It gets really good at the end...

A little over a month ago, I was crumpled over two rejections. The first was just a little disappointing (not getting in to the Twist Fair in Northampton) and the second made me really start feeling sorry for myself (not being awarded a studio space in Artist's Row).

These bummers were followed by Jenn completing her internship requirements with me and making her graceful exit. Jenn was so helpful and efficient (and damn good company!) that her absence left me a bit disheveled. She only worked with me once a week but added much needed structure and organization as well as ambitious new ideas.

As a result, I had a couple weeks of putting Argyle Whale on autopilot while I floundered around trying to make new plans and make the best of my home workspace.

Well anyway, I thought it was time for a happy update because I am beginning to feel back on track. The opportunities I'd counted on didn't come through but (just like all of you wise ones said) new ones popped up when I needed them.

I rearranged our apartment to better suit my workspace needs (Living rooms are frivolous right?).

I bulked up my Craft Fair circuit since I wouldn't be having a storefront to maintain. I am thrilled that I was accepted to be a vendor at Renegade in Brooklyn this summer as well as Mass Market 4.

I took a little break and came out of my house to socialize a bit and made a new friend. Proof that my luck has changed; she volunteered to be my helper on printing days so that I don't lose my mind preparing for upcoming shows! Seriously, I'm always amazed (and thankful!) when people help me out so generously.

Ok... here is the grand finale! This is the big thing that I was trying to keep a secret surprise but I can't hold it in any longer because it is just that wonderful.....

I have my very first liscensing arrangement with a big fun tshirt store called SNORG TEES!
Snorgsnorgsnorgsnorgsnooooorg! I am excited because they are "kind of a big deal". I can't wait to share more details when they are carved in stone.

I'm frolicking.

I didn't think i'd be frolick-full so soon after being downtrodden.

Things work out sometimes. I'll try to remember this.

PS: That happy picture of me is part of my new initiative to not dress like a total frump. I joined the Wardrobe Remix Flickr group to get me out of a fashion rut and I'll be posting outfits with effort there regularly.

Acorn! Acorn!

We have given our new hedgehog a name. Acorn seems more like a member of the family now that he has one. He is sweetening up to us and beginning to explore his new home. He really is a funny little guy.

I'm looking forward to drawing Acorn and his little black nose. I was never able to draw a hedgehog very well but now that I have a lovely model all the time, I'm sure someday I'll be as comfortable drawing hedgehogs as bunnies!

Things changed quickly.

I have been avoiding writing for a bit because I try to blog by the code of "if you can't say something nice, don't say nuthin' at all." and things have been a megacrapslide lately. So, I've been keeping my miseries secret until I had the opportunity to soften the harshness with a bright side. I'll quickly skim over the details of the bad so I can focus on my elation about the good.

The bad:
As some may know, I recently left my job at the bakery to delve full-on into finishing the cafe and organizing my life so that I have more time to make art. Less than one week ago, I was very optimistic about the way my plans were shaping up and I was bubbling with excitement. I honestly have had the Boys II Men version of "Yesterday" stuck in my head for four days.

On the same day as my last day at the bakery, Justin and I received a fifteen thousand dollar bill in the mail. The responsibility of paying this already past due bill was unexpectadly laid upon us and we were (and still are) utterly overwhelmed. Shortly after Justin and I had concluded many budget analyses and coping strategies, we were bombed by my boss's decision to delay the opening of the Cinema Cafe by more than a month therefore leaving me nearly income-less for all of September and quite possibly longer. On top of this, sales for Argyle Whale are at a record low. This is all I can think about and I have yet to figure out a decent solution so I feel trapped and panicky. I could go on and on and pile up all the sludge but I'm ready to focus on the positive.

The bright side:
My family is healthy and, at worst, we can end up falling upon the grace of my parents and living in their spider-webby basement. I'm trying to remind myself that the worst that can come of this is still pretty darn good compared to the lives of many other people (sometimes that depresses me more though). Also, losing my job (temporarily?) at the cafe and giving up my job at the bakery leaves loads and loads of time for me to make stuff. All I have is time now!

The really good news:
I have just received my acceptance email into this year's Bazaar Bizarre! I have always dreamed of getting to be in this show and it is a tremendous opportunity to take Argyle Whale to the next level and make a bundle of cash money! I hope that this invitation to the show marks the beginning of things becoming good again.

Hills and valleys

My big pile of snail mail

Sadie feels sick

Today has been a day of giddy highs and somber lows.

I spent most of the day basking in a feeling of mini-fame due to the press power of Boing boing! and the Storque. I stayed in my pajamas packing up orders and then trekked to the post office with Justin in the freezing cold to send out the biggest pile of orders we've ever had. We spent a little while at a local cafe and toasted with our special drinks. I celebrated with a spicy Thai latte made with soymilk and Justin had a cup of coffee with a big slice of peanut butter pie. We came home and played a few games of Dr. Mario and filled our small apartment with curses and cries of triumph. We get very competitive when we play games.

The bad part of the day came after I got off the phone with my mom a little while ago. My parent's dog Sadie has been feeling sick this past week and now she is in the pet hospital. The vet has put her through many tests with inconclusive results but her condition is very serious and looks like it could be cancer. The whole situation makes me feel sad and guilty. I wish I could be there for my parents and go visit them right away but I can't make it happen right now. Aaaah. It is so incredibly hard to see my parents sad and worried. My Dad had even more bad news. He visited the eye doctor today and his macular degeneration has worsened significantly. He will be having treatments soon that involve NEEDLES IN THE EYE! Scary. He is losing his vision. He is experiencing one of my worst fears. When I talked to him today, he reminded me to "enjoy what I have while I have it". So, I'm going to try and have a nice evening being thankful for my horrible but not hopeless vision and for my two healthy albeit curmudgeonly bunnies.