Kim Bagwill as The Frantic Meerkat

Our Blogs Got Married

2010-02-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

My brand new husband and I have combined our two electronic-newsletters into one handy brand new "blog." Please reset your bookmarks at www.themincingmeerkat.blogspot.com. See you on the other side!

Mincy & Frantic at the LA Street Food Fest!

2010-02-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, Feb. 13th, Mincy and I will be selling our magnets & cards at LA's first Street Food Fest from 11-5 at the LA Center Studios downtown (500 S. Beaudry Ave.). Admission is only $5 and you get to sample from some of the best food trucks in the city.

Luckily they'll be offering sample sizes at sample prices ($1-$5) so you can try a lot of different foods. I'm starting to make a list of ones I want to try, and I finally told Mincy we had to have a budget of how much we could spend apiece otherwise we'd end up spending all the profits (plus gain around 37 lbs.)! Some of the trucks that will be there include the Grilled Cheese Truck, the Buttermilk Truck, the Sweets Truck and the Komodo Truck.

But that's not all! There will also be 33 artists & designers selling their wares, so if you haven't gotten your Valentine shopping done - now's your chance! Designers include The Quilting Mama, Mr. Toast, Plastique and Three Apparel.

For a full list of food trucks and designers click here.

So take your Valentine downtown for some great food and buy him or her something special from a local designer. Celebrate the institution of food trucks in LA and the fact that it will be 70 degrees and sunny, instead of 20 degrees and snowy like much of the rest of the country.

It's National Stationery Show Time Again?!

2010-01-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's not until May, but planning is in full gear. Mincing Mockingbird and I paid for the booth this week, so I guess we're officially going. Oh yeah, and I bought the plane tickets yesterday and the hotel is reserved. I've got some new cards already designed, though they have to be printed yet. The list just keeps expanding every day. We're hoping that we've learned something from last year's show and the most important thing would be is to not wait til the last minute because everything seems to take longer to get done than you think it will.

Here's a partial list of things to be done:
- order carpet squares
- redesign catalog
- make press kits
- design booth layout
- choose booth colors
- choose booth furniture
- decide how to display magnets
- get cards printed
- write press releases
- decide on lighting
- figure out when to ship everything

Whew! Okay, I'm tired now and must go take a nap. I'll update more as we actually complete it.

I Love You Despite the Warning Signs

2009-12-31T10:53:00.000-08:00

As a lot of you already know, Mincing Mockingbird and I got married last weekend in a surprisingly tasteful wedding at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. Well, what does that have to do with this new Valentine's Day card, you ask? This card is the first of hopefully many marriages of our creativity. After much whining about how I needed to add a new V-day card to my shop, Mincy graciously allowed me to use his writing to accompany my artwork for this card. He's ghost-written quite a few cards for me -- I often come up with a crazy image, but then have no copy for it. This is the first one, though, where we took existing wording from one of his magnets and I came up with an illustration for it. Keep your eye out for more MM/FM hybrids in 2010.

She Was Afraid of Clowns

2009-12-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

Even though I'm on a "break" from etsy, since it's been a bit slow at work, I decided to start the new year out with a new magnet.

The Frantic Meerkat is Bizarre this Weekend!

2009-12-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

This weekend the Mincing Mockingbird and Frantic Meerkat will be in San Francisco for the San Francisco Center for the Book's Holiday Fair on Friday night, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more info click here.

We're also having a booth at Bazaar Bizarre Saturday and Sunday, from 12-6 p.m. For more info click here. Stop by and check out Mincy's panel prints and my new pocket mirrors and comic book!

The Mincing Mockingbird & Frantic Meerkat Visit the Windy City

2009-12-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

So--after staying up til 1 a.m. every night this week, making 50 lbs. of magnets and printing hundreds of cards & prints, we're finally ready to hop a flight tomorrow afternoon from Bob Hope Airport in beautiful Burbank, CA (current temp 67°) bound for Chicago Midway Airport (current temp 34° with a wind chill of 24°). Tonight we're going to have a leisurely dinner and then relax by the Christmas tree reading classic literature and listening to Christmas carols, while our bags sit perfectly packed by the front door for our departure tomorrow.

Oh, who am I kidding. There are half-packed suitcases in every room of the house, unfolded cards on the love seat as well as scattered about the studio, and a stack of prints that need to be inventoried to see how many more need to be printed. We have a rain barrel that needs to be hooked up to the gutters before it starts raining all next week. Plus, I think there are containers in the fridge that may be moving.

And it's not due to poor planning, though I admit that both Mincy and I tend to be great procrastinators, but we're also great optimists and tend to think we can get so much more done in an allotted time slot than is actually humanly possible. We also had a bunch of retail stores contact us at the beginning of the week wanting cards & magnets for the holiday shopping season. I'm not blaming them...I'm just sayin'.

So despite our best intentions to not run ourselves ragged before Chicago Renegade Craft Fair, we apparently know no other way to operate. But please stop by booth #125 upstairs at the Pulaski Fieldhouse, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 & 6. We've added new magnets, cards and prints to our already huge inventory (hence all the work). Plus I'll have my new pocket mirrors and holiday cards! And if that isn't enough incentive to stop by, we'll be wearing Santa hats, and it's not every day you get to see a meerkat and a mockingbird in Santa hats.

Frantic Meerkat in the UK!

2009-11-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

Just got a list of shops in the UK who carry my cards. Thought I'd pass it along to all my friends across the pond.

Athena in Yeovil
Custard in Brighton
Athena in Bristol
Athena in Exeter
Athena in Plymouth
Quernstone in Stromness in the Orkney Islands ( Scotland )
Tidings in Monmouth
North Star Delicatessen in Chorlton nr Manchester
CATS in Leeds Uni
Pen To Paper in Summertown, Oxford
Token House in Nottingham
Give The Dog A Bone in York
Flux in Leith , near Edinburgh
Chain Reaction in London (NW1)
Zig Zag in Knaresborough

George Jr. has a Great Adventure!

2009-11-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

My son is working on his senior thesis in film production and borrowed one of my paintings, George Jr., for set design. It makes me want to break out the oils again....sigh...if only I had more hours in the day.

2009-11-23T12:49:00.000-08:00

A new magnet conceived by Mincing Mockingbird and executed by me.

Why the Top Hat?

2009-11-13T15:46:00.000-08:00

It's after 6 -- what am I? A farmer?

A brand new magnet which will be available in my etsy shop next week (if the magnet maker arrives back from repairs as scheduled on Monday).

Patchwork in Santa Ana this Weekend!

2009-11-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

This weekend Mincing Mockingbird and I will be at Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival Sunday, Nov. 15 from 11-5. Stop in and see us - I'll have lots of new cards and hopefully some new magnets (if the magnet maker arrives from the repair shop this week). I'll probably end up making magnets at midnight the night before, but that's the fun thing about craft shows - you can be creating up until you pack the car. Plus I'll have my new comic book available for your Christmas shopping - I'm sure everyone has someone on their list who needs a comic book of animals with relationship problems. So stop out and say hi!

Introducing: Book of Comics

2009-11-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

I've put together a 24-page book of my animal comics just in time for gift-giving season. Not sure if there's a huge demand for it, but personally I think it would be a great addition to your coffee table, book shelf or bathroom.

He had a pedigree of violence.

2009-10-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

New magnet.

A Little Bit of Heaven...

2009-10-30T11:36:00.001-07:00

A new card.

Dogs & Cats or Men & Women?

2009-10-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

My new magnet - one of the designs I came up with during my exile in jury duty land.

Santa's Meerkat Helper

2009-10-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here's my newest Christmas card. I had some people (okay, A LOT of people) stop by my booth at craft shows or email me and ask if I had anything with a meerkat on it. I tried to pass off a lemur as one, but they were wise to me. So to make everyone happy, I made a Christmas meerkat card. Of course, once the holiday's over, I'll be meerkat-less again, but until then...enjoy.

Handmade Bridage of Orange County Indie Holiday Craft Show

2009-10-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Mincing Mockingbird and I have a busy schedule of craft shows this holiday season. The upcoming one is the Handmade Brigade of Orange County Holiday Indie Craft Show on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 11 - 5. We're pretty excited because it'll be the first time we get to break out the pink feathered Christmas tree to hold ornaments. Now I just need to get busy as I only have six ornaments done and it's going to look a little bare. Stop by and say hi!

Isn't Every Creative Type the Black Sheep of their Family?

2009-10-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

Just finished this card to add to my comic collection. Hopefully this holiday season I'll get a small booklet of them together.

In other news - we just put our deposit in for our National Stationery Show booth. Yes - after swearing we'd never do it again because it almost killed us, like a mother after the birth of her first child, we forget all the work and just remember the afterglow of sales. At least this year we've already worked out a lot of the kinks and just have to improve upon our booth and product. And, since that was our first trip to NY, we're a little more savvy about the location and logistics of the Javits Center. Stay tuned, and I'll try to keep this blog a little more up-to-date on the trials and tribulations of a small art and design studio.

Meerkat & Mockingbird at the Rose Bowl!

2009-10-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

It's so sad how I've neglected my blog. So I thought I'd at least better post that Mincing Mockingbird and I are going to have a booth at the Rose Bowl Arts & Craft Show which takes place in conjunction with the Rose Bowl Flea Market this Sunday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Pasadena. There will be some new cards and larger prints (11 x 14). Come on out and look for something old or new that you never knew you needed, but now can't live without. For more info click here.

My Trip to Rural Illinois

2009-09-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

The last one is me with a young squirrel that my sister has nursed since it was very tiny (its eyes weren't even open). I wish I had that much energy. This photo we finally got because it only sat still when eating.

Get Steamrolled in San Francisco!

2009-09-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Back from Chicago, now Mincing Mockingbird and I are off to San Francisco this next weekend for Roadworks. It's on Rhode Island between 16th & 17th Street this Saturday, Sept. 19 from 12 - 5 p.m. There will be art, music, food and a steamroller making prints. If you're in the area, stop by and say hi!

Chicago Here We Come!

2009-09-09T11:33:00.001-07:00

We're almost packed and magnets have been shipped. We leave tomorrow for the windy city and some family visiting time. Our setup time for the booth is 8:30-9:00 a.m. Saturday, and the current weather report is 77 and sunny for both days. Sounds like a wonderful, crafty weekend. If you're in the Chicagoland area, stop by Division and Damen, booth #112 and see the Mincing Mockingbird and me. It's free and the coolest people in town will be there, and didn't you always want to be one of the cool kids?

Frantic/Mincy Interview on OC Weekly Blog

2009-09-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the photos that accompanies the Mincing Mockingbird/Frantic Meerkat interview by Steph Calvert. There's also a giveaway of four of my cards and an 11 x 14 Mincing Mockingbird print. To read more click here.

No New Art - Just the La Canada Fire

2009-08-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

Alcohol and Quails

2009-08-26T14:41:00.001-07:00

My newest card.

Plane Tickets Obtained!

2009-08-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, I got the planet tickets for the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair yesterday. The drama was that I thought I had purchased them through Expedia right before I went to lunch. When I got back I didn't have a confirmation email, so I checked Expedia which only had an unpurchased itinerary for me. Unbeknownst to me, the purchase didn't go through, even though I'd put in all the info. When I selected the purchase button, it had gone to a blank page, but as my browser's been wacky lately I thought nothing of it. Except that in the hour I was gone, the price had gone up by $200 and I hadn't completed the purchase!

After another hour frantic hour of searching different websites and checking Expedia and my credit card to make sure I didn't end up with two sets of tickets, I got two more tickets through Hotwire for only $20 more than my first tickets. Of course, I have to leave 4 hours earlier (which makes a difference since I don't have vacation time left), and then we have a layover in Houston.

Remind me why this is better than the old days when everyone used a travel agent?

Chicago in the Fall!

2009-08-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, we haven't had enough of Renegade yet! Since we had so much fun in Los Angeles and San Francisco, we decided to take it to our home state and head back to Chicago for the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair, Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. This time it's an outdoor event on Division Street between Damen Ave. and Paulina St.

It should be interesting because it combines two things: an outdoor event (which we haven't done in over a year) and an out-of-state event (which we've never done unless you count the National Stationery Show, but we only had to have samples there). I'm looking into a tabletop card rack since I only have an awesome--but bulky--floor model. Plus we're trying to decide what exactly to take and how much so we don't run out, but don't end up schlepping tons of stuff home. Luckily since we have friends and family there, we're thinking about shipping a few things (mainly magnets since we don't want to be stopped at security like last time for carrying a dense magnetic item in our carry-on. At least the guy laughed after he saw them).

Fez and Wine - a Perfect Friday

2009-08-07T17:39:00.001-07:00

This is a piece I designed for coasters, which never panned out, so I put them on note cards. But at Renegade LA & SF I had a lot of requests for it on a regular card, so I'm going to offer him on a card and probably a magnet. The magnet maker is out for repairs, but should be back next week, so I'll have them for sale then.

Let's Get Drunk and Eat Waffles

2009-07-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is an animation I did a while ago, but it was silent until today. Jordan Eusebio added the sound design which makes it soooooo much better.

San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair

2009-07-27T12:21:00.001-07:00

San Francisco Renegade - See You There!

2009-07-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

Mincing Mockingbird and I will be in booth #82. Stop by and see all the new cards, magnets and prints we have! Plus the scary new birdhouse Mincy's debuting.

Renegade Craft Fair in Los Angeles

2009-07-14T10:48:00.001-07:00

My half of the booth.

Mincy's half of the booth.

Close-up of my framed prints, magnets, and unframed prints (in fancy wicker baskets courtesy of Mincing Mockingbird).

Me in the booth.

The Renegade Show went well for us, with a steady flow of people, but not a crush. We took an initial inventory, but I haven't taken a final one so I'm not sure what was popular, but we seemed to sell a lot of magnets. It was our favorite layout (of our booth) ever and seemed to work very well. Hopefully we'll be able to recreate it in San Francisco this weekend at Renegade SF.

Get Your Free Magnet!

2009-07-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

Stop by our booth 165 at Renegade Craft Fair this weekend, Saturday & Sunday from 11-7 and get a free magnet! Just mention you saw it on my blog. It's free to get into the Craft Fair and there will be over 250 booths with handmade art and crafts. I have new pill boxes and am introducing new, never-before-seen coasters that combine my gocco-printing skills with Mincing Mockingbird's art.

So get out of the heat, and into the air-conditioned fun atmosphere of an amazing craft show this weekend.

San Diego Wildlife Park & Zoo

2009-07-01T17:42:00.001-07:00

Presidential Thank You Cards Just In Time for July 4th!

2009-06-29T16:39:00.001-07:00

A new set of thank you cards with hand-painted edges.

Bird Invasion at Henry Road

2009-06-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of the Mincing Mockingbird wall of birds currently at Henry Road in Studio City. They're going fast, but he's bringing in new ones all the time, along with magnets and note cards, so stop in for some birderific art.

Keen for Adventure

2009-06-25T11:02:00.001-07:00

Another new magnet. I had previously done this as a gocco print, but thought it might look good as a magnet. It feels good to be creative again.

Shin splints are fun!

2009-06-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

New magnet design inspired by my runner son.

Renegade on the West Coast!

2009-06-23T13:37:00.001-07:00

Wow! Two weeks from this weekend is the first annual Renegade Craft Fair in Los Angeles!

And I'm no where ready for it. But I will be!

Mincing Mockingbird and I will have magnets, cards, prints, note cards, buttons, pill boxes, and original art. If there's anything I haven't mentioned that you'd like to see a bird painted on or vintage clip art plastered all over, let us know and maybe, just maybe, it will show up in our booth.

Come out and have some fun and see the amazing handmade crafts that are available in Los Angeles.

And if you're a bit farther north, there's the second annual Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco the following weekend. Or make a week of it and go to both!

Cards, Cards Everywhere!

2009-06-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the delay, but I've been waiting to blog until I have photos, and I keep taking photos and then never seem to have the photos in the same location as my physical being when I want to blog. So here's the rundown: My front room/dining room has two 6-foot long tables that are covered with greeting cards. And any greeting cards not on the tables are filed in boxes stacked three high under them.

We've got the initial NSS orders out and have two to ship this week and the rest don't want shipment until August, September or October. We may have to buy one of those tool sheds just to store greeting cards.

On the up side, I was recently contacted by a major chain that is interested in carrying a few of my cards. I'll let you know when and where after they place the order. Which reminds me of my next order of business...updating my website (and Mincy's) to include all the stores we're now available in. Maybe that will be this weekend's project.

Where are my cards?!?!

2009-06-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

I'm impatiently waiting for our cards to get back from the printer. I was hoping to ship all the National Stationery Show orders on Monday, but that will be rather difficult if I don't get them today. Sigh....well, they said they just need to be scored and folded, so hopefully they'll be done by 5 p.m. tonight. Fingers crossed.

On the bright side, I just signed a contract with a licensing company in the UK to print some of my cards for distribution there, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. It's exciting, but it won't seem real until I get that first royalty check. And now Mincy and I have an excuse to visit London.

Live Mincing Mockingbird Sighting at Henry Road

2009-06-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I came home from work and as soon as I saw him with a white splash of paint on his forehead, I could tell what he'd been up to. Mincing Mockingbird is finishing up the last of the new paintings he's unveiling at Henry Road on Thursday, June 11, from 5 -8 p.m. The avian paintings range in size from a petite 4x4 inches to whopping 24x36 inches (which if you think about it, is pretty large for a bird). There are amazing owls (which he pronounces with a New York accent ever since our visit), hummingbirds and even a cassowary. Honestly, I'm not sure what kinds of birds 80% of them are, but I do know that they're some of his best work to date. So if you like birds, art, fabulous home decor or you just want to stop in and meet The Mincing Mockingbird, please come by Henry Road in Studio City Thursday night.

National Stationery Show 2009

2009-05-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd better blog since Mincy said it looked like I was still getting ready to go to The National Stationery Show. Well, I'm still recovering. Just a quick recap and a more in depth review later.

The show was smaller than the previous year, by 30-40%. I think that worked in our favor because there wasn't as much to look at though. We took more orders than we thought we would, considering the state of the economy and met a lot of cool vendors like our neighbors Old Tom Foolery. It was a considerable amount of work and money, and we'll really only know if it was worth it financially down the road as we get reorders, but right now both Mincy and I think it was definitely worth it if you want to move into the world of wholesaling.

So currently, we're busy sending out orders, ordering more cards from printers, making more magnets, and mailing out catalogs. Plus organizing the studio to be more efficient, which we really should have done before the show, but definitely ran out of time...like we ran out of time to sleep and shower if we weren't leaving the house.

Last Minute National Stationery Show To Do's

2009-05-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

We leave for New York for the National Stationery Show in 52 1/2 hours. The guest bedroom is covered with open suitcases, cameras, ipods, press kits, business cards, magnets, greeting cards, and about 12 pairs of shoes awaiting final selection. I keep trying to make final "to do" and "to pack" lists, but it's been particularly busy at work this week which is seriously getting in the way.

The past two nights I was up until 1 a.m. doing etsy shipping and gathering things to take. Tonight will probably be the same, but Mincy wants to sit down and go over everything we're going to do and say in the booth, and to figure out where we're going to keep everything in the booth. He's right, I feel a little unprepared, but I think the first time you do anything, you're never going to feel 100% ready. As long as our packages arrive before we do (they're scheduled to arrive Thursday, the 14th, and we're landing in NYC Friday, the 15th at 5:30 a.m. or some ungodly hour. I really should check the times and flights, etc. -- add it to my "to do" list, I guess).

We shipped the cards, shelves, magnet display, giveaway buttons, business cards, order forms, glue gun, and I'm not actually sure what else because my fabulous fiance did all the shipping. I'm so lucky he's organized like that. We're also taking a few extras of just about everything in our suitcases in case a package gets lost (we shipped 5 boxes).

My Pretty Kitties card got selected for presentation in the New Product Display which is great! And my giveaway is a pin featuring one of the panels from that comic card -- I think I have about 225, so we'll see how long those last.

I'm also going to be featured in the Day 1 issue of Stationery Today (the daily distributed during NSS) in the NSS Product Peek section. Plus Mincing Mockingbird's already had a wholesale order. So there's lots exciting things going on amid all the chaos. I'll hopefully post more about the experience when we get back.

In other exciting craft news - Mincing Mockingbird and I will be sharing a table at both the Los Angeles & San Francisco Renegade Craft Fairs in mid-July.

Its Always Sunny with The Frantic Meerkat

2009-05-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

So this was the highlight of my weekend manning the booth at Unique LA. Okay, I didn't take this photo because I was too shy to actually acknowledge that I knew who Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" were. But luckily someone at Unique LA did.

After posing for photos with some fans (some were particularly loud and obnoxious -- must have been the free beer), they browsed through our booth, Kaitlin looking at cards, prints and magnets, and Rob checking out Mincy's bird paintings. Why is it I get so nervous when famous people are looking at my cards & magnets? Kaitlin bought two comic cards and one of my magnets. She also said she really loved my stuff which is a huge compliment from someone who works in comedy.

Unique LA was tons of work (thanks to my hard-working fiance who did set up by himself on Friday), but also very fun. We reconnected with people we often only see at craft shows like Two Guitars and Amy Olson, a couple from Portland who we previously met at San Francisco's Bazaar Bizarre. And of course, Michelle Caplan, and Hannah of HannahMade.

Of course, the fun thing about LA is that you never know who's going to show up in your booth and gawk at your wares.

Unique Los Angeles and National Stationery Show

2009-04-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I've been really, really, really bad at keeping this updated. Working a full-time job and trying to build a business really takes up a lot of time. Oh yeah, and that sleep thing, too.

Unique LA is this weekend and we're still getting ready. I had planned on printing out all my cards last night, only to find that we'd run out of yellow ink...at 8:45...after Office Depot had closed. So instead I worked on updating our websites in anticipation of the National Stationery Show. We have our catalogs linked to them and wholesale info, as well. Plus I was going to send out my Unique LA email to my mailing list...only to find that I'd left the flash drive with the work on it in my computer. My mind is going.... So tonight is printing out cards, and prints to frame for the show.

There is some good news because we got two copies of Stationery Trends in the mail yesterday, which is THE stationery magazine for the industry, and both Mincing Mockingbird and I had cards featured in the New & Noteworthy section! I had sent them press releases two months ago, so it's heartening to see some of the hard work paying off. It's exciting to see all the cool stationery that's out there, too. I'm going to try to blog about the National Stationery Show, but it will probably wait until I get back so I can post photos along with it.

Speaking of Michelle Caplan....

2009-04-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

I'm running out at lunch today to buy this issue of Somerset Studios. Michelle Caplan (who's going to be at Unique LA [see previous post]) is featured on the front page! Plus she has a 10-page spread with an interview inside. Her work is amazing and we actually own two of her pieces already, but I'm hoping she reveals some deep dark art secrets in the interview. Or maybe just where she likes to get a good burger. She's also going to be at the Mission West Spring Art Festival this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. in South Pasadena.
Maybe I'll stalk her and make her sign my copy.....

All the Cool Kids will be at Unique LA

2009-04-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

At least The Mincing Mockingbird and The Frantic Meerkat will be. Plus our friends HannahMade and Michelle Caplan will be sharing a booth. TwoGuitars from Portland is making a huge road trip just to sit at booth 515, too. So if you want to be a cool kid, get down to the California Market Center Saturday, May 2 or Sunday, May 3 and check us out at Booth 910 in Gallery Row. There will be over 250 vendors and it's only $5 to get in with 50% of the profits going toward local charities. If you want to check out all the vendors ahead of time (you know, make a shopping list, Mother's Day IS coming up), check out this is link. Maybe you'll even spot a celebrity....

The Sewing Lounge opens in Burbank!

2009-04-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

Did you ever see a fabulous skirt or shirt and say, "I wish I could make that"? Well, now you can. The Sewing Lounge is holding its grand opening this Saturday, April 18, at 3216 Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. The owner, Jessica Dooley (above), is offering classes in basic sewing, using a serger, appliques, and she even has classes for men and children.

Besides classes, she offers open sewing (rent a machine by the hour), private classes, private parties and a handmade boutique with art from local LA artists. Mincing Mockingbird, Minjae, and I all have items in her store (see images above for Minjae's Amy Winehouse doll, Mincy's bird prints and my framed prints).

The opening is from 5-8 p.m. and Mincy and I are planning on stopping by. Check out The Sewing Lounge website for more info here.

Happy Hedgehog Birthday Card

2009-04-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

This was inspired by Eleanor, the albino hedgehog we're currently babysitting. Up until tonight, she just hissed at us, hid in her tube, and let us feed her. Tonight she finally came out while we were eating dinner and wandered around her tub eating and poking her nose under things. Mincy finally picked her up (with a minimum of spines) and let her wander around the floor for a while. She actually let us hold her while she climbed all over our arms sniffing and burrowing. Okay, we don't actually know if she likes cheap wine and stale donuts, but we can only hope.

Bachelorette Party Anyone?

2009-04-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry my posting has been sporadic at best. What with all our house guests in February and March, Mincy and I have delayed a lot of National Stationery Show work that needs to be done NOW! Or actually two weeks ago, which is why I'm not in bed until after midnight every night.

I've finished my catalog design and just have to give it a once over before I send it to the printer tonight. I still have to get the press kits together and we have to figure out what we can stuff into two very large suitcases and what we'll have to ship. We are also awaiting our pinbacks so we can make promo pins to give out at the show.

This is a bachelorette party invitation that I designed to go into a bridal-themed table section that will be at the show.

Frantic Meerkat and Mincing Mockingbird at Unique LA

2009-03-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

I know we went got into Unique LA for the holiday show, but we were still holding our breath to see if we were accepted into the spring show May 2 & 3. The acceptance email arrived at 6:50 p.m., and of course, both Mincy and I had been checking our email every five minutes since 9 a.m. (Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration since I did go to work and all, but it was still a lot).

Anyway, Unique Los Angeles is an awesome indie craft show in downtown LA at the California Market Center. They're having 250 vendors and sponsors include Etsy, Pabst, Izze, LA Weekly, among others. The holiday show was our last one of the season, so we were a bit worn out by then, but this is the first craft show we've done since then and we're ready to go and show off all our new cards, magnets and prints. So if you're withing driving distance of LA, stop in and see how much creativity LA has to offer. Click here to get details.

You Got Great Legs

2009-03-30T11:39:00.001-07:00

I've been very lax in the blog-updating department. I did manage to create one new card amidst all the National Stationery Show planning. The perfect penguin pick-up line.

Vote for my Outlaw Lovebirds!

2009-03-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

I just got word from Katie at Etsy that my Outlaw Lovebirds print is included in their April Fools Pranks & Gags contest. Here's the scoop, Etsy collects 60 items and the ones to receive the top votes will be featured in the Gift Guides and on the Etsy blog.

So even though you won't get a cool "I voted" sticker, or juice and a cookie like when you donate blood, you will get my undying thanks and the satisfaction of a job well done, so get out there and vote!

You can read the Storque article here and vote here.

National Stationery Show - Full Speed Ahead!

2009-03-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

Okay - I know we should have been planning for the National Stationery Show in NYC this May for quite some time now. Some would say we should have started back in 2001. Well, the Frantic Meerkat and Mincing Mockingbird work best under pressure, which is why we had our first "staff meeting" about the show last night.

Oh, we've done the important things like applied, sent in our money, and made plane and hotel reservations, so we can show up and stand in our booth. But planning the booth? Making up line sheets? Ha! Ha! We laugh in the face of line sheets! And after sitting down and figuring out costs, we'd better start doing everything to raise the cash to pay for this endeavor including giving blood and having bake sales (black bird pie, anyone?).

So we sat down and made a big calendar of when things have to be done by and what we have to do. Next up is figuring out what color we want our walls. And what kind of lighting. Luckily Mincy worked as an art director for a special events company, so he knows how to set up temporary spaces and make them look fabulous. I think I'm going to rely on him for a lot of that. Me, on the other hand, I'll be the one designing the price sheets and brochures. Oh yeah, and web sites.

Sigh...now I'm tired.

A New Place to Buy Frantic Meerkat!

2009-03-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

I decided to take a stab at expanding my online selling opportunities and opened a shop at Big Cartel. I love Etsy, but it gets pretty expensive selling cards for $3.50, when paypal and etsy both take a cut. Big Cartel is basically just a shopping cart site. They take no cut of your sales, and the cart sends buyers directly to Paypal.

You set up your shop and for $20 a month you can list 100 items. The catch is that YOU have to drive people to your shop. There's no one else promoting your site, and people don't really browse big cartel like they do etsy. I'm planning on linking it to my website www.franticmeerkat.com, but just haven't had time. So I'm not surprised that after a week I still have no sales. Hopefully tonight I'll update the link and will see if I get any additional sales.

Joe Didn't Like School

2009-03-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

This is another piece I have the Forty Shades of Green show at Cactus Gallery. Until I held up both pieces side-by-side, I didn't even realize they were both holding a cigarette.

To Hell With The Neighbors

2009-03-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the pieces I will have at Cactus Gallery for their Forty Shades of Green show opening this weekend. Mincy and I will be there for the opening Saturday night.

A New Way To Say You're Sorry

2009-03-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

A new card in my shop.

Go Green at Cactus Gallery!

2009-03-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

Mincing Mockingbird and I will both have pieces at the Forty Shades of Green Show at Cactus Gallery. The opening reception will be Saturday, March 14 from 7-10 p.m. We plan to be there for at least part of the evening, so stop by and see some great art!

"I, Too, Once Keenly Felt The Crushing Monotony Of Existence"

2009-03-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

A new painting by The Mincing Mockingbird.

Mincing Mockingbird was cranking out in the studio yesterday. Here are just two of the paintings he finished. This piece is "Laughter Is The Best Medicine, Though Prescriptions Are Not Covered By Your Current Plan".

Mincing Mockingbird in Country Home

2009-03-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

About six months ago Country Home magazine contacted the Mincing Mockingbird about using his prints in one of their makeover articles. The current copy on the newsstands finally shows his prints, though, unfortunately they're not terribly prominent. Even so, he had someone email them because they recognized his work. See his blog for his take on the article.

Who Has the Luck o' the Irish?

2009-03-02T15:43:00.001-08:00

Imagine my surprise, when clicking an etsy twitter update, to find my drunken monkey St. Patrick's Day card at the end of the article. It's also good to see twoguitars is having a sale (the good luck horseshoes). I met Two Guitars at the San Francisco Bazaar Bizarre craft show when we had the booth next to theirs - a very cool and fun couple.

Regeneration in The New York Times!

2009-02-26T11:45:00.000-08:00

Kelly Witmer, owner of Regeneration in Eagle Rock, was in an article in The New York Times today. Unfortunately, the article was about how the economic downturn has affected the community.

We love Regeneration because it has very cool art, decor and clothing, plus Kelly carries my cards and some of my fine art comic prints framed. And she can't keep Mincing Mockingbird's painting on the walls for very long either. We've bought hand screenprinted t-shirts, made by Kelly, as well as a giant metal "u" from an old sign that we hung in our guest room. She also carries candles, soap, jewelry (some of which she makes), cards, and tons of other fabulous, eco-friendly handmade decor for your home. Her etsy shop, regeneration, carries some of her screen printed clothing.

So if you're out and about in the Eagle Rock area, and need a gift for a really cool, creative friend or family member, or even something for yourself, stop by Regeneration and see what Kelly's offering today.

The other awesome thing about the article, besides the great photo of Kelly, is that behind her you can see two bird paintings by Mincing Mockingbird, as well as one of my framed gocco prints (just next to the blue jay). My brush with fame.

Sorry To Hear About Your Job Loss....

2009-02-25T13:22:00.000-08:00

Everyone's doing it these days. Losing their job that is. Here's a way to let people know you care - with their very own personalized card! Inside reads: Now you can finally....and you fill in the blank!

Some suggestions -

Now you can finally:

- sleep in.

- finish your novel.

- start working out.

- clean out the fridge.

- do that 5000 piece puzzle your great aunt gave you 4 Christmases ago.

- clean out the basement/closet/garage.

The possibilities are endless!

If you'd like to purchase a card, click here.

Plug Life!

2009-02-24T10:19:00.000-08:00

Get over here private!
I’ve handpicked you for a special assignment because I like you. You remind me of me. And I like me.
You and I are going to do something we should’ve done before this whole d*** war began! We’re going to take out those Robots when they least expect it!
Tonight, at 0100 we’re going to sneak into their base camp and find the “Master Plug.”

Wh-what’s the “Master Plug” Sarge?

Quiet Private! You want them to hear us talking about their “Master Plug?!” From here on in we refer to it as “Master P”

I’m sorry Sarge.

Put your sorries in a sack private.
“Master P” is the robot army’s one exploitable weakness and you and I are the men who are going to exploit it.

I’m a woman sir.

Oh…my sincere apologies Private. I can no longer see that well.
To be honest, that’s why I called you here today.

Sir?

I need you to help me sneak into the Robot camp and locate “Master P.”

Is that all sir?

Why would that be all private?! Don’t be an idiot!
…I’m sorry for yelling.

It’s fine. Go on sir.

Really, I apologize.

I know. Please continue.

Ok…
After you’ve helped me locate “Master P,” I’ll need you to take my arm and thrust my butter knife wielding hand deep into one of “Master P’s” open sockets. This will cause “Master P” to explode along with all of the robots who thought they’d live to rebel another day! We’ll win this 300 year-old war in seconds!

…

Oh yeah, and after the explosion I’ll need you to carry my body back here for a hero’s burial.

…

…Are you still there private? I can’t see well, remember?

…

…Private?

This magnet is available at Robot House Party. The description is the one they wrote with the listing - I'm not that good of a writer.

Antique Cars Are The New Hybrid

2009-02-18T11:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, so maybe they aren't, but after visiting the Peterson Automotive Museum I was inspired to create a new set of notecards. And who wouldn't want a car that cost $750 brand new?

People Love Chickens!

2009-02-17T16:02:00.000-08:00

I'm on a little creative break as my parents flew in to visit on Thursday night and are here for 10 days...that's right...10 days. My sister even emailed me (and she never emails me), and said that apparently everyone but my mom and dad thought that that was too long, but she hoped she was wrong.

It's actually going quite well. I can say that because today I'm back at my desk at work, and since Mincy works for himself now, he offered to entertain them. I can really see how much he hated his day job if he would rather play cruise director for my parents than go to work there.

So now I'm just basking in the lull of post-Valentine's Day sales. I also created this card since I did it as a magnet and had several people want to change the name of the saucy wench with the bird. It's difficult to personalize a magnet, but fairly easy to personalize a card, so I opted for the the easy way. I may add it as a print, but I'm not sure if there will be much demand for it yet.

Finally! A New Website!

2009-02-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

While I work as a web design production artist by day, I never seem to have enough time to design my own website. Here, finally, is a front page for my shop which is officially www.franticmeerkat.com.

Now I just have to change the web address on my business cards, 24 magnets, and over 75 greeting cards and notecard sets. Sigh....

But Honey - It's the Biggest Ball of Twine!

2009-02-11T10:31:00.001-08:00

Sorry, it's been so long, but my parents are visiting for the first time ever since I moved to California 3 1/2 years ago, so I've been a little busy. Unfortunately, we're having a major landscaping emergency where my fiance's replacing the retaining wall in the back yard and trying to do it between rainy days before our yard ends up in the neighbor's yard. Which means the house isn't getting cleaned. In fact, it's getting dirtier with the mud being tracked in from the yard work. I'll be up until midnight trying to get the place presentable. Luckily my parents aren't bothered by a mess (having raised four daughters).

So here's my post - a new comic card I designed last week. Enjoy the vacation woes of the ocean creatures.

She Had A Way With Chickens

2009-02-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to use my sister's name for this magnet design, because she has a lot of chickens. But the name Pam just didn't go with my Victorian woman. Sorry, Pam. I still like your name....just not on my magnet.

The Love Lives of Big Cats

2009-02-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

Here's another new card I created. I've had a burst of creative energy since recovering from the holidays. I think I'm also createing to avoid doing my taxes. Ugh! Sigh....I guess I should tackle that this weekend...but I'm still searching for the bottom of my desk.

Hollywood Here I Come

2009-01-30T16:51:00.000-08:00

There's a lot of extra work for horses in the movies, isn't there?

New Magnets at Frantic Meerkat

2009-01-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

Two new magnets for my etsy shop.

The Box

2009-01-22T17:48:00.000-08:00

This animation was created by Christian Eusebio. See more of his ramblings here.

Robots Are Taking Over The World!

2009-01-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Here are the newest creations from Robot House Party.

The first one is titled: Why did you make me feel this way.

The description reads:

THE FINE PRINT OF THE ROBOT-TRON CORPORATION OPERATING MANUAL:
Our world renown scientists were a little bored so they programmed a brand new sensitivity package into your DISPOS-A-TRON 3000. This added, limited addition bonus, makes it so your DISPOS-A-TRON 3000 may not physically feel any pain, but you're going to have your hands full putting him back together again emotionally!

Hungry Robots Need Fuel, Too

"Well what type of food sounds good?"

"I don't care. I'll eat anything."

"Pizza?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

"Tacos?"

"Sure, whatever."

"Please just tell me what you want."

"I told you! I don't care!"

Robot House Party is the company that makes the magnets for myself and Mincing Mockingbird. They can put any design or photo on a magnet for you and they look great! I got one for Christmas with my boys as little kids playing in the bathtub. So if you have kids, pets or friends and family you want to add to your fridge or other metal surface, or if you want robots and their angst-ridden existence, check out Robot House Party's shop on etsy here. Or check out their blog here.

New York Here We Come!

2009-01-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

Well, we did it. The Mincing Mockingbird and The Frantic Meerkat took the plunge into the big leagues and applied and were accepted into the National Stationery Show in New York this May. It's the biggest stationery show in the country where buyers from all over come to check out your products and purchase wholesale for their stores. It runs for four days (Sunday through Wednesday) and features over 1100 exhibiting companies and a global attendance of 14,000 buyers. A little scary if you think about it.

So now we have to go into planning mode and get line sheets, wholesale prices and a booth design ready. Luckily we have four months and we already have product lines. And even though the economy isn't great, we decided that we didn't want to wait another year, so we'll be spending a week in springtime in New York. See how official we are -- we're already listed with our booth number on the website here.

More Magnets!

2009-01-16T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here's yet another new magnet design.

Gallery Opening at Cactus

2009-01-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

The Bird is the Word opening at Cactus Gallery was amazing Saturday night. Besides getting to see some great bird art, and drink some wine, I also got to meet up with my good friend Everett Mendes, artist extraordinaire of the beautiful bird photographs we're standing in front of.

My piece, Lord of the Air, sold that night, as did one of Mincing Mockingbird's paintings (the second one with the yellow bird in his posting here.) If you have a chance, stop by and check it out. The show runs through Feb. 12.

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! No, Wait -- It IS a Bird!

2009-01-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

This is one of my pieces for the Bird Show at Cactus Gallery opening this weekend.

Birds! Birds! Birds on HGTV!

2009-01-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my fiance, The Mincing Mockingbird, was talking to his mom on the phone. She (who has the TV permanently glued to HGTV) was watching a new show called Dear Genevieve and saw his bird prints on the show! HGTV had contacted him about six months ago and bought some prints for a makeover show. Alas, we don't have cable, but a few people have emailed him and told them they saw his birds, which is exciting, but not quite as exciting as seeing them yourself. It's like hearing about someone's trip to Paris, while sitting on the futon in your one bedroom apartment. It was on yesterday, but from the website, it looks like it will be re-broadcast on Jan. 18 - 4:30 e/p (whatever that means). We'll post a link if we can find it on youtube. Read The Mincing Mockingbird's blog for more info here.

Bird Is The Word

2009-01-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

The Mincing Mockingbird and I will both have pieces in this upcoming show at Cactus Gallery. We'll be at the opening reception Saturday, January 10, so please stop by and say hi!

It's Useless To Resist Those Eyes....

2008-12-30T13:08:00.001-08:00

My new magnet.

Christmas with Frantic Meerkat & Mincing Mockingbird

2008-12-28T16:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas at our house is never "normal." This year it included a pink tree on the mantel adorned with a black bird on top, origami shirts and an awful lot of Wii golf and bowling.

Arbitrary Art Curiosity #8

2008-12-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

Since I've been so lax in posting (just recovering from the Christmas rush, plus Unique LA), I thought I'd better at least showcase some of my recent favorites. This is Sinking Fairy Tale by poodlebreath who resides in Vancouver (don't you find the best things come from Canada, eh?) You can check out more of their art here.

Listen To Your Sister

2008-12-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

I had this idea for a magnet for a while, but hadn't found the right nun (not exactly a lot to choose from...or maybe I'm picky). Discovered this one while looking for artwork for another card. I put it in my etsy shop yesterday and had already sold two when I realized I was out of magnet parts and the shipment wasn't arriving until today. Now along with trying to get ready for the show this weekend, I have to get magnets made to ship out tomorrow.

When will this stress end....oh yeah, when Christmas sales drop off and then I'll be unhappy because I'm not selling anything. Will I ever be satisfied?

Win Free Tickets to Unique LA!

2008-12-08T15:50:00.001-08:00

NotCot.com is giving away 10 pairs of free tickets to the Unique LA craft show this weekend. You just have to leave a comment on their blog and they'll pick the winners on Wednesday. Good luck!

Never Trust a Blonde

2008-12-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

My newest print, which will be a magnet by this weekend for the Unique Los Angeles show.

I'm Seeing Purple!

2008-12-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

A treasury that my "Let's Get Drunk and Eat Waffles" card is featured in and was put together by visionquest. She has fabulous jewelry -- check out her shop here!

Fierce and Nerdy!

2008-12-03T13:40:00.001-08:00

Today I'm featured on the Fierce and Nerdy website in a post about Geek Chic for the holiday season. All the artists featured are from Etsy, so go out and get shopping!

A Weekend In San Francisco

2008-12-02T10:52:00.001-08:00

This pretty much sums up our weekend in San Francisco. Except for all the food we ate...and ate...and ate. While Mincing Mockingbird was taking photos of stuffed birds at the California Academy of Sciences, I was taking photos of stuffed fish. And the last photo was a sketch he left under the glass at a table at Memphis Minne's Bar•B•Que Joint and Smoke House where we had the best barbecue chicken sandwiches. A very relaxing weekend, until the Bazaar Bizarre part where it was crazy busy and we met lots of cool and fabulous people and artisans. For more photos, see Mincing Mockingbird's blog here.

Cats! Cats! Cats!

2008-11-25T10:16:00.000-08:00

This is a new magnet I just made. Who knew cats could be as insecure as humans?

San Francisco Here We Come!

2008-11-24T12:21:00.000-08:00

The Mincing Mockingbird will have a booth at the San Francisco Bazaar Bizarre this Sunday. And as his trusty assistant -- Pepper Potts to his Tony Stark -- I will also be there to replace magnets, run credit cards and make sure his food doesn't end up on the floor. So if you're in the SF area this weekend, and need a plush gallbladder from I Heart Guts or a felted moustache from Nitnaks, or anything else cool and crafty for someone on your Christmas list, stop by and say hi. For more info about the show, click here.

Happy Hanukkah!

2008-11-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

Felt Club 2008!

2008-11-19T15:20:00.000-08:00

Here I am at my booth at Felt Club. We had a great time and a great turnout!
One of my friends and fellow etsian Nancy Lee (minjae) who stopped by my booth and graciously got me a turkey wrap since I didn't have anyone to relieve me. She also got the Mincing Mockingbird a hot dog, which he promptly dropped on the floor and stepped on. Not because he didn't want it, but because he was so busy at his booth, and it just got accidentally bumped off the table.
Here's Mincy's booth, and the ever elusive mockingbird is nowhere to be found.

Recent Treasuries That Rock!

2008-11-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

I was complaining to Mincing Mockingbird that I'm never on the front page, so when Harvey appeared (in the first treasury pictured) I was pleased and surprised. That was last week. Of course, I had no sales from it, but hey, I didn't care -- at least I made the front page.

Now today I get back from a late lunch and see my Two Birdies print is on the front page (second treasury). Of course, Mincy has forgotten is phone at home, so I have to take a screen shot to show him. Again, no sales, but in this economy, I'm not expecting much this holiday season.

Then I just happen to log into my other etsy shop -- the one with the "real" art, paintings, etc. and see that I have a convo. Now I don't check this shop that often because I've only sold one piece out of it and it was to a long-time friend (though I recently added some new art and want to expand it this next year). The convo says that my painting "Claude" is in a treasury and apparently his eyebrows are causing a commotion. It's up until Saturday, so if you get a chance, check out all the comments about Claude's eyebrows here. The treasury was put together by calloohcallay who has one of the coolest shops on etsy. Check it out here.

Felt Club Here I Come!

2008-11-13T11:30:00.001-08:00

Last night Mincing Mockingbird and I were in the studio until 11:30 p.m. printing cards and prints for Felt Club this weekend. I still have a lot I want to get done, but unless I give up sleep or my day job, I think some of it will just have to wait for the next show. If you're in the LA area this Sunday, Felt Club should be tons of fun. DIY workshops, margaritas (yes - booze will be available!), dj's, swag bags, door prizes, food, and of course, The Frantic Meerkat and The Mincing Mockingbird! Just stop by our booths (we'll be right next to each other) and mention you saw this on my blog and we'll give you 10% off!

The Frantic Meerkat on Apartment Therapy

2008-11-12T12:25:00.001-08:00

Today I sold a Hummingbird print and the buyer said they saw it on Apartment Therapy. It's great decorating website - check it out.

The Rich Aroma Of Old Nicotine In The Worn Leather Of A Trans Am Is Intoxicating

2008-11-11T09:41:00.001-08:00

I love this print, as well as the title, courtesy of Mincing Mockingbird. We're getting ready for Felt Club this Sunday, and this is one of the many prints he'll have there.