Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

*cross post from my other blog*

My kids like to make newspapers. In one recent issue, they had the following full-page ad/article about how I'm closing my online shops.

This completely cracks me up, particularly the quotes on "just too busy"... These kids are something else!

Counting down...

So the process has begun. My current shop listings are expiring at a rate of a couple of items per week, and I have had inquiries into some of the listings still up. Seeing the number of items dropping definitely makes this all seem quite real! My Etsy shops have been part of my life since late 2006. *sigh* The very last listings are due to expire in April, unless, of course, they sell first.

So... once again I feel compelled to say, Check out the shops! What's in there today, may not be there tomorrow.

Pink Kitty Designs

Renegade Stitches

A Sad Day...

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that I will be closing my Etsy Shops, Renegade Stitches and Pink Kitty Designs, for the foreseeable future. I've gotten so busy with the other aspects of my life (homeschooling my children, writing, etc.) that I just don't have time to keep up with my shops right now.

Here's how it's going to work: The shops will remain open until all my current listings expire or are sold. Which means... if there is something that you've seen in the shops that you simply must have, grab it now :). Also, even after the shops close I may still open to custom orders... contact me for more information.

I am going to miss the Etsy community so, so much. They've been such a source of encouragement, inspiration and support. I'm hoping this "leave of absence" is temporary... we'll just have to see how my "Real Life" plays out.

Thank you so much to all the great "Friends" I've made in EtsyLand... customers as well as fellow sellers. Thank you all so, so much!

Pregnancy and Birth Art Gallery

I got an email from a fellow Etsian last week, asking to include one of my paintings in a "Pregnancy and Birth"-themed gallery on her website. It's a lovely gallery, presenting such a wide range of pregnancy art. It's truly beautiful... please check it out!

http://www.fyrestormcreations.com/id36.html

Lucha Libre!

While waiting for me to browse through yarn at my favorite local yarn shop, my 6-year-old son amused himself flipping through the knitting books. While perusing Son of Stitch-n-Bitch by Debbie Stoller he found a pattern for a Lucha Libre-inspired ski mask. "MOM!!! PLEEEEASE buy this book!! I NEEEED you to make me this mask!!" And so I did. I bought the book, and although I despise following patterns, I made the mask for my boy. I did have to adapt it slightly, as the pattern is sized for an adult, but it was really fun to make, and so much fun watching my boy get so excited as it began to take shape. It was my first attempt at two-color knitting, so it was a learning experience for me, as well! My boy has already picked out my next knitting project... he'd like some handknit socks. This will be a learning experience for me as well, as I've never attempted socks! But I think I'm up for the challenge!

In other news, there will be a new painting/collage underway soon. I've done a sketch, and now I just need to find time to get downstairs to my paints!

Another Nekkid Girl

Untitled Nude 2... 8x10, acrylic on canvas board. Available in my Etsy Shop.

Irons in the fire....

How many projects can one girl have going at the same time? TOO MANY, if you happen to be this girl. I really do have a horrible habit of starting new projects before old projects are finished. On the plus side, I've always got something handy to work on... on the down side, some projects get lost in the shuffle, AND it's hard for me to keep my stuff organized when I've got so many things things going at once. At the moment, my works-in-progress are: A halter top for my daughter, two sweaters, a bag that will be for ME :), a painting which is about half-done and will be a companion piece to one I've already finished. Add to that the projects which are in the planning stages but not actually really started... the ski mask my son wants me to make, the sketches I've started for new paintings , the collage series that's in my head but not on paper yet, The blue jean bags I'm going to make with the stack of old jeans I have... I could go on and on. Sometimes my brain goes into creative overdrive, but there simply aren't enough hours in the day to make all the things I'd like to make. Wait... why am I typing here? I've got knitting/painting/cutting/drawing/sewing to do!

Still more Renegade Stitches!

So... these past few weeks I've been finishing up a bunch of started-then-abandoned projects from my yarn basket. This has been a very good thing, for a few different reasons! One... it feels really good to finish things. I just get depressed and feel like a failure when I see abandoned projects lying about. I do have a bad habit of starting things and not finishing them! Two... lots of new things to list in my shop... Three... finishing up projects and using up yarn means I get to go YARN SHOPPING! I love yarn shopping! In a couple of weeks I will be making a pilgrimage to my favorite Big Yarn Store, where I will be taking advantage of their Big Summer Sale as well as taking a class to brush up on some knitting techniques. I'm hoping for a few sales before then, so I can justify buying more :)

So speaking of those recently completed projects.... here is my latest one, just finished this weekend and just listed this morning!
It's a sassy, skinny, 7 1/2 foot-long fashion scarf made from smoky-colored ribbon yarn, and can be worn a number of different ways. It is sexy, and it is available right now, in my Renegade Stitches Etsy Shop!



PS... I should also mention that I also have a favorite Small Yarn Store, and if you're in the greater Boston area you should stop in and pay Kim a visit. Tell her Jenney sent you, and buy lots of yarn from her :)

New Listings are UP!

Fresh and new in my Renegade Stitches shop! Each of my handmade garments and accessories is one-of-a-kind... completely original... just like you! Here is a sneak peek at what's new...












For more, check out my Renegade Stitches shop... there is something for everyone and every mood... from my whimsical "Button Button" collection to my sophisticated Luxe Collection. All as unique as you are.

New Stuff!!

I've been knitting and crocheting like a fiend, but haven't listed anything on Etsy in awhile... so today is the day! I'll be listing a silk asymmetrical wrap, a new fuzzy bikini top and a cute little cuff. Stay tuned!

Finally...

It's been a while, but I've finally finished a new piece...

8x10, acrylic on canvas board.



Available via my Etsy shop... www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

New in the Renegade Stitches Shop...

Fuzzy Bikini Top! Something about this one makes me think of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert...
Available in my Renegade Stitches Shop. Another color coming soon!

On Self Portraits...

While hashing out some sketches for some new paintings last night, I got to thinking about self portraits. I remember, as a kid, thinking that all the famous artists in the world who painted all those self-portraits of themselves must have been incredible egomaniacs. Then, as I got older, I realized it has very little to do with ego, but is all about FREE MODEL! Yup. That's it. I know I certainly can't afford to pay a model to sit for me! Also... the "artist as model" is always available, and in addition to working for free, is willing to pose however you want, and doesn't give you any attitude. Although I don't draw or paint "self portraits" as such, I definitely use myself as a model to get proportions and such right.

I was also contemplating how, in some ways, there is an element of "self portrait" in any work an artist creates. For me (and people who know me well have pointed this out) my current state of mind and what's happening in my life tends to find it's way onto the canvas. There is an element of vulnerability and self-exposure to art... sometimes it's right on the surface, and sometimes you have to look for it, but it's always there, someplace. It's one of the many things that intrigues me about art.

Feeling inspired...

So... for a few months I've been somewhat uninspired creatively speaking. Sometimes real life just gets in the way of the creative process, you know? But recently I'm beginning to get ideas again! I've got a few ideas in my head for some painting/mixed media projects... just need to sketch them out and get them onto canvas! Also... cleaning out my yarn baskets has inspired some ideas for some nice fiber projects, as well! I found several skeins of "fun fur" yarn that I'd purchased ages ago and then never used, and those fuzzy scarves, well, I'm kind of bored with that whole concept. But I've got a clever idea in the works! Stay tuned!

:)

YARN!!!

Oh my goodness... I cleaned out my yarn baskets yesterday (Um, yeah... Baskets, plural... ) and I found several unfinished projects, as well as some pretty yarns I purchased and then almost forgot about! So my goal for the week is to finish those projects, and FINALLY get some new things listed in my Renegade Stitches shop! Stay tuned... :)

I made a new thing...

A halter top... crocheted from black cotton:

More Spring Cleaning!

I'm STILL cleaning out my studio! Here are the current sales happening in my shops!

In my Pink Kitty Designs shop:
SUPPLIES! ... I'm destashing some of my craft stuff.... come get some bargains!
JOURNALS AND ALBUMS... prices reduced!
STUFF FOR YOUR HOME... picture frames, coasters, etc... all reduced!
Plus... I'm having a special for blog readers only... All collages, paintings and prints are FREE SHIPPING... just put "blog" in the message to seller and wait for an adjusted invoice before paying.

In my Renegade Stitches shop:
check out my "oh what a bargain" section for some hot deals!
Also... check out my cute spring items! Fresh accessories and bags made of cotton, bamboo, etc... perfect for the warmer months!

Hey fellow crafty-folks!!

As mentioned in the previous post, I'm doing some spring cleaning at the moment! A result of all this cleaning out is that I have a bunch of supplies currently listed in my shop, with more being added as I continue to destash! Take a peek in the "SUPPLIES" section of my Kitty shop:
http://www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

Other sales happening right now:
Everything in my "Stuff for your Home" section is reduced!

And for blog-readers only... FREE SHIPPING on all paintings, collages, prints and ACEOs! Just put "Kitty Blog" in the message to seller, and wait for an adjusted invoice before paying...
http://www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

:)

Spring Cleaning!

Keep your eye on my Pink Kitty Designs and Renegade Stitches Etsy shops! I'm going to be doing some "Spring Cleaning" over the next few weeks, so this is your official "heads up" that there will be Clearance Sales happening! Stay tuned... :)

Celebrating 100!

This past Sunday, my Pink Kitty Designs Etsy shop hit a milestone... I got my 100th Sale!! So, a big hearty Thank You to all the customers who have made this moment possible! I really do appreciate that you have liked my work enough to want to purchase it! It means a great deal to me! Thank you!