Best Brand Without A Storefront!

A few months ago, I was perusing the Columbus Alive's "Best of Columbus" voting section online - it's a survey that lets readers vote on the best things about our city - from nightlife to shopping to food. I was glancing through the "shopping" section to see if anyone I know was nominated (I'm lucky to know so many creative and talented folks with independent, entrepreneurial spirits!), and then I saw it.

The "Best Brand Without A Storefront" category.

Stinkybomb Soap was nominated. My friend Megan makes amazing hand-poured soaps in all kinds of fun molds!

Poshta Stationery & Design was nominated. Another friend, Liz, designs greeting cards, notecards, buttons and many other types of paper-related goodies.

And then I looked at the next name: Sweet Stella Designs! Holy crap! I was nominated for a Best of Columbus award! I found out from the survey even before I received the official email about my nomination later that day.

So, of course, I asked my friends and family and co-workers to vote for me. Only one vote per IP address was allowed - and I wasn't sure I was going to win because, in all honesty, I was up against some pretty awesome competitors. I wasn't going to mind too much if I didn't win, as long as one of my crafty friends did.

After the voting closed at the beginning of March, it was time to play the waiting game. And then I got that coveted email - I WON!! But I had to keep it a secret until the Best of Columbus issue came out at the end of March.

You can read the little blurb from the Alive here.

And here is my little plaque - I guess I get bragging rights now?!

Big thanks to everyone who voted for me! It's so nice to feel loved.

More Press!

If you've had the change to see 614 Magazine's FoodCity issue, you might have noticed a familiar face (or at least some familiar jewelry!)

Yup, that's me again!! I am beyond thrilled that I've received so much awesome press in the past month. You can pick up a copy of FoodCity around town, or read the article online here.

200Columbus!

I think 2012 is going to be my year. This is my first post since October and I have fully recovered from the holiday craft show season. I had five events five weeks in a row and was feverishly making new merchandise every chance I could get. I also had an additional order to re-stock my jewelry at the Columbus Museum of Art Gift Shop - so as you can imagine, when it came time for my Winter Break - I just wanted to bask in the glow of mindless TV. Haha.

I was recently featured in 200Columbus Magazine - a special publication from Columbus Monthly showcasing local people & places of interest. I was so thrilled to be featured in the special issue - along with Columbus residents like Jack Hanna, Aminah Robinson, Gordon Gee, Mayor Coleman, Jeni Britton Bauer, and Abigail & Les Wexner. Crazy! I feel like a celebrity.

You can pick up a copy of 200Columbus Magazine at local newsstands!

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.

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).

Petite Pals

I am excited to announce my one of my new lines of tiny diorama jewelry - Petite Pals! I will slowly be adding these to my Etsy Shop over the next week or so. They will also be available at my holiday shows - Viewfinder at Junctionview Studios and the North Market Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza. (Please note: I will be at these events on the Sunday dates ONLY!)

Makeout.

Waiting.

The Loiterers.

The Carnival.

Dancin' With Myself.

The Rebel.

Featured!

Yesterday, one of my rings was featured on the Lark Crafts blog in a posting called "I Want Candy"!

If you're a fan on my confectionary jewelry treats, then this round-up will be right up your alley :)

I Survived Comfest

Has it really been a whole week since Comfest? I feel like I still need to nap...

Philly Love!

Paula Deen & Philadelphia Cream Cheese have teamed up for the Real Women of Philadelphia cooking contest - and one of the 16 finalists is Ann Miller-Tobin from Columbus! She (and some of the other finalists) has commissioned me to make Philly cream cheese jewelry for the big cook-off & live event in Savannah, GA.
You can watch the live show online on Monday, July 30th at 8pm EST at pauladeen.com/wroplive - and maybe you'll catch a glimpse of one of the finalists sporting a Sweet Stella Designs original!

Welcome to the Art Shop!

After some consideration, I decided to re-vamp my BigCartel shop - so now you'll be able to shop for my jewelry through Etsy.com and for my fine artwork via BigCartel. Over the next few months, I hope to be adding more artwork - food sculptures, small paintings, drawings, and maybe even some digital prints (we'll see about that - I'm in the process of choosing a new desktop printer right now).

Remember that I also love creating custom orders, so if you have a special idea in mind, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Agora 7: This Weekend!

The Couchfire Collective and Junctionview Studios are incredibly excited about Agora 7, coming up this weekend on May 22. If you've never heard of Agora before...you must be living under a rock! Just kidding.

Agora is an inclusive event that showcases the work of local artists. There will be hundreds of artworks on display, as well as open studios from JV artists, vendors outside, music, performances, drinks, food, and general fun.

If you want to get a sneak peek at the artwork while enjoying delicious food from local restaurants, then make sure to purchase a ticket for the Preview Party on Friday night, May 21. You'll get to meet the artists and enjoy a much less-crowded Junctionview.

Since I don't roll on Shabbos, I will be having limited open studio hours (6-7:30 pm for the Preview Party and 10pm-midnight for the main event). So If I miss you, make sure to grab one of my cards from outside my studio door and drop me a line if you're looking to purchase something!

See you at Agora 7!

Details:
Agora 7 @ Junctionview Studios
Satruday, May 22, 2010
12 noon - midnight
889 Williams Ave.
Grandview Heights, OH
$5 at the door
Preview Party: Friday, May 21, 2010 from 6 - 10 pm
$20 in advance, $25 at the door
Purchase Preview Party tickets HERE.

Hot Ticket

One of the new collections I've been working on is called "Hot Ticket" - and is made using images from old concert ticket stubs. You can purchase ready-made ones in my Etsy shop or at What The Rock?! or Wholly Craft! Each one is unique - and I can also create a custom order for you from one of your own tickets.

Late-April Newsletter

Here's the text from my most recent (and re-designed!) email newsletter.

If you're interested in signing up to receive email updates, click HERE.

Snacktacular! On View Until May 7th
New Works & Old Favorites by Amy Neiwirth
Check out my latest food-themed paintings and sculptures at Wholly Craft - from sweet soft-serve ice cream to a loaded hot dog. Make sure to see my mini food shadowboxes as part of a colorful window display, too. All artwork is available for purchase.
Wholly Craft!
3169 North High St. in Columbus
614-447-3445
www.whollycraft.net

New Retail Location!
In a few weeks, some of my handmade goodies will be on their way to a very cute shop in Cleveland called Salty Not Sweet. This boutique started out as an indie craft show and then morphed in to a place to buy handmade goods all year round.
Salty Not Sweet
15613 Waterloo Rd. in Cleveland
216-481-8925
saltynotsweetcraft.wordpress.com

Handmade Nation
Movie Screening & Spring Trunk Show
Saturday May 8 - trunk show at 1pm, movie at 3pm.
Studio 35 Cinema, 3055 Indianola Ave. in Columbus
The Crafty Cotillion is proud to co-sponsor the Columbus premiere of Handmade Nation - a documentary by Faythe Levine about the rise of the indie craft movement. Before the movie, check out a trunk show featuring items by some of the fabulous & talented members of the Crafty Cotillion.
Find out more info HERE!

Sweet Stella Designs' Craft Show Schedule:
North Market Artisan Sundays
First & Third Sundays of the Month, May - October
(Sweet Stella Designs' Dates: May 2, June 20, July 18, August 1 & 15)
12 - 5 pm - 59 Spruce St. in Columbus
Crafts and good food - is there no better combination? Read moreHERE about the other awesome artists and crafters who will be participating in this season's Artisan Sundays at the North Market.
www.northmarket.com
* The first Artisan Sunday is THIS SUNDAY, May 2 - the perfect place for finding a unique Mother's Day gift! *

Pearl Market
Tuesdays & Fridays in July
10 am - 2 pm - Lynn & Pearl Alleys, off of Gay St. in downtown Columbus
I'll be teaming up with my fabulous crafty friend Mara M. (akaMaraM) to share a space downtown in the month of July.
www.downtowncolumbus.com/pearlmarket

Other Fun Goings-On
Who says there's nothing to do in Columbus?! The upcoming month is packed with all kinds of exciting events. Click on the links below for more info about each one.
Treasure Swap - Saturday, May 8
OAL's One Night: Absolutely Absurd - Saturday, May 15
Agora 7 - Preview: Friday, May 21. Main Event: Saturday, May 22
CAW Sadie Hawkins Show - Saturday, June 5

So Fancy!

My email list was in need of some serious help, so I decided to go with a mailing program called MailChimp instead of continuing to send boring plain-text email updates.

With so many upcoming events in the next few months, I felt it was pretty important to keep my customers and fans informed, and so far, I've been pretty impressed with all of the features in MailChimp. It's fancy.

Curious about what the Sweet Stella Designs email list is like?
You can subscribe HERE!

Snacktacular!

Snacktacular!

New Works & Old Favorites by Amy Neiwirth

April 8 - May 7, 2010

Opening Reception:

Thursday, April 8; 7 -9 pm

Wholly Craft!

3169 N High St. Columbus OH

614.447.3445.

www.whollycraft.net

Sweets Galore

Tuesday, March 23rd is the Cakes For A Cause auction to benefit the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. The basic idea of the event is that bakeries and bakers donate scrumptious sweet treats to be auctioned off. The cost of a ticket to the event is $21, which will provide one week's worth of meals to a person.

I'm not a baker of edible treats - but I am a "baker" of sorts! I whipped up this pretty cake necklace to be auctioned off at the event. It sits on a real porcelain plate and comes with a silver-plated chain.

Last month, I created some custom clay cupcakes for Kiesha - blogger and baker extraordinaire who wanted a bracelet bearing some of her home-made treats showcased on her 52 Weeks of Baking blog. She had some really kind words to say about my designs on her new blog, The Brooklyn Baker.

I also made a custom charm bracelet for an awesome 13-year old girl from Las Vegas. Her friends probably squealed when they saw this adorable charm bracelet. She'll definitely be the only one at school wearing one of these!