Tuesday, December 13, 2011

A Treasury for a Tuesday : RNEST Creatures


After our meeting last night, I decided to make a treasury this week featuring RNEST members and some things with make about animals.

RNEST Creatures, featuring :

flyrabbitpress
jackbear
HeatherVitticore
AlisonTyne
KiraArts
buenahelena
peachesproducts
oldfamiliarway
StaceyKayCollection
MervAndDolores
turtlefly
MFcrafts
karenswimmer
bmegdesigns
FrancescaDeCaire
KateJCreates

Craft Fair, Craft Fair, SLEEP

I've had 2 two-day fairs over the past two weeks, so I hope that is a reasonable excuse for not posting very consistently.

Firstly was Craftmas with RNEST during the first weekend of December. About 20 of us set up in a space in the Hungerford Building here in Rochester and just did our thing. The overall turn out was pretty decent and it was mostly just fun. It was cool to hang out with RNEST folks, get a chance to talk, and simply do what we do in a low key environment. Here are a few photos from the event and you can few more on my Facebook page.




This past weekend was the Indie Garage Sale in Utica. To you Central/Western NY crafters out there : do this show. It's awesome. The organizers were great, the turn out was outstanding, and the vendors were fun. Definitely one of my best shows and a great first show to travel for (even if it was only 2 1/2 hours away). And the hotel we stayed it wasn't even sketchy! Although I'm sure the 'Happy Journal Motel' next door rented by the hour.
It was a long weekend, especially since I started coming down with a cold Friday night, but well worth it. I also could not have done it without Ben; he was wonderful. Drove there so I could sleep in the car, helped load and unload, watched the table so I could pee, and even made a few sales! I'm a very lucky girl :)
I was too tired to take pictures of the whole event, but here are some of my booth.



I won't be selling anywhere else this year, but that is perfectly fine. There's a lot going on at Small World and I'm already heading home to NJ in less than 2 weeks for X-Mas. I'm looking forward to having a whole week to just chill out and rest; and I cannot not wait to see my friends in Delaware for New Years!!

....Although I still don't think there will be as much sleeping as I'd like in the next few weeks...oh well...

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A Treasury for a Tuesday

With the Indie Garage Sale approaching quickly and with all the other work I have to do this week, I regrettably don't have time to make a treasury this week.
(Although after last night's XTMP meeting, I'm tempted to make one about mustaches, as sick of seeing them as I have become...)

Instead, here are a few lovely treasuries my books have been featured in over the past week or so:




Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday : RememberADay

With winter closing in, I'm just itching for some cozy things to wear. These leg warmers by RememberADay would satisfy that itch perfectly. They just look so soft and big and puffy and warm...mmmmm! Not to mention that I am very attracted to the carefully selected autumn color palette of red, brown, and golden yellow. They represent the perfect balance of bright color and quiet neutrals.

And a good pair of leg warmers makes for a good excuse to wear skirts and shorts through the winter as well!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Treasury for a Tuesday : The Cheese Stands Alone

I was lucky enough to avoid the experience of having mice in my home until the summer of 2010. I lived in a house that was practically the woods and a lovely little finally of rodents found solace in our central air conditioning system. And our counters. And our pantry. And, for one of the babies, a party of drunken college students (I don't think he found an solace though, mostly terror).

I had a few mouse related encounters over the past few days. There's nothing like having one of these little critters sneaking around your space : they're cute and all, but I could do without them eating my food and shitting on my counters.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Back to the drawing board...

Getting it together since returning from Thanksgiving weekend.
(barely)

On the horizon:
-RNEST Craftmas this weekend
-IGS in Utica next weekend
-attempts to continue Tuesday Treasuries and Wishlist Wednesdays

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This weekend, from Nov. 24th-27th I’m hosting a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale all in one! Use coupon 
code BLACKCYBERMONDAY to save 20% on your Soft Shell Crafts order.

*Please also note this holiday season that custom orders are available upon request.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday : StudioZen

This Etsy seller from Tacoma, WA speaks to my passions for painting, modernist design, and eastern philosophy. The triptych below speaks to the meditative line work of Brice Maden as well as Pollack's free from drips, but implies more planning and consideration as it is well organized around the circular orbs. It is difficult to tell which aspect of the painting (line work vs orbs) determines the other; they communicate with each other very well and one could not exist without the other. Both composition and color palette effortlessly offers a calming energy.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Holidays on the Horizon...

To be perfectly honest, I'm not super inspired to do a treasury this week. My apologies.

And my apologies for being a somewhat neglectful blogger. I know you've heard it before, but I've been a busy lady and have let crafting slip a bit since Mayday. Give me a break, I needed one. Besides, I've been very focused on food lately. And to be honest, there's only enough space in my brain to think about one at a time.

But with Thanksgiving weekend (Black Friday), Craftsmas, and the Indie Garage Sale on the horizon, I really need to get my ass in gear.

I have a TON of books to make. Tonight, I've already chopped down some cardboard and am working on gluing them up with packing paper. I'm really making a dent in my cash of materials-to-be-repurposed, which is awesome. New map books on the horizon and maybe some more animals as well. As for new ideas? We'll have to wait and see.

What else in on the horizon? A Black Friday sale! Normally I am not a fan of all the Black Friday nonsense. Shouldn't it be Sleep In and Digest Everything You Ate Yesterday Friday? And then eat some leftovers? For the next 3 days?
But that's the beauty of the internet! You can have your leftover toferky AND take advantage of sweet deals on holiday gifts. Excuse me, handmade holiday gifts. Do yourself and your local economy a favor by supporting a local artist near you. Etsy makes it easy to do this with their Shop Local search feature. Tell your loved ones you care by keeping you carbon footprint to a minimum.


And not long after that is the Indie Garage Sale in Utica, NY! This will be the first craft fair I'll be doing any traveling for and I can't wait. Granted, Utica is only 2 1/2 hours after from Rochester but considering it's a 2 days show I'll be staying over night. Sounds like the organizers have been doing a ridiculous amount of advertising, which is wonderful news. I'm keeping my figures crossed for a good weekend.


Eeep!

Off to continue book making!!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Mayday! Underground and √art/craft

Boy oh boy oh boy! What a weekend! I've already had a lot of time to reflect on it, and I finally think my brain is settling back to normal (as normal as that is, I suppose). Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of pictures to share, but one of Casey's friends was documenting all the vendors and I asked her to get some shots of the exhibition. So I'm just waiting on those and will post them somewhere I have them.

For starters, this Mayday! was, hands down, my most successful show! I got outstanding feedback on all of my work and a lot of people walked away with Soft Shell journals for recording their notes, ideas, and creations.
I have some stocking up to do on the Beer Notebooks (I only have Saranac brand left, of course).
I also need to make some new map books before the Indie Garage Sale in Utica this December. I met someone at Mayday! who had great things to say about IGS and suggested I stock up. It's a 2 day fair and the first one I'll be doing any 'traveling' for.

Art/Craft exhibition, even with all its fly-by-the-seed-of-our-pants craziness was very well received! And it was one hell of a learning experiencing. We moved in a ton of portable walls, some of which were unreasonably heavy, built an artwork hanging system that was not particularly efficient but worked nonetheless, and 3 pieces in the exhibition sold. I'm still sore from all the lifting and climbing and moving and standing, but it was well worth it.
And I can't stop thanking everyone who helped out because I just don't know what I would have done with them.

And this experience has made me yearn for some sort space with real walls and lighting to do these sorts of things.

Next on the agenda: post the books that didn't sell at Mayday (so if you missed out, you'll have a chance on the Etsy), get ready for the Art Garage Sale on Sunday (where I'll be selling some of my Vietnam photography), and all various other adventures to come. We're approaching the holiday season, so there will only be more to do over the next 2 months.



Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Rochester NY Etsy Street Team: Wednesday Wellspring: Soft Shell Crafts

Rochester NY Etsy Street Team: Wednesday Wellspring: Soft Shell Crafts: Bubbling up from the well this week, an original from Soft Shell Crafts ! Today, one lucky winner will receive a hand-made sketch book. The...

Counting down the hours / Never Ending To Do List

Have you ever gone though one of those points in life where you feel like your to-do list is just never going to end? That's what I'm experiencing right now. Every time I manage to cross something off, something new comes up. Luckily, I've been able to keep on my game so far.

The Root of Art over Craft exhibition / Mayday! Underground is in less than 2 weeks. 10 days, to be exact. [panic ensues] I'm pretty on top of things so far. Labels and bios are typed out, they just need printing. We are more or less set with our display materials; although it is rather nerve wracking knowing that we'll only have a few hours the night before the event to move everything in and hang. Saturday is the last chance for art work drop off, so I just have to keep my figures crossed that everyone shows up with there work.


Link
On the subject of crunch time, I just finished sewing up 10 map books and 7 animal books today. Phew! They look awesome and I'm so excited to have them at Mayday! About a month ago, I found a small brown vintage suitcase in a therif store by RIT and I'm going to display the map books in it. I also have a new line of Cookbook Journals for Mayday! as well. Tomorrow I'm going to get on photographing so I have documentation.


I'm also on the 3rd posting of the MTG Mana Notebooks.


This week, I'm giving away the Japan Journal though RNEST. There are tons of ways to enter, so check out the RNEST blog for the details!

In none-craft news, Ben and I made spring rolls last night. And they were delicious.



Hmm...what else? Other than making cupcakes tomorrow at Small World, working some beer shifts, and modeling at RIT that pretty much sums things up.

Come to think of it, I more or less just wrote the email I've been intending to blast out to my email list! Awesome! (Also, join the email list)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Treasury for a Tuesday: Home on the Range

I'm couldn't tell you what inspired this one, but I rounded up enough cattle to form this treasury just time for Tuesday.


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

MTG Mana Notebooks

Recently I made some very nerdy Magic the Gathering Notebooks with some of Ben's old cards. I posted one today and it sold in just a few hours, hurray!

Here's the link to another one: Magic the Gathering Mana Notebooks.


Sunday, October 9, 2011

Mt _ Greeting Cards

I have become somewhat obsessed with drawing these mountains. Technically, they are not real places. They are inspired by the ideas involved with being there: solitude, meditation, connectivity to your environment, reflection. Sometimes it feels like I am trying to capture a place or a person that I miss.
Currently, I added a few original drawings to the Etsy shop and am working on some originally drawn greeting cards that I will have a Mayday, and hopefully other fairs this holiday season.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Thursday, October 6, 2011

So many book covers

I have a bunch of new animal and map themed book covers ready to go. I just need more paper...

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday : OliviaRoyale

Well, I missed last week's Wishlist Wednesday do to an grain acquiring, ginger harvesting, locking my keys in my car adventure.  But I have a great one this week and am doing my best to post something weekly.

This Etsy seller is an Upstate New York local from the gorges Ithaca.

Olivia Royale's shop is filled with wonderful hand knitted and crocheted hats and wearable art. Her work is so colorful and well crafted, it's hard to pick a favorite.
The colors in the Crochet Gypsy Vest are outstanding! :




But who can argue with a blanket you can wear?


The Chevron Green Poncho Sweater reminds me of grandma's handmade afghans, in a very good way. This would be the perfect thing to wear on a crisp autumn pumpkin picking adventurer or to snuggle up in on a cold winter night with a book and a hot cup of tea.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

A Treasury for a Tuesday: Bread

I have been interning at an organic bakery and learning the wonders of bread.
Bread by Soft Shell Crafts

Vote!

I think this is the only place I have not post this...so here it is!

I've entered my Black Sea Journal in the Handmade Gift Guide's poll this week.
Please VOTE for it. The winner get 2 weeks of free ad space and a feature on the blog. As of right now, I'm in 3rd place and still have a ways to go to catch up. But the poll is open until 11:59pm on Thursday, so maybe with a little bit of your help, anything could be possible?

And if you do vote, leave a comment here letting me know that you voted along with your email address and I'll send you a coupon for 10% off in my Etsy shop. :)





Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wishlist Wednesday : bananastrudel

As you can see, I am going to attempt to integrate some consistency in this blog with weekly, themed posts. On Wishlist Wednesdays, I'll feature an items some of my favorite shops, things I've been considering buying for a while, and items from shops of people I know.

To kick off this feature, I'll actually going to talk about an item that represents more an idea for me.

Presenting:


Banana Strudel's shop is filled with tons of beautiful antique maps and illustrated charts of animal life. If her maps weren't so precious, I'd love to incorporate them into one of my map books.

 
Of course, the map of Delaware resonates with me because of my connection to the state. Having gone to college there, it represents an infinite amount of wonderful memories and I pine for the friends I made while there (even with many of them in different states).  
 With my sister currently attending school there, I have just another good excuse to plan a visit down there. But until then, I'll just look at this map.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

RNEST Treasury: Autumn in Rochester

It's a pretty chilly, rainy day here in Rochester. But these kinds of days always make for good excuses to say inside and work on some crafting. My schedule is completely clear today (what else is new..) and it's still pretty early, which means I should be able to get a lot done.
To start off the morning, here's a treasury featuring RNEST members. Autumn in Rochester:


What else is on the to do list for today:

-animal postcards / book design
-make 'field journals'
-start designing postcard for Root of Art over Craft
-start blog redesign(s)
-maybe some laundry
-etc, etc...more things always come to my attention once I get working...

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Map Journal: Spain and Portugal





Spain and Portugal Journal: hand bound using the coptic stitch; cover made from upcycled cardboard an a vintage map; Strathmore Windpower Sketch paper made from 30% post-consumer materials; $15 on Etsy






Spain and Portugal Journal: hand bound using the coptic stitch; cover made from upcycled cardboard an a vintage map; Strathmore Windpower Sketch paper made from 30% post-consumer materials; $15 on Etsy

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Beer Notebooks! 6% ABV




Beer Notebooks are now available in my Etsy shop! These babies are where all the book making started...thank you wild college parties.

You can pick 3 for $8 or build your own 6 pack for $18.