13.4.12

Mollie Makes & me!




Doglets ahoy! Issue 13 of Mollie Makes hits UK shop shelves today - I've had a fantastic response from subscribers so far (who got their copies last Saturday). I feel a bit greedy, as the lovely Mollie Makes team gave me a lot of pages - as soon as you open the cover the sweet story begins - and how beautifully they have presented my little dogs - I felt as if I was looking at someone else's work.



...and in the contents...





...and six sumptuous double page spreads after that, with my step-by-step guide to making your own doglet - people, I sweated over that pattern, so it had better work! And yes, those are my fair hands demonstrating the steps.





The basic doglet design is an old favourite - I made my first in the third week of my discovering needle felting, over four years ago. He was called 'Petite Jaune' and he went over to live in Europe.



Soon after, I tweaked the design and made 'Custard', who went to live with the lovely
Donna Flower.





Three years ago, I did a limited edition of 'Buttercups' for my only stockists, Teddy Bears of Witney. Sat with his back to us with his friends.





Finally he appeared as Custard again, in 'Peggy's Lost Pennies'.




And now here are his baby cousins in my favourite magazine. I've loved Mollie Makes since issue one - I had an inkling it would be an instant hit (it sold out within a couple of weeks of launch). They have successfully created a gorgeous, approachable magazine which taps into the whole crafting/blogging/lifestyle world in a way that really works, and I admire them for that. Confession - from issue one, I had a burning desire to do an article for them, but I never imagined I'd be asked to do the cover.





I'm not only selfishly pleased for myself, but also that it helps bring needle felting into the mainstream; a few weeks ago I had a needle felt book proposal rejected from a large UK craft publisher on the grounds that needle felting was 'too niche'. I have only one word to say to that - WOOF!



So, here's what you need to know if you want a copy - it sells really quickly, so hurry! It's available in most WHSmiths, some Asdas, Sainsburys and many independent craft shops. The stockists page can be found here, also with international outlets listed. It's also available as a digital download here, if that's your preferred method of reading.

Mollie Makes have five copies of 'Peggy's Lost Pennies' (in which dear old Custard appears) to give away, and you can enter the contest here.


Link

Oh yes, nearly forgot - I'm at the Winds of Change Gallery in Wincombe tomorrow, Saturday April 14th, 11am till 4.30, demonstrating needle felting, if you're in or around the Cheltenham area. My Puddletown toys will be on display, so come and say hello!

29 comments:

Kim said...

Oh! Congratulations!!!! I am sooooo pleased for you!!!!!

Charlotte said...

Oh so pleased for you. I love Custard, he is probably my favourite doglet.

Niche! pah. Publishing once again shows what a bunch of idiots they employ as editors. Why not self publish through Blurb and put the book up for sale there to start with. I'd buy one.

Celia Hart said...

Hurrah! That all sounds pretty spiffing to me :-)

I think your success is well deserved.

Celia

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

The seams of my heart are busting wide open with pride for you my friend!!!

janet xox
The Empty Nest

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

The seams of my heart are busting wide open with pride for you my friend!!!

janet xox
The Empty Nest

Caroline B said...

Bought my copy this morning - just about to delve into it with a nice cup of tea! Congratulations, you must be so happy!

Jane said...

Got my copy last week and have been longing to find to make a doglet! Lovely article and demo, Gretel.

Louise Peers said...

congrats and well deserved .I think you should go back to that book publisher and show them Mollie Makes and all the comments and enthusiastic followers you have . I would buy a needle felting book you had written :) x

The Pea Pod said...

I picked up my first ever copy today and spotted you in it...congratulations!!

I'm at work at the mo so later when I settle down for tea break I'll have a good read. x

www.FeltedChicken.com said...

Congrats! Needle Felted isn't too niche, lame! Your work is beautiful & you should be proud & excited to be featured in a great magazine. I've never heard of it (being in California), but am going over to check it out! I would be beaming if I were you!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

so completely excellent

elizabeth said...

This is so thrilling, Gretel.
Frances told me all about it and your lovely visit.
CONGRATULATIONS

This is thrilling.

Twiglet said...

Well done Gretel - I shall look forward to reading my copy and may even be tempted to make a little doglet too! x Jo

Acornmoon said...

Well done Gretel, now you are a cover girl there will be no stopping you!

I love Mollie Makes too but am still struggling to finish sewing a little mouse!

How very annoying about the rejection letter, don't they know that needlefelting is "on trend", their loss I'd say.

BumbleVee said...

woohoooo.... and yeh....... you go, Gretel, "too niche" indeed. Guess those guys had their heads up their ... you know whats.... it is getting so popular it is ridiculous. It used to be niche...oh, about five or more years ago.... no it was even more than that...when I first saw a few and bought a little bear on ebay...but, now..? Wow...many blogs totally devoted to it....

You've worked at it diligently and you deserve it all...good for you my friend and blogging and felting buddy.... wheeeee......

Soozcat said...

Wonderful stuff! Off to see if Mollie Makes can be found in the USA...

ted and bunny said...

a very large finger for "niche market"!!
x

ted and bunny said...

a very large finger for "niche market"!!
x

Shashi Nayagam said...

Your felted figures are absolutely adorable! Your little doggie reminds me of a character in one of the comics that used to come out way back when I was a kid in India called Moomin but that was a cow not a dog.

Claire said...

Squeals of excitement Gretel........woohoooooo

Six pages, eeek........I'm going to have to wait another month before I can get my hands on it......

I wonder if a certain Uk craft publisher will now be shaking their head in disbelief at having turned you down?!! Making the cover, oh well done you, I am sooo excited......

Your little doggies are just so cute with their berets and hearts.

I know there's alot of needle felting around in blogland Gretel, but your attention to detail and your style makes your work stand head and shoulders over anything else I've ever seen.

Congrats you deserve it....

Claire x

Peli said...

i love your work...its absolutely amazing!!!
i wish the best for you...even more recognition and whatever you desire.
congradulations !!!!!!!!

Frances said...

Oh Gretel, I know how happy you must be, and I want you to hold that happiness as you go on to many, many more felting adventures.

Molly Makes has been so wise to have you on their cover. I think it says that the editors/publishers really do know a thing or two about a thing or two.

(It will be a while before this issue reaches New York, but I have already been visiting some book shops (like B&N) to inquire about when the issue will arrive, and also some yarn shops to encourage them to be sure to stock MM.)

This really is quite wonderful.

I had some British ladies from Oxford in the shop today, and they knew all about your village and the beautiful area round there. I told them how delightful it was to think I'd seen new lambs feeling their first rain drops.

Gosh, Gretel...I am rambling. I will email you. xo

Val Reaves said...

Just Wonderful!!! Congratulations!! I love your creations,..they are so expressive! I'm so happy for you!

Shrimpton and Perfect said...

I literally rushed out and bought a copy this morning just because you are in it. Perhaps 'Mollie Makes' sales will soar this month and you can approach another publisher with some ammunition. Continued success to you, you deserve it.
Jean

Lori Ann Corelis said...

What a beautiful article...and how sweet are these fellows!

Love your blog!!

Lori Ann

Anne said...

When I saw that you were on the cover I had to restrain myself from jumping up and down in the middle of WH Smith, yelling "that's my friend Gretel" to anyone who would listen!! I might not get my own little nne made before I go on holiday (busy working!!) but it's right at the top of my to-do list.
ps - I love Mollie Makes too!

Lily said...

Congrats! Mollie makes just came over here with the first issue in Germany, perhaps I will see the how to make your dogs, too? Would love to.

Lyn said...

I was so excited when my ollie Makes dropped on the door mat, well done!
xxx

Jo Brown said...

hi Gretel, just spotted your beautiful books in Bags of Books in Lewes yesterday, they are beautiful, congrats, Jo