New Years Resolution Fail

One of my New Years resolutions was to be a more active blogger. And since my last post was about a month and a half ago, you can see how good I've been about keeping that up. Oh well.

The good news is that the reason I haven't been blogging so much is because I'm just so busy! Between teaching, crafting, friends, and trying to have a social life, there just hasn't been much time for the blog. It's been on my "to do" list for several weeks. Whoops.

So, here's what I've been up to for the past 6 weeks:

COUCHFIRE COLLECTIVE

In January, I was excited to become a member of the Couchfire Collective, a local group of creative folks whose mission it is to promote the arts in Columbus. Couchfire organizes many exciting events throughout the year, including Agora and Independents' Day. This year, Couchfire is planning several new events, like FEAST - an evening of dinner and artist grant proposals, and A-Holes - a weekend of artist-designed miniature golf holes.

SWEET STELLA ON TWITTER

I decided that in 2010, I should join the Twitterverse - so far it's been fun! If you're a Twitter user, please follow me - I'm SweetStellaOH!

UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS

Touchy Feely

February 26 - 27, 2010

Reception: Saturday, February 27, 6-10 pm

Ohio Art League Gallery, 1552 N. High St. Columbus OH

This show, presented by the Couchfire Collective, e

ncourages hands-on participation with the artwork. I will be showing an interactive art piece for those with a sweet tooth!

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

Art Makes Noise: A Show for Artists, Musicians, and Music Lovers

Saturday, February 27, 2010

8 pm - midnight $5 cover

Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Ave. Grandview Heights, OH

One night only! Bands, art, and more. Check out my piece in the show - perfect for lovers of concert ticket stubs.

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

Columbus Music Co-op + Relay Records CD Release Show #2

Sunday, February 28, 2010

1 - 5 pm in the North Market Test Kitchen ($5 suggested donation at the door)

59 Spruce St. Columbus OH

I will be a vendor at this event (along with other local favorites like What the Rock?!, AmyD, and Wholly Craft). Stick around to hear music from local bands Flotation Walls, Time & Temperature, Jordan Martin, and Dan & Sean from Bookmobile.

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

A SHOW OF STUDENT WORK

You, Me, & We: Investigating Identity

Artwork by students from Columbus Torah Academy, Grades K-5

March 4 - 25, 2010

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 4, 2010 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Carnegie Gallery in the Main Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library (2nd Floor)

96 S. Grant Ave. Columbus, OH 43215

The artworks in this exhibition reflect students' perceptions of themselves and reflect all of the wonderful personalities in Grades K-5 at Columbus Torah Academy.

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

LOOKING AHEAD

I have a show of my work coming up in the month of April at Wholly Craft! in Clintonville. More details about the opening reception (and some shnazzy window displays) coming soon.

Holy Upcoming Events, Batman!!

Hope to see you at some of these awesome events I'm involved in.

Ohio Art League - Thumb Box Exhibition

December 3 - 23, 2009

Opening Reception: Thursday, December 3, 6-9 pm

1552 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43201 (new gallery space in the South Campus Gateway!)

www.oal.org

Roy G. Biv Gallery - Members' Small Works Exhibition

December 5 - 20, 2009

Opening Reception: Saturday, December 5, 7-10 pm

997 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43201

www.roygbivgallery.com

North Market Holiday Open House & Craft Extravaganza

Sunday, December 6, 2009 (and Saturday Dec. 5 - Emily of Umbrella Girl Productions will have the spot!)

12 noon - 5 pm (8 am - 5 pm on Saturday)

59 Spruce St. Columbus, OH 43215

www.northmarket.com

Junctionview Open House

Saturday, December 12th

4 - 10 pm

(My open studio hours: 6pm - 10pm, Studio #133)

889 Williams Ave. Grandview Heights, OH 43212

www.junctionviewstudios.com

Sweet Stella Designs Holiday Studio Clearance Sale!

Sunday, December 20th

1 - 4 pm in Studio #133

889 Williams Ave. Grandview Heights, OH 43212

www.sweetstelladesigns.com

You can RSVP on Facebook, just follow this link.

CAW (Creative Arts of Women) - Definitions of Character

January 14 - February 19, 2010

Opening Reception: Thursday, January 14, 5 - 7 pm

Carnegie Gallery in the Main Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library (2nd Floor)

96 S. Grant Ave. Columbus, OH 43215

Productive Spring...

I've spent the last 3 months planning a crafty fundraiser called the CTA Craftstravaganza for the school where I teach. This past Sunday, I got to see all the hard work come together! The event was a blast and seeing all the vendors set up with their handmade goods made me feel so proud to be part of such a wonderful craft community in Columbus.

Especially exciting was having my students see all of the creative goodness that is happening right in their own city! Of course, they were pretty excited that their art teacher makes tiny foods out of clay, too.

*Photos taken by my friend, Kevin. Check out his whole Craftstravaganza set on Flickr!*

And, looking onward, there is much more crafty goodness coming up. This coming Sunday is that first day of the North Market's Artisan Sundays! I'll be a vendor there as well, so stop by and check it out between 12-5 pm on May 3rd.

I'm also working on several custom orders, an upcoming collaboration with Pattycake Vegan Bakery, and possibly a special wedding line. Who knows what the next few months will bring!

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!

Artisan Sundays Blogged!

There was a little write-up about North Market's Artisan Sundays in the Retail Therapy blog (part of the Columbus ALIVE)!
I feel special because I wan mentioned as a favorite! I guess the nickname is "Sweet Stella" now: maybe "Sweet Stella Designs" is too much to type out, haha. Patrice, Anne, Chris and Adrienne also got shout-outs. Also mentioned were Lisa's Paperdoll and Starfish Designs, who I haven't yet had the chance to meet. Lisa's Paperdoll was one of the Columbus City Sampler contributors.

Here's another Artisan Sundays article from Columbus CityScene.

North Market Artisan Sunday

The first installment of The North Market's Artisan Sundays was a blast! Despite being a bit stressed about my set-up (so much stuff, so little time to get organized!), I thought my booth looked pretty good.
Special thanks to Olivera for lending me her fabulous folding table.


My booth was right between Lenny from L. Cabanero Designs (plush-maker and City Sampler contributor) and Clint from Galaxy Reno (screen printed poster-y goodness). Below are some of Lenny's lovable creatures.


Chris from Bootleg had some excellent t-shirts. I wish I had more time to wander around and check out all of the yummyness. That breakfast t-shirt is calling my name.


Way at the other end was Anne, with her clean and modern jewelry and her fabulously uncluttered display.


Patrice was across from me and she had some great new pendants and a bright new business card design. She decided to forgo the tent (too complicated to put together!) and bask in the sunshine.



One highlight of the day was the Elvis Costello sighting!! We were alerted to his presence right as I met Brandon, who borrowed my camera to get a closer look. I sent him with an "Ohio Love" pin and an "I Heart You" pin to give to Mr. Costello, who thanked Brandon for the cool "badges" and let him snap this photo. I had great hopes of him visiting my booth, but he seemed to be in a hurry and headed out pretty quickly.


At the end of the day, Lenny and I traded: I scored this adorable new friend and she now has a cool pendant necklace.

Back From Florida...

...and so much to do! I've only been back from my Passover vacation (photos to come!) for a few hours and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. This week, I'll be finishing details, organizing, pricing, etc. because Sunday, May 4th is the first day of "Artisan Sundays" at the North Market! Yipeee, I am so excited!
Check out the fliers below or visit The North Market's website for more info.



My booth at the North Market will feature several new lines of jewelry:
Microbes: pendants and earrings with hand-drawn cell images and references to the microscopic
Kosher Couture: jewelry and accessories for the lover of Jewish culture
At the Library: pendants and rings with images of books, writing, and text

I also have made many more polymer clay food items especially for summer: these are not listed on my Etsy site, so be sure to stop by my booth to say hi and to check out my work. Besides my typical wares, I will also have a spectacular "bargain bin" with deals galore.

Oh, and if you haven't checked out the latest press about the Columbus City Sampler in the ALIVE, you should do so right away! It's a very nice little write-up. The Columbus Samplers are sold out, by the way...so if you didn't manage to get your hands on one, don't forget that many of the fabulous contributors will also be vendors at the North Market. So stop by and check out their awesome work!

This Weekend...

...you're going to this event at the North Market:

I won't be a vendor, but you will be able to find some Sweet Stella Designs loot (like the apple core necklaces below) at the Wholly Craft booth! Look for many members of the Columbus Crafty Cotillion selling their handmade goodies. This event should be a blast, and after you're finished with that, head a few blocks north to the Short North Holiday Hop.

North Market Food & Ohio Wine Fest

Today was an awesome day at the North Market! Special thanks to my mom for being so sweet and helping out with my booth so I could take potty breaks.

Hmm, do you think we're related??

I did pretty well today (my biggest sales were from people I knew!). My one wish is that I had somewhere to hang my Sweet Stella Designs banner. We had a brick wall behind us and a pillar on only one side of us. Oh well! It didn't quite work out this time.

Check out my awesome money apron!! I bought it from Manos Mias on Etsy and it's one of my favorite craft show accessories.


And here are my finished tote bags. The cherry blossom one didn't go as planned, but that's ok. I have the sparkly pink donut instead!

I got to see Emily, Olivera, and AmyD at the craft show, although there wasn't much time for chit-chat since we were all busy with our booths.

My best sellers were definitely these rings:

Overall: great day! (super-exhausting, though)

Brand New: Tote Bags!

I have been working on these totes for weeks. I made them mostly from making appliques from felt and hand-sewing them on to the tote bags. For the tree branches, I used acrylic paint.
A few of the bags still need their final touches, like a little more ribbon or a few more buttons. I'll probably get to that today.

My goal is to be completely finished with the bags by tomorrow evening because on Sunday, July 15th, I'll be selling them at the North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival!
Come visit me on Sunday at the North Market (in Columbus, Ohio) from 12-6 pm!

Gettin' Around

I am going to be a busy lady in July! Here are some upcoming events:

**New start date:***
July 6th - August 17 (Tuesdays & Fridays): Handmade Parade
at the Lynn & Pearl Alley Markets, off of Gay St., Columbus
10:30 am - 2 pm

Friday, July 6: Mahan Gallery Bizarre Bazaar
1042 N. High St., Columbus
Opening: 7-9 pm
On view for one month (check it out during Gallery Hop night on July 7th!)

Sunday, July 15: North Market Ohio Food & Wine Festival .
59 Spruce St., Columbus
Visit the Sweet Stella Designs booth, and other local crafters, too!
12-6 pm

Friday, July 27: Art Fits group show.
At Junctionview Studios in Grandview (889 Williams Ave.)
6 pm - whenever!