RHItarded

Social Security & Insurance.

I was denied again for social security. The denial letter read as follows:

We have determined that your condition is not severe enough to keep you from working. We considered the medical record and other information; your age, education, training and work expirience to determine how your condition affects your work ability. You state you are unable to work because of diabetes and kidney failure. We have reviewed the medical records and they show that you are being treated for your condition. We realize that you are concerned about your health and feel that you are unable to work. However, the medical evidence shows that you are able to act in your own interest and can follow instructions. We also realize that you may not be capable of doing heavy work; however, based on the medical records, we find that you are capable of performing work such as you have done in the past as a quality assurance person. Your claim for disability is denied. If your condition gets worse or prevents you from working, fill out another application.

Now, those of you who follow this tumblr or know me know that I have not had health insurance for two years. The medical records that they are talking about are my hospitalizations. When I was admitted into intensive care or admitted to a care unit in the hospital, Social Security considers this “treatment”. So since I am aware enough to follow directions (their appointed doctor asked me to touch my toes, touch my nose, etc. and that was it) and I have enough sense to go and seek medical attention when I’m ill, instead of dying, I’m not qualified for disability. I’m too young, too educated and held too good of a position three years ago to be this sick. 

Here’s the thing, you fucking jackasses. I am this sick. Kidney failure doesn’t go away and the only reason I have it is because I couldn’t afford medications or doctors. I didn’t have insurance and my blood sugar destroyed my internal organs. And will continue to do so until I get treatment. 

But!

Life isn’t all bad news. I’ve been trying to get my thoughts together, but it really comes down to this statement:

I have health care.

I was approved for the county insurance. I can now get the life-saving medication that I need, I can see doctors and specialists. I can fix most of what has been broken. For the past two years, I’ve struggled to get just basic needs from the medical industry. I’ve been talked down to and denied more than approved. I can finally live my life now, free of the fear that I will not be able to take care of myself. I can see doctors that I’ve needed to see, I can prepare myself for dialysis. I will continue to try to get disability, I’ve already filed my appeal. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe with insurance, I can get well enough to find a job (not that they’re plentiful) that I can do. It’s not that I don’t want to work. I really do. I just never make it past the probationary period without getting an infection or getting ill. 

Here’s to hoping, though! 

SHOES — Fall Out Boy

I was on a bit of a hiatus from shoes due to illness, but now I’m back with Fall Out Boy inspired shoes! The client asked that I hint a bit of Peterick, so here it is. Patrick, Pete, Joe and Andy! 

I will be adding some white acrylic highlights/stars and then sealing! She has been very, very understanding about my break from her shoes and I hope that she likes them! They were a lot of fun to do! 

SHOES — Owls (Okami)

I haven’t played Okami, but I’ve heard good things about it! (I don’t have any video game consoles left, I had to sell them to be able to eat for a period of time) The client who ordered these shoes was very gracious about the coloring. I wanted to do cell style shading, originally, but the thread count was too low and the marker pH was too high. Much bleeding occurred, so I did the best I could to make due! I hope she likes them, I really enjoyed making them. 

SHOES — Okami: Right Shoe

I’m having an incredibly difficult time with these shoes. All of my colors are bleeding and I want to eat shards of glass covered in hot sauce. However! I am sticking with it and hopefully the client will like the end result!

SHOES — Okami Owls

These are still a work in progress, but I’m having fun with them! Also, the right hand shoe looks skewed because of the angle, haha! =)

SHOES — Beauty & the Beast

These are Beauty and the Beast shoes, inspired by the photography set by Annie Leibovitz! I had a lot of fun doing them!

SHOES: Victorian Girls

The client requested to Victorian style girls, depicting a “bad” girl and a “good” girl. These were a lot of fun to do, with a lot of little details! I hope that she likes them! 

SHOES: Organic

These shoes were inspired by a few types of flowers and a lot of vines! The client wanted them to be organic looking, with swirly vines, leafy shrubs and flowers. Hopefully she likes them, I had a very fun time doing them!

SHOES — Everything You Need to Know!

Contact:

Email - sylvadine@gmail.com 

I have other email accounts, but I really encourage you to use this account listed above. It’s easier for me to keep orders organized together!

United States/Canada Shoes:
The shoe price for traditional shoes starts at $70 and can go as high as $120. This includes your shoe and shipping cost, supplies and labor. Please allow three weeks for your shoes to be completed. 

International Shoes:
The shoe price for traditional shoes starts at $75 and can go as high as $130. Funds must be in USD. This includes your shoes, shipping cost, supplies and labor. Please allow three weeks for your shoes to be completed.

Shoe Production:
I am always accepting new orders for those of you who are interested in purchasing shoes from me! When I get the order in, and we decide what you want on your shoes, payment will be prompted. Once I recieve your payment, it is used to purchase your shoes. As soon as the funds are available, I get the shoes and I will do your sketch in between current orders. Then it will go in the queue to be done.

Materials:
I use Prismacolor markers, Prismacolor pencils, acrylics and Liquidex varnish on the shoes. The shoes are typically ‘Faded Glory’ slip in shoes that I get at WalMart, although if I’m feeling particularly brave I’ll check out K-Mart’s selection. I am more than happy to explain the process if you are curious! 

What do I want?
I have no problem helping people figure out what they would like to put on their shoes - a theme idea to start with - but ultimately it is up to you what you want on your shoes.  They are dependent solely on what you want. Your tastes are far different than mine, I’m sure! So, this is a helpful format for you to use to figure out what you would like!

Right shoe

Toe: 

Outside Panel:

Inside Panel:

Left Shoe

Toe:

Outside Panel:

Inside Panel: 

PLEASE do not email me and ask me to internet search the images for you. I am one girl doing these shoes, and I don’t have time to research your orders for you. I ask that you please take the time to find the images of references you need. The more photo references, the better idea I will have for what you want on your shoes. If you aren’t sure what you want and are emailing to brainstorm with me, that’s completely acceptable! But please understand that I can’t do the research for you. 

Please keep in mind the more detail you put into your shoe, the price will adjust. As I have explained before, pricing for shoes is very subjective to the design. The base price is $70. If you have your shoe covered from toe to heel with intricate work, the price can go as high as $120.

Time frame for Shoes:
I am very grateful for every single order that I get in. They help me a lot, and I appreciate the patronage so much. But please keep in mind that I am sick. There are days where I am fighting infections, and there may be times when I am hospitalized. I am unable to work under those conditions.  I like to get shoes as soon as payment is made so I have them, but it may take me a week to get your sketch submit to you. I really appreciate all the kindness and patience I’ve seen because of this, and I will continue to work hard on your little bits of art! I explain more about the time frame for shoes in the FAQ below!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you ship outside the United States?
Absolutely! To get a quote on just how much your shoes would be, send me your address to my email and I can find out. For the most part, freight shipping outside the North America continent is fairly affordable and doesn’t inflate the cost of the shoes too much!

How long does it take to complete a pair shoes?
Depending on how well I am, you can expect your shoes in about two to three weeks. I can get them done on a rush order in 48 hours, but a normal order takes three weeks. It’s just me working on the orders. Typically what will happen is I will receive your money and purchase the shoes. You will get notification that the shoes have been purchased. In about a week (again, depending on illness) I will email you to let you know I am going to sketch up your shoes and send you images of it. Once you approve the sketch, it goes into the queue of approved orders before yours until your shoe’s birthday. I try very hard to keep up communication about your shoes; if at any time you are curious where you are in queue, you are more than welcome to email me! 

What kind of stuff can you NOT put on traditional shoes?
Since the shoes are canvas and I’m working with markers and paints that have the potential to bleed, I cannot do designs that have a LOT of small and particular detail in them. Portraits are very difficult for me to do, as well, because of this reason. I can do them to the best of my ability, but please keep in mind that the area I’m working with is already very small and the knitted canvas on the shoes is very fibrous. I also have the right to refuse any image or idea that I feel promotes hate, ignorance or violence.   

What forms of payment do you accept?
I take personal check, money order, Western Union, Moneygram, cash. I do NOT currently have PayPal. When it becomes available, I will let you know!

When is payment due?
Payment is required before the shoes are made. The payment goes directly towards the purchase of the shoe. I don’t have the ability to buy shoes, I simply don’t have any money. Shoe price starts at $70 and goes up to $120, depending on the amount of detail and design.

What can I get on my shoes?
Anything you want! Each shoe is unique to each customer. The more direction that I have, the better. Include pictures and descriptions if possible! PLEASE do not email and tell me to google search your images. I absolutely do not have time to do this. If you are asking for specific photographs or images for your shoes, please take the time to look them up and enclose links or attach files to the email. Again, I ask that you use the form to submit your idea to me.

What types of shoes are offered?
Generic Men’s and Women’s slip-in shoes are shoes available right now with the cost. VANS shoes are available, but they cost an additional $30 to the cost listed. (They are expensive shoes, and I have to specifically order them off their website for your order.) If you wish to purchase your own shoes to be designed, then the shoe cost will be deducted by $15. You are welcome to send me any clean, white canvas shoe style. 

Can I make payments over time?
I’m sorry, I can’t take payments.  As responsible as I try to be, I don’t want to allocate an incorrect amount of money and come up short when it comes time to make your shoes. Just put money aside and when you’re ready, we can rock and roll!

I don’t know what I want on my shoes. Can you pick for me?
I can’t, I’m sorry! My creativity is subjective to my own personal tastes. Sending me a list of things you like might help, but I will be in contact with you to try and narrow and choose what it is you’re looking for. Once we both have a picture in our head, we can go from there! I’m very happy to help people figure out what they would like!

What happened to your manufactured shoe option?
I have not received any orders for manufactured shoes. They are still offered, but on a case by case basis. Especially in the case of multiple shoe orders (for teams or for clubs) the manufactured shoe is still an option. (These are shoes that are made by Keds, in which I only get a small percentage of the sale.) 

 Why did it take you so long to email me back?
Sometimes I get a little behind on my correspondence, and I apologize in advance!  Right now, it’s just me working on a lot of questions. If you think that your email is going unnoticed, please don’t hesitate to email me again or contact me via any of the contacts that I have listed. I promise, I’ll get to your emails! I try to answer within a day or two!

Again, my contact information is as follows:

GMail: Sylvadine@gmail.com
AIM: Sylvadine
Twitter: Sylvadine 

Feel free to ask questions or make plans. I’m very open to them and I’m at my desk most of the time. If you are placing an order, PLEASE direct it to my email. All other inquiries are welcome on AIM/Twitter.

THANK YOU

SHOES - Alice in Wonderland (Alice)

That’s just the toe, the other sides are still being worked on. Next, the Red Queen shoe!

SHOES — Alice in Wonderland (sketch)

I’m very excited to complete these! I usually take a day off during the weekend, but I might not allow myself that day off because I’m that excited to get these colored and sent out!