Monster Baby Bibs!

I've got bibs. Lots of them. They're starting to pile up around here, so maybe I should start posting them in my etsy shop. Oh look at that, I did!


I have a bunch more photographed too. So I promise there'll be more up ere long as well.


I'm also thinking about putting together some "Baby Shower Gift Packages" too. It's getting to be that season. So, if you have any ideas, what would you like to see in terms of baby shower presents grouped together? For example, a bib and frog monster. I have made some little booties in the past too. And I'm open to just about anything that could be monster related.

Valentine's Day

It's coming. The stores kind of scare me this time year. All the cheap teddy bears holding hearts, the cheesy romantic cards, and poor quality chocolate. And then I remember how much fun Valentine's Day was a kid: gorging on chocolate, giving out valentines, getting a balloon from my parents.

So in an effort to make something worth the good memories and so none of you need to step into a CVS to shop for something for your special someone, I've got a few little goodies of my own.

I've collected everything in my shop with a heart on it here.

I've really enjoyed making these little valentines. They're sweet, eco-friendly, and not made in china.
Blank on the inside, and made entirely from found materials. And did I mention inexpensive? It would be just the perfect little something to slip into someone's lunch or leave hiding for them to find or to give one to all your closest friends.

For someone special, or maybe even a little discerning try a twist on the teddy bear

or a robot silhouette (very classy!)

or a t-shirt (especially great for those monster loving boys)

Goodbye Brooklyn

Goodbye Brooklyn!

Hello San Francisco!

Store is currently closed. It will re-open on Sept 28th. See you all then!

Psst... The box of monsters from New York is due to arrive on Sept 28th. Sorry for the delay! I am responding to conversations on etsy, if you need to reach me.

Sale Ends Tomorrow!

Have you been thinking of buying something in my sale section? Maybe a mystery pack of pins or a grab bag t-shirt? You still have 2 days left to do it.


Tomorrow evening I'll be shutting the shop down for the move. The Etsy Shop will be closed from Sept 17th thru Sept 24th. Feel free to sign up for the RSS feed so you know when the shop opens again, or just keep your eye on this space.

Last chance to get monsters in New York. Next stop, California!

Looking back on the summer

It's starting to feel like fall here in New York. And while I'm soon to move to milder climes, I can't help looking back at my last summer here in this city.

Thanks to everyone that's ever visited the monsters here in New York. It was your willingness to ooh and aah over them and often buy something that kept me going (and encouraged me to take this project on in the beginning).

The photo at the top exemplifies this summer in my mind. While I know that it rained so much early in the season (thank god for my ez up tent), what I remember is the bright sunshine tanning (and burning) my shoulders and neck. Wishing there was a breeze, but then chasing after my prints when there was one.

I tried a lot of new venues and really started thinking of myself as an artist and not just a crafter this year. I was pleasantly surprised the first few times that people actually bought prints. And even more so when artists and I respected did so (or even just exclaimed over them via twitter).

Funny how when I'm about to start something brand new and make huge changes in my life it's easiest to look backwards as I'm also looking forward, as if I can see the larger picture of my life and how connected the future is with the past and present, all changing and moving together.

Ninja Bunnies

When I was first coming up with the Ninja Bunny Design. I drew this.

I keep going back to look at it and thinking that something fun needs to come from this sketch. Any ideas?

Psst... more sketches here.

Pander, Frog Monster Plush Toy

Pander is full of questions. He asks why the moon is in the sky and why grass is green. He wonders aloud about all things natural and man-made. His curiosity is often a source of contention between him and the older monsters, but when his eyes light up with wonder, it’s hard not to share in his excitement.

You can find Pander along with a whole pantheon of monsters in my etsy store.

Mustacheo Visits DUMBO

When my mom was visiting in July, we went to DUMBO and took some photos which Mustacheo happily posed for. And I never posted them here! For shame. So here they are in all their glory.

Mustacheo in front of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Mustacheo in front of the Manhattan Bridge.

Mustacheo finds a pirate ship.

That turns out to be a playground.

For more photos of monster adventures, check out my flickr group.

Custom Order Monster Dress

A friend's daughter turns 1 at the end of this month and they asked for a birthday party outfit for her. The only real specification was pink.

After they picked it up, I got the following email

The dress is awesome! We gave it to her to look at on the drive home and she was mesmerized and loved the ribbons.

Love the way it turned out that I might have to make another one for my niece!

Psst... SALE

Karen's Monster On-line Sale!

I have a new sale section in my Etsy Store. Things will be making their way in and out of the sale section until the move at the end of September.

A few special deals:

$7 (including shipping) T-Shirts

It's a grab bag, so you give me the size you want and I send whatever shirt I have in that size. I have some plus sizes available too.

Mystery Surprise 4-Pack of Pins!

You've seen them at shows, now available online.

I'll be photographing more things that I normally only have available at shows too. Some might go up in the sale section, some will be regularly priced. Feel free to request things you've seen!

Monster Makers

I opened my inbox today to find these two photos staring up at me.

While selling last weekend in Boston at the SOWA Open Market, I sold two of my monster making kits to a woman promising to take them to a couple of girls out west.

Apparently the monsters were a hit and I'm so happy to share these photos with everyone!

The Siren, Pillow Monster

The Siren wishes to be adored and flaunted. She enjoys girly things like flowers and lace. She’s very sweet, but don’t cross her, she bites.

Psst... this is just a pillow case (easier to wash and ship this way), but I also sell pillow forms that fit her. Or I can make them to fit any size you wish.

Both are available in my etsy shop.

Squaredy Cat Book Covers

Doing some more custom work for Monkey Doodle Dandy's Squaredy Cats.







I just love them. While I still have a lot more to make, thought I'd show you a glimpse of the first finished product.

Home again jiggity jig

Back to the craziness of New York. I got a little side-tracked upon getting home, but back to business I say!

So here are a few photos from Renegade. Unfortunately I forgot to charge the batteries to my camera so had to borrow my boothmate's camera. So there are only a few photos. (More on flickr!)

The Day After Renegade

Renegade was amazing! I had such a good trip that even with travel expenses I feel like the trip was totally worth it.


I'll post photos (my camera batteries were dead, oops forgot to charge them) that my boothmate took once I get back to New York.


But I just wanted to say Thanks to a few people that really made my weekend worthwhile.


Thanks to everyone that gushed at the monsters. (I'm constantly amazed at how more open people are outside of NYC). I loved meeting all of you. It's great to make people laugh and smile and it makes me smile too.


Thanks to my boothmate, Lisa of Prism Pop and P*Charming. It was great fun and I really appreciated sharing with you.

We had excellent neighbors, Ana Apple and Matt Cipov who were both great company.

Also I know both Cris from Skeletal Dropkick and Rick from Seattle Show Posters on the internet, but met them for the first time this weekend. It was so great to meet you both in person!

So on my last day here in California I think I'll go to the beach. Beaches here are so much more dramatic than the east coast. And consequently I'm much more in love with California beaches, but maybe it's just what I'm used to.

Zippered Pouches, Check!

Mom: Do you have any other pouches besides the pink one in your shop?

Me: Yes, but I haven't had a chance to upload it yet.

Mom: Oh will you bring more for Renegade?

Me: Yes, do you want one?

Turns out my pouches would make a great little holder of random things in her knitting bag. While I know that my mom is perfectly capable of making her own pouch (her sewing skills seriously outclass mine), I'm quite pleased that she wants one of mine. Plus mine has a monster on it.

If you've forgotten (I certainly haven't) I'll be at Renegade on July 18th & 19th in San Francisco. I'm working like mad here trying to get ready for it. Mostly things are in piles half finished and quite messy and not photogenic. But I wanted to show you a few of the things I'm working on. So yay for pouches!

Bobby, Shark Monster Plush Toy

Bobby is really into sports. I mean really into them. He can quote you stats back since before he was born, which admittedly was not that long ago. He’s always trying to get someone to toss a ball around with him and starting up impromptu games.

Bobby is available in my etsy shop.

More Alphabet Monster Prints

Lots of people have been asking me if I do custom Alphabet prints, ie instead of Alfred, I would do their daughter/son/grandchild/random person's name. Of course I answer yes. It would be an interesting challenge should they follow through with it. While I love my customers, it's less than common for someone to take a card with the promise to contact me and then actually do so. And all the more worth it when someone does.

In the meantime, a follow through customer did ask me to move three letters up in the line to be made, not exactly customization, but fun anyway.

So I present to you: K, M, and R.

The Weekend Post

Photo Credit: The {NewNew}

Happy 4th of July!

In honor of 4th of July, I'm going to BBQ on Saturday instead of working. Crazy, I know.

My tentative, based-on-weather schedule for the weekend.

Friday (that's today) I'll be on 7th Ave in Park Slope (between Garfield and Carrol) selling monster prints. If I have a few monsters to bring a long, I may do that as well.

Saturday: BBQ not selling

Sunday if the weather looks good all day, I'll be back in Park Slope. If the weather looks like it might hold for a while, but looks spotty, I'll be closer to home on 3rd Ave in Bay Ridge.

As always, do check my twitter updates for the latest on where I am and what I'm up to. I try to post as I'm leaving about where I'm going.

And if it's raining. You know I am not there.

Monster Making Kits are For Sale!

Interested in making your own monster? Well now you can. My not-yet-but-almost-famous Monster Making Kits are now available in my etsy shop. They come with everything you need to make a monster, including the stuffing. So what are you waiting for? Indulge your inner kid and maybe a few real kids too.

Try making your monster totally unique by adding things you have around your home, like ribbons, paint, buttons, pompoms, glitter, or anything you can think of.

Then after you have a monster, add your photos to my Karen's Monsters Flickr Pool.

Street Vending

Spent my first weekend on the streets, selling monsters that is.

Normally I have a start time and an end time plus booth fees. But I know plenty of fellow artists that use the 1st Amendment rule in NYC to sell on the streets.

Pros
Can sell when and where (mostly) it suits me best.
No extra fees cut into my profits
Can cancel for bad weather

Cons
Too many different places I could sell. Not sure where the best place is.
The potential to be hassled by cops.
The weather.

I'll definitely continue through the middle of July. I feel a lot like a fish out of water because I just don't have a feel for how it works yet. But that should change with some experience. After I come back from Renegade SF, we'll see.

Silhouettes that I had for sale this weekend. Will be available in my etsy shop soon.

Prints

I sent these images (minus the watermark) to be printed at iprintfromhome.com yesterday. They seem pretty cool. I'll let you know the quality, when I get them, but I've heard good things and they have special deals every Tuesday.





Since these are really the very first pieces of fine art I'm putting out there for sale, I would love some feedback. It's almost as scary as the first time I sold my monsters. Hope this experience is as good as that first time at Brooklyn Indie Market.

New Squishies

New Squishies up in my Etsy Shop. So go check them out! (Click on the photos.)

Renegade x2

I am so happy to announce that I'll be at Renegade in San Francisco sharing a booth with Lisa Toff.

I don't know if this lets the cat out of the bag, but my husband and I are planning on moving to California in the fall, so this will be a good way for me to get my feet wet in the Bay Area before we move.

My hopes with this trip:
Meet lots of awesome people
Learn about shows & the market in the SF Bay Area
See my family
Check out some stores for potential wholesale orders
Sell lots of monsters!

If you're a store in the Bay Area, I'll be in town a little early, I'd be most happy to meet with you and show you some samples of monsters, prints, etc. Please email me to set up an appointment and get info about wholesale prices!

Monster Making Kits

They're finally happening. In fact they'll be for sale at the Brooklyn Flea this Saturday in Fort Greene.

I'm packaging them in quart sized plastic containers, with instructions and everything you need to make a monster. But I hope that lots of people make crazy, amazing monsters where they add things I haven't even thought of.

Here are two examples of cute little monsters that my husband and I made from the kits. Can you guess who made each of these?



I'll let you know as soon as they're up in my etsy store!

The Weekend Post

Even with my shortened week this week, I'm busy this weekend. So come on out and play with us. I'm crossing my fingers that this rain clears up. You can find the monsters two places this weekend.

Both Saturday and Sunday, you'll find the NewNew has set up a sweet shop at 93 Nevins Street. It's worth going just to see all the beautiful things arranged together and to see the beautiful house. I had a chance to stop by today and it looks amazing! Thanks Martin and Kimm for all your work in making this come together.


On Sunday only, you'll also find me at Renegade Craft Fair, Booth #45 with the NewNew. To find out about some deals we have going on, click here.

Wendy, Frog Monster Plush Toy

Wendy enjoys bouncing, especially on trampolines. She’ll bounce on beds, couches or really anything with a spring. Though she has yet to master the pogo stick.

You can find Wendy in my etsy shop along with lots of other new things!

Framed Robot Photo

Maybe you remember the robots I made for a custom order a few months back? Well now a cute little framed photo of them is available in my shop.

I think they look so sweet together.

I've been working on new 2D monsters, so check out my etsy shop for more new framed pieces!