Monday, October 27, 2008

Monsters


The teacup has been put on the very very back burner for a few days. Sometimes, if I leave things alone and work on something different the answer will just come to me. I do tend to get a bit grumpy with myself when I can't work something out, so it is best just to leave it completely alone.
I have been monster tweaking recently and I am far happier with their new, slightly more demented look.
Even though I feel I need to get started on some Christmas gift crafting, I find myself a bit stumped. Most of the gifts I need are for teenagers and I find it hard to achieve the right level of "teenager cool" with handmade gifts. I am happy to buy gifts from Etsy, but man I find etsy overwhelming at times (especially when I have no idea what exactly I am looking for ).
Can you guys shed any light on this ? Can you point me to an uber-cool Etsy shop for teenage girls and boys ? Is your etsy shop what I am looking for? Want to fill my comments with shameless self promotion - go for it ! and while you are there I wouldn't mind something for Grandma, Grandpa, a few teacher pals and the singing teacher.

Meanwhile I am going to spend this week playing with monsters

57 comments:

  1. can't help with an etsy shop but I think your monsters have a bit of teenage cool about them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Coooool! I love the zippy mouths, that's a fab idea. I reckon teenagers would be very happy with one of those :) ...I would shamelessly plug woolly pigeons here, but as I have a mailing list of 50+ and a rate of half a pigeon per week, I'm not exactly keen to add to the list!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't want to plug myself, but I did notice a lot of teenage girls and guys digging my stuffed skull ornaments. So I'm suggesting you go to Etsy or MadeIt and search on Calaveras. Funky, cool, trendy skulls. some teenagers like that sort of thing.

    What sort of teenagers are you buying for? jocks, geeks, burnouts or the homecoming princess?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the monsters, "Work Sucks, Let's Craft" is so me at the moment, I'd proudly display that on my office desk!
    Very suitable for teenagers too, the right saying in them and they'll love it. We never grow out of softies!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello! I am about three weeks new to blogland and have been really enjoying your creative blog! Love those monsters-very cute if I can say that about a monster? Come on over and visit my blogs sometime.
    And by the way your dress is stunning! Nice work.
    ~Tam

    ReplyDelete
  6. I recently bought a very nice brooch from a gal on Etsy - Violonjello - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5767847. Don't know if this would suit some of the teenage girls??
    Your monsters are evolving very nicely. Quite the quirky ones, they are...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the new Monsters Jodie - especially the "girly" ones!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry Jodie no help from me on the Etsy front it overwhelms me too, but I love your monsters

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your monsters are SO cute!!! I love them!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cool! I love the zippy mouths.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I came in late, so I saw both posts at once. I am all about walking away, but I have to tell you, it looks pretty good from where I'm sitting.

    In the mean time, those monsters are so cute! I've been sketching some felties of and on for a whilenow, but yours are fab.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the monsters! Teenagers like lots of things. I've had a lot of them really liking my little owlies lately. I'd say softies, anything a bit different. They never go out of style.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have a 'teacup' feeling about the lace I'm knitting - but I'm following a pattern; one that doesn't call for me to continually drop stitches but I do it anyway!! :-(

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love those monsters Jodie. I think make something quirky from a Japanese craft book for those teenage girls, teaching friends ...

    ReplyDelete
  15. The only thing scarier than Etsy for me is Ravelry. Now that is a place to go to make yourself cry
    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think those zippy monsters would make brilliant presents for teenagers! Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I can't say that I can help with searching for gifts for teens, I have trouble enough finidhg gifts for my 5 year old (he turned that auspicious age yesterday)

    I have semi precious beaded jewellery in my etsy shop but I do tend to abandon it quite a bit and forget to upload my latest makes anywhere but my blog.. so sorry I'm of no particular help at all...

    though I would have loved one of your monsters if I was a teen still.. alas those days are long gone.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh Jodie! Honestly, you need look no further than those marvellous monsters for your teenage gifts! Just have a few of them saying stuff like "that's totally random" and you'll be sorted!

    I think one of those monsters has been eavesdropping on my thoughts!

    Locket xxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. I too am overwhelmed by etsy and think your monsters would appeal to any age-they have such character.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oooh loving the new monster eye look - very cool! No idea about teenagers - I have all that to look forward to one day!

    ReplyDelete
  21. As someone who can spend hours on Etsy looking for just the right thing and then come away without a clue, I don't think myself qualified to help!

    I think those monsters of yours have just the right amount of teenage cool. Maybe you just need the right teenage phrases?

    How about ' Go 'way I'm sleeping!' or 'Whatever!' ?

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Surely those monsters are perfick teenager gifts - especially if they have the right words hidden behind the zip ;-)

    Grandma's got a quilt - what more does she want? As for Grandpa? Hmmm .... men are so difficult to buy for.

    x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Look no further. I reckon those little zippy mouthed monsters would appeal to any age group ... I just love them!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I want one of these. My sentiment exactly.

    Sorry no help on the teen front but I have to agree, these are pretty cool.

    ReplyDelete
  25. this is the coolest idea ever! i love them!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh my I love the monsters. They look like gumby zombies. So cute.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love your blog! The monsters are so much fun!
    As to what to get or make teen girls I have three suggestions.

    * Lounge pants are a huge hit around here. My jr high girls wear them everywhere! To the store, to the mall, places that would require adults to get dressed properly... Just pick out some fun fabrics and go at it. These could probably work for boys too but I doubt they'd wear them out of the house like girls do.

    *Scrabble tile necklace or kits. Either one you made or a kit like these ones on etsy here:
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16635390
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_13&listing_id=13430549
    (Not my shop but I love their kits.)

    *Stenciled tees. If you can figure out their sizes and passions. Can work for guys or girls.

    Hope this helps a bit! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. fun, fun monsters! love the zippy "fortune cookie" mouths. great idea! i agree that teenagers are tough to do handmade with, so i will be checking back to see what your readers come up with as i have 6 neices and nephews......

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the monsters! I want a work sucks one.

    I am not very etsy friendly either have you tried doing a search for purses? or making purses for the girls.

    dy

    ReplyDelete
  30. hehe I love your monsters! They're cute and ever so clever with the zip mouth sayings, Jodie.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Fab monsters!!!!
    My fav etsy shops are Gorjuss and Pinky Toast for girls very cute, and Leatherprince and dasb56's for boys...I hope you find some teen cool things!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Jodie
    I'm loving these new monsters.
    how about this for your teenagers http://www.MisNopalesArt.etsy.com

    I especially like the parachuting squirrels!

    Also, I've just tagged you over on my blog :o)

    Monda
    x

    ReplyDelete
  33. wish i could help...i have trouble buying/making for my own teens...though i would so buy one of these monsters for each of them...with just the right words of course. they are FAB!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. All the teenagers I know prefer gifts of money. Can your monsters spit out cash?

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have no Etsy suggestions, but wanted to say that your monsters and their zipper mouths might be the coolest thing I've ever seen!

    ReplyDelete
  36. teenage girls...headbands, jewellery all from the goodness that it etsy i think...
    boys are too hard

    ReplyDelete
  37. Those monsters are fabulous, I love their little zippy mouths.

    I'm not much help with teenagers, don't have any in my llife at the moment but I do have a couple of little tree decorations in my shop that might be good for teachers edwardandlilly.etsy.com otherwise good luck with your search!

    ReplyDelete
  38. ipod covers are a good idea.
    i found a website through frankie magazine http://www.kikki-k.com.au
    They have some cute novel things for maybe girl teenagers.
    goodluck with etsy - i get lost too and then i end up buying stuff i don't need - but that i absolutely love.
    l
    x

    ReplyDelete
  39. Can't help you - teenagers are as yet an unknown species.

    I like the demented monsters tho - what does that say about me?

    ReplyDelete
  40. Those monsters are very cool and I love the zipper and the message! Great work!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Cool monsters,

    check out Syko and Tiny Happy on Etsy. Sorry no links, one handed nursing typing...

    ReplyDelete
  42. What a cute monsters! I love the text that is behind the zipper....

    ReplyDelete
  43. Okay, seriously, those are too adorable! I love the mouth messages!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Those mouths are the coolest - will you be posting these in your etsy shop? LOVE them, especially the "work sucks let's craft" one.

    I'll throw my hat into the ring. I have a vintage shop so it fits the teens and grandpas and everyone in between. Just have to match the right hoo ha with the right person!

    My shop is:
    paperdollsforboys.etsy.com

    I would be thrilled if you'd check out my crazy junkshop!
    Cheers,
    Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am just starting on etsy and have sold a few things. It is a really great source, if ur not sure what u want just go there every day. The main page always changes and I oft time find myself being charged to try somthing new or to tweak something I am working on. It is an evironment where one doesn't feel like they are ripping off ideas but rather our charged and inspired by what others are doing. I think ur monsters would do quite well on etsy u should totally have an etsy store. I like them. The mouths with sayings is very clever. keep it up

    ReplyDelete
  46. Fabulous, utterly fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Gotta have one of those demented monsters if they are for sale. But maybe not on etsy...it is too hard to get me head around what with the yankee dollar conversion, shipping costs and stuff. But I am a slack etsier.
    Have you checked out georgie love.com
    Super cute LOCAL goodies..in Aussie dollars.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Jodie your monsters are THE best, so cool! If you find an answer to the teenage question PLEASE let me know! I recently bought some cupcake jewellery for Zoe for her 16th she loved them the Etsy shop is Lepinkchocolate I must post about them actually, keep forgetting. But I too want some handmade things for teenage boys for xmas and I am finding it very hard!! I have a few ideas (I think, nothing for sure yet) and I KNOW I can't compete with the Playstation etc stuff they get, so that is my firt battle won!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. ps that was supposed to be "first" I have bought skull canvas one black with white and one in reverse and I thought I would make a pencil roll each (they are brothers 12 and 15)but put something sort of 'grown-up' in them like Sharpies and a couple of movie tickets too!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Work sucks lets craft? Oh, that is so ME at the moment!!

    You can always check out Georgie Love for uber cool earrings and pendants that the young ones will love. Stuff at Georgie Love always appeals to me not-so-inner 15 year old.

    ReplyDelete
  51. very *nice* monsters!
    demented is good.

    ReplyDelete
  52. My teenagers would love these monsters with rude comments!!! I would look no further!

    ReplyDelete
  53. hello? Why aren't you looking in your own backyard? Hello? Those zippy mouthed monsters ROCK. Just use sayings like: Homework Sucks, lets ripstick.......(you get the idea...)
    Or how about quotes from High school musical and have them dressed like the stars.....hah!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hi Jodie, - Jo in Tas put me onto you. I was admiring her Monster. she told me that you were the designer. Do you sell the patern/goods - please letme know if so. Just love the theme "work sucks let craft" - this is is very much me in the present frame of mind.

    ReplyDelete

Hellloooooo !!!!