Mr Marley Prototype!

Finally, a Mr Marley prototype I feel able to share with the world. He’s the second ornament in my Ebenezer Ornament Series. This particular fella is not quite right, but he’s close, and I’m so relieved. This is actually Design v2.0. I originally started with a totally different concept that was so cool in my head and in my sketches, but in 3D felt reality it was just a mess. So I scrapped the whole thing and started again from scratch.

As Kenny Rogers might say, know when to walk away.

This unfortunate spirit sports a real chain hung with store bought baubles. Those are two jingle bells that are standing in for cash boxes (and also make him able to rattle his chains at Scrooge very nicely). Also seen on his chain are a key charm and a little jewelry finding called a ‘cap’ that you normally would use to finish a necklace. On his chain it looks like a large padlock or maybe a small purse.

No worries, if you prefer not to purchase little findings, I’m also currently testing an option to make boxes and keys from card stock.You might also use alternatives if you do not wish to purchase a chain. (Don’t forget to check your jewelry box for old necklaces you might want to repurpose.) While a real chain gives the best look, you could possibly substitute some braided metallic floss or maybe string some oblong metallic beads.

This pattern is not available yet, but if you are making a list for things to buy in anticipation of the release, other extras required to make Mr Marley will be jump rings and a bit of wire to form his spectacles (and probably silver card stock if you are making the baubles). The rest of the ornament is made in much the same method and materials you use for Mr Scrooge, and I’ll be using the same two Benzie Design felt palettes to make the samples. The glass beads and sequins you see here are all Benzie too. Love ’em.

I hope to nail down the final pattern for him soon, and then begins the intensive process of writing the pattern and sewing the color samples. I hope everyone is well and perhaps enjoying some extra crafting time, one of the only bright spots of the whole COVID pandemic.