The Diverse Works of Kathy Crabbe

She is an artist, a poet, a cartoonist, a printmaker, a psychic, a publisher and works in several mediums. I had a lively and gentle chat with Kathy. She put me at ease, entertained me and intrigued me. The time flew! I met Kathy on the Etsy forums. Etsy is a popular online marketplace for all things handmade. Kathy has had her Maude Shop there for three months. She also has 2 other shops on Etsy with the links below.
Childlike, yet sophisticated - is how I would describe Kathy Crabbe’s work. She discovered that by drawing with her left hand, her non-dominant hand, that her work took on some added dimensions. I asked her if she thought that it tapped more into her subconscious that way. She replied, “Yes, accessing the right side of the brain and also more of an Asian aesthetic.” And so the “Lefties” were born. As Kathy describes in her Maude Shop: “In the winter of 2001 I discovered my non dominant left hand had something to say so I listened! Over the next 5 years I discovered a whole bunch of new friends. They just appeared on my doorstep, ALL 500 OF THEM (!!!)” The Lefties come in the forms of greeting cards, small prints and laminated silk earrings in the Maude Shop. The lefties were made into a deck of cards when she was doing psychic readings.
Her Maude Shop on Etsy is named for independent, feisty and fun troublemakers like Maude, 79 year old star of the 1970's movie "Harold & Maude." Kathy’s lefties certainly deliver. Here is what some of her customers have to say:

"The world needs more of your kind of clever silliness" - Linda B.

"I've never seen anything like it...I laughed out loud" - Michael P.

"I think I know all these people" - Susan R."zen-like" - Mary F.

To see Kathy’s fun and feisty cards go to The Maude Shop on Etsy: And there are laminated silk earrings that Kathy told me light shines through them…
http://www.themaudeshop.etsy.com/

Did I mention her work is diverse? Kathy also has silk paintings at her other shop:
http://www.luludesign.etsy.com/

She has a press with prints for sale!
http://www.ookpikpress.etsy.com/

Kathy Crabbe’s blog:
http://www.themaudeblog.blogspot.com/
Follow along with The 123 Day Big, Hairy, Scary, Dream Vision Challenge begun 06/24/08

Kathy V. Crabbe resides in Temecula, California, with her pet dog and pet husband.

Let Us Create:

Here are images of beautiful handmade creations by an American artist, Ravyncrow.

Looking at them makes my spirit sing.

The titles are: Early Spring Morning and Blue Bayou - Fling Your Bling.

Thank you, Ravyncrow for creating something unique and adding joy and beauty to the world!

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So much of of our (crappy) lives are thrown at us, or sold to us by corporations - the government. Let us create our own lives with our own meaning. We need to create our own culture instead of having it crammed down our throats without our scrutiny. Let's buy from American craftspeople and artists! Buy American!

It is very unpopular nowadays to complain. Whining and complaining is a fine art. It takes reflection- and remember: An unexamined life is not worth living. There is nothing wrong with having compassion for one's self! Please participate in my whiner's poll. And if you would like to let it out, please post under comments here! I want to hear from you, Dear, and I can give advice if you want. I will answer all posts!

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Below is an interview with Ravyncrow and more photos of her work.

We Can Make It!

Dear Readers,
From food to art. We can make it ourselves. A lot of it anyway. A recent comment poster that visited here said, "And bring back barter!" I think that is a great idea!
We can make a lot of food from scratch instead of using pre-packaged mixes. Something you might not want to eat in that box of cake mix?
Knitting has had a great revival recently. IT is fun and relaxing if you don't lose count or drop too many stitches. You could even have sheep and shear them if you live in the country.
Entertainment: Ok some of it is fine, but I also like creating my own entertainment. Learning to play a musical instrument, knitting in my rocking chair is my idea of a rip roaring good time. Oh, the agony and the ecstasy!

Take Back Our Lives

Almost everything is manufactured, marketed and sold to us and then it is disposable to boot. Even our entertainment. Let's take back parts of our lives by creating it ourselves. Why don't you get out of that lab where you're making biological weapons or something horrible and create something good instead???? Like art. Give something good to the world. And let's buy handmade things from others. I think the industrial revolution is one of the worst things that has ever happened to humanity. Below is an interview and showcase of a talented artist, Leah WooHoo. You could get inspired by her!!

Get Well

A fresh egg from a local farmer is so much more nutritious and healthy than a factory corporate egg. Of course, you have heard this many times and you know. This is just one example. How about we also try avoiding buying things from overseas as much as possible. Let's not encourage corporations to think that we support this and we protect our health at the same time. I ain't eatin no Chinese egg!
What's on your mind? Click the comment button below and tell me all about it.

Create

Now that the higher prices of everything has put the squeeze on us it's spawning some creativity. Some people are planting vegetable gardens in their yards. Some people are buying food more locally than having it shipped from across the world. I read a good book called "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. Great read!
Jeepers, if I could have a horse or a burro I would pack it to the store and back instead of driving a vehicle. I know that I am creating more cuisine at home instead of going to restaurants. I am sewing more of my own clothing. It would be so nice to have a couple of chickens. But noooooooo, zoning laws in residential neighborhoods prevents that. I need to move to the country. How about you?
And what's bothering you, my Dear? Do you have any ways that you are getting creative lately? HMmmmm? Click on the comment button below and just tell me all about it.

come on, now

Don't be shy- tell me all about it. See below here it says comments? Click on it and tell me all about it, Dear.

What's bothering YOU?

Hhhhmmmm...my little Sweetie,



Your face looks so drawn and long. What's eating you? Now don't pretend that it's nothing. I can tell there is something in those eyes of yours that are saying... "HELP, Aunt Jane!" Tell me all about it, Dear.