! Hi, I'm here and loving life.

It's the classic peace sign. Does it mean "peace" officially in ASL?

Peace out.

From Etsy straight to Target

I was in Target two days ago, looking for jeans, and a present for my seven year old's friend. Our wander took us through purses on sale...... wow, those styling little bags with the applique cassette tapes look just like I might find on etsy. Looks handmade. Only it's factory "hand" made, in China. Purposely not-perfect applique, and cheap.

In the toy area, looking for lego, again I spotted something that looked straight off the handmade, OOAK, etsy shelves. I blinked. Was I dreaming of wandering through Etsyland? Could it be true? The Target shelf read, "Woodland" and there were giant stuffed owls, and hedgehogs. They were designed to look hand made, and used "funky" fabrics (faux, up-cycling) and even the etsy-popular, houndstooth print of last winter.

Yep, it's official. The big companies are stealing ideas from Etsy designers. They are at very least, reading the "Trends" articles in the etsy blog. Maybe this is not news to many of you. What do you think?

Happy New Year!

Here is my dear Water Gnome, ready to help re-open Bliss Forest.

Happy New Year! I had a great holiday season on etsy. I was kept hopping with wholesale orders and all my wonderful customers. I appreciate each of you! It was soooo good, I had to close my shops for the first time in three years on etsy, in order to have a holiday with my children. Well, it was my first holiday with three shops, rather than just one, to keep track of. :-)

I have been so excited to get moving on all my new design plans for BlissMonkeyStudio and Bliss Forest. I have many new gnomes, wrist warmer designs started, and new phone cozies and high flying easter bunnies in the design process.


Oceania in purple and teal.

Today is Jan first and I just reopened my Bliss MOnkey Studio shop with some new wrist warmer designs. It's still winter, but I have an eye for spring as I design. :-)

I wish you a beautiful, new year, full of love, friendship, many handmade treasures and happy days.
Aly


Sweet One Bird Tree with sparkling nest.

Hello! I'm so busy in the studio, and shipping out cute parcels for you all, that I haven't stopped in blogland to say hello.

The Winter Gift Faire was wonderful last weekend. We had a great time setting up, lots of visitors (and shoppers!!!), and the "guys" put on a big feast for the neighborhood after wards. We have been able to donate over $500 to our children's school in the process. Which reminds me, I have more sized wrist warmers, as above and better get some photos up on my etsy shop.

This weekend, I have a Meet Your Maker show at Fenario Gallery downtown (Willamette and 8th). Sunday 12-5pm. Come down and scoop up your wrist warmers gifts! They are selling fast.

I'm putting out a thank you to all my beloved Etsy shoppers right here and now! I'm making more One Bird Tree wrist warmers again today. Trying to get everyone's paws cozied before xmas. xoxoxo.


Mudslide Sydney and Long Legs MacCormack leafing around.

Since this photo was taken, Oregon has experienced a real cold snap. This will not sound like much to those in the Midwest, back East, and many parts of Europe...... BUT it hasn't gotten above freezing all week. It's the warmest part of the day today and only 30F.

Our three hens see me coming with the kettle each morning (after I make coffee of course!) and run straight to me. I pour hot water over their icy watering jug so they can get a drink. The girlz do ok in this weather, being the nice fat hens they are, but are rather disappointed the ground is frozen and no juicy worms and exciting bugs to be found.

Several days ago, the kids spotted a hummingbird visiting the feeder I had forgotten to take in. After it left, I raced outside and put enough fresh sugar water to fill up just the bottom. The feeder is beautiful handblown glass, and I wouldn't want to crack it. Now I'm sure that "hummer juice" has frozen over but the wee bird comes back several times a day to have a lick at it. It sits right down on the feeder and licks away. Must be getting something.

Are humming birds supposed to hang around Oregon in the winter? Is there something more I can do for it?


Check out the action shot I got of our kitty Scoopy. !!! He was jumping for the tall grass heads......

Winter Gift Faire - Studio Sale

Hello friends,
Our Winter Gift Faire is coming up - mark your calendars for this Saturday. I made LOTS of kid-sized wrist warmers, as requested, as well as my lovely designs for women, and low and behold new MAN SIZE! Wait till you see Kristi and Roman's gorgeous jewelry designs, and Melissa's up-cycled sweater hoodies with needle felting, and leaf pouches (capture one for your Fairy World Winter costume!).

The kids have been hard at work making nice gifts as well. Finn and Quillan made a slew of tiny pin cushions that look like bon bons, out of recycled wool, and needle felting. Everyone who's come into the studio to pick up orders, has spotted them and had to have one right then and there!

Get great gifts for the holidays, enjoy refreshments, and say hi to your neighbors and friends here. I'm looking forward to having time to sit down and visit with everyone. YEY.

See you on Saturday!

Alysse and Friends
Dec 5, 12-6pm
2084 Garfield (Kristi's house just four blocks past Garfield going west)

Wrist Warmers on Black Wednesday

Black Wednesday sale! Line up your holiday gifts at Bliss Monkey Studio and save. FREE shipping on purchases of two or more wrist warmers. Wednesday only.


One Leaf Tree style.

New MAN sized wrist warmers now available in the shop. :-) Wrist warmers are a wonderful gift for yourself, teens, elderly, everyone! They are great for indoor activities like typing, knitting, playing cello, AND driving, just don't do all at one time! As well as outdoor use. Great confidence booster on the way to an interview and during dental visits. Fleece wrist warmers are easy to care for, just wash and dry with your clothes!