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.

Crafty Patrice!

Who is that stunning gal surrounded by gorgeous handmade creations?
It's Patrice! She's on the cover of the Columbus ALIVE this week, which features articles and info about ComFest. You can read the full story here.

There are also brief write-ups about vendor booths Etsy Team Columbus, Chop Chop Gallery, and Mary Martineau's Transformations. Please take note of the Sweet Stella Designs shout-out in the Etsy section. *grin*

Don't forget to stop by the Etsy Team Columbus booth and check out my new creations. Remember, I will be selling on Friday and Sunday only!

Gettin' Ready for Comfest 2008!

Comfest is one of the most fun weekends in the Columbus calendar, and it's fast approaching (it's this coming weekend!!). I am trying to remain calm and get things checked off my to-do list.

In addition to enjoying the food, live music, and street fair vendors, this will be my first year as a vendor! I will be part of the Etsy Team Columbus booth with eight other creative ladies: MooganCreations, Mara M., Jewels of Luxury, Miss Megan Mac, Out of the Pink Sky Designs, Arteest, Gems by Jules, and Adornables by Lyn

My biggest challenge so far has been streamlining my displays and changing the set-up to accommodate a smaller space, since all 9 of us are sharing a tent. It was so hard to do because I went a little overboard with making new things. But, I did get some fresh new display ideas that I think will work with the North Market events as well as shows where I may only be allowed one 6-foot table.

Tonight, I changed the packaging on all of my hairpins so I could use my new pricing system (print-out labels: genius!!) and have them coordinate with the stud earrings and large pendant packages.




I really have to be a designer, artist, visual merchandiser, and salesperson!

Make sure to look for the Etsy Team Columbus booth at Comfest: June 27-29 in Goodale Park, Columbus Ohio!

Sugarcraft Goodness and Summer Fun!

I have been so busy lately getting my work ready for some awesome upcoming shows. The first of which is SugarCraft, a show in Chicago curated by Wynter Whiteside.
From the SugarCraft website:
SC is an international exhibit including works by over 50 artists, specially selected from all over the world. The exhibit focuses on the theme of indulgence in the arts while representing the contemporary adoption of DIY practices as a response to mass production and consumption, as well as the fading line between contemporary fine art and fine craft. Casual viewers and art connoisseurs alike are invited to engage with both established and emerging artists.

My collage, "To Meditate on the Goodness of Sweets (Cookie Mandala)" is going to be a part of the show!

Some of my "Tiny Treats" jewelry designs will be included in the SC gift shop, aptly named "The Candy Shoppe". I made many tasty and cute little items, ranging from cookies to sno-cones!

If you're in the Chicago area, make sure to check out SugarCraft at Kasia Kay Art Projects (1044 W. Fulton Market St. Chicago, IL 60607).
Dates: June 27th- August 9th, 2008
Opening Reception: Friday, June 27th 6-9pm

****
It's been awesome having RT in town! Last night, we hung out at Surly Girl for a while and met up with Patrice and JG. Then, we headed over to Tip Top to watch The Goonies, powered by the P2 Cycle, a bicycle-powered generator! It was a great time, I forgot how much I love The Goonies!
If you're curious about the P2 (the model used around Columbus was built by Nathan Ober), check out the video below.

Countdown...

My favorite person is coming to Columbus in three days! I am so excited, I can't wait!!

Too bad the weather here is beastly hot. Buying an air-conditioner was on my to-do list for next week. Poor Stella keeps searching for a cool spot in my apartment. She usually takes a liking to the area right under my clawfoot bathtub.

And tomorrow is the last day of teaching for the summer. I still have the massive task of cleaning and organizing my art room...but one thing at a time.

Crafting For A Cause!

On the evening of May 15, Rachel Widomski was seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver outside of Haiku restaurant. Rachel’s severe spinal cord injuries will leave her paralyzed for life. Please join us in a city-wide fundraising effort to help support Rachel and her family during her long road to recovery.

We have set up an Etsy shop called HaikuHelp where we will be selling handmade goods from crafters in Columbus. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Rachel Widomski Medical Trust fund.

For more info or to hear Rachel's story, please visit haikuhelp.com.

If you would like to contribute your handmade item to the HaikuHelp Etsy shop, please contact AmyD or me (Amy N.).

Sweet Stella Designs at the MTV Movie Awards!

My birthday was yesterday, and besides going to dinner with my parents, I didn't get very much time to relax...I was busy running around like a crazy person and doing last-minute wrap-ups for my MTV Style Lounge contribution. That's right...I just shipped 75 of my necklaces to be included in gift bags in the Style Lounge at the MTV Movie Awards!

Hmm, how did I get such a sweet gig? Well, it's through one of my favorite companies, The Sampler! They help promote indie artists, designers, and business owners. Alison and her crew were invited to participate (for a fee, of course!) in the Style Lounge, where celebrities can pick up cool swag at the MTV Movie Awards. The Sanpler will be offering a huge tote with all kinds of unique handmade goodies in it.

Here are some photos of what I made:

Everything looks fabulous with a silver bow.

Pendants inspired by pharmacy and biology!

So I have no idea if my participation will pan out in to anything, but I'm hoping for the best! If anything, it was quite the lesson in organization, mass production, and timing.