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I first stumbled onto the Flickr pages of Allyson Mellberg when I was just clicking around (I can be lost there for hours!)

And then I clicked onto her shop where she sells her sculptures that are hand stitched and embroidered; and also her blog that she shares with her husband Jeremy. And of course, of her exhibition at Cinders Gallery which has already ended. I love the theme of it though, as explained at the gallery’s site:

The title “Do Little” for Allyson Mellberg’s second solo show at Cinders is both a reference to the doctor of the same name who realizes he can speak to animals and a jab at our general public’s apathy towards increasingly important environmental issues. With playful and intricate drawings on paper, Allyson depicts magical encounters with strange animals and plant life, self-invented yoga poses, diseased girls with pockmarks and enchanting, huggable rock formations. There is a sense of discovery and wonderment amongst the natural world that fuels much of her work and adds optimism to their subtle warnings of how our own behavior can affect the world around us in both positive and negative ways.

Allyson creates delicate fine lines and a soft color palette with all natural non-toxic materials that include homemade walnut ink, vegetable inks, and egg tempera. Small sculptures and dioramas will also be part of this installation of all new work.

Be sure to head to Cinders Gallery and have a full browse at her work — they’re gorgeous!

Some of you may be familiar with Maki Squarepatch, a shop run by two sisters, Xin and Enqi who makes these wonderfully offbeat bags, stuffed toys and clothes from recycled clothes.

Fast forward two years and Xin just set up her own portfolio at Doinky Doodles as the two began to pursue their individual goals and dreams. She also runs a new Etsy shop where you can find what she does best — piecing together pre-loved items to make huggable creations.

She’s also an artist, and you can see her fabulous zines and follow her via her Flickr stream.

Miss Gemma Correll is at it again, and this time she and her posse called Girls Who Draw that includes Clare Power (Bogus baby), Jess Bradley, Gemma Correll, Currentstate (aka Jane Anderson), Zoë Darnell (Mmm…Biscuits!), Yee Ping Kuit, Yee Ting Kuit, Tanya Meditzky, Karoline Rerrie, and Sarah Ray, made a postcard set called the Misfits Postcard Book filled with all their wonderful work.

Lisa Johnston is holding an online sale of her bird drawings exclusively through her site! This is the first of her quarterly online art sale — each of them are one-of-a-kind, silkscreened monoprint on 3/4 birch plywood, with 42 pieces to choose from.

And thank you to Gaia for letting me know of a special giveaway of her beautiful cards just in time for Christmas. Her illustrations are adorable, and you can also have a look around her shop too!