If Princess Leia was a bellydancer

...this is how she would look. Like if Jabba the Hutt made her dance for everyone. Her eyes aren't finished because the idea was to create this sketch and then turn it into a digital painting. But I didn't like the idea of spending more time on the computer than I already do, with the day job and all.

Messenger Birds of Westeros

There's a hilarious Game of Thrones podcast out there called Boars, Gore and Swords. One of the hosts made a joke about how ravens deliver the news, but parrots deliver the party invitations. That's what inspired this comic. 

Remember to stay hydrated

This is a drawing I made for my husband. For a long time, if I complained of any sort of physical ailment he'd respond, completely serious, with "you're dehydrated." Made sense when I had a headache; seemed a little ridiculous when I said my feet hurt.

Like I need another opportunity to drop my phone in the toilet

Some captains of the publishing industry dream of shoehorning augmented reality into magazines. This inspired another comic.

You know augmented reality -- it's like when you scan a QR code with your phone, or otherwise use your device to interact with print media. It's a neato trick that's especially useful for marketing campaigns. However, some executives think it would be even better to overlay digital information on every goddamn page of a magazine. So as you flip through the 'zine, you have your phone at the ready to scan various graphics on the page. As a designer, I hate the idea of having to limit my creativity to what's compatible with scanning technology. But the whole thing sounds gimmicky and cumbersome.  After the novelty wears off, I doubt many readers would continue waving a cell phone at a magazine in their lap. 

I Do Comics Now

...when I feel like it, anyway. I'm reviving this blog as a place to stash the things I've been making these days. Like snarky comics about my job:

About a year and a half ago, I stopped running my bookmaking business and focused on some exciting things that were happening in my world. I got a new job, took up belly dancing, and generally changed a bunch of things about my life. I don't know if I'll go back to making and selling books, but I'll always need a creative outlet. Right now that outlet is drawing, and this blog is the refrigerator where I hang my pictures. 

Make It Show This Weekend, Two Bucks Off Admission!

Don't forget to stop by the Make It show this weekend for one of Edmonton's biggest markets for handmade delights! I will be happily stationed close to the DJ -- the music is one of my favourite things about this show. The jellyfish book above is just one of many new books to see. Also be on the lookout for my friend Amy of Ameya Studio! Oh yes, and go here for a Make It coupon, $2 off admission.

In Other News

Amy and I did our City Market Orientation tonight. There are 167 vendors this year, can you believe it? The market will go on for blocks. Lots of cool new vendors to look forward to, including Transcend coffee. If there's one thing I learned doing the market, it's that people will drink good coffee no matter how hot it is outside. Can't wait to meet everyone one and their pets starting May 28!

Starting Now: A Break on Shipping

No extra shipping if you buy more than one item from my plethora of online stores -- Cargoh, Wedzu, and Etsy. Just the initial shipping rate -- for every item after that it's free! Because shipping's a downer. Just make sure all items in the same order. Nuts to you, Canada Post.

Sushi and Ameya at the City Market

My fellow crafter Amy and I got into the City Market! Our first appearance is Check the dates on the right hand sidebar to see what days we'll be there. Amy and I are sharing a space, making it a concentration of handmade goodness. Amy sells luxurious soaps and scrubs -- visit her store for a sneak preview!

And don't forget: April 17 is the Swing into Spring show. This show will be huge, with over 75 vendors!

For Your Indie, Handmade Wedding

I live across the street from a big 'ol church. It's very traditional, complete with a steeple and a bell. And because spring is here (ish), this church is going to be occupied every Saturday for the next few months -- by wedding ceremonies. Once I get over the frustration of not having a place to park my car, it's pretty interesting to see the variety of brides out there.

And where do brides get the unique gear to make their wedding memorable? Well, one place is Wedzu.com. Wedzu is a new site that's a lot like Etsy, selling handmade goods, but it specializes in weddings. Cufflinks made of maps? "Just Married" luggage tags? Turntable save-the-date cards? You got it.

If you're a bride-to-be, this site is worth checking out, even just for inspiration. And Wedzu has great selection of guestbooks, if you know what I mean.

New Spring Lineup, Pretty Pics

I made a big batch of books to show you at my next few shows, starting this Sunday at the Derrick Gift Show. They're really bright and fun, despite what it's actually like outside in Edmonton. The idea behind this lineup is to usher in spring! Check out a few more pictures on my Facebook page.

Really Retro Disney Storybooks

Because I love books of all kinds, I wanted to show off these fun 60's pocket books. They were published in 1967 and enjoyed by my mom when she was a kid. They're full of cool illustrations -- unfortunately I crayoned the black and white ones (and did a terrible job; I was never good at colouring).

New Store, New Site!

Exciting times. I have a new website now, in case you arrived at this blog from a different tunnel. It's www.sushipapercraft.com. I'm happy hear any feedback!

Cargoh Store

My stuff is now for sale on Cargoh.com, Etsy's newest competition. It's an online ecommerce system for crafters and craft buyers. In their own words:

"WHAT IS CARGOH? A social marketplace for independent art + design + culture. An easy to use e-commerce solution for independent creatives to buy and sell the things they create."

This is a sexy website and no mistake.

My inventory here will be different from Etsy -- no duplicate items. Please stop by!

Canadian+Handmade

Sushi Papercraft is featured on Canadian+Handmade today -- check it out!

This is a cool site
What a great idea. Canada, especially Edmonton, has an amazing handmade scene. Sites like this are essential to keeping it vibrant and healthy. One of my favourite things about Edmonton is the craft community, and it warms my heart that Canadian+Handmade author Sarah is based in Alberta.

New Books, New Site!

Today I buckled down and made a pile of fresh, new books for the ol' inventory! And this time, I experimented with props for photos; apparently good for business, says Etsy. The results are a lot warmer and more welcoming than my attempts with the lightbox. That said, I did a really terrible job building my lightbox. See what you think!

New Website Coming Soon

Hopefully by the end of January, I'll have a new website! I plan to keep the blog, but sushipapercraft.com will go to a legit site with pages and everything.

Deep Freeze Fest, and New Year's

Hey everyone, hope you had a lovely Christmas! If you're not partied out yet, make sure to check out Deep Freeze on Alberta Avenue, and Sugar Swing's sweet New Year's bash.

Deep Freeze

This festival, happening Jan 8-9 2011, ushers in the new year with olde school style. With a nod at old winter festival traditions, Deep Freeze presents fun stuff like street hockey, ice sculpture, and tobogganing. To heat up the evenings there are live performances of folk music from all over the world, exotic treats like iced maple syrup on a stick, and steaming Bailey's served at the ice bar -- in mugs made of ice!

And of course, Deep Freeze has an art market. Please stop by and see what I've been working on! More info about the festival here.

And Also -- New Year's Funk Party

Sugar Swing Dance Club (which is run by hubby) is having a Swing and Soul Party on New Year's Eve! So runaround Sue, hit the road Jack, and bring that soul down to the Crestwood Community Hall for some good vibrations. All folks - young, old, teens, tweens are welcome to attend. Don't worry about not being able to dance: this is a lighthearted, groovy night.

The evening will feature a delicious soul food dinner, bar, lesson, prizes, and dancing to some sweet and soulful tunes of the 1960's. Make sure to come decked out in your best 60's threads. More details here.

As Sushi Papercraft is all about making fun books for your thoughts, it's fitting to mention the The Book Lovers Christmas Sale happening this Saturday, December 4. It will be at the Stanley A. Milner Library (Centennial Room – the big room just across the hall from the theatre), from 12 noon to 5 pm.

This event will bring a bunch of Alberta authors together and give you a chance to meet them, buy some books, and get 'em signed. There will also be some locally-crafted goodies there, like stationary, bookmarks and notebooks (including Sushi ones). When you buy any of these particular items, proceeds go to the Writers Guild of Alberta.

Go to the Facebook page for details on the event!

Stuff on Sale, Awesome Shows!

This November there are two shows that will make your Christmas shopping a snap!

Winter Wonderland -- It's the Handmade Mafia's first Christmas affair. I'll be having a sale at this particular show, where all my large size journals (6 x 8) will be $5 off! Check them out, along with at least 30 local crafters, November 20-21 at the Strathcona Community Center.

Make It -- The craft show with a party atmosphere, Make It will have artists from all over Canada, not to mention fun DJs and lots of goodies. The party rages on for four days, Nov 25 to 28, at the Alberta Aviation Museum.

As a seasoned show-goer, I can guarantee you'll find something for everyone you know between these two shows -- even stuff for the guys in your life. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting some fun books I plan to bring to these shows. Can't wait to see you there!

Agendas

Sushi Papercraft has a new product on the line -- agendas!

These agendas are undated, so you fill in the dates yourself. While this format is a little unconventional in the agenda world, it's way more flexible than your typical January-to-December version. You can start wherever you want in the year, and if you forget to write in it for a week, you can pick up right where you left off instead of having empty pages. I discovered the undated agenda format early this year, and love it to bits -- you get more use out of it, and it cuts down on waste!

Head on over my Etsy shop for more details and pictures.

Another day with the Family

Just a quick reminder, this Saturday October 16 is Handmade Mafia at Orange Hall. Stop by and check out the inspired designs of Edmonton crafters!

Etsy Alberta Team Fall Sale!

My Etsy team is having a sale to kick off October. Starting Friday, all sorts of Alberta crafters will feature various sales in their Etsy shops -- so take advantage! I'll be including three complimentary notepads with every purchase. For a really fun and handy way to "window shop" and see a ton of the Alberta Team's products at once, come on over here. So many good things come out of the prairies!