Trinlay K

Aw crap....

2011-12-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

Having a bit of a rough holiday season, not exactly sure why: but much of it is medical crap... still unresolved from the wreck.

but now, I'm starting installment payments on a tooth that broke on Thanksgiving. It's got a temporary fix, but eventually I've got to come up with $500 for the crown that is needed.

Any ideas for fund raising would be appreciated... and I've still got zibbet and zazzle shops open...

Also happy thoughts and healing vibes are VERY much appreciated.
gonna hug a cat now...

1 year and 4 months later

2011-12-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

One year and 4 months ago TOMORROW...
I still have chronic pain from this... hit by a drunk driver ON PROBATION fleeing law enforcement, still have limited motion, fatigue (lack of sleep), my fibromyalgia is flaring in the worst flare ever... I have migraines 1 or 2 times a week, that sometimes take up to 3 days to really recover from:

I've lost a large % of what productivity I had left.
I've had to cut back on the social activity that keeps me sane because i either hurt too much or I'm just too tired.

so far it's 1 year and 4month and still the settlement hasn't happened... eventually it'll be the insurance company and the people who owned the car he hit us with who will end up paying... He's had 6 months in jail and will have a few years on probation....

something is wrong with this picture... very very wrong.
the two of us who were in the car when he hit us could have been killed. We stopped JUST SHORT of slamming into a house.

and my medical bills keep piling up.

I've been inspired...

2011-12-04T18:07:00.000-08:00

Not sure I can pull this off, but I'd like to make a sizeable donation to Heifer International this year...

and I keep neglecting my Zazzle shop... However:
http://www.zazzle.com/handsome_seimei_card-137405702552640286

the proceeds from every purchase of this card (or other item) from my Zazzle shop between now and Christmas will go to Heifer International.

have a great holiday everyone...

Wee Free Daleks

2011-10-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Color drawing for the 300th issue of Drink Tank

Bob the Amigurumi Sugar Skull

2011-10-05T03:23:00.000-07:00

Bob, the Amigurumi Sugar Skull.
(the name will be familiar to readers of the Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher)
already claimed by my daughter... but I'll probably make a few more.
At least one will probably be going to NecronomiCon in Florida later this month.

:D

Littlefee, Yo Sd, dress with watermelons

2011-09-29T17:28:00.001-07:00

Made a couple of new Littlefee items...
http://www.zibbet.com/trinlayk/artwork?artworkId=620429

busy busy!

2011-09-21T23:06:00.001-07:00

apparently Con*Stellation went pretty well, waiting to hear back from the art director, but people at the con were commenting on Facebook that things were selling.

AND that a fan-editor had grabbed one of my cards to give me some ad space in his zine, I don't know which fan-ed or which fanzine, but hopefully I'll get a copy!

I've got another Hello Kthulhu to make, another regular Cthulhu and a Nac Mac Feegle/ Pictsie, and I think the pile of plush for NecronomiCon will be ready.

con*stellation - Alabama

2011-09-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

today I'm sending off a box of 19 items to a nice sci fi convention in Alabama!

so I'm keeping busy, some new items will be posted to Zibbet soon, however it's headed into a busy convention season, so I'm going to be also making lots of monsters, aliens and winged critters to go to the conventions.

Almost done with my sister's birthday present too!

Kissmetrics Updated News

2011-08-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

it's worse than I thought:

http:www.dslreports.com/forum/r26210282-Worse-than-Reported-Undeleteable...

wiping your computer and replacing the hard drive apparently will not delete the kissmetrics tag

lifecs.likai.org/2011/07/kissmetrics-and-life-of-etag.html

Oh for the Love of WTF! re: Kissmetrics

2011-08-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah yeah again with the kissmetrics....

http://ashkansoltani.org/docs/respawn_redux.html

anyone out there with the technical skills to get the ETSY and other net users an effective tool to remove the unwanted tracking tag?

Oh dear ghod! hackers we need you!!!

Mr Pooh returns!

2011-08-14T20:21:00.001-07:00

Amigurumi Pooh inspired by Ophelia's "Mr. Pooh" and crafted with her blessings:
Ophelia's Mr. Pooh Series

I've made some of these before, and each one is different... they've mostly been adopted out to Japan and California, but otherwise, I can't figure out any specific demographic. :D

Mr. Pooh is made from a super soft bamboo merino yarn, blue safety eyes, polyfill and LOVE. He's full of LOVE and humor...

from butt to crown aprx. 5 in tall

http://www.zibbet.com/trinlayk

Oh crap ETSY, what have you DONE!

2011-08-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

If you have ever used ETSY at all, you need to be awarethat they've been using the Kissmetrics software to spy on you: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/07/undeletable-cookie/

This thread on ETSY has vital though insufficient information: re: shielding yourself somewhat from their use of Kissmetrics--- it has bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifeen closed by admin who added WRONG information, private browsing will not keep this software from tracking your, or remove the malware it planted on your computer. http://www.etsy.com/teams/7718/site-help/discuss/8802429/page/1

UPDATE: except for ONE thread on ONE team (where admin never bothers to go) all the threads about the Kissmetrics concerns have been DELETED from the forums.

this information is VITAL for ETSY, Hulu, Spotify (and other sites) users to know.
please help disseminate it: http://www.etsy.com/teams/7718/site-help/discuss/8816812/page/1/?post_id=96457559

What we really need is a Kissmetrics specific removal tool.... Please help disseminate this information, and help find a removal tool for the Kissmetric malware so we can share the information.

Keep in mind, this is how we are answered after about a YEAR of concerns about mysterious software apparently being used by ETSY, and concerns about ETSY's handling of our personal security & data (privacy) during their push for more and more data on us as individuals. These are not exactly spechttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifific removal tools for the kissmetric "zombie cookies" but it's a start until someone like McAffe, Malwarebytes, or Symantec (Norton) come up with a specific tool for all of us to use.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
this may remove the kissmetric tag from your LSO's I just installed and ran it now...
(but I had to remove ALL my LSOs and don't know enough yet to know if the "self replicating" nature of the kissmetrics will keep it hidden on my machine.

better privacy
http://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/betterprivacy/

Adblock
http://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/searchttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifh/?q=ad+block&cat=all&x=17&y=10

Ghostery (will tell you what trackers are used on a site, and will give you links to see what that cookie or tracker actually DOES and who it is from)

http://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/seahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifrch/?q=ghostery&cat=all&x=25&y=18

CCleaner

http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

I have not yet found anything that is specifically a Kissmetric removal tool.
Please pass this information along.

CCleaner's download page has options for a variety of OS,
the others can often be found that serve browsers besides firefox.
However, Internet Explorer, since it's the software that comes with the computer, is usually the target of hacks/worms/malware/viruses... just having a less common browser (one that isn't "newbie default") will help.

after downloading, you will need to reboot your browser (and for the CCleaner it may require to reboot your system I don't remember if I needed to or not)

when your brower is reopened, you'll go under the drop down tool menu and set up your preferences for each of the new bits of protective ware.

It may take an hour or so, I went with "delete all LSOs" and as time goes by I'll keep an eye on the BetterPrivacy listing and decide when there's a short list, what to block and what to allow.

Please, everyone, be as safe as you can out there.

thank you.

Featured on a blog...

2011-07-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Ok so it's not a feature of my ITEMS, but we share some concerns

Mystic silks

recovering from having fun

2011-07-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

last weekend I went to a doll meet in Madison, had a great time, but really tired myself out. (I'm STILL tired a week later, but I spent part of that weekend running on caffeine, i expected to be mostly recovered by Wednesday...)

well anyhoo, I had a great time, sold some stuff, bought some stuff....
Including Souji's hoodie from Sims, it's Toothless from _How to Train Your Dragon_ and she ALSO helped me fix the stringing in Souji's legs. He now stands up much steadier and no longer has "loose cording scoliosis" (she is now Officially : Auntie Sims)

A little boy doll got a Cthulhu plushie his human purchased, and a group of girls got a Hello Kthulhu. I was a little surprised by how popular Cthulhu and monsters are with the doll people... I always realized there was a big overlap of anime fandom, costumer fandom, and scifi fandom....but why didn't I think to bring the cthulhus sooner?

coming soon: beach dalek, and a review of Dreaming Tree eyes!

just finished commisson

2011-06-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

Just finished a bespoke set of 4 items (pants, hoodie, tshirt, hat) for pukipuki, customer loves the photos...

yay!

making more dolly stuff

2011-06-18T22:32:00.001-07:00

making more dolly dresses. (the middle sized one just sold... I love LOVE love this fabric)

Sent off a packet of Critters for the Art Show at CONvergence.

had sort of a rough week though.
Monday I was shopping and dropped a large can of cat food on my toe, so it's all bruised up... then Friday as I was headed to my car after the chiropractor, and I FELL and banged up my knee.

Though also on monday, one of my friends was mugged. she's recovering and doing ok, but OMG! My injuries from the week are very very minor in comparison.

Cashmere Feline

2011-05-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

making lots of doll stuff lately, but I'm still making plushies...
just finished this bright pink and baby blue cat in cashmere.

5 in tall.

I keep thinking up names: "Boots"? nope , "Socks?" Nope...

very soft with a sweet expression, this little one is full of love and ready to share.

Dress of fate SUCCESS

2011-05-24T22:03:00.001-07:00

Dress of fate SUCCESS, a photo by trinlayk on Flickr.

Yay!
the pattern reduced to 80% works perfectly...

I'm going to make a few more things for Ume... I've picked up some really cool lace and some organza and...

... and then I have to get back to work on the monsters!

Success!

2011-05-18T17:58:00.001-07:00

Ume's lacy dress 2, a photo by trinlayk on Flickr.

a quicky test dress, reduced to 90% of the original pattern (see prior "dress of fate")...

It turned out lovely, and I think I'll do more with lace soon.

it fits almost perfectly, I'll do one or two more out of scraps, and then try to do one in the blue fabric with the roses again.

yay. \

I've got enough of the blue fabric to make another dress in this size. but I don't know if I have enough of the fabric, to scale up the pattern to fit the Littlefee and make a matching dress.

Update: measure twice cut once

2011-05-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

Update: doll dress of Fate

This was SUPPOSED to be a Pukifee dress, I made an error printing out the pattern... so it was HUGE on her.

here it is on my Littlefee (my next larger size up doll) and it's too small on this one.

However, it will most likely fit the slim Yo size or the Planetdoll minis... so I'm taking the now finished dress to the meet in a month or so. It'll fit someone who will want it, right?

It must have been fated for THAT someone. (I'm going to try again, I have enough fabric so that won't be an issue.)

the collar and petticoat (with the lace) are separate items. so this outfit is fun for mixing an matching... can't wait till I have a version for Ume...finally.

Measure twice, cut once

2011-05-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Measure twice, cut once.

I printed out this pattern .25 in too big:
so it's huge on my PKF who it was intended for, and too small for my LTF...
I'm going to try it again, with PAPER TOWEL as a muslin and then use what I have left of this fabric.

I am going to finish this one, since it WILL fit Planetdoll minis, and the slim style Yo dolls (the Yo height but more adult/teen proportions) there's a lace detachable collar finished and I'm going to do a petticoat with lace edging (that will show beneath the hem) sometime in the next few days...so it will be completed according to plan, Just not in the planned size.

This dress was simply fated for someone else. :D

Susan, Swimmy of Dooooom!

2011-05-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Swimmies of Doom and their support for the artistians of the net...

their tumblr is here: http://swimmiesofdoom.tumblr.com/

Spring comes to Wisconsin-- sorta

2011-05-09T16:27:00.001-07:00

Souji's tulips 2, a photo by trinlayk on Flickr.

We had a beautiful couple of days so I managed some photos outside with Souji.

then rain, and gloom and chill for 3 days, coinciding with 3 days of OMFG level of a migraine. I remind myself that these things pass and they do... I just have to wait them out and do my pain management routines...

However, this afternoon I am doing OK ish again, and working on Cthulhus to send to Marcon... pondering maybe sending them some origami dragons too.

There's a purple Cthulhu more than halfway done, and a good start of one in seafoam. Photos soon, hopefully.

Ume's New Spring Dress

2011-05-04T13:12:00.001-07:00

Ume A1, a photo by trinlayk on Flickr.

I finished this the other day for Ume, and just now have the photos up....

such a cutie... she's a Pukifee (and I want a Littlefee Luna too!)

more photos over on my flickr, and some new dolly stuff up in my shop.

Jartsy-CrapInAJar-Creative Breakroom entry

2011-04-26T22:20:00.001-07:00

Jartsy Entry B, a photo by trinlayk on Flickr.

Entry for the Creative Breakroom, Crap in a Jar, Jartsy competition.

Challenge theme:
"What's the stupidest thing you can put in a mason jar and actually sell?"

Challenge rules:
1. Find a mason jar
2. Put something stupid in it
3. Take some GREAT artsy fartsy photos of it
4. List it on Etsy with a creative description
5. We make a treasury of these fabulous handmade creations

6. ????

7. PROFIT!

note: If you no longer have an Etsy shop, you are probably too smart for such shenanigans, but you can still participate on Flickr or your blog or whatnot.

***also featured on SwimmiesOfDoom's tumblr! Thank you SwimmiesOfDoom!

and listed here http://www.etsy.com/listing/72949580/faery-in-a-jar?ref=pr_shop
thank you Blueditty for hosting my entry.

2011-04-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

This little guy is teeny, 3in tall and just the right size to dwell in a dollhouse.
(He's photographed on a dollhouse couch!)
He's made from a hand dyed speckled yarn full of lovely spring colors.
He reminds me of a garden in an Impressionist painting.
(Merino, with a silk tail, safety eyes, and a heart fulla perkiness)

This evening's project is tagging, paperwork, and preparing for shipping, a batch of monsters for Gaslight Gathering, a Steampunk convention out west. (Their art director INVITED me to enter their Art Gallery! whoot!)

Happy Earthday!

2011-04-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ok so Earthday is TOMORROW,
but it'll also be my birthday.

I've got a couple doll dresses done (Littlefee size)almost done with another one, planning a couple Pukifee and pukipuki sized ones too. Stripy yarns are FUN, but I'm not too sure they'll scale well for the smaller dolls.

Got a bunny plush to photograph to.

I'm having a bit of a rough time with the weather, but I'm hoping to be able to
start planting some cool stuff in the garden.

I've got a Dwarf Japanese Maple for a shrubbery too... can't wait!

waiting for the check from Oddcon, sold 6 items!
(and wondering if anything made it to the shouting auction)

Paperwork should be in email for Gaslight Gathering sometime tomorrow or the next day, and then it's getting that ready and shipping out stuff for the con!

I gotta be getting ready for Marcon next... and I'm contemplating but hesitant with Duckon... a few years ago they were a real mess.

Any cons in July? August?

cats & photos

2011-04-18T22:00:00.001-07:00

friends 1, a photo by trinlayk on Flickr.

I was getting ready to do some product photos (the outfit the doll is wearing) and Seimei decided to help with the photo session.

I suppose this happens in any studio with cats living there. :D (though in this case the "studio" is my home too)

the doll is not for sale, and I didn't make him (yes, I've cross dressed the poor lil' guy)... he's a Littlefee Elf El and is made by Fairyland in Korea.

I made the tunic and the socks.

Fibromyalgia Sucks- respecting new limitations

2011-04-07T18:53:00.001-07:00

Cool Old Tree, a photo by trinlayk on Flickr.

It's been a rough day... been rough for awhile now with this flare up.

Only got 1.5 plushies done yesterday, and today is a "stiff neck of doom".
I'm trying to get 4 or 5 finished, so I'll have a good assortment to send to Gaslight Gathering's Art show.

This "stiff-neck-of-doom" is one of the recurring events with my fibromyalgia. The day starts out OK, but maybe an hour or two in the usual level of stiff and sore, increases, and increases, till there is horrible stiffness and pain from the base of my skull, down my neck, into shoulders and upper back.

So I take my "when you really need them" meds and go back to bed. Sometimes I'm a bit better the next day, sometimes better takes a few days of focusing on pain management.

I know I'm not alone in this... I was doing really well with managing it, hot baths with lavender salts, avoiding certain foods, planning chores and errands so I'm not cramming too much into one day... being watchful of the weather....

but since the August Event I've been struggling again. I hope the flare up will gradually die down again. In the mean time I'll keep trying to not distance myself from people with "I'm sorry I can't help you with X today" or "No, I'm not up to meeting for lunch." It will get better again, I hope really soon. In the mean time, it's back to discovering the limits, and respecting them.

busy again... yay!

2011-04-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

photo: matzo ball soup, Benjamin's Deli, Milwaukee Wisconsin
Photo by trinlayk

making cthulhus for Gaslight Gathering...
retagging my items for the new web shop location (Zibbet & Artfire)

but also about 1/2 way done with a purple & lavender with flashes of pink, merino wool, Littlefee tunic/dress... I'll probably also spend a day or so to make matching socks... and then with what's left of the skein, make a pukipuki outfit...

and then...

well I gotta get back to work, the monsters don't crochet themselves.

Today was surprisingly productive, not only knitting, but a trip to the chiropractor and to the grocery store. I'm in charge of feeding a mob of people tomorrow, and I'm making Matzoball soup to go with some roast chicken and spinach salad. Sure glad J & Nick have volunteered to clean up, and Kelly and Neal will help with the cooking.

wow, rain, snow and HAIL

2011-04-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

April 3 weather rain, snow and hail...
so I'm flaring and hurting like heck.

I've got a full on flare (it's not quite as bad as the worst flare for me ever, but I'm also able to sleep whenever I need to now...)

pain meds, muscle relaxants, and I'm headed to bed soon (after sleeping till noon)
still seeing the chiropractor for palliative care. So the medical expenses (deductibles) are continuing... sigh...

I'm pretty worn out and struggling with the pain lately... but tomorrow IS another day.

finished the sweater for Souji yesterday, this one is for him rather than for sale.

why the hiatus?

2011-03-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

As some of you may notice, that until a couple weeks ago, there was a big gap of several months between blog posts.

I was in a pretty bad car accident in August, can't say much about it until everything settles out. I will probably never be back to normal, even my normal of when my fibromyalgia is in remission (which sometimes gives me a few months of being Almost Normal). I've been flaring pretty badly, everything takes me 2x longer to get it done, and have NEW chronic pain issues.

Last week I finished Physical Therapy, which gave me flexibility, some strength back, and the use of my right knee again. I'm still going to the chiropractor, but at this point it's all "palliative care" ("all we can do now is try to help manage the chronic pain")... today was the regular doc, who is keeping me on the pain meds and muscle relaxant even though I hate how they make me tired all the time. I'm trying to stay decaf too, but um... I've cheated on that a LOT lately.

ALSO, regarding things happening here in Wisconsin... I hate what our new Governor is doing to our lovely state, and the people of our state. However, I am SO PROUD of the working people and the peaceful, tidy (no litter, they clean up after themselves!) of the protesters. ON Wisconsin!

On the UP side creatively, I am showing my work at more Scifi conventions, coming up soon Oddcon, and Gaslight Gathering, and others as the season picks up.

I haven't heard from Wiscon yet, even though I applied through their jury process back in December. Even a "No" would have been nice.

I've also been knitting and crocheting outfits for Ball Jointed Dolls as seen in my pre wreck posts, the range of doll sizes I'm working in has expanded a little bit over time too. Sometime this week I'll have a sparkly white 1920s style outfit for Littlefee/YoSD sized dolls done. Yay!

Getting busy again

2011-03-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

... now that I'm working on getting my Mojo back...
(everything takes sooo much longer since that car wreck last summer)

Getting ready for Oddcon, Gaslight Gathering, and several other upcoming artshows.
I just finished a cthulhu, and a Mac Nac Feegle/ Pictsie (Imagine a tiny blue angry scotsman)... and well "crivens!"

got more stuff posted in the new shops. Just transferring items is taking a while,
and I'm still making some new stuff.

Dear ETSY or Why Opt IN rules

2011-03-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

ETSY people telling each other how great twitter was, got a lot of ETSY people headed over to twitter to OMG! talk to each other.

so yeah the Opt In (which SHOULD have been the default) DOES work, It just means waiting for it to spread by "organic means".

Etsy would have done better to buy advertising...

Real names out in front on a venue where the majority of users are female... Not a good idea. This should have been completely clear at registration (not information in tiny gray type on a white background) and clearly OPT IN.

Not only would my name being exposed re-expose me to being harassed by my former stalker, it would have opened up my CUSTOMERS to being harassed.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE FEEDBACK, it's about having real names, and buyer only accounts searchable as the DEFAULT.

There is NO POSSIBLE WAY that that is alright.

We were telling ETSY this since the "treasury glitch" several months ago... we were telling them this since every step toward this new function... we were telling them this from the VERY MINUTE we had a feedback thread on the People Search...

It's taken 7 days, and the problem hasn't really be addressed except to BREAK another function on ETSY.

ETSY, PLEASE NOTE, other companies have made the same errors, and paid out substantial damages. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION AND NOT REPEATING THE VERY PUBLIC ERRORS OF OTHERS.

Just because all the other kids are doing it, is not a valid excuse. Your MOTHER would never have accepted it from you, your customers won't either.

We are your CUSTOMERS, not your EMPLOYEES.

Dear Rob Kalin

2011-03-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

"The first rule in privacy management is every such setting must be made an explicit opt-in, not the default."

I did NOT use my real name in my profile (since I signed up years ago when things were more clear and I did so very intentionally)

My SISTER, who also got no email about this, was only just NOW aware that her real name was public... and since Wednesday SEARCHABLE.
She bought one innocent item from a friend of a friend (If she want's something of mine she says "for my birthday I want an ______") and her field is such that no one is likely to be harassing her about her purchase since co workers are every bit as geeky as she is... no creeps, no stalkers.

but yeah, a different situation and she could be dealing with a stranger who calls and says "I see you shop on ETSY..."

feedback being visible is NOT a problem (though maybe give a CHOICE with each purchase whether or not the link back and photo of the item will be visible in the feedback)

but real names re: a shopping site should NEVER be out in front OR searchable, with the exception of sellers who are just fine with their real name out there.

I have a pretty much one of a kind name (I did stumble upon ONE person with my same "real name" who is not in my area at all... ) I use the same screen name EVERYWHERE so in many ways my screen name is a different kind of "real name".

Yeah... more and more the responses to this are like "oh we didn't expect to get caught and we'll never admit we might POSSIBLY have made an error." You get more respect with an "I'm sorry honey, I messed up, let me fix it... I'll never do anything so stupid again." (even though, being human we always DO, but hopefully it will be a brand new FLAVOR of stupid the next time.)

when there were a FLOOD of concerns from the moment the People Search went up on WEDNESDAY. (and the 1 concern that was responded to was the LEAST important of the concerns)

Sorry, it was a "shit storm" from the minute it was released... that's a sign that it may seriously BE an issue.

The lack of a serious THOUGHT OUT and considered response from admin is DISRESPECTFUL to the customers.

we're all human, we DO make mistakes...
papering over the holes in the wall isn't a good way to deal with the issues.

each mistake should be a learning experience...after the Treasury glitch and the response to THAT, installing the "People Search" should have been postponed indefinitely... and the push to get people to put up their "real names" should have been stopped right there.

Re: Etsy & Safe harbor violations, call Damon Greer on 202-482-5023 & he'll help you

Etsy publishes the identities of sex-toy purchasers

2011-03-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

Etsy publishes the identities of sex-toy purchasers....

well, Ok, maybe not JUST that... if you have an account on ETSY, even BUYER ONLY, you may be searchable by not only your screen name, but your REAL NAME as well.

Unless you've set Purchases and Favorites to PRIVATE (and go check that NOW) they can not only be seen by anyone who searches for you on ETSY, but they will also show up on GOOGLE searches for you. (either by screen name or REAL name if that's on your ETSY account.)

see also:
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=138661

Time to move from ETSY!

2011-03-12T16:00:00.000-08:00

It's complicated, but involves security and privacy concerns, as well as some other insanity...

I will be gradually moving my shop to:
http://www.zibbet.com/trinlayk

please come cheer me on there.

Sorry to have to do this: ETSY has been making lots of changes, if you have purchased or set up an account on ETSY, even if neglected/closed, at any time in the past, go log in:

go to Your Account, Settings and also Privacy and Notifications. I would at this point, making your purchases private, and to OPT OUT of "findability" and to put circle notification email to NO.

Your favorites being private is up to you, ...but be aware that anyone who puts you in their circle will see any time and anything you favorite.

Since Feb 4th the search has changed and we can't get further clarification from admin about anything. People are being spammed by sellers abusing the "circle function" which is otherwise really pointless, AND the forums have all been shoved into separate team areas... If you have a question about something you can't just put it out there, you have to hunt down the team and hope that someone with an answer or a good guess will respond.

If you have been spammed via ETSY circles or the friend finder PLEASE log in and convo administrator "egoodman85" or email him at egoodman (at) etsy.com be sure to state your complaint/concern calmly and clearly.

I love you all!

doll stuff huge photo

2010-05-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

American Panda Super HERO

2009-06-05T10:52:00.001-07:00

4 inches tall, Bamboo/Merino blend. Silly Kitty original

I made him for an art show that will be on the 4th of July Weekend.
I'm going to have to do more of these I think... I'm so tickled with the idea.

This show is at a Scifi convention, so I thought making him a Super hero would be appropriate.

Please!

2009-05-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

Please DO NOT use the comment box on my blog to post your own advertising.

请，不要使用我的评论箱子张贴您做广告。它是粗鲁和不可接受的行为。

If you would like to advertise on my blog, please contact me directly and ask.
It may be reasonable to work out something with you for a fee, or trade for goods.

thank you.

Hmmm, new toy?

2009-05-27T21:05:00.001-07:00

New toy test. What is this? find out from http://www.scanlife.com
Maybe, this will become something fun and useful.

Puppies!

2009-05-19T12:00:00.001-07:00

I've got my mojo back!!
(it seems to have taken a brief hiatus, which was too long for me.)

Newest Amigurumi design: Puppies.
Meet Katie (she thinks she's an Irish Setter), and Summer (a fan of The Park)

"It's nothing personal, It's Just Business"

2009-04-15T08:46:00.001-07:00

Virgin Mobile, I hope you read this... we had an issue with your service MONTHS ago (blogged about it here), it was never adequately resolved so we NO LONGER do business with you. Guess what? You are still finding ways to annoy the former customer.

***WARNING: This is a rant from BOTH SIDES of the Customer Service line.***
(managers of Customer Service NEED to read this.)

“It's not personal, it's just business.” --I've always had an issue with this phrase.

First, it's often used to dismiss someone who has been hurt by something very personally. Yeah, the lay off might NOT be about the employee who has been laid off, but it doesn't mean that that employee's pain isn't just a deep and personal. Being dismissive of pain you’ve been a part of inflicting is VERY PERSONAL, and at best rude. How about a simple “I’m sorry”?
Second, why shouldn't business BE personal? Why shouldn't it ALSO be about the human to human contact in the transaction? Why does management in so many businesses punish the employee who tries to make them aware of a customer's issue, or even gasp actually take more time with a particular customer to actually try to RESOLVE the issue?
“You are spending too much time taking care of Mr. Smith that you weren't taking as many calls.” Never mind that Mr. Smith is the tip of an ice berg of problems NOT being resolved in the 3 minute calls he's made 10 times to address the SAME issue, with 10 different CS reps. Taking those 10 calls, at 3 minutes each, and NOT solving his problem is NOT customer service. The calls answered rate looks good, but there's no one counting the Problems Unresolved Rate, or the Pissed Off Customer Rate.
Third, it's not “good customer service” to keep calling a customer, month after month, who had an issue that went unresolved, to keep “reminding them” to renew or update their account, or begging them to come back. Especially, when they were trying to close the account after several calls, emails (each with a different person) failed to find the problem, resolve the problem or reassure the customer that the company does indeed give a shit, or care about customer service. These calls are NOT about an outstanding bill. Rather “we noticed you haven’t called or purchased more service/goods from us lately.” As a disguised sales pitch. Worse is when this is a recorded bot calling, and set up so that it’s NOT possible to get a human being to say “for the love of the flying spaghetti monster JUST STOP CALLING!” Pushing a sales pitch to a customer who left because they were angry is NOT good customer service. It’s not even good human relations.

“It’s not personal, it’s just business” is a failure to connect to the other person, and probably damaging the business. STOP, THINK, BE HUMAN.

for more extended story of dealing with VM http://trinlayk.blogspot.com/search?q=virgin It took 3 weeks, 15+ calls & emails each with a different person, to be offered a CREDIT. We had asked for a REFUND as we had replaced service after the first WEEK of getting nowhere.

The Common Room: CPSIA Blog-In

2009-01-28T11:58:00.000-08:00

The Common Room: CPSIA Blog-In

Tell CPSIA to allow component testing & certification from OUR SUPPLIERS.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12525486

A Beige New World

2009-01-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

CPSIA, has a proposed amendment to allow natural cotton/wool etc as long as it's undyed and unbleached in Childrens items.
Oh yay! all the color is gone from Childhood...

The photo above shows my latest experiment in organic cotton, undyed, unbleached and stuffed with undyed, unbleached wool. Oh YAY!
(I think he's kinda scary so I named him "Yokai")

Thanks to CPSIA, Beige is the New Black.

Find out more about this law, and then write your Representatives, Mr.Waxman & Ms. Nord of the CPSC.

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

CPSIA

2009-01-17T13:03:00.001-08:00

If you make, donate, sell or BUY any product for children under 12
or anything that would appeal to a child under 12 this new law
will hurt you.

As it is, It's sorta knocked the creativity out of me.
I don't think I've made more than one plushie SINCE Christmas.

We managed to hit 6th place on Change.org to fight this CPSIA,
(even though 90% of my end users are adults and teens, I can't see
my plushies not having to comply for the under 12 market.)
but we have to keep fighting.

Write, and call your Congress Persons....
and, vote this item UP on Change.gov

http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004pxH&srPos=1&srKp=087

it will take 1000 or more people to get this caught up to the currently Popular issues there. So vote and pass the link along.

help save handmade & vintage for "kids"

2008-12-25T22:29:00.000-08:00

Please read the article, vote as appropriate and please pass along,
this is not just about toys but ALL items for and that might possibly appeal to
children under 12.

This is particularly harmful to small companies, and artists making clothing, toys and
other items for children, or might appeal to children. It's particularly harmful to the
small companies that make educational, scientific equipment for schools, as well as
the small companies that make specialized equipment and toys for disabled children.

It includes vintage and antique childrens' items collected by adults, it includes used things in resale shops, yarn sales, church bazaars... it includes items already on store shelves and in warehouses...

Dec 31 deadline for level 1 voting, please help.

www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

and vote again in the first 2 weeks of January for level 2.

Thank you.

Amigurumi Rocks for "stoning"

2008-11-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

Amigurumi rock for throwing (safe to throw at tv, relatives, etc...)
When you've just had enough and need to throw something.

Declares "STFU" but can be thrown for any reason.
(yeah, I should have thought of these BEFORE the election.)

wool & soy, merino lettering, polyfill.
2.5-3 in wide.

larger may be coming soon, and I'm making plans for a BRICK!

Finally finished

2008-11-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

The zig zag pattern turned out beautifully,
and I love the dagged edge on the flap.
You don't want to know how many hours went into
knitting this felted bag.
I'm really happy with it.
I might make another in a different color way for myself.

But GHU! I can't believe it took me so long to get it done...
Hopefully, someone will fall in love & adopt this one soon!

Plugging away

2008-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

Just posted a couple of really nice SOY lace scarves, and
what I'm calling a "bell bottom bag" on ETSY.

Still working away on the knitting of the felted laptop bag. I didn't expect it to take so many hours to knit this particular design...part of it though is that I didn't account for how big it would have to be BEFORE the felting part. So it's taking me longer and more patience than I thought it would.

I've started the 2nd laptop bag in a different colorway, but I'm knitting this one much more simply. I think I'll keep the zigzag design as a detail on the flap on the second one, as doing the whole thing in zigzag has been part of my +s that I have to make on my sanity roll for each new row. (everything has to line up just SO.)

At least I'm not feeling the frustration yet that I was having when I knit the Dr. Who scarf. (The next Dr. Who scarf, if there ever is one, is gonna be knitted in sections and joined...)

I'm still nursing a Techno-lust for one of these:
http://store.redbarncomputers.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=884840272809&eq=&Tp=

Bills Bills bills....

2008-11-15T18:42:00.001-08:00

Still a couple hundred away from paying off the vet...
just paid car insurance and the energy bill... got enough for food and gas for a couple weeks.

Hopefully sales on ETSY, Windycon, and Chambanacon go well too.
I'm having difficulty finding out about conventions in time to send art work to their art shows. Anyone got an Inside Track on how to get this information?

Wish me luck.

what is your blog worth?

2008-11-07T23:58:00.000-08:00

My blog is worth $1,129.08.
How much is your blog worth?

www.trinlayk.blogspot.com, is worth $1,129.08

Megumi says Hi Everyone!

2008-11-05T21:13:00.001-08:00

Megumi is feeling like herself again... and needs to go get weighed again soon. I think she's just about back up to her normal weight. She's eating well and picking on her little brother Seimei again.

Today I went to Target to pick up "feline hygiene product" and saw this cute little jacket in the $1-$2.50 section... I'm going to have to go back as they had other designs and cute holiday sweaters too.

J's computer broke down... she turned it off as we left for Tai Chi class, and when we got home it wouldn't turn back on. We figure it's either the Motherboard or the power source... Her friend Nick is coming by to look at it tomorrow evening. She's had it for about 3 years now, and we didn't get the extended warranty.
Prayers and happy thoughts for J and her computer will be appreciated.

vote 08 update

2008-11-04T15:18:00.001-08:00

Vote! Vote! Vote! like a baby stoat!

2008-11-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Voted at 9:45 at the Police Academy...
Took less than 5 minutes to check in and to wait in line for a booth.

It took longer to drive there and find out where to park!

Cute funny video from Obama, Japan: caution- potential earworm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRB2wFhXIPs&feature=related

Con*Stellation

2008-10-28T22:18:00.001-07:00

Sold several items in the Con*Stellation art show... got the unsold pieces back in yesterday's mail... and ANOTHER award.

Wow. Thank you!

Megumi is eating well, and I've been having to supervise the kitties when they eat, as she keeps wanting to nibble on Seimei's food, and he wants to eat hers.
She's putting on weight, and she gets weighed again in another week or so. Yay!

Vote! Vote! like a baby stoat!

2008-10-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

Pondering a new avatar... (just found out that people were confused by the original one... but I still love the original...)

so place your vote before Nov 4

1 Megumi wearing scarf 2 Megumi in her felted handmade cat nest 3 cat nest Megumi
4 Sleeping Seimei 5. Mothra & Candy 6 Mothra & Zine

This avatar will be changed on Flickr, Etsy, and facebook. (possibly elsewhere)
I've always used the same avatar everywhere, but y'know, maybe that's not necessary?

OH! Megumi is getting better all the time.
She has her personality back and is gradually putting the lost weight back on.
We're getting caught up on the vet bill too!

Today's project

2008-10-17T10:41:00.001-07:00

I dreamed this one up for Char...
I'll have to get a few and gift one to her...
don't tell!

Who's Your Doula !?!
by

Trinlayk

Create custom buttons At www.Zazzle.com

Convention Update

2008-10-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Archon: Sold 6 items!
Necromonicon: Sold 4 items! AND got a ribbon! (3rd place 3D) YAY!
Con*Stellation is going on this weekend.

And this weekend I'm packing up the box for Windycon.

Thank You ALL so much.

The Megumi Mews

2008-10-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

Got weighed at vet yesterday, she put on .25# it took 2 weeks.
She gets weighed again in 3 weeks... hopefully having put on .75#.

Getting close (couple hundred away) to paying off the vet.

Thank you everyone for the prayers and purrrs.

GIRLzilla!

2008-10-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting much of my current work here or on ETSY, because I've been up to my elbows getting ready for art shows at Sci fi conventions. (Archon, Necromonicon, and Con*Stellation in October, and now hustling to be ready for Windycon in November.)

But I just had this great commission to make a Godzilla for a little girl, a GIRLzilla... She turned out great. Merino wool, safety eyes, and polyfill.

Orphan Works Bill...Not Dead Yet

2008-10-09T19:37:00.001-07:00

FROM THE ILLUSTRATORS' PARTNERSHIP

Orphan Works: A Public Knowledge Postmortem

10.9.08

"Orphan works relief was vigorously opposed by visual artists... And while we have thought some of their concerns misguided, they did a fine job of organizing and getting their voices heard."

That was the rueful conclusion Monday from the President of Public Knowledge. She was conducting a postmortem on her blog to explain why their last minute efforts to pass the Orphan Works Act failed last week.

Public Knowledge is one of the key special interest groups driving orphan works legislation. And while interested parties around the country were being told all week that the bill was dead, she now confirms that there was a secret last minute push to pass it:

"[W]ith the country's financial crisis raging [she writes] and Congress in the middle of deliberations over a bill to rescue our financial institutions, there was still an opportunity to get a bill done. But how? The best option was to get either House Courts, Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee Chairman Berman or House Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers to take the Senate bill that passed and put it on the 'suspension calendar,' which is the place largely non-controversial legislation gets put so that it will get passed quickly. There can be no amendments to bills placed on the suspension calendar, but it needs a 2/3 majority to pass (italics added).

"On Saturday, September 27," she continues, she and others "were on the phone imploring the members to move the bill...":

"The negotiations went on for hours and hours on Thursday into Friday, but in the end, PK, working with the user community (libraries, documentary filmmakers, educational institutions and the College Art Association) could not agree with [sic] on language with the House staff. Late Friday afternoon, the House voted in favor of a bailout bill and everybody went home. Time had run out." http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1783

Public Knowledge has a "Six Point Program" to undo existing copyright law. "Orphan Works Reform" is Number 5. http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/1245 And while they're "disappointed" they weren't able to pass the bill this session, she advises supporters to "focus on what positive things came out of the process, so [they] can move forward quickly next year."

PK says artists have learned their lesson

In her opinion, one of the "positive things" to "come out of the process" is that:

"[V]isual artists, graphic designers and textile manufacturers who opposed orphan works relief now understand that they must change their business models." (Italics added.)

Artists "must change their business models"? Is that a sound we hear from inside the Trojan Horse?

Whatever happened to the claim that this bill was only a minor tweak to copyright law - to let libraries and museums digitize their collections of old work - or let families duplicate photos of grandma?

That was the argument lawmakers heard last spring, when the bill was rolled out suddenly, scripted for quick and easy passage. But now that the anti-copyright lobby has had to fight for it, they've dropped their guard. Now it's time to openly lecture artists that the world is changing and we'd better get used to registering our work with privately owned "databases" -- at least if we want to ensure that our works won't become orphaned.

But of course that was the agenda all along.

PK says not all artists are misguided

PK's President wants Congress to know that not all artists are "misguided" - only those that oppose the bill. Currently, 80 professional groups do.

By contrast, she cites the Graphic Artists Guild as an example of artists who have learned their lesson. She praises GAG as "enlightened," because GAG supported the House version of the bill. She quotes a recent letter from GAG's President in which he admonished artists to "get real about this Orphan Works scare":

"I don't think Orphan Works is going to have a dramatic influence on how we do business [he wrote], but I hope it has awakened us all to the importance of tending to business issues. If we as a community invested a fraction of the energy we've expended on an apocalyptic vision of Orphan Works into protecting our own creations, protesting unfair contracting practices or writing letters to low-paying publishers, we'd be in a far better market position than we are today. The fact is that we give away more in the every day practice of our businesses than the government could ever take from us."

We replied to the GAG letter weeks ago, when it was first circulated to artists. We obviously disagree. Indeed, we'd point out that what the community of artists is doing by opposing this bill is "protecting our own creations":

* The Orphan works bill would have a dramatic affect on business, because it would let people infringe our work without our knowledge, consent or payment.

* Most people who succeed in our field do "treat art as a business."

* People who are bad at business can't be used as proof that successful people must change their business models.

* You can't justify exposing an artists' property to theft by telling him he didn't write enough "letters to low-paying publishers."

* What artists do or don't "give away" on their own doesn't justify government's taking anything from them.

* It's counter-intuitive to tell small business owners we should accept a bill that's bad for business to prove that we've "awakened to the importance of tending to business."

* If we don't fight to keep the work we create, that would be the ultimate failure to tend to business.

A full response to the entire GAG letter is here: http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2008/09/orphan-works-why-bet-against-ourselves.html

The Orphan Works Act was based on a premise and a conclusion:

* The premise is that the public is being harmed because it doesn't have enough contact information to locate copyright owners.

* The conclusion is that artists must change their business models.

* What's lacking is any evidence in between.

The Orphan Works Act was based on recommendations by the Copyright Office. But the Copyright Office studied the specific subject of orphaned work. They did not study the business models of artists who are alive, working and managing their copyrights. That means there can be no meaningful conclusions drawn from their study to dictate that such artists must change their business models.

From the beginning, artists have said we'd support a true orphan works bill. We've submitted precise amendments that would make one out of this bill. http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2008/07/hr-5889-amendments.html Our amendments have never been considered.

Instead, as PK's President noted in her postmortem, their last minute strategy for passing the bill would have "put it on the 'suspension calendar.'" And "[t]here can be no amendments to bills placed on the suspension calendar..."

The anti-copyright lobby is well funded. They have powerful backers. They've warned us they'll be back next year.

We should take them at their word.

- Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner, for the Board of the Illustrators' Partnership
______________________________________________________________

Over 80 organizations oppose this bill, representing over half a million creators.

U.S. Creators and the image-making public can email Congress through the Capwiz site: http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/ 2 minutes is all it takes to tell the U.S. Congress to uphold copyright protection for the world's artists.

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS please fax these 4 U.S. State Agencies and appeal to your home representatives for intervention. http://www.illustratorspartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00267

CALL CONGRESS: 1-800-828-0498. Tell the U.S. Capitol Switchboard Operator "I would like to leave a message for Congressperson __________ that I oppose the Orphan Works Act." The switchboard operator will patch you through to the lawmaker's office and often take a message which also gets passed on to the lawmaker. Once you're put through tell your Representative the message again.

If you received our mail as a forwarded message, and wish to be added to our mailing list, email us at: illustratorspartnership@cnymail.com Place "Add Name" in the subject line, and provide your name and the email address you want used in the message area. Illustrators, photographers, fine artists, songwriters, musicians, and countless licensing firms all believe this bill will harm their small businesses.

Please post or forward this message to any interested party.
STOP THE U.S. ORPHAN WORKS ACT NOW.

New Zazzle stuff

2008-10-08T13:44:00.001-07:00

Vote 08 That One
by

Trinlayk

Create a Custom Tshirt Using www.zazzle.com
See more United States T-Shirts

Got some new things on Zazzle
and a commission to make a Godzilla for a little girl!

FAME!

2008-10-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

Megumi featured on SOMC
http://www.stuffonmycat.com/Clothes-On-My-Cat/o-nekomegumi-hime.html

Tenderizing the New Duvet

2008-10-05T09:58:00.001-07:00

Tenderizing the New Duvet
Originally uploaded by trinlayk

New photos (including this video) on my flickr...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trinlayk/

I bought a new duvet and duvet cover... the kitties really beat it up the first hour it was on the bed... apparently it makes a cool sound when you rub or pounce on it.

Megumi's Missive Friday Afternoon

2008-10-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

She's gradually eating better,but still thinner than she should be.
It's getting cool in Milwaukee with a threat of frost tonight. (I need to put mulch over my strawberry plants....)

Last night I had BOTH kitties under the quilt with me, and we were all quite toasty.

ALERT ALERT ALERT!!! during the VP debate the Orphan Works Act was pushed forward in the house.. PLEASE!!!! continue to write your Representatives and beg them to Kill this Bill. PLEASE! protect the rights of creative workers to get paid for the use of their works.

thanks...

Fight the orphan works act!

2008-10-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Protect the copyrights of creative workers everywhere:

http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

This was already sneakily forced through the Senate when everyone was paying attention
to the financial hoopla. YOUR REPRESENTATIVE may not have actually had an opportunity to even have a say!

Please! Keep this bill from passing the house!

some new items...

2008-09-30T21:54:00.000-07:00

make custom gifts at Zazzle

added a T design this evening... the "I dress this way to annoy you" shirt.
Even more new items coming soon.

Thank you to everyone for the prayers, purrs, and help with funding for the vet bills.

Storm Rolling In

2008-09-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

There's a storm rolling in, so I'm the one feeling crappy today. (Fibromyalgia sucks.)
Took some medication and going back to bed soon.

Megumi seems to be eating OK, but not up to the amount she'd normally eat.
At least she IS eating. The Lamb seems to be the favorite, the Duck is acceptable,
and the Venison has been declared "weird".

In an hour or two, when I'm feeling better, IF the rain isn't torrential, I'll take Megumi in to be weighed. If we can't manage it today, we'll take her in tomorrow.

Seimei keeps stealing the bag of polyfil (for stuffies) out of my work basket... I don't know why it's so appealing, except he feels like a big game hunter, marching around with it.

Megumi likes Lamb

2008-09-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Megumi chowed down at 6pm and ate the whole 1.5 oz of the Lamb (Royal Canin diet) I gave her. Will give her another 1.5 oz around 9pm. Yay.

Started a journal to chart what she's eating, how much, and how often. And generally how she's feeling.

This blog helped get that going.

Should be able to make partial payment to the vet on Monday.

Possible Progress with Virgin / HO Mobile

2008-09-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

Re: Account Balance (Tracking No:1227170) Size: 6 KB
Priority: Normal

Hi Silvia,

(I'm NOT SYLVIA! This is actually the 3rd CS agent to be calling me Slyvia!)

Thanks for your email -- and for giving us the opportunity to answer your
question. We're here to help.

I sincerely apologize for the difficulties you are currently experiencing.

I did take a look at your account and see that in past 60 days, you have used up
$34.25 of cash balance. You Topped Up your account for $20.00 on 7/21/2008 and
then again for $20.00 on 9/5/2008.

However, as there seems to be $10 in calls that seems to be unaccounted for we
have credited your account with $10 as on 9/27/2008. This amount will reflect in
your account by overnight.

I replied that since we had already changed companies, that we would prefer a REFUND, and gave them the corrected name and that they should send it to the address on the account. IF I even see the credit, at this point I'll be very surprised. It took OVER A WEEK and SEVEN Customer service agents, to come to the conclusion of what I'd been telling them since the beginning.

Should you ever have a question about any of the transactions on your account,
you can always check it yourself by logging into "My Account" via
www.virginmobileusa.com. Once you have signed into your account, you can check
all actions for the past 60 days that involve your account, and even see the
latest news from Virgin Mobile.

If you have any other questions or would like more info, feel free to email us
again ? simply log on your Account via www.virginmobileusa.com provide your
Account PIN so we can help without delay or feel free to call us at
1-888-322-1122 (or *VM on your Virgin Mobile phone). We'll be delighted to
assist you.

Calvin
Virgin Mobile At Your Service.

Your satisfaction is our goal ? please take a minute and tell us how we are
doing! Simply click on this link to let us know!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9Xhr3n1eTDcPQISvqDJ6AA_3d_3d

Fulla feisty! Cat Report

2008-09-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Megumi is enjoying the special food from the vet, it's DUCK so far. (also lamb and venison haven't been opened yet, but I started with the duck as it has the most calories.)

We started the new special food yesterday afternoon, (I told her that "Grandpa" likes Duck and it's so expensive as Human Food he gets it only about 2x/yr.)...

this morning she ate breakfast, and then went over to pick a play fight with her brother! YAY!

Keep up the purrs, prayers and happy thoughts.

Megumi Missive, Evening

2008-09-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the vet says it's possibly a dietary sensitivity causing IBS...
Today I picked up some special food. $11 for 6 cans at 6oz each. So it will pretty much take her a day to finish a can in 3-4 separate meals.

So far she's tried the Duck (Royal Canin), and it seems to be OK. (She'll get some more in a little bit and then I'm collapsing for the night.)

I've got about a page left to do for my MilwAPA zine, but I'm just too tired to do anything more.

OH and I got a nice email, but including surprising news, from the Duckon Treasurer... apparently no one realized I was having the trouble I was till 2 WEEKS ago. (I just got the check on the 15th after waiting 4 months, and making regular contact with the art show director.) This makes the handling of the art show look even worse, as there were several points along the way where I was told that the information had been given to the treasurer and I'd have a check in a few days... and here it is it's a complete surprise to him, and he's wondering why she went and wrote a personal check. Several times I was told that the delay was that she had given him the necessary information, but then "he's left for vacation and won't be back for 2 weeks..." sort of thing.

What REALLY has me concerned is the way information changed between 3 days after the con, when an email said that "at least one of your pieces went to the auction", to now, that there seems to be no record of this, or what my pieces DID sell for because as things progressed my paperwork went from "I have everything right here, and we'll get you a check as soon as we've gone over it again." to "I can't find your paperwork."

Yeah, Duckon, please, don't even send me the art show packet before next year's con.
I'm afraid to deal with you again... let me know when you have a new art show committee.

Cat News Morning Update

2008-09-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

Vet called, yep liver is fine, foliate level is low, which may indicate an intestinal problem. We may be looking at a biopsy.... and even then, a special diet.
It MAY be IBS... Will talk to the vet a bit this afternoon, and get hard copies of the test results.

Thank you Dr. Birkhead for providing help with asking the right questions, as well as providing a 2nd opinion.

Now THIS is an interesting finding... since DD & I both have fibromyalgia; What does "now the cat has it" mean?

Megumi seems to be continuing to do alright, still need her to put some weight back on, but the weight loss didn't happen over night either. She IS eating decently at least at 2 meals a day, sometimes decently for 3 meals.

Virgin Mobile is a RAKE! Pt III

2008-09-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

continuing failure to communicate:

Re: Account Balance (Tracking No:1227170) Size: 5 KB
Priority: Normal

In response to my response suggesting that there is no way my DD's use of voicemail (rare) would have used up the missing $10. This is the reply, please note, that this is from YET another service rep at Virgin Mobile....

---- "ourteam@virginmobileusa.com" wrote:
> Hi Stiles,
>
> Thanks for your email -- and for giving us the opportunity to help.
>
> We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
>
> I have reviewed your account and I see that you have Topped-up with $20 on
09/05/2008.
>
> You have been charged for Voice Calls $17.82 from 09/05/2008 - 09/23/2008 and
your current cash balance is $4.43.
>
> We do not see any other charges on your account that has reduced your cash
balance. Unfortunately we will not be able to refund amount.
>
> If you still feel that the problem is not resolved, please do reply with the
specific details so that we can resolve the issue.
>
> If you have any other questions or would like more info, feel free to email us
again ? simply log on your Account via www.virginmobileusa.com provide your
Account PIN so we can help without delay or feel free to call us at
1-888-322-1122 (or *VM on your Virgin Mobile phone). We'll be delighted to
assist you.
>
> John
> Virgin Mobile At Your Service
>
>
> Your satisfaction is our goal ? please take a minute and tell us how we are
doing! Simply click on this link to let us know!
>
> http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9Xhr3n1eTDcPQISvqDJ6AA_3d_3d

My records, including the record for my account ONLINE, show around 42 minutes
used. maybe 50 if I count the not listed calls to get voice mail, and the
occasional text FROM VIRGIN. Not 100 minutes used.

Please account for the other 50 minutes of use.
--
>
>

The response from HO Mobile (see prior post)

2008-09-23T15:37:00.001-07:00

Me here: Just want to bring up that my daughter may have had 2 or 3 very brief voice mails in the 2 weeks since she "topped up" her prepaid phone. so that's maybe $1.08 in cell time.

Here is the email response we got from Virgin Mobile:
"Re: Account Balance (Tracking No:1227170) Size: 4 KB
Priority: Normal

Hi there,

Thanks for your email -- and for giving us the opportunity to answer your
question. We're here to help.

Please accept my apologies on behalf of Virgin Mobile that this has occurred.
Virgin Mobile values each customer and would never approve of the way you have
stated your issue was handled.

I have reviewed your account and see that you are on 18 Cent TALK. You did
Top-Up with $20 on 9/5/2008. After this Top-Up was applied, you have used this
balance for making/receiving calls at 18 cents.

There are no specific charges on your account which has depleted your balance.
However, please note that you are charged standard airtime for checking
voicemail from your handset. It's FREE to check your voicemail from another
phone.

Should you ever have a question about any of the transactions on your account,
you can always check it yourself by logging into My Account via
www.virginmobileusa.com. Once you have signed into your account, you can check
all actions for the past 60 days that involve your account, and even see the
latest news from Virgin Mobile.

If you have any other questions or would like more info, feel free to email us
again ? simply log on your Account via www.virginmobileusa.com and provide your
Account PIN so we can help without delay or feel free to call us at
1-888-322-1122 (or *VM on your Virgin Mobile phone). We'll be delighted to
assist you.

Jessica
Virgin Mobile At Your Service

Your satisfaction is our goal ? please take a minute and tell us how we are
doing! Simply click on this link to let us know!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9Xhr3n1eTDcPQISvqDJ6AA_3d_3d "

Yeah, I'm NOT amused...

Virgin Mobile is a HO! and in the worst possible way.

2008-09-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

We're having issues with Virgin Mobile
Maybe a whole news stand... I'm waiting for email from Customer Disservice.

My Daughter is getting a new phone because "Virgin Mobile is not a virgin when it bends you over and takes advantage of you."

My daughter has had a Virgin Prepaid mobile phone for nearly a year now.
She's on the 3rd battery for the darned thing and have to admit we were considering replacing the phone itself soon, thinking the particular model of phone may have been the problem. (It's the oyster, it's green and it looks cool...)

The past couple of month it seemed like she ran out of minutes particularly fast, but she puts on $20 at a time, and her D&D group was having some crisis and of course SHE's the rational,compassionate one EVERYONE calls to mediate. But even then it seemed like the minutes vanished faster than she could account for.

So on Sept 5th, just about 2 weeks ago, she puts another $20 on the phone, and now the gamers are getting along somewhat... so last night she got the text "reminder" that she was low on minutes. $4.35 is left. (We were croggled but were visiting friends for a Heroes party... so it got put off an hour or so.)

When we got home we called the 800# and got a run around. The customer disservice guy, (while with a mild accent, seemed to understand English JUST FINE, and was easily understandable. Foreign call center was NOT the issue.) ... after clearly understanding our stated problem kept just repeating the charge rate for the minutes. EVEN AFTER we pulled up her account on line, and found that the rate had gone up with out her being notified, AND that despite this she had USED only about $4.85 (out of the $20 deposit 2 weeks earlier) of her account. My daughter felt that not only was she pointlessly run around in circles, she felt humiliated.

We looked at (and posted) some reviews on line, and quickly realized this was a common problem. Thank heavens we NEVER set up the "automatic payment" option... where apparently it's IMPOSSIBLE to cancel the account, but that it's also impossible to stop the automatic payments! Thank heavens I never gave them a CC#.

We did some research, and considering that she normally uses the phone to make or receive 2 or 3 phone calls per week... that the prepaid is still the best-cheapest sort of service for her. We also looked at reviews for several companies providing similar service... and some problems seem to be fairly common, the Vanishing Minutes is only a common issue with Virgin. We looked at reviews for pricing, service and other issues with a range of companies, and will be getting her a new phone this afternoon.

It's a damn shame that even with "Legit Corporations" people need to scrutinize online reviews like they do Ebay feedback. (...and yes, I'll be looking at on-line reviews before investing in any significant goods or services in the future.)

Cat News Breakfast Edition

2008-09-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

9am breakfast went well, no more stomach upset! Knock on wood...

put up a few new Megumi art works up on flickr...
waiting for a call from the vet for an answer about cat food. (I've got 1& 3/4th cans of the R/d food left, and wondering if we should start mixing it with her regular Innova.)

Fingers crossed, and Early AM Babbling

2008-09-22T03:02:00.001-07:00

Megumi wolfed down her dinner with only moderate coaxing after being a picky girl all day. (back to the r/d food) So she ate well at 9 pm... at 2:30 am there was a Puke incident, and it was food coming up, but not a lot of it. She's already acting like she's feeling much better.

She seems to be ok now (5am) and cuddly...and wanting me to go back to sleep.

Seimei of course was, "Sissy's sick come quick!" so he's gotten some praise and extra loving too.

With Megumi's illness we ALMOST forgot Seimei's birthday on Saturday, so he did get treats and sung to, thanks to a reminder in email from Catster. (And a Happy Birthday to MY MOM! Many happy returns.)

Also from the 3Amigos group on Catster:

Thanks for the support everyone!

Oh, and sometime this morning someone added my blog to their RSS feed. THANK YOU!
Hope you realize what you are getting into... probably long periods of cat news, followed by long periods of nothing, and then spurts of news about art and interesting bits. I really SHOULD blog more consistently, but ya know me...

If you are enjoying my blog: take a look at this one, a fellow Milwaukean: http://www.brewcitytails.com/
They REALLY love critters, and have lots of cute video and photos too!

I need to work on my 'zine for the Milwapa over the next few days, collation is Saturday.

Check out newish items: http://www.zazzle.com/trinlayk

I've gotten packets of plushies sent out to Archon and Necromonicon for the art shows and I should have the packet for Con*Stellation ready to go out Friday. (knock on wood, just a couple of items to finish, and the paper work to fill out.)
Then it's a tizzy of getting things ready for Windycon... though whether I actually get to GO to Windycon is still up in the air. If any of you are going, leave a comment, and maybe if I DO get there, we can plan a meet up.

Lazy Saturday

2008-09-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

Megumi is eating ok, we're all being lazy cats today...

Received a package from a friend that included this:
A SOLAR Maneki Neko!

Megumi is continuing to do well

2008-09-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

woke me up with happy kitty chirpings. ate her food from the vet at breakfast with just a little coaxing, at lunch canned salmon was a BIG hit.
Dinner, I barely got Seimei served, so he wouldn't be underfoot as I prepared food for Megumi and she shoved her face in the can of her REGULAR food and ate a good sized portion. (about 2/3rds of what she normally eats at a meal.)With NO coaxing.

I'm happy she'll eat the "normal" food because it has a better protein and calorie count than the special food.

Has Someone Been NICE to you?

2008-09-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a tag that is for all of you to use and give to people who have been nice and made your day.

Produced by:
http://justsomethingimade.blogspot.com/

and hopefully soon, selling her work on ETSY.
Leave her a comment and tell her Thank you too!

Continuing Cat Report w/Steampunk

2008-09-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

Megumi continues to eat, and improve. Eating a bit more each time... hope to get her back to her normal food, since it seems to have more calories than the "special stuff"... (Higher protein % and higher fat %) but will keep with the special food if she snubs the regular.

Now back to more normal topics. awesome article here:

Why People Love Steampunk

a highlight:
"Whereas steampunks are — what? Weirdoes who take pocket-watches too seriously? What are they gonna do, vehemently tell you what time it is?"

Vet called

2008-09-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

FIV & FLe & FIP all negative, urine fine,
waiting on gastro panel & the liver test.

Yay, Yay and Yay...
if everything else comes back good, we'll figure she
had something viral and got over it on her own.

She's eating, but only the special food from the vet
warmed up and served in private...and sometimes needing
a little coaxing to remind her it is yummy.

Sonogram Report

2008-09-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

page 1
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2865256665_a5116ca783_b.jpg

page 2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2866086890_ffde8c3607_b.jpg

Probably gibberish to most readers...
any translations?

Sonogram Day

2008-09-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

taking it easy (sedation is gooood) for the sonogram.

Who shaved my belly? When did that happen?

It was kind of a strange experience, but I wasn't scared.

Morning, exhausted human reporting.

2008-09-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone, keep up the prayers and happy thoughts.

She's eating on her own, special "recovery diet" from the vet , with a minimum
of coaxing. Yay!

I'm trying to keep up with the cat news but I think I'm falling a bit behind.
I intend to scan and post the sonography report and a couple of interesting photos.

(I was also planning a blog entry from Megumi's POV about the ultrasound but due to the sedation I expect her main comments will be "oooh tripppy" and "DAMN, who shaved my belly!")

The help from the fund raising efforts made it possible for me to pay a part of the bill yesterday, and the final total is still climbing at this point. (They took a little extra blood for if the tests they're doing show a need for further testing.)

Thank you everyone for your continuing help with so much. My morale would have bottomed out by now without all of you cheering Megumi on!

Early Evening Cat Report

2008-09-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie post I have a meeting to go to and have to leave in about 40 min.

She handled the sedation and sonogram fine, and there are more blood tests taken and a liver aspiration, and a urine specimen & ...

The bill will climbing well past $1000 and thanks to everyone's help I was able to pay a part of it today... and even after the tests are back it may keep climbing. We don't really know anything yet.

I'll try to get the few sonogram shots and the sonogram report scanned for posting tonight sometime.

THANK YOU EVERYONE for your continuing prayers, purrs and support.

Running up the Vet Bill

2008-09-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

Later today the Sonogram.... and some more blood tests.
Will update as soon as we know something.

There are some new items on zazzle:

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Monday Night Catball

2008-09-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

(I'm running out of interesting titles)

Alrighty so we've been back from the Cat specialist for a little bit.
It's clearly NOT her liver, and the xrays from the regular vet are fine:
"Oh you see that thing in her intestine"
"uh huh"
"it's poop."

Megumi was a VERY good girl and let the vet "feel her up" and check her heart and her teeth & ... heart fine, gut feels good (feels a few poohs and a full badder.) her teeth are a bit grungy so something to discuss with the regular vet tomorrow.

Cat specialist also offered her a different kind of "food for sickly cats" the R/D (recovery diet) rather than the a/d (anorexia diet), and it turns out Megumi likes it so much better she was actually CHOWING Down on it when we got home...straight out of the can!

Hopefully, between the sonogram, and the blood tests tomorrow we'll find out why she was so sick. Everyone keep those purrs and prayers and happy thoughts going.

Monday Mid-Day Cat Report....

2008-09-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Megumi nibbled at breakfast, so she got forced a bit of soup (veal baby food & chicken broth)

at lunch she wouldn't take tuna, or the tuna juice... but licked out the salad bowl after I made my sandwich.

I guess everything IS better with Miracle Whip.

At 3:45 I gotta stuff her in the cat carrier to take her to the Cat Specialist.

I picked up her xrays a little bit ago from her regular vet, and an Irish Setter was just in LOVE with me. Her human was a bit confused, "She's usually very obedient, and sits nicely to be petted..." Then I realized, I smell like cat, veal puree, and chicken soup... thank heavens she only wanted to LICK me.

Sunday Morning Cat Report

2008-09-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for your caring and prayers. She's still putting up a good fight when I need to pill her, and I think her tummy is feeling MUCH better she's cuddling and purring.

I've got bruises on my hands and arms, from this morning's pilling and feeding, and that's with the cat wrapped in a towel!

Oh and yesterday afternoon I witnessed a poo! yay! I know it's a strange thing to be excited about, but with having to force food and water, (I've since replaced the water with pedialyte or chicken soup, per the vet... to up the calorie count) it's really exciting to see her pooing again.

This cat saved my life when she was just a speck over a year old... I had a bad reaction to a new medication while I was home alone, and ended up passed out. She washed my face and meowed desperately till I came to and could call for help. The ER took me right away, as my BP was really spiking, so I know now I can't take naproxen at ALL... (If I had ended up in worse condition, the person who would have found me would have been my daughter when she got home from school. She was only 15 at the time!)

Thank you to everyone helping with fund raising... At this point I think we have almost half of the ultrasound fee!

OMG! YAY! Iz can has Poo!

2008-09-13T14:24:00.001-07:00

Megumi can has POO! (yes actually witnessed it.)
So fortunately her illness is probably NOT a blockage.

I've been forcing food and fluids since Wednesday, and this is the first instance
of waste output.

She isn't eating on her own just yet, but at 2:00 sniffed at the food and inspected it without growling at it. (forced a few bites again at 2)

Got some work to do, but will be home again around 6:30 to try tempting food again...
(forcing if necessary) and will report.

Megumi improving?

2008-09-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

yesterday afternoon was manical...
(Landlord stopped by, daughter needing a ride etc.)

Vet called in a appetite enhancer, and she's had it a couple times now,
She sniffed her brother's food last night, but still needed food and fluid forced. (Chicken soup seems to have perked her up.)

Sonagram date had been changed to TUESDAY September 16th. yay!

Last night up on the book case! and washing herself...yay. I gave her some hairball remedy, a smidge more than her usual, and will see if it helps. I also poured about 4ml of chicken soup into her before I went to Lytheria, and when I got back got another 4ml of chicken soup into her before bed.

I don't think I've ever been so happy to observe a cat peeing.

Someone as marvelous as a kitty should NEVER feel sick or even "funky"...
Last night she returned to her custom of cuddling me while I slept, (though switched off with her brother around 2 am) this morning I woke to her cuddling and purring quietly while I petted her.

Gave her pills around 8 am, and should try offering the special foods in a bit....

Monday afternoon she's going to a cat specialist for a second opinion, (they also do not think it's a blockage, but did recommend giving her some hairball remedy stuff.)
Usual vet also gave us a pill for her to stimulate her appetite. Hopefully, today she will eat on her own.

Regular vet managed to get us a sonagram appointment for Tuesday afternoon. (sept 16) which is significantly sooner than the 22nd.

Thank you to everyone contributing to prayers and fund raising efforts:
zazzle etsy

product lines at both locations are expanding gradually, so things have changed a bit since yesterday morning.

Thank you to Dancing Dragon & Dr. Birkhead for their suggestions, & support.

Pilling a cat

2008-09-12T06:19:00.000-07:00

I have to give Megumi a pill, but she's hiding.She was cuddling when I woke up, but then ran to hide.

Hopefully, I can get her to eat on her own today.

Seimei tried on his costume: I'll get better photos soon.

Megumi illness update

2008-09-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

got stuff from the vet, got a nausea reduction pill into her, and a liver support pill, AND some turkey baby food into her. Quite the wrestling match... she hasn't gotten weak.

she sniffed at my teriyaki jerky but wouldn't take a piece. (I usually have to shut myself in a room to not have to fight to get any for ME.) Sniffing at offered food is an improvement over last night.

I need a nap.

DUCKON update: Art show director said, on the phone yesterday, that she'd JUST sent out the check priority mail. Stay tuned for further updates.

Megumi's starter fund-raising for vet fees:
http://www.zazzle.com/Trinlayk

http://www.cafepress.com/MegumiKitty

I think the zazzle stuff is nicer...

4:00 Ultrasound date is set for the 22nd (I'm waiting to hear back what time so I can be there with her)...

Has anyone's pet been through this?

(I've been ultrasounded but I'm human.)

How scary is it for them (scary noise, shaving)?

gotta go shove food into her again.

Megumi is sick

2008-09-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

Megumi kitty sick! vet visit $400,
xray = fine,
bloodtests= pending.
Kitty= PRICELESS

Prayers, purrs, and happy thoughts appreciated.
(This it the kitty that saved my life.)

UPDATE 9am Sept 11, 2008

Vet called, it's something with her liver, more tests coming soon, but they'll have some medicine for me to give her soon.
(something to squirt down her throat to help with the nausea and something to mix with the food to support her stressed liver.)

I'm going to have to make some kind of fundraiser products to sell to raise money for her medical fund.

Good thing for her she's the best damn cat in the universe.

If there are any images from here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trinlayk/
that you would like to have on a Megumi collectible tshirt, mug, sticker etc... let me know!

make custom gifts at Zazzle

My issue with Duckon

2008-09-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

I've been sending my work to be shown as Sci Fi conventions for awhile now, and have never had problems until Duckon...

ALL the other conventions have gotten my unsold work back to me within a week, and I usually have check in hand AND if I want, copies of my bid sheets within 2-3 weeks.

Duckon was in Mid June... I was told, a few days after the convention by the art show director that she was busy but would be getting everyone's paperwork in order and would have checks out "by the end of the month".

Mid July I emailed and was told "I've been busy, everything will be in order and the checks mailed out by the end of the week." a week or two passed and I emailed again, adding that "I haven't gotten my unsold work back yet" and about a week later I got my package of unsold work. And the paperwork enclosed was USELESS, it wasn't really a check sheet or verification of packing or anything, Everything was listed in the paperwork as "returned to artist" but only 7 pieces came back to me. I emailed in a panic. She gave me her phone number and it turns out that there's some crazy story about the way the paperwork is produced... Um How about a frakking hand written list showing which pieces WERE sold on sunday, and WHICH pieces I should expect to find in the box? I asked for my bid sheets and any paperwork that would show which pieces were sold. They've somehow gone missing... (can you see the steam?) I had to copy MY checklist, and do the math for what the BASE price (my price less the commission for the art show) on my items were (I still have no proof if maybe they were auctioned off for MORE, and I was told a few days after the convention that "at least one of your plushies went to the auction." )

Two and a half weeks ago ( a full 2 months since the convention) I was told, while I was ON THE PHONE LONG DISTANCE with her, that she was writing a personal check right now, and had an envelope and stamps handy so it would go right out. Thursday this past week I called and was told "Oh it was probably just lost in the mail. I'll send another one right out by priority mail."

At this point just getting the money doesn't solve the issue of having to make long distance calls, send out multiple emails, and basically pester the art show director to get paid AT ALL... It doesn't clear up the problem that I was originally told that at least one of my items went to the auction, and now I can't even get the records of the auction OR my bid sheets... and I'm only going to get the "sunday sale" price (less the show's % of course) for my work.

I just emailed the convention chair, and board for the SECOND time. The first email to the chair and board was about 3 weeks - month ago has never gotten a reply.

Merlin's Meow

2008-09-01T07:54:00.001-07:00

Merlin's Meow
Originally uploaded by trinlayk

Merlin sees an unopened can of tuna...
(It was given to him after the video.) Nice masculine voice of coaxing is Merlin's human, Dave.

New yarns coming!

2008-07-31T22:40:00.000-07:00

I just ordered some new yarns and they're on the way from the UK.
http://www.skeinqueen.etsy.com

I've also discovered a couple cool local yarn shops so if you are in the Milwaukee area
add LOOP and Ruhamas to your list of yarn sources.