12 Months of Cozy

Happy Early Thanksgiving friends!

Matt and I are about to get in the car and make a 6 hour trek up north to celebrate the holiday with the family. I can't wait for stuffing, potatoes and pie!

I'm pleased to present my newest creation to you today.....Ta-Da!

My 2012 Wall Calendar features 12 months of cozy! Each month includes a comfortable little room piece, that reflects the particular season.  The pages measure 8.5" x 11" so you get a nice big image and a considerable amount of space to write. I did all of the printing myself with pigment inks on a nice archival matte paper.

I decided to leave the pages loose, so they can be configured and hung in a variety of ways. Display them all at once and fill a whole wall, use a magnet to display a page at a time on the fridge, or just use the included binder clip to hang the calendar on a hook or nail.

The Cozy Calendar is available for sale in my Etsy shoppe and will also be available at the Rockford Art Museum gift shop. (I've also got cards, gift tags and prints there!)  And while we're at it, do check out my exhibition on Papernstitch. There is a discount code there you can apply to any purchase in my shoppe. Woo!  

Well, Happy Turkey! Check back tomorrow to find out about my Black Friday Sale.  Ta-Ta.

Find me on Papernstich!

Good morning friends!

I'm  excited to be part of the new holiday Papernstitch exhibition that opens today.

As proprietor Brittni Melhoff states, "Papernstitch is a curated, online exhibition space that was created to promote talented artists, designers, and makers selling handmade goods. The exhibition space is curated monthly and showcases the best of the best on an international level. Hence our tagline: hand-picked. handmade. Handmade expert, Brittni searches high and low every month for the best quality goods so you don’t have to."

It really is a beautiful shopping site and blog!

My Papernstitch exhibition is connected to my Etsy shoppe, so you can buy anything you see in the exhibition. During the run of the exhibition, I will be offering a sweet discount on anything in my shoppe My exhibition and discount run through December 7th.  Head on over to Papernstitch and check it out now!

Ta-Ta for now! 

 

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays Friends!

Things have been so busy for me as of late that I can hardly believe that this is the last week of school before winter break.  I'm so looking forward to a few weeks at a slower pace, where I can enjoy time with family, friends, and art supplies.

As a way of increasing my presence on the World Wide Web, I've created a new Fan Page on Facebook.  Take a moment to check it out. I've posted a nifty coupon code that you can use in my Etsy shop. But do hurry, the coupon code expires on December 20th!

Signing off for now.  Wishing you health and happiness throughout the holidays.

Rockford Handmade Market Preview - Part 2

Happy Monday Friends. After 5 days off from work, it's been tough for me to get back into the swing of things today. 

Rockford Handmade Market is just 4 days away, and I've got some more goodies to share.  All of these works are handmade right here in Rockford, Illinois by one of our Rockford Handmade Market vendors.

1. Flowers, bowls and more fashioned from found objects by Recycled Rarities.
2. Original still life paintings by Art Friedl. 
3. Handcrafted silver fingerprint jewelry by Precious Prints co.  
4. One of a kind art dolls made from new and recycled socks and trinkets by Socks that Rock.   
5. Contemporary felted toys and accessories by Lulu’s Stabbies Creatures.
6. Hand stamped custom jewelry by Jewelry by Katie M.
   

 Hope to see you there! 

Rockford Handmade Market Preview - Part 1

I'm excited and gearing up for the upcoming Rockford Handmade Market.  Taking place this Thursday, December 2nd from 4 -10 pm, the historic Prairie Street Brewhouse will be filled to the brim with holiday cheer!   

Free to attend, there will be 32 great local vendors present at this show, all of whom make handmade goods. I'm hoping to do quite a bit of my Christmas shopping here! You'll find art, home decor items, jewelry, paper goods, toys, candles, soaps, bags, posters, clothing and more, all in one cool space. Locally produced food and drinks will be available for purchase too. Here's just a small sampling of the goods that will be available.

1. Upcycled coffee sacks transformed by Burlap Works.
2. Artisan breads and pastries, homemade jam and gourmet butters by Crust n Crumbles.
3. Wearable works of art made from antique and vintage items by Opaline1214.
4. Repurposed vintage button jewelry, garlands and handmade prints by The Paper Button.
5. Screen-printed tshirts, posters, pillows, and other goodies by Pirate Ninja Print Shop.  

Stay tuned for part 2 of the Rockford Handmade Preview. 

Be sure to check out the Facebook fan page too!

Happy and Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving friends! I hope you will all be able to share this holiday with ones you love.  

No school today, so I am getting an early start on the Thanksgiving celebration.  Jack (My soon-to-be stepson) and I  will be heading over to my mom's house to make pumpkin cookies, an old family favorite.  Yum!

Tomorrow,  Matt and I have two Thanksgiving dinners to attend.   We'll be with my family in the afternoon and then hop over to Matt's parents house in the evening. I'm looking forward to plenty of good company, good conversation, and way too much food.

I will be holding a Black Friday Sale in my Etsy shop. Details will be posted on the blog tomorrow. Be excited - some deep discounting!

Cheers!

Holiday Shopping @ the Rockford Art Museum Store

Photo of Rockford Art Museum store courtesy of RAM website

The Rockford Art Museum Store is one of my go-to gift shops in town. If I'm in need of a unique, artsy gift, I know I will find something there. Just last week I bought my co-worker a beautiful handmade coil basket made out of newspaper and magazine.

During  the holiday season the RAM store will carry a selection of my cards, gift tags, prints and originals.  I'm excited to have my work in a "brick and mortar" during the prime-time gift giving season!

RAM Gallery and Store are open Monday through Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday 12-5.

A Little Bit Disappointed

A few months back I applied to the Renegade Craft Fair, that will be held in Chicago in September. I haven't ever done a show of this size, where I'd have to put together my own booth, but thought this could be a good opportunity for me. I've been making work all summer in the hopes that I got in.

Today I found out that I was not chosen. Bummer. On the positive side, I get the hefty $300.00 booth fee back that I had shelled out.

I'm disappointed that I don't have a show lined up for the fall now. I have a lot of work that needs to be seen and sold!!!! I am hoping to do Artscene somewhere this fall. (Artscene is a twice yearly event in Rockford, where businesses and galleries all over town host art exhibitions.) If anyone knows of any places looking for exhibitors for Artscene, please let me know!

I'm also looking to do a holiday show somewhere, and I would appreciate your suggestions. I'd be willing to do a good holiday market in the Rockford, Chicago, or Madison areas.

Until then, I'm concentrating on Etsy and I guess I have to start thinking about school since its now August! I'll leave you with this currently unnamed piece. (Suggestions appreciated.) This little piece measures 5" x 5" and was completed on mustard colored paper. It will be for sale in my Etsy shop just as soon as I come up with a name.

Cheers.