SEATTLE — Apparently the Plush You 2 show at Schmancy in Seattle was a success. We weren’t able to make it to the show as we’re still wading through cardboard boxes at our new digs in Colorado and all of our money was spent to get us here. So, we are just living vicariously through Flickr tours of the show. Peruse out the photos of Snaggs, Mai Le, and Kristen Rask herself to get a sense of the glory of a small room stuffed with people and plush.
Word also has it that if you like what you see, you can contact Kristen at Schmancy and order some plush online (alas, as of this writing, Señor P. is sold, but you can still get the Brown Recluse and/or Moodzilla).
Blobby Farm is pleased to have been selected to participate in this year’s Morphe II in the land whose main exports are wool, wheat, flour, sheepskins, and meat. That’s right, Australia. We knew you could guess it. This will be the Blobbies’ second trip to the land down under (where women glow and men chunder) and they are looking forward to it. Carly Schwerdt, proprietress of Nest Studio, sent us an email last week informing us of her decision and her hearty congratulations. The Blobbies will also be in some fine company:
So those of you in Australia, keep watching the Nest Studio website for more details. You can even check out last year’s show on Nest Studio’s Flickr page.
Things have been a little quiet around the Blobby Farm lately. Despite the seemingly still surface of the Blobby Farm website there has been a bustle of activity both professional and personal: Maria has sewn up a new crop of Blobbies that should make their appearance on the site soon, we took a much needed vacation, and we’ve been getting materials ready for publication in a few different books. We’re also gearing up for a cross-country move. That’s right, Blobby Farm will be relocating from their current base in Indiana to Colorado Springs (for those of you under the impression that we lived in Nebraska, you need to read more closely - it’s NEWbraska, not the home of Saddle Creek Records). The move is scheduled for September, so don’t expect much happening on the site between the end of August and the beginning of October.
In related news, Robert Mahar, taste maven and new cyber-store owner (I love using the word “cyber,” it’s so 90’s) has a few brand-spanking-new Blobbies sitting on the virtual shelves of his site, Mahar Dry Goods: Counselor Gumbo, Melba Toast, Tartar the Tiger, and Whaleronimo. Now at first glance these will look like your run-o-the mill full-size Blobby. However, at the very heart of these fleece and fiberfill friends lies a jingling little rattle. Look around Robert’s site at his fine selection of goods, marvel at Jen Corace’s nice drawings, and gasp at the fantastic green suitcase gift packaging.
Giorgia Atzeni has organized a show of plush goodness in her city of Cagliari, Italy and has included Blobby Farm. As we don’t speak any Italian, we have no idea what is going on over there. All we can decipher is that the show opens on March 19 and runs through the 26. So if you find yourself mysteriously in Italy this next week, pop in and let us know what is happening. We’re dying to know!
Here is what we do know:
Tutti i Giorni Dalle 18.00 alle 20.00
Vernissage 19 Marzo 2006 ore 11.30
Our guess is that they are open daily for two hours, that there is an opening on the 19th at 11:30am, and that they will be serving venison and marzipan. If anyone out there can translate, please fill us in.
Update 03/21/06: Photos have been posted from the opening reception. Thanks, Giorgia!
Madame Edgar has been in business for a year, dishing out quality plush and vinyl to the greater Montreal area. To celebrate, Mélanie (the store/gallery’s proprietress) curated Amour Chiffon: Installations & plush toys to go! There are some fantastic and familiar names installing their work in the gallery portion of Madame Edgar, and other fabulous plush will be available for sale in the shop. That’s where you will find forty brand-spanking-new Blobbies. We stayed up all night to get these ready amidst the fiasco that is the opera reluctantly costumed under duress by Blobby Farmer Maria. So for those of you in the Montreal area who have been bugging us to get some plush up north, you’ve got them now!
Jon Gibson (i am 8 bit) has put together a show in L.A.’s Gallery 1988 full of hundreds of plush culled from artists world-wide. We’re pleased to have been asked to be a part of it. Ten ambassadors from Newbraska’s Blobby Farm have been sent on a mission to make friends with the other delegates at the exhibition. We wish them well.
As this show is the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, we strongly encourage you to visit the gallery and purchase some Blobbies for your sweethearts. And if you don’t have a sweetheart, you can take home a Blobby to keep you company.
Also, Blobby Farm merchandise now has a home in Columbus, OH. Wholly Craft, 3171 N. High St., carries an assortment of Blobby goodness.
Blobbies were sighted canoodling with 12Punt3’s Oneyes and Klayco’s Friggers (man, that just sounds bad) at Plush Rush in Columbus, OH. François D., Shark Dog, and Melba Toast skipped the light fandango at the opening on Saturday. We wish we could have been there to chaperone the wee Blobby 3 as it was their first trip outside of Newbraska. We hope they were well behaved. You raise them up as best you can before you just have to let go and hope they make the right decisions (sigh).
One day only! Blobby Farm will set up their farmer’s market at Bazaar Bizarre, Cleveland. The Bazaar runs Saturday and Sunday, but Blobby Farm will only be participating on Saturday. We plan on having 40+ Blobbies to select from as well as an assortment of ephemera and miscellaneous goodies. If you’re in the Cleveland area, stop by and say “hi.” We’d love to meet you.
According to the website, “The Bazaar Bizarre began in 2001 in the Boston-area as a hodge-podge of friends and acquaintances cobbling together their handcrafted DIY wares to sell and staging an offbeat entertainment extravaganza.” It now has two more offspring: L.A. and Cleveland.
The Acme Art Company in Columbus, OH will be hosting Plush Rush — an exhibition and event to celebrate handmade plush from over 80 artists from around the globe. Blobby Farm will be proudly participating in the exhibition with three delegates from Newbraska: Shark Dog, Melba Toast, and François D.
There will also be a plush workshop associated with the opening of Plush Rush, Dec 3, 5-7 pm. Come and make your own plush! All materials will be supplied. Workshop is limited to 25 people. The registration cost is $15. You may register on the Plush Rush site.
This would be the perfect time to pick up a little holiday gift (or three) if you’re in the Columbus area. But if you’re in the Cleveland area and don’t feel like making the two hour trek to Columbus, you can visit the Blobby Farm table at the Bazaar Bizarre Saturday, November 27. We’ll have loads of Blobbies there all looking for holiday ho-ho-homes. I can’t believe I just typed that. I’m so sorry… and ashamed.
[Update (11.23.05): According to Shawnimal and Rotofugi the opening went well. There are photos of the opening here and here. All the pieces are now available to purchase online. So if you’d like to make a purchase or just peruse, visit the Rotofugi store. By the way, the Blobbies we sent to the show are part of the Blob Squad – an elite group of Blobby superheroes dedicated to truth, justice, and quality plush for all.]
In Plush We Trust was organized and curated by Shawn Smith (of Shawnimals fame) as a group art exhibition featuring plush creations by “some of the most talented plush artists from around the world.” Well, shucks, Shawn. We’re honored to be considered some of the “some of the most talented plush artists.” We bet you say that to all the plush artists. At the opening reception there will be music by Tobias as well as complimentary beverages. The event is sponsored by your friends at The Onion.
Show up early so you can get dibs on all the best plush in the show.
Tonight, August 12, from 5-9pm is the opening for Plush You! in Seattle. Stop by and see some Blobbies and other fun plush. (West Coast)
If you are in Illinois, then you can go see the Framed show at Wallworks in Pontiac. There are pieces by Chicago artists or artists who have been to Chicago. Tomorrow, August 13, is the reception from 1-3pm. There aren’t any Blobbies in frames, but there are some things I made like Squirrels-a-Stalking and lots of other drawings and such from lots of people like Christopher Lynn, Stacza Lipinski, Luke Albrecht, Todd Chilton, John J. Kim, Paul Nudd, and Nick Tobier. Plus more artists! (Midwest)
In New York City, you could see Blobbies at aRamona Gallery in Love Ablan’s Plush Zoo. But I think this might already be over. (East Coast)
Blobbies will soon be in Plush You. If you are near Seattle, go see the show! You can learn more about it at Schmancy Toys and on Kristen’s blog.
Also, check out all these fun toy people who will be in Plush You too:
We sent four Blobby friends to Chicago to join Plushtastrophe. Stop by Rotofugi tonight for the party or any other time during the next month and say hi to Senor Pooglins, Dame Cutlet, the Baron of Beef von Espy, and Boy Racer with Passengers!
When Christopher and I were in Chicago in February, we had lots of fun perusing the goods at Rotofugi and chatting with owner Whitney Kerr. We discussed super cheap real estate markets in Indiana and Arkansas, redonculous wedding gifts and the resultant massive amounts of useless store credit at department stores, and designer toys.
I still have a $111.92 balance at Lord and Taylor/L.S. Ayres/Meier and Frank/9 other May Company stores that I can’t seem to use after almost three years.
Blobbies have another home away from home! Pixelgirl Shop is newly redesigned and features an online shop, where you can see and buy all sorts of artist-made stuff. Yea! Check it out, and see some Blobbies there that you won’t find here.
One of these things is not like the others
Where are these four Blobbies, you ask? Why are they not in the shop? How can I get them, you wonder? These four ambassador Blobbies from the independent Commonwealth of Newbraska have been sent on a diplomatic mission to ArtHouse 60. Next time you are in Zionsville (a northern suburb of Indianapolis), drop into the gallery and observe their international goodwill in action.
Also, take a moment to peruse the Valentines Blobbies (All Sold). Of course, any Blobby makes a great gift of love, affection, and friendship, but these ones are adorned in pinks and reds, with hearts, and with cupid’s arrows.
Then while you are feeling romantic, send a few Valentines Blob-E-Grams to let them know how you really feel inside. If you’ve fallen out of good graces with both your love and your Cyrano, Blob-E-Grams are just what you need! Appoint Blobbies as your diplomats of love.
Welcome to the revamped and fully functional website! We are featuring many new Blobbies, with more to come very soon. We also have ordering capabilities, including PayPal, and Gift Certificates are available. In the works are new bags, and Blobbies with wheels, antennae, pockets, beaks, and rattles.
We have just returned to Greencastle after a trip to Chicago, where we felt as though we hadn’t moved, especially when we hit three different grocery stores in a half hour period. We enjoyed staying with friends and seeing other friends. Fran and Agnes (kitties) joined us on the adventure and were good little furry travelers. Personally, I could not have been happier than when we found the elusive Tres Leches ice cream at Cub Foods.
The Blobbies’ first foray into public life was at the Wood Street Gallery’s Holiday Market this past weekend. We were excited to meet people, make contacts, and sell some Blobbies to loving homes. We appreciated all the positive feedback! A special welcome to newcomers to the site, particularly those we met at the Holiday Market. I would appreciate your comments, and remember to mention the site to your friends.
In other news, Chris and I are in the midst of insurance adjustor rigmarole resulting from someone rear-ending us in Terre Haute almost two weeks ago. Since my ‘95 Geo Prism wasn’t worth much anyway, it looks like we will have to buy a new car very soon. Beware of Terre Haute, city of hidden dangers!
By the way, don’t forget to check out FWiC! The current issue is Selection, which includes one of my all-time favorite projects, “MR. T FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.” Next month will be Coincidence, so if you have something brewing, please send it our way.
Welcome to the Newbraska Picayune - the newspaper serving the greater Newbraska area. Here you'll find the latest news from the Blobby Farm, DIY projects, movie reviews, Blobituaries, and so on. Read up and come back often. Thanks for picking up a copy.
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Oct 14 | Plush You 2: Report from Seattle
Oct 11 | Blobbies Attend Abolish Columbus Day March
Oct 2 | Dear Lyssa of the Fringe,
Oct 1 | Mr. Man, Jr. in “Danse Russe”
Aug 17 | Blobby Farm Mentioned on Craft: Blog
Jul 13 | Blobby Farm on Mania TV
Jul 9 | New Wallpaper and Flickr Buddy Icons
Jul 3 | Morphe II
Jun 23 | Blobby Farm at Mahar Dry Goods
Apr 19 | Blobbies, Jr. Price Hike