This weekend I did another art drop off at Closet Collectibles in Crete IL! This included restocking sold out items but also adding a brand new product… iron on art patches!
I had a total of 50 patches made of my most popular art pieces, but here’s the kicker… there is only 1 patch made of each art piece! So if there is a particular art piece that speaks to you, be sure to make a trip to Closet Collectibles ASAP to get your hands on these unique pieces of wearable art. They are only $10 a piece and are a fun new way to rock my work!
I also have very little inventory left of my art print puzzles so I have decided to slash the price of the remaining stock to 50% off! That’s right, all of the remaining print puzzles are now only $5 a piece at Closet Collectibles. This will allow me to make more room for even more items I have in the works. Look for them in the same bin as the iron on patches and my remaining inventory of 5″x7″ prints.
I also decided the remaining stock of my Skullerfly Crystal Wreaths needed a better display stand. So I purchased this gothy little “Tim Burton like” tree and I could not be happier with the way it looks. I find it much more fitting for my work and it also leaves me room to make and add more of them. Although these particular creations are available to purchase in my online Etsy shop they are available at a discounted price* (as marked) for my in store Closet Collectibles shoppers and make for great gifts as well.
See these new additions and all my other art pieces in my display cabinet at Closet Collectibles and don’t forget to tell them Living Dead Girl Nicole sent ya while you are there!
Stay Spooky & Magical, LDG Nicole
*Price is discounted from online store prices. Etsy listings reflect the unfortunate amount of shop and transaction fees they charge us artists to sell online. If you are local or traveling to Illinois, I encourage my clients to save money and see my work on full display by shopping my artwork in person with my consignment partner, Closet Collectibles where they truly support my creative endeavors to the fullest as their resident local artist.
Meeting and occasionally gifting my art to legendary icons that I admire is one thing, but encountering icons who are creators themselves and inspire me to elevate my artistry skills always takes the experience to a whole new level. First there was Tom Savini, then Cleve Hall, and after last night I can finally add award winning makeup artist Ve Neill to the list!
Thanks to The Horror House Shop and Hollywood Blvd Cinema who hosted a screening last night of Batman Returns (my all time favorite Batman movie) along with a Q&A and Meet & Greet with Ve, I was able to check meeting another legendary artist that I admire off my list.
I knew I had to make her something to thank her for inspiring me as an artist and creating so many of the iconic movie characters I hold so dear, but most importantly breaking down barriers and the status quo for women in the arts.
So then it hit me. I had a coffin makeup brush holder that I had planned to transform into a Moffin. I knew that this was my sign that it was finally time to make it because it was meant for Ve. I went through my stash of monster eyes and picked out my favorite pair. The colors of them are my favorites… (galaxy colors.. magentas, fuchsias, purples, and blues) and I knew I had the perfect hair to go with it. I wanted to do something a little different with the paint job on this one. I mean it was going to an award winning makeup artist. The woman created the iconic look of Beetlejuice, won Emmy’s for Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and judged incredible works of art on SyFy’s Face Off. In other words I had to up my game. So I went with an ombre effect and could not be happier with the way it came out. I then went online and bought some makeup brushes in the same colors of the Moffin just for effect (as I know Ve uses her own brushes) and it all came together perfectly. Seeing I am my own worst critic, when I say “perfectly” what I really mean is that my heart skipped a beat when I saw Ve’s genuine reaction of joy when I handed it to her.
So here is how it came out….
And here are the photos of my memorable experience gifting it to Ve and a shot of it sitting at her table where she kept it displayed all night….
After watching her weekly and religiously during every season of Face Off I had formed an idea of what she might be like in person, and I wasn’t disappointed. She was so genuinely appreciative that I made her something, and as she took it all in looking at it, she couldn’t stop expressing how absolutely adorable it was, her face beaming with a huge smile. I shared how thrilled I was that she liked it, to which she replied that she loved it. My husband Frank (credited for capturing the amazing candid photos) proudly showed her his Beetlejuice sleeve, and I mentioned that I had suggested he ask her for recommendations on who to add next. She offered a fantastic suggestion, and now he’s seriously considering making it happen.
To top it off during the Q&A the gentleman on the mic that was interviewing her made mention of the unique brush holder on her table and she graciously acknowledged, “Oh, a lovely young lady made and gave that to me tonight.” He inquired if I was present in the audience, and as I raised my hand, she pointed me out. He then commended me for crafting something so cool, giving me a shout-out for my creativity.
One of the things that really stood out to me during her Q&A was her story about when she was a little girl and how her neighbor was a makeup artist. She dreamt of following in his footsteps one day. Despite him occasionally doing her makeup for Halloween and such, he consistently rebuffed her inquiries about pursuing a career in the field. Undeterred, she forged her path independently even in a male-dominated industry. I admire and in a way envy (in all the good ways) her determined spirit— a woman who fearlessly pursued her dreams and set a path for so many artists after her.
It goes without saying I have been on cloud nine since last night. Which was a much needed lift after having such a rough “living my best heating pad life” sort of week. I’ve been sharing with everyone about how amazing Ve was, and I’m still buzzing with excitement knowing she now owns one of my creations. Not only did she genuinely like it, but meeting her surpassed all my expectations. I’m immensely grateful to the event hosts and to Ve for making another one of my dreams a realty!
Love this Moffin creation? See more of my monster coffin creations here on my official portfolio website!
I am dragging ass as I type this right now because I had quite the eventful non-stop weekend and it could not have ended on a higher note! Each day this weekend we had something going on, but Sunday my husband and I took my Daddio to his very first horror con in celebration of his (belated) 70th birthday!
His actual birthday was in January but my husband and I wanted to do something extra special for him for his milestone birthday. So when Days of the Dead announced Malcolm McDowel would be at their Chicago show I presented the idea of him going with us so he could finally experience one and get the chance to actually meet one of his fave actors. So instead of planning a whole weekend like we normally would do, we planned the perfect Sunday Funday!
The last time my husband and I met Malcolm was many moons ago and I had actually had him sign one of his A Clock Work Orange 8″x10″ photos to gift to my Dad. So this time since he was there with us we made sure we got him a photo op to commemorate the fun and memorable time we had.
When it was our turn to take a photo with him, I made sure to tell Malcolm that we were celebrating my Dad’s 70th birthday by bringing him to his first horror con to meet him. Malcolm looked at my Dad and was surprised he was 70, shook his hand and told him he was a youngster. It was a great feeling to see my Dad so happy in that moment.
I was pretty stoked to see that Heather Langenkamp was in attendance at this con. I had never met her before and growing up in the 80’s she has always been one of my favorite final girl/scream queens. So we decided to hop in line and meet her. Dad had so many great questions to ask her and she seemed to really enjoy the conversation we had with her. She was all around everything I thought she would be. She loved my pants and even asked me where I got my Kermit The Frog purse. Meeting her definitely moved her up my art bucket list.
During our con adventure I discovered where I get my “ohh it’s a pinball machine, I must play it” habit from. Dad saw me playing the Texas Chainsaw Massacre one and told me how much he has always loved to play pinball and joined in on the fun.
As an artist himself, my Dad really enjoyed seeing all the talented vendors and talking to to them about their creations.
Daddy’s little ghoul, didn’t gift any art at this show because I wanted it to be more of a chill laid back time, however my Dad still got to see me in full convention action mode while networking at the event. Passing out business cards, talking to fellow artists about their printing techniques, getting donation prizes for the swag bags I put together for Flashback Weekend, talking with others about our hearse and club, and even meeting up with our friend Jeff of Anthony’s Collectibles to exchange cross promotional items and ideas.
We ended the day with treating Dad to a meal at Bill Murray’s Caddy Shack restaurant before heading back home. Frank and I have always wanted to eat there but it’s usually packed. However being in Sunday and towards the end of the con we made perfect timing and got right in for a table and it wasn’t over crowded at all.
It was great finally getting to bring Dad to a show and I am so happy he had such a great time. Now this introvert is ready to use this week to recharge as much as possible for some exciting things that are on horizon for next weekend too! Stay tuned!
I am very excited to share that Closet Collectibles has moved my artwork from their store shelves to my very own glass display case. Needless to say, I am feeling rather proud right now, but most of all I am feeling truly honored and blessed.
To celebrate this milestone, I have decided that all Closet Collectibles shoppers will also get their “shop in store” discounted rate* on all of my unframed art prints now!
This means… 💀 8.5″ x 11″ giclee prints for $10 (regularly $15 online) 💀 5″ x 7″ giclee prints for $5 (regularly $10, only available online by request)
Also, the remaining stock I have left of my Limited Edition Art Print Puzzles (only available at Closet Collectibles) are now all marked down to only $5 (regularly $10). There are only a few left so go get them while you can. I have some new Limited Edition items in the works that will be taking their place at the store, so stay tuned for that as well!
Pictures really don’t do the display case justice so take it from me and go take a trip to Closet Collectibles and see it for yourselves, buy and trade collectibles while you are there, stock up on my art, and make sure you tell ’em Living Dead Girl Nicole set ya! 🤗
Stay Spooky & Magical, LDG Nicole
*Price is discounted from online store prices. Etsy listings reflect the unfortunate amount of shop and transaction fees they charge us artists to sell online. If you are local or traveling to Illinois, I encourage my clients to save money and see my work on full display by shopping my artwork in person with my consignment partner, Closet Collectibles where they truly support my creative endeavors as their resident local artist.
Living Dead Girl Nicole 