Notes, Notings, and Common Refrains

So, the last time I ranted here about a new design for Chemerigons, I was working out my wrath at the whole phenomenon on "awareness" ribbons... Thanks to input from chasingrainbows, I settled on this one (finished the shirt last Friday, I think):



And here's the copy I wrote to go with it:

(quote)
Message, in multi-colored hand lettering: reads: "My LIFE is NOT your Fashion Statement." The 'O' in 'NOT' is formed from a red prohibition sign over a dotted line silhouette of an "awareness ribbon." Discarded awareness ribbons, in a variety of colors, are scattered around the words.

It's human nature to want to show support for loved ones and friends. But for those of us on the receiving end, that "concern" can feel stifling and patronizing -- especially when its expression takes the form of a mass-produced pin that someone can stick on their lapel and forget about.

This shirt can help remind those around you that the best way to show support is to stop making statements and start listening.

This design is also available on a mug.
(unquote)

I was happy with the design, but the subject matter was not happy-making.

Well, it turns out that that night, Zazzle had a sale on mugs (unbeknownst to me), and I got a message in my box alerting me to the fact that someone had bought my Plot bunnies mug. That cheered me up. And it reminded me that my original focus was going to be creativity-and-writing based designs, so, on the 5th, 6th, and 7th, I switched gears and made a bunch of stuff.

( more links-with-pics behind here )

Then, all day yesterday and today, I've squinting at my computer monitor working on this (this is one-quarter full size):


Caption:
A unicorn-like creature with a single paintbrush in the center of its forehead, massive scissor-like jaws, and tail with a giant, sewing needle barb. Its hind legs are living calligraphy pens, and its front legs are living pencils. Its "horn" and body are dripping with several colors of bright, thick paint.

The black outlines were drawn freehand in pencil and ballpoint pen. All color was added on the computer, using Printshop Photo Pro.
---
But I'm not sure what to do with it yet -- does it need "supporting" graphics (paint splat designs), a psuedo-Beastiary /Hitchhiker's Guide/Fieldbook entry text? that sort of thing...

(Description I've written to go with it, in my store):

(Quote)
Graphic of a cartoon style thought balloon in blue, with the words "Yeah, I get what you're saying (even between the lines)." The text has cast shadows in muted gold and shocking pink.

It's amazing what some people will say about the disabled -- even when we're right there. This hat can help remind them that we are not sack of potatoes or potted plants.
(Unquote)

(picture & link):



( example of hatefulness that I'm up against, in the 'marketplace of ideas,' cut because it's disgusting )

I'm trying to come up with designs almost as fast as my spoons will allow me, but at this rate, it feels like I'll never be able to catch up, especially since those pity and cure designs aren't recongized as the derogatory shlock they are...

Well, today, I adapted that design into a mug:



Without undue modesty, I think it looks pretty good.... That gold pattern that shows through the white parts of the image is the same one I used for my store's logo, btw; I chose it for being vaguely scale and/or feather like.

... I then adapted that design into one for a tie:

.

I've also been working on adapting my "monster on wheels" design to a mug, and ipad case, etc.... Still gonna be a while before I get an inventory big enough to get noticed, but I'm getting there....

ETA: I just clicked on that "Disability Culture Ties" link on the embed above, and you know what? I seem to have the only store in All of Zazzle to even have a "disability culture" category. ...The store doesn't have any disability category, overall... so I've been trying to figure out where in Zazzle-wide I should stick my stuff. It feels weird to put them under health and anatomy ('cause I'm trying to fight the damn medical model. "Politics" has categories for gun control and free speech, but none for accessibility or the ADA... The closest I could find was "affirmative action," which is sort of right, but... y'know... not really.

:-/

I've created a new Chimera of my very own! And I think it's adorable (if I say so myself) and I want to put it on a bunch of Zazzle products. But before I can sell anything with it, Zazzle wants me to name it. And that's where I'm stumped.

The name I've given it in my own files is "tetra-butterfly," But that only really works for me, and I may want to create another four-beast chimera with butterfly wings sometime in the future. So: Help?


Caption/visual description: detailed line drawing in black ink of a monster with the hind body of a frog, the forelegs of a raptor, the head and tail of a rabbit, and the wings and antennae of a butterfly. The monster is "perched," and looking back at the viewer.

And here's the "action shot":

Caption/visual description: Same creature, also drawn in black pen, in flight, veiwed from above. The forelegs are hidden, and the hind legs are stretched out behind.

Should I combine (or string together) the Latin names from taxonomy classes (Lepidopteran Lepus Rana Aves)? Or do the same with English (Butterfly Bunny Froggy Bird)? Or do something Seussian, and make up a nonsense name? Should I just give it a "Christian" (air quotes) name, like Harold, or Mary-Lou?

Halp?