To My Fellow Sheep

I love learning new things, whether it be a new language or a new technique. After years of drawing traditionally for my own self-amusement, I got a drawing tablet. My skills improved, and my love of drawing increased, but I still felt something was missing. Then I realized what it was: I wanted to draw with purpose. But what could I draw? Who could I draw for? Then I realized something else I had been overlooking: my own identity and the struggles that come with it. Age, sex, and race. Women, especially minority groups, and particularly Black and African American women, have such rich and marginalized experiences. I wanted to express my own and others in an act of solidarity. We are not alone. We are all in this together. We have each other.

So I decided to start a t-shirt shop. The perfect canvas. I researched for hours upon hours and I overeagerly gathered designs and created fresh ones to be printed for the launch. Those five preliminary designs are what became The Feel Good Collection. There are many more in development in files on my computer, pages in my sketchbook, and pictures in my mind.

I make a conscious decision to stick with plain t-shirts rather than designing unique clothing because I believe a blank canvas has more potential. The message on a blank canvas stands out more than a message etched in gold.

I hope these designs are well-received so I can release many bigger, better designs and more versatile arrays of clothing in the future. I have so many aspirations in my mind for this business and I would love to be given the opportunity to show them to you so we can love and grow together.

TSII Apparel produces shirts that serve as reminders of who we are to give us strength in our identity. I strive to select the highest quality shirts in the most appealing colors for comfortable casual wear while producing graphics that are not too cutesy or complex to be fashionable. Using simple graphics, TSII Apparel explores deeper meanings and issues.

Graphic tees that are both casual and fashionable, simple yet complex.

T-shirts should be the necessary accessory of every outfit. There’s no requirement that they look boring, ill-fitting, or meaningless and just be accompaniment to your sweatpants.

There’s also no requirement that they only be worn with blue jeans or your plainest skirt or slacks.

Pull out your favorite flowing skirt and your pinstriped shorts.

Dare to pull a shirt over your summer dress to make it autumn-worthy.

The little sheep in the logo—popping free to shine her light out from the darkness—represents the humble, understanding nature that sheep have.

Sheep are social creatures who rely on each other, and their kindness is easily taken advantage of. Because of this, they frequently aspire to instead become wolves or lions, who choose much smaller, exclusive packs and tear apart all who oppose.

The phrase “wolf in sheep’s clothing” shows how others long to steal the identity of the sheep—a wolf takes advantage of a sheep to steal her lovely skin, then, while under the guise of her loving kindness, it entraps others.

But, when the sheep is aware of its environment and stands firm in her identity, no wolf can approach her because she has the Word with her and has equipped the full armor of God.

"Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept." - The Song of Solomon 1:6

With This Skin I’m In, I hope to offer regular encouragement and to seek and spread the Truth. Many portrayals of our people today, especially within our community, are founded on "political correctness" or the downplaying of the plight of Black souls.

I believe it is important to understand our similarities and differences and where both comparisons and exclusions cross the line. There is no need for division. We have all suffered and that is enough. There is no need to proclaim “I have suffered more than you!” It is not a good thing, to have suffered. It is not a badge to be worn with pride. Stepping on your brothers and sisters is the desire of the wolf and the lion.

We are all a beautiful people, worthy of giving praise. Our songs and dance reach high to heaven. Our beauty—soft, woolen hair and skin like bronze—along with our rhythm and our heavenly voices are all gifts.

Dare to love,

     dare to inspire,

          dare to strive,

               and dare to be the odd one out.

LOL (lots of love), 

     Krystal, Owner and Designer @ This Skin I'm In