Midsummer Scream

This new convention just keeps getting better and better! Just added: Oingo Boingo Dance Party!

From their newsletter:

We're excited to announce that our Saturday night costume party will be headlined by members of the band synonymous with Halloween in Southern California: Oingo Boingo! Now performing as Oingo Boingo Dance Party, the group will play favorites such as "Dead Man's Party", "Weird Science," "Only A Lad," and "No One Lives Forever."
The 21+ party will also feature a Best and Worst of the '80s Costume Contest, with prizes awarded for those portraying '80s styles, pop and horror icons, or anyone else from the decade. Additional prizes will be awarded for categories including "most frightening costume" and "best horror themed cosplay."
Tickets are 50% off through Friday the 13th as part of our pre-sale, so don't delay!

For the die-hard Oingo Boingo fans, we also have a meet and greet package (aka The Tender Lumpling Experience) which includes a commemorative t-shirt, photo with the band, autographs, and admission to the party. Only a limited number available. Pricing and details here.

Of course, I have tickets, since I'll be vending there! Hope to see you in Long Beach!

Art is Long--

--and time is fleeting.

So, by all means, make art!

Nouveau Skellies

More art by Mathius Lopes "Mathiole" here.

West Coast Haunters Convention - Post Mortem

It was another wonderful, alcohol-soaked time at West Coast Haunters Convention this year! Such a fun time seeing everyone and knowing we were at such a fantastic charity event for the Oregon School for the Deaf!

The "Canadian Embassy," as we like to call our hoser haunters who visit from the Great White North, took up residence on the 13th floor of the Doubletree Hotel in Portland, where the event was held. As always, they outdid themselves in the hotel room makeover department...

 

The Davis Graveyard crew and their helpers did a great job of spookifying the 13th and 14th floors, too...

 

Chris Aype having a drink at the Canadian Embassy.

  

 

 I didn't get a bunch of pictures of the show floor, but I did get this one:

I didn't get the whole story on this, but to my knowledge this wheelchair modification was built by someone who had been taking classes at the Stan Winston School of Character Arts. I just love it!

 Of course, the annual Nerf dart war was had on the show floor...

 And the Costume Ball once again amazed and inspired all who attended.

Yes, this was a functioning costume!

The Davis Graveyard crew, having their mug shots taken.

 

And I got to catch up with blog buddy, Sean Covernton. 

 My "Jaws" costume made a big splash, too!

 And at the end of it all, the Festival of Frights drive-in double feature happened on Sunday night. Chris Aype was in attendance with his pal, Aimee.

You really must plan to come next year!

For more outrageous pictures, go to the West Coast Haunters Convention Facebook Page. Scroll around and have fun!

Heading to Portland!

Home of Voodoo Donuts and the Unipiper, Portland, Oregon is also the home of the West Coast Haunters Convention!

I've shipped my product (hopefully, the breakables have arrived unbroken), I've packed my bags (and prayed I haven't forgotten anything vital) and will be setting up my booth on the convention floor later this afternoon.

Looking forward to seeing old friends, making new friends, and attending the West Coast's best costume ball!

 If you come out, be sure to stop by the ShellHawk's Creations booth!

Still in Paradise!

It's been beautiful so far! I've been catching up on sleep, getting a little sun (it's been raining a bunch , since we're on the wet side of the island), eating well, walking and working out.

And relaxing. Lots of relaxing. 

Chickens are ubiquitous on Kauai!

I have a hard time relaxing at home, as there is always something to do. When I'm away, I have no excuse!

We lucked out and got tickets to a benefit concert for the local elementary school that G Love and Donavon Frankenreiter were doing! Such a great concert, and all the locals from Hanalei and the surrounding areas came out. The ladies dressed to the nines, and the guys looked pretty great, too!

I bought a new dress for the occasion, which was held at the gorgeous St. Regis in Princeville. It was an incredibly magical night!

Well, back to relaxing!

On Vacation...

We're taking a long-needed break in Kauai. We've both been working our tails off, plus 2015 brought some unforeseen challenges, so we deserve it! I got some shopping in yesterday after hitting the resort's gym (I feel pretty proud about sticking to my fitness program!), had a wonderful plate of coconut shrimp and mango chutney for lunch, got to see a Pacific Golden Plover in full breeding colors (which we don't get to see in California, because they don't breed there) and got to see a ton of the endangered Nene goose... It's been a good week!

Today we're off to see the botanical gardens and maybe get a little birding in. Mr. ShellHawk has his cap set to see the sky lark, so it's off for an adventure in birds!

But not until I work this plan to move to the Big Island for a year with him... ;)

I Almost Had a Real Post, But Then I Got Distracted by Life

A new teapot for West Coast Haunters Convention

Life has just been entirely too filled with adulting, lately. (Adulting? Worst decision I ever made!) 

Mr. ShellHawk and I recently did a re-fi of the house to drop our interest rate, there have been a number of event applications to fill out for this year's shows - along with digging up the money to pay for the booth fees, there's the "regular" job, household things, rehabbing my dog's leg and running her back and forth to the vet for physical therapy.

Just thinking about it makes me want a hot bath and a nice bottle of champagne.

My birthday came and went, with a wonderful surprise visit from my dad and a day trip to Napa, not to mention a wonderful birthday/Easter brunch with friends. The weather was stunning, so all around, it was the perfect birthday weekend. (Mr. ShellHawk even bought a wine club membership to Tamber Bey Vineyards for me for my birthday, which was a splendid gift!) We now have a problem common in the wine country: We only have the good wine in the wine fridge! We're out of the inexpensive, everyday stuff! *gasp*

I'll try to soldier on through that last one...

I've been working on some custom orders and trying my best to get some stock ready for West Coast Haunters before I leave for vacation next week. (Nearly two heavenly weeks in Hawaii!) I got a new point of sale system and have ordered some generic bar codes so I can track my inventory more easily and streamline the checkout process for my customers at my shows.

I got invited to show at RuPaul's DragCon, but had to turn them down this year because I just don't have enough stock. :'(

This post was supposed to be following one of my pieces from start to finish, but it's going to have to wait for a bit!

It's only 6:00 AM, but I have to run and get back to making stuff so I can start the kiln before going to work. 

A potter's work is never done. :D

New Halloween Convention!

Midsummer Scream is coming to Long Beach, California at the end of July!

Brought to you by David Markland, one of the founders of ScareLA and his talented Terror Team, Midsummer Scream looks to be shaping up as a fantastic addition to the Halloween Convention Circuit.

And, of course, I'll be there, showing my wares!

More details to follow. Stay tuned!

Costumes - Because it's Costume Ball Season!

Hoping I can get my costume together in time for West Coast Haunters Convention. Meanwhile, I ran across some really clever ideas!

More fun and games here.