SOPA and PIPA: A Protest

Taken from Tumblr

BLACK MARCH
Thursday, March 1st 2012 to Saturday 31st March 2012

With the continuing campaigns for Internet-censoring litigation such as SOPA and PIPA, and the closure of sites such as Megaupload under allegations of ‘piracy’ and ‘conspiracy’ the time has come to take a stand against music, film and media companies’ lobbyists.

The only way is to hit them where it truly hurts.
Their profit margins.

March 2012 is the end of the 1st quarter in economic reports worldwide.

Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy, Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine.

Wait the 4 weeks to buy them in April: see the film later, etc. Holding out for just 4 weeks, maximum, will leave a gaping hole in media and entertainment companies’ profits for the 1st quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observed by governments worldwide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes.
This action can give a statement of intent:

”We will not tolerate the Media Industries’ lobbying for legislation which will censor the internet.”

Naturally, this excludes small and local businesses, which deserve your support more than ever.

Phantom Limbs is Published!

Just got my contributors' copy and $15 check in the mail, since I was on vacation. So happy and proud! Click here to buy.

Baby pandas!

The week leading up to Christmas, I spent visiting my parents who recently moved to Sichuan Province, China. This is where the pandas come from. Now, while red pandas are my favorite, it is hard to resist the appeal of eight five-month-old pandas at the main conservation center.

Hail Cupidthulhu!

To the sides you can see my Cupidthulhu prototype. I will be offering them mid-January onwards when my shop reopens after Break, just in time for Valentine's Day shoppers. I stopped using Red Heart and now use solid-color Cascade yarn from Old Town Yarnery. It costs more, but not too much more, and is much, much more pleasant to work with. I will be charging $17 to fellow students in person and $22 online for these pink ones, because the buttons drive up cost of materials (as opposed to the standard green, which are $15 in person and $20 online). I think it's worth it though, for teh cutes.

Sigh. Got a Chinese exam this afternoon, even though I'd rather huddle in my room and drown my sorrows in yarn. Until next time.

Old Town Yarnery

While walking around downtown Fredericksburg, as is my wont, I stumbled upon this shop, Old Town Yarnery, that opened on Black Friday. Naturally I rejoiced. Even better, the owner lets me hang out and pester her (though I wouldn't advise that on a larger scale). Lots of natural fibers at fair prices - I've started making my Cthulhu plushes out of huge $9 hanks of solid-color wool - and a very friendly atmosphere. In January the shop will start offering classes in both knit and crochet at all skill levels.

Fellow students: she is now offering a 10% discount for us. Pass it on!

One of my two Cthulhus made has already sold!

A friend bought it as a Christmas present for her cousin. I charged $15. Got the eyes and embroidery things today. Have been embroidering this evening rather than crocheting because I'm tired of fingerless gloves and when you crochet with cheap yarn like I use for the Cthulhus for too long, it starts to BURN.

Winter Market on campus tomorrow! Got permission from my evening class' professor to be late so I can stay for the entire duration. Wish me luck.

I'm making little Cthulhus again

During Winter Break my Etsy will be in vacation mode, but I will be building up stock and taking photographs in preparation. I've found Red Heart kelly green yarn works fine for Cthulhus, though if I marathon crochet the rough texture hurts my fingers. Have to take breaks.

I will also be adding samplers to the mix, since I have rediscovered my love of embroidery. Going to Hobby Lobby today to get safety eyes and embroidery hoops.