Again we were lucky enough to meet some diamonds in the rough artists at SDCC. Leslie Levings is one of those to keep an eye on. Her Beastlies encompass all that is hand-made goodness that puts a smile on your face.
Girls Entertainment Network: First off can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
Leslie Levings: Hello! I’m Leslie and I make the Beastlies, little monsters sculpted out of polymer clay. And that is pretty much what I do whenever I’m not at my day job selling comic books
GEN: How long have you been making Beastlies?
LL: Well I first started making little things like this when I was 10. Essentially, I wanted to make my own toys. But I gave it up after a while and didn’t come back to it until about three? four? years ago.
GEN: How did these cute creatures begin?
LL: When I was a kid, a mostly made things like toads and bunnies. When I started again recently, it was with normal animals like that, but slowly the Beastlies just sort of emerged.
GEN: What is the process of making a Beastlie?
LL: It usually starts with a sort of potato-shaped core. That’s the heart of most Beastlies: a brightly-colored clay potato. From there I add the limbs, face and everything else. I try to give them expressions that amuse me, so hopefully other people will be get a kick out of them too.
GEN: I saw your stuff at SDC. Do you often to Cons or craft shows?
LL: I do a few. The Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco, Stumptown in Portland, and Comic Con in San Diego are my usual favorites. I’m looking into a vinyl toy-based show this year, though, so maybe I’ll expand. I haven’t really done any craft shows, but hopefully soon.
GEN: Do you plan to branch out into other medias with your characters? Such as shirts or prints?
LL: Yeah, actually. I’m looking into a couple different avenues, from things like books to possibly even something animated. Stay tuned…
We will definitely be staying tuned for more Beastlie news. Thanks again to Leslie for her time and be sure to check out her store on Etsy to get your hands on a Beastlie of your very own.
August 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Leslie does a beautiful job of capturing character in these sweet little Beasties but she has also managed to portray emotion into their faces! You can almost hear a couple of them pleading with you to take them home!
August 8th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
This was seriously one of my highlights from the show. I really regret not going back and getting one. We sat there for at least fifteen minutes drooling over these things and trying to pick a favorite. I still think that the little orange one in the bottom middle picture is my fav! I may have to hit up Etsy!!!