Projects
The Rare and Elusive Boxing Glove Squirrel Tailed Cactus
So my hubs and I were browsing Marukai (formerly super 98 cents Marukai) and found this totally kickin’ fake cactus. It totally had arm-like looking appendages ripe for decorating. So we brought him home, made some clay boxing gloves for him and stuffed a little brown squirrel tail for his backside. Although it looks like he is outgrowing his planter enclosure as it’s cracking down one side. Hopefully I don’t have to re-plant him.
My New Business Cards!
Printed up some awesome new business cards at the International Printing Museum with metal type! I can’t get enough of the museum. It’s my new playground. Check out the full post on my husband’s blog HERE.
DIY – Hand Latch Hooked Psychedelic Shag Rug
Diagram from Encyclopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement - 1 (A-AME) pg. 92-93
I don’t know if anyone knew this, I used to be a hook-er. Latch hook-er that is! Har har. Last year I decided to take on my first real rug hooking project (besides the happy face rainbow ones from childhood). I got the idea while looking through one of my Good Decorating and Home Improvement books. In it was a guide on making a rug into a back-lit wall hanging. I knew I had to try and make this rug! So I bought some precut acrylic yarn, a dense 5 mesh 36″ x 60″ canvas and grabbed my old latch hook tool. I printed the design at full scale, gridded it out, traced it on the canvas and made a color legend so I knew which colors went where. The finished rug took about 9 months!
Messing Around at the International Printing Museum!
So my newest favorite place in LA is the International Printing Museum in Carson, CA! I can’t believe I grew up in LA with this in my backyard and didn’t know about it. So the Hubs and I are now regulars and help out every Saturday that we can. Come down and visit us there and visit their Etsy store HERE
Anyway, I couldn’t resist grabbing this little flourish and making something out of it… it looked like an awesome little calligraphic pile of poo! So I grabbed some little lightning bolt border for stink lines and a star for the background… AND VOILA! I tried putting “PU” on one but not sure if it enhances or detracts. I’m still pretty crap at letterpress (I did try registering on a tabletop Vandercook hand proof press) but it’s SO MUCH FUN! I only wish it was bigger so I could make a poster of it for the bathroom.
Go Team COCO! CONAN O’BRIEN and ANDY RICHTER with Snake Dolls
Go Team COCO! Body and suit are made of 100% wool felt. Features black glass bead 3 button suit with white shirt collar and cuffs. Ties are hand painted on silk ribbon. Snake is hand painted with white on its belly, metallic green diamonds on its back and a red string tongue.
Conan is 15″ long x 4″ wide and Andy is 6.5″ tall x 7.5″ wide with 10″ long snake
Want more? Check out my store!
Want to Start a Successful Etsy Store?
Want to set up your own Etsy store but feel overwhelmed at all the things to learn? Well no more! As the owner of one of the fastest growing new shops on Etsy, I’ve learned a great deal of what works and doesn’t work on Etsy and exactly the right mix to get those buyers biting! I’ve helped launch stores for businesses of all kinds with their own beautifully branded and successfully curated Etsy shops and would LOVE to help you too.
Here’s where I can help you:
-brand marketing and consulting
-store branding and merchandising
-analytics and tracking
-how to get the most from your listings
- professional pictures in a snap
-using tags and categories wisely
-AND much more!
Etsy Shops are super rewarding and once established, are great way to get your products, name and point of view out there! And a good shop can be almost 100% self sufficient. I want to help you get there!
… I’m giving out FREE consultations to anyone who thinks they may be interested in starting their own store. I am also available for consulting on existing stores that want to freshen up their look. Just contact me!
Josh and Alyssa’s Album Cover Wedding Invite
Our wedding invites are finally done and up online! Wanna know how we did it? Check out the entire “revealing” post here on Josh’s site!
Get Your Own Custom Studded TOMS Classics Shoes!
I recently custom studded a pair of Mens TOMS Classics in black with silver studs and thought I’d share pics of them with everyone. If you’d like me to stud a pair for you feel free to contact me here or on my Etsy Shop page! More pics below!
I Heart Alexander McQueen Tee
This cute shirt has all the right stuff with the versatility and comfort of your favorite tee. Tuck it in to a highwaisted skirt or hang loose with a pair of skinnies.
Each tee is painted in black to grey gradient ink. Each design is uniquely textured pattern since I hand print each shirt just for you… no two are ever alike!
Vintage Style APT. FOR RENT Print Linocut Block 9 x 12.5
Inspired by an awesome 60s hand-drawn “Apartment for Rent” sign outside an apartment building nearby.
The piece measures 9″x12.5″, and is printed on a 80lb acid free paper from French Paper’s Mod Tone Series. Paper has a light printed design (as seen in last picture). The sign is printed using a water based red ink.
Each block print is drawn, carved in linoleum and hand printed by myself. This piece will be signed and dated, then mailed flat in a bend proof envelope.
Half Studded Spring Festival Shorts
Check out these super cute custom studded shorts I did for a girl on Etsy! Great for wearing to those upcoming spring music festivals.
Check out my Etsy store for more studded items!
Our New Mid Century Bench from Lunar Lounge Design
I’d been looking for a bench for my new office for a while when I came across Lunar Lounge Design’s Etsy shop. I loved the clean lines of their Ply-Bak Bench and the cool metal legs of their Arch Lounge Chair so I decided to contact them to see if they could somehow combine the two ideas. And VOILA… the The PA Bench was born! With interchangeable black and white leatherette seats and cool metal legs reminiscent of an Eames Shell Chair Eiffel Base, this bench is the coolest thing around and a total steal at only $359! Take a look at some pics of the bench below with my sister modeling.
Thanks to Lunar Lounge for an overall great experience and a beautiful bench!
Sylvia G Photography Logo Design
While browsing Facebook I came across my friend Sylvia’s post about needing a new logo. And after checking out her site I was blown away by her work! So I jumped at the chance to come up with something to compliment her aesthetics. Check out the resulting logo above and examples of her work below!
AND be sure to check out her site and blog for her amazing portfolio! I’ll definitely be using her for my next fashion-shoot so stay tuned!
Studded Oxford Collaboration with Mr. Sohail Justin Akhavein
So I was recently approached by the wonderful Sohail, a fashion student out of Minnesota and all around awesome guy! After he found me through my Etsy store, he contacted me wanting a pair of studded loafers, which I just found out had been discontinued by the manufacturer. So he looked and searched until we found some gorgeous leather oxfords from Urban Outfitters that worked out perfectly. Check out the gorgeous end result in more detail below:
AND if YOU want a pair like these, or any other kind of studded shoes you can think of just contact me through my Etsy store or through my contact form on this site and I’ll work with you to make a pair of studded beauties for you!
Check out my Etsy Store here for all kinds of goodies galore!
Limited edition “Wild Things” Carol print on Etsy!
Where the Wild Things Are Carol Art Print by Alyssa Zukas
We were featured on NOTCOT… check out pics below!
Limited Edition Stuff: “Where The Wild Things Are” Pinstriping Tribute Art and Junk!
To honor the new “Where the Wild Things Are” movie, my fiance and I each used our separate creative powers to come up with our own pinstriped version of Carol! I’d totally put him on my hot-rod (if I had one)…
AND I also came up with a few limited edition clothing and jewelry items for you to check out in my Etsy shop! There’s the Faux Furry Striped Carol Racerback Vest, Striped Max “Wild Thing” Tee, and a Hand- Cut Leather “Be Still” Pendant. Take some furry “Wild Things” love home with you!
Striped Faux Fur "Wild" Carol Vest
BE Still Hand Cut Leather Necklace/Pin
"Wild Thing" Striped Max Crown Tee
Help a Gal Out: Gen Art / Discover “I Draw Inspiration” Contest…
Hi everyone! If you have a chance… come and vote on my submission: “Imagination”… HERE for the Gen Art / Discover “I Draw Inspiration” Competition. Who knows, thanks to you, you might see my shirt printed up and sold at Gen Art NYC! *fingers crossed*
White Leather Studded Rollerball Loafers, Get ‘em While They Last!
With all the responses I’ve been getting for my studded loafers I’ve studded and put up a white pair in my shop! Check out my Etsy shop where I’ll make you a CUSTOM pair in the size and color of YOUR CHOICE! Minnetonka decided to stop making the shoes so get them while they last!
Avant Garde Mens Super Soft Leather Studded Neck Ties!
Get your STUDS on!!! These new leather neck ties add a studded kick to any formal outfit. Made of super soft leather, this tie will be sure to make a bold statement! Get yours in any color and design HERE!
two string jane Monster Series Tees Adds 2 New Friends!
Clive gets two new friends to hang out with in my Etsy shop… meet Fred Fuzzy and Sam! Made on the same silky viscose, this oversized super thin tee drapes perfectly and accentuates your silhouette while not looking baggy.
Get them HERE!
Ampersand Boots on MiaRae / BeWakeful!
My Studded Ampersand Boots were featured on MiaRae / BeWakeful today. Thanks so much to her for promoting my DIY studding abilities and repping my Etsy store!
Check out the original post here shoes on Etsy here and get a piece of history =)
LIMITED EDITION : Sweet Ditsy Floral High Waisted Tulip Skirt & Lime Green Burnout Scoop Tank Set
Make a bold statement in this UBER chic dress. It is perfect for any occasion… from the supermarket to the runway! Turn heads in this super cute tulip shaped floral skirt and sexy burnout scoop tank! Can be paired with cute studded ankle boots or with flat sandals for hanging around.
This vintage bright floral cotton-linen skirt (which was once a floorlength broomstick skirt!) features a mini bubble silhouette with an elastic cinched waist, banded hem and gathered middle while the comfy tunic tank features a scoop neck and comfy burnout material. Handmade ruffles at the shoulders give this dress a feminine flirty edge!
LIMITED EDITION : Anchors Away – Applique Blue & White Stripes Sailor Girl Ladder Back Lace Ruffle Mini Tank Dress
Make a bold statement in this UBER chic dress. It is perfect for any occasion… from the supermarket to the runway! With super cute open ladder back, cute ruffle sleeves and a bright neon yellow anchor appliqued at the front there’s no need to even accessorize! Can be paired with cute studded ankle boots or with grey tights and chunky heels for a night out.
This bright blue and white striped dress features a mini babydoll silhouette with an elastic cinched waist, open ladder back and hand-appliqued anchor at the front. Handmade ruffles at the shoulders give this dress a feminine flirty edge!
Triple Hoot – Three Owls Handpainted Sheer Deep V Tunic Tee Shirt
This is the perfect everyday tee that can be dressed up or down for any occasion!
Each tee features a sexy deep-v neck with three owls hand printed in black ink at the front of the tee. Each owl has a uniquely textured pattern since I hand print them just for you… no two shirts are ever alike!
New Notschlock Eco Jewelry Collection Launched!
- notschlock Star Of David Recycling Pendant
Three new pendants have been launched for Notschlock with eco-friendliness in mind. Each pendant is hand cut by me out of re-purposed vintage scraps of leather with your choice of High-Five Hamsa or Chai Latte in gold studs or cutwork Recycling Star Of David!
Check them out on the Notchlock site here or on my Etsy store here...
“Eclectic Dawn” Collage Bib Yoke Collar Necklace
This adorable show stopping fabric bib necklace adds quite a bit of gold flair to any outfit. Made of super soft French Terry Cotton, this comfy yoke-style necklace can be paired with a feminine tee and skinny jeans or worn with a minidress or tunic as a bold statement!
Each necklace is hand cut by me from the softest Black French Terry cotton with an adjustable gold-filled chain and lobster clasp closure at the back. Each necklace is hand-stenciled and embellished with an eclectic collage of shapes in gold paint. Each necklace is hand finished with textured paint in different shapes so no two are ever alike!
Avant Garde Hand Cut Skyline Stainless Steel Chainmaille Bib Collar Necklace
Bring Ye Olde Times to Future Couture with this perfect necklace. It’s sure to add flair and sparkle to any outfit and get you ready to battle it out in high style! Can be paired with just about anything like a cute slouchy tee or minidress, tights and boots for a bold statement.
Each bib necklace is hand cut by me with a skyline silhouette out of stainless steel machine made chainmaille with a lobster clasp closure at the back
Size: 8″ chain length with 6″ drop and 8″ width of pendant
Hand Cut Stainless Steel Chainmaille Arrow Pendant Necklace
Bring Ye Olde Times to Future Couture with this perfect pendant. It’s sure to add flair and sparkle to any outfit and get you ready to battle it out in high style! Can be paired with just about anything like a cute slouchy tee or minidress, tights and boots for a bold statement.
Each arrow pendant is hand cut by me out of stainless steel machine made chainmaille and sewn to suede chocolate leather strapping.
Size: 21″ strap length and 3″ pendant
Hand Cut Brown Leather Reversible Collage Yoke Collar Necklace
The perfect pendant to add flair to any outfit! The delicate feminine silhouette paired with funky shapes makes for a truly unique necklace! Can be paired with just about anything like a cute slouchy tee or minidress, tights and boots for a bold statement. AND the best part… it’s reversible and can be worn with shiny or suede side up!
Each pendant followed by each tiny shape is hand cut by me out of vintage scraps of leather and put on a sparkling sterling silver plated chain. Lobster Clasp closure at the back. Shapes include an arrow, key, asterisk, mushroom, dog bone, and many more!
Make Your Own Black Leather Studded Rollerball Loafers!
Black Leather Silver Studded Rollerball Loafers
Stud Mania is still going strong, so I brought out the old hammer, leather awl and studs and made an all-over studded version of the Michael Jackson inspired Rollerball Loafers for everyone to enjoy!
Check out the tutorial here where I’ve documented my DIY journey into shoe studding… and if you want to purchase these beautiful shoes check out my Etsy shop where I’ll make you a CUSTOM pair in the size and color of YOUR CHOICE!
Black Leather Silver Studded Rollerball Loafers
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