Karen's Artsy Designs

06/21/2024

Squeaker's outfit of the day consists of a frog shirt, octopus swim trunks, orange Ernie socks, and of course his red Mickey Mouse sandals.

04/01/2024

03/29/2024

Squeaker Sassy Pants' school pictures. I just can't with all the cuteness and sass

02/19/2024

Squeaker playing peek-a-boo

10/20/2021

I was recently interviewed on an academic podcast by my friend on the privilege of parenthood and my experiences with IVF. We discussed the meanings of motherhood, costs, and tribulations of In Vitro Fertilization. I left so much stuff out of it and hope he asks me to do a part 2 where I can fill in the rest of the blanks. Like how my friends asked why I didn't just adopt rather than go through the expense and uncertainty of IVF. Check it out: https://www.sociologiststalkingrealsh*t.com/podcast/episode/4d4da7ff/one-sociologists-journey-through-in-vitro-fertilization?fbclid=IwAR2jOXFPPmr65wjaxOq_M4BWG7GA25fIGpLxxXtfApzQgW83hHQP0cy41PQ.

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10/17/2021

Handmade monarch butterfly emerging from its cocoon pendant. There is only one of these available. It might be available for sale at the boutique this year.

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10/08/2021

On the one year anniversary of my father's death, I spent several hours painting since this rebonded us and makes me feel as close to him as I can.

These canvases and ornaments are available for sale and will be at the Handmade For All fantastical boutique happening 12/3-6. Stay tuned for more pretty painted things for you to buy for yourself or as a gift.

09/16/2021

Nothing soothes and calms my soul the way painting does on this holiest of days. It's amazing how fast time flies when I get back in the zone and become immersed in it. Once finished, they are available for purchase.

2 ornaments, 1 4x4 canvas, 1 6x6 canvas. The 8x8 is a custom order.

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09/16/2021

I know I haven't posted in a long time. I've been creating the biggest masterpiece of my life. When I was a kid, my biggest dream was to become a mom. At 6 years old, I was convinced I'd have 4 kids by 22 because 22 was ancient to a 6-year-old. At 33 while I was in graduate school, I decided I was going to freeze my eggs in case if I wasn't a mom by 35. My amazing mentor Amy and I had a conversation at my first academic conference and she said I need to do it now and not wait. So, I started researching fertility clinics. When I went in for my initial assessment, I found out at 33 that I had a very low ovarian reserve and it would be unlikely for me to have a sex-created baby. I went through the process of IVF. Before I could do that, I needed surgery to remove my endometriosis. My IVF consisted of lots of injections, hormones, picking s***m, which is an interesting adventure all on it's own, retrieving my eggs, and waiting. I had 8 embryos that made it to day 3 fertilization and 3 eggs. They stayed frozen until January 2020 when I decided I was ready to use them. It was obvious to me that the only way I'd ever have a child was through medical intervention and infertility sucks hairy monkey balls. In Jan 2020, I discovered all 8 embryos failed and I had to do another round of IVF. After 2 rounds, 2 surgeries, 80+ daily shots with a 25 gauge needle, I am grateful to introduce you to Monster. He will make his grand debut 12/29. I'm now in a place where I can start painting again, so stay tuned for new things coming!
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03/03/2021

Painting my custom bunny paperweights.
What are you up to tonight?

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02/14/2021

If you haven't tried cookies from , you're seriously missing out. I'd show you how amazingly yummy they are........but the bag was empty by the time I got home. Her campfire cookies are so good. Nuke for 15 seconds and the marshmallow is all ooey and gooey. So good!