Fall/Winter 2013 Holiday Sales and Custom Order Deadlines

Howdy all!

It's Autumn, and that means it's time for everyone I know in the art/DIY world to switch out of Con Mode and into Holiday Mode.  Yes, it seems early for Christmas, but every November I have to turn frantic last-minute customers away, which makes me very sad.  It's not that I don't WANT to create a custom gift for you, it's that my technique takes time (especially in cold, damp weather).  Add to that the fact that there are about 10 others begging me to "just do one" for them, and you see the problem.

Scroll down for Thanksgiving sale info and holiday order deadlines.  In the meantime, I'm trying to entice you all into ordering a little earlier this year; therefore, I offer you an early bird sale.

EARLY BIRD SALE

I am giving an unheard of 15% discount to folks who order custom paintings/boxes early!  Now through September 30, all custom work is 15% off.  These items will not be on sale over Thanksgiving weekend (which is past the custom order deadlines listed below anyway), so don't wait!
[see details and limitations at bottom of this post]

DEADLINES FOR U.S. HOLIDAY ORDERS

These dates may be changed as my schedule fills up.  The more orders I have, the earlier the deadlines become.  Those who order first will receive first priority.
[see details and limitations at bottom of this post]

some trinket box sizes and design ideas
top row: Large (TARDIS design), X Large (Celtic dragon knot design)
middle row: Medium (monarch skullerfly), Small (monarch butterfly), Mini (Celtic tree knot)
bottom row: Small (20 sided die), ring box (unpainted - shown for size comparison)

October 28 (Monday) - last day for US orders on custom acrylic on wood paintings and all sizes of custom boxes with original designs and custom mixed-media on canvas panel pieces.

November 4 (Monday) - last day for orders (US) on small art and boxes with duplicate designs (i.e., remaking an existing design like painted sacred heart sculptures the TARDIS or boxes in the "Gallery" section of my shop.  Includes duplicates of hand-painted wooden bangle bracelets).

Glass & resin jewelry sizes and shapes
I have over 100 images to choose from 

December 3 (Tuesday) - last day for US orders of made-to-order glass & resin jewelry

December 17 (Tuesday) - last day for US orders of prints and ready-to-ship items (art, boxes & jewelry).  Priority Mail option is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED after December 10 for on-time delivery within US



THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SALE

As T-Day sale details are refined, I will be updating information on this post, as well as on my social media pages and skelekitty.com.  In the meantime, here's what I have decided:

• The sale will last for 4-days over the Thanksgiving weekend (Friday - Monday night) 
• All ready-to-ship paintings, jewelry, trinket boxes and prints will be on sale.  (Custom items will NOT be on sale, and the "add to cart" button will be deactivated on custom items during the sale, to prevent people from ordering customs erroneously.)
• Coupon codes will be provided for the sale and cannot be combined.
• I am happy to combine shipping on separate orders placed over the weekend, and will automatically refund extra shipping charges.

Since custom art and boxes will not be on sale, I strongly recommend that you get your custom order in now.  Just take advantage of the early bird sale, why don't ya?


One more VERY important note

Please check your browser's compatibility with my shop, skelekitty.com.

Over 95% of my customers fly through the shopping process with no problems, but occasionally someone has an issue.  Why? The system on which skelekitty.com runs, (Goodsie.com) no longer supports some older browsers including, but not limited to Safari 4 and Internet Explorer 8.  Updating your browser or switching to a different browser altogether may resolve your issues.

Have you updated Internet Explorer but are still seeing a blank page?
Look for the blue compatibility issues icon and click on it.  

If you are using the current browser version (Chrome and Firefox are recommended), but continue to have problems, please contact me with your OS/browser/version and details and I'll forward the information to Goodsie.

I am happy to send PayPal invoices, however, please note that absolutely no invoices will be sent during the Thanksgiving weekend sale.

Please don't wait for the order deadline or Thanksgiving sale only to determine that your firewall or browser version/settings block my site. Seriously.  Please don't wait for Thanksgiving, since I'll be out of town with no internet connection. You'll miss out on the sales, and we will both be sad.

*     *     *     *      *     *     *     *     *     *

And now, the fine print:

EARLY BIRD SALE FINE PRINT

• NOTE: additional coupon codes ARE NOT APPLICABLE to the early bird sale (I cannot disable coupons for these items, but will not honor additional discounts on this sale.  Please don't waste your coupon codes on these items - orders using coupon codes on Early Bird custom sale items will be cancelled and the coupon code invalidated.)
• * order = payment and all requirements. Your order must be completed, including work requirements, by September 30th to qualify for sale.  Paid orders without requirements will be refunded on October 1.
• ** all listings will automatically include this discount (you don't even have to ask)
• *** custom work = all custom and made to order paintings (acrylic on wood and pastel on canvas panel), wooden bangle bracelets and trinket boxes (all designs), if I have to paint it before I send it to you, it's "custom"; does not include glass & resin jewelry.

HOLIDAY DEADLINES FINE PRINT

• These deadlines are for Christmas delivery in the US.  
• International customers are responsible for determining shipping times to their country from California.  I do not set deadlines for international shipping as each country's customs procedures are different.
• For delivery by Hannukah, add one month to the dates listed (e.g. September 14 is the deadline for custom work desired by November 27).

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SALE FINE PRINT

• coupon codes may not be combined or used on any custom paintings or trinket boxes
• coupon codes may be used for made-to-order jewelry, though!)
• absolutely no PayPal invoices will be sent for Thanksgiving weekend sale items; all purchases must go through skelekitty.com (please update or change your browser well in advance of the sale).

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I've Been Livin' In A Box (Lots Of 'Em, Actually)

Holy mackerel, I've been MIA from my blog for too long!!!  Why, you ask?  Well, I've actually been creating new things in the studio, which is always a good thing.

Last November, I officially reintroduced the Krissi's Art Studio trinket boxes for the Dia de los Muertos show I did at Little Relics in Sacramento.  Since then, I've introduced multiple sizes and new designs, and people have responded by requesting plenty of commissioned boxes.  Here are a few of the new pieces I've been working on since February or so:

Geeky Boxes

Crown Royal bag inspired "Critical Hit" trinket box
(custom/sold - other designs available)

Adipose Industries trinket box

"Timey Wimey, Double Heart" trinket box
(yellow, more colors available)

"Sleeping Dragon" D&D themed trinket box
(custom/sold)

Tentacles mini trinket box (sold)

Just the TARDIS!

large "TARDIS" trinket box

mini/x-small "TARDIS" trinket box

"TARDIS" ring box

Not Just for Geeks

large Cherry Blossom trinket box
(sold, custom reproductions available)

Custom upgraded Bat Box (additional charge for detailed painting)
jewelry with this image is also available

nouveau bee trinket box

Monarch Skullerfly trinket box

Cupcake o' Guadalupe is BACK!  And it's a BOX!

Custom "Paris Metro" box

Wow!  No wonder I feel like I've been hip-deep in wooden boxes!  I kinda have.  And nope, I'm totally not complaining about it, because there are more coming down the pike!

That's the wraparound sketch on the "Golden Bought" Pawn cash box for my pal Aaron, creator of La Brujeria comic.  This one will be loaded with lots of inside references for readers of the comic.  And yes, that IS the Geek In The City Radio podcast playing in the background.

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NEW ITEMS: Magnets, Key Chains and Earrings

Three items are coming off the "secret menu" and have been added to the Krissi's Art Studio permanent collection of glass tile art "jewelry:" magnets, earrings and key chains.

Magnets:  These little guys are an inexpensive way to collect Krissi's Art Studio/Skelekitty images.  I use the same sturdy glass 1" tiles (the ones in my personal collection have survived many a drop onto my ceramic tile floors), but keep the price down by sealing them with a silicone product instead of the 2-part jewelers resin I use on the jewelry.   You can purchase sets I have put together or choose the images yourself.  Click here to see all magnet sets.

Silly Sugar Skullies magnet set

example of Weeping Angels magnet set

Some ideas if you'd like a customized set of six magnets
custom magnet sets of five are also available

Key chains:  Because some people don't wear jewelry but still want a piece of art to carry with them every day, I do offer my 1" glass tile and resin pendant pieces as key chains.  The tiles are created and sealed with 2-part jewelry grade resin, just like my pendants are, but instead of a pendant bail and chain, you receive a low-profile bail with an attached spring-clasp key chain.  The spring latch key chains are nickel plated and measure approximately 1" wide by 2.25" long (including loop and snake style chain, a little over 3" with 1" tile).

Coupling Failed with key chain and low-profile bail
option may be added from pendant listings by choosing
"key chain" option instead of sterling-plated ball chain

Any 1" pendant can be made into a key chain (2" glass tiles are heavier and less sturdy, and are therefore not recommended for key chains).  There are two ways to order: either go to the "customized  key chain" listing and choose your desired image, or go to the pendant listing for the image you like and choose the "key chain option" at the bottom (the second way seems less intuitive, but can save you a few bucks if a 1" pendant tile is ready to ship - if you order through the custom listing, a new tile will be made for you).

Owloween Night 1" glass/resin tile with low-profile bail
and key chain option.  Choose your own image for a key chain here.

Earrings:  YES!  Earrings are now available to go with your pendants or to be worn on their own.  They're tiny -just 5/8" of an inch- simple images turn out the best.  I welcome mix & match sets (like Skelekitty angel/devil or the pair of crazy-eyed owls).  I lived through the 80s - I won't judge if your earrings aren't matchy-matchy.  See all earring listings here.

You can have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other.

Rainbow Silly Skully earrings

One of the cool things I've been doing with earrings is taking a detail from a painting -say a fish from the mermaid painting Something's Fishy- and making it a focal point for an earring/pendant set.  Of course, if you just wanted the little fish earrings, I'd be OK with that too.

Something's Fishy pendant with the fish detail on earrings
pendant / earrings also available separately

If you decide you do want a matched set, you save a chunk of cash by buying the pendant with your earrings.  Just scroll down and choose the "add a matching pendant" option.  You'll notice the prices for pendants added to earrings are quite a bit less than if you buy them separately.



A lot of these items came about because YOU, my wonderful clients, asked me to make them.  If there's an item you think would be cool, drop me a line and let me know!

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Holiday Orders (deadlines and incentives)

We're closing in on those winter gift-giving holidays and my guess is that, having just survived Halloween, many of you are beginning to panic.  Sure, there's plenty of time left to shop, even from handmade shops, but time is quickly running out to order custom work that will be delivered by Christmas.  My shop is no exception, so here is a rundown of the what, when and how for Christmas presents (since Hanukkah is early this year, custom deadlines have passed already).

Some people think skeletons are scary, but what's really scary
is finding out you missed an order deadline for Christmas!
mixed media on canvas panels, Red Catrina [left] and Flamenco Dancer [right]

CUSTOM ART

Deadline for Christmas Delivery:  I will accept Christmas orders for mixed-media/canvas panel pet portraits (or any other subject you like) through the end of next week.  Orders must be completed* on or before Sunday, November 18.  

Just head on over to skelekitty.com and check out the "custom art" section of my shop.  If you want a size that is not listed, or if you would like a non-pet portrait or multiple animals in your painting, please contact me at krissi@skelekitty.com to arrange for a personalized listing (deadlines apply for delivery guarantee).

Incentive! Many of my customers like to have the painting at home and a print at work, so here's something to sweeten the pot:  I will include one of my 8x10" prints of your custom piece with 11x14" and larger canvas panel paintings, when your order is completed* by the end of the day on Friday, November 16.

*Some fine print:  A "completed" order means that I have received payment and all commission requirements including desired colors, style and any photographs I may need to work from.  Payment alone does not guarantee delivery before Christmas - I must have all information required to begin work. 

JEWELRY

1" and 2" glass and resin art pendants
available from skelekitty.com and
Side Show Studios in Sacramento, CA

There is a great selection of pendants ready to go out on my next shipping day (within 7 days) at skelekitty.com. and in my Etsy shop, which has been re-opened with limited inventory.

If you are in Sacramento, you can purchase some of my most popular images on art jewelry from Side Show Studios (and I always recommend shopping locally when you can!).

I will continue to accept custom orders for pendants, but the turn-around-time is dependent upon the weather conditions, so I recommend you order early.  Christmas delivery may not be an option if the temperature drops or it begins raining.


PRINTS, CARDS and ART

select art and art boxes
available at Little Relics
in Midtown Sacramento

Sacramento locals can purchase most of my prints, my 5x7" Lotería cards, original art and art boxes at Little Relics in Midtown.

Prints and cards are available online at skelekitty.com and ship out within 7 days.  If you are interested in a particular piece of original art that is not listed on my website, please contact me at krissi@skelekitty.com for price and availability.


BLACK FRIDAY NOTE

My husband and I are going away for Thanksgiving this year!  We're taking sweaters and warm footwear up to Oregon for several days on the coastal beaches with friends, geek-speak, beer, food, dogs and board games.  Because we're running away, there will be no Black Friday sale or promotion at Krissi's Art Studio this year.  With that said, there's no incentive to hold off on your order for that weekend.



I hope you all enjoyed your Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations, and that you have something as wonderful as we do for our Thanksgiving weekend!


And remember, you don't have to buy here, but when you give, please

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Critters Make Me Smile!

It has been a busy summer full of "surprises," so I decided to do a few relatively quick paintings to cheer myself up.  It worked like a charm!

These first two portraits were "payment" for my end of a couple of trades.

Gracie, the Australian Shepherd

Mustard Danger, International Lhasa Apso of Mystery!

I was on a roll, so I also did one of my husband's cat, Mouse.

Mouse, the cat who was raised by a dog.  

And while I was awaiting photographs for new portrait orders, I did this for some fun.

For the story behind the Red Kitty with a Pink Tail, see the
"Happiness Happens If You Make It" post on the Corporate Rejects blog

For those interested in a custom portrait, they are available through my online shop at http://skelekitty.artfire.com.

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Sugar Skull Mask Tutorial!! Woo Hoo!

A little over a week ago, I was lamenting the loss of my muse on Facebook and Google+ in the hopes that someone would say something to spark my imagination. Most of my artist friends were also dealing with creative blocks, so we figured that our muses all took off with the 'blue flu' (or whatever prompts inspirational goddesses to go AWOL for a day).

Luckily for me, my friend Betty called me with a request and challenge.  Could I make her five Día de los Muertos style sugar skull masks.  *LIGHT BULB!* I sure could!

My friend and hairdresser, Betty, and I talk about Mexican folk art and culture constantly.  Her heritage is Mexican, while I first became enamored with all things Mexico when I lived in San Francisco's Mission District, a vibrant neighborhood with a large Latino population. I really love Day of the Dead, which mixes both Aztec and Spanish beliefs and cultures into something new and wonderful. This holiday particularly appealed to me as it focuses on death as a part of life and not as something to be feared.  Well this year, Betty is teaching a series of classes (she teaches for Paul Mitchell) with a hair/fashion show.  In Mexico City. On Dia de los Muertos, and she asked me to make some sugar skull masks for the models!  Woo hoo! Here's how YOU can make them too:

You will need:

• Mask - plastic, Papier-mâché, or even ceramic if you are creating a wall decoration
• Rubbing alcohol
• Glue - choose one that is appropriate to the substrate of your mask
• GLITTER! - lots of it in lots of colors!   You can use just about any type of glitter (loose or glitter-glue).  DO NOT USE antique German glass glitter or any glitter made of glass.  It will be near your face (and eyes), so let's not go blind, m'kay?
• Paintbrushes for glue, water, toothpicks, paper towels, fluffy paintbrush for brushing away loose glitter

Optional supplies:

• Plastic primer
• Clear/white glitter spray (I didn't use this, but will point out where you could)
• Glitter tray or folded paper to return loose glitter to jars
• Dryer sheets <--- secret weapon when using glitter!

Betty chose some 1/2 face 'Phantom of the Opera' style masks, but you could use eye masks or full face masks if you prefer.  You could use plastic, papier mache, fabric masks or even ceramic ones for a cool wall hanging.

unprimed mask (left) and mask with adhesion
promoter and matte white primer (right)

1.  Remove the elastics and set them aside, then clean the masks with some rubbing alcohol to remove any residue or fingerprints.

1a.  OPTIONAL STEP - skip if you just need the mask for one night.  Since these masks will be packed and taken with Betty to Mexico, I chose to prep my masks to ensure the best contact between the products and the mask.  I started with an adhesion promoter for plastics (from the auto section of my local hardware store) and then added a layer of matte white primer for plastics (don't use gloss or you'll be back where you started).

1b. OPTIONAL STEP: You could spray your entire mask with clear glitter spray at this point to give the entire face a "sugary" look!

2.  Paint or sketch an outline of the shapes you want to create.  Painting your shapes first helps to make sure the glue goes where you want (working with white glue on a white mask is a bit confusing).  Also, pre-painting helps to prevent the white from peeking through the spaces in the glitter, I painted the nose and around the eyes with black paint (I tried at first with sharpies, but they were a bit trickier on the "topography" of the mask - a brush is more forgiving).

IMPORTANT TIPS! 

• If using loose glitter and glitter glue, START WITH LOOSE GLITTER first
• WORK FROM DARK TO LIGHT COLORS!  It's much easier to get a grain or two of yellow out of your black sections than to get black out of your yellow, etc.  Trust me on this one.

3.  Brush your glue over the DRY painted area (a brush gives you more control and precision than squeezing from the bottle).  I chose a flexible fabric glue for gems and beads, because I expect the masks to flex a bit during travel.  Most people would get great results just using a good quality white craft glue.

IMPORTANT TIP!  WORK WITH ONE COLOR OF LOOSE GLITTER AT A TIME.  Don't paint glue on for more than one color of glitter.

4.  Pour that glitter on!

Crafty Chica Be-Bob Black glitter
by Duncan Crafts

Tips - using a glitter funnel/tray is very helpful (mine is a Tidy Tray which I scored for a few bucks at a craft show), but if you don't have one, you can use a piece of paper, folded in the center to return unused glitter to the bottle.  Want another tip?  Rub a dryer sheet over the surface of your funnel tray or paper before sprinkling glitter - it will keep the glitter from sticking and return more to the bottle for you to use later!

5.  Repeat for each color of loose glitter.

pattern traced with a silver Sharpie

Glue painted over spiderweb pattern

Pour that glitter!
This is Tulip (by Duncan) superfine holographic silver washable glitter.
I could NOT live without this product.

6.  Did you miss a spot?  No worries!  Just pick up some glue on a toothpick or bamboo skewer and fill in the blank spots, then add more glitter.

I love bamboo skewers and keep them in my craft drawer at all times.
This glitter is Crafty Chica's Pop Star Purple by Duncan

Let the loose glitter set/dry between layers OR if using glitter glue next, you can move on immediately.

8.  When you re finished with your loose glitter application for the day, you can start applying glitter glues.

I love glitter glues and swear by Ranger's "Stickles" glitters;
while the bottles are small, they last a long time and are very fine
 and acid-free.  You can find them at most crafting or scrapbooking shops.

Sometimes I like to blend colors together, like the yellow, orange and red in the flames.
Once again, toothpicks and bamboo skewers are VERY helpful!  Just run them back and forth in the glitter and you end up with an artsy fartsy look.

9.  After everything dries (I let it dry overnight), brush off the loose glitter with a fluffy paintbrush.

10.  If you like, you can add some silk or crepe paper flowers.  I attached these with a little hot glue and some E6000 (because they were traveling to Mexico - yours will be fine if you use hot glue).

A few flowers from the Dollar Store and a plastic skull from the Halloween section at my local craft shop!

Leaves and flowers from the Dollar Store, and a plastic skull bead glued to a butterfly from my local craft store.

THAT'S IT!  Now you can just reattach your elastics and rock the party!

Let me know if you have any questions - I'm happy to answer them here.

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This Time, LAST Last Year

What was going on two years ago in the studio...

Commissions To The Left Of Me....

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