New Store Opening!

Exciting news!  My work is now in a new store in Monroe, WA!  It's called The Picket Fence and is filled with wonderful handmade goods.  We went yesterday for the grand opening.

First we stopped for brunch at a place called The Maltby Cafe.  Yum!  I love brunch.

Next we stopped in the store and checked it out.  Look!  My pieces are in a store!  I was a good girl and only bought two things.  Not my own things of course :)

We finished the day with a stroll through the antique stores and a Slurpee.  Good day.

Schoolhouse Craft Wrap-Up

My School Notebook/Schedule

  Well this weekend was very inspiring and exhausted.  I just spent three days at the Schoolhouse Craft conference.  I learned so much!  From the moment I walked in, I knew it was the place for me.  Vintage linens and mason jars full of pencils.  Craft supplies and arty people.  It was awesome.

Raffle Table

I attended lots of great sessions and heard from some famous crafters.  I left with many practical suggestions and have a lot of work ahead of me!

One of the Classrooms

My head is a little full right now to go into lots of details, but I'll try to share a bit more over the next few days.  If you want to see some more pictures of the event, go here.

Art Camp for Big Kids Table- I made felted flowers!

Schoolhouse Craft

Starting today, I will be attending the Schoolhouse Craft Conference.  It's a three-day event here in Seattle filled with lots of fun information for crafty small-business owners.  I can't wait for all the learning to begin.

Is anyone else going?  What are you excited to learn about?

More Shop Changes In The Works

Does anyone else feel like the first year of your business is filled with constant change and learning?  Oh wait, that's just life in general.

Vermilion Flycatcher Box

I have been thinking a lot about my shop and talking with some awesome crafty people and have decided to spend more time focusing on my decorative painting pieces.  Which means less time on jewelry. 
 

Cecilia the Painted Bunting

This change will most likely involved splitting my etsy shop into two separate shops (cue vision of mad scientist laughing).  One shop will be painted objects and one will be jewelry.  Nothing is final yet, but look for these changes in the near future. 

Now In Stores!

Exciting news!  I have just started selling my work at a store in Monroe, WA.  The store itself is called Christy's Vintage Vault.

Inside, there is a section called Remake & Create, devoted to handmade goods.  I'm really excited to have my work out there in more places. 

Yesterday, I dropped off a box of jewelry as well as a painting and a painted box.  If you are in the area, go check it out!

For more information, click here.
To see the Remake & Create online catalog, click here.

Ch-Ch-Changes

Does that song make anyone else think of Shrek 2?

Anyway, there have been some big changes happening with my etsy shop.   If you are familiar with the etsy world, there has been some changes to the way the search happens.  Now, the default search is by relevancy and not by most recent listing.  This means it's much more important to have descriptive titles.  So, in an effort to make my items easier to find, I have let go of my bird names.  Now, things are named exactly what they are.

Bird Silhouette Pin on etsy

Furthermore, I have changed my shop sections.  Previously, I grouped things by the birds they were named after.  Now, I am grouping them by what they are. 

I was a little sad to make this change because I liked my bird themes.  However, I think that this will be a good change in the long run.  It will make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for and that is the important thing.


What do you guys think?  Do you like my changes?  If you have a shop, have you been making changes?

Fremont Sunday Market-Art Mart

Yesterday was a GORGEOUS sunny day, perfect for a visit to the Fremont Sunday Market.  It was the opening day of Art Mart and it looked fantastic.  I feel like my pieces looked even more professional placed among so many other unique pieces.  Here are some pictures of the event. 

The booth was very eclectic.

A nice mix of pieces.

I love the way this looks.  That hand is awesome.

I was THIS close to buying the kitty with glasses.  Rad Cat

Lovely pieces from Imogene Froward

Jewelry by Me and Cards by Strychnine Frosting Press

The market was HUGE.  I could have looked for hours.

Art Mart Swag

Here is the swag items I created for the first 20 customers at Art Mart tomorrow.  I made small little bird charms and attached cards that say "You're so Charming," along with a coupon code.

I had a hard time getting good pictures of these, but do you recognize some of these birds from my postcards?

I hope some of you can make it out tomorrow.  I'm really excited!

Art Mart Seattle

Hi friends-

I'm very excited to announce that I will now be selling my work through a new group, Art Mart Seattle.  Art Mart Seattle is a mobile pop-up art co-op dedicated to showcasing local artists and their handmade items.  Described as the "food truck of art", this group will be setting up at local Sunday Markets and Art Festivals around the Pacific NW.  And I get to be a part of it.  Yay!

This Sunday they will be at the Fremont Sunday Market.  It's the opening weekend and the first 20 customers will receive a free swag bag, so show up early and buy stuff :)  I am contributing some swag items I will show you later this week.

Here is the information for the market:

Sunday, July 24 · 10:00am - 5:00pm 34th St. at Evanston Ave  Find out more here. And here is a list of the other artists participating: Imogene Froward: Prints, Jewelry, Home Decor Soma Venus: Handmade Books and Plush Strychnine Frosting Press: Screenprinted Greeting Cards  Tinplate Studios: Steampunk bodgery  La Macón: Handmade accessories and handbag's House of Six Cats: Functional art & Home decor  LTD Space Comics: Apparel & Tees  Kitten Camaro: Vegan vinyl wallets & accessories  PS Press: Letterpress & linocut prints

A New Feature: Email Newsletter

I wasn't sure about it, but yesterday I decided to create an email newsletter.  I was inspired by Moxie Tonic.  I will be sending it out once a month and including some featured items in my shop, as well as some deals or announcements.  We'll see how it goes.  If you'd like to sign up, there is a form on the right of my blog.  I'd love feedback on this.   Thanks!

New Product Line: Parrot

Today I wanted to share some of the newest pieces I have been working on for my etsy shop.  In honor of summer, I'm introducing the Parrot Collection.  Parrots come in so many bright, beautiful colors and typically live in warm climates, so this felt like the perfect bird for summer.   I'm still using lots of wood and fabric, but also incorporating more beads (from my Shipwreck Beads trip!). 

Parrot Earrings 1

Parrot Earring and Necklace Set

Parrot Earrings 2

Parrot Necklace 1

Parrot Bangle 1

Artistic Confidence

Artist Print on etsy

When I began this blog, I started with the idea that I wanted to project total confidence as an artist.  I should know everything about everything and always make perfect art.  Even if I started small, I should continue to grow at a steady pace.  But the truth is, I have good days and I have bad days.  Growing in my art is not a steady rise in confidence and skills.  There are bumps along the way. 

Some days, it feels like everything I make is perfect.  I create something and stop and stare at it for hours.  I bug my husband by making him stop and look at it over and over again with me.

Other days, it feels like nothing I do is right.  I try painting, it looks like garbage.  I try to make a necklace, and it looks like garbage.  I feel like the child of Midas and Oscar the Grouch; everything I touch turns to garbage.

Why am I sharing this?  Because for many of you out there, you may feel the same way.  Perhaps you think this is a sign that you aren't very good.  But I think all people struggle with this, even within their own talents.  All skills take time to grow and everyone makes mistakes.  So keep at it! 

Quote Magnet on etsy

Art Sign on etsy

Is there anything that you struggle to feel confident in?  Have any of your mistakes ever turned into amazing ideas?

Finished Bridal Set

Remember last week when I mentioned that I was working on a custom order for a wedding?  Well...it's done!  I have to say, I spent a lot of time on this design.  The hardest part for me was the logistics; I knew how I wanted it to look but I didn't know how to make it work.

I used gold ribbon and pearls rather than the brown of the bridesmaids necklaces.  But, I used small brown pearls to accent it with.  For the earrings, I tried to mimic the look of the necklace by wrapping a gold pearl with brown accents.

I've gotten good feedback from the bride, which makes me very happy.  I really hope this makes her wedding day even more special!

What projects has everyone else been working on lately?

Busy! Busy! Busy!

I've been working on putting lots more items onto my etsy site.  Talk about tedious work!  The good thing is, it's very fun.  I know photographing items, editing photographs, and writing descriptions are not really fun activities.  But I like knowing that I am sharing my work and working towards funding future work.  I've had several jobs I hated before so having a job that makes me so thoroughly happy is indeed a blessing.

Here are some of my newest listings.

Cecilia makes it to the big time.

Painted Bunting Necklace on etsy

Playing around with wooden spools.  Painted Bunting Necklace.

A Successful Shopping Trip

Yesterday, my husband and I took a mini road-trip to Shipwreck Beads in Lacey, WA.  If you have the chance to go here, do it.  It's a VERY large bead store with great prices.  We (I) spent an hour just wandering the aisles.  I actually haven't been making as many beaded pieces lately, but am probably going to start up again after this trip.  Here are some pictures of the store:

Outside of the store.

A view of the store.

One of the aisles.

Here is a picture of the beads I got.  I was definitely feeling the bright colors yesterday.  I'm thinking a "Parrot Line" may soon be up on my etsy shop.  My favorite beads of the day were the crochet beads; they are so colorful and fun!  I would love to make some of these myself.

A stunning piece of photography- My goodies from the trip.

We ended the day with a wander around the mall, dinner at Cheesecake Factory and a movie (Fast Five-actually pretty entertaining).  While at the mall, I got this sweet little magnet.  It makes me feel really inspired; the little birdy is painting and learning to be an artist.

See More Magnets Here

My Current Project: Custom Bridal Necklace

I recently was thrilled to have someone order a necklace from my etsy site.

Song Sparrow Necklace

I was even more thrilled when she asked me to make four more so that all of her bridesmaids could have one.

Bridesmaid Set

Matching gift bags with Song Sparrow Tags

If that wasn't enough, I now have the honor of designing a coordinating necklace and earring set for her.  I'm excited but also nervous.  The necklace you wear on your wedding day is a big deal!  I have some ideas but am still in the planning stages.  My sweet hubby is taking me on a road trip today to visit Shipwreck Beads; apparently it's the Costco of beading supplies.  Wahoo!