MOVING BLOGS!

I am officially moving my blog to be hosted on my brand new awesome website. Click HERE to view my new blog.

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.

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).

Vote for Me!

I am so excited that I was selected as a finalist in the Columbus Arts Festival 50th Anniversary commemorative print competition! Please vote for my print design (example image to the left) by checking out this link. Then, click on the thumbnail of my design, and click on "LIKE" at the bottom of the larger image on the new page.

You can only vote once, but you don't have to be a Columbusite to cast your vote.

Help me win the grand prize!

New Paintings

"Ready"

acrylic on canvas, 5x7"

$65

"Separation Anxiety"

acrylic on canvas, 5x7"

$65

above pieces on view at:

SMALL WORKS EXHIBITION

Roy G. Biv Gallery

December 4-18, 2010

Opening Reception: December 4, 7-10 pm

997 N. High St. Columbus OH

"Made For Each Other"

acrylic on panel, 10x10"

SOLD

"Broken" (left) and "Undecided" (right)

acrylic on panel, 6x6"

$65 each

on view at:

THUMB BOX EXHIBITION

Ohio Art League Gallery

December 2-29, 2010

1552 N. High St. Columbus OH

Por Vida - Take 2!

If you missed Por Vida III at Junctionview Studios last weekend, make sure to check out the amazing artwork this month at Salon Hotel Lily in the Short North!

Amy Neiwirth

Retablo Del Corazon

wood, polymer clay, acrylic paint & glitter

Por Vida: A Celebration of the Day of the Dead

Salon Hotel Lily

864 N High St
Columbus, OH 43215

Gallery Hop Opening on Saturday, November 6, 2010!

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 :)

Scheming...

I've been super busy getting back in to the swing of teaching. I think it's finally happened.

Now I'm planning for the holiday season - new designs coming soon. Stay tuned.

More Redecorating

Here are some more shots of my *new & improved* more colorful apartment! It's still a work in progress, but the kitchen and the living room are just about finished.

Just in time for me to start teaching again...

And as you might have noticed, I also "redecorated" my blog too. Yippee!

A Little Birdie...

My new pillows look just lovely in my living room.

(Blue pillow cover is by Nestables, cream w/birds is by Olive)

Yummy Summer Weekend Festivities

Okay, okay - I know I've been MIA lately. But between the redecorating, planning an art show, and selling my work at markets 3 times a week, blogging was last on my list!

I did want to mention the awesome event I planned for the Couchfire Collective at the Ohio Art League Gallery & the South Campus Gateway - it's called Yummy Summer Weekend! It's a fundraiser for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and features art shows, and art market, a free movie, performances and other fun surprises.

There's an article in this week's Columbus Alive that explains the premise behind the show.

Please check out yummyartshow.blogspot.com for all the details about the event. It's tomorrow, July 31!