beautiful bear tee by thepetitechouette

Hello! I wanted to drop by and say hello1 Things have been pretty quiet around the blog recently!

I want to know, what would you like to see on this blog in the near future? Please, your feedback is appreciated!

In other news, isn't this "Beautiful Bear Tee" by ThePetiteChouette the most adorable thing you have ever seen? I think Violet would ADORE one of these precious shirts! Too much for an almost 2 year old? Heavens no!

Oh, and I updated the Gingiber Etsy Shop with tons of new plush and a set of post cards! Check it out!

Cheers,

Stacie

weekend show recap

My first craft show is over. I will not go into the gory details, but over all it was a good experience. I learned a lot about booth set up (mine rocked), making connections with local crafters and artists, and the importance of advertising! Here are some pictures of the day!

Thanks for all of the moral support!

-Stacie

unique boutique NWA, this saturday springdale, arkansas

So I have been building up all sorts of suspense about my upcoming "show". Well, it is this Saturday in Springdale, Ar. It is called "Unique Boutique NWA".

Now, first let me say that I am thrilled to be a part of this show. It is not an arts and crafts show, per-se, but I think that a lot of my plush and art (and onesies) will fit the bill for the targeted demographic.

This is the first year for this show, so I have no idea what to expect in terms of turn out. I might have entirely too much product. If so, get ready for a HUGE Gingiber Etsy sale next week, because mama's gotta move some merchandise!

I am entirely out of my comfort zone, which is a great thing if I want to grow. And, my dearest friend, Jenna (of Mind Your Music fame) is coming up to help me run my booth. How incredible is she? How many people would volunteer 2 days of their time to help with a little show? That, friends, is why Jenna is the coolest.

(source: jenna's feet)

Do you follow her flickr stream? You should. Jenna just got accepted to a fancy schmancy school overseas to study photography. And, you can say that you saw her work here first!

So, everyone, if you are from Arkansas (or Missouri) and feel like taking a little drive to Springdale, I would love to meet you!

This Saturday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Springdale Arkansas from 9AM- 6PM.

Be there or be square!

-Stacie

dairy free onesies

The dairy free onesies are here! You can purchase them in my Gingiber Etsy Shop!

I opted for a two color design. Pink and Brown (which always look lovely together).

Oh, and it is definitely a lovely pink (the monitor is making it look mauve! the nerve of you, Mr. Computer!)

The "photo shoot" with Violet did not go very well, as indicated in the picture below, but it sure was fun trying to get her to pose...... yes.... we will say "fun"

Oh.

I got bangs. I wanted to look like that girl on Project Runway. I like them!

How has your day been?

-Stacie

mind your music: first aid kit

September is quickly approaching, as does everything that comes with it. i'm very excited about it. And i think First Aid Kit will make it come that much faster.

In The Morning

 Who Are They: The Stockholm sisters create magic. Even more amazing is Johanna and Klara's lyrics which are far more beautiful and tragic than their 16 and 19 years of age. The music is as wistful as it is golden ... and their voices together are simply haunting.

Favorite Song: Their debut album The Big Black & The Blue is glorious ... every single song. I'm especially partial to "Waltz for Richard" , "Sailor Song", and "I Met Up With a King"

Waltz for Richard

Reminds Me Of/ Feels Like: Baroque wallpaper, fall school romances, and ship sails full of wind

( Photography by Annette Pehrsson. Please view her haunting, enchanting stream. )

So let the leaves fall around you and soak in the looming autumn with the Swedish sisters of folk.

- Jenna

spread the love

Wedding Banner by spreadthelove

Is this not the most lovely wedding announcement? If I were getting married today, I would want something lovely like this to commemorate the event!

It reminds me of an old marriage license that Nathan has of his great-great-great-great-grandfather and grandmother Bloomfield. Yes, we have good old John and Mary Bloomfield's wedding certificate. And it to is laced with decorative flowers and birds.

Although, I do think that I prefer this more modern and quirky take on the wedding banner (sorry John and Mary).

I hope that everyone is having the best Monday possible. Thank you sincerely for your encouragement of my upcoming show. I am not going to lie. I am petrified. What if I don't sell any product? What is my booth is too amateur? Will I kick myself for not having been prepared to accept credit cards?

And the worst fear of all: What if people just don't like me.

Here I am, a 24 year old woman, still afraid of what people think. I have always struggled with self confidence, but at some point, I will grow out of it, right?

Please, don't tell me that my attitude is a choice.... pretty please? I want to live in my comfortably delusional world for just a day or two more, then I will grow up.

Pinky Promise!

-Stacie

i made a rug, sort of

So yesterday I spent a good 5 hours hand stenciling a $10 canvas drop cloth.

I decided it would be fun to do a "fish scale" pattern. I made the stencil by tracing two semi-circles onto card stock and then using a utility knife to cut out the pattern.

Here is the overall look. I think it is lovely! Why did I make such a large drop cloth rug?

For my upcoming show, of course! My entire life has revolved around getting ready for the show. I will have a 10x10 foot space. I am the type of person who has to have test drives before I can fully commit to an idea. First big job interview? I got fully dressed in my interview attire and stood in front of a mirror rehearsing my answers to possible interview questions. The same goes with this booth. Here is my booth set up (minus a large 6 foot table at the front) set up in my dining room. I like the colors. My "dairy free" onsies will hang on that white dress rack. I have no walls, so hopefully this will be cute enough.

And, the fish scale rug looks fabulous, in my opinion!

What do you think?

-Stacie

mind your music: lollapalooza 2010

This week, i just wanted to share some photos with you. i finally summoned up the courage to smuggle my D90 past security on the the third day thanks to a false bottom i made in my bag. i don't generally take photos of the artists themselves, but there's so much else to see ...

Empty Room - Arcade Fire

I'm posting more "artsy" photos of my dual trip to Chicago and Baltimore on my Flickr.

I'll give you a rundown of some the music as well:
The Black Keys were just plain sexy
Lady GaGa was disturbing
Gogol Bordello was fantastically danceable
Stars made me feel in love
Wolfmother made me feel hardcore
And Arcade Fire made me overwhelmed with the glory of what it means to be alive, for all of us.

It was simply wonderful.

- Jenna

more plush animals

So my camera battery is dead (sigh) so here is one quick iphone picture of some of the new plush animals that I have been making for the show. Whatever does not sell will be listed in my Gingiber Etsy Shop.

Have a great Thursday,

Stacie

the cider dress is a go!

All,

Thank you all for your advice regarding which Shabby Apple dress to purchase. I chose the Cider Dress.

I rarely post pictures of myself, let alone full body shots, so enjoy it while it lasts!

It arrived yesterday and it is a go! It actually fits quite nicely! I love the color. It is definitely orange, but more of a burnt sienna, which I love!

I am so excited to wear this to my little show next weekend, and to a dear friend's wedding in October. Also, I am really excited to explore some new business opportunities. I have this business plan, but it is too soon to share details. Be sure, though, that if things pan out like I hope that they will, you all will be the first to hear all about it!

Sorry to be cryptic. I am just excited to put myself and my ideas out there and see where they lead.

Gotta go! Be sure to check out yesterday's artist interview with etsian laurageorge.

-Stacie

artist interview: laura george

 

I am so excited to share with you the work of the very talented Laura of etsy shop laurageorge. Her illustrated work is whimsical and imaginative, like a dream world come to life. Most of you have probibly seen her popular print "Don't Panic" featured on several design and art blogs. However, it seems this talented woman is daily churning out new and inspiring drawings (which you can find on her blog "Minutiae").

Where to Find Laura

laurageorge: flickr

laurageorge: etsy

laurageorge: blog

Laura was kind enough to answer a few questions for an artist interview.

Artsy Questions:

1. Tell me a bit about your background. How did you get started?

Well, I've definitely been drawing for fun my whole life. I went to school for theatre, where I majored in performance but minored in design. I started painting backdrops for productions. When I graduated, I freelanced for awhile working for theatres & painting murals for small businesses. A few years later, I went through a tough time & started doing more personal work. A friend told me about etsy, and I created a shop & put a few drawings up. I was really surprised when they sold, and everything sort of stemmed from there.

2. Do you doodle full time or is it a side job?

I''ve had a part-time job for years now. I've been doing 60-70-hour weeks for the past 3 years, between my side job and my artwork. I'm actually taking the leap this September and going full-time. I'm really quite scared, but I'm also so excited about the prospect of focusing my energies.

3. If this is your full time job, what does the average work day look like for you?

I typically get up around 10 or 11 (I'm a night person!) and do email / internet updating for the first 2 hours of the day. With coffee. Sometimes I have lunch with a friend. Then I work on whatever project(s) I'm working on for the bulk of the day. I usually then fill etsy orders & maybe make a post office or supply run at some point. Sometimes I get to go to the lake or I'll take a yoga class or something relaxing. Then I typically work more... I'm a workhorse. If I have a show coming up, I'll go all night. Until like 2 or 3 am. If I'm not under any deadlines, some nights I'll do dinner or drinks out with a friend or my boyfriend. Either way, I'm usually up until the wee hours.

4. If this is a part time gig, what is your dayjob?

I've been waiting tables 2-3 nights a week for the past many years.

5. Describe your workspace.

My workspace is currently in my apartment, which is in Chicago on the top floor of a vintage walk-up building. In the summer, I take my gear out to my patio and work in the sun with my plants whenever possible! My actual studio is a separate room with pretty french doors and windows & more plants. I work on a big table looking out at a very nice tree that makes flowers in the summer and turns bright yellow in the fall, which is not a bad deal as far as city views typically go!

6. Where do you get your inspiration for your art?

Most of my direct inspiration comes from my dreams, and mental snapshots that I get in quiet moments -- most often just before sleeping, when waking up, or when driving. I usually see a picture of what I want to draw or paint, in its entirety. It's a true challenge to then try to capture that exact image when I'm working. I also get inspired by traveling, nature, music, meditation, books, and my loved ones.

7. Who are your favorite artists?

Oh there are hundreds. I love mark rothko, yoshitomo nara, naoshi, lisa kowalski, richard wright, hiroshi sugito, sean morris, tim biskup...

8. What do you find to be the most difficult aspect of being an independent artist?

Staying focused on one task when there are many to do. And wanting to be painting instead of ordering mailers and figuring out taxes.

Now for some random fun questions:

9. Where are you from?

I'm originally from Wisconsin. I've lived in Chicago for 8 years.

10. What is your favorite movie?

There are too many answers to this question! I shall choose one: "Amelie" is a lovely movie. One of my favorites.

11. What kind of music do you listen to?

All. Present obsessions include: The Books, Juana Molina, High Places, Fela Kuti, Hawk & A Hacksaw, Breathe Owl Breathe, Bill Callahan, Chad van Gaalen, Omara Portuondo, Ane Brun, Bonnie Prince Billy...

12. What is your favorite magazine to look to for inspiration?

uppercase is wonderful. and i love giant robot.

13. What advice do you have for fellow artists?

Be persistent & don't be afraid to put yourself out there! We are so often our own worst critics and we can be really hard on ourselves. Be gentle to yourself. The most important thing is to do the work, and let it come from an authentic place.

14. Where do you hope to see yourself and your career 5 years from now?

I hope I'm still doing a variety of projects as I really enjoy the challenge & excitement of working in different veins. I'd really love to be working more with children's books & magazines, doing more design work, and doing more murals / large-scale projects. I love doing collaborations with other artists, too, so more of that would be lovely!


I hope that you all enjoyed getting to know Laura and her work a bit more! Happy Monday!


-Stacie