VINTAGE COOL

New cute items in my ETSY shop...

Putting it out there

Sometimes just putting yourself out there is the scariest thing there is. Yesterday I went to interview at a tattoo shop to help cover shifts. This is the first formal interview I've had since the beginning of my apprenticeship. Now that I'm wiser, have a portfolio and the experience; opportunities have been coming to me in weird ways. Friends, acquaintances, and through pure serendipity I've managed to connect with two shops in hopes for something part-time. I should be hearing back from them soon.
I wear many hats already. Working with children in an after-school program, selling vintage clothing and some art in my etsy shop, and tattooing in my private studio have kept me busy. But this may be the open door I need to further my tattooing. My humility has me a bit terrified over it all. Below I decided to post some of my portfolio highlights.

Insinuendos

Insinuendos: A hybrid word in⋅sin⋅u⋅ate + in⋅nu⋅en⋅dos = Insinuendos to title the shop of my close friend, Maria. She is a meticulous artist that works with a number of items that would normally make the average crafter wallow in their own failures and hang themselves. The monumental amount of fine detail and finesse she uses with sculpy, glitter, glass beads, rhinestones, nail polish, and the ever-popular industrial strength caustic glue E-6000 produces an outcome that is truly stunning. Maria's trinket boxes bring to mind horror and classical literature with a heaping helping of sardonic humor. I've been graced with the privilege of being close friends with this lady as well as receiving stellar hand made Day of the Dead-inspired gifts- sculptures that now grace the walls of my home.
I feel privileged to be able to call her a close friend. She's a sweet, super-smart, and creative force. Some days I enjoy crafting along side her in hopes that her craft wizardry will rub off in some way. She's inspiring and full of gumption. Visit her etsy shop. Her trinket boxes are one of a kind, and really worth way more than the going price.

One thing after another

Southern Minnesota has come and left. I came back with a very mediocre tattoo, some good times, and an extra suitcase full of goods. I picked up Allison a glass insulator, some ceramic goodies for my crafter friends, and endless vintage aprons.
This week marks the "handmade" begining of my upcoming etsy sales. I have some ideas, I just need to get started on them. Flocked (yes fuzzy) refinished vintage picture frames. I'm also thinking about actually assembling small-scale shrines again.
The illustration project is coming along slowly. French bulldogs are so darn cute! This will be a popular book!
Tattooing has been steady, I'm happy with what I've accomplished thus far.
I've become very interested in this rug, and the entire process of felting. I've only attempted to felt a couple of wool sweaters once, and was pretty disappointed by the washing machine method.