Just like the title says folks. The store will be off line until I return.

 Thanks for your patience!

The Prepare for the Playa event went well on July 22nd. I mostly only took my dreads with me, but I did include some critters from NifNaks as well as my new Tentacle Scarf.

Lots of people were interested in the process of installing dreads. I think most grasped the idea, when I showed them closely on the mannequin head, how to braid them in. I'm so very glad I made the investment in picking her up. :)

I have a feeling the next on August 12th will be insanely pack with folks furious to get late minute playa gear. Stop by if you want to see my beautiful dreads in person! (I can even do a quick demo on how to install your own dreads!)

I just recently installed a full set of double-ended dreads to a blue wig I had purchased. I wanted to do this to show people what it would look like for a full set of dreads, being that I have an undercut, so the "full effect" is lessened by my lack of hair.

 

 

 After I installed the dreads to the wig, however, I realized that if someone *really* wanted to, they could do this themselves, instead of attach the dreadlocks to their own "real" hair. This way, a fabulous head of dreads is available in a matter of seconds and can be taken off at any time. :)

 

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!