Updates

It is mid-April and we did our first in-person event of 2024 over the last weekend. The Spring Into Weird Fair (hosted by Nerdcore at the Auburn Mall) was so much fun! We met some amazing artists and other small businesses. I got the scoop on some additional events I would like to try in the future, and some cool items (check my Instagram). I also started to clearance sale some of the things that we are not going to do anymore. Why not? Because I don’t like it, and I work for myself.

So we are discontinuing our non-leather keychains, stud earrings, and various home decor items. All these things can still be ordered by a custom request (like if you want a custom stud earring order, or keychains for your business out of acrylic), but I am not keeping them in stock and continually making them anymore.

I’d love for more custom orders honestly. I had an order for a custom cribbage board that was also a ouija board, and how cool is that?! At the Weird Fair, people were so excited about the DM (dungeon master) screen that I had available, but wanted customized ones. So I am going to be making a ‘One of a Kind’ section in the shop to sell some of these prototype items.

There will be various changes throughout this year. We are not doing as many in-person events so that I can actually push the website more, get more custom orders, and actually not burn myself out by the holiday season (again). You may have noticed that I updated the color scheme and some style choices on the website, and that various products are now gone. I have also recently upgraded my photo set up and will be retaking all my photos and redoing listings to try to make things more consistent and look less …well, unprofessional and scammy. I am terrible at setting goals, but I do have several things I am aiming for this year:

• Increase collaborations with other local artists

• Decrease plastic packaging materials

• Increase digital files available for sale (and make available here on this website, not just Etsy)

It may not seem like much, but the first two are very important to me and what I believe in. There are so many talented artists around me, and I want to support the artist and creators that I love. I dislike the massive AI art theft that is happening, and will always support real artists. I have so much respect for the time and dedication it takes to become a real master at your craft, and I know that I cannot do some of the things that these people do (we all have our own talents). You will see me promoting other business and artist that I love. If you have a custom request that I think another artist would do better, I will absolutely let you know that.

Next, I know I use acrylic, which is a plastic. It does create plastic waste that I am unsure what to do with (if you know of an acrylic supplier that does a recycling program, PLEASE let me know). The acrylic material for projects is a bit different from the massive waste that is any of the plastic packing material. I am looking into hemp plastics to switch too for that clear look still, but I also sort of hate that. I’d rather not have any packaging that isn’t necessary for protecting the product during shipping/transport. I have a ton of cardboard all the time, and I’ve been told that if you put it through a good paper shredder, you can make your own shipping cushioning pretty easily. So I’ll be thinking this packaging material problem through and tying to reduce waste as much as possible. It is ridiculous to put eco-responsibility onto consumer/customer shoulders, so I must do my part as a producer of goods.

Lastly, digital files!!! Yes, I love making custom things, but I have so many ideas of my own, and I can’t possibly have all of that in my inventory available at any time. I currently sell my digital files on Etsy, but I would like to get everything transitioned to the website. I currently make laser machine files.

If you managed to read this whole ramble about whats going on, thanks! I appreciate your support and I hope you’re excited to see what comes next.