San Diego Comic Con 2010!!!

my new book released at Comic Con, Limited Edition of 300, all signed & numbered.

 Now available in selected book shops (Pulp's comic shop in France, Iguana books in Oregon, Soap Plant/Wacko in Hollywood, Melt Down Comics on Sunset Blvd, Comic Factory in Pasadena) for $25 (or order directly from me for $20 plus shipping, email order to: dshinya@gmail.com)

right cover of BREAK THE ICE

left cover of BREAK THE ICE

I'm excited that they promoted the new Marvel comic series of X-23 at the con, this button has my x-23 character on it~ <3

MANUFACTORY - Handmade Collectible Toy Shop

Back in 2006 when I was setting up my Etsy shop looking for inspiration I found fellow Minneapolis artist Curster. I've been quietly following her growing success over the years and now she has her own B&M on 27th and Lyndale where her wonderful creations are available for sale.

Manufactory which resides in the space of former occupant Robot Love is filled with Erin Currie's fantastical beings along with other collectible toys and gifts. I was amazed at the amount of work that Erin herself has handmade and is available in the shop. I asked her if she ever slept or drank lots of coffee to accomplish so much. Besides collectible toys she also designs clothing and paints which is evident in some of the dolls she makes. Below are some of the frilly dolls that carry over her fashion sense.

Being a second generation shop owner Erin shared her experience of working in her mothers Scandinavian handicraft shop painting faces on gnomes. Her goal for Manufactory is to have a shop where other artists can sell their work and provide a space for them to create as well. Erin's passion is evident and work ethic incomparable. With those two attributes I'm sure her shop will be a smashing success. If you're in the area check it out!

Mushroom Forest Collection

Adventures With Embroidery

As if I didn't have enough to do with making plush, digital illustration, paper toys and custom fabric I had to add embroidery. The embroidery machine I bought last winter has been sitting idle taking up space for months now. I was beginning to think of ways to unload it on Craigs List. The machine sat there taunting me, reminding me of what colossal amount of money I invested, for nothing.

For some reason I thought I could plug in an illustration with a flash drive and it would magically embroider my illustration like a printer would printing ink onto paper. I could go about my business while the machine was happily stitching away. Hah! Not quite that simple. In reality you pretty much have to babysit the machine while its embroidering. With each color change you must change the thread color, cut the threads and make sure nothing else goes awry while it doing its thing. A design can take up to 45 minutes or more to complete.

The digitizing process itself is quite a bear. As with all new software there is a learning process. Slowly but surely I'm gaining confidence with the tools and have begun stitching my first samples. Although I have so much more to learn I'm starting to like the whole idea of adding embroidery to my list of crafty conquests. I think it fits well with my brand. My plan is to have finished embroidered artwork for my upcoming show in August. Let me know what you think of my first sample of Little Red.