Alyssa Zukas » Projects

The Rare and Elusive Boxing Glove Squirrel Tailed Cactus

Alyssa Zukas — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:46:38 +0000

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!

Alyssa Zukas — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:16:11 +0000

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

Alyssa Zukas — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:04:59 +0000

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!

Alyssa Zukas — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:14:05 +0000

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

Alyssa Zukas — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:27:29 +0000

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?

Alyssa Zukas — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:46:47 +0000

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

Alyssa Zukas — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 03:01:29 +0000

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!

Alyssa Zukas — Sat, 22 May 2010 18:42:05 +0000

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

Alyssa Zukas — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:38:24 +0000

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!

BUY ME HERE

Vintage Style APT. FOR RENT Print Linocut Block 9 x 12.5

Alyssa Zukas — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:12:08 +0000

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.

BUY ME HERE!