what are
denim gremlins?
Handmade,
one-of-a-kind friends born entirely from reclaimed materials
where it all started…
grandpa
every family starts with a dusty old creature
In the Denim Gremlin family, that’s Grandpa. Believe it or not, he predates COVID - Grandpa was born August 2019. The idea that Grandpa was born from was even older; but that’s a story for another day.
6 years later, Grandpa is still around, the dirty little thing that he is. He still ain’t got no shins, his tail poof is nearly felted into a ball, and his skin has become mottled where his denim wore through and I had to embroider a little extra care.
Many Denim Gremlins have followed behind him- born from jeans too dearly loved to donate, every sock who ever ran off to be an orphan, and the tiny button bags that come with the wool coats and silk shirts we buy when we’re feeling much fancier than our baseline.
They represent love of the material, and the futility of that love. In transforming cherished goods, the Gremlins reimagine the things that were once packaged and quality-controlled into the things that they are now- after they’ve lived and experienced with us, and soaked up the bits of our soul we shed out into the world.
What falls apart, we carry forward.
where are you going with this
I have a few neat ideas I’m currently kicking around about Denim Gremlins.. I’d love to see them cause a revival of craftiness and living artfully through mundane objects, operating as a contemporary Sock Monkey.
FAQs
do you sell denim gremlins?
Yes, I do. However, Denim Gremlins are entirely handsewn- up until recently when I learned about i-cord machines, they were handknit, too! Since they’re so time-intensive, they come available very infrequently! Fret not- I am always exploring ways to bring more Gremlins into the world today than I did yesterday.
what do you mean reclaimed/recycled materials?
Denim Gremlins are made entirely from old and donated textiles sourced from the local community. Part of the spirit of Denim Gremlins is memorial- this means that some textiles used may still be functional, but the owner is unable to part with the articles due to their personal meaning. Textiles unsuitable for donation are shredded and turned into stuffing, giving the Gremlins a very unique weighted & squishy feel.
do you take commissions?
Yes, I do. Please reach out to me at Jess@JDGHayes.com or use the form below- I cannot tell you how excited I am to help you acquire a Denim Gremlin of your very own imaginings!
can you use materials I provide, such as an old shirt or blanket?
Absolutely! As long as the materials provided are clean, I will be honored to incorporate them into your custom Gremlin.
blah blah blah reach out for commissions whatever; but can you at least give me a starting price point so I can decide if i want to?
Yes; 6-8” Denim Gremlins (measure 12-14” with limbs) start at $75.
*(I am experimenting with a smaller version starting at $40, subscribe to my newsletter if you want to be the first to find out.)
are these suitable for kids or pets?
No! Denim Gremlins are considered ‘art dolls,’ and should be handled with an appropriate level of care. They are fabulous for a snuggle, but they are one-of-a-kind pieces that do not undergo safety testing and often have chokable parts such as buttons. Please do NOT allow Denim Gremlins unsupervised around your pets or children.
I still have more questions, maybe more than when I started
Okie-dokie! Please reach out to me at Jess@JDGHayes.com - I’ll be more than happy to help!
I want a denim gremlin!
That’s pretty much the coolest thing anyone has ever said to me. You can drop a message right in here to let me know the budget and the vibe you’re going for ->