Winter Blahs

"The Random Thoughts of a Disconcerted Bunny"

Hello, it's been awhile since I've updated, I do apologize. After the crazy busy time I had October through December, packed with shows, followed by the holiday break with the kids home from school, I let things slide, update wise.

Now that all of that excitement is over and the weather has been less than stellar, for example today's lovely daytime high is -20 C, I think that a sort of seasonal depression has set in. *sigh*

Looking back over 2013, it was an experimental year for me. For the first time I “put myself out there” in the sense I tried selling my work, I did 6 shows in all. I needed to have a really good idea of how things work. The experience has been very enlightening and gave me many things to consider, going forward.

"Party Chick"

Most of my friends can attest to the fact that I've always had difficulty figuring out where I belong, my interests have never really been “mainstream”, whether it’s music, art, books or television I’m forever being drawn to things that are a little “different”  but not “extreme”, perhaps it’s the “quirky”  I like. I appreciate birds of a different feather J

I get bored easily, and predictability (at least entertainment wise) is deadly for me. That’s part of why I love to draw so much. Keep the pencil moving and you’ll never know what will pop out! 

I've set many goals for myself again this year …an Etsy shop, a website, a short animation and a graphic novel rewrite, not to mention working hard to improve my drawing skills (there is still a mountain of things I want to learn). Oh yeah, and make some money, that would be nice ;)

I’ll be doing a few select shows again this year, although not as many as last year. I’m going to try hard to not fall in the trap of doing what I think people want verses what I enjoy making. I started drawing because I wanted to tell stories, so that’s what I’ll focus on.

I’ll be sharing updates on what I’m learning, experimenting with and other random comics, I’m looking forward to a very unpredictable year!

Pop Expo is almost here!!

I'm getting really excited for PopExpo, only one week left! I am still working hard on getting a few new items done in time Yikes! I'll have a variety of items for sale, hopefully you can find a little something to complete your Christmas shopping ;-) I'll be a booth #2129 so come by and say hello. Mention this blog and I'll give you a free bookmark!

Here are a few examples ( Please forgive the photography, my camera is failing to focus right and the lighting is terrible) :

Mini comics

artist trading cards

Big eyed art and keepsake boxes

Art Work

Key chains/ charms

A cat named Muss

As my next art/craft show, OVCC's Artisans @ The Archives: Christmas Market, quickly approaches I'm happy to announce that one of my characters "Muss" will be featured on a poster in support of a fellow guild member who is growing a "Monkey Tail" mustache for Movember. He is hoping to raise $200 for mens health research!  It's  fun to see Muss put to good use. Here's a peak at what the poster will look like:

The Christmas Market takes place this weekend at the National Archives, I'll be there selling my handmade cards and gift boxes, come by and say hello. In support of the Movember challenge I'll donate $1 from every "Muss" card I sell this weekend.

Here's Muss' Christmas card:

In a month I'll be participating in Pop Expo, this is so exciting. Muss will be there too! He's the star of a comic mini that is filled with all kinds of anime fun designed to test your knowledge,  this is the cover:

Lastly, if you're interested in seeing more of Muss' antics, he can be found here: What Muss Be

Talk to you soon :-)

Last minute prep for Christmas Craft fair

Tomorrow is the first of two Holiday craft fairs I'm participating this season. As always, I spend the day before a show worrying weather or not I have made enough, and trying to figure out the best way to display them. I'm still new at this and I find it difficult not knowing what to expect.

Anyway, I plan to relax and have fun over the next two days. I look forward to meeting new people and being surrounded by all the creative energy :-) Perhaps I'll see you there, come over and say hi!

My First Geek Market and other stuff

Well on this day one week ago I was running around and over stressing out about my first show this season. The second annual Ottawa Geek Market, was held Saturday and Sunday and  it was an amazing show full of all kinds of fascinating stuff.  There were  life sized board games, Lego creations, Dr. Who society, steampunk, lolita, masks, Star Wars, you name it, it was there. This was great event,  fantastic to see so much creative ideas in one place (and they say Ottawa is boring).  My only complaint is that the zone were I was located was a little light in traffic but I still managed to sell stuff. Here's a picture of my table set up before opening, I made a few modifications for Sunday. I am still working on the best way to present my merchandise.

My mini Tardis and Zom-B-Gone boxes sold out, but don't worry more should be ready for PopExpo.

The next show I'm participating in, The St. Mark Christmas Craft Show comes up in two weeks, I'm making new boxes and Christmas cards.  For this show I'm going to have a variety pattern boxes and boxes with fancy Japanese Origami paper. I will have more pictures up on Facebook (don't forget to "like" the page, I still have a box to give away when I reach 100 likes). Here's a sampling:

Getting Ready for Christmas

I thought I should give a little update on something I've been working on for upcoming Christmas craft shows happening in November. One of the things I enjoy doing is making greeting cards and  I will be debuting a new line of cards I call Party Chicks:

These are fun bright colored birds who love to have a good time and are super eager to spread their enthusiasm! Here is a sample:

A sub-group of the Party Chick are the Party Penguins, and they have been busy getting ready for the holiday season. You can find them hanging out on gift tags and cards. Here's just a few,  more will be posted on Facebook.

That's all for this week. I've got two weeks until Geek Market and sooo much to do. I'm getting nervous but excited too.  Now back to work!

What Now?

Well, this has been a challenging, yet exciting week. On the downside my tablet stylus got broken, leaving feeling a little dead in the water, happily I was able to acquire a new one, however, at an expense I wasn't budgeting on :-/

On the upside, check out the side bar, I've added  two more shows! The St. Mark Craft Show which happens on the first weekend  of November, and Ottawa Pop Expo taking place the first weekend in December. Altogether that means I've got 4 shows coming up in the next two months! I'm pretty sure I'm in over my head, but may as well crash and burn in a spectacular fashion :-)

This all means I'll be going full throttle for the next little while, toggling between my geeky and less-geek self, so try to bear with me. I hope to update at least weekly.

Often, I have ideas float through my head, I never know if they are a good idea or not, however I've decided to just go with it. This week I present the Zom-B-Gone, which as is turns out, may be just what Pop Expo needs!!