Vintage Little Metal Hippo

While cleaning out a friend's barn, my husband made this discovery. I loved it so much that my friend let me keep him. He looks like he is made from cast metal, and he must be old. My husband is guessing that it's from the 1930s. I found out that the star-shaped screws were invented in 1934, and it is held together with these type of screws.

I tried to do some research on him, but there are no markings on him. The only thing I found was this blog post where someone else, in New Zealand, had found one that is identical. Mine appears to be all original. I opened him up and he is hollow inside.

his mouth opens:

his head, arms and legs rotate around, and he has a "loop" on his head that leads me to think that he is meant to be a pendant of some sort:

If you have any information on him, I'd really love to hear what you think!

three bad seeds

the Bear: Plush Wool Pillow
"we are three, three bad seeds -- a family adventure in handmade art and independent craft. we create quirky and functional graphic objects from discarded materials. we take thrifted wool and linen clothing... wash it/felt it... deconstruct it... then transform it into- plush animal pillows, appliqued pillow covers, coasters, banners, wall art... whatever floats our boat. we also hand embroider reusable produce bags. color, texture and simplicity drive our designs. amanda leads the charge...but the mister and the small one contribute often and with gusto."
bio written by amanda via the etsy profile
WEBSITE * ETSY

Two Sad Donkeys

Hanna - White Tailed Female Deer, Art Puppet Marionette Stuffed Animal Felted Toy. beige neutral cream brown
"I like felt and love marionettes, and these two facts come together here in my store. And these toys are result of this love I‘ve been working in State Puppet Theater as a set and puppet designer. I’ve also been working in felted wool for about 7 years. I was born in Estonia, studied fine art in Russia, in Moscow Textile Academia. Now I live in Republic of Georgia (Caucasus), in native land of my husband. He and our three boys are the biggest friends and fans in my life. I’m also part of group of women who love to spend our “free” time together making marionettes from natural materials for our small Waldorf school puppet theater. Once a month we show our fairy tales for our kindergarten’s and school’s children. I’m inspired by nature, animals, children’s creativity, ancient rock painting and of course by art of Mark Chagall. I truly love I do and I thank God for this life I live."
bio written by Olga via her etsy profile

Kiki Mood

The little black whale - Doll decoration

GladOArt

Felt toy "blue tit"
"My name is Olga Kuzina. I was born and live at present in Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine). I’ve graduated with a diploma of architect and have been engaged in landscape design. The love for dolls has changed my life dramatically... At present I make author’s dolls and felted toys, do some painting and generally all things related to artwork in this or that way. I’ve participated at hand-made dolls’ exhibitions: «Kyiv fairy tale» (Kyiv), «VII International Dolls’ Salon», «The Art of Doll» (Moscow)."
bio written by Olga via her etsy profile