The Weird Wild World of Ms. Kitty Fantastico!

Where Have I Been???

2008-12-21T01:14:00.002-05:00

I literally have not done a blog posting in 6 months. SIX MONTHS! My world had been very topsy turvy for a while, but here I am!
We moved from our New Haven apartment around September 1st. We were suppose to stay with my roommates father, who was rarely in the state and happy to help. But then his brother moved in, trying to get clean and sober, and the nightmare began.
We moved literally 6 times after this from various hotels, family members and friends.
Now we're settled into a temporary residence, and things are a little easier. Rob - my fiancee, and I are planning on one final move. Hopefully this will happen over the next 2 - 3 months.
While all of this was going on both my health and business have suffered. I've made it my New Years Resolution to improve the both of them.

So what am I doing now? Working on making Ms. Kitty Fantastico better. Working to make the Connecticut Etsy Team more active and a smoother course for the team. And starting a new venture with my friend and roommate Matt. We have started working on paper crafts. I had no idea how cool and fun it was until I made some items for the team!

I'll be at The Space 12/21/08 for the Last Minute Craft Bash. It runs from 10 am - 3 pm. The Space is located at 295 Treadwell St. Hamden, CT. There will be a few vendors, free swag bags, a raffle table chock full of Etsy items. The show is a fundraiser to help The Space. If you're around stop in and say hello!

Indie Craft Shows and Events

2008-08-26T13:24:00.001-04:00

Brought to you by the Connecticut Etsy Team! Have any questions? Want to be in one of our shows? Drop me a line: CTEtsyTeam@gmail.com

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH - Flea Market @ The Space 9am - 3pm
295 Treadwell Street Hamden CT
The CT Etsy Team and The Space are combining forces yet again to bring you one stellar flea market event! OUTDOORS will be tons of cool and unusual flea market vendors bringing you the coolest items in vintage and tag sale this side of Connecticut! INDOORS the CT Etsy Team will have featured crafters from their Traveling Green Show featuring rad earth friendly art. Not to mention the Space's awesome on site cafe and vintage shop!
This is a no brainer folks! Cheap goodies and good times!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11th - Crafters on the Green in Waterbury 11am - 3pm
Part of Brass City Harvest Farmers Market and The CT Etsy Team Traveling Green Show
Come and check out a bevy of local crafters as well farm fresh fruits, veggies and whole foods. Music and entertainment will be featured through out the day!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14th - Etsy , CT 06755 10am-3pm
Merwinsville Hotel 1 Browns Forge Rd. New Milford CT
This is a unique shopping event put together by Jen Grant and Jillian Lyons of the CT Etsy Team. Artists from all over the state of Connecticut were hand picked specifically for this event to bring you the best and coolest products possible. Taking place at the historic Merwinsville Hotel, right on the train tracks, this is sure to be one Hell of a whistle stop show! Music and entertainment through out the day! http://www.freewebs.com/06755

Please visit : http://www.freewebs.com/ctetsyteam for more details and events!

It Just Wouldn't Be Ms. Kitty Without the Weird Wild World

2008-08-21T18:30:00.006-04:00

Well nothing is ever easy in the world of Ms. Kitty. For we all know even kittens have claws, and this kitty is getting cranky.
Moving has been grueling! We need to be out of here in about 10 days. I am packing like mad. My roommate has done *nothing*. His parents cut him off this week, so he has no income. Still he does *nothing*. I am revolted by this. I don't really know what to do. And we are suppose to be staying at his father's house. So now I am cranky and nervous. Hopefully things go smoothly and we just get the Hell out of here.
I have been trying to balance my move with building new inventory for both Ms. Kitty Fantastico and Tiny Bubbles Soap while having my hand in planning about 5 different shows and events. Ha ha! We learn Ms. Kitty is a fan of self torture.

For Ms. kitty Fantastico, my goal this Fall and Winter is to try and bring my knitting up to the next level. I have started working with yarns made by fellow artists like The Crafty Scientist and Catherinette. Yarns that are hand painted or hand spun, art yarn of all kinds. It's fun, but time consuming. Pictured above is a creation I like to call the Jokers Girlfriend. It's an acid green and purple scarf with fringe all down the side. (You can see better pictures of it on Etsy!)

And here is a hat I made with art yarn handspun by the Crafty Scientist.I call it Ping Ping *POOF* . I know weird name. Someone told me it looked Japanese and I was listening to the Ping Pings (I think that's their name.) And the poofball on top stood out to me. Hence, Ping Ping *POOF* .You can see both on my Etsy site : http://www.mskittyfantastico.etsy.com
Soap has been less than satisfying for me lately. I made an almond oatmeal scrub that no one seems to interested in, but I like it. I goofed when trying to make a solid sugar scrub. Instead I ended up with a super fatted soap that smelled like cookies. Actually that was an awesome awesome mistake! Long story short I made a poor substitute choice, but it worked out in the end. And when I tried to make an idea I called Chocolate Covered Berries soap, my roommate told me it smelled more like PB&J. I think he might be wrong. I guess I can't win them all. But I'd still like to try.
Here's that cookie soap. You can see my soap here: http://www.tinybubblessoap.etsy.com

Right now I'm just going to try to keep knitting and soap making and just *BREATH* . Moving has never been so frustrating.
MEOW!

Moving Madness and Mayhem

2008-08-14T06:51:00.003-04:00

I am moving on September 1st. It's been a complete ordeal. Let me see if I can break this down without getting too complicated. Rob, who I just recently got back together with, got a promotion. Yay! He is now a manager for the Bow Tie Cinemas company. Great movie theaters, if you've never been. So when he got the promotion he was transferred to Trumbull, which is about 20 - 30 minutes from New Haven. So we'd planned to move closer to it. The cost of getting Rob to work and back was FRIGHTENING. I think we spent about $300 in a two week period, maybe more. We found a place we liked and started to set our move near Trumbull in motion.
THEN the New Haven theater called him and wanted him to come back as a manager. Rob said yes, because that's where he'd always worked, he liked it there. So that put us back here in New Haven but with no where to live and less than a month to move. Oh and the money we had to move, gone, since we had to back out of this deal. We're pretty broke. Our bank account is currently negative $375. NOW he's working in both Trumbull AND New Haven. As Trumbull wasn't ready to give him up. So we're going to stay with our roommate Matt's father until we can save money to find a permanent place to live. And until Rob knows where he'll be permanently. For a while there I was sure we'd have to live out of Matt's car, so that's a huge relief.

SO in an effort to raise money to move I am having an Open Studio and Tag Sale this Saturday 8/16/08 from 10 - 3 at our apartment (76 Mechanic St. #2 New Haven CT). I hope people come. I am getting rather anxious about it. We really need the cash and we have to be gone in about 2 1/2 weeks. I'm going to serve wine and cheese and yummy stuff. Hopefully it will be nice.
Honestly, I am just looking forward to getting out of this place and taking September to regroup, save money and take our time figuring things out. It will also be nice to put money aside to start new promotions for my businesses which have grown to 3 little indie shops. Ugh, I am pooped.

Getting to Know my Crafts

2008-08-10T06:17:00.005-04:00

Hey There!
I recently got an email from a fellow Ct Etsy Team member and all around amazing lady Cathleen McClain. She has been reading my blog and had a lot of really great advice for me. I know, I know sometimes people say they have great advice for you and you think shut the hell up. But this was really great. I needed to hear a lot of what Cathleen had to say. It made me feel very comfortable in my own skin to have both constructive criticism and validation for what she had read in my blog about the state of my life and relationship. (BTW Rob and I are giving it another whirl. So far so good.)
Cathleen also said that a lot of people are not entirely aware of what it is I do as far as my craft goes. She said I focus a lot of time talking about events and even other people's craft, but very little time on my own.
So I am going to try and give a little spot light on what I do from time to time.

Most recently I have been all about making soap and knitted wash cloths!I have a little emerging business on Etsy called Tiny Bubbles Soap. I also have been traveling to farmers markets around the state with my organic bath and body. It's been very cool so far.
Initially I started doing this because I was finding my sales dropping and I thought a lot of it had to do with 1) I am primarily a winter knitter and this is no season for that! 2) The economy is total ass and everyone is shopping more carefully.
I had started doing these farmers markets as part of the CT Etsy Team's Traveling Green Tour. It occurred to me that having a consumable product might be helpful. It made perfect sense for me to go back to soap making, a hobby I'd started while I was in college.

It's been so fun! I love cooking, so this is very close to that for me. I also am pretty knowledgeable on the uses of a lot of herbs and plants. I'm a vegetarian with super sensitive skin, so making soap formulas that I can use was like a quest at first. A lot of my soaps are made with Goats Milk for that reason. It's very gentle.

Pictured is my Goats Milk Goddess Soap. This was the first one that really worked for me. The recipe came out to perfection. The mold is gorgeous. And it feels like such an ancient empowering symbol. I love it! It's kind of becoming my old stand by. Everyone who uses it seems to really enjoy the extra creamy recipe. My fellow crafter, Dana from Designs by Dana calls it the booby lady soap.
But sometimes it goes the other way too! This is the same basic recipe as the Goddess bar, but it's a soap with chamomile flower and oil in it. I made it thinking ti would be a great combination of gently exfoliating, creamy, gentle, and smell amazing. It did do all of those things. AND MORE! I always test new bars in th shower. Make sure it's safe, and lathers well and what not. Well I showered with this one for a few days and broke out in a rash. The soap is fine. But I am allergic to pollen. I had NO CLUE that chamomile flower is very close to pollen. I had been wondering why I was sneezing like mad! Can't win them all.

The chamomile soap. Gorgeous to look at but stay away my allergic friends!

The SAVE MY BUM SALE!

2008-07-22T23:09:00.002-04:00

I just took a trip to see my kid sister get married. I live in CT and she lives in North Carolina. I hadn't seen her in a good 8 years so I was going to get there come Hell or high water.
Right before I was about to leave I ran out of money. I had to cut my stay short and literally stayed for the wedding and left. Rather than spend time with my fam, I had to hitch a ride to see my father in South Carolina who was camping, take what little money he'd had left after paying for wedding stuff, and try and get back home with it. So after much driving, panicking and being stranded, I am now home.
SO I have no money left and am getting very worried.

Lol, so now I am having a big sale! 35% off all items in my shop! Buy more and save! Spend more than $25 and take a mystery percentage off on TOP of your 35%. Anywhere from an extra 5 - 15%!
I'm calling it the save my bum sale.
FROM NOW UNTIL JULY 29th.

A Crafty Way to Save Puppies

2008-07-08T21:27:00.000-04:00

Puerto Rico, go ahead and Google it. Metacrawl all over it. You'll find that it is a tiny island about the size of Connecticut. You'll view loads of pictures of the bluest water, lush palm trees, and beautiful cultural events. Ok, now look up Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. You'll find headlines that scream "Pet Massacre" and "Animal Cruelty". (See http://nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/09dogs.html) Bet you weren't expecting that.

Unfortunately acts of animal cruelty are not a rare occurrence in any part of Puerto Rico. For example, in October of 2007 over 80 pets from a low income housing development were seized. Owners were told there was now a no pets allowed rule. Dogs and cats would be placed in a shelter and await adoption. Instead the beloved pets were thrown off bridges to their deaths. This act brought about global attention. People began protesting Puerto Rican tourism.
Heading west to Yabucoa, P. R. and you'll find a place called Dead Dog Beach. Dogs poisoned by locals and hoteliers litter the beach, ridding them of these unwanted street dogs or Satos as they are known in Spanish. You'll also see dogs sliced by machetes or who've had hot oil poured on them, or have simply died of mange and starvation help to give this beach it's namesake. Sadly, these stories go on and on.
The island only has about 7 animal shelters that service the entire region. Euthanasia rates are at 98% since these shelters receive close to 100 unwanted dogs a day.

In March I took a trip to Puerto Rico. I must have seen 50 strays while visiting. I'm still haunted by the number of dogs that need help. I was able to save one. A little Bichon Frise who had been kept in a tiny dark hole who had obviously been neglected. But this just wasn't enough to sooth my breaking heart. Upon my arrival home I contacted my long time friend CT Etsy Team leader, Jillian Lyons aka Ms. Kitty Fantastico, to please use her gifts to organize a fund raiser. So here we are , and more importantly, here YOU are.

We have created a small grass roots organization called Project: Puppy. Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to help get as many of these dogs healthy, kenneled and adopted. We are working in conjunction with The Amigos de los Animales out of Puerto Rico, our contact being Elizabeth Kracht, director of The Amigos. ( http://www.amigosdelosanimalespr.org )

On Sunday July 13th, our grass roots organization Project: Puppy will be holding an Indie Craft Show at The Space 295 Treadwell Street Hamden CT from 10 am - 3 pm. Free goody bags will be handed out to the first 150 attendees through the doors. We also have several raffle items that have graciously been donated by artists and small businesses from all over the world. Raffle tickets are available for only $1 each. There will also be a table representing our organization with hand crafted items from both myself and Ms. Kitty Fantastico as well as information on how you can further donate or get involved. The show will feature both artists from the Ct Etsy Team as well as local crafters, many of which will be donating some of their profits to our cause.
100% of our proceeds will be going to the search and rescue efforts of The Amigos.

The Current Soundtrack of My Life

2008-07-05T19:55:00.003-04:00

This is the music of my summer thus far. These songs represent my break up, my "relationship" with family, personal demons, friends, romantic interests and the ones that didn't quite measure up.
I say who needs therapy when there are wonderful things like Playlist.com .

The Completely True Confessions of Ms. Kitty

2008-06-21T06:38:00.003-04:00

It's close to 7 in the am. I still haven't gone to sleep. I have had a whole lot of stuff on my mind tonight. I have started to realize that sleep won't come until i get some of this out. So rather than use this blog for my business and organizations, I'm going to use it as my personal confessional. We'll see how she flies.

My grandmother has Alzheimer's. It's a very cruel disease. Watching this break down happen to her has taken a huge toll on me. This year has by far been her worst. It kills me. This is the person that raised and took care of me. And I get to see her deteriorate like this. It's gotten to the point where I barely visit her anymore. I just can't take it. Last time I went to the nursing home to see her, I left pretty quickly and cried hysterically for a good 48 hours straight. It was like seeing her in jail. Cruel old people jail.

It's completely made me re-evaluate every aspect of my life. It's really made me stop slacking off and start doing something, anything. It's a good 90% of the reason why I quit my management job and started a business. Also the reason why I took on the CT Etsy Team. You'd be surprised what comes when you fear your mind getting scrambled when you're older.

My fiance, Rob and I have been at what I feel is a stand still. Things are the same as they've been for about 2 years now. This is neither bad nor good, it just is. Lately I have been noticing my dreams at night are filled with images of running from him, running from this apartment, just running toward anything else. Now in the daytime my mind wanders to a fantasy life where things are more exciting and much more free. I am constantly thinking of traveling. Like going from state to state with my wares and crashing in hotels and things. All of the dreams and daydreams all have to do with me doing this alone. Lately, I feel like maybe marriage is not what I want.

It's kind of scary. Robby is very supportive, he's sweet and affectionate and all. But he is also very much so not grown up yet. When I think of setting a new wedding date, I always think to myself, no he's not ready yet. He's still too much of a boy. What am I doing? We argue over silly things like him getting up in the morning, cleaning after himself, putting on clean clothes, even hygiene. It reminds me of raising a kid. If that's what life will be like - then I don't want it.

So I think I am heading into a rough patch here. I am very close to 30. While my career goals seem to be slowly falling into place, the rest of my life is insane. When I was around 23 all I wanted was to meet a nice guy, settle down and start a family. My friends use to comfort me after break ups. They'd say it's ok, you'll find the right one and marry him. And I would think about marriage as my big one day I will goal. It's kind of frightening to think to myself that now I don't really know if I ever want that. Or if I do, it has to come in a very different form.

I feel guilty and sad thinking these things day after day. Rob is very devoted to me. Anytime I try and discuss this stuff Rob avoids it completely. I know if I get to actually say this to him to where he accepts and understands, it will really hurt him. I don't know if he can give me what I want. I don't know if I can give me what I want. But something's gotta give. It's a very confusing time for me.

Regardless, I need to start traveling more.

Colorscape Designs - Some Organic Flare

2008-05-30T19:58:00.001-04:00

Kelly Rothen is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Polite, friendly and full of creative enthusiasm. Working with her is always a joy. When I think of Kelly I always think to myself that in her high school yearbook it doesn't just say "have a nice summer."
Kelly is the creative mind and hands behind Colorscape Designs. She also designed one of our fliers for the Jewelry Spectacular and will be the first table you see in the show!

What is your business name? Who are you and what is your role in this business?

Colorscape Designs "Jewelry Inspired by Nature"
My name is Kelly Rothen, I am the owner and designer.

What is your art or craft?

I make and design jewelry, which includes rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
I actually went to art school and graduated with a BA in Graphic Design and Painting. My full time job is an Art Director. I really do not paint much any more, but I really would like to get back into painting in the near future.

How do you create your items? Is there a process?

Currently all my jewelry is beaded and hand-strung by me. I like to work with semi-precious stone, fresh-water pearls and sterling silver beads. When picking my beads I gravitate to a color combination and then turn it in to a wearable piece of art. Some of my pieces are accented by a clay flower, which I hand-sculpt and then paint out of polymer clay.
Recently I have been taking my first metalsmith class and learning new techniques. I hope to introduce a new line of jewelry before the end of the year.

Do you have a work space?

Actually my work space is on the coffee table in front of the TV. I do my best work there.

The funny thing is, I just moved into a new house this past September that has a lot more room. I have my own office set up, which I have always wanted. However, I seem to never do any of my craft work in there like I had planned. I need a TV on for noise in the background. I like to have something on that I have seen before or that is easy to follow, this way I do not have to look up much.

What inspires you?

I would have to say nature is my first inspiration. I am always looking at the beautiful colors that nature produces on all the trees and flowers around me. When I was in college working on my senior painting show, I painted a series of different flowers in all sorts of colors. This is where my inspiration came from when creating my clay flower pendants and beads.
Secondly, I am inspired by fellow artists, both past and present. I have always been interested in art history, and even thought about minoring in it during college.

Also, being on ETSY gives me so much to look at, and to see what other current artist are working on. It really lights a flame in my heart and gets me moving.

Where can people currently find your work?

Currently I have been only selling at local craft fairs and online on ETSY.com (colorscapedesigns.etsy.com). This summer I would like to get myself in gear and try to start selling in some local boutiques as well.

What has been your favorite piece you've ever made? (Please enclose an image if at all possible.)

I really cannot think of one favorite piece. There has just been so many, almost all my pieces.

I really try to only create pieces that I truly love and will wear. If I am not liking it, I will usually take apart the piece and start over again.

Where do you see your business 5 years from now?

I hope to have more business coming to my online shop and be in several boutiques both local and nationwide.

Whose work do you admire? Etsy or otherwise.

I would have to say on ETSY, tqbdesigns. I am just in ahh... over her pieces. There is something about her work that just inspires me and impresses me at the same time. I have not purchased one yet, but it is on my list for Christmas shopping.

What new items can we look forward to seeing of yours?

I hope to have some of my new metal work pieces for sale before the end of the year. I have been creating some new pieces with sheets of sterling silver that have a clean, modern feel with a natural, organic flare to them. So stay tuned.

Silver Dragon - A Perpetual State of Inspiration

2008-05-28T00:50:00.009-04:00

The Connecticut Etsy Team Jewelry Spectacular is pretty darn close. This got me thinking about some of the talented artists that will be featured in the show, and how incredibly unique they are from one another. With only ten days to go until showtime, I thought it might be nice to visit with a few these artisans. Find out what makes 'em tick. Featured here is an interview with one of our show headliner's,, here is Patricia C. Vener of Silver Dragon.

What is your business name?
Who are you and what is your role in this business?

I use both my personal name, Patricia C Vener, and also DBA Silver Dragon Creations. I may change it in the not too distant future as I've been told it gives the impression that I work primarily in silver. Which I don't (See below).

What is your art or craft?

I am both a bead weaver and a painter. These may at first seem unrelated, but that would be an unfortunate assumption. Both media include color, form, and texture, as points of interest and experiment. As a beadweaver, however, I also get to experiment with various weaves and stitiches (and I have even invented a totally new stitch!). My pieces are all art pieces - they even look great framed and displayed on a wall! Each is one of a kind and expresses the individuality of both the wearer and the artist.

How do you create your items? Is there a process? If so, please explain as elaborately as possible.

Like many artists, I often get flashes of inspiration. Generally the inspiration is not fully formed - or if it is may lead to other paths of design - but just as often it is not.

Oddly enough I don't do much sketching but rather work out the designs to great detail in my head. Once I am happy with what I am seeing, I might do a very rough sketch or I might just start beading. It's not over yet! Once I start beading changes occur to me and to the work in progress! Despite all the mental planning I am very much a stream of consciousness artist. I will easily use several stitches in a single work to get what I want in the end.

Do you have a work space? Please describe.

Mostly I work either at a table in what I wryly refer to as my studio though it's really just a section of where I live or at the dining room table. Beads are easy to move about and don't actually require a space that's set aside for working. Storing them, on the other hand, does require dedicated space.

What inspires you?

Everyone asks this. It's really not that easy to answer because the short answer is "everything."

I think artists are in a perpetual state of inspiration - I know I am!

Where can people currently find your work?

At the moment, just a few galleries, my website, http://vener-art.com/ , my Etsy shop, http://SilverDragon.etsy.com/ , at the Jewelry Spectacular, of course, and in person through small at-home or in-office Trunk Shows, and I'd love to do wardrobe consultations

What has been your favorite piece you've ever made?

This is really hard to answer. I love every piece I make and while I do have favorites, these tend to vary. Perhaps my most favorite piece is "Tao," a complex piece presently in a private collection in Maryland. (Pictured below)

Where do you see your business 5 years from now?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I see my business not only supporting me but supporting me in style! I see myself having my work in very glamorous shops, galleries, museums and collections. I see myself being able to afford to have an accountant, pay taxes, give generously to my favorite charities, and take my mama on her dream vacation.

Whose work do you admire? Etsy or otherwise.

I adore the Impressionists! But also Alphonse Maria Mucha, Paul Berthon, Gustave Klimt, Georges Braque and many others from a wide variety of movements. As for jewelry and craft artists, there are so many whose work I adore that it is impossible to list them!

What new items can we look forward to seeing of yours?

More works using my Vener Chain stitch, more large dramatic pieces, but also some smaller, less flamboyant works for those days when subtlety is key. ;)

I am also adding precious stones to my mix of materials.

Luncheon with Etsy Admin Bethella!

2008-05-27T22:14:00.003-04:00

Some of you know, I am the team leader of the Connecticut Etsy Street Team, as well as owner of Ms. Kitty Fantastico. Recently the team met with Etsy Admin., Beth for a little impromptu luncheon about the direction of Etsy. We had it at The Space in Hamden. It was just great! Truly a high point for the team! Check out the article on Etsy.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE!

Sometimes, life is just too good. This was definitely one of those moments.

The Jewelry Spectacular!!!!

2008-05-21T01:14:00.002-04:00

Check out the show's website by clicking HERE!

Ooopsies!

2008-05-17T12:06:00.002-04:00

Well I was suppose to be at the Forest Folk Festival this weekend @ Schreiber's Farm in Oxford, CT. It's running Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And despite all weather reports, it's turned into a lovely weekend. But where is Jillian? Jillian is at home, in New Haven. Not in a forest on a farm.
Yesterday it rained, so I opted out. I have jewelry, but I also have some knits I was going to bring. I have my friend Liz's canopy tent, and I didn't want anything to happen to it. I also didn't want anything to happen to my stuff. I thought about it hard and decided not to go. It had only cost me $10 a day as a vendor, anyways.
So today I got up at 7 am, took a shower (where I wrenched my already injured back), packed the car with my roomy and travel buddy Matt, and we were on our way. I knew Oxford well, as I grew up in Seymour and Oxford. So we found Quaker Farms road very easily. I even kind of remembered where Schreiber's was. BUT we drove around and around and around. Didn't see any signs until we drove out past the farm. We drove around for like a good 20 minutes. I didn't even see any tents or anything. Was it canceled? Did people just not go because of the rain? I expected to see a huge field full of tents and campers. So after we drove into Southbury again, we just kept going and went home. I'm out $30. BUT at the same time the money is going to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, so it's cool.

I have a showcase on Etsy today! Please go and take a look at the Etsy showcase and click away! www.Etsy.com

HOLY COW!

2008-05-14T00:01:00.003-04:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
MsKittyLeftovers

I got an email from Beth, one of Etsy.com's administrators. She wants to come up and meet the CT Etsy Team. We're meeting at The Space (remember Craftastic?) to have a little informal lunchy Meet and Greet kind of thing. I am slightly floored by this. I had no idea anyone at Etsy like knew we even existed. I am so looking forward to get a bunch of the team together for this.
I also think that this is a step in the right direction! Etsy just made it possible for the Teams to apply for grants. I applied on the team's behalf to see if we could get some help and better organized. It would be nice to have a small budget to start with before events are planned. I actually am paying out of my pocket to rent The Space out for this. (But I'm thinking of this as my way of throwing a little party for the team!)
So I am looking forward to seeing what happens with the team next!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll be at The Forest Folk Festival this Friday Saturday and Sunday. It should be neat. It's like a new agey, naturey, music and arty kind of thing. It's a three day event, $10 a day. It's like all day long and you can even camp on site if you'd like! I might even camp on Saturday night if it doesn't rain! Come check it out. I'll be vending jewelry and plush items. HTTP://WWW.FORESTFOLKFEST.COM

CUT It Out!

2008-05-11T11:37:00.005-04:00

So I have been doing a lot of work with the CT Etsy Team in the form of promotions. I am working to put on our second event The CT Etsy Team Jewelry Spectacular. I'm also working with my friend Jenny to put on a charity craft show to help save Sato dogs in Puerto Rico. AND I am also trying to run my own business and get ready for the Forest Folk : Spirit in the Woods fest, in which I will be a vendor for 3 days straight. Needless to say, my time has become pretty valuable, and have been super busy!
As you can imagine my stress levels have been up just a tad. Rob and I got into a fight the other night. Now let me tell you first thing, before I go any further with my story here. There is one thing that really gets me angry. If you want to start a fight with me, or piss me off, tell me that I don't have a job. Nothing gets me more mad than someone telling me I don't have a job or don't work. My business is a registered business with the state and federal government. I make money through Etsy, various craft shows and events, custom orders, selling and consigning to shops, and organizing events and promotions. I don't make like crazy money, but I make enough money to support myself and pay my share of the bills, every month is a little better than the last. Good by me!
Robby starts arguing with me because the man doesn't have any clean socks. I am in the middle of stringing together a necklace and I tell him he should do a load of laundry. He does the thing I hate. He fucking says IT. "Well you're home all day, you don't have a job, why don't you do the laundry. And the cooking and the cleaning. The house looks like crap. You just sit around all day." I felt the anger in me rising! In my mind I was visualizing ripping his head clean off his shoulders and using it as a bowling ball. Now let me tell you dear reader, anyone who really knows me, knows me in real life and sees me regularly knows one thing about me. I DON'T sit around and do NOTHING. I am always taking on new projects and working and promoting! Here is the very funny part to me in this. As soon as he said it, I remembered how much money he made last month, and how much I made last month. I made more than him, I worked longer hours, and I was pretty busy. I yelled at him. I was so angry I knew I needed to walk away from him NOW or this was going to get very ugly. So I went and took a shower to calm down.
I couldn't shake my frustration. As soon as I got out of the shower I just grabbed the two sets of scissors I keep in the bathroom and started cutting my hair. I had no idea what I was doing with it, I had nothing in mind. I just kept cutting until I felt better. Was this a good idea... I still don't know. I just knew I was mad and I had to make myself collected again. So here are some pics of me, with the hair cut that anger caused.

Oh, I thought it would be funny to also mention this. I called my mother for Mother's Day. She said not to get her anything since I don't have a job. GRRRRRRR!

Chili Con Carnage

2008-05-04T11:20:00.007-04:00

I did a Chili Cook Off yesterday in Somers CT, hosted by Mad Mike. And boy, that name is no joke! That dude seemed mad as Hell (and he wasn't gonna take it anymore!) I wasn't suppose to be in the show. I was initially going to say hello to my friend Liz from LAA Designs, meet Lia from OMG! Lia? (great shop name!) and get my chili and beer on. But Lizzy came down with a very bad bad case of Strep throat, and since I was feeling better and she was still recovering, I filled in for her and made sure to bring her goodies to sell too! BUT the Chili Cook Off was a bust for ALL the crafters. No one made any money. It was populated mostly by big guys in cowboy hats and boots, bikers, and broke dudes trying to get their cheap chow on. They ain't buyin' Ms. Kitty stuff.
So aside from being covered in delicious chili smell, freezing in 40 degree cloudy temperatures and only making $11, oh and one of my rings getting stolen by some punk kid, I came home with over 4 POUNDS of chili!
The women in the booth next to me were from the CT Culinary Institute. They were friendly, lovely and talented ladies in the competition, both instructors at the institute. There name were the Chili Chicks! I thought for sure they would win the people's choice award. But no. I even broke down and ate the meat and enjoyed some of their delicious chili. It made them very happy to make me break from meat free yummies, which made me happy that they were so happy. They kept feeding us their competition chili (which the public didn't get to eat!) I got my own little bowl full of their awesome salsa and corn chips. So I gave them some free jewelry. They came back and gave us POUNDS of chili to take home. It felt like a lot more than 4 pounds, I gotta say. Those suckers were like carrying my nine year old sister!
But we shared the love. I gave 1/2 of it to my next door neighbors, the Berkshire family. They have about a million kids, and our friend Marquise just lost his job, so we figured they could use some awesome chili love.
I think that even though I didn't make any money, the awesomeness of trading and sharing has finally broken my craft show curse. I didn't come home feeling depressed or defeated. I felt glad that it was over! Lol, but mostly I felt glad to have met some really great people. That was kinda worth freezing my ass off. So even though it wasn't great, I am making this negative a positive for sure!
Now I'm getting ready for the Forest Folk Festival in Oxford CT May 16 - 18th! I'll be there all three days! Tiring, but I bet it will be fun! It will be at Schreiber's Farm in Oxford, out in the middle of nature. Very cool earthy event.

Punk Rock or BUST!

2008-04-19T19:53:00.002-04:00

I went to the Punk Rock Flea Market today as a vendor. It was surprisingly very un-punk. More hippie than punk. So I did not sell well. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I had my usual horrible hideous things happen to me. (It is official, I can't go to a show without something bizarre taking place!) This time right before it was time to pack up, I noticed this guy with a GREAT Don Knots t-shirt on. I pointed it out to Liz and she said something to the effect of oh cool. I said to her, "I think I know that guy." But I couldn't place him. Then all of a sudden I REMEMBERED who he was! I'd gone out with him many years ago.
We'd talked online for months. He did a zine I loved. I use to do a zine and we both loved BAD movies. We made a date, since he was breaking up with his girlfriend, to watch bad movies and eat falafel. We went out on the date... but he didn't dump his girl.
He was there, with his girlfriend. The girlfriend he wanted to dump for me, and then he chickened out. SO that was a bit awkward, but I think he recognized me and then moved to the opposite side of the room, which was fine. Just a little surprising. (What was he gonna do, say hey honey - that's the girl I almost cheated on you with?) But I walked away unscathed from that. However, ALL the heartbreak came flooding back. It wasn't the girlfriend thing that broke my heart. Itwas that we'd established this great friendship and then he never ever talked to me again, and I had felt so used.
I didn't break even. I worked the whole day and only made about $20. It happens. I got to see a bunch of bands for free, so it was cool.
THIS is the kicker. I'm packed up, ready to go and looking forward to crashing on the couch and eating dinner. My roommate turns to me and says "I locked the keys in the car." "Tell me you're kidding." I say half hoping it's joke since we have really bad car karma right now. "Uh, no Jill. I wish I was joking." he says.
We tried a coat hanger for a while. Then I called AAA. Then Lizzy (http://www.LAADesigns.etsy.com) felt bad and got us some pizza slices. She kept us company and kept us laughing. It was kinda fun in that respect.
Then I started to not feel well. Then I felt like I was going to wet my pants. I went back in the building to use the bathroom and sure enough I had bled all over myself. I checked my bag and had NOTHING. I forgot this happened to me before and I used my girly products in that emergency and never replaced them. SO I had use a lot of paper towels. Lizzy was nice enough to walk to the nearest drug store with me.
The good news is when we got back the car had been opened and Matt and Liz's man Miguel had packed up the car for us. Yay! Turns out one of the guys there had a lock picking kit and opened the car right up! Hooray for punk criminals!

TOMORROW: I will be at the Beauty to Benefit Beasts charity show as a vendor. The money goes to help the New Haven Animal Shelter. Knights of Columbus Hall Whitney Ave. Hamden.

My Life at This Moment

2008-04-18T15:35:00.004-04:00

is very much so a pain in the arse! The car still isn't fixed and we are still without a rental. For those unaware, last weekend - right before Craftastic, a woman fell asleep at the wheel and smashed into the back of our less than one month old Subaru Forester that Matt had found used.

It doesn't look like much - but that is over $7,000 worth of damage. The tire went flat and the car skidded forward on impact and screwed up the alignment and possibly the axil. Her car got messed up pretty badly as well!

SO tomorrow, April 19th, I am going to be a vendor at the Punk Rock Flea Market come Hell or high water! So come out and show your support. My getting there will be an adventure in of itself. I still am not possitive how I'm getting there, but I'll get there! Come say hello!

Craftastic Photos!

2008-04-14T13:53:00.001-04:00

Craftastic Tomorrow, Everything Explodes!

2008-04-12T13:13:00.002-04:00

WELL, I notice that there is a trend happening for me. When ever I have an event coming up in which my stuff will be displayed, something horrible happens! Craftastic is tomorrow, so this of course is no exception to my Craft Show Curse!

Yesterday as I was making lunch, the downstairs neighbor came running up to tell us that someone hit the car! THE NEW CAR WE'VE HAD LESS THAN ONE MONTH! My roommate had just bought it and we were all sharing and helping to make payments. Apparently some women fell asleep behind the wheel and when she opened her eyes, there was a Rent a Center truck parked in the street looking for an address. We live in New Haven, and even the residential areas have all on street parking, usually on both sides of the street. So she swerved and smashed right into the back of our car! No one else's car got hurt. No one was hurt period.

So this created a moment of panic as I realized we wouldn't be able to get a rental car until Monday. Craftastic is this Sunday! Everything is paid for, put together and ready to go! I just have to get there! SO we worked it out with some family to borrow a car for the next 24 hours. But I was on the verge of a breakdown, before then. Crisis averted for now...
BUT then my mom called and said my grandmother is now in Hospice care and isn't doing well. We put had to put her in a nursing home before Christmas. She has Alzheimer's as well as Diabetes. It was just too much for us to all care for her. Now she has accelerated to the last stage of Alzheimer's... I am very concerned. My worst fear is that I will get THAT phone call during this craft show tomorrow.

Let's hope it runs smooth!

The show itself should be great, and is totally my silver lining right now! If you plan on stopping down swing by my table and say hello! I'm Ms. Kitty Fantastico!

This Sunday! 4/13/08

2008-04-07T23:55:00.001-04:00

Our first ever team sponsored event, Craftastic, is on it's way! Please visit The website by clicking here!

So What Are You Doing Tonight?

2008-04-05T18:50:00.003-04:00

DON'T MISS THE OPENING RECEPTION THIS SATURDAY!

Hello My Name Is Gallery presents PLUSH!
Our first international show! Featuring the work of 30+ plush artists
from around the globe!
on view from April 5 - 26, 2008.
for a full list of artists please visit out website: www.hellomynameisgallery.com

OPENING RECEPTION: APRIL 5, 2008
from 6:30 to 10PM
$5 suggested donation & BYOB Potluck

834 Whalley Ave. Apt. 4
New Haven, CT

with music downstairs presented by ArLoW:
DJ's Johnny Strangler and Garage Flower of Shag Frenzy, Hartford's
only indie dance night
and a live set by The Spigot Orchestra.
$5 suggested donation for the DJs & band

Who, Me?

2008-03-31T01:47:00.002-04:00

I just did this quiz on a whim. I found it through Stumble Upon. Who knew! This quiz was rather eerie....

Jillian took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!

"Wants interesting and exciting things to happen. A..."

Click here to read the rest of the results.

Spring into T-Shirts!

2008-03-26T04:07:00.003-04:00

I hope warm weather is on it's way! I brushed off my favorite tee, a black and pink Andy Warhol shirt, and went outside to greet...40 degree weather with a chance of snow. Yay. I quickly paired that shirt up with a sweater! So here's to warmer things to come. Check out some of these shirt shops! Great great stuff.

Better Connecticut, But Where is Jillian?

2008-03-22T16:17:00.004-04:00

Well, I was not on Better Connecticut, after all that. I went down to the studio, dressed in my super cute dress made by Carissa Black. I spent the night before making jewelery to match, so I had this great vintage thing going on. So I get there, Monster in hand, per usual, ready to be enthusiastic. They had me sign a release form and sign in to the studio. The producer brought me in and told me they couldn't make the segment any longer, so it may just be Audrey on the show. I found Audrey and she was nervous. She'd said the same thing to me as well. But it was still good to be there and be supportive! I put on my Etsy pin and sat back and enjoyed myself. I gave Audrey a little pep talk and before you know it they were miking her to go on. Her segment was great! Here is a little link where you can view her on the show BETTER CONNECTICUT Unfortunately Audrey and Kara, the host, never mentioned the CT Etsy Team. It did feel a little wasteful for me in that respect. And I have to admit, I was bummed about not being more involved. So I went to Hometown Buffet and stuffed myself silly and then Best Video to get some TV shows on DVD and had myself a little crafty pity party.
But it's cool. Hopefully Craftastic will bring about great things for the team! And there is always another show, and another press release to be mailed! Maybe I'll get some sales this weekend and that will make me feel better.

Better Connecticut is Tomorrow Morning...Nail Biter!

2008-03-21T01:01:00.003-04:00

So I should be asleep right now. I am quite sure I will get up around 7:30 am and look 100 years old and be EXHAUSTED. But needless to say here I am, typing away.
I wasn't nervous until my drive back home from Carissa Black's house. She made me this groovy dress to wear on the show Better Connecticut tomorrow morning. The fitting went wonderfully. Carissa is an uber talent and spending time with her is great. So I was completely at ease. We chatted, I knitted, she sewed. We hung out with her two little boys - Tyler and Ryan - the best kids ever! I gave her hugs and thank you' The second my butt hit the driver's seat I realized all of this was happening TOMORROW! Gah!
So I tried not to think about it. I went out to eat with my roommate. I made some jewelery to match the dress. Matt and I have been filming this whole thing in hopes to post a fun little blog documentary on what happens leading up to the show.
So now I wait.
Gosh, I hope this goes well!
More tomorrow!

Better Connecticut - 3/21/08

2008-03-18T19:04:00.003-04:00

My life is being consumed by this 4 minute segment that I will be on on a morning show called Better Connecticut. It will be on WFSB 3 between 10 and 11 am on 3/21/08. That's this Friday. The segment will feature my talented team mate, Audrey Hussey doing a demonstration on how she makes baby shoes. I'll be there in the background smiling proudly. And maybe answering questions about Etsy.com and the Connecticut Etsy Team. But mostly this is about Audrey being awesome.

It crazy if you think about. Four minutes, FOUR MINUTES and I'm totally turning my world up side down for it. It's disgusting and exciting all at once!

I spent this afternoon with Carissa Black. She is making me a dress to wear for it. So she pinned me and fitted me, and never once made me feel fat. (As these things can sometimes make you feel!) I can't wait to see her handiwork!

Tomorrow I will be going shoe shopping and bead shopping. I hope to make some great matching jewelery. All of this is just so that on the off chance I get to mention the team I can say everything I am wearing is team made. Hee.

Get to Know The Connecticut Etsy Street Team!

2008-03-16T18:09:00.003-04:00

There is one item by every member!

TAG! Uh, I'm it?

2008-03-13T18:24:00.004-04:00

I got this Tag from JT Stitches,a New York talent that I know from the Newnew Etsy Street Team. So here it goes!

The Rules:
Guess what... Tag! Your it! (I didn't start this, just following the rules!) Here’s the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Okay, 7 facts about myself coming right up.
1)I am in fact 28 years old and I didn't know it. I literally had to do the math today because I refused to believe that on my next birthday I will be 29. I truly thought I was 27! I think this is partially due to the fact that I checked off the wrong year for when I was born on my MySpace page. (http://www.myspace.com/mskittyfantasticodesigns)
2)I don't have a single favorite food, I have two! Cake and Breakfast. Yum!
3)Part of the reason I do my art and craft work full time is because I am a sick lady. I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, Diabetes, and a myriad of other smaller ailments all of which have made my immune system weak. Working from home allows me to rest when necessary and carefully schedule resting periods before important stuff.
4)I am a big nerd when it comes down to it! In college I played D&D. I STILL play Magic: The Gathering when I can find someone to play with me. I also am a sucker for the one and only true trilogy - STAR WARS! Yeah Jedi, like a mother f*cker!
5)I have kept a diary since I was in 3rd grade.
6)My favorite color is red.
7)My mind works non-stop. Even when I say I'm resting, ideas are churning. I am always thinking about the next project, the next job, the next plan. I even dream about projects and business! Most of my close friends have learned to live with me being crazy.

Okay now I TAG 7 People. I'm calling you out playground style! Let's go!\
-Sharon of Morgan Street
-Katie of Catherinette
-Mary Helen - of Scribble Nation
-Cupcakes Take the Cake Blog
-Oh My That's Awesome Blog
-Robert of Dark Messiah myspace Blog
-Tizzalicious Blog

Lessons Learned from the Brooklyn Home Show Pt. 2 - The Revenge of Peanut Butter!

2008-03-11T19:38:00.007-04:00

I couldn't sleep at all. It was the night before the Brooklyn Home Show, and after the trip from Hell, we finally crash at my best friend Aimee's apartment. After laughing my ass off at Manhattan Cable Access shows like Sandy Kane, my roommate and I settle in to go to sleep. It's like 2:30 am. I am hungry and exhausted. I sneak off to the kitchen and make myself a sandwich. I feel bad about using Aimee & Ben's food, but I am broke. There is no way I'm going back out to get snacks now.

#1 - I see some natural peanut better. Hmmm, never had it before, looks good! Ah, yes and some jelly! Awesome! I make one and a half sandwiches and stuff my face. Then I sneak off to bed. My roommate has one last cigarette and comes in. We are both slightly weirded out about sleeping in the same bed. My fiance is his best friend. But then again, he is like my crazy brother, so it's cool. Matt falls right to sleep. He is snoring so LOUD. I try waking him nicely. He falls back to sleep. SNORE! SNORE! I smack him this time "Stop it!" SNORE! SNORE! It's now 5:30. I haven't gotten any sleep and my alarm is set for 7 am. I kick him. "What!" he yells. "Please stop snoring! Please! If you lay on your stomach it stops!" He grumbles and goes back to sleep. I finally fall sleep around 6 or so.

#2 - My alarm goes off at 7. Ugh, I gotta get up. I am exhausted and anxious. I finally roll out of bed at 7:30. Get in shower. Run run! Uh oh. I start getting nauseas. Sure enough I start profusely vomitting peanut butter. Oh Smuckers, you son of a bitch! When I am done I have little tiny purple dots on my face and around my eyes looks yellow. Nice. Better get going. Aw crap, no one else is awake yet, and it's 7:50! I'm suppose to be there around 8:30.

Everyone manages to get up and running quickly and we're out of the parking garage by 8:23 am. Aimee brilliantly prints out new directions from Google Maps. We get to Michelle's in 25 minutes, with no problems what so ever! I heart Google big time now!

#3 - It's a tight squeeze and I got there a little late. So I make my table display fit. Unfortunately I am only able to use a portion of the table size due to lack of space. But I try and make it work. Katie Stack of Catherinette shows up to lend a hand and help represent the Connecticut Team! However, with all of the items from fellow teamers, there isn't much room for me. But Michelle is so sweet about it that I can't complain! She even offers me an extra table cloth for my table. Thanks Michelle!

The girls of the {NewNew}York Team that are taking part in this show are just awesome. When the show starts I have a great time chatting away with Kimm of Kimm Chi, Mariam of Hand of Fatima who was LITERALLY 9 months pregnant and determined to do the show! And, of course, our own Katie Stack - who acted as crafty liason to poor Mariam. I forget about my bad drive up and have fun, at last!

#4 - The only thing that bummed me out about the show itself was the fact that I didn't make any money. I made like $5. I didn't even break even. Had the table not been so small, had I left more room for myself or even had my own table, had I not made the table so busy by trying to squeeze everything on there, I may have broke even. But now I know. I got a lot of great advice from my fellow crafters and learned a hard and valuable lesson about my business, and mixing business with team. I love my team. The CT Etsy Team girls are some of the best ladies I have ever met! But I need to know when to make it about me, and when to make it about them.
I left the Brooklyn show looking horrible, exhausted and broke.

Our drive home was a smooth one. I fell asleep a few times in the passenger seat. I was suppose to be navigating, but I think Matt felt bad, and just let it go. We pulled into a buffet and ate till we were about to explode. My night ended with me coming home at about 9 pm. So so happy to see Robby and our bed.

Lessons Learned from the Brooklyn Home Show Pt. 1 Evil is a Foot!

2008-03-10T19:33:00.008-04:00

I stayed up very late the night before tagging items and double triple checking everything. I live in New Haven CT and was driving with my roommate to Brooklyn NY for this show. So I wanted to be absolutely sure I had EVERYTHING. I went to sleep at about 3 am, still not entirely done with everything.

****

I woke up and raced to get everything together. We had hoped to be out the door by about 1:30 to beat any 5 o'clock traffic. Are leaving time - 2:30. We stopped and got gas, picked up a fresh made vegetable platter to serve as part of the show's refreshments and then got some lunch for the road. And OFF we go!

#1 - The first sign of things to come. Matt and I go to Burger King. I need some tots dude! Cheesy tots! Hell yeah! Oh, no. Nope no cheesy tots. Hmmmm. So I got a veggie burger from Burger King and some fries. I take a BIG bite since I hadn't eaten anything yet. Ewwwwww! I pull out a long coarse black hair that is cooked into my veggie patty. Errr, guess I'm just eating some fries. I later stop and pick up an energy drink and some Combos, the lunch of champions.

So we continue on. It's now 3:30 and it's starting to rain. It's cool. Maybe it will let up. Maybe we will still miss traffic. I told Michelle I'd be at her place around 4 or 5 so we're good.

#2 - 5:00 hits. It's down pouring and we are in bumper to bumper non-moving traffic on the Hutchinson Parkway. We slowly make our way to Brooklyn. Every highway we get onto via Mapquest has tolls that are $4.50 a pop. We spend about $13 just getting to Brooklyn. At 6:30 we finally get to Michelle's nieghborhood. HOWEVER Mapquest lovingly neglects the whole one way street thing and we drive in circles until about 7 pm. FINALLY making it to Michelle's apartment! Yay.

#3 - Michelle is the nicest girl in th world. Very kind and soft spoken. I immediately adore her. Matt and I discuss how sweet she is on the way to the car to unload. As soon as we reach the car, it down pours! Like a freaking tsunami is coming kind of down pour! Argggh! We try and do this super fast. I grab a bunch of bags, and pull out the plastic bag containing the veggie platter. THE BAG SPLITS! Fresh veggies roll down the sidewalk of 11th Street in Brooklyn. Dirty rain water is splashing into the tray as what's left of the vegetables lays on the ground mocking me. Giving me a giant veggie middle finger. The platter was around $20. I had at that point wasted every penny so far spent. I throw a little tantrum in the rain and pull it together before we drop off at Michelle's apartment. It's just not my day.

#4 - We leave Michelle's and take a sigh of relief. We head toward my best friend Aimee's place for a little RnR. It's only 7:30 at this point. We hope to make it to her place by 8:15. But fate and Mapquest had other plans!
We get lost. VERY LOST! We go from 278 to 95 to 478 to 87 and back again. They all say the Bronx! Mapquest does not help in anyway. Everything on the directions is wrong. We stop at a very scary gas station in a very scary neighborhood and ask for help. I get on the phone trying to reach Aimee but for some reason my calls to her won't go through. I instead call my friend Ty. He goes online and tries to find us better directions from where we are.

WE FINALLY GET TO AIMEE'S somewhere between 9:30 and 10pm! She and her hubby Ben give us hugs, booze, Manhattan cable access and a great story about the Foot of Death. A joke her brother came up with while watching a tv mini series on Ted Bundy. The Foot of Death is the highlight of our night. Thank goodness for gooooood friends!

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 COMING TOMORROW!

Ms. Kitty Unniverse

2008-03-10T02:01:00.002-04:00

Well I learned a lot at the Brooklyn Home Show. My trip there was quite an adventure. Too much of an adventure for one blog post. So I will do a 2 parter starting first thing tomorrow. But for now I thought I'd mention the revelation I had a the show.
While Etsy doesn't encourage multiple shops because of possible confusion and poor service quality, there is a growing need to be very specific about what you do there. SO in order to make my life easier, more profitable, and for me, more organized I have designated a shop just for my FIBER ARTS. It's called MS KITTY FIBERS. It should be up and running very very soon!
So more tomorrow on the home show and my many lessons learned!

Fast As You Can

2008-03-06T16:06:00.001-05:00

I am leaving tomorrow for the Brooklyn Home Show! All of my items in my Etsy shop will be removed tomorrow. So here is a last minute chance to buy the items pictures. You never know, they may all be gone soon!

I Need Your Promos!

2008-03-05T12:31:00.003-05:00

Well, I am running around trying to get ready for the Brooklyn Home Show that is THIS SATURDAY! I have also started putting together CRAFTASTIC! It will be 4/13/08 at The Space in Hamden, CT. It's a craft event being put together by myself and the CT Etsy Street Team. It's gonna be good. We've even got a DJ! Everyone seems super excited. A lot of the girls are posting fliers in their neck of the woods, so we should be covering all corners of the state with fliers.
I AM IN DESPERATE NEED OF PROMOTIONAL ITEMS FOR THE FREE GOODY BAG! Please please get in contact with me if you are interested in throwing some in. I'm making 100 - 150. I need all promos by March 20th. You can email me here: ctetsyteam@gmail.com for more info.
HERE IS THE EVENT WEBSITE! http://www.freewebs.com/craftastic
Check it out!

Craftastic Crafters

2008-03-04T18:35:00.001-05:00

This is the first event I have organized. Also the first event ever for the CT Etsy Team! I am so proud of this!
Some of the super talented crafters that will be at Craftastic! 4/13/08 @ The Space.

The Brooklyn Home Show!

2008-03-03T17:31:00.001-05:00

Woooo! It has been quite an afternoon! I have been a busy little beaver, working on all sorts of exciting new projects. One of them being my table display for the Brooklyn Home Show! I think if I were any more excited about this I'd wet myself.
Aside from being a devoted member of the New New York Etsy Street Team, I am also team leader of the CT Team. So my little fantasy is to have these teams work in conjunction with each other. One big happy Etsy Team family! In my efforts to do that, I have offered the CT team my table to display some of their handiwork at this upcoming event, as well as my own. It took a lot of blood sweat and tears, but I think I am finally getting somewhere with this.
I have included some pictures as a sneak peek of what my table will offer! But by all means stop by the show! The ladies on this New York team are incredibly talented and saavy crafters! I am constantly inspired to make my work better. So stop in and say hello! We'd love to see you there! (More details are available at http://www.freewebs.com/bkhomeshow)

My Etsy Crush

2008-03-02T12:30:00.007-05:00

So I met this guy in the Etsy chat rooms. He is this fine art uber talent out of PA. His name on Etsy is PrimoCardinalli (don't know if that's his real name, but wouldn't that be great!). He is a painter that specializes in comic book characters. Fan art to the extreme. When chatting with him, he told me he has been painting seriously since November, which makes me a little sick. (I have been painting off and on for almost 15 years and still have no form or technique! Hence why I needle craft!)So not only is he incredibly talented but also super sweet and funny to boot! Hard not to crush on! Check out his shop! http://www.primocardinalli.etsy.com There's a lot of great work on display. I have included a few of my favorite pieces here. Swoon!

Embracing My Inner Nerd

2008-03-01T11:32:00.003-05:00

I have no problem accepting who I am. It took me a long time to get to this point. But I am very proud of my geek heritage! I played D&D in college. I still play Magic the Gathering on occasion. I love Star Wars. I have a vintage Nintendo Entertainment System in my room. I spend my weekends sitting at home knitting. I am a nerd girl!
I just made a new pair of Futurama earrings featuring Leela and Fry. So it dawned on me today after I posted them to Etsy, that my blog entry should be all about the geek! So I went all over Etsy collecting my favorite geek themed items! Check em out! Oh! And by clicking the blue link that says MsKittyFantastico atthe bottom, you can go to that persons shop and learn more about that item!

My Dad

2008-02-28T22:36:00.003-05:00

My relationship with my Dad over the years has been a tough one. I actually didn't meet him until I was 15. (Unless you count me at like 6 mos old.) Even after we met our relationship was rocky at best. We had a lot of old pain to get over.
as of November 2007 I hadn't spoken to my Dad in about 7 years. I walked into a job interview for a temp agency I was working for and there he was! Turned out he was the companies maintenance man for the past ten years. So we had an awkward hello, and then spent that weekend getting caught up.
Now we are pretty tight. I have an 8 year old sister that looks just like me and is completely my mini-me. She acts the same, loves crafts, and loves dinner most of all! It's so funny, since she never really knew me. I guess that goes to proove nature over nurture in this case.
Anyhoo, I got this bizarre email from my father today. Just thought I'd share a little insight into my family!

Message from Pop:
I don't care if you lick windows,
Take the special bus
Or occasionally pee on yourself...
You hang in there sunshine, you're friggin' special.

Work, work, work!

2008-02-28T14:57:00.002-05:00

Anyone who knows me personally knows that I am a hard person to hold in one place! I am always off and running to the next project, event, email, shop, and so on. Lately it has been like that even more so. (In fact anyone reading this in my life that I may have recently blown off,not maliciously of course, I am sorry! Duty calls and I need to answer! I love you!)
In January I decided now was the time for me to start using my abilities for good instead of evil. So I quit my corporate management jobs and my temping jobs and started Ms. Kitty Fantastico as a full fledged business full time. Actually I don't think that full time even defines what I do. I start my day at about 10:30 am by answering emails for business and the CT Etsy Team. I move to Etsy, Paypal, Blogger and whatever else needs my attention. Then I do all of my errands and phone calls. Come home and dinner time unless I have some sort of meeting scheduled. Lastly, I unwind by doing my crafting. Sometimes I only craft until about 9, sometimes I go until 3am. That's an average day for me. I don't have any volunteers except for my fiancee Rob and my roommate Matt. I am very fortunate that they are so supportive! Matt will sometimes run my errands and Robby is always helpful with the moving of tables and display when I do events. They both help me with design choices when I am questioning myself. Thank goodness for my little family!
So right now I am in full on over time with the craft season just winding up and lots of new contacts I have added to my roster.
But you know what? (What crazy lady, you ask.) I go to bed so satisfied at the end of the day. Achy and crazy with ideas - but satisfied! This is the happiest I have ever been in a work environment. This is the hardest I have ever worked for something and I wouldn't change it for anything. This is the best decision I have ever made.

SALE!

2008-02-27T12:29:00.003-05:00

I'm having a big 40% off sale in my other Etsy shop. Only until Saturday night! If you need jewelery or craft supplies, this is the place to go!

The Brooklyn Home Show - An Intimate Boutique Gathering

2008-02-26T01:25:00.004-05:00

You’re invited to attend…

http://freewebs.com/bkhomeshow Visit to learn more about this event!
I'm doing this show on March 8th with some of the ladies from the NewNewYork Etsy Street Team. The other vendors that will be there are just awesome. I am hoping to go with some cash in my pockets as I know I will be wanting to buy! I feel honored to be even a small part of this show. My table will be of my own work as well as some pieces from Connecticut Etsy Street Team members.
Here is just a small sampling of some of the items that will be available for sale, including those of my few CT team mates I'll be representing!

Plushies!

2008-02-25T14:38:00.000-05:00

Can I tell you how plushy obsessed I am lately. It all started with Kismet Gallery in Troy NY (71 4th Street Troy NY 12180 phone -518.272.1918.) They had this Plush Vinyl and Clay show right around Christmas time. I managed to sneak in at the last minute as a participating artist. I made little knitted kitty's in all different sizes, colors and fibers. Since I live in Connecticut, I figured what the hey, loaded up the car with some good friends and we all took the 3 hour drive to see the gallery show.
IT WAS AWESOME!
I saw so many different cool creative designs from all over the world. I was so inspired! Each one was even better than the previous. Part of me wanted to weep for not having as much talent. Part of me wanted to run home and sew like the wind. And another part of me wanted to kick everyone out and hold the gallery hostage so I could roll around in cute plushies.
So now I have this weird obsessive thing going on. I haven't bought any because, well, I'm almost 30 and about to get married. Instead I stare at them on Etsy and in various online locations. I just started making some of my own as well as felt plush brooches. Everyday I need to squeeze just a little fiber fill and think of those little cutie pies!
Here are some of my favorites!

Medium Pink and Purple Throwing Zombie

www.underroos.etsy.com $13.00
I love the idea of a Sock Zombie!

Frank-N-Furter Plushie

www.girlcalledric.etsy.com $40.00
From Rocky Horror Picture Show, here is Dr. Frank-n-furter! You're a hot dog. But you'd better not try to hurt her, Frank Furter!

Cozmo the Red Fuzzy sock monkey

www.themonkeyshop.etsy.com $30.00
Awww, he's all red and fuzzy! I just want to snuggle!

Polar Bear Softie

www.fantastictoys.etsy.com $35.00
AHH! Just look at his little facey! I can't take it! I'm being destroyed by cuteness!

My Favorite Body Products

2008-02-24T18:18:00.001-05:00

I don't know about you, but I have super sensitive skin. Certain soaps or lotions make me get all rashy or break out in hives, then I go running for the Cortizone! In my quest to purchase more hand made items I've been lucky enough to find a few superior products. So let's take a looksy, shall we?

ChocoTherapy Soap

www.morganstreet.etsy.com $5.00
Morgan Street Soap is made by Sharon Jenkins. She super fats her soaps so that they are really moisturizing and gentle. Not only did I not have any skin issues, but it made my bathroom smell sooo good! I am a huge fan of her Choco Therapy line. Mmmm, I wish I could eat it!
I live with two 20 something year old guys, so to see them excited about SOAP was a real eye opener! We all kept washing with it and then sniffing our skin. I got a lot more smoochy time with my soon to be hubby, Robert! I'm telling you it was all because I smelled like yummy chocolate.

Mojito Shea Stick (tm)

www.sweetspice.etsy.com $6.00
I got this for free in a Valentine's Day Swap I did with some of my fellow Etsians. This comes from a small body care shop called Sweet Spice. I've been using this past week and it sooo rocks!
My hands get really dry since I don't wear gloves too often. I also knit a lot and the fibers tend to dry my hands out. I also get rather obsessive about washing my hands. So needless to say I go through lotion pretty quickly. And usually after a half an hour I need to reapply it. I hate that!
This stuff is the BEST! I use it on my hands once a day. I am going to order more so I have one to keep in my bag and one to keep in my home office. I am so glad to have gotten this product! It is awesome!

Why I Will Buy Handmade!

2008-02-24T01:31:00.000-05:00

I am completely disgusted with department store shopping. As much as I enjoy Target (I have to admit it) I am really discouraged by the weird culty attitude. Not to mention the damage to local economy.

Let me back up my points for just a moment here. I go to Target from time to time. It's close to my house. They're office supplies are cheap. I like they're use of color. (I'm a color whore!) However, when I went there after the holidays it scared the CRAP out of me. All of the store employees, except for register people, were in this big circle in the middle of the store. The manager was leading them in a group excersize. They were all marching in place and clapping rythymically. He led them in some Target cheers. "Whose the best?" "Target!" "Who outsells them?" "Target!" Even down to the "Gimme a T" routine. Then he had them do a copycat thing. He'd tap his nose, they'd tap their noses, etc. Everyone immitated what he did. Then he rounded up by telling everyone to always do as he does and says and they'll stay an awesome Target team.
I stood there watching with my roommate. I was a little freaked out. While I think enthusiasm is awesome, I was a discouraged by follow me and do what I say and we'll be a good team. That's not team work, nor is it a democracy. That's, well, a dictatorship. A big corporate dictatorship. You're part of a "team", but what I say is all that counts. I think there is a big differencd between being a LEADER and guiding and just out and out RUNNING EVERYTHING. My roommate and I kinda looked at each other and hauled ass to office supplies. We both had that same uneasy cultish feeling.
It was the same atmosphere when I worked at Blockbuster for like 3 months. I got the Hell out of there fast! The whole corporation trains you that customers come first. Everyone is an equal. You are a vital team member. But the truth is customers are not a priority. Cash is king. Everyday a different higher up calls all managers and screams and screams about reaching a sales quota, and even when you do reach it, it coulda been better. So stop being lazy and make me some money! You are part of a team only until you incorporate to much of your personality in the job, then you get fired. And customers, they only come first when they agree to buy the item of the month. As soon as enough people are hooked, they're marketing plan is to up the price and leave you stuck holding the bag. It's totally sleazy. I quit and was embarassed to have it on my resume.
I've also been talking a lot with my friend Jen lately. She works for a large chain of shops. She's a part of the management team. She was telling me how everything they sell is Made in China, which is how the prices stay incredibly low. They buy it for pennies, sell it for a few dollars. Everything they supply is out sourced. They pay shit and treat their employees like crap. She hates herself for working there, but at the same time she needs to make a living and knows her job well.
It kinda makes me sick. I just can't support that anymore. I don't want my hard earned cash going to some company fat cats. I don't want it going to support poor child labor in China, or outsourced company business in India, like my phone company now sends me to when I have issues with my bill. Fuck that, I'm done! I want to start from scratch. I really feel the need to make a change in my purchasing. I know it's going to be hard to completely stop buying. But every penny I don't spend there is a step in the right direction.
So I buy from Etsy a LOT more. I walk to my local deli and little markets in my neighborhood when I need something. Most of the food there is bought locally or made by the deli. The amount I save on gas evens out the price difference. As the weather warms up I'll hit craft fairs, farmer's markets and flea markets. In most cases a lot of these options cost the same or CHEAPER than department stores, AND it supports local business.
I understand that it's not that easy for everyone. And I know there are still going to be days where it's just easier for me to go to Staples or Target. But I want to make a sincere effort not to. Every little bit counts. I hope some of you will read this and be inspired to do the same! Try and change one thing. Just one, I bet you'll find it infectious!