And Another Thing...

I cannot believe I forgot to mention this: I am one of several artists in the Columbus Crafty Cotillion to be featured in the July issue of Crafts Report Magazine! 

You can read the blog post on the Cotillion site here and you can check out the digital version of Crafts Report here. And yes, those are my cake rings on the right-hand page! *Giggle*

In July, I will also be starting a Sweet Stella Designs rewards program. For each purchase $20 and over, I'll sign your specially designed rewards card. When you collect 8 signatures, you'll have the choice of a free 1-inch glass pendant or 10% off your next purchase. Remember that in order to participate, I'll need to give you a special card to start off with, and each signature must be mine! Get excited :) 

Oh, and one last thing: if you have Facebook, you should definitely become a fan of Sweet Stella Designs! 

Summer Preview

Summer is almost here and that means craft shows galore! It also means that I have the summer off from teaching art and am so excited to catch up on my creative pursuits. Here's a preview of what's in store for Summer 2009. 

Sno-cone Hair Pins are the perfect summer treat!

Comfest (June 26-28th in Goodale Park): You'll be able to find Sweet Stella Designs' merchandise at Comfest even though I won't personally have a booth there. Check out the Wholly Craft! booth for my usual goods and Buckeye Bling for my colorful clay Ohio map silhouette necklaces. 

Sweet Collaborations: In July, you'll be able to purchase exclusive items from my Tiny Treats line at Pattycake Bakery! These little gems are hand-sculpted from polymer clay and will resemble the awesome, scrumptious vegan baked goods at Pattycake! 

You'll be able to purchase hairpins, earrings, rings, and necklaces shaped like cupcakes, muffins, cookies, and other sweet treats. Check 'em out at the bakery in Clintonville starting July 3rd. 

North Market Artisan Sundays (first Sundays of the month): Take a trip to the North Market to check out all of the talented craft vendors selling their wares. Support local businesses, artists & crafters and find unique items for yourself or for someone special. As always, I will have exciting new creations for sale! 

Crafty Cotillion Handmade Expo @ The Ohio State Fair (August 8, 2009): Even though I won't be able to vend at this event, I am a Crafty Cotillion member and in addition to helping to organize this event, I urge you to stop by and enjoy the handmade goods & local music from talented folks all over the city and beyond! 

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival (September 7, 2009 at Northam Park): I was accepted as an emerging artist for this festival and I am so excited to be able to branch out and share my jewelry with a whole new audience! Be on the lookout for fresh new designs incorporating more upscale materials and techniques. 

And if you can't make it to these events, you can always order something online from my shop, or email me about a custom creation! 

I Found A Gem!

While perusing Etsy, I stumbled upon a photo of this vintage pot from seller 13bees that looked amazingly familiar. 

To check out this sunny vintage pot, visit 13bees.etsy.com

Then, I realized that this was the very same enameled cookware that my parents had in their house for the first 15 years of my life. They received a whole set as a wedding present in 1972. I never knew that it had a special designer or a specific pattern name, but it's by Cathrineholm and called Yellow Lotus. 

I had an "a-ha" moment, and after some digging around in my cupboard, pulled out the last remaining piece in the set, which I inherited in college and stashed away when I purchased my new set of pots & pans. I decided not to cook with it anymore because it really is heavy! 

Here is my vintage Cathrineholm Yellow Lotus pot! Should I sell it or keep it for its retro cool?

I was surprised to see how much these pieces sell for on Ebay and Etsy. It's funny to think of them as collectibles now since they were just average pots & pans in my house when I was growing up. 

Read more about Cathrineholm cookware here:

BackGarage

Jenn Ski

H is for Home

Get It Together...

I need a swift kick. The past week and a half has been filled with utter laziness (including a great trip to MD/DC...photo above is from the National Gallery of Art). Now I must get back on track. I have summer craft shows to prepare for and retail locations to re-stock. 

I could use some words of encouragement! And maybe better time-management skills as well. 

On the plus side, I am starting a new line of jewelry that incorporates glitter and resin. I find that the hexagonal glitter looks a bit more sophisticated than the typical square kind. Below is an example of one of my new glittery pieces: "Ruby Slippers" pendant necklace. Look for it in my Etsy shop soon!

It's Agora Weekend!

It's here! Agora is THIS WEEKEND at Junctionview Studios. Everyone in the Couchfire Collective (and at Junctionview in general) has been working extra hard to make this event even more amazing than the previous 5 events. There will be over 600 artworks by 300+ artists, food and craft vendors, live music, and other performances.

On Friday night May 15, there will be a preview event from 6-10 pm ($10 in advance, $15 at the door) with drinks and food and a chance to browse the artwork before Saturday.

Even though I have a studio space at Junctionview, my hours at Agora will be limited because I don't roll on Shabbos. However, I will be in my studio (#133) selling my art + jewelry from 6-8:30 pm on 5/15 and after 9:30 pm on 5/16. You'll also be able to check out my work in the display case right outside my studio.

It's Almost My Birthday...

...and if you're stumped about what to get for me (on May 21st), I've got some items on my wish list from sellers on Etsy.com. :)

Studio Snapshot

The very talented Melissa Vogley Woods has a blog called Studio Snapshot, where she takes photos of various artists in their studios and often interviews them to give blog readers a glimpse of these artists' work process.

I am honored to be one of the artists featured in this week's Studio Snapshot! You can check out the photos and my interview HERE!

In other interview news, I might be featured as part of an article about Wholly Craft and the alternative-craft movement in The Crafts Report magazine. The article should be coming out sometime in mid-summer.

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!

Can't Blog...Making Tiny Cakes...

My solo show at Haiku in the Short North is fast approaching. It now has an official name: Sweet Tooth! I am creating diorama displays for my miniature polymer clay food in painted wood shadow boxes.

Check out the invite page on Facebook and stay tuned for more pictures of my miniatures & small sculptures. 

The next few weeks are going to be insane, and then I am off to Florida for some much-needed vacation time. A week after I get back, it's time for the CTA Craftstravaganza! 

An Ode to Salvador Dali

My parents' wedding anniversary was last month and I really wanted to get them a unique present for around their house.

Then (on Etsy, of course!) I stumbled upon a fabulous seller from Cincinnati whose business is called Pragmatic Effects. Hilary, the artist, creates an array of melting wall clocks, a nod to artist Salvador Dali.

With clocks in a variety of colors, and even those that look like they're sliding down a bookcase or draping over a mantle, a gift from Pragmatic Effects will delight any art-lover. My parents loved theirs and they can't wait to find the perfect spot for it in their house.

Etsy is really a great place for gifts that you won't be able to find anywhere else!

March Comes in Like a Lion...

I have been MIA from blogging lately because I've been doing lots of behind-the-scenes work and preparing for a very busy spring!

First, I am working on an exciting fundraising event for the school where I teach: Columbus Torah Academy. It's called the CTA Craftstravaganza and it is a juried, one-day marketplace for handmade goods to be held at my school on Sunday, April 26, 2009. At the Craftstravaganza, we plan to have over 20 vendors selling handmade jewelry, artwork, bath & body products, paper goods, baby items, plush, items for the home, clothing, purses, Judaica and more!

Proceeds from this event will benefit Columbus Torah Academy.

If you're reading this and wondering how you can apply to be a vendor, make sure to visit the Craftstravaganza website where you'll find all the details, as well as the print & mail application form. We will be accepting applications until March 15th.

I am also working on the exhibitions committee for AGORA 6, to be held at Junctionview Studios on May 16. This AGORA will prove to be bigger this time around, with outdoor performances, indie craft vendors, and of course, lots of art!

And my art show at Haiku in the Short North is fast approaching! I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, but luckily I have some amazing friends who are willing to give me advice and help me work on my concepts. I really want to show all new work, so now it's definitely crunch time.

I also just found out that I'll be presenting my work at the next Columbus Pecha-Kucha, which will actually be on my birthday (May 21)! So make sure to check back for more info on that, as well as some sneak peeks of what I'm working on for my upcoming show.

New Goodies for February!

I have been so busy over the last few weeks making tiny cakes and cute little treats for Valentine's Day. I also just dropped off a bunch of goodies at Wholly Craft, including fresh new cake rings (below). Wholly Craft is being transformed this month in to the setting for the Sugarcraft exhibition. My Tiny Treats will be included in the "Candy Shoppe" portion of the exhibition, which celebrates all things sweet. 

Another popular item has been the Moustache Necklace. I think it was featured on the front page of Etsy today, because I just listed more in my shop and after less than 24 hours, my listing has almost 280 views and 30 "hearts". Wowzers!

I'm also working on another shipment for the Renegade Handmade store in Chicago. So it will be all cakes & moustaches for me...at least for the next few weeks.

2008 Wrap-Up

After a much-needed break from blogging & crafting, I feel re-charged and energized and ready for 2009! I have some great goals for Sweet Stella Designs for the upcoming year, but first, I wanted to reflect on the last part of 2008. 

November: 

Auto/Bio: An MA Thesis Exhibition 

I finally finished my giant MA project (17 pieces of artwork and a 180-page paper) and it was great to see my art on the walls and have my friends and family come out to celebrate. 

People mingle at my exhibition reception

Tiny Canary Indie Design Market

This event is always a blast! So many people came out to this two-day indie craft extravaganza and I split the table space with my friend (she took the space on Saturday; I had it on Sunday) Lori who makes perfumes and bath blends under the name Violette Market. 

Here I am at my Sweet Stella Designs booth

Anne shows off her new AmyD skirt 

December:

Holiday Hop Trunk Show @ What The Rock?!

The wintry weather was a bit of a deterrent for some people, but many others hopped on down to What The Rock to check out items from my holiday collection. 

Pink & sparkly with tiny lights: just the way I like it

In addition to my trunk show, I also had some small works displayed at Roy G. Biv Gallery's Member Small Works Exhibition and the Ohio Art League's annual Thumb Box Exhibition. 

C-Note Art Show 

Every piece of art was priced at $100 and despite the dreary economy, people came out to support local artists. I had an open studio on Saturday night and it was lots of fun to see all of the different types of art on the walls. 

Art viewers enjoy the work at C-Note 

Jen and Coreroc hang out in my open studio, #133

I am definitely looking forward to the rest of 2009. There are some great events happening at Junctionview Studios (including a spiffy re-designed website) and I am getting ready to start making some Valentines Day-themed jewelry. Looking ahead to April, I have an art show scheduled at Haiku Poetic Food & Art in the Short North. 

Naturally, most of my New Years resolutions have to do with being more organized, so I hope I'm able to keep up with that!

New Computer!

Ladies and gentlemen...I finally have a new computer: the MacBook Pro!! It was my graduation present and even though I've only had it in my possession for a day and a half, so far, it's glorious. 

I had been working on a 5-year-old Toshiba laptop, and while my old computer still works, it runs so slowly and it freaks out when I have more than 3 programs running. Especially Photoshop, it hates that. 

Naturally, I'm going to have to start transferring all of my music, photos, and documents. I'll probably spend some solid time on that during winter break. 

For now, it's more art events! Remember that the C-Note Art Show is happening this weekend at Junctionview Studios. I'll be having an open studio & an art and jewelry sale on Saturday night after 6:30 pm or so. So stop by and say hi if you can! I've got some great new creations for the holidays. 

Shop Local for the Holidays!

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Look no further than the talented artists and crafters in Columbus, Ohio! I created this compilation of local Etsy sellers to show what creative and beautiful work is made right here in central Ohio.

Wondering how you can find sellers on Etsy from your area? Just use the Shop Local tool at Etsy.com!

Holiday Craziness!!

Okay kids, the holidays are almost upon us (well, not really...it's not even Thanksgiving yet!), but I am already gearing up for a jam-packed December.

First up is my trunk show at What The Rock?! (see flyer below). If you haven't been to WTR before, you should definitely get yourself there. They have a variety of rock n' roll themed items from t-shirts to baby onesies to books and CDs. Mike and Heather, the owners, are great people and try to give local artists and crafty folks opportunities to sell their handmade wares. For example: they sell my friend Megan's grenade-shaped StinkyBomb soaps! They also sell my Sweet Stella Designs items.


I have already received some very cool press about my trunk show on December 6th from the Columbus ALIVE, as well as a listing in the Short North Arts District's newsletter (scroll down to the bottom for my event listing).

That same night is the opening for Ohio Art League's Annual Thumb Box Exhibition and Roy G. Biv's Members' Small Works Exhibition. I plan on having a piece in OAL's show and a few at Roy. Stop by during the Short North Holiday Hop and check 'em out!

In addition, C-Note Art Show is coming up the weekend of December 12-13. Visit the C-Note website or see the sidebar of my blog for times, location, and details.

Thanks, Columbus ALIVE!

One great thing about the Dispatch and the Columbus ALIVE is the value they place on DIY & locally-produced items. I think the editors and writers have taken note that people are interested in the do-it-yourself mentality and prefer to buy items that are hand-made or created in Columbus.

This week's issue features holiday gift guides and in addition to my jewelry being featured (in relation to my Holiday Hop Trunk Show @ What The Rock on December 6th), some very fabulous folks also got shout-outs in the 20 for $20 Gift Guide, including WTR, Poshta Designs, Yumi Yumi, Tandi's Glass, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, Umbrella Girl Productions, Skreened, Wholly Craft & Tigertree, to name a few.

Hooray!

Tiny Canary This Weekend!

Saturday and Sunday, November 15-16
10am - 6pm each day
at Junctionview Studios (889 Williams Ave. Columbus OH)

Let the countdown begin... Tiny Canary is this weekend!

For 2 days, Junctionview Studios in Grandview will be transformed into a temporary marketplace where you will have the opportunity to buy directly from local and regional artists and designers.

Skip the mall, buy handmade, and start your holiday shopping early! You are sure to find original, high quality handmade gifts for all those on your list!

Be one of the first 100 guests in the door each day and you will receive an organic cotton tote bag filled with samples, coupons and other goodies from our vendors and sponsors.Food and refreshments will be available from Rad Dog, Pattycake Bakery and Kevin's Espresso Cart. Admission and parking are FREE!

Visit the Tiny Canary website for directions and a preview of the participating vendors.

Inquiries? Contact thebird@tinycanary.com.

* Please note that Sweet Stella Designs will be a vendor on Sunday, November 16th only!*

Vote for Me!

I'm happy to be a part of the C-Note Art Show that's going to be happening at Junctionview Studios in December. The premise is that every item in the show is priced at $100. Part of the process for the show is that people can vote for their favorite artists through the website. Artists with the most votes will be granted prime spots in the art show.

So visit www.cnoteartshow.com and scroll down to find the artist bio and images for Amy Neiwirth. Then, click on the "plus sign" to vote! You can only vote one time per day per IP address. So vote often!

My MA Thesis Show

My MA thesis project exhibition was tonight! It was so amazing to finally see all my hard work on the walls (and my massive 180-page paper in my advisor's hands!) I had a great time tonight at the reception, and thanks to everyone who came out to see my work.

I wound up selling a painting to my friend Olivia, but it was a painting from my studio that wasn't actually part of the show. I hope she finds the perfect place for it in her aqua living room!
Special thanks to Adam for helping me hang all my work (without him, it would have taken me 7 hours) and Tamalynn for baking such wonderful cupcakes and cookies! And Devon did a fabulous job of making the floors look and smell lovely.

My parents took lots of photos of the reception tonight, and I will try to post those as soon as my folks put them on to a disc for me.

Now, for a brief moment, I am wondering what to do with myself. Then, I remember that Tiny Canary is next weekend, after that is my thesis project defense, then OAL submissions and proposals are due, then is my Holiday Hop trunk show at What the Rock, my school's Scholarship Dinner, C-Note Art Show, and OSU graduation.

I will sleep after December 14th.