Indianapolis

A Thoroughly Modern Library Mascot

August 9, 2018Leave a Comment

A New Book Mascot for the Indianapolis Library

The Indy Library wanted to update the mascot. They wanted the big book to be a bit smaller so it could be more easily transported —and they wanted a few other changes.

The Library had a book mascot, named Booker, for about 20 years – it had been remade and duplicated a few times over those 20 years. Booker was always a popular mascot.

We designed a thoroughly modern book.

New Colors for Booker the Book

The original Booker was made from the primary colors, red, yellow and blue. The Library wanted this one to use some of the other colors now used in the Library’s logo.

They opted for spring green, aqua and orange.

Booker is a very jazzy book!

Booker has some pretty swell shoes and a nice hairdo, as well!

What do you think of the new library mascot?

Playing “runway” w/ the book cover

Holiday Costume Rentals – Trees, Balls, Presents and a Really Sweet Cake – A Holiday Poem

December 3, 2014Leave a Comment

A Holiday Poem

The holidays are here, by golly

we’ll laugh, dance, sing and be oh so jolly!

Let’s dress in our best with dazzle and zing

wearing a tree, a present and cake with icing

and then, of course, we’ll doff our holiday balls

They’re full of fun, foam, glitter and a dollop of bling!

Holiday thoughts from the Mascot Makers and the Costume Rentables Department!

xoxo AvantGarb

Make a date w/ the cake or the tree or a holiday ball, a package, a fish or a potted plant!

Loudmouth Fish Photographer - Costume Rentals - Rentables - Indianapolis — Loudmouth Fish: Photographer

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Bringing BetXi Bear to Life – The Alpha Xi Delta mascot

August 20, 20192 Comments

Bringing BetXi Bear to Life – The Alpha Xi Delta mascot

According the Alpha Xi Delta, AvantGarb is the”Glam Squad” for BetXi Bear. Her belt matches her shoes. of course! – and her shoes are yellow, patent-leather BetXi is ready for any occasion.

Lauren Fisher, wrote an article about making BetXi Bear, Bringing BetXi to Life – in Quill, the sorority’s quarterly publication.

Details, details, details

Getting the details right is what AvantGarb does best.

Making BetXi’s dress

We matched the fabric to theAlpha Xi Delta’s colors.

There is no fabric that is durable enough and has polka dots big enough for a socially active mascot like BetXi.

The artisans at AvantGarb cut out polka dots and stitched them onto blue fabric. We added light blue trim to the bottom of the dress and made that giant bow!

BetXi’s first appearance was at the Autism Speaks Walk in Indianapolis. BetXi travels from campus to campus promoting Alpha Xi Delta and their good works.

BetXi is classy, stylish and she has a big, big heart.

Betxi Bear clear — Alpha Xi Delta’s BetXi Bear

Choppy – ChopSaver Lip Balm

March 30, 2012Leave a Comment

Choppy1 — Choppy CorSaver Lip Balm - For People w/ Lips

A week before Super Bowl 2012 festivities started in Indianapolis, the ChopSaver people- Dan and Noelle Golsling came to visit. They wanted a mascot for their ChopSaver Lip Balm – For People with Lips. If your a small biz w/ a great product, you have to pay attention to the SuperBowl’s outreach possibilities.

AvantGarb was swamped. We didn’t have a spare second to make a right-this-very-minute-new mascot. There were 3 Kangaroos, a Horse, a Soybean, a Grizzlie and the Griff waiting to be made. However, ChopSavers came with a referrral from a close friend, Carol Frohlich.

….and Dan & Noelle are ardent entrepreneurs and they have THE MOST LUSCIOUS LOOKING LIPS!

Of course we said yes.

Making “Choppy” was like driving the Indy 500. The sewing machines raced and whirred for 3 days.

….and sometimes we used our big, old, powerful cobbler machine. Rather than turn the fabric, foam, patent-leather-vinyl, the walking foot turns to change the stitching direction (sewing machine info for sewing nerds).

Whenever the ChopSaver folks show up, the excitement & entusiasm level rises. Annie & Mike ( a couple of Garb Ganger) finished the last stitches and wriggled the ChopSaver mascot onto the interior structure while with help from the ChopSaver gang.

Choppy:Anne:Harness — Choppy-Annie securing interior harness

Everyone in the GarbGang has luscious lips now because we use Chopsaver Lip Balm. Plus, it was a blast working w/ Dan & Noelle.