Custom Order: Octopi, Revamped

Spring is finally upon us, and with it, bicycling season.

I just finished a custom helmet for a girl named Natalie out in California. It was my first official commission for Ferocious Ostrich Helmets, and it was so much fun to collaborate and create something unique for someone all the way across the country.

Natalie liked my original octopus design, but decided to put her own spin on it, requesting purple and green octopi with a blue and gold background. I found some great iridescent gold paint for the background and accents. These pictures were taken before I applied the glossy sealant, but the gold was still super cool in the finished product.

While I like coming up with my own designs, I think custom work is really where it's at. I'm looking forward to my next custom order. And thanks to Natalie for being an awesome first customer.

So how about it, Pittsburghers--have you been taking advantage of the good weather?

Headgear, Pt. 2

As a follow up to this post, I'm now getting around to announcing (somewhat belatedly) that I was chosen as a vendor for this year's Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh.

It was totally crazy. And exciting. I met a ton of incredible people, and I'm looking forward to getting this little business of mine off the ground.

If you're interested in seeing what I've been up to, and what I have for sale, visit my etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FerociousOstrich. I have some pre-made sizes available--and you can place a custom order for a different size, or even your own design.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Arcade--and for making my day a total blast.

Headgear

UPDATE: I'm officially selling helmets at my brandy-new Ferocious Ostrich Etsy shop. Check it out!

When I bought my bike last summer, I decided that I wanted some seriously fun headgear to go with it. I searched around the internet for a while, and then figured I would do what I do best: I'd buy a boring helmet and paint the crap out of it.

I worked without a plan, setting up shop on the coffee table in the living room of the house I rented with two roommates and painting to the sounds of horrible cable television. It was a pet project. And when I was done, I was in love with it.

The idea of painting more helmets and selling them has been brewing in my brain ever since. It's been over a year since I painted my first helmet, and I finally have a second one to add to my repertoire:

 
It's currently up for sale at a fundraising event for my local library. I'm not sure if it will sell, but just putting a price tag on something I've made has made me feel bold. I'm ready to sell these puppies.

But first, I have to get painting.