Fillory needs meds way more than magic.

So I started watching a show on Netflix called The Magicians that had to do with magic. (I love fantasy.) Two seasons and a third way into the first novel and I've fallen quite in love. Before I recommend the show to you, be aware you might want to look up trigger warnings if you need to. (i.e. assault, rape...it gets pretty dark.)
My favorite things about this show, beyond the fantasy setting and the fact it's Hogwarts crossed with Narnia but adult, is how it deals with sexuality and how it deals with depression. It's not without its faults of course, but it's an extremely sexually aware show. This io9 article (w/ spoilers!) goes in depth about that. And as far as depression, that's almost what the whole show (and I'm assuming the books, I'm only on page 108) is all about. This AVClub article (w/ spoilers!) does a great job of talking about that.
Sometimes the show is silly and sloppy and frankly ridiculous, but so many of my favorite shows are. My favorite character from the show is Eliot. I may or may not be contemplating a Margo cosplay. I kinda hate Quentin, but I understand him? I can't wait to keep reading! (and watching, when will season 3 come to Netflix?)

I just finished designing a pin (or magnet, you choose) pack inspired by the first season of the show. I mentioned to my parents that I was interested in reading the books and they sent me all three as an early birthday present! (Or maybe I just opened the package 2 weeks too early, heh.) Thanks, mom and dad!

I hope you enjoy my designs, they can be purchased at my Etsy shop here. If people are into it, I might do more of these mini-reviews of the things my pins are based on. Thanks for reading!

Hamilton & Burr Duel Collar Pins - Birthday Outfit

I have not shared these with you yet but these are photos from what I wore during the day on my 30th birthday back in April. The day was lovely, I had crepes for lunch with friends (a birthday tradition since college!) and walked to St. John's College for the annual croquet match against the Naval Acadamy. Outside of a few gorgeous costumes, the event was really a bust for us. Too many young drunk college kids for our liking and not enough actual croquet...go figure.

After that, we visited my favorite places,the appropriately titled Annapolis Bookstore. They sell new and used books and the building itself is old and magical. I'll have to do a full photo tour of that place someday, it's marvelous. We took these photos in the garden out back of the shop.

These collar pins are from my shop and feature an old illustration of the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Ever since the musical came out my Hamilton inspired pins and magnets have been doing fairly well. I love this very wearable piece perhaps the most. You'll see these pins again soon in other outfit posts and perhaps I'll design some new collar pins in the future. If you have any ideas or requests for me, be sure to leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading!  Photo Credit: Mike Hannum

Outfit Details

Dress // Modcloth *affiliate link

Bag // Jo Totes

Glasses // Zenni Optical

Shoes // DSW 

Feminist Button Pack

I've been button making again! I've been meaning to make a 'Consent is Necessary' button for some time now. It's not just a message I strongly believe in, it's a basic human right. If you want one, I've listed them as part of a Feminist Button Pack in my Etsy shop! They are perfect for pinning on your backpack, vest, bag, collar, or anywhere the patriarchy will see. Here are some Q&As regarding them:

How much for all 4?
Only $5, that's a dollar less than buying them all individually.

Can I buy just the 'Consent is Necessary' button?
If the packs do well then I'll list it on it's own, for now it's a package deal.

How is 'Teen Witch' a feminist slogan?
It's not really, but it's pretty rad. ;D

When will you make a button that says ____?
I take most requests and if it's something that fits in my shop, it'll be a normal product!

I wanna follow your shop on social media!
Of course you do, I'm on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. (and Tumblr sometimes)

One more time, where can I get this button pack?
Here----> Nerdy Monsters

Still making Nerdy Monsters

Annnnd we're back! That's right, Nerdy Monsters, my collectable plushie and geeky accessory shop is back in business. (And by business I mean I've made one sale since re-opening officially on Wednesday, woohoo!) Yesterday I send out the word to the mailing list crew. (it's free if you want in) I have sold Nerdy Monsters at craft fairs and to friends and friends of friends in person, but in all honesty, I've only ever sold one online.

One of the things I'd like this blog to be about going forward is my personal Etsy (and online selling in general) journey. I want to be honest with you about my experience and even help others in the same boat. So since I'm being transparent about it all, my most popular item in 'Nerdy Monsters' is not a nerdy monster. It's a feminist button.  Which is fine, I made it because it's something I wanted to make for myself to wear and thought I'd see how it did online. (Turns out, it does well.) So I will make more, and Nerdy Monsters, as a shop, might morph into Nerdy Feminist Monsters. Which, honestly, is the next logical step for it.

I want to keep the dream alive about the little nerdy fluff balls though, and I think I will make more for different fandoms in the future...even if they don't sell as often. I also want to make other things out of fleece and felt and maybe even stickers soon. (Childhood dream!) So here's my piece of advice for aspiring Etsy sellers: Make what sells but also make what brings you the most joy. Bring on the monsters!

 

Magic Cat Doodles and Nerdy Monsters

This year I have started drawing little magic cat doodles on every order I mail out from my shop, Nerdy Monsters. So far there've been three and I'm documenting them all on my Nerdy Monsters Instagram account. What is a magic cat, you ask? Well for the most part they appear to be normal cats, just with magical abilities. Not much else is known...yet, but I do believe they come from the same land as the nerdy monsters themselves. More research is being done. In the mean time, follow the Instagram or order from the shop to find more. As time goes on, the doodles might get more elaborate and their story might get revealed.

12 Month Etsy Project Complete & a Zebra T-Shirt

Back in January I decided I wanted to challenge myself to premiere one new product a month on my Etsy shop, Nerdy Monsters. Well I am proud to announce I have succeeded and have just listed my December product! It is a Zebra T-Shirt that I made in my silkscreening class back in college. My final for that class consisted of many different animal illustrations (with their scientific names listed below) printed on various surfaces. I did a line of shirts, a dress, paper, and even an anteater on a canvass of animal cracker boxes. Well I have decided to sell the shirts from that project to you! I'll be listing the rest of the shirts in 2015 but I hope someone finds a good home for the Zebra shirt! (Thanks Kirsten for modeling!) If you want to see what I have listed over the year, check them all out below! (Be sure to let me know if you want anything that has expired or sold out!)

Happy Christmas Pine Tree Ornaments

A few Christmas' ago I made these cute little pine tree ornaments. This year I decided to make two more to share with the world. One has a big smile and one has a little smile and they are both in my Etsy shop ready to go home with someone awesome. Both are entirely handsewn and since they are really just happy pine trees, they can hang around all year or for any holiday you might celebrate!

Can you believe it's almost the end of 2014 and the end of my big 'one new product a month'? I'm excited to successfully complete it next month and I hope you are excited to see the last product as well! Thank you for supporting Nerdy Monsters! If you want to be the first to hear of new products be sure to sign up for our free newsletter here.

If you have a Nerdy Monster or anything else I've made, I would be so grateful if you could take a photo with you showing off what you have and send it to: NerdyMonsters@gmail.com I'll share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! (and maybe even Tumblr!)

Halloween Skulls | Hairbow

October's product is finally here in the shape of a cute and creepy hairbow. It's black, white, and gray and full of skulls. The perfect addition to your daily wardrobe for the rest of October. There are currently 3 available at Nerdy-Monsters.com 

Thank you for supporting Nerdy Monsters! If you want to be the first to hear of new products be sure to sign up for our free newsletter here.

If you have a Nerdy Monster or anything else I've made, I would be so grateful if you could take a photo with you showing off what you have and send it to: NerdyMonsters@gmail.com
I'll share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! (and maybe even Tumblr!)

Feminist and Halloween Buttons!

New buttons! I love making buttons and now there are 5 new designs in my shop! I sat down with my friend Kristen a while ago and we came up with saying we'd want to have on buttons. Well, I finally made them.




Extra points if you know where the quote is from on the last one! (If you're signed up for the mailing list then you already know.)


I hope you have fun exploring the Nerdy Monsters shop and if you have any suggestions for new button designs please let me know! (I also do bulk orders, just shoot me an Etsy convo.)

If you have a Nerdy Monster or anything else I've made, I would be so grateful if you could take a photo with you showing off what you have and send it to: NerdyMonsters@gmail.com
I'll share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! (and maybe even Tumblr!)

One More Winged Key

Remember when I made those awesome Harry Potter inspired winged key necklaces?  Well after I listed one on my Etsy shop it ended up being the first thing I sold. This weekend I was organizing my Etsy box (where I keep my Nerdy Monsters and hair bows that are for sale in my shop) and there it was; another winged key necklace.

Since I have this goal of listing a new product every month in my shop (and I made this goal before knowing I would also be planning my wedding at the same time) I thought it would be okay to consider this necklace a 'new product' since it's been unavailable for so long.

The exact listing is here, but remember, this is the last one I have. If it get's bought quickly, I might make more but it's not in my intimidate shop plans.

I have other nerdy fun things in my shop, so if you have not yet seen it, take a look! Nerdy-Monsters.com
Thank you for supporting Nerdy Monsters! It's a such a fun hobby that maybe one day could be more. Thank you for helping me towards that goal.

If you have a Nerdy Monster or anything else I've made, I would be so grateful if you could take a photo with you showing off what you have and send it to: NerdyMonsters@gmail.com
I'll share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! (and maybe even Tumblr!)

Letter Bead Bracelets

We're more than halfway through 2014! July's product on Nerdy Monsters are letter bead bracelets. There is currently one in the shop and more on their way. I've recently be experimenting with different bracelet making techniques and have decided to sell one of my first creations. I'm also open to making custom designs, what would you have yours say?

If you're interested getting sneak peaks before the new products go up for sale, I send out a monthly newsletter for free. Nerdy Monsters also has it's own Instagram now!