Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend! :o)

Hoboville Gardens

Another beautiful day in Hoboville!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month + Blog Giveaway

Did you know that October is breast cancer awareness month? Fellow etsy member Tina recently brought this to my attention and she also let me know that for the entire month she has been "blogging for boobs" and trying to generate a bit of attention to the cause. At the end of the month the money from the traffic generated to her blog will be donated to the Susan G. Komen and Keep-A-Breast charities. Please check out her site, "Talkin' with Teenie", for more info and to view personal stories contributed by those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. She's also having a bunch of giveaways for a lot of great stuff! I donated two of my halloween themed rubber stamps so stop by her blog for a chance to win! :o)

Hapa Hale shout out!

Oooh, my spooky stamps got a mention in Hapa Hale! I love Hapa Hale! Leigh's design conscious website is devoted to showcasing "everything modern and fresh" from Hawaii's local artists, designers and businesses. She lives on the mainland now but she keeps up with the latest local trends better than most of us still living in the islands! Cheers Leigh!

It's An Invasion!!

My brother just told me about another UFO seen recently in Hawaii. This time it's in Ewa Beach. I was all like, "Oh noes! It's an invasion!" I think I'll just stick to the idea that the strange light being filmed is actually a remote control toy of some sort or a kite with a light stuck to it...not a craft from another planet. Otherwise, how will I sleep at night?

:o)

Christopher Walken and A UFO On Saddle Road?

I know it sounds ridiculous but my number one phobia is . . .aliens. I think it all started after I watched the movie "Communion" when I was a kid. To this day I'm still a little afraid of Christopher Walken (he's the main character) because of it. I was going to post a picture of the movie poster but I decided not to because then I'd be too afraid to look at my own blog!

Even though I'm afraid of aliens, I got so excited when a friend from class told me she knew someone who saw a ufo and that she even had a picture of it (don't ask me how we even got into a conversation about ufos...haha). I couldn't believe it but she forwarded this photo to me. They were even thinking of sending it to a news station here. She said her brother's friend saw a ufo while driving on Saddle Road right here on the Big Island and snapped this picture. Maybe it has something to do with the military because they have a huge training base up there. I know it's just a FOAF (friend-of-a-friend) story and maybe the picture does look a little fishy...but I guess anything is possible!

I Have Taken Over One Hundred Photos of My Cat...

So, I guess I'll admit it. I am now an official member of the "crazy cat lady" club.

So Many Prizes It's SCARY!

This adorable couple, Leo and Mary, manage their very own store filled with super cute paper goods and scrapbooking products and they also run a popular magazine based blog called SVGcuts that educates Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot users on various topics. This month they're having a raffle for a bunch of Halloween themed grab bags filled with awesome Etsy finds. Watch the video for a breakdown of the insane amount of prizes they're giving away! I admit I'm a little jealous of whoever gets to take home all that loot. P.S. Keep an eye out for a mention of my black cat rubber stamp! Heehee. ;o)
http://svgcuts.com/

Hoboville Randomness

Meet Christopher Johnson

It's been almost a year since I found Hobocrayfish almost completely dried out on the sidewalk outside of my house. There is a nearby streambed that flows occasionaly during heavy rains. I'm pretty sure Hobocrayfish must have left its quickly evaporating waters in search of a more permanent place to live. When I found him, the poor little guy was bravely trying to fend off an attack from my brother's cat. Once I rescued Hobocrayfish I realized that I had no idea what I was going to do with him! I couldn't put him back into the stream because I knew that it would be completely bone dry again within a day or two and that would mean certain death for him. The local humane society didn't want him, I had no idea where he came from originally and I couldn't find anyone who would take him for a pet. In the end I decided that since I was the one who found him, I would have to be the one to take responsibility for him. What else could I do? I couldn't just abandon him and leave him to die! I ended up buying him an aquarium, a filter, plants, gravel, food and a ton of other fun stuff and he's been living happily with us ever since. His favorite pastimes include rearranging the driftwood in his tank and eating all my attempts at aquascaping!

However, poor Hobocrayfish was the only one of our Hobo family who had never been given a "formal" name...until recently! I just went to the movies the other weekend to see District 9. I really, reeaaally enjoyed it! I liked it so much that I decided to name Hobocrayfish after everyone's favorite "prawn", Christopher Johnson! :o)

Hobo Cat Picnic

Random drawing of my buddy Hobocat.

Introducing the Grab Bag Surprise!

I just added a Mystery Box/Grab Bag style listing to the shop due to special request. For those who would like to buy a few stamps (but not enough for wholesale) here's your chance to get a bit of a price break. You get 10 randomly chosen stamps for $35 (worth $50). This is $15 less than if you purchased them individually! I think that's a pretty nice deal. :o) And don't worry, these are exactly the same quality as all the stamps I sell in my shop. No reject stamps here. The only catch is that I will not take special requests, they will just be randomly chosen from the stock I already have made. That way I don't have to spend extra time cutting out and assembling ones I don't have around at the moment. In the end that makes things easier for me and that's why it will be cheaper for you. Yay!

Blue Skies

It was a beautiful day. . .

Mojitos!

I've been trying to grow some mint for mojito nites with my gal pals (despite my certified "black thumb"). If you have any good recipes please share! Yumm! :o)

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

A former customer contacted me to let me know that my raven stamp was featured on September 8th's Halloween themed Etsy Finds. Thanks so much! Halloween is my favorite holiday after all. :o)

Tickling Slow Loris

Be amazed by the cuteness that is --- "Tickling Slow Loris"!

Buteo solitarius

A Hawaiian Hawk hanging out in our backyard.

Mini Magnets

Maybe something new for the shop? I don't know yet, but it was fun designing the magnets and getting to add some color to my drawings. I only got a few of these made but I have been sneaking them in RANDOMLY with some of the orders that have gone out, as freebies! I hope they like the surprise. :o)

The Volcano

We decided to be tourists and check out the vent at Kilauea volcano where lava has been flowing into the ocean ...

The view at night is pretty spectacular!

So I was feeling a bit under the weather . . .

. . . for the entire month of July and I'd like to apologize to anyone who received their packages a little later than usual. However, I think it is safe to say that I'm finally 100% recovered from my horrible flu! *crossing my fingers* Also, no need to be alarmed as it wasn't the swine flu and my wonderful boyfriend handled all of my shop business including the shipping and handling while I was sick. . . so no stamps have been contaminated by me. :o) Please take care everyone and be sure to use a lot of hand sanitizer!

Craft Addict

The wonderful Mendy from Craft Addict was nice enough to feature me on her blog. I was so honored to be chosen because she tends to find the most incredible things on etsy, plus she hosts a giveaway every single week!

http://rainbowswirlz.blogspot.com/2009/06/nikoart-giveaway-june-4th-10th.html

She also has her own etsy shop where she sells tons of screenprinted items. Her giraffe tote bag is the cutest. See her shop here ---->

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=9941

Fabric Design?

I sent this fabric design over to Spoonflower to get printed. I can't wait to see how it comes out!!

New Stamp Preview! Shop Update!

Good News, Everyone!

I will be having a little shop update very soon with brand new stamp designs. Plus, I just made my 1,000th etsy sale today (w00t!!!!) so to celebrate, i'm also having my very first giveaway! The winner will receive the very first nikoart sterling silver sleeping bunny pendant ever produced (but hopefully more will be hopping into the shop soon after). Starting Monday 5/25/09, every person who makes a purchase from my etsy shop will be entered in a random drawing to win! The contest will run for one month and end on Monday 6/22/09. I will announce the winner on Tuesday 6/23/09. Good luck everyone and hope you have a fun weekend!

Sleeping Bunnies

About a month ago I mentioned a possible new product for the shop. Here is a little preview. My very first jewelry design! I've been "test driving" the new necklace and wearing my sleeping bunny around town this past week. I'm really loving her. :o) It came out even better than I had expected! The pendant and chain are .925 sterling silver. I just have to decide on what type of finish I like best and then hopefully a few sleeping bunny necklaces may be hopping on over into my next shop update!

Otters in Love?

I recently received a few requests for an otter rubber stamp so I decided to google around to find out more about what makes this little creature so wonderful. I came across this video on youtube and I can honestly say that this could quite possibly be the cutest thing I've ever seen! They're holding hands (paws)! I don't care that scientists say it's just something they do as a survival instinct in the wild...these two otters just look too adorable next to each other. Too adorable for their own good!! How can I not make an otter stamp now?? So here's a preview of my new design...a little something for all the otter lovers out there.

Stamp Giveaway!!!

Fellow crafter Amy has a wonderful blog called "Amy's Stocking Stuffers" where she highlights fun and inexpensive items that are perfect little gifts for giving anytime of the year, not just Christmas! This week she is holding her very first blog giveaway. . . for one of my 2x2 inch rubber stamps! Please visit her blog for more information on how to enter. The contest will run from Sunday, May 10 until Saturday, May 16 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing and announced on Sunday, May 17. Good luck!!

Hello out there!

I know it has been very quiet around here and in my etsy shop lately . . . but I promise I have been working very hard behind the scenes on new stamp designs, a web page and a few other surprises. I've even been collaborating with a small metal casting foundry and if all goes well I may have a possible new product for the store! :o)

Hopefully I will be done preparing for an etsy shop update soon. . . in the meantime I've decided to share some of my own favorite etsy stores! My pick for today is etsy seller Joanna Rutter. She handcrafts amazingly delicate and illustrative sterling silver jewelry. It was love at first sight for me!

Hoborooster + Hobocat 4eva

...like Abbott and Costello, like Sonny and Cher, like Martin and Lewis, they’re a perfect pair!

I <3 The Radical Rodents

These guys are soooo awesome!! :o)

Ono Artshow

Come check it out! I have a few paintings and handmade dolls in the show. Fun artwork and fun people. :o)