Edge makes his Debut!

OMG! You need a haircut, is the first thing that comes to mind, lol. Seriously, I love this little guy and had great fun making him. He needs a few last minute finishing touches and then I will list him on Etsy. I want to embroider his mouth. Right now it is put on with permanent marker.

I want to share a story, my story and the story of how Edge came to be. Most who know me know that I am a private person. I don't air my dirty laundry, don't whine and complain when I have a problem, I don't discuss aches, pains, hurts, despair, and God knows the agony I have felt these past 6 months since my Brother died suddenly and unexpectedly even though we knew he had some issues. My family was just not prepared for the suddenness, the finality, knowing we would never see or talk to Bill ever again. I found myself slipping into a deep depression, a funk! My poor Mom was having an even harder time and I really worried about her. I did little things to try to cheer her up and hopefully I succeeded...... but we all know that time is what eventually heals all wounds. Time and the love of good friends and your family.

Ok, that being said, I received an email from a friend. You know the one.... the one with the cute little hedgehog balled up in the palm of someone's hand? It has circulated for about 2 years now. I have always loved hedgehogs..... well almost all animals. This little hedgehog was soooooo cute! I had to forward it on to Mom. She emailed back "I WANT ONE!!!!!" Well so did I but I knew that buying Mom (and myself) a hedgehog was not feasible nor practical so I got this idea in my head.... hmmmmmmm, I should make her one. Well the idea just remained an idea, until today that is.

I belong to an Etsy BNR called Shopper's Paradise. This group's members are the most loving, friendly, creative people that I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Sometimes there are "Challenges." Our recent challenge was to create our first ACEO. Pray tell, someone tell me, what in God's name is an ACEO? Well now I know. My first attempt was a water color painting, which I still have. After someone explained what an ACEO actually was, I discovered my post card water color painting was too large so didn't qualify as a true ACEO. Drats! Then I thought "I will make a felt picture of a hedgehog!" And I almost did, but thought to myself, naw! I gotta make Mom one she can hold in her hand, you know, "see it, feel it, touch it."

I did submit my first ACEO (and sold two!) Yay! Then I set out to make the little hedgehog for Mom because that's what a loving Daughter does. I was so pleased at how he turned out. I named him Edge. He will now be a regular featured item in my Etsy store.

The morale of my story? In my funkenness, my turmoil, my pain, I found it very hard to create. Although I did bury myself in my wire wrapped jewelry, I forgot my "Critters" who have always been a very big part of who I was. I had not touched my felting needles or wool roving for months and months. I put aside my clay. It was almost like a small part of me died with my Brother or at least was put to rest for a little while. When we were asked to do the ACEO challenge it woke up that part of me that I had squelched or locked up inside.

Thank you my Paradise friends, family, loved ones. Sometimes all it takes is a word, an idea, a thought, a gentle nudge. Please remember, NEVER give up on your dreams!

Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season. May your New Year be filled with love, happiness, enthusiasm, and hope!