Jingle All the Way...

Well, I figure I've ignored my blog long enough - time to post something new...

Here are some random photos...my family/friends Christmas card for this year...oops, I'm a bit late sending them this year...

Below, some shots of some of my cards at the Creative Finds show on December 1st. Although I sold a reasonable amount of product, it did snow a fair bit that day - thus keeping most shoppers indoors I think. I live in Canada - but I live in a part where snow is a rarity (Vancouver). We generally have mild temperatures and rain in the winter, not snow. So, the fact that it snows on the day of the art sale kinda irked me a bit! Grrr! Nevertheless, friends, family, and other supporters showed up to check things out and buy handmade - thank you to all!

I must say that the Creative Finds show did attract a different crowd than my previous show (Got Craft?). I noticed a definite difference in the age groups that attended, and the general purchasing behavior. At Got Craft, I don't think a single person walked by my table without looking. At Creative Finds, there were a few. The main difference? Got Craft was for the younger set, marketed to the 18-35 crowd, with disposable income, and an appreciation of the arts/handmade movement. Creative Finds, I felt, had more of the 40-60s crowd, who were perhaps not really looking for stationery items. I could be way off...but that was my general impression - and from the other artists I spoke to, I think this impression was shared. Maybe because this show was in the burbs vs. in the city - who knows.

I did hand out quite a few business cards at the show, and many requests for estimates for custom stationery, so all in all it was a good experience. Below is a photo of the hall from my spot.

This week will be my last working week of the year as I leave for my holidays soon - time for some fun in the sun. I can't wait! I still need to print and send my Sunlit Media corporate holiday cards to clients, and finish up some other studio and printing work, but then it's time for a break. Wohoo!

Last Minute Mayhem...

This week has been a real doozy - and it's not even halfway finished! My "last weekend of productivity" before my upcoming show on Saturday was a total flop. I had worked my shoulder and neck into such a state that I couldn't turn my head for two days. I think it was the result of too much stress and too much printing and maybe some ill-fated shoulder exercises at the gym. Anyways, the injury is almost gone but not quite, and has hampered my printing abilities substantially.

Above is a photo of some gift tags I printed up before the shoulder meltdown. In my incapacitated state this weekend, I managed to punch holes in the tags and thread through some ribbon - all while lying down, and while watching Victoria Beckham's "Coming to America". I'm ashamed, but I did watch it...the whole thing.

Above is a photo of a boxer motif I illustrated and printed as a notecard. I've never created any pet-related items before - so we'll see how this one sells. I also illustrated a ballerina in arabesque attitude position and printed her as well as a notecard with chocolate brown envelopes.

The rest of this week will be spent meeting with various clients and wrapping things up before the show on Saturday. I have so much to do still it's not funny. Luckily my Mum has volunteered to help me finish up some packaging on Friday...thank goodness for mothers!

This week I am also working on the design of a custom calling card for a new client. I am very pleased with how the design is turning out and look forward to posting photos when the printing is complete.

Happy letterpressing!

p.s. Eve - J'ai reçu votre courriel - et je vous répondrai bientôt...Malheureusement, je suis très occupée cette semaine - mais je vous répondrai plus tard :)

Season's Greetings...

Above are several photos of a card I recently designed and printed. This is one of my favorites this year - I love a snowflake motif. I tried to keep the design very simple and chose a light blue ink.

This weekend will hopefully be the last of the marathon printing sessions. The Creative Finds show is coming up on December 1st, and this weekend will be my last before the show. I have a ton of printing left to do, as well as scoring, folding, cutting, and finishing up some non-card letterpress items that I will sell at the show.

If you're in the Lower Mainland, come on down to Creative Finds:

Creative Finds Art & Fine Craft Market

Saturday, Dec 1st 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Sullivan Hall (6306 152nd Street, Surrey BC)

In other news...I've noticed Etsy sales have really been picking up lately - I'm guessing everyone is starting their holiday shopping (perhaps now that Thanksgiving is almost over with in the US)...I wonder if Black Friday will have any effect on Etsy - I'm betting everyone will be too busy at the malls to get on the computer and shop online!

To my American friends and AIL readers - Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy letterpressing!

Getting Things Done...

Getting Things Done - have you read the book? I did a few years ago and have been trying to use the principles to get more things done in days that seem shorter and shorter...and not just due to the time change.

This weekend was another productive one as I prepared more items to sell on Etsy and for the upcoming Creative Finds show. Here are some of the results...

Various cards and notecards...




Mixing the ink...

The press all inked up...

I guess I'll be short on words in this post. I'm really tired, and my feet are aching from printing (my press is on a concrete floor and though I have a mat and wear proper shoes, I still get sore feet). Oh, and my back hurts too...Yes, I'll take some cheese with my whine!

Happy letterpressing!