Last-Minute Handmade Love

BTW, you should come check this shizz out.

Looking for that last-minute Valentine's day gift for your sweetie?  Look no further than Big Umbrella Studios' trunk show "Last-Minute Handmade Love."  Featuring some of the most awesome handmade artisans from around the Bay, don't miss your chance to find the perfect gift that you've been holding out for at this two-day show. 

Saturday, browse the magical wares of Nerd Jerk, Heathered, Compass Rose Design, and Etta+Billie.
On Sunday, find joy in the majesty of Twinkie Chan, Mangosteen, Crooked Sister, and Monkey + Seal.

Saturday, Feb. 12 & Sunday Feb. 13, from 12-5pm
Big Umbrella Studios, 906 1/2 Divisadero St., SF 94115


Nerd Jerk: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NerdJerk
Heathered: http://heathered.weebly.com/
Compass Rose Design: http://www.compassrosedesignjewelry.com/
Etta + Billie: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ettaandbillie
Twinkie Chan: http://www.twinkiechan.com/
Mangosteen: http://www.mangosteenoakland.com/
Crooked Sister: http://www.etsy.com/shop/crookedsister
Monkey + Seal: http://www.monkeyandseal.com

See you there!

10/16/10

I painted this on Saturday, but after being up for 36 hours, I decided to sleep instead of posting this.  Whoopsie.

The text reads "Hmmm, this grass tastes of the faint, nutty aroma of ass"

7/25/10

In lieu of a digital painting, here is a craft project I made today at work.  

Today at work I decided to make a Edward Cullen inspired paper bag sock monkey while I was demoing PS' Paper Bag Sock Monkey kit.  Why I decided to do a Edward paper bag when I have no interest in Twilight I have no idea, but I think it's pretty awesome anyway.

I used a Brilliance ink pad to give him a bit of "sparkle" (in retrospect I should have used it before I put the face on...), and then I also put him in a blue jacket or sorts (with flipped-up lapels seen in the last photo) that I found when I was looking up reference for him.  I added little breast pockets and cuff straps and used snaps for the buttons. 

The hair I cut by hand with scissors, and I used a #2 Red micron for the lettering and did a fill with the new watercolor pencils.

I probably could have spent more time on the sign (so it's not all squished on the bottom), but alas the store was getting busy and I wanted to get it done.

And btw, if you want to buy some cool sock monkey kits for some kids you know you can head over to Paper Source to pick up everything you need here to make your own inspired sock monkey paper bag thing.

Btw, if you are wondering what paper colors I used, it was lake for the jacket (although I might do night if I make another one), cement for the snaps and t-shirt, the eyes, mouth, ears, and hands were all part of the kit (as was the bag), and I used Platinum Planet Brilliance ink for the "sparkle."  I still say vampires should burn to death in the sunlight, but whatever.

Getting through the crap

So it's been a bit of a rough couple of days, but I'm slogging through it, trying to stay positive, and figuring out how to learn from each craptastic event and figure out the next step.

When I lost my wallet on the bus on Tuesday, I foolishly though "Awww shit, bad things come in threes." And thus, it sort of came true. I later checked up and found out that Eve and I didn't make it into Spectrum, and then Friday I got the email saying we didn't get into Renegade SF.
Bummer.

But, someone did finally turn in my wallet, and I picked it up on Friday night, there's always next year for Spectrum, and in all honesty, we really aren't all that "craft" focused, as we are all about the art and stuff (although if I go to Renegade and there are some other poster artists and shit I'm going to be pissed off).

On the good side, I have a wedding to go to today, I'll be seeing some friends I haven't seen in a while, Paper Hat is working on another art show, and we'll be participating in the Fillmore Art Walk, so I guess there isn't a whole lot to complain about.

I've also had a few new business ideas in the past few days, so hopefully I'll get on those and make it happen. Ideally Monkey + Seal will have a bigger and more awesome 2010!

really really quick sketch

~15 min, all photoshop.

I watched The Dark Knight a few weeks ago (again), and besides me walking around annoying Eve with the "wHy So sERIouS??" line all the time, I've also been working on some logo prelims for a sketch comedy troupe. Thus, besides the craft fair I'm putting on, my brain has been all about clowns.

Anyway, I slept early (~12:45ish) and am now feeling overloaded with things to do before I go to work at 12:30. So, I wanted to throw up a sketch and get back to work.

Also, I taught the Japanese Stab Binding class last night at Paper Source, and although we didn't get through as many stitches as I wanted to, I think everyone took away a good deal of basic stab binding knowledge and hopefully they can apply it to many more books.