Written by Today’s prompt for those simple little things in life was “plush toys.” I’ve always loved stuffed animals most, particularly teddy bears, but when I came to this prompt today, all I could think of were hamsters. So we have this little doodlewash of a group of hamster plush conspiring about something unknown. The reason hamsters came to mind was that when I was a kid, my mom entered a lot of craft fairs. I used to go with her to these and my specialty was making little round hamsters that were essentially a ball of fur with glued-on eyes. Interestingly, this form of tiny collectible plush is now all the rage, but the world just wasn’t ready back in the 70’s for my genius. And I only made hamsters, which made my product line quite limited. I don’t own a one of these today, but often wonder if the people who purchased them still kept them around.
My mother’s specialty was pink elephants. These were a much larger plush that wore suspenders made from recycled jeans. The idea of “seeing pink elephants” was a popular euphemism for having a drunken hallucination. In short, they sold extremely well. There were other items for sale, but I only remember the elephants and hamsters. I had dreams of expanding my line to other things, but being a 9 year old kid, I quickly moved on to other ideas entirely. By other ideas, I mean getting out of the craft business at a very young age to pursue a love of building marble contraptions, writing two page mystery stories, and really just about anything else that came to mind. This hasn’t really changed much as an adult until I discovered watercolor. After more than a year of sketching and painting daily, I’ve become quite fond of my little hobby.
Some days, I make something I’m really pleased with and others I just make something even I find a bit silly to get the urge out of my system. Much like what came out today. What feels great is finally finding something after all these years that I can stick with. Something that holds my interest and keeps my attention problems at bay. But like that little kid feverishly making things for the next craft show, I’m too entralled in the doing to worry much about where anything goes next. That’s the beauty of art as a means of relaxation. You can let your mind wander and play. Each day brings something new that wasn’t there before. And that’s really the most important part. I kind of like to think that not much has changed and I’m still just a little boy, filled with ideas, and ready to show the world his newly fashioned set of little plush hamsters.
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Indian Yellow, Carmine, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Deep. and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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These look so cute!! Amazing! https://baking781.wordpress.com/. Thanks so much for this drawing! I look at it any time I need really good art. Yay!!!!!😀
Thanks so much! 😃
The hamster Doodlewash is charming – they are having some sort of a confab, maybe wondering where are the pink elephants. I think it’s wonderful to have an imaginative and creative mind that pushes you toward many experiences and demands that you try them. Doodlewashing may one day become a watercolor studio producing large paintings or it may always be a small hourly enterprise that lets you relax from the day’s stresses. What’s most important, maybe, is knowing you’ve got an outlet that motivates you and inspires us.
Aww thanks so much for that, Sharon! 😃💕 It’s truly been a fun journey. I love my daily practice, even if I don’t yet know where it will take me. That anyone finds it inspiring is such a wonderful thing!! I would have never expected that. 😊 So it makes the journey that much richer!
These are so cute. I’m imagining this little boy having creative fun. Now he’s he a man having creative fun
hehe… well… sort of… still kind of a little boy! Lol Thanks so much, Teri! 😃💕
Lovely! Who would have thought that plush hamsters would make a great Doodlewash!
haha… I have no idea why I ended up with these, but I’m thrilled you think they made a great Doodlewash!! Thanks, Georgie! 😃💕
I am pleased you gave up hamsters for painting….although I am sure that with your talent they would have evolved well. Love the idea of your mums elephants. Talking of hamsters, my cat brought one in, it was a rainy day, and he was trying to fish something out from under a cabinet. I put my hand under to retrieve what it was ( stupid I know) and unsurprisingly I got bitten! I then after applying gloves, pulled out a live, unharmed hamster, bone dry despite the rain outside, so I can only assume the little fellow was stollen from inside a house. Once free he was quite sweet, and not a true biter, I put posters up, but no one claimed him, so I found a new home for him. Ahhhhh 🐹
Thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 awwwww…. a hamster adoption!! I love that story!! hehe… I had one that was sweet, but the second was a biter and not nearly as much fun. hehe
I had the same when I was a child, all had the same name too…Snowy!
awww…. cute!! Love that name!
So adorable and they look so soft, ready to be scooped up and hugged. Thank you for sharing.
hehe… awww thanks, Haunai! 😃💕 I’m so glad you liked them!
So so cute !!! Want to hug them to fall asleep
Yay! That’s a great compliment! Thanks so much! 😃💕
I defy anyone to just try to not crack a smile after seeing your adorable hamsters, Charlie. Thank you for the big grin I’m wearing right now. 🙂
I love knowing that! Yay!! Thanks, Heather! That made me grin back! 😃💕
Such a great post! I love your plushie hamsters!
I was quite the entrepreneur as a kid, too. When I was 3 I toddled around the neighborhood selling cut out and colored paper triangles and squares door-to-door. I sold them for $1 or 1 penny, buyer’s choice, because I really wanted the dollar, but didn’t want to lose out on the penny for having too high a price point.
I didn’t have a lot of takers. One woman compromised and tore a corner off a dollar bill and paid me with the corner. I was thrilled to finally own even a piece of paper money.
This is such a delightful post, and I can really relate to all of it. Thanks so much for sharing! 😀
Awww I’m thrilled you enjoyed this one, Akire! 😃💕 And what a fabulous story!! Thanks so much for sharing that. I love that even a little piece of money felt like a win! That’s so cute and awesome! hehe
Adorable! Oh and the hamsters are too. 😉
hehe…. blushing…. 😊… lol … Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕
These make me happy – fun subjects.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕