Wedding Sneak-Peek

Our wedding is going to be very much DIY. We've been gathering some really fun things for our centerpieces and I finally got all the materials I needed for main part. Behold a sneak peek!



<3

Some New Designs!

I've been working on a bunch of new designs for Katsucon (Next weekend!) and here are some of them. I have about 30, but I don't want to overload my shop, so 10 will work for today. Let me know what you think!

This one is my favorite ^_^

Sweet Lolita & Sweet Rococo has some beautiful sweet loli dresses!

Gothic Lolita

Harajuku Girl. My sister got me a dress from the Harajuku District ^_^

No, I will NOT draw you as an anime character! For people with great talent who get taken advantage of by their friends lol

Yummy Sushi! Give me a spicy tuna roll any day.

Kiss me, I'm an Anime Fan :-*

Onigiri!

This says Kawaii - it means cute!

I draw anime. I wish I could draw it well.

DIY Packaging

Hey! I decided to show you guys how I do my packaging. I need to add a picture of the final result in my listings on Etsy, I think it might help. But here you go!

I designed my hangtags in Adobe Illustrator. I measured the bags that I use, figured out how much space I needed for the front and back and positioned as many as I could onto one page. I use a presentation paper so it has a little bit more weight and looks a little sharper. Don't forget to flip the back! You'll be folding it over.

Then I cut them out. I've got a small paper cutter, but a ruler and an Exacto knife work just as well. I just eyeball it when cutting, just make sure that the sides are even.

Then I fold and staple! I use a bone folder, just because I have one. The side of pen will work fine, too. I like to make sure the fold is nice and sharp, it just looks better that way. Then I put the pins in and use two staples.

And tada! Sorry for the language ^_^ This particular order was a little larger so I put all the buttons in one package. Usually there's just a couple.

I don't know if that helps anyone, I just felt sharing. And if anyone needs some design work done, packaging or anything, I'd love to talk!

Valentine Spirit

The Pink Samurai is gettin' all lovey dovey ^_^ Check out our new designs just for the holiday!

Team Conan

I'm sure that no one really cares where I stand on the whole late night tv situation, but I'm just gonna throw it out there anyway. I've always been Letterman/Conan kind of gal. Leno is just a dirt bag who stole most of his bits from Howard Stern (whom I adore), so I've never been a fan.

Go Team Conan!

Team Conan pinback buttons

Custom Button Portraits

So I am officially accepting orders for custom buttons portraits. I made a couple for my BFA show and a gallery in Salisbury and I'd like to expand. They take 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the size of the piece and are made entirely of hand-pressed buttons. Custom framed and ready to hang.

For pricing, please email: rebekahjpool@gmail.com

Here are some pictures, again, of the final products:

Brand New Designs

Bitty Little Guys!

Pink Ninjas

Sprinkles!

Just some fun new buttons at The Pink Samurai. It's funny how inspiration can rush through you one day and totally dry up the next. Good thing this rush came on my day off! More new stuff to come before the weekend, so keep checking in.

New Buttons

Been working on some new designs and expanding into more screen printing for The Pink Samurai, but for now, more of my go-to buttons are getting listed. Christmas is just around the corner and these little guys always make great stocking stuffers...so I'm stocking up!

You have gone wacky!

Luke, join me and we can rule the galaxy as father and son!

You don't have the Guts!

Fat Chance.

Please vote for me!

I started my last semester a couple of weeks ago and I'm trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. Hence, no writing for the last few weeks. But now I write out of desperation lol! I was picked as a finalist in Super Cute Kawaii's Shopify Contest. The winner gets a free year on Shopify. I would have my own online store front! It's reader based so I would looooove some help!

All you have to do is comment on their blog post. HERE!

Thanks so much for all your support!!!

Mini Necklace Tutorial

Remember that tutorial I featured about making a layered knit necklace out of a recycled tshirt? Well I wanted to wear something white the other day and that particular necklace was too much, with it being in the 90s and all. So I took three of the strands out, cut them and braided them together. It was perfect.

I kind of love it. I also used the same idea, of cutting the strands, and made a couple of kickass necklaces by finger weaving them. I had pictures, but they turned out waaaay too dark, so I'll put a thing about that later.

Anyway, I guess the point of it all is that you can revamp your wardrobe and accessories with just some simple diy. It's not much, and it's not complicated, but I think it's cute ^_^

I'm in Love

Top Left to Right:

Shop Red Leaf - Bubble Bath Dough

*I love their packaging so much. The branding is excellent and color palette makes me happy.

Moxie Madness - The Hotline

*She's an awesome cool chick that makes awesome cool things. This is my favorite picture and shirt, my Grandmom used to have a machine just like this.

Sugar bubbles - Summer 1

*Teal is one of my favorite colors right now and the photography is just stunning on these bracelets.

Love and a Sandwich - Monsters for your Ears

*Why, yes. I would like monsters for my ears! Look how fun!

Akka Design - Daisy Blue

*Love this new shop. If I any money, I'd be all over it! The colors are gorgeous.

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Just some of my recent favorites. I was having writer's block this morning and just wanted to play in Adobe Illustrator, so I did! I hope you like these...I think they are wonderful! Tell me what you think ^_^

Methinks tomorrow will be a tutorial day.

We've been featured! My "I'm Huge in Japan" buttons are in the lower right corner. Here's new treasury...check it out HERE.

And it turns out that I made it to Etsy's front page and didn't even know it. A couple of my books were featured. I wish the front page didn't change so often. Remember when it only changed twice a day? Anyway, thanks to craftcult for cataloging the front pages!

I've been having a sort of writer's block for blogs...see...I don't even know how to end this sentence. Maybe there's something you guys want to read about? I know everyone loves tutorials...maybe there's something I can share?

• Printmaking?
• Screen Printing?
• Bookbinding?
• Sewing?
• Jewelry Making?

Pick one, or something else and I'll do it! Here's some that I've already done:

Recycled T-Shirt Necklace

Vintage Button Dangle Earrings

Paint Chip Earrings

Gift Box

Thanks, My Nature's Art

My Twitter Addict buttons are featured on My Nature's Art blog! Etsy users are so cool sometimes :) Check out her blog and shop.

Favorite Friday

Here's some of new favorites on Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade thepinksamurai.etsy.com

Student Art Sale

I just got my check in the mail from the Student Art Sale that was held in May and it reminded me to write about it! It's an annual summer event for Salisbury University and I'm sad it was my last one. I made 4x what I did compared to the previous year, which is great for me and the school because 35% of all the proceeds went to scholarships for art students. Too bad I never got one!

Here's some pictures of what I threw together.

I came early and took and claimed the best table. It was right in the middle for all to see! This picture was actually taken during a lull and some buttons were already sold, that's why the board looks a little meager.

Some silkscreened shirts of the best painting teacher ever and the silly things he says. Definitely the biggest hit of the day!

I used some of the bowls that are listed in my googoomuck shop for display. So cute!

the paint chips and earrings commanded a lot of attention. I have an unhealthy relationship with bright colors.

My babies! I love my Rescued buttons!

Etsy Giveaways

So Etsy Giveaways Blog is my new favorite thing.  I found out about a while ago and added it to my Google Reader right quick.  Everyday, post blogs about giveaways that Etsy sellers are having on their own blogs.  I've used them before and saw that my own readership increased because of it!  I've also won some really cool stuff because of it too.

Pandacub Cafe offered up some goodies a few weeks ago and I totally won!  I love her shop and blog, so I was really excited.  She even let me swap out part of prize for a pair of earrings that I had hearted in her shop...and wear them all the time.  I already gave my sister the pair of blue panda pony tail holders (I kept the pink ones) and the bobby pins are going to be a perfect birthday gift for a cousin that may or may not be reading this, so I'll keep it on the DL.  

I've also won a couple other pairs of earrings and a necklace, so I'll try and keep up and post them here.  Until then, please visit Pandacub's Shop!  You'll love everything, I promise ^_^

Don't put your foot in it

Dragon House of Yuen made the funniest treasury I've seen in a long time!  It made me giggle to see the button that was chosen XD

Happy International Edible Book Day!

I call this piece, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Breakfast", it's made with pancakes, scrambled eggs and syrup.  i can't wait to eat it!

Be sure to check out the International Edible Books Festival website to see all the amazing works by artist all over the world.  There's also an article in today's Craft newsletter about the Etsy Bookmaking Team and what they are doing for today.

Have a great day and don't forget about the GIVEAWAY that going on until the 7th!