My name is Saya Lynnette, known as Stray Kreature on the internet and Dirt Kitten at festivals. I’m a tattoo artist who’s been traveling for over an decade 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, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and a cognitive disease called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). My symptoms are debilitating and agonizing to live with. Including: seizures, fainting, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction, brain fog, extreme uterus pain, inflammation, digestive issues, inability to stand or walk on my own, and much more. I need constant, daily assistance from my loved ones who act as caregivers to me. Including: driving me places, cooking for me, pushing my wheelchair, etc. As of now, I am forced to take a long break from traveling and tattooing, along with most activities. It may take years 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 since August 2024, which means, I’ve had no sustainable income since then. All the work I’ve missed (and will continue to miss) has hit me hard, right in the financial stability. My savings are 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” ☑️

$20 cotton abdominal binder ☑️

$30 pelvic floor therapy wand

$45 compression arm sleeve

$60 therapy cupping devices ☑️

$70 air purifier

$90 over bed table

$250 portable wheelchair ramp

Total = $575

$455 remaining

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 (partly caused by Carpal Tunnel). Nevertheless, I am confident my abilities will improve with treatment and I’ll be back to drawing more consistently again in the future. I have new strategies I’d like to implement to slowly transform my career into a stay-at-home artist/content creator. This illness will continue to impact my life long after treatment. So the only way to prevent another financial crisis like this, is to be 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 = $570

$0 remaining (ACHIEVED)

2nd- Live Stream Goal:

I would like to offer my community a new, fun way to connect with me! By live streaming on YouTube & Twitch. There, you can virtually chat with me while I be creative on screen for you to watch and enjoy. You will receive art tutorials, art demonstrations, and so much more. Live streaming allows you to interact with me while I’m creating art in real time, and even make requests. Streams happen online, from the comfort of your home and mine. Building an audience online will also promote my Etsy store and future 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 essential equipment.

Streaming Setup Costs:

$780 Nikon Z30 camera + lens bundle

$250 capture card for HD streaming

$180 external hard drive

$100 microphone

$90 over bed table

$70 mic stand

$40 camera desk mount ☑️

$30 acoustic panels

$30 camera remote

Total = $1,570

$630 remaining

To manifest these goals more efficiently, I’ve created an Amazon Wishlist. Featuring items for: my online store, my streaming platform, and to provide me with medical 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. Despite being a path heading into an uncertain future, I am not giving up on my health nor my passions. 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

❤️‍ ALL MY LINKS to support me, follow my socials, my store, my wishlist, & more: Click here