Adrian Bowen

I’m not really sure how to begin to answer this (and that’s not helped by the fact that it’s asked anonymously).

To say that the comics industry in the US is sexist isn’t news. To say that harassment of women, both professionals and fans, occurs is sadly not news, either.

My honest opinion? The only thing that I really think is getting better is that more people are talking about it, and more people are pushing the matter into the light. Awareness is the first step, but not, by far, the only one required. The fact is, the ratio of women to men working in the industry itself is still grotesquely low. There are corners where efforts are being made to improve this. It’s not, in my opinion, enough.

Sexism is part of our culture, both outside of comics and within it; it’s exacerbated exponentially in comics because women have been excluded and/or marginalized for so very long. And I suppose that is the answer to your question as to whether or not it’s “really as bad as some of the stories” you’ve read. No, it’s not that bad. It’s worse. It’s endemic. For every story you’re hearing, there are ten that you’re not. For every instance of poor behavior you’ve heard of from and editor or a creator, there’s another twenty stories about convention trips to strip clubs for “meetings” and the like.

like they just

DO THINGS

without worrying about them first

"Thus, our Sentinel of Liberty and his faithful sidekick swoop in!" "Faithful sidekick? What am I? Rin Tin Tin?"

I always envied Spider-Man’s ability to kill people with his radioactive semen.

We Can’t Get Out Of The Bedroom Now.

//Okay, so. I’m sorry to crash my RP blog with this, but it literally just became the focus of my entire life.

My sister told me tonight that the family is being relocated to Australia as part of my brother-in-law’s job, and that this is my six weeks’ notice so I can find a job as they won’t need a nanny in Australia. This goes way beyond a paycheck—my cash pay is low because my sister and BIL pay for my health insurance, cell phone, use of a car, and room and board. By July 1 I need to have my own job, apartment, cell phone plan, health benefits, and transportation.

It so happens that before we knew about this, I was in the process of opening an Etsy. That is still going forward! Now more than ever it’s important, in fact, because I’ll need all the extra income I can get. Hence, this post.

My primary merchandise for Etsy is crocheted totes and purses. This is not the only thing I can make, however—scarves, shawls, drinks coasters, blankets, hats, can cozies, Kleenex box covers, other things I can’t think of right now. So effective immediately I am opening up an offer for commissions for my smaller items (see the list above and take out blankets, totes, and shawls). With the exception of purses, none of these are more than $20—my small purses range from $20-35, depending on type.

For your perusal and viewing edification, I’ve provided pictures of some of my work at the end of this post. Please keep in mind that two of the purses you’re looking at are works in progress (crochet and beading complete but lining not yet sewn in; ornamental button missing from pink purse) and all are for sale. The 40”x40” blanket in the photos is not for sale and is pictured only to showcase my work. You can commission these, too, although not as quickly or cheaply—they take about two months to make and cost $85.

I should add that while most of my items are only fandom-inspired (pictured are a Loki-inspired and Emerald City-inspired purse), I have a pretty awesome pattern for Kleenex box covers that looks like a Super Mario question block (there’s also a Super Mushroom version), and any item is available in fandom colors or any colors you like, really. I’m not yet skilled enough for complicated logos, but Legend of Zelda fans may certainly request a Triforce on any item you’d like. And as the Emerald City purse certainly shows, yes, I can do retro, too.

Finally: if this isn’t for you, that’s chill. I’d appreciate if you’d reblog it in case someone else is interested! I was hoping to have another six months under my belt before I had to even think about this, but here we go. Pictures under the cut! I apologize for my developing photography skills and can only say that several of these items have elicited actual “oooh!”s when I’ve pulled them out to work on at rehearsals.

Hello everyone…since my fathers death, i have been overwhelmed with bills and complications that have me now behind on my bills, including my mortgage. I’m not used to asking for help, but I can’t lose my home..and i would be devasted to have to rehome my furbabies. I’ve already lost my father….