Reorganizing

I am now in the process of reorganizing my life. I've been in my new apartment for a month now, and last week I moved all of my art supplies out of my studio space in Junctionview Studios (with the help of Matt & his awesome friend Ben).

As the holidays are approaching, I now realize that I have to get myself in gear and start making work again. Re-stock requests for my retail locations are filing in as are custom order requests. I really could use a magic portal to Ikea so I can get the table and chair I need for my studio set-up.

And in other news: this November, Sweet Stella Designs will be turning FIVE years old! I seriously cannot believe how far I've come since 2006. Just look at past blog entries - you'll see for yourself.

Please stick around and I should have my Etsy shop up and running again soon.

Don't forgot to come and visit me at Fall Flea this Sunday October 9th!

Deep Thoughts

Remember that one time when I said I'd be better at blogging?

Hahaha.

Here's what I've been up to:

* Moving apartments & studios

* Starting a new school year teaching art

* Curating two art shows

I will be back soon, I promise.

Until then, here's something to get excited about for the holidays: my new enameled jewelry line! Hooray!

Happy July!

I can't believe it's July already. I know I say that every month, but still...

The other day, I had the chance to look back over at my last blog post and I must admit that so far, I am failing miserably at achieving my goals.

This week, I fully intend to chase away my case of "the lazies" and get my ass in gear. I have a few shows coming up this month, the soonest of which is the Food & Ohio Wine Festival at the North Market on Sunday, July 10. I also have more pieces to make for 2 retail locations and some art shows to plan & curate for the fall.

Enjoy some of my summery creations below!

Corn Kernel Cuff Links

Patriotic Lollies Post Earrings

Hamburger Stud Earrings

Grassy Knoll Pendant Necklace

Chicago-Style Hot Dog Necklace

Summertime

It's finally summer vacation! I feel like I have been running around like a crazy person for the past three months, finishing up teaching for the year and creating new artwork & jewelry.

One of the perks of being a teacher is having the summer off, which I fully intend to fill with all types of creative pursuits. I plan on taking some jewelry classes in media outside of my comfort zone - copper enameling and glass torchworking, specifically - and learning to incorporate these new techniques and materials in to my jewelry.

I also have an elaborate resin experiment in the works - it could either be amazing or a complete disaster - but isn't that the way it usually is with creative endeavors? It can always go either way.

This weekend, I have 2 shows coming up - an awesome art show/fundraiser for Roy G. Biv Gallery called "Roy Goes To Clintonville" on Friday evening and Artisan Sundays at the North Market on (of course) Sunday!

So now that I have "seven weeks of reading papers, seven weeks of staying up all night" - I also have some summertime goals. I am not going to call them resolutions because it's not New Years and I am not the United Nations. And no one can ever keep resolutions.

Professional Goals:

1) learn & implement new jewelry techniques

2) keep up with the blog & email updates

3) update the Etsy shop more frequently

4) catch up with & restock retail locations

5) try to score additional wholesale accounts

6) get rid of business-related money-suckers

Personal Goals:

1) hang out in the park

2) take more photos

3) add personal touches to the blog

4) see more old friends

A detail of the piece I created for the Roy Goes To Clintonville fundraiser

CMA!

You will now be able to purchase my Tiny Treats jewelry at the Columbus Museum of Art gift shop! Hooray :)

This has been one of my big goals since I started making jewelry and it feels so awesome to have this be a reality. It was a large order for me to complete (especially at the start of craft show season and still in the midst of the school year!), but I did it, and it felt great.

Bitter/Sweet Recap

Whirlwind January

January was an insanely busy start to the new year!

At the beginning of the month, Bitter/Sweet (showing my work along with works by fellow artist Linda Diec) opened at the Ohio Art League Gallery. It was my first gallery show that wasn't in a retail shop, restaurant, or at Junctionview Studios - so I was really excited! I worked so hard creating brand new work for the show.

Bitter/Sweet received some excellent press - including a shout-out in the Alive's winter arts calendar and a full-length feature article in the Columbus Dispatch.

In early January, I was also working on rallying the troops to vote for me in the GCAC's Columbus Arts Festival commemorative print competition (see previous blog post for more info). To my delight, I won the poster contest - and my design will be featured as a print to purchase

in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Columbus Arts Festival.

That very same week, my Sweet Stella Designs jewelry line was featured in the Style section of the Columbus Alive - and some close-up shots of my Tiny Treats necklaces were even included on the splash page of the print version of the paper.

You can read the article online HERE.

And in other Sweet Stella Design news: my jewelry is now available at 3 new retail locations: Magpie (Somerville MA), Anthology (Madison WI), and the Glitter Workshop (Madison, WI).