Funky Friday Favorites: Little Green Guy

Hello, and happy friday. This week's edition of Funky Friday favourites is a new online friend of mine named Brittany Rae Martin. She owns Little Green Guy!

Visit her:  Blog ♥ Facebook ♥ Etsy

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How did your crafty business come about? What made you want to start it?


My business came about when I made a plush monster for my younger sister as a gift. I love to give handmade things, and with the current economy sometimes that was more affordable! I then did a little doodle of the plush, and showed my friends. They all loved it! And started asking for their own paintings. From there I just kept creating. I am proud to say that as of summer 2011 I didn't even know how to operate a sewing machine, and now I am constantly expanding my plush line! 

What inspires you to create? What supplies do you use?

My children inspire me, watching them get into things, their expressions when they see something new and exciting, I like to translate all of that to my Little Green Guy. As far as supplies, if I am painting I am a bit stingy about only wanting to use Strathmore watercolor pads, my brushes however I have had forever and have a strange emotional attachment to them. For sculpting I LOVE Super Sculpey, and my hands. I don't use many other tools while sculpting, I like the handmade look of my sculptures, finding a bit of a fingerprint here or there makes them original and I love that. As far as sewing I started off only working with fleece, and that is what my Little Green Guy plush is made of. But I have expanded to awesome fluffy fur! I am in love, my sewing machine doesn't always appreciate it, but he does a good job. I sew on a Kenmore, which I have hijacked from my mother, he is now mine forever, she just doesn't know that yet. 

What is your favorite project or most memorable thing you've created?

Gosh that's a tough one! I really put love (as cheesy as that sounds) into everything I create and wind up falling in love with the project. I have to say my proudest moment was self publishing my first children's book. That was a life goal for me, I didn't care if it just sat on my shelf, I wanted to create something for my children and myself. Fast forward to now and my first print order is close to sold out and I have done several classroom visits. Seeing children enjoy my book gives me such pleasure I can't express. 

Aside from crafting, what do you do for fun?

Is there anything other than crafting? Well, crafting is my “fun” but I like to DIY as well outside of Little Green Guy. Before my son was born I had a decorating blog, where I had $15.00 a week to find a few items and refinish them. That has taken a bit of a backseat now that I am working on my business, but I still love to design, DIY, and transform household things! My sons nursery was a recent labor of love!

I have to ask a totally random question, so here goes. If you won millions of dollars tomorrow, would you do with your little business?
Oh man! Well if I didn't die from shock I would TAKE THE FAMILY TO DISNEY! Corny? Yes. But they would love it. When we came back I would open my own store, without a doubt. I see shelves lined with Little Green Guy plush toys, sculptures, etc. As well as having a section for other local crafters. The only rule being everything I stock is entirely handmade. Maybe even a birthday party section for children, where they each can sculpt their own monster or paint a Little Green Guy! Ahh, possibilities!

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Thanks so much for this wonderful insight into you! :) It was a pleasure getting to know you!

Visit her:  Blog ♥ Facebook ♥ Etsy

International Monster's Day

Today is Saturday, and on the 5th of May we celebrate monster's day! Let's celebrate by checking out all the awesome monsters I found today!

Rainbow Pocket monster by Htavos Kooky Monster Art Shop (Etsy)

It's not the same without a Curious Little Bird monster thrown in there.

This little monster thought he'd celebrate by doing a little graffiti! Lucius the Graffiti monster by Boom! Plush!

Terloo by Stufd on Etsy doesn't think you should have eaten that 2nd doughnut this morning. He's disappointed.

Not all monsters are celebrating International Monster day. Apparently Terloo (right above) is all about criticizing people, and what they're eating! haha

Jasper here, from DKoss2 on Etsy is happy you decided to take that walk to work off that doughnut.

Lastly, Monty (below), thinks you should always read the written word. Now here's a monster after my own heart! He's just the sweetest, isn't he?

Monty the Yeti monster by Penny Pistachio on Etsy

Don't forget to celebrate today with the rest of the monsters! It may be cinco de Mayo in Mexico, but here it's International Monster's Day!

My Life As A Plush Toy Designer

I am, as you all know, a new plush maker in this world. I started making monsters about a year ago. I started making monsters originally for a mail out project to get a job as a graphic designer back in 2008, and in January 2009 I put that project aside. I picked it up again in 2011, and developed my style even further.

One year later, here I am! I've got an established line of furry monsters that tickle your fancy, and appeal to all ages. I knew going into this new business that it'd be hard. I was unemployed and on employment insurance when I started making monsters. I had lost my job in January 2011, and couldn't find work as a graphic designer. I had started selling my monsters on Etsy in May on a suggestion by my cousin, Adrinna.

My first craft sale was at Old Skool Fairs in 2011.

I've come such a long way from June 2011 when this photo was taken! I've seen a lot of successes happen to me since then. I've been featured on many blogs:

The Steady Hand: http://thesteadyhandblog.com/feature-curious-little-bird

Nobody Puts Sarah In The Corner: http://nobodyputssarahinthecorner.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/curious-little-bird/

I love the Yeti: http://ilovetheyeti.blogspot.ca/2011/05/curious-little-bird-yeti.html

I only like monsters: http://www.ionlylikemonsters.com/2012/03/curious-little-bird-creatures.html

Monster Create and Make: http://monstercreateandmake.blogspot.ca/2012/01/melanie-audet-of-curious-little-bird.html

Monsters International: http://monstersinternational.blogspot.ca/2011/10/curious-little-bird-monsters.html (these guys did an art gallery of monsters on paper, and I showcased my monsters
for a week).

The House of Hearts: http://www.thehouseofhearts.com/2012/02/link-o-rama-2/

Ooh So Cute: http://oohsocute.com/shop/toys/puffy-the-furry-monster/


I've also been featured in a magazine!

Go Green Kids & Parents My feature is on page 35!


But what I want is more success! <laughing>

I mean I want to show up on a news spot, like Belua Designs

She made it on the news in November of 2011, and then when it was over, she couldn't keep her store stocked!! Oh how I wish that was me!! To be fair, she's been making her sock monsters for 4 years before she made it on TV. I know it'll happen to me. My monsters are awesomely cute, and will for sure make it somewhere high profile sooner or later. :)

Another artist that I aspire to be as famous as is Amanda Louise Spayd. Her stuff is amazing!

The resin faces are amazing! I've always (and still want to know how she does her eyes). I won't talk about that, cause I could ramble on forever!

I know Amanda's work is more 'art doll' quality. She usually does one at a time, and will rarely do batches of 20-50 dolls to sell. I would love to have her acclaim in the doll industry, but my monsters aren't artsy. I could easily start making artsy dolls, but that would require 1 to 2 days for sketching and designing of a model, and then a few more days to actually construct it. But that sort of art is not a huge money maker. Maybe in the long run, like 5 years later? Perhaps I will construct some artsy dolls once in a while. I aspire to be invited to showcase my dolls in art galleries like Amanda. I follow her on Facebook, and she's recently had a show in Japan. Can that be me? Do you see my monsters being so popular that a curator will want to showcase my stuff?? I hope so!!

I know it's wrong to be jealous, but it's like fuel to a fire for me! It aspires me to work harder, be better, find more ways to be seen out there. I know a curator here in Montreal, and perhaps I can contact her and bring up the idea of doing a plush show in an art gallery. All the local artists can attend, and get some badly needed recognition!

I know the future is bright for me. With all the work and effort I've been putting into this business, only good can come out of it.

Here's where I am now at craft fair events:

Yes Art Expo - Old Montreal - December 2011

 If only I could have a wall like this for every event, I could always have amazing displays.

I'll keep you all updated of my future successes! Have a great Sunday!