I just spent some time takingvery clear instructions on how to install double-ended dreadlocks. I used contrasting colors, so you can see it clearly. You can download a PDF of the file HERE .

Hawaii was filled with strange creatures. This little guy in particular inspired me to experiment with some new NifNak critters….. check out his feet!

 

(Too bad you can’t see him! ;)

I just want to put out a quick note letting y’all know how much One Inch Round , a local business in Alameda, completely rocks my socks. I called them for a last-minute rushed job for some buttons I wanted for NifNaks to give away at the Maker Faire.

The folks there were completely personable and friendly and made sure I got my order in time for the show - even though I asked for a quicker turn-around than they normally do. Did I mention they even gave me a call, to find out if I wanted my web address on the inside/back of the button or the front?? (Again, they ROCK.)

AND the buttons turned out fantastic!

 

And apparently they like me! This was taken on an impromptu visit to Tilden Park on a special someone’s birthday.

(photo courtesy Jeanne Constantine of flickr.com)

What a weekend! NifNaks was such a success at Maker Faire!!!!!! (http://makerfaire.com) Being my first ever show and all, I had absolutely NO idea what to expect.....

There's so much to say, but I'll try to summarize in smaller bit-sized pieces:

+ I'm so happy to be officially a working artist. My dream of doing what I love and sharing that with people (and to support myself) is actually coming true -- amazing! I sold tons of critters, saw many smiling faces, and walked away with my pockets bulging.

+ So many fantastic people stopped by my booth to talk, ask questions, buy my work. Yay for feedback, yay for interactions and meeting new people! It is true that the people who are involved in my daily life have interacted with me regarding what I'm doing, but for the most part, my work has been all solitary. It was fantastic to stand at my table and to meet people who honestly love what I do and appreciate the cute&-squeep-inducing things in life.

+ I met *so* many people! I can't believe I actually ran out of my brand new box of business cards (1000 count). HA! What an insane amount of exposure for a launch, eh?

+ My super-rockstar bestest-friend-in-the-whole-wide-world, April, rocked my world and was THE best booth babe ever. I couldn't have asked for a more enthusiastic and supportive helper. She was the sparkler that kept on sizzling thought the whole event.

+ What a learning curve with my induction into all things in world of craftsters! So may unexpected interactions with meeting vendors, sharing ideas with many folks, and learning more about my myself—both as an artist and as a business woman. In addition, I also was bubbling with new ideas to grow and mature from here... In fact, during the final week before the show I was constantly having new ideas pop into my brain, but had no time before the show to execute it in time for the show. Now I have even more new critters and fuzzy heart-warming things to come!!!

+ BTW, did I mention the spot for my booth was cherry?? I was located on the isle end AND by the doors coming in. Lot's of fresh air, fresh light, and fresh visitors. yay!

+ This year, there is a limited edition Maker Faire poster that was created for the event by eBoy featuring many of the event's makers, including NifNaks!! I was surprised to find my Muscaria Shroommates (tm:) while perusing the poster. What an honor to have my creations referenced by this famous artist! Can you find where they are below??? Hint, there are 3 in the poster:)

Finally, I should note that I was very moved at the number of friends who stopped by my booth to say "hi". It was such a delight to share all of what I've been working on the past few months with you. Your support and encouragement touched me deeply. swoon, yay, <3.

Photos courtesy Scott Beale of Laughing Squid

Here's my solution to discerning who's Mac belongs to whom at a glance: vinyl graphics from Blik Graphics.

 

I chose the tree image because it is reminiscent of my main page website illustration, which prominently displays a tree with cute squirrel on it (conceptualized by myself & superbly executed by the creator of Strawberry Shortcake.) If only I could have a squirrel instead of the bird, then it'd be absolutely *perfect*. Otherwise, not to shabby,

This entire post is dedicated to all the kind and lovely people who supported me on the day of NifNaks' first photoshoot. I could write pages on each person enumerating just how much they each rock, so it's going to be a real struggle here condensing it down to one or two lines. But please, don't let that stop you from taking a closer look into who they are by clicking on their names.

The Models:
Pyrokitten - Pyrokitten was shopping around for a new place to call her home that day, and *still* she arrived ready and looking fabulous! It is no wonder that some of my favorite photos of 'Shroomates, had Pyrokitten as the starring model.

Jessica - Jessica is a local performance artist, who freed her busy schedule to romp and play with us that day. Her vibrant personality (and vibrant hair!) was the perfect compliment to some of my most elaborate NifNaks.

Whitney - Whit is a professional masseuse by day, Living Dead Girl by night, and everything in between. She possesses a wit, skill, brains, and playfulness that is hard to capture in such a small space here.

LeEvil - A woman who did it all -- model AND photographer. (Wow, what a class act!) Being both skilled behind and in front of the camera, it came as no surprise that every photo was stunning!

Hollis - When I think "professional style", Hollis is exactly who I think of. Every time I turned around that woman had on yet another snazzy outfit. Look for her appearing in San Francisco theaters!

The Extras:
Colin - Colin ropped all the important webdesign he was doing for NifNaks that day, to drive me to the photoshoot, amidst my stomach bug. He also served as an extra pair of eyes, as I tried to direct people glassy-eyed & foggy-brained.

Aaron - Aaron also served as technical support & social lubricant while my feverish brain was incapable of communicating as effectively as I would have liked.

What a lucky gal I am, to have stunningly talented friends in my life!

Recently, I made a very fun gift for a friend, who just returned from Illinois (a corn state!). He was spending a short hiatus there, helping with family stuff. Myself and many others missed him dearly, and decided to throw him a welcome back party when he returned. I knew this was a moment for NifNak cuteness to fill his life with joy!

While away, he sent a youtube video of his adventures in the the Land of Lincoln, which featured CORN as a prop. I just *knew* that his special fuzzy bit of joy, just *had* to be corn.

I proudly present, Earl the Expired Ear.....

I also made a mini coffin to place Earl in to complete the presentation. I know, it seems silly to have a dead ear of corn, but my friend is very silly and he appreciated the (inside) joke.

Yay!!!

I'm so excited! I was accepted into the Maker Faire's Bizaare Bazaar. Yes, the competition was fierce, there were double the applicants than there were slots, and I made it! Wheeeee!!

I'm very excited to meet all the other crafters, inventors, geniuses, and DIY'ers at Maker Faire. What inspiring folks will I meet this year & what other neat things will people be selling? My head is exploding of all the new experiences in store for me. There's so much to plan for my first ever craft faire (oh, and what a craft faire it will be!!!!). How will set up my table? What will showcase my critters and other NifNaks at their C.O.L. (cutest optimal level)??? How much opportunity will I get to meet my fellow vendors? Will I be placed near my friends, personal heroes, and bunnywarez founders, m & jovino? I'm shivering with excitement!!! Postings of my exciting developments will soon follow....... squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Yayyyyyyyy!

Today I have my newest version of NifNaks up and running. I'm not quite done ironing out all of the wrinkles in my store, so as of today, I have put up a gallery of my products until I can get theNifNaks Store up and running (which should be done by this Friday, if all goes well:).

All the fabulous models you see pictured in the gallery are dear friends of mine who helped me out at very short notice. (I'll post real model props in my next post.) They all were real troopers in that, although we shot in San Francisco's Mission District, the weather decided to be cold and foggy. Can you believe that?? Spring time, and it was foggy in The Mission!

And if there weren't enough challenges for the day, I was very ill that day. But guess what! I have the most bubbly and resilient friends -- everyone was patient with my light-headed blatherings and had loads of fun. All the models even had a small entourage of cute guys who accompanied us during our shoot (thanks Colin, Aaron, & Andy!).

Although getting up the newest version of NifNaks was something I already was working on, my time line for this was accelerated due to the application deadline for this year's BazaarBizarre at Maker Faire. The applicants are juried, so I wanted to make sure they had the best idea of who I was when I submitted it last night.

BTW, I had so much fun attending last year's Maker Faire! Check out this really cool high-speed photo of me, taken by Tom of Quaketronics -- it was even printed in Make Magazine, Vol.8!!!

And if that wasn't cool enough.... I was even quoted in ZDNet News article on Maker Faire 2006! I can't even imagine what this year's event has to offer. (yay, shiver, wheeeeee!!)

I really hope I'm chosen for BazaarBizarre -- it'd really mean a lot to me if I was..... You see, attending Maker Faire last year and seeing the success of M & Jovino's bunnywarez was what inspired me to start my own art & craft business. It'd be very fulfilling to come full circle in just one year, and have the opportunity to give back to my community. Anyway, cross your fingers and wish me luck!