Memes? For reals? - The Handwriting Game

Although I'm a firm believer in writing pretty when I have to, when I saw Tammy, from PunkRawkPurl, rock her sassy hand-writing full force, it inspired me to whip out the quick writing I've had most of my life.

Not much one for internet memes, I didn't know whether this would be a post that anybody would be into. But really, I guess I wanted to see what people thought of it. I know that I love getting a sneak peek into my fave artists' lives; why not give a little of that back?

So here's how I roll:

I'd really dig seeing the handwriting of some of my fave ladies:

a) Danielle from bunnydee

b) Bettina from icky.the.GREAT

c) Alana from Etta + Billie

There's a whole lot you can tell from a person's hand-writing. I used to check out a book at my elementary school's library in Hayward when I was a kid and try to decipher what people were feeling when they wrote notes in classes, long book reports and even my mom's grocery lists.

I suppose it's only natural that when I saw this, I was curious to see other people's hand-writing, too. If you're into it, feel free to posting a link to what your list looks like:

THE HANDWRITING GAME

1. Your name - Blog Name
2. Your Blog URL
3. Write out: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
4. Favourite Quote
5. Favourite Song
6. Favourite Musicians/Bands
7. Something you say...
8. Tag people for the game

I know it's kind of nerdy (and somewhat optimistic), but I'm really looking forward to seeing some handwriting. hehe

UPDATE: Here's Bettina from icky the GREAT's hand-writing. It's awesome and way slanted - meaning she's in a hurry to get stuff done - like yesterday! *laughs* She's currently work on her thesis for her Masters in Animation and I'm really stoked she did this for me.

I know there probably isn't a good chance that tons of people will do this, but even getting one was awesome. :D

Here Comes the Sun - Geek Chic Guide

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Sometimes you don't get things right the first time around. I can totally relate to that. A long winter has passed and I'm jumping into the new year, enjoying the lovely springtime weather we're having here in San Francisco, CA. I'm turning a new leaf... towards a sunny future.

Although I haven't had a raging success with the Geek Chic Guides of the past, I'm deciding to go ahead and continue to share some of the things on Etsy that make me swoon!

And with a new try in this new year, I thought it was time for a new look. :) I used Picnik, a free web-based photo editing website, to help me make a gorgeous collage of awesomeness. I learned how to make collages on Picnik using Mayi Carles' helpful tutorial on her heartmade blog (which is up for 2 nominations for 2011 HANDMADE OLYMPICS by the rikrak studio).

So check out these gorgeous creations from some of my favourite items on Etsy these days!

1) LIMITED EDITION Ludlow: The Freckled Woodland Bear - by sleepyking - $28 USD
Made by Savannah May in a small town in Northern California, this adorable bear has been haunting my dreams of "Some day" purchases. Featured on the cover of "Stuffed" magazine and multiple blogs, I hope to some day be as rad & well-known as she is. Also love her fox, Liam. Check out her exhibition on paper'n'stitch.

2) Yellow Rose Lariat Necklace - by KatyKristin - $38 USD
Handcrafted necklaces made out of natural fibers by Katy Kristin in my hometown, Pacifica, California. Crafted in a little cottage by the coast, these lovely lariats are made in an adorable studio that I hope to soon feature on this blog. Currently working on new items, Katy is hoping to launch her latest treasures out into the world later this spring. Find out more about her here.

3) Black Airstream Trailer with Yellow Stripes - by redtilestudio - $28 USD
Mother and daughter duo, Darleen & Amber, decided to "create unique pieces of art that reflect our love of nature and modern design." And it really comes though! I have a vast love for trailers and I hope to some day live in one! Seeing this printed block reminds me that I can go anywhere I want. Check out more of what inspires this Texan team's art at pinterest.com/redtilestudio.


4) I Left My Bike In San Francisco - by bunnydee - $25 USD
I still love Danielle's gorgeous work, even when I'm discovering it for the millionth time! This San Francisco artist reminds me why I love living here, with her whimsical design and lovely sense of colour.  Featured as my first Awesome Artist in the series, I'm proud to say that I both love to celebrate her body to work and her friendship. Check out more of her musing and inspiration on her blog, bunny mountain.

Awesome Artist Feature: BunnyDee

There are many people in the Etsy community that I admire, whether it be for their photos, descriptions or products. And then there are those Etsy Sellers that I really want to get to know: What's the story behind that illustration? How did you come up with the concept for that piece? What inspires you to be awesome?

Introducing the Awesome Artist Feature series!

In this series, I'll hand-pick outstanding artists with some fantastic work I truly find interesting. So interesting, in fact, that I'd like to share these finds with the rest of the world!

My first Awesome Artist Feature in the series will be with Danielle Gundry-Monji from BunnyDee! A new member of the SF Etsy Street Team, Danielle's been fairly active in the SF Etsy group, which was what caught my eye. When I saw her avatar on my Craftopolis page, I had to check out her stuff... and INSTANTLY fell in love!


Seriously, pretty much everything in her Etsy Shop had a nerd JERK as a Favourite within 5 minutes! So, I had to email her to let her know how rad I thought she was.


Not long after that, we'd established that we were both giant nerds: from a great love of books, to digging the tunes of Kings of Convenience, to a common crush on Alan Rickman, there were some uncanny parallels in our tastes. 


Please enjoy these freakin' awesome insights to a new face around Etsy: 

BunnyDee

Danielle of BunnyDee working on a new idea (Photo by BunnyDee)

• Who are you? And what drives to you create art?

My name is Danielle Gundry-Monji but thats too long to remember so I go by bunnydee.  I'm a lady from a small town who lives in the city by the bay. 

I think what drives me to create art is the little girl inside of me who always wanted to be an artist. It was always my answer when my parents asked what I wanted to be when I got big. I'm driven by my dreams, much of the imagery I reference comes from little inspirations I run into on a day to day basis. 

• When & why did you start your Etsy shop?

I've been a buyer on Etsy for quite awhile.  I started actually selling on Etsy a little over two weeks ago.  I was driven by my friends and family telling me to get over my fears and jump in and try it! 

• Describe your creative process

My creative process is a bit random.  If I get a spark of inspiration I try and write it down.  If I'm at work I write it down on a sticky note so my pockets are often filled with random notes and sketches.  I have tried to make a habit these days of not stopping something mid idea.  Take it all the way through to the finish and that just pushes me all the harder.

Color Keys - by BunnyDee - $25 USD

One of my favourite parts of interviews is really getting to know an artist's taste. And one of my favourite ways of finding out someone's taste is thru the classic High Fidelity "Top 5" method!

• Top 5 fave books, movies, music, artists...

Books:
This is pretty hard to answer considering I actually work at a bookstore!
Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
Animal Family by Randell Jarrell
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Coraline By Neil Gaiman

Movies:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Piano
Annie Hall
The Harry Potter Movies!
Labyrinth

Music:
Any soundtrack by Michael Nyman
Jocelyn Pook
Nico
Kings of Convenience 
Simon and Garfunkel 

Artists:
Also another hard one!:)
Maurice Sendak
Aubrey Beardsley
Harry Clarke
Egon Schiele
Gustav Klimt

Love to Read - by BunnyDee - $25 USD

• How did you come up with your business name?

It is actually my family nickname.  My family calls me Bunny Dee.  It became my business name when I realized that Danielle Gundry-Monji is a bit too hard to remember or even spell.  BunnyDee works just right for me.  

• How do you combat "creative blocks" in your life?

I try and find a new place to draw. Something to spice up the scenery. I check out fashion blogs, color blogs and look over my favorite books with works by my favorite artists.  I throw on some classical music to get me jazzed about making something!

• What other favourite hobbies/activities do you enjoy?

I love photography. When I'm not drawing I'm usually out trying to take photos. My grandfather was a photographer so I think a bit of that is in the blood.  I enjoy reading, a wonderful thing about working at a bookstore is being surrounded by inspiration.  

• If you could have brunch with any person (alive or dead), who would it be & why?

Probably Alan Rickman.  Because I'm the biggest Severus Snape fan.  I'm a HP geek to the max.  I have a tattoo of a golden snitch.  

To find out more about Danielle & check out some of her works, feel free to click on the links!

BLOG // ETSY // TWITTER // FB // WEBSITE

The Awesome Artist Feature series will be running every Monday on nerd JERK: Inspire Your Inner Geek. If you'd like to participate, feel free to email me at nerdJERK@gmail.com!