Tis the Season to make Toys

It's that time of the season for many of us. Christmas and Hanukkah is just around the corner. There are so many amazing models out there related to these festivities that I thought I would post some for those who are looking.

Two major places to find a never ending source of festive toys are:

1. Canon's new Christmas 2011 site. Tons of free decorations for trees, pop-up cards of Santa and all things wintering and wonderful.

2. The all things paper toy related Paperkraft blog. They have tagged and sorted out all the festive things for Hanukkah and Christmas for you. Everything from moving automaton models of Santa in his sleigh to Disney themed Dreidles.

Cheers!

Paper Vinny

Escapist Magazine Interview

Last month I was lucky enough to be interviewed by the lovely and creative Kathleen De Vere over at EscapistMagazine.com. The article ss titled "The Rise of the Disposable Designer Toy" It was about paper toys and my experience and what got me started with them. There is a bunch of stuff about some of Paper Toy's origins and the artists and designers who have been involved. It's a great read with some cool links that I think you will enjoy so go check it out HERE.

A Few Questionable Characters

Yes indeed these two are a wee bit suspect.

First we have Travis Price's Phidias Gold Custom complete with tattoos galore, big gold belt buckle and quite obviously some neglected dental care.

Next up is the Zombie Waiter from the "Fold Your Own Zombie" Calendar where you get a different zombie paper toy to make each month. The designs are really cool and detailed and pretty easy to put together. For 2012 they have a Robot themed calendar. As you can see this Waiter is quite stylish though not so hygienic. And just in case you are wondering...yes, those are HIS brains. He even has a hold in his head to prove it.

Halloween is almost here. Hope you are all getting the finishing touches on your costumes.

Cheers,

Paper Vinny

Wild Flower Fall

Here is a Gnome hanging out in some wild flowers he found near the roadside. Yes, it may be Fall and yes, there is a chill in the air but the Sun isn't done shining yet and thankfully, there are still some flowers left to bloom.

Keep watch for Gnomes in your neighborhood and don't forget to take a moment to enjoy all the colors that are still springing up around you too.

Cheers,

Paper Vinny

Introducing...Simple Vinny!

Alright so I've finally gotten my stuff together and finished a postable template for Simple Vinny. I kept getting asked by folks if I had a simpler Paper Vinny that they could build. One that kids could do in a short time. So I came up with this design that should be sturdy no matter what paper you use.

Some of you might have seen him or even built one of your own at the IconoCraft or Pecha Kucha shows. I was recently interviewed for an online magazine as well and they were wanting a link to the Simple Vinny Template so HERE YOU GO!

I'll be posting a Blank Version soon for any and everyone who wishes to customize a Simple Vinny. In the meantime if you build one of the Simple Skull Edition toys please email me a photo of him in his new environment or on an adventure. I always love to see where he's gotten to next.

Happy Building,

Paper Vinny

Count Down To Halloween

Hey one and all. It's been a wee little while since my last post. I have some news and templates to post soon but in the mean time check out these new Halloween Paper Toys by the great artist MACULA. They are pretty easy to build and they look awesome. There is a Witch, a Zombie and a Wolfman on top of all the many other creatures and characters he has created over the years. Check them out!

Cheers,

Paper Vinny

IconoCraft 2011

Well it's been a while since my last update. The "Simple Vinny" model is done and will be making it's debut at a local DIY art show on June 22. I'll have a couple models to choose from so come out and get crafty. Now here's all about Iconocraft:

"IconoCraft returns to the Victoria Event Centre! This moveable feast of art will inspire you to get crafty, with a range of different specialty crafting tables run by Victoria artists who will provide mini-workshops and materials to create your own Do-It-Yourself crafts to take home with you, like original screen-printed tees, cute burlesque-style underwear, needle felted monsters, Paper Toys, chainmail, buttons and more. While... you craft up a storm, you’ll be able to enjoy tunes courtesy of DJ Desunos and watch live painting by Kristin Grant of Urbanheart Live. Our wonderful craft instructors will have their handmade wares for sale, too.

Doors are at 7pm and demonstrations will start from 8pm. Tickets are available at the door for $10 and include $3 of tokens that can be used at the craft making tables (each table will require a small fee of between $1 and $5 to cover material costs for your DIY crafts).

Learn to make...
-needle-felted creations
-buttons
-chainmail
-decorated cupcakes
-Paper Toys
-screenprinted t-shirts (you can even bring your own)
-terrariums
-feather earrings
-burlesquified underwear/bras/bikinis (bring your own to decorate!)

Demonstrations from:
Derek Jacoby (from Maker Space) - laser cutter
Ryan (from Knotty By Nature) - drum carding & nuno felting
Kristin Grant (Urbanheart Live) - airbrush body painting

plus: live canvas and body painting from Kristin Grant and Urbanheart Live."

So there you have it. Be there or be....er..well just go and you'll have a great time and have something to show for it by the end of the night.

Cheers,

Paper Vinny