Category Archives: Small Business

The 100th Post of La Mushpa y La Mensa

Jefe Helping
Jefe Helping…

Mensa and I are always talking about consuming less, needing less, getting rid of excess. Things that anchor us to one place be it literally, monetarily or mentally.

We do little things like take our worn out old clothes, wash them and then cut them into a million little pieces to stuff our Plush Pets…

Plush Rabbit
Pierre, the Lavender, Recycled Fabric, Eco-Felt Plush Pet

…or make some deeelicious seitan from scratch, while whipping up some organic, coconut oil based mayo… I personally am extremely gifted in mixing alcohol with almost any “leftover” liquids (frozen or flowing) and it tasting like nothing you’ve ever had before (in a very good way).

Drinks on Me
Cocktails Anyone?

Some bigger things are Mensa creating an amazing backpack out of an old bag, after her million year old bag disintegrated right before our very eyes. The very backpack we packed with soy milk (something we have talked about learning how to make since we consume so much of it…stay tuned) and such this weekend after working in the co-op (don’t ask). We biked over 8 miles and this revitalized beauty made it through like a champion!

The Bag
The Bag That Rocks

We also made our fantastical Mushpa y Mensa cloth sign out of old pillow cases and fabric pieces. See below…

Mushpa y Mensa Sign
Mushpa y Mensa – Arts Not Crafts!

We are making it happen more and more every day, but we need a challenge….something to keep our momentum soaring towards our destiny. What we came up with is…well let’s start slow, why don’t you get to know us first…see what we mean when we say “from scratch”.

From the Inside
La Mensa’s Robot Girl With a Twist

We are here for a reason, all of us. Let’s make some stuff together, see what we think, then figure something out. Let’s connect as they say, in a good way.

This is our 100th blog post and the start of something gargantuous! :] Life, as La Mensa would say is, “pretty bad-ass.”

– La Mushpa

More Name Cards!

At the Mushpa y Mensa studio making more name cards!

image

We are still making them by hand and each one will be unique like the other. This time we are making the process much more efficient so we can spend less hours making them (at least five hours each set before) and spend more time, as Mushpa would say, crafting other amazing art!

With love,

Mensa

Introducing Our White on Ocean Line

White on Ocean

We here at Mushpa y Mensa have been working hard to get new products out there for our people. Last week I decided to print all 10 of our designs using the white 301 ECO-Series by Matsui (which is an amazing, eco-friendly ink we use on all our shirts) on ocean colored scoop and crew organic cotton Alternative Apparel shirts.

White on Ocean Line
Working Hard in the Studio

You all wanted more white on ocean, well now you have it in every flavor!!!

Silk Screens
Our Silk Screens Drying

Hit up our shop to order your very own organic, original, hand printed white on ocean fantastical shirt (or any of our other gorgeously designed shirts, jewelry, stuffed animals, etc). You’ll be helping two amazing ladies trying to make a difference while making a living doing what we love. That’s not so bad. :]

Much love to all!

– Mushpa

Markets, Markets and More Markets

Maria Emilia Borja y Cara Reynolds

We here at Mushpa y Mensa have been working the last few weekends at The Market NYC. It was a great few weeks, but now that the weather is getting nicer we have decided it is time to hit up the outdoor markets. We applied to a few other venues this week for this weekend and the next few throughout the summer. Once they get back to us we will let you know. If you have any ideas or suggestions where you would like us to sell, feel free to comment away. This is our first few months of business and our first experience at markets so let us know. Also, any insider tips from other vendors are welcome as well.

One upcoming market you can come and chill with us at is Astoria Market in Queens. It will be in the garden at Bohemian Hall (aka outdoor beer garden) on June 2nd from 1-6PM. What does that mean???? It means come, drink, be merry, buy awesome, organic, original, hand printed, fantabulous t-shirts in the sun!!!! That sounds awesome!

Thanks to everyone for their support and love these last few months. We appreciate it.

Besos,

Mushpa

The Market NYC Here We Come!

Mama EarthWe would love to share with you this fantabulous Mushpa y Mensa Earth Day extravaganza!!! It is happening this very weekend!!! What? Yes!

La Mushpa y La Mensa will be selling wares in the flesh at The Market NYC (159 Bleecker Street) all weekend long (Friday – April 19th 12pm-9pm,  Sat – April 20th 11am-9pm, and  Sun – April 21st 12pm-8pm).

Please, if you live in the city or are visiting, make sure to stop by and show us some love. We are unveiling our much awaited 100% organic cotton shirt designs (“Put a Bird on It” designed by Mushpa and “Mama Earth” by Mensa). These shirts are printed using water-based eco-friendly inks (301 ECO-Series by Matsui), free of PVC, phthalate, heavy metals, azo compounds, nonylphenol and formaldehyde. We clean up after ourselves using mostly water. When necessary, we may use a citrus and soy based eco-cleaner from Chemical Consultants Incorporated. We also do everything by hand from the design, to printing transparencies, exposing the screens and lastly, printing them on the shirts.

Put a Bird on ItIt’s exhausting, but we are making art!

-La Mushpa

p.s. – We also have an official web url, www.mushpamensa.com. So official, check it out!

Get your Pollock on! (Easy to Make Business Cards)

Need a quick and cheap idea to make your own business cards?

1. Gather some card stock paper, a paintbrush and some water colors and prepare to make a little mess….and now make a mess!!! Splatter some water colors all over the place! Get you Pollock on : )

DIY home made business card ideas

2. Let it dry and cut into small rectangles. If you have a custom stamp (which we will be having soon) put it on the back, or just hand write your information down.

image-33

Easy Peasy!!!

-Mensa

Seeds: A Handmade Terracotta Necklace (For Sale Now!)

Original and one of a kind terra-cotta necklace.

Each bead is hand rolled, hand made, and polished using the simplest of tools

(hands, a needle and a spoon!)

Mushpa y Mensa Terracotta Clay Necklace

If you are looking for original one of a kind jewelry that no one else will have, and you want to support our small business, and want to support two crafty ladies then this is the piece for you!

Mushpa y Mensa Terracotta Clay Necklace

The main bead is imbedded with a white nacre sea shell. Beautifully strong, resilient and iridescent.

Mushpa y Mensa Terracotta Clay Necklace

You can find it, ponder it, and maybe even purchase it at our Etsy store!

-Mensa

New Bracelet for Sale!

Check it out.

New on Etsy!

homemade polymer clay bracelet

Home-made corn starch based polymer clay.

homemade polymer clay bracelet

Hand-made beads with turquoise accents.

homemade polymer clay bracelet

Orange color made with 100% natural and organic dyes (turmeric based).

homemade polymer clay bracelet

Designed and Made with Love by Mushpa y Mensa.

❤❤❤

-Mensa

Guess What We Have Now???

StumbleUpon

We are the proud new owners of a Mushpa y Mensa StumbleUpon!!! You know what we don’t have? Any followers… :[

FOLLOW US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀

Please and thank you.

-Mushpa