New Computer!

Ladies and gentlemen...I finally have a new computer: the MacBook Pro!! It was my graduation present and even though I've only had it in my possession for a day and a half, so far, it's glorious. 

I had been working on a 5-year-old Toshiba laptop, and while my old computer still works, it runs so slowly and it freaks out when I have more than 3 programs running. Especially Photoshop, it hates that. 

Naturally, I'm going to have to start transferring all of my music, photos, and documents. I'll probably spend some solid time on that during winter break. 

For now, it's more art events! Remember that the C-Note Art Show is happening this weekend at Junctionview Studios. I'll be having an open studio & an art and jewelry sale on Saturday night after 6:30 pm or so. So stop by and say hi if you can! I've got some great new creations for the holidays. 

Shop Local for the Holidays!

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Look no further than the talented artists and crafters in Columbus, Ohio! I created this compilation of local Etsy sellers to show what creative and beautiful work is made right here in central Ohio.

Wondering how you can find sellers on Etsy from your area? Just use the Shop Local tool at Etsy.com!

Holiday Craziness!!

Okay kids, the holidays are almost upon us (well, not really...it's not even Thanksgiving yet!), but I am already gearing up for a jam-packed December.

First up is my trunk show at What The Rock?! (see flyer below). If you haven't been to WTR before, you should definitely get yourself there. They have a variety of rock n' roll themed items from t-shirts to baby onesies to books and CDs. Mike and Heather, the owners, are great people and try to give local artists and crafty folks opportunities to sell their handmade wares. For example: they sell my friend Megan's grenade-shaped StinkyBomb soaps! They also sell my Sweet Stella Designs items.


I have already received some very cool press about my trunk show on December 6th from the Columbus ALIVE, as well as a listing in the Short North Arts District's newsletter (scroll down to the bottom for my event listing).

That same night is the opening for Ohio Art League's Annual Thumb Box Exhibition and Roy G. Biv's Members' Small Works Exhibition. I plan on having a piece in OAL's show and a few at Roy. Stop by during the Short North Holiday Hop and check 'em out!

In addition, C-Note Art Show is coming up the weekend of December 12-13. Visit the C-Note website or see the sidebar of my blog for times, location, and details.

Thanks, Columbus ALIVE!

One great thing about the Dispatch and the Columbus ALIVE is the value they place on DIY & locally-produced items. I think the editors and writers have taken note that people are interested in the do-it-yourself mentality and prefer to buy items that are hand-made or created in Columbus.

This week's issue features holiday gift guides and in addition to my jewelry being featured (in relation to my Holiday Hop Trunk Show @ What The Rock on December 6th), some very fabulous folks also got shout-outs in the 20 for $20 Gift Guide, including WTR, Poshta Designs, Yumi Yumi, Tandi's Glass, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, Umbrella Girl Productions, Skreened, Wholly Craft & Tigertree, to name a few.

Hooray!

Tiny Canary This Weekend!

Saturday and Sunday, November 15-16
10am - 6pm each day
at Junctionview Studios (889 Williams Ave. Columbus OH)

Let the countdown begin... Tiny Canary is this weekend!

For 2 days, Junctionview Studios in Grandview will be transformed into a temporary marketplace where you will have the opportunity to buy directly from local and regional artists and designers.

Skip the mall, buy handmade, and start your holiday shopping early! You are sure to find original, high quality handmade gifts for all those on your list!

Be one of the first 100 guests in the door each day and you will receive an organic cotton tote bag filled with samples, coupons and other goodies from our vendors and sponsors.Food and refreshments will be available from Rad Dog, Pattycake Bakery and Kevin's Espresso Cart. Admission and parking are FREE!

Visit the Tiny Canary website for directions and a preview of the participating vendors.

Inquiries? Contact thebird@tinycanary.com.

* Please note that Sweet Stella Designs will be a vendor on Sunday, November 16th only!*

Vote for Me!

I'm happy to be a part of the C-Note Art Show that's going to be happening at Junctionview Studios in December. The premise is that every item in the show is priced at $100. Part of the process for the show is that people can vote for their favorite artists through the website. Artists with the most votes will be granted prime spots in the art show.

So visit www.cnoteartshow.com and scroll down to find the artist bio and images for Amy Neiwirth. Then, click on the "plus sign" to vote! You can only vote one time per day per IP address. So vote often!

My MA Thesis Show

My MA thesis project exhibition was tonight! It was so amazing to finally see all my hard work on the walls (and my massive 180-page paper in my advisor's hands!) I had a great time tonight at the reception, and thanks to everyone who came out to see my work.

I wound up selling a painting to my friend Olivia, but it was a painting from my studio that wasn't actually part of the show. I hope she finds the perfect place for it in her aqua living room!
Special thanks to Adam for helping me hang all my work (without him, it would have taken me 7 hours) and Tamalynn for baking such wonderful cupcakes and cookies! And Devon did a fabulous job of making the floors look and smell lovely.

My parents took lots of photos of the reception tonight, and I will try to post those as soon as my folks put them on to a disc for me.

Now, for a brief moment, I am wondering what to do with myself. Then, I remember that Tiny Canary is next weekend, after that is my thesis project defense, then OAL submissions and proposals are due, then is my Holiday Hop trunk show at What the Rock, my school's Scholarship Dinner, C-Note Art Show, and OSU graduation.

I will sleep after December 14th.

Just A Few Weeks Left...

...until my MA Thesis Exhibition. It's November 8th!!
Check out the invites below for specific details.
If you are reading this, then you are invited.

AGORA V This Weekend!

If you live in Columbus, don't miss this fabulous art event!

AGORA V Preview
Friday, October 17 from 5pm to 10pm
Junctionview Studios
889 Williams Ave.
Columbus OH 43212

$20 online or $25 at the door
Purchase tickets online today at www.agoracolumbus.com

Get the first look at over 200 works of art and 50 open studios while enjoying a performance by DJ Moxy. Food and refreshments from Due Amici and Pattycake Bakery will be provided. Buy your tickets at the door or purchase your tickets today.

* * * * *

AGORA V
Saturday, October 18 from 6pm to midnight
Junctionview Studios
889 Williams Ave.
Columbus OH 43212

$5 at the door

I will be having an "open studio" on Saturday night from 8pm-midnight
Studio #133 (with the pink swirly door)
Stop by for a jewelry sale, art preview (I am making paintings again, hooray!), and snacks!

In addition to lots of artwork and open studios, our public opening features performances by rainer, Flotation Walls, Cosmictraveler, and a special appearance by Adam Smith (Columbus) & Simone Weißenfels (Leipzig, Germany).

Hello, Chicago!

I am proud to announce that select items from Sweet Stella Designs are now available at Renegade Handmade in Chicago! If the name sounds familiar, it's because Renegade is a very well-known alternative craft fair that offers shows throughout the year in Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Chicago.

But if you can't wait and need your handmade goodies now, then head on over to Renegade Handmade at 1924 W. Division St. in Chicago.

And if you're not in the Chicago area, don't fret...Renegade plans to launch an online shop in the near future. Get excited!

Moving Around

I will soon be the resident of a new studio space at Junctionview Studios! After about 6 months of sharing a studio with a roomie, I'll be moving on to my own space in studio #133. This is perfect timing, as Agora V is coming up and I am so excited to have an "open studio" and offer people snacks and chances to view/purchase my work.

Busy.

I didn't drop off the face of the earth, I promise!

On top of teaching full-time & teaching Hebrew School 3 times a week, I am also working to finish my thesis project and have my MA exhibition. It is sneaking up on me and it's scary.

I'll be back shortly with more exciting news. Until then, check out the sidebar for upcoming events and other fun tidbits.

xoxo.

In The Studio

Today I decided to take advantage of my free Sunday and spend some quality time in the studio. But I wasn't making jewelry...I was painting!

I haven't painted in a while and I am trying to get back in the swing of things. Not only do I have works to create for my MA Thesis project, but I'd like to have some artworks completed so I can enter them in the OAL Fall Juried Show.

Below is one of my works-in-progress. I am using modeling paste to build up the surface and then piping the paste using pastry bags to create a confectionary texture.
I haven't thought about colors yet; I do like the subtle differences that you can see while the canvas is white.

I am also prepping some panels for a series that I am working on about the places I have lived. I created a similar series called "Nine Homes" for my BFA show back in 2003. Now, I have 11 "homes" and I am using the fabulous features of Google Maps to create abstract map-scapes.
But I can only do 5 right now, because Utrecht only had 5 of the 8x8" panels I need! And they're not available online. Maybe I can convince them to order more for me...

Holy Cow!

This is one of the only days where this would be possible: but I made sure I was at my computer at 1:00 on the nose when the Etsy Cooperative Advertising Program went on sale!

I scored a spot: which means that a mini photo of a Sweet Stella item will be in an ad (along with 35 other Etsians) in Craft: Magazine in the November 2008 issue!!

Now, all I have to do is decide which photo to submit. My deadline is Wednesday, August 20th!

If you have time, please check out my Etsy Shop and let me know which photo/item you think would be a good representation of my work. I think the theme for November's issue is "Green".

Exciting News!

I am very excited to announce that my jewelry and accessories will soon be available at a store called Oak in Boston, MA! Oak sells all types of handmade goods from artisans in the Boston area and beyond. In addition to their "brick & mortar" retail shop, Oak also sells select handmade merchandise on their website, oakboston.com.

Soon you'll find hairpins, earrings, rings, and necklaces from Sweet Stella Designs among the other unique handcrafted wares at Oak.

If you're in the Boston area, make sure to stop by Oak soon (my items should be arriving in a week or so). They're located at 31 Gloucester Street, on the corner of Gloucester & Newbury and down the street from Fenway Park and the Prudential Center.

image source: oakboston.com

Make sure to check out Oak's blog for news, stories, updates, and other cool info about the store!

Let Them Eat Cake!

If you enjoy cake (seriously, who doesn't?!), you should check out my new series of rings in the "Tiny Treats" collection. They are all tiny cakes and pastries set on mini porcelain plates. Some of the cakes have a slice missing, giving us a peek at the type of cake and filling inside!

Right now, these rings are only available at Wholly Craft, so get yourself to Clintonville (N.W. corner of High and Pacemont) and check 'em out!

Sweet Stella Designs at Open Door Art Studio

I am excited to announce that Sweet Stella Designs jewelry can now be purchased at Open Door Art Studio in Grandview, Ohio!
Open Door is a great space that offers art classes for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Their amazing artwork adorns the walls of the gallery. The Open Door Studio is "dedicated to overcoming limitations and giving individuals with disabilities the opportunity to discover their expressive freedom" (source: opendoorstudio.org).

The gallery/shop portion of Open Door is filled with handmade goods from independent artists and designers, including Columbus favorites (and Sweet Stella buddies) Anne Holman and Megan Green of MooganCreations. Some folks from Etsy Team Columbus will soon be added to the mix as well.

I am thrilled to have this new opportunity to sell my designs! Stop by Open Door during the Grandview Art Hop on the last Saturday night of the month.

Featured in Trend de la Creme!

I am so excited to be featured in a very cool collection on the site "Trend de la Creme"! On the Trend de la Creme website, the author, Jill Sherman "brings together her interpretations of the 'goings on' in fashion, beauty, style, design, and popular culture" (source: trenddelacreme.com).

My custom Pick-A-Pill necklace was included with other fabulous medicine-inspired designs ranging from jewelry to espresso cups to USB flash drives. Check out all of the pill-related goodness HERE!

New Work!

Well, I have spent the last few weeks making lots and lots of new work and trying to stay busy and positive. I am trying to take rejection (in crafting and in life) and turn it in to energy to keep improving my work.

Right now, I am building some fabulous friendships and professional/business relationships. I am also figuring out how this is all going to work when I start teaching again in 2 week (ack!).

I am proud to introduce my latest line: it's called "Sweet Collaborations" and features the work of Columbus artists in my jewelry. Yipee!
Come check out awesome pendants showcasing the art of Jeff Fernengel and the photography of Brandon Presz as well as my other designs at the North Market this Sunday from 11:30-5 pm!

Sweet Collaborations!

Goodbye

...I'd give this world
Just to dream a dream with you
On our bed of California stars
-- Woody Guthrie (music: Billy Bragg & Wilco)

Vote for Your Favorites!

I am applying for an alternative craft show out-of-state (I don't want to jinx it by telling you which one!) and I can only submit three images on my application. So, I need your help to decide which three would wow the judges and make them want to pick me to be a vendor!

I have revised my original idea thanks to the advice of the lovely miss Alison from The Sampler. Please look at the choices below and then vote for your ONE favorite from each photo set on the sidebar poll to the right.

EDIT (7/16): Voting has closed! Many thanks to everyone who chose their favorites in each category. The winners are Donut Bracelet, Blue Cells Pendant, and Stroke of Midnight Necklace. I'll keep you posted and let you know *if* I was accepted in to the craft show!

Click on any image below to see the larger version.

Set One: Tiny Treats

Set Tw0: Resin and Glass

Set Three: Beads

Dust

Randall helped me clean the dust off of my living room ceiling fan the other day. It was pretty gross, although the particles in the sunlight were quite beautiful.

It's Not My Garden

But still pretty, nonetheless! I think my neighbor has been doing the gardening in front of my apartment building.

Recuperating...

...from Comfest weekend. Still.

Everything wound up going very smoothly (except random rainstorms and downpours). Our Etsy Team Columbus tent looked super-cute. Check out some of the photos!

Our booth set-up

My little section

free Etsy swag

Megan C. and Mara enjoy lunch

Megan M. shows off her "Moogan Creation"

Ohio loves Olivia at Wholly Craft's booth

Patrice and Emily's work looked great as always

P. & E. show off a Little Brother's belt buckle by Mary M.

After Comfest was all wrapped up, I was ready for some serious laziness. Randall decided to celebrate summer by making some serious veggie chili cheese dogs.

This is how I have felt all week. Stella knows what's up! Nap time...

Yesterday, I packed up all of my wares again and headed over to the North Market to sell at Artisan Sundays. Sales were great and I will be hard at work this week making more little clay treats. I am also trying to get some new stores to stock my items, so we'll see...more news on that soon.

And to the person who stole my handmade "Birthday Cake" ring from my booth yesterday:
1) You owe me $14.95
2) Karma will get you
3) If you're going to steal, don't steal from small businesses or people who hand-make their items, for God's sake!!!

This Has Nothing To Do With Anything...

...but I am eating these gummies right now. At first I thought they were gross, but they have grown on me. They're tart and more sticky/chewy than bouncy/gummy (if that makes any sense).

They remind me of Sour Dudes, which I used to eat all the time in middle school. I miss them. Apparently you can order them online, but only in a 24-pack. Tempting.