30 DoP #18 - "I Love..."

Card Wallet - The Mondo

In the Time Before, I never had my insurance card; in the Time Before, my cash and business cards were hopelessly forgotten at home when I rushed out in a hurry. Each credit and debit card had a sensuous curve that matched perfectly the contour of my ass. I had nowhere to stash important fortune cookie slips. It all changed at Handmade Market (and I ascended into the Time After).

My table had the fortune of being placed next to Beth at Besu's table, and after a few hours of bloody marys with PBR chasers eyeballing her stock, I couldn't control myself anymore, and I purchased the very wallet pictured above.

Let's talk about me and wallets. I don't want my ass to look as if there's a tumor in the right cheek of which I am not yet aware. This rules out traditional leather wallets. Also, they're heavy and smelly and I lose stuff in the little pockets. I always knew I could do better, and my frustrated waiting (the Time Before) paid off.

First of all, it was a S-T-E-A-L at $6 (c'mon kids - handstitching complicated, folded pieces of fabric like this is not an easy or even fun task), and, hello, I'm a sucker for houndstooth. I carry this lovely everyday in the right rear pocket of my pants. It's thin, but fits all my credit cards/Lego VIP card (muy importante), unsolicited twink phone numbers cash, business cards, debit card, insurance cards, ID, and whatever else I want to shove into it and forget about. Like bar receipts. I don't really need to see how much a round of drinks costs me, because I'm ugly when I cry. When my Besu gets dirty, I handwash it, allow it to airdry and it bounces right back into perfect shape. The cotton is uber-flexible, which is important, cause you know my jeans need to be tight across 'dat ass.

I love Besu's work, and I know you will too. I've included a few more choice items below for your perusal. Happy shopping, hoors!

What's 30 Days of Play?

Handmade Market Chicago

Handmade Market Chicago was a resounding success! Lad Named Felix schmoozed, comped Bloody Marys in hand, with hundreds of fabulous people, from our perch at table 13, near the rear of the venue on the DJ platform. The display turned out stunning in its bright whiteness, lit dramatically with adjustable LED lamps, and really stood out from the crowd. Around 78 pieces were showcased, and at the end of the day celebrated a whopping 28 SALES! I looked hot, too. Get over it, bitches. HUGE shout out to my assistant Heather, who worked her magic all day long and was a major contributor to the day’s success.

OHMYGODMYHANDSLOOKENORMOUS.

By the way, the stuff you hear about having a credit/debit purchasing method available is 100% correct. The majority of my sales were done by credit transactions, and those clients were very happy to see I had something in place to accommodate them. I used Intuit’s GoPayment (available here if you’d like to check it out) from a terminal app I downloaded to my Evo. Could not have been more effortless.

The highlight of the afternoon was being approached by a Chicago art gallery owner, and invited to start a dialogue about exhibiting my work in her Michigan Avenue gallery! Fans…I nearly hit the floor. What a flattering and exciting honor! More to come with this, I’m sure.

I was insanely busy the whole day, and the whirlwind prevented me from taking tons of pictures, but enjoy the ones I was able to snap! A large and very heartfelt thank you to everyone who showed up in support of my dream. I never forget that brand of loyalty. Next show is November 13^th, and I have a *lot* of work to do.

Too Much Baw in your Skants

Handmade Market Chicago. Tomorrow.

I'm ready.

Are you?

Everyone, Bring Your Barbies!

I refuse to be Ken and have to drive that goddamn pink RV! The high heels and halters never fit that bitch! Below is an exhaustive list of the other artists and artisans showcasing their creations alongside Lad Named Felix at Handmade Market Chicago, October 9th (that's 9 days away, hoors).

Auviana - handmade jewelry and accessories

Bead of a Different Drum - jewelry with sterling silver, glass and semi-precious stones

Bean & The Sprout - vintage fabrics and jewelry to create headbands, necklaces, and cuffs

Bliss Stones - semi-precious stone necklaces; known to bring positive energy, good luck and bliss

bobbi kahn design - jewelry

Cordinated - handmade guitar cables

Damsel in this Dress - cool stuff for women who don't need to be rescued. purses, totes, messenger bags, and more.

Darquestone - baby play mats, pillows, bags, etc.

Deelights Biscuits - organic dog treats

Do Bats Eat Cats - one-of-a-kind gothic, chainmaille and Victorian inspired jewelry

Frosted Creations - ceramic drink coasters, fun aprons for women and kids, letterpress cards and tags, and soaps

Fugudesigns - jewelry

Greenie Bean Recycle - recycled tote bags

Jewelry by Jennifer - jewelry styles using natural stones, shell, coral, crystal, opal, and sterling silver findings and chain

Kate O'Grady Jewelry - jewelry

Lad Named Felix - The sexiest bitch in the place (this text might differ from the text at Handmade Chicago's website)

Lost in the Maille - chainmaille, wire wrapped and some gemstone jewelry

LuDesigns - jewelry; natural materals such as gemstones, seashells, pearls

Milton and Margie's Soy Wax Candles - hand-poured, soy wax candles made in unique, reused/recycled jars

Mohawk Made - custom jewelry, hand designed and crafted from genuine stones, shells & sterling silver

Nerfect - original artwork, buttons, stickers, and t-shirts

Onlyn Pottery - pottery

Poetisa's Palette - soap, lotion, body butter, body scrubs, massage candles and lip balm

Previously - vintage reproduction women's accessories

Purpleandlime - accessories, jewelry, little pouches, and etc.

Ray Borchers - hand drawn, one of a kind T-shirts

Renescentia Designs - handcrafted creative bags and totes for the eccentric at heart

rj studio inc. - handmade jewelry, stationery, and accessories

Spinalfusion - jewelry

UnADORN - vintage inspired; sterling silver jewelry, flower hairclips and headbands

Urbex Archaeology - jewelry from recycled post-industrial found objects, mostly metals

Handmade Market Chicago, as you can see, offers so much variety and a plethora of points of view. I can't explain how excited I am to be counted amongst the exclusive ranks of these artists. I feel like we should all get decoder rings or something. The secret answer is "LNF Roolz the Skool!" Who'd have known!?

I'm hunkering down at Table 13, near the back left. You'll recognize my presence by the tasteful white displays and flattering lighting choices. A bitch can't look washed out, you know? Check out Handmade Market Chicago's website for the location details and a map. Leave a comment if you plan on being there - who knows...it may get you a discount. OH SNAP.