Voltaire, the Experimental Monkey

For a long time, I've been wanting to do some sock monkeys that were very different from the typical monkeys. I wanted to do something... special, unique, and different. I couldn't think of anything that hadn't been done before. Then, I saw a sock monkey by someone else that resembled a skeleton, and the gears started turning.

I looked to Google for inspiration, and then it hit me. A Dia de los Muertos monkey! Unfortunately, orders had kept me so busy I didn't have time to work on him. Instead, the idea stayed at the back of my mind for weeks. I had also been wanting to do a monkey that was black and blue, and named Voltaire. For some reason, these two ideas never crossed paths within my brain until someone (my one and only Ninja Muse) asked me to make her a skeleton monkey. She left the details up to me entirely.

With those ideas in mind, Voltaire was born:

This picture was taken at a graveyard one town over from Monkeyville. I'm not sure why the ground looks like that there, because that grave is about 200 years old. All I can think of is that the headstone fell, and had been righted recently. I hope that's what happened!

Voltaire is quite fond of graveyards. The rest of the photos were shot in a location not far from the Monkeyville headquarters. It was also at this point that I realized that the camera had a macro setting.

Everything except for the felt and the blue stripes on Voltaire's arms and legs is hand embroidered. Despite his appearance, Voltaire is actually child-friendly. There are no small pieces that could pose a choking hazard. Though there is a lot of fancy stitching which doesn't make him ideal for lots of playing.

A skeleton monkey is always smiling. I also got to try out an idea for broken-hearted sock monkey with Voltaire. I'm quite happy with how that turned out, and I think I'll be using that idea again for some more monkeys.

Voltaire is already adopted, and will be going to his new home later this week. However, I do have a few more of those socks, and I'll be happy to take orders for to do another one of these guys. The elements will be the same, but no two will every be exactly the same. I also have plans for a white version, though I can't get those socks in white. I have alternate plans to work around that.

Kip, The Secret Agent

 The Sock Monkey Chronicles: Kip the Secret Agent

It seems that almost every week here in Monkeyville something strange happens! I think we get invaded by Ninjas more than a daimyo in fedual Japan. This week, there were no weird noises around Monkeyville (though it would have been hard to hear them over the Magic Monkey Maker). Instead, Saturday morning really, really weird things started to happen.

Out by the side of the house, the air went all shimmery. I thought for certain I was going to get abducted. Thankfully, no aliens showed up. When the air cleared, there was a sock monkey and a... well, one of those little wooden guys artists use sitting there next to the house.

The monkey introduced himself as Kip and the little wooden guy saluted and Kip introduced him as Little Dude. I thought it was odd Little Dude didn't speak for himself, until I realized that he didn't have a mouth... or any other facial features.

"Um, okay, what are you guys doing here? What's with all the shimmery, fancy special effects?" I asked.

"You didn't get the report?" Kip responded. "It was sent to you at least a month ago, you should have known I was coming."

Report? I don't remember getting any report.... wait... no, that wasn't a "report." Confused, I followed along behind Kip and Little Dude as the raced out of the yard. I think Kip said something about having to save something, but I couldn't quite make it out.

They did a lot of running, jumping, and climbing fences.

 

 Little Dude wasn't nearly as good at it as Kip. I think it has something to do with the fact that he has a big metal wire stuck up his bum. Most of this climbing was needless as there was a gate just two feet away, and it was wide open.

There was also a lot of posing to look cool.

 Once again, Little Dude has issues. He's not nearly as flexible as Kip.

The sunshine was quite nice in Monkeyville this weekend, so Kip and Little Dude took a minute to enjoy it. I only had time to ask them why they were here, before they were off again.

"We have to stop everything from falling sideways." Kip said. "Don't worry, we know what we're doing."

Little Dude gave another salute, then the air went all shimmery and they were gone again.

I can't help but wonder who or what will invade Monkeyville next weekend!

Get Ready, Get Set, Go!!!

Sock Monkey Monday: A Record Week In Monkeyville!

This week, five Monkeyville Monkeys went to new homes! This is by far the busiest adoption week ever in Monkeyville, and it means that the yearly goal for adoptions has been met already. Monkeyville has also found it's own special look. 

Meet Oliver, the first Monkeyville Monkey to go to Canada, and the most popular expression requested yet! From now on, there will be more Monkeyville Monkeys that look like Oliver, the best part is that he's entirely kid friendly!

Oliver likes his green argyle clothes, but sometimes, he likes to play dress up. 

His favorite outfit is a Ninja. There are lots of Monkeyville Monkeys that are Ninjas now!

Emily and Charlotte went to their new home as well. They're going to be playmates for human sisters! They were very excited to go, and they promised not to fight on the way there. 

Last but not least, Baby Henry also went to his new home. 

He's got a pretty bad binky addiction, but he promised to try to quit so his new friend (who isn't born yet) can play with him. Sock Monkeys love playing with baby people!

Next week, there will be many more Monkeyville Monkeys to share, because this week is even more busy than last!

Sock Monkey Bonus!: The Sisters Bronte

It was such a nice day today in Monkeyville, that Emily Monkey decided to take her favorite book outside to read in a quiet spot. 

That's a big book for such a little monkey.
Looks like Charlotte Monkey didn't want to read, she wanted to play. 

Now that's not very nice. I guess sock monkey siblings are just like human ones!

Aw, that's more like it.

Charlotte is purple and Emily is pink. Both are part of the kid friendly line of Monkeyville Monkeys, and are already on reserve!

Sock Monkey Monday: The Emo Side of Monkeyville

Not all of the sock monkeys in Monkeyville are happy monkeys. Sure, most are, but then there's Yorick.

Yorick likes to sit and contemplate the darker side of life in Monkeyville.

Where do sock monkeys go when they die? 

It's all so futile, the detergent of time washes away all proof we were ever here.

The flowers are beautiful, but their life is so short. Just like the rest of us.

Sometime, the pain is just too much for a sock monkey to bear.

To jump or not to jump?

Today, not to jump.

Sock Monkey Monday: When A Sock Monkey Gets Sick...

For a long time, Sirus Monkey hasn't been feeling well. In fact, back in January, he wasn't feeling well, but he put on a brave face. 

Ignoring the cuteness, if you look at Sirus Monkey's side, you can see a white spot, and a crooked line. He went to the Sock Monkey Doctor the other day, and the diagnosis wasn't good: herniated stitches, which were bleeding stuffing. Poor guy.

Surgery was scheduled for Saturday (as fast as the Sock Monkey OR could accommodate him).Eli went with him to keep him company. Eli was with me when I was in the hospital, so he's a good monkey to have around if you're sick.

First, the paper work. There's always paper work, even for sock monkeys.

Then, it was time for Sirus Monkey to get gowned up. He was nervous, but Eli held his hand.

There was time for one last hug before Sirus had his IV put in, and Eli had to go.

There was lots of sleepy juice in the IV so Sirus would be asleep for the procedure.

De-gowned and ready for surgery. The nurse had put his IV in the wrong arm, but it was okay. 

Yep, those are herniated stitches alright. The Sock Monkey Doctor also discovered that Sirus had a ruptured under arm. Both would need to be repaired ASAP!

 "Scalpel...er seam ripper"

After the herniated stitches removed. The rupture is the dark spot on the far right. 

The problematic stitches removed. There should have been far more string for the stitches. No wonder he was bleeding stuffing. 

The Sock Monkey Doctor set to work closing the wound and taking extra time to be sure to close the rupture as well.

Finished, and the surgery was a complete success! No more rupture, no more hernia.

Eli Monkey was waiting for Sirus in the recovery room.

Sirus got lots and lots of cuddles. All on his good side of course.

Bandaged up, but he looks much happier!

Sock Monkey Monday: It's A Beautiful Day!

This weekend, the weather was amazing here in Monkeyville. In fact, it was so nice that it felt like summer had arrived early! With the weather being so nice, Iris Monkey decided that it would be a great day to go and spend some time down at the beach. 

After all of that rain, we had in Monkeyville last week, it was nice to see a rainbow!

Iris Monkey is an intrepid little monkey, and didn't want to sit still. Sock monkeys and water don't usually mix, but she didn't see afraid!

"Oh, what's down there?"

"Can I stick my feet in please?"
Sorry Iris, but sock monkey feet don't belong in the pond. 

 
Even if she wasn't allowed to get her feet wet, Iris Monkey had a very nice time at the pond. The humans did too, because the water was nice and warm to stand in while taking pictures.


Ah, life is good in Monkeyville.

A Note from the Monkey Maker: Iris Monkey is adoptable and is also child safe. There are no small parts to swallow, and all the materials are lead and phthlate free.