places, everyone!

Here's a big custom project I have been working on for the past few weeks--one of my happy wedding cake topper customers asked me to do place card holders for the tables at her reception based on her favorite characters from the Beatrix Potter books. I loved these books as a kid too, so it was really fun to revisit them.

A new challenge for me was to add the place card wires to the stands--I added cards of the imaginary guests at MY imaginary wedding reception to show you how they will look when they're performing their intended function.

Play ball!

Ever since a Florida Gators fan found me, I have had the occasional request from sports fans across the country. This set is for a couple who are huge San Francisco Giants fans. I guess the groom felt more comfortable in the home team uniform than a tux and top hat. Fine with me...the customer is always right.

don't forget the dogs....

This French Bulldog bride and groom set is so cute...it might show up as a regular cake topper set in my Etsy shop someday.

otters who love otters

Soon after making this custom otter bride and groom, I visited the Oregon Aquarium and saw the real live otters there. Such a happy creature, floating there sucking on its toes while we all sighed at the utter cuteness that abounded. No wonder this couple chose the otter as their totem animal!

it's a family affair

This was such a fun commission I did last month--the couple saw my monster cake topper set and wanted a special design that also included their young daughter who will be the flower girl. I matched their wedding colors of pale pink, black white and gray, with a touch of silver and gold. I made the display stand match the size of the top tier of their cake in case they wanted to put the whole piece there, but there was also the option to just use the figure on the cake and save the stand for later.

cats and roses

The third in this mini-series of custom kitty cake toppers is this set. The couple requested I also render the roses on the bride's bouquet and veil. Come back tomorrow when we continue June's theme where I reveal some of the custom cake topper sets I've been working on this year! The month is almost half over--yikes!

custom kitties

I love making toppers based on people's pets! This bride and groom kitty set was based on the set I already have in my Etsy shop but altered to have the fur markings of this couple's actual pets. One of their kitties has a kinked tail, which I also faithfully rendered! You may remember this couple's sweet engagement story in last spring's contest--click here to read it again!

the bunny with a toolbelt wedding cake topper manifesto

1. Handmade stuff rules. Accept no compromise. When you order a cake topper from Bunny with a Toolbelt, what you're getting is a completely original piece of art, rather than a painted found object or a molded plastic figure. Truly handmade work will never be identical to any other in shape, form or color, just like your unique relationship.


2. I really do care about your wedding, believe it or not. I am a legally ordained Universal Life minister who has married eight of my close friends, and use my ministerial skills quite often when designing my cake toppers. Whatever you adorn the top of your cake with, it should be carefully considered because this time-honored tradition represents you as a couple. It is not only the icon of your wedding, but also one of the few objects from that special day that you keep and display in your home for many years.


3. Be cool to the earth. All Bunny with a Toolbelt figures are made with over 90% upcycled wood--scrap material that's otherwise destined for the trash bin or fire pit. I am proud to use very few store-bought materials in my entire line. These wedding cake toppers are extremely lightweight and sit proudly atop your cake without sinking in. They are painted with a food-safe paint that is easily cleanable.


4. Smiling is healthy. Most people will smile when they see the Bunny with a Toolbelt cake topper on your cake, with the possible exception of that one uptight relative who wants you to conform to the norm. Stand your ground through nonviolent resistance the Bunny with a Toolbelt way: Make it your little secret to see if they roll their eyes or crack the tiniest smile of appreciation. It will take a lot of stress out of your day! Life is too short not to have fun.

kitties on parade!

The next few days will be devoted to the cat lovers in the Bunny with a Toolbelt fan base. This couple not only wanted me to render their beloved kitties as the bride and groom, but they requested I made a tiny bearded dragon (with kinked tail) so that all their pets could be there on their special day. It was a challenge to get all those tiny teeth in there, but I was pretty happy with the results.

WeddingWire

Hey Beautiful People!

I just found out about a great website called WeddingWire.com and would love to have a few endorsements for the Bunny with a Toolbelt page! If you have a minute, click here to see my page and make somebunny very very happy. Thanks!!

kissing fish

This custom set was designed for someone who was up for anything fish or ocean themed. After I did a few drawings of lobster and angel fish, they finally settled on this bride and groom goldfish.

totem toppers

This couple's totem animals are a goat and a badger. I was excited to try my hand at a new animal (badger) but they loved the goat design I had made for a customer last year. (I decided to add a goat bride and groom to my regular line-look for it soon in my Etsy shop!) Another nice element to this custom cake topper set was figuring out how to do succulents for the bouquet and boutonniere. Rather than traditional flowers, they are using the hen-and-chicks plant. I love it!

pretty in pink

This was the first flamingo cake topper set I made this year--the couple wanted the base to match the cake. Or maybe the cake matched the base. Sometimes it works that way! (Another amazing photography shoot from Sacramento photographer/designer Lisa Welge! Click here to see more of her amazing work!)

Here's another totem animal set I made based on my previous designs of kitty and bunny cake toppers. The photograph was taken by Lisa Welge, a fantastic wedding photographer who works in the Sacramento, CA area. Click here to see more images of this wedding ceremony on her website, including some super cute bunny and kitty invitations also designed by Welge!

wuv in the woods

This couple's totem animals are a bunny and a white tail deer. Of course, I already have a deer cake topper set available in my Etsy shop. I love the way the bunny turned out--gotta design a regular set for my line based on this when I get a chance!

I've loved you for a long long time....

This set was made for a couple who wanted to also incorporate their favorite quote into the mix. Inspired by my picketing Santas, we decided that a sign was the way to go, but since these dinos don't stand on two legs, we'd have a freestanding element.

buffalos who love buffalos

A custom cake topper set for a couple from Buffalo, NY!

lemony fresh

This custom cake topper was a special request from a customer who saw my bird on fruit series and wanted something to fit in with the lemon theme of her wedding. Very sweet!

Rabbit Rabbit

You know that superstition where the first words you utter each month are "rabbit rabbit" which means you'll have a good month.....or something like that...well, I'm starting out the first blog posting for June with a good luck blessing for all of you. And fasten your seat belts! I'm going to post one custom wedding cake topper I've made recently every single day this month. Lucky you!

Kicking it all off is a recent commission for a moose and a goose bride and groom. The couple loved the moose bride I had already designed, but wanted a a Canada Goose (they mate for life, dontcha know?) groom to bring their totem animals into the theme of their wedding celebration. They also took advantage of my new service--custom wedding cake invitations with your toppers on the top! These invitations are designed by the super awesome Go-go Gadget Girl Peggy, who works with you to find the right layout and wording to get your friends and family excited about your special day. (If you're interested in learning more about how you can get in on this action, click here to email me and I'll give you the scoop.)

another interview!

I was recently asked for an interview from Little Gray Fox - thanks for your insightful questions! Click here to read the interview, which posted today.

last few days to be the King of Hearts!

The Art in Hand auction ends this Saturday! Right now, my King of Hearts bunny is a steal at $95! Click here if you want to watch it all week and then on Saturday night, jump on the scene at the last minute and make it your very own...

If you just want to own a deck of cards that includes an image of my piece (plus support a great cause, MY nonprofit organization) click here. Portland Project playing card decks are a mere $13!

Here's a picture of me last weekend at my Art Hop event! I got the Mayor of Portland Sam Adams to not only sport a pair of bunny ears, but to lead the crowd in a big bunny hop! Woo hoo! Click here to read more about his fun time at Art Hop.

scrabble fans unite!

I made this special order to celebrate the 50th birthday of a true Scrabble lover. The customer wanted sunny yellow hair, blue sky with clouds body, rainbow socks, and grassy green feet with flowers on top. Who am I to say no? Happy birthday Larry!

See you this weekend at Art Hop!

Hello Beautiful Person!

Pardon me while I step away from the blog for a few more days and focus on seeing through this huge event I've been working madly on for the past nine months: Art on Alberta's 11th Annual Art Hop! I am wrapping up my tenure as President of my neighborhood's all volunteer art nonprofit and have been having a lot of fun putting together an exciting mix of art activities like community mural painting, a Destination DIY Stage hosted by Julie Sabatier, bitch magazine's stage including a feminist quiz show, TED fellow Colleen Flanigan's BioRocker Coral Conservatory Zone, a community stage and three music stages, and the Art in Hand Portland Playing Cards show, where my King of Hearts will be on display. For more information, visit Art on Alberta's website by clicking here, or show up to get yourself the printed program with all the information you need for a day of fun!

and the winner is.....

.....Jenny and Allen! Click here to read their story again. Congratulations, kids--you win a custom set of cake toppers from Bunny with a Toolbelt! Thanks everyone who participated or voted--it was a fun contest!

wedding contest ends tonight!

Have you voted yet in the first ever engagement story contest? It's been a rally all weekend but there's still time to have your say. Here's all the links to our seven contestants and their awwwww-inspiring stories.

1. Tori and Nic

2. Kelle and Collier

3. Monica and David

4. Leela and Adam

5. Alison and Mystery Man!

6. Jenny and Allen

7. Alyce and Aaron


To vote, just comment on the story you think deserves to win the grand prize: a custom cake topper set designed by me! (Please don't comment on this post--comment on the post you want to win because that's what gets counted.) I'll keep the polls open until 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time and announce our winner tomorrow. Good luck everyone!

D.I.Y. Lounge

Hey Bunny with a Toolbelt fans! While I was at Crafty Wonderland last weekend, I was filmed for the pilot episode of a brand new TV show called D.I.Y. Lounge! They are trying to fund their new series about independent craft through Kickstarter.com and need your help to get their show on the road. Take a look at their video and please consider helping this project become a reality.

Click here if you can make a donation--every little bit counts. Thanks!

first ever Bunny with a Toolbelt theme song!

Written by Eliza Rose, who I believe might very well be my biggest fan. Sorry, Mom, but Eliza also knew the names of all three of my stop action pieces. Sorry the audio is low--it's loud in these shows! Thanks to everyone who came by to say hi at Crafty Wonderland--it was a great weekend!

our crafty wonderland booth

Last day of Crafty Wonderland! Here's our booth, all set up and ready to greet you. Plus, my brand new felted wool bunny ears just arrived in the mail!

one last piece for Crafty Wonderland

finished up the very last piece....come see it at


Here's a few pieces that my booth-mate and cousin Tripper Dungan made that are also available. Check back later on for pictures of our booth! See you there!