Welcome to my new website! I'm so excited to finally be able to share it with you! I've been wanting to update it for so long now, and my to-do list always filled up with other things. I've learned that when you work for yourself, the to-do list never ends. NEVER. I don't remember the last time I was bored. Isn't that weird? Whenever I have downtime, there is always something I could be doing, whether it's working on new cards, working on new illustrations, watching tutorials, learning new skills, reading business books and blogs. It could go on and on. I love what I do, so it's not like I'm miserable to have to do those things. It's just exhausting! The hardest that I've been trying to learn over the last few years is how to step away and take a break, even when there are so many things left to do. I naturally want to cross off as many things as possible from my to-do list (because that feeling is like a drug), but soon enough something else gets added. Then, I find myself in this cycle of working like a mad woman to get things done, but that feeling of "done" never comes. It's very hard to try to relax with so many tasks looming over you. It definitely is a conscious effort to not get sucked into working all day every day, but at least I'm aware of it, right?
Upcoming Spring Salt Market
I have so much to fill you in on soon, but I just wanted to mention to my readers that I'll be in Syracuse this coming weekend (Friday night and Saturday during the day) for the springtime Salt Market event! Normally this craft show happens in the fall or winter (and it's amazing), but this year they have added a spring version! You should also know that I was asked to design the promotional materials for the event, which were super fun to create!
Hopefully see you there!
hand-lettering and illustration
Salt Market Syracuse New York
A Busy November!
Whew! Is it already almost Thanksgiving?? This month is seriously flying by. I've been pretty busy with craft shows, freelance work and prepping for the upcoming holiday shopping season! So far, I've been to three craft shows already, and will head to one more this weekend. That will be 4 in one month! It's really hard to avoid being super busy at this time of year though. I keep reminding myself that come January, I'll be so bored once the rush is over. I complain when I'm busy, but I get depressed when I don't have much to do. That's what happened in the long, slow winter of last year once the Valentine's Day rush ended. I really shouldn't complain now anyways though, because I am doing what I love and my business is growing. We can sleep when we're dead! Just kidding. Naps feel so good. Anyways, here are some snippets of the shows I did already this month. First was Mayday! Underground in Rochester, NY. Then I did the Awesome Indie Art Market in Ithaca, NY. And then yesterday I did The Fab Flea in Newark Valley (a cute little pop-up sale with other local artists and vendors from my area).
Successful Salt Market
Thanks to everyone who visited me at the Syracuse Salt Market on October 18th. It was such a successful day and I met some of the friendliest customers ever! The market was busy the ENTIRE day, and I heart that there was a line to get in at 10AM! Woo hoo! The only possible downside of a busy day like that is that I unfortunately didn't get to shop around myself. I know that if I was there not as a vendor, I would have spent all my money shopping!
Check out this delicious beet juice mocktail I had from the LOFO table at the market. It kind of looks like a sippy cup of blood yeah?
The Apple Fest
Thanks to everyone who visited me at the Apple Festival in Ithaca a few weeks ago! It was a soggy, rainy morning on Saturday, but that didn't seem to stop all of you with those super cute rain boots and jackets! Even though I'm a proper introvert and usually have to psych myself up to be in biz-lady-don't-be-so-awkward-social mode, it's quite fun to meet new people at fairs like this. And on top of that, I get to people watch and take note of cute outfits and boots and dresses and jackets and all that goodness. I should make a little sign for my booth that says "please buy my stuff so i can buy cute clothes like you."
I tried out some new products at this fair, including screen printed tote bags and temporary tattoos. I still like paper goods the most, but it's fun seeing my designs on other types of materials.
Sunday had great weather and we enjoyed a bit of sunshine finally. It was chilly both days though, so of course the solution I found was drinking a constant supply of hot mulled cider.
Joby helped me make some new display items recently, like the two boxes above with chalkboard paint on the front. They really helped organize the cards and it was useful being able to point people with specific holiday requests to the right box.
Upcoming fairs
Hey local friends! I'm going to be at the Apple Harvest Festival in Ithaca, NY this coming Saturday and Sunday. This week I've been buzzing around like a busy little bumblebee to prepare for it. I've got lots of new cards and prints, as well as tote bags and temporary tattoos! I've been working on some new signage and decorations too, so I'll post pictures of that next week. This is my favorite time of year and I'm looking forward to hanging out in my outdoor booth all weekend with some apple cider.
Then in two weeks, I'll be at the Salt Market in Syracuse, NY. Last year I was at the December Pepper Market, and this year they have just one big Salt Market in October. Last year there were so many cool indie crafters and I wanted to buy something from each table. I have a feeling this year will be the same! Check out the poster for the market done by Cayetano Valenzuela of Black Rabbit Studio! I can't think of a better phrase off the top of my head right now other than "drool-worthy" to describe his hand painted signs and lettering skills. I know that's a stupid phrase, but it's all I've got for now.
