Month: January 2012

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Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyMaizie is a pretty ginger-and-white tabby cat with a bright little face and big yellow eyes.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyEveryone knows where Maizie got her name. She lives happily next to a big cornfield where you can often find her walking between the rows of tall cornstalks. She loves the rustle of the papery leaves, and laughs when the corn silk tickles her nose.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyMaizie is always ready for a game of hide ‘n seek in the field. She counts to ten, and her friends run through the field, peeking around the cornstalks, hiding from Maizie, who shrieks with delight when she finds each of them.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyLate in the afternoon, when they are tired, Maizie and her playmates gather up a pile of corn husks and put them under the oak tree. Paws behind their heads, they lie on their backs and gaze up through the leaves at the blue summer sky. They all agree that it has been a most perfect afternoon.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyMaizie is wearing a gold and white pinafore decorated with white daisies on dainty green stems. The bib and over-the-shoulder straps are ruffled to frame her pretty face.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyShe has a cream colored shirt decorated with gold bands at the neckline and sleeves. Her pantaloons are white, and from them emerges her striped ginger tail that has a white tip.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyHer tights are striped in two shades of gold, and covering her kitty feet are golden brown high-button shoes with gold buttons.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyMaizie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from my own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted using acrylic paints. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyMaizie’s paws are needle-sculpted, and her arms are button-jointed so that she can pose. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyMaizie’s curled tail enables her to sit very nicely on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyShe can also sit on a chair, or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.) Maizie is meant for display only.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyMaizie is signed and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She is 8 and 1/2 inches tall.

Maizie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Art Doll by Max BaileyUpdate: Maizie has been adopted. Thank you!

Maizie’s ginger-tabby-cat boyfriend is Randolf.

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Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten by Max Bailey

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max BaileyGinnie is a pretty miniature ginger tabby cat with big golden-yellow eyes.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max Bailey She is dressed in a pale blue nightgown with orchid trim around the ruffled neckline and sleeves.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max BaileyShe comes with a mahogany-stained dollhouse cradle that has a matching mattress, pillow, and coverlet. They are soft blue with pink and white flowers and tiny green leaves.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max BaileyGinnie is a one-of-a-kind work of art, and is made for display only.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max BaileyShe was sculpted from paperclay in several different stages to allow for drying and detailing.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max Bailey Her whiskers were made from stiffened cotton thread.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max BaileyGinnie was painted under a magnifying light, with tiny brushes, one hair at a time.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max BaileyShe is signed and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Dollhouse-sized Ginger Tabby Kitten Art Doll by Max Bailey Ginnie and her cradle are 1:12 scale. (One inch equals one foot.) Ginnie is 1 and 3/4 inches tall.

Haley, Boo, Ginnie, Gracie, and Georgia, Original One-of-a-kind Cat and Kitten Art Dolls by Max BaileyUpdate: Ginnie has been adopted! Thank you!

Ginnie’s friends are Haley and her calico kitten, Boo (on the left), and Gracie and her ginger tabby kitten, Georgia (on the right).

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Giggle Moon Photography, Design Revolution Online, Janean Bagley Lindner

Bright light green and bright yellow Hug Me Slugs, original art toys by Elizabeth RuffingThese are two Hug Me Slugs I made for Giggle Moon Photography, in exchange for professional photographs of my toys with kids, something I was looking forward to having. The exchange was also supposed to include a feature in a children’s counting book, and free advertising in the book, on the web, on Facebook, and on the Giggle Moon Photography site. I sent these off to Janean Bagley Lindner, the owner, back in June of 2011, but, unfortunately, none of these things ever happened.

I had a hard time getting any response from Giggle Moon, but was told in two emails over the past seven months that there were reasons the work couldn’t be done, even though I continued to see photo sessions posted, throughout the same time period, on the Giggle Moon Facebook page. I’ve reported the incident to Etsy, and asked Giggle Moon to reimburse me for the toys. She promised me she would send payment for the toys, but she did not.

Update as of June 2012: Janean Lindner at Giggle Moon Photography never did pay for the toys she kept. Not one single payment. This is just stealing and it is fraud. I would beware of dealing with her. She has also since started a business under the name of Design Revolution Online, which is also on Facebook here, selling accessories and props for photographers. I have seen at least one contest on this Facebook page, making similar promises as the promises she made to me. Although she told me she could not work, she has continued to publicly post new work, and although she told me she did not have the funds to pay me, she has continued to publicly post about other things she has both bought and sold which cost more than she owes me. She does not respond when I contact her.

Update as of July 2012: I finally received payment for the toys, after emphasizing to her that what she was going was illegal, and pointing out I’d written about my experiences with her and her business online, as a warning to others. It has been over one full year since she received the toys. Although all of us, including me, go through hard times, I don’t feel that is an excuse for reneging on promises or taking things without paying for them. Everyone has a story, including me, but I don’t use hardship to try to take advantage of other people. I am relieved she settled her debt. It would have been better had she approached me on her own, at any point, to work something out with me. She should be thanking me for being as understanding and as patient as I have been. I waited over a year. She could have sent me six dollars a month and have been done with it in that time. She could have sent the toys right back, unopened and new, if she realized she couldn’t follow through. She has never asked me about my life, or my situation, and I don’t appreciate receiving emails from her trying to make me feel guilty for asking to be paid for my work, when I have done nothing wrong. No one should be subjected to emotional blackmail for trying to get paid. I will never send anything out again to anyone without payment up front.

I’d like to warn anyone on Etsy about participating in trades. I know I won’t be doing any more trades. Everything looked legitimate, and I’d had a good experience with sending my toys to be photographed for a TV show, with another Etsy member, who returned them in perfect condition, in short order. So, I thought this would be a similar experience, and am very displeased over the situation. This is my business. Even though it is pleasant to make toys, most of the time, I don’t do it for entertainment. I do it to make a living. I would never expect to walk into a store, take something, and not pay for it. I don’t expect anyone to do that with my shop either. If anyone else has had a similar experience, please report it to [email protected]. Etsy doesn’t mediate in trades, but they do investigate suspected scammers.

My very full workroom, by Elizabeth RuffingI am continuing to make my toys, and trying not to be angry. This is what my workroom looks like right now, filled with fabric and projects, with hardly any room for me. As you can see, I am not some big toy company, but one person, working from home, making toys by hand. I don’t wholesale, and I don’t send out free samples. I send toys directly to their new homes, where I hope they will be appreciated and loved.

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Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Angel Cat and Hug Me Kitten sock dolls

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Angel Cat Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingToday, I put the finishing touches on two new sock dolls, a Hug Me Angel Cat and a Hug Me Kitten, both red and pink striped, and photographed them. I think these came out extra cute.

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Angel Cat Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThe first is a Hug Me Angel Cat sock doll. Same as before, this kitty is helping out real-life cats and kittens. A portion from his adoption will be donated to an animal charity, Alley Cats and Angels of NC. He (or she) will come with a personalized hang tag too, with his adopter’s choice of a name, or “For + a recipient’s name.” I will be posting my new handmade stuffed animal toys in our Ruffing’s shop.

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Angel Cat Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingHe has fuzzy white fleece wings and a pink fleece heart. His features are all hand sewn on, with embroidery floss in a blanket stitch.

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Angel Cat Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI’m enjoying how he looks like he is flying here and there in my photos.

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Angel Cat Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI was lucky to have a blue sky and some white clouds just long enough to take his pictures today.

Red-and-pink striped Alley Cat Angel Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI also made a smaller sock kitten, in the same red-and-pink stripe. He or she also has hand embroidered details, and a pink fleece heart.

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI finished him in the nick of time to get his photos too, and then it got all gloomy again outside. I’m glad I was able to get these posted today.

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingThey would both be great Valentine’s Day gifts.

Red-and-pink striped Hug Me Sock Kitten, original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingAlso perfect for Valentine’s Day are Echo and Tommy. These are new, original, one-of-a-kind black-and-white tuxedo cat art dolls by Max Bailey. I am finally getting to editing some of the doll photos that got backlogged before the holidays. There are quite a few more beautiful and handsome original cat art dolls still to share. Echo can be found here on our Ruffing’s blog, and Tommy can be found here. They each have their own story.

Echo and Tommy, Original, One-of-a-kind, black-and-white tuxedo cat art dolls by Max BaileyI had been thinking for a long time that I should have business cards for my toys, but couldn’t decide where to order them. So, I designed and printed them myself. Since I love rainbow assortments of things, I ended up making them in several different cheerful colors.

Hug Me Slugs and Friends business cards and original art toy by Elizabeth RuffingI handed out my first one last weekend, to someone who was feeling blue, and, right away, it made him smile and laugh, even though he’d been wiping tears away a minute before. That reminded me that what I’m doing has a positive impact, and that my toys spread good cheer and comfort. I’ve got toys heading out to people’s Valentines, and I’ve got toys going out to lift the spirits of people who have lost loved ones. Some of them head off to welcome new babies and to help people celebrate birthdays, and they make people smile.