Current Goal = $1,730

My name is Saya, known as Stray Kreature on the internet and Dirt Kitten at festivals. I’m a tattoo artist who’s been traveling for years offering my art to all those who need it. My passion is to help my clients feel empowered through custom body-art. I support my community by providing a safe space to all people, including minorities of color, disabled, trans, lgbtq+ and trauma survivors. Since August 2024, my health has taken a severe and scary decline…

I have been diagnosed with Long-Covid, Endometriosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and a cognitive disease called Functional Neurological Disorder. My symptoms are debilitating and agonizing to live with. Including: fatigue, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction, brain fog, extreme uterus pain, inflammation, prolonged bleeding, fainting, seizures, difficulty eating, inability to stand or walk on my own and more. I need constant, daily assistance from my roommates who are acting as caregivers to me. Including: driving me places, cooking for me, moving me by wheelchair, etc. As of now, I am forced to take a long break from traveling and tattooing, along with most activities. It may take another year for me to get approved by my doctors to go back to work. I have undergone multiple surgeries, but still there are more treatments in store for me, which may also require more recovery time and more funds. For now, I am doing everything in my power to get the assistance I need from doctors and other resources, but I need more help.

My tattoo books have been closed for over a year, which means, I have no sustainable income. All the work I’ve missed (and will continue to miss) has hit me hard, right in the financial stability. My savings is gone and very soon, it will become impossible for me to pay my bills or afford medical care.

Here are some of the expenses I am facing while I’m unable to work, not covered by previous donations or governmental agencies.

Medical Costs:

$10 hand strengthening “theraputty”

$30 pelvic floor therapy wand

$60 therapy cupping devices

$70 air purifier

$1,300 unpaid bills (could become more)

Total = $1,470

Continue reading to learn how I will limit the financial impact of this crisis with my 2 main goals for the future…

For now, I am rarely able create art from home due to my debilitating fatigue and other symptoms. Nevertheless, I am confident my abilities will improve with treatment and I’ll be back to drawing more consistently again soon. I have new strategies I’d like to implement to slowly transform my career into a stay-at-home artist. This illness will continue to impact my life long after treatment. So the only way to prevent another financial crisis like this, is to become prepared with a long-term solution. The success of these endeavors will allow me to heal and afford medical support, while also ensuring my safe return back to tattooing and traveling. These strategies all require investments, which I do not possess the funds for, yet.

1st- Etsy Goal: (ACHIEVED)

I have opened an online store to sell my original art, prints, stickers and more on Etsy. I am offering custom drawings that are available to order on my website as Commissions. This type of business requires a significant investment to get started and to maintain flow of sales. These costs have already been quite expensive for me and will demand more investments as time goes on. Inevitably, my online store will become a profitable business but it will take time until I possess the necessary supplies.

☑️ = things I have now

Etsy Startup Costs:

$35 print sleeves (400 quantity) ☑️

$12 5x7 rigid envelopes (30 quantity) ☑️

$21 8x10 rigid envelopes (30 quantity) ☑️

$23 9x12 rigid envelopes (30 quantity) ☑️

$32 11x14 rigid envelopes (25 quantity) ☑️

$130 stickers (5 designs, 125 quantity) ☑️

$115 business card stickers (500 quantity) ☑️

$67 bottle cap magnets (250 quantity)

$120 art prints (35 quantity) ☑️

$50 organization equipment ☑️

Total = $0 remaining (ACHIEVED)

2nd- YouTube Goal:

I would like to offer my community a new, fun way to connect with me! By live streaming on YouTube. There, you can virtually chat with me while I draw on screen for you to watch and enjoy. You will receive art tutorials, art demonstrations and much more. My channel already has livestreams and fun Shorts, but YouTube offers more than just videos! YouTube Live allows you to interact with artists (like me) while I’m creating in real time, and even make requests. Streams happen online, from the comfort of your home and mine. Building an audience on YouTube will also promote my online store and tattoos. I need to seriously upgrade my studio to make this happen. So for this endeavor to be profitable and enjoyable for everyone, I require the essential equipment.

Streaming Setup Costs:

$170 capture card for HD streaming

$90 external hard drive

$900 new computer ☑️

$30 portable mic ☑️

$110 desk chair ☑️

$75 studio light ☑️

$40 camera desk mount ☑️

Total = $260 remaining

To manifest these goals more efficiently, I’ve created an Amazon Wishlist and Throne Wishlist. Featuring items for: my online store, my streaming platform, and to provide me with medical assistance tools, along with some items to support my crippling mental health.

Whether you donate here on GoFundMe or make a generous purchase from my wishlist, all proceeds will go towards the same goal. (*suspend my financial downfall*) If you are able to offer any support, even just a small contribution will absolutely help to alleviate the unwanted stress that is burying me. You can also share this page to your social media to recruit more help, which is completely free for you to do.

This devastating health crisis is painfully challenging for me, not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Despite it all, I feel optimistic that these projects will help me to heal on this path heading into an uncertain future. Your generosity will ensure the continued success of my career as an illustrator and tattoo artist.

It’s not easy for me to ask for help or support, but due to the severity of my circumstances, there’s no way I can do this alone.

Thank you for reading my story. I’m sending you an abundance of love and gratitude.

—Saya Lynnette

❤️‍ Links to support me, follow me online, check out my store & more: Click here