Behind the Scenes: From Whippet Gift Idea Trophies to New Fabric Design!
From Studio Focus to Show: A Big Fortnight at Sass Artworks
Hello, pointy-nose people! It’s Shelley here, and what a huge couple of weeks it's been! The last ten days have involved serious studio focus, followed by a chaotic but wonderful long weekend full of last-minute deadlines and whippet celebration.
If you’re looking for a new whippet or greyhound gift idea or just love following the busy life of a sighthound artist, you’ve come to the right place! This week, I’m giving you a peek at how focused studio time and a public holiday fuelled a whirlwind of creation, culminating in a major show appearance.
The Art Deco Inspiration: New Fabric Design
The quieter moments in the studio last week really paid off. I'm absolutely delighted to share that I finally finished my new Iris Hound fabric surface design!
I’d been working on getting an elegant Art Deco feel into my pointy nose art, and this design hits the mark perfectly. It features a sophisticated sighthound silhouette surrounded by a detailed iris floral motif. It's chic, it’s timeless, and I can already picture it on cushions and tea towels. I am also making a dress with it for the upcoming Frocktails event here in Melbourne!
What Else was Brewing Last Week?
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I made great progress on this year's Christmas Card illustration. I'm aiming to get those out to you early so you can stock up for the season!
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The fabric design and the Christmas illustration were a great way to chill out last weekend before the rush of this long weekend started.
Keep an eye on the shop—this new whippet greyhound fabric will be making its way onto new products very soon!
Whippet Wonders: Trophies, Bone China, and Busy Days
The long weekend kicked off with the AFL Grand Final public holiday on Friday. While Dan's mum visited and went to the NRL finals that evening, I dove back into work on a special, urgent project: the trophies for the Whippet Association of Victoria (WAoV) specialty show.
My biggest—and most adrenaline-fuelled—project of the weekend was a last-minute request from the WAoV. I was excited to help out by supplying the "Best in Show" trophies. Knowing they needed something high-quality and unique, I stitched up two of my existing Smoochies Love Cushions to serve as the prizes. It was a late-night effort to get them absolutely perfect, keeping me up until midnight on Friday to complete them!
A Dash, A Dog Show, and a Detour
Friday night's hustle turned into Saturday's panic! I packed the car and headed off to KCC Park in Skye, only to get halfway there and realise I had forgotten the trophies! Oh boy, typical me! A quick U-turn and a drive back to Sunbury later, I was running severely behind schedule.
Thankfully, the amazing people at the WAoV event were incredibly patient while I set up. Once settled, it was an absolute delight! I had a clear view of the show ring and got to watch all those magnificent whippets in action. Seeing my artwork amidst a community that loves these dogs as much as I do is what makes all the crazy hours worth it.
Product Spotlight: The Bestsellers of the Day
It was a fantastic opportunity to see what people were loving most, and the crowd favourites were clear:
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Bone China Mugs: These flew off the table, especially the new Peanut Butter and Chocolate design. They make a perfect, practical whippet or greyhound gift idea for any dog lover who appreciates a bit of elegance with their morning cuppa. [Link to Bone China Mugs Collection]
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Winter Bookmarks: The new Winter Hound bookmarks were also a huge hit! The holographic overlay on the reverse print gives the "snow" theme a beautiful shimmer, adding a touch of magic to your favourite reading material.
The Sweetest Studio Break
After a huge few days of sewing, driving, and selling, I had a wonderfully chilled morning today. Nothing beats snuggling up on the sofa with my pack.
I was watching some YouTube with my lovely girl, Tilly (who’s turning 13 in February and rocking her sweet sugar face), and my two furry, velvet-coated Cornish Rex cats. They were piled up so sweetly that I couldn’t resist snapping a picture.
Tilly was using Ezra (the brown and white boy) as a fluffy pillow, while Fergus (the cream and red) was supervising nearby. These moments of quiet companionship are the absolute best and are the true inspiration behind every piece of art I create. They remind me that even amidst the chaos, it’s the love of our furry companions that matters most.
Catch Sass Artworks in Person!
After all that studio time, I’m excited to hit the road next weekend and bring the pointy-nose love up north!
I'll be at the On The Border Community Market in Wodonga next weekend. Come say hello, snag one of the new Winter Bookmarks, and see the Bone China Mugs in person! I’d love to meet you (and your well-behaved pups!).
If you want to see my full schedule, you can always check out What's On right here on the website!
Your Next Perfect Pointy Nosed Gift Idea Awaits!
Thank you for following along with my busy couple of weeks! It’s your support that allows me to create art inspired by the dogs and cats I adore.
Want a piece of the pointy-nose magic? Whether you need an elegant bone china mug or a cosy cushion for a fellow sighthound lover, there's a perfect gift waiting in the shop.