Hi everyone! I'd like you all to know that I have a contest going on right now to win a PatterBunny! All you have to do is go over to my facebook fan page ([link] and like it, like the photo, and comment! Also, don't forget to share so others can join the contest too!  I'm really excited. Good luck to everyone!

At last... I am back.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that jazz. Really wish I didn't have to miss posting a Christmas deviation this last year, but oh well. Moving and family were more important.

I'm all moved into my new apartment now, and I'm starting on sci-fi related items for GalaxyFest ([link], which is going to be a completely new adventure for me. I'm making little Tardis' and Star Trek communicators. Any other ideas for things to make would be greatly appreciated, Hehe!

I really do plan on doing a giveaway on my facebook page really soon, but it's probably going to be more of a surprise when than letting you all know exactly when I will hold it. It was supposed to be over Thanksgiving week... but family and other things got in the way and I ended up having no time for it. Same with Christmas... le sigh. SOON... VERY VERY SOON... OTL

Art trades won't be open for awhile yet, since I have GalaxyFest and Animeland Wasabi pretty much back to back. That also goes for current art trades. I'm hoping to squeeze the few that I have in a free day I will have for myself pretty soon. Planning on binge watching some Studio Ghibli movies that day. Oh ho ho.. xD

Hope everyone is doing well!

Oh my goodness... where should I begin...

This last week has been the worst week I have ever had to deal with.

About two weeks ago, we had a man stay at the lodge where I worked. I just thought he was another flirtatious guy that I had to turn down. He would compliment on my outfit, etc. Then, he tells me he is leaving town for the weekend and wants me to go with him to New Orleans. Mind you, I live in Colorado so that is far for me, plus I don't even know this guy. The day after he leaves, two police come into the office looking for him. They tell me he is a registered sex offender (the real kind) and he needs to update his status and all that jumbo and they tell me to stay clear of him. I had told them that he had been hitting on me and showing a lot of interest. So I took their card and they left. So I knew to be aware of this guy.

He came back to the lodge on Wednesday, and as I was leaving, he saw that I had my mace (pepper spray) in my hand, along with my keys. He asks me if I have ever had to use it before. I said no and I hope I never have to. He replies with "well you must have it because you know you're so pretty". This really made me feel insecure. He then decided to say "What are your plans for the evening? Wanna party with me?" I told him I was planning on going home to my husband. He then says "Well that just ruins all my plans for the evening..." That made me feel really insecure, and I wanted to run away. So I jumped into my car and left as fast as I could. On my way home, I thought every white car following me was his. (he was in his white truck as he was talking to me).

Some of you might not know what has been going on where I live... there was a kidnapping a few weeks ago of a little girl named Jessica Ridgeway. She was 10 years old and walking to school when a man kidnapped her, killed her, chopped her up into pieces, stuffed her in a backpack and tossed it away. Since this incident, everyone has been doubling up on their safety procedures and avoiding anyone sketchy.

So I had told my boss what had happened in a voicemail, since he had not picked up the phone. I also called the police who had given me their card, but I also got their voicemail. The only thing I could do at this point was wait for my boss to call me back and let me know how he was going to handle the situation and make my way to Anime NebrasKon for the weekend to sell my crafts. Thursday went by. Friday went by. Saturday came, and still no response from either the police or my boss, so I was faced with a huge decision. Do I risk my safety and stay working at the lodge, or do I quit working? So I sent my boss an email telling him I quit my job and I would not be returning. All because of a sex offender.

And he's not only a sex offender... my mother decided to look this guy up online and found his records. He is accused of rape, assault, attempted murder and  a stalker. THIS is why I quit my job.

With all this stress, I come home to messages in my inbox with someone who had copied my bunny style. With all the stress that had built up over the last week, I just had no idea how to handle this problem. It is all resolved now, but I did handle it poorly. I'll apologize for that. But never ever try to resolve a problem when you're under too much pressure and stress. The outcome will be terrible. I'm just glad the girl and I could come to a resolution.

I had talked about this man to my friends after the incident happened and they were all telling me to call the police on him, stay away from him, telling me how much worse the situation could have gotten... my health has been so poor this week... but I did have a good weekend at Anime NebrasKon! I met lots of new artsy friends, saw a lot of friendly new faces, and had fun talking with my watchers. I can't wait to see you all next year.

I'm just glad everything is over now. All the drama is done. All the creepiness is done. True I don't have a stable job anymore, but I plan on crafting and making Chibi Works my #1 priority now. We are booking at least one convention per month for an Artists Alley table. It's going to be fun traveling to all these states I haven't been to before, and growing Chibi Works.

And girls: if a man, no matter what his age, is giving you unwanted attention, tell someone. Police, Parent, Guardian, Boss, anyone. It could save your life and put an end to the problem permanently. Don't let anything get out of hand. Love you all!!

Hi everybody!

We had an AMAZING turn our at NDK this year! Previously, we were making about $800 - $1600 at a convention and we were only breaking even and able to buy bare minimums for supplies to stock up and sell our goods. But this year at NDK, we mad a whopping $3,000 dollars!! Thank you all so much for helping contribute and support ChibiWorks this year! We now have the funds to buy the supplies and fabrics we need for our future products and also to get our new charms printed!

We promise new stickers, charms, necklaces, plushies, posters/prints, hats and much more for all of our future conventions and our website. Expect great things to come in the next month! Our next convention will be at NebrasKon in Nebraska,  November 2nd - 4th. We hope to see you again there and we can't wait to show you our new products!! Thank you so much for your support!!

We loved seeing all of our friends and fans this weekend. We enjoyed talking to everyone and I had a blast playing Street Pass on my DS with you guys. We hope to see you all very soon!

As for everyone inquiring on the MLP artwork, please send all your questions and comments to my husband, ~Riznof, the artist. He made all the pony posters and he was featured on Equestria Daily over the weekend! So go congratulate him! I give you permission to spam his page!!!



Thank you again!! Hugs and kisses!!
-Dana

Oh, I've been around.

I recently picked up a new day job, after not having a consistent one for almost a half a year. It's at a beautiful lodge up in the mountains. I work the front desk at a hotel, and there is a lot of down time. My bosses have gotten to know me well enough to let me work on my crafts while at work! I'm so blessed to have an amazing day job that lets me work on my crafts there too. I have been getting so much done, it makes me so happy.

Two weekends ago, I was at Saboten Con, an anime convention in Phoenix, Arizona. It was a fun experience, but I'm finding out that more and more artists are trying to make money off of Lolita fashion as well, so most of my crowd is being dispersed. Which really brought be down. But no worries, I'm feeling a lot better about it now because I realize I need to change up what I do. So I'm going to be concentrating on more fan art and kawaii creatures instead of Lolita. You'll find out soon enough.

This weekend I will be at NDK, a convention here where I live in Denver, Colorado. I always do the best at this convention, so I am hoping for a good turn out for my last convention selling the rest of my Lolita fashion jewelry. I will still be going to many conventions a year selling my goods, but it just won't be Lolita fashion. Like I said, you'll see what I have been working on. KGHDSGFDLS I'm so excited to show you guys. HHNNGG.

Okay.

I also have some other big news. The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art emailed me a few days ago asking for me to stock their gift shop with my artwork to sell. AH MY GOSH THIS IS SO AMAZING! What a great opportunity for me! I emailed the lady back asking for more information and stuff, so we will see what she has to say about it.

So that is what has been going on in my life as of late. I'm still alive, still crafting, and still perusing my dream. Thank you to all of my new watchers for following me and to everyone who has been helping me along the way. I love you all!!

A few days ago, I had to color my hair from cotton candy pink and purple to plain jane brown for a job interview. I changed it because I didn't want to ruin my chances of getting the job, because we all know vibrant colors are not normally seen in the work place. Especially for hotels.

Anyway, it really devastated me. I loved my hair. I felt complete with it. I finally had my hair exactly how I liked it. But that's not the worst part. My aunt decided to fill me in on her point of view. On a picture of my new hair on facebook, she says "FINALLY, you're back to your God given hair color". Now, I'm Christian. So that part didn't offend me. It was the fact that she completely ignored that I regretted changing my hair, and I didn't want to do it. So of course I deleted it and tried to forget about it and just ignore it ever happened.

Then I posted a picture of me in a lolita outfit with my brown hair, and she comments saying "You look so beautiful in your God given hair color, and you do look adorable, but you're embarrassing yourself." HOW AM I EMBARRASSING MYSELF? By dressing how I want to and feeling comfortable in it? Before her, I didn't care about what others thought about me. But she's my family. It's different and it hurts.

So I posted a rage status update. Probably not the best idea, but it made me feel better. Here's what I wrote:

"I am who I am because God made me this way. He made me to change and challenge the things around me and the things about me. I'm all for keeping the body clean and a temple for Christ, so I don't do tattoos or face piercings. But to start talking to me about my hair... you better be prepared for a good lecture. Hair grows out. It is already dead once passed the skin. Therefore, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE IT TO WHATEVER COLOR I WANT TO REGARDLESS OF MY RELIGION. God made me with brown hair and I should keep it that way? NO. God made me with strong healthy hair so I can express how happy I am by coloring my hair pink and colorful so others will see I'm not afraid to EXPRESS MYSELF, FOR OTHERS TO SEE WHO I AM INSIDE AND OUT. One more comment like this and you're deleted. For everyone else, thank you for the lovely comments on my new UNWANTED hair color, and for helping me get over how dull I feel with it. You all make me feel special. ♥"

Now, she didn't post on the status, but she sent me a message. A long message. And I'll only post part of it, because it involves other family members, etc. I'll just post the important part. But here's what she messages me:

"Hello Dana, did I upset you with my comment about your natural hair color? The thing is, I don't like the "unnatural" look. When I see the pink and purple it makes me think that you are trying to imitate a cup cake.---- You may see it as "young" and exciting, but only the young are really into it. Sorry, I am 65 and I have always seen purple as a bad dye job. I love you just the same. I notice you deleted my comment.----It is best to tell you the truth, and not lie about it. God gave you brown hair. I prefer His design. Many years ago a minister told us that girls who create bold statements with their hair and clothing are crying out for attention because they feel inadequate and undesireable. You don't have to look like a cup cake or a Japanese doll to have value. I hope you don't go back to the childish things, but that is not going to keep you out of Heaven. I am thankful that the Lord loves us for what is inside and not what is on the outside."

So apparently dressing up in Lolita fashion is a sin. Dressing up with your friends and enjoying part of the Japanese culture and coloring your hair pink and purple is a sin. Now I love my aunt, and I respect the fact that she was raised a certain way, but to take it that far and try to change me... when I did nothing wrong in the first place... How is that supposed to make me feel?

I'm really hurt, and it makes me very upset that those words came from my own family member. I guess I never thought I would be attacked because I dressed in Lolita. I never really thought that it would be from a family member, because I've done weird stuff in the past and none of them ever gave me flack about it... I feel like crying and hiding under a rock. I just really need some moral support right now.

You always read blogs and posts about how the Lolita community always gets pinned for being bad... I just never thought I would be put through that...

I need my friends....