The Story of the Amazing Worldy Tinkers
We traveled South and ended up just North of Las Vegas - out in the desert - marveling at the beauty of this strange, new land. Such an extreme difference from the beautiful decay of the moist Northwest! We also realized that everything in the desert looked harmless enough, but it was actually trying to kill us. We enjoyed exploring the treacherous beauty, including the desert chipmunks we were told “would eat your face off!”
We headed to Lovell Canyon - outside Pahrump, Nevada - where my cat of 12 years, Blaze, was taken from just outside our RV. I had never experienced pet theft before, so I had no idea that this was something to be conscious of out in the middle of nowhere. We immediately posted on Social Media and within 18 days started to receive sightings. We remained in Pahrump as that first Winter came on and we quickly realized that the People of Pahrump were wonderfully warm and inviting. So many kind souls helped with the search for Blaze, that we decided to make Pahrump a Winter refuge. I have not given up hope in finding him one day as he is microchipped. It's as The God wills.
CJ, my Scottish, kilt-wearing husband and I - Tam - had our last child move out and being a Gypsy myself, we decided to sell everything we owned to purchase a vintage caravan. Though we left Oregon to travel the USA, we had every intention of returning to my Gypsy community and sharing our travels with them at some point.
The following year, the Pandemic hit, and to our dismay we watched Portland, Oregon fall. The demise of our once beautiful State began with ongoing protests that became violent with BLM/ANTIFA burning and destroying the city I had called home for 20 years. The Shut Down also caused small businesses to suffer, with many having to close their doors permanently. Homelessness sky rocketed and still continues to get worse leaving this once lovely city looking like something out of an apocalyptic horror movie. We sheltered in place here in Pahrump during 2020 with the enveloping hug of dry Summer heat and Love from the towns people who empathized; many refugees from other states themselves, welcomed us with open arms.
The Shut Down presented challenges of how to make a living. My husband being a Surgical Assistant and I being a Photographer and Makeup Artist in the Film Industry - we found our normal livelihood interrupted having come to a halt - if not completely destroyed. We had to ask ourselves, “What could we do during this Time of Troubles to reinvent ourselves and come out the other end as survivors?”
We decided we would combine our efforts into a Shop named
The Amazing Wordy Tinkers!
I had an Etsy shop where I made burlap dolls with a creep-cute-style look to them. CJ also has a Degree in Film Production and Fine Art, which he used to begin his own Production Company - MostlySAFE - where he produces Entertainment and publishes Comics, Graphic Novels, and more.
‘The Amazing Worldy Tinkers’ blends ‘Karma Dolls’ Toy Design along with ‘MostlySAFE’ Production and Entertainment. Having to reinvent ourselves in an Independent Artist direction, CJ shares his knowledge with me. He taught me to sculpt, make molds, cast products, hand paint and even draw my own cartoons! And I am still learning every day.
We took advantage of the Shut Down to begin making Toys which we added to my Karma Doll Shop. Then we started selling to the public beside the road in our Road Show. As Conventions and Art Shows had not opened up again. It was after we learned there is an actual season called ‘WINDY Season’ here in Nevada, that we realized we needed to explore Indoor Shows. As 2021 enjoyed a slight reopening of America, and local shows opened up again, and we quickly grew out of a single canopy into a double pavilion Carnie-style tent. A theme that flows over into the story behind our characters.
Along with the weekly online Comics, all Toys, Action Figures, Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Books are available at our Booth and Online Shop. We also have fun Videos by the Amazing Worldy Tinkers, visit our website for more fun entertainment. We are always full of surprises and new items for you to purchase!
The Amazing Worldy Tinkers have a plethora of merchandise to shop for, so if you are unable to make it to our Booth at the next Show, you can shop Online at www.amazingtinkers.com at your convenience. We update our flyer on our home page to find out where our next Show will be - we move around a bit.
We love Pahrump and the people who make this town great! Feeling the warm, open-armed welcome, we both decided to make this our home base and build our business within this amazing community. We look to the future and the reforms that are even now coming as Americans dig in and do the hard work. We both see a future where - here in Pahrump - jobs are created, like-minded small businesses, as artists network and build within the community. We have made friends here in our new desert home. Thank you for your hospitality and support, and mat The God bless each and every one.
Thank you for reading our story!
Tam + CJ
