Bacon-o-rama

This morning while I was waiting for my breakfast taco and staring at a massive platter of crispy bacon it seemed obvious as to what I should post today... Is there anything more perfect and delicious as bacon? Over the last few years our love of bacon has expanded into other food groups, fine art, toys, and even our wardrobes! I've included a few of my favorites here- enjoy!

Shaky Bacon
Artist: Dan Goodsell

I've always been in love with Shaky Bacon, from Dan Goodsell's The World of Mr. Toast. Apparently Shaky Bacon "spends his time watching people out his window and fretting about their doings." How funny is that? Kind of reminds me of my dad...

Keep Calm and Eat Bacon
Etsy Shop: KeepCalmShop

I'm thinking I need this for my apartment...

Bacon Brooch
Etsy Shop: Dinogirl66

This lovely bacon brooch comes from one of my favorite Etsy shops in Atlanta, where they recently had a bacon-themed art show! How sad am I that I had to miss it...

Bacon-Scented Multi-Purpose Spray
Etsy Shop:Reibree

Nothing like the clean scent of bacon on your linens!

Breakfast Charm Necklace
Etsy Shop: JessicaLandau

Such an adorable way to wear your favorite breakfast treats!

Breakfast Art Print
Etsy Shop: kukubee

Breakfast cuties from another one of my favorite Etsy shops...

Flying Pig Earrings
Etsy Shop: LostApostle

I'd be proud to wear these flying piggies for sure!

Plush Breakfast
Etsy Shop: itsthesmallthings

These plush breakfast foods are just the cutest!

Maple Bacon Pancake Mix
Online Shop: Bacon Freak

Sounds pretty delicious to me...

Mo's Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar
Bacon Truffle Collection
Online Shop: Vosges

I've been wanting to try these for a while, but since they are a bit pricey, I'd love a recommendation... Has anyone tried these? One of these days I'm going to break down and try them!

Bacon is Meat Candy Hooded Sweatshirt
Online Shop: Bacon Freak

Bacon IS meat candy! Show everyone you love bacon and stay warm at the same time...

2011 Etsy Global Craft Parties

This year, Etsy Houston will be coordinating/hosting the Houston-area 2011 Etsy Global Craft Pary at Kitchen Incubator, on Friday, 10 June 2011 from 7-10 pm. We will have several fun craft activities for peeps to participate in and of course, refreshments!

I'm planning to lead Make Your Own Pompom Monster:

Over 5,000 people participated in over 500 meetups from Dallas to Romania last year, and it is Etsy's goal this year for 15,000+ people to participate!

Check out Roxy's awesome video from last year's Etsy Houston Craft Party:

It looks like everyone had a great time!

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP on the Etsy Meetup site
I'm really excited to see that out of 920 Etsy Meetup communities worldwide, we are the second largest group, right behind Dallas. Hopefully not for long...

Hope to see ya'll this Friday Night!

2011 Etsy Craft Party
Houston area

Friday, 10 June 2011
7-10:00 pm

Kitchen Incubator
907 Franklin St, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77002

For further information: Etsy Houston Blog

Etsy Ugly Cute Oomoos

What is an Oomoo, you may ask? An Oomoo is an adorable, environmentally-friendly sculpture created by Chris Davies of floatingwoo on Etsy. It is cast from a combination of gypsum and acrylic fortifiers, and the texture feels quite smooth, like porcelain.

Chris initiated a discussion in our Etsy Ugly Cute Team Forum, proposing an Oomoo "team project" and we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with Chris and his unique critters.

I received my Oomoo last week and I'm really looking forward to working on him:

Chris' Oomoo has made fast friends with my Oxybear:

Here are two custom Oomoos from our Etsy Ugly Cute Team members:

Brienna
Brienna's Etsy Shop

Amber
Amber's Etsy Shop

Shopping for the Japanese Relief Effort: Part II

Happy Monday everyone!

Here are some wonderful items from our fellow artisans that would make great gifts for others or for perhaps for yourself... Proceeds from these sales will be donated to the Japanese relief effort.


A Bear Hug for Japan
Available from sleepyking's Etsy Shop

Dream Big for Japan
Available from treespacestudio's Etsy shop

Hand-Painted Throw Pillows
Available from derilyns Etsy shop

Japan Relief Pocket Bear
Available from gabrielefelt's Etsy shop

Rebuild Japan Benefit Tee Shirt
Available from Sans Oceana Webshop

This interview with Former Shooto heavyweight champion, Enson Inoue, is quite eye-opening: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/04/06/enson-inoue-discusses-charity-work-life-in-evacuation-centers/?ncid=webmail

We can only hope that others who can, will follow his example.

Etsy-Dave Comes to Houston!

Last Friday at Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar, there was an Etsy meetup with Dave, Etsy's Social Media Coordinator and the gals from H-town Etsy!

We did have lots of questions for Dave regarding our shops on Etsy... We discussed the different ways to photograph our shop items, also that we can register for shop critiques in the Etsy Labs! I also learned about AlternaCraft, an event organized at Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar by Galina, one of the H-town Etsy members. The first AlternaCraft took place this past February, and was apparently a great success, so she is planning to host another one, on 15 May 2011 from 12-6pm. Submissions are due by April 1st!

We all had a great time- hopefully they will send Dave back sometime, and maybe some more Etsy peeps as well!

Artist Help for Japan

There are several generous individuals and organizations in our community helping with the relief effort in Japan. Please take a minute to click on the links and think of making a donation or a purchase. If you are an artist, there still may be time for you to donate work to one of the shows taking place within the next few weeks. Thanks!

The Poster Cause Project

#Pray for Japan

Shin Tanaka

Martin Hsu

Kaiju for Japan

Secret Serpents

Etsy

Giant Robot and Unicef

We Heart Japan

Rotofugi

Gargamel

MoMA

Help for our Friends in Japan

Just a short post today...

I am so upset as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Throughout my life in art and music, I have met so many wonderful people from this country, and I am terribly worried about them and their families. We are deeply indebted to them for many things, especially those of us involved with the urban vinyl toy community.

I've included a link from our local NBC station with information as to ways you can help: http://www.click2houston.com/japan-earthquake/27162022/detail.html

In addition, 20% from all Cultured Critter Collective sales during the month of March (at local Houston shows and in my etsy shop) will be combined and donated to the Red Cross to help with their relief efforts for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Valentine's Day is for Critters!

Today I have decided to showcase a few of the fun critters created for Valentine's Day! And a couple who like to take holiday photos...

First up, is Harvey, the Love Monster. Harvey was created by SquirrelMomma, for the Etsy Plush Team Has Heart Fundraiser. The Etsy Plush Team organized this online fundraiser to benefit the International Children's Heart Foundation, an organization that works to bring aid to children in developing countries with congenital heart conditions. 100% of the sales from these critters will be donated to the ICHF. Yay- critters with conscience!

Here is Harvey's story from SquirrelMomma:

Harvey the Love Monster is VERY excited about Valentine's Day (actually, Harvey is excited and hyper about pretty much everything). This little green monster has got his big heart ready, and all he needs now is to find someone to give it to. Someone who understands his major caffeine addiction. And doesn't mind when he jumps up and down on the bed at 3 a.m., singing "We All Live in a Yellow Submarine" at the top of his lungs.

How cute is that? Of course, Harvey has now come to live with me... Several of these adorable critters are still available here, in the Plush Team Shop. Adopt a critter for a good cause!

Next, we have the elusive Rose Vampire vinyl toy, created by Josh Herbolsheimer, produced by Super 7.

The Rose Vampire has become one of the most sought-after vinyl toys in the designer toy community. During each extremely-limited release, this toy sells out within minutes of being posted! I've tried a few times to secure one, but I've been unlucky... until now! Last Friday, during lunchtime, I was poised at my computer, ready to hit the "add to cart" button, and then to zoom through Paypal... I also had My Plastic Heart's window open and ready to go as well. It was all very exciting! I was successful on my first attempt, and was pleased to receive the shipping confirmation, even on the same day. So after all of that madness, there are still some left... UGH! Guess they decided to make a few more available than usual for V-Day... I'm still happy that mine will arrive in a few days.

Oliver wanted to say Happy Valentine's Day:

He's my custom Oh No Sushi originally created by Andrew Bell. Some critters don't always have the best of days:

And last, but definitely not least, Happy V-Day from Holiday Badtz Maru:

Have a fun day everyone!

Hanging On

What a week it has been... I've updated my Etsy shop, website, and online portfolio. The critters and I will be applying to some more juried shows this year, and soon, so it just had to be done! For those of you in the Houston area, you should definitely consider creating a profile and online portfolio on Spacetaker. It is free to set up your profile in their Artist Registry, and you will also be able to post events, calls for artists, and search through numerous artist opportunities. They are an awesome bunch of peeps to work with and are very supportive of the entire Houston arts community. And of course, don't forget about Spacetaker's WHAM (Winter Holiday Art Market), held each November, it is not to be missed, both for artists and shoppers!

Stay warm and have a nice weekend!

How Not to Sell at Markets!

Sweet Fine Day is a wonderful blog written by Jenna Park of Whimsy & Spice, one of my absolutely favorite Etsy shops. W&S's artisan baked goods are definitely among the best around, and how I wish they were located in Houston, instead of Brooklyn, NY! You should try the Earl Grey Sandwich Cookies- they are amazing!

Jenna's posts are thoughtful and insightful, and usually contain fun photos of her two daughters, food, Brooklyn, and New York in general. I found How Not to Sell at Markets particularly humorous and perceptive, considering all of the time I spent selling the critters at art markets and craft fairs last year. It's comforting to know that there are others who share almost exactly the same thoughts while attempting to peddle their handmade wares! It is so much fun to meet new potential customers at these shows, and to talk to them about my critters, however, one always wonders what they really may be thinking- Jenna sums it up perfectly!

Photo Credit: Copyright © 2008-2011 by Jenna Park.