Made by Moxie toy EXCLUSIVE

I think Moxie makes the most awesome, clever, funny amazing felted toys this side of the Mississippi. Don't you? She has made these adorable squeakers for a Schmancy exclusive. Something I would like to add she doesn't do much of anymore...so get 'em while they are hot! They will be up tomorrow!



S- What was your inspiration behind these fantastic creatures for your plush exclusive?

MBM- Because it's an exclusive, I wanted to make something fun and personable... something that would "speak" to the people. Replace "speak" with "squeak" and you pretty much have it.



S- How has your work evolved from the beginning of creating magical felted monsters?

MBM- While I love making squeakers and finger puppets, I've become driven to creating conceptual pieces. A lot of times my work might be anthropomorphic, but if you look beyond the cuteness, you'll find layers of meaning.



S- Where do you see your monsters in 10 years?

MBM- Ruling the night.



S- What are you most excited for in the next few months?

MBM- I'm excited to be a part of the 5th Annual Urban Craft Uprising show in Seattle. I'm also working on an instructional needle felting book due out in 2010. The next few months will be full of felting, writing and possibilities.

Introducing... Le Merde!

I interviewed the awesome dudes (John Black and Mike Kelley) from Le Merde who will be having a solo show on Friday November 13 from 6-9 at none other than Schmancy!

S: What inspires you to create such awesome characters?

JB - Well.. most of my characters are based on people I went to High School with. Growing up in the 70's and 80's I was left with tons of images of interesting people. I'm inspired by these stoners, geeks and general freaks. From these images and memories I recreate these people into my own universe.

LM - Usually I start with a thought or characteristic of someone and go from there. My Hollis Price character started with being slightly obsessed with Thin Lizzy and John McEnroe. Then added a little Ted Nugent and there he was. But other times it's just doodling and what comes out comes out.

S: Have you been traveling lately? If so where and what was the coolest thing you did?

JB - I recently went to Vegas and saw Pete Rose. Topper for sure.

LM - I just got back from LA and got to hang with David Horvath of Ugly Dolls there. He drove my ass everywhere. David is a top notch dude. Very generous. I also got to shake hands with George Takei.

S: Those are some pretty warm places, hope you can handle the rain in Seattle! So, what was your favorite toy (and/or) cartoon growing up and why?

JB - I collected a lot of He-Man and Transformers until I got my first skateboard and then after that it was all hanging with the dudes. But yeah I still got all my He-Man and Transformers.

LM - I collected the normal stuff like Star Wars and G.I.Joe. But my first gotta have items as a kid was Atari and every system after that. Atari, 5200, 7800 and then Nintendo. Those are the memories I still think about. Staying up all night and playing the first Zelda. That was the best. Most of my toy memories are finding the mark downed toys at the Drug Store down the street. Tons of M.U.S.C.L.E and Imagic Atari games and 3rd party games. These marked down games were .99 cents sometimes in 1982-83. Sweet!

S: I think everyone loves 80’s cartoons! Does Friday the 13th freak you out?? Do you have any superstitious tendencies?

JB - No I'm stoked.

LM - ....no. It's more exciting then a freak out.

S: To wrap up, what upcoming projects/shows are you especially excited about (besides the solo show at Schmancy on Friday Nov 13 of course) ?

JB - I'm in the upcoming Post-It Note show at Giant Robot in Dec. Should be killer.

LM - I'm totally digging the new season of Sons of Anarchy. Shit is good. Also Top Chef is really good this season. Project Runway is pretty pretty lame. Go back to Bravo you jerks!

S: Thanks guys!! Can’t wait to see your show “Terry and Vince Go... Way....Way” at Schmancy on November 13!!