Gone so long.

Yes, yes, I know. We have to stop meeting this way, right? 

One of these days I will finally learn how to blog whist maintaining a busy schedule.... or will I? That's for me and you BOTH to find out.

Anyway, here we are. 2012. Yes, it's a new year. In the past I have made big announcements around this time, shouting from the rooftops that "THIS IS MY YEAR!!". Well, not this year. You may have noticed from my numerous rashes, near fatal infection, loss of two Grandparents, not to mention the serious lack of published illustration work, that 2011 was not the most amazing of years for me. It actually made past years that I have whined about look like parades. Nope, no big declarations for 2012. I will work hard and expect results, but I'm not going to define anything. I'll be like a slightly oriented feather on a breeze. 

As hard as 2012 was on me, I managed to leave the year behind on a fairly good note. I am happy to say that I am actually in a day job that I enjoy and can be creative in. For the first time in a while I am proud of of what I do from nine until five. You'd think that if you were truly creative all day that you would just want to flop on the couch when you get home and rest, but I've found that it actually juices me up to keep going and work on my own stuff. This led me to produce my first four greeting card designs that are not Christmas related and two tea towel designs. Thanks to the classes I took in October, though I worked hard on production, I actually feel like I MADE something. And to top it all off, I actually SOLD stuff! Yeah, I'm not talking like in the past where I when I said selling stuff I actually meant selling a few to my friends and family. I mean a good 20 or more strangers walked home from a craft sale with a piece of my work. Yes, not enough to make a living just yet, but a really fabulous boost to keep making and designing. I was happy, and I was thrilled to make others happy. Since I'm decidedly not sharing any new plans, I will share photos of the past month and where I've been. 

This is a shot of my card production line. Literally, fishing line. Strung across my studio room. Ronaldo was less than thrilled at the clutter, but praised my problem solving anyhow.

 This is my little gocco that could. HUNDREDS of cards have been printed with it. Alas, this may be my final print run with it. I am leaning towards going traditional screen print for my next cards.

 This is a finished embroidered pillow. I really wanted to make tonnes and sell them with my cards and tea towels. Unfortunately, it ends up that I'm human and can't embroider at the speed of light. I finished two. Oh well.

 This is my table at the first of three craft shows I did before the holidays. This is the Hippo craft show. Of the three, this was my most successful. These are the towels!

 I loved making these so much that I'm planning on two more to round off the food groups, plus a set aimed at bridal shower season.

 This is an assortment of the cards I sold. Some you may recognize from Christmases passed.

 TOWELS!

 

Then, it was Christmas. I celebrated it.

 Here's a shot of Ramona getting some cheek lovin'. Just 'cause. Happy New Year!

Got my balls in the air.

I live my life open to imagination and happiness

through my unique view of the world.

I am fearless, optimistic, and take on any challenge,

always growing, learning, and bettering myself.

I wear my heart on my sleeve

and show my true colours.

This, folks, is my brand spanking new, one of a kind mantra. It's a great example of the fantastic-ness I was able to absorb from my class. Not only did I learn about the financial side of my work, I also learned about myself as a person. How was I able to do anything without defined values that I live my life by and align my work to? It was by far one of the hardest things I've had to do, but I feel much more grounded knowing exactly what I deem most important in everything. When I get frustrated, overwhelmed, or down-trodden, from now on I will go back to my mantra to remind myself why I do what I do in the first place. I am still working on my mission statement and vision but those will also help too. The fact is that it's gettin', it's gettin', it's gettin' kinda hectic in here. All good, of course. I have secured three craft shows so far for the holiday season, which means that I've got to start producing things to sell. This time, I'm working to make money too and I think *fingers crossed* it may finally happen this time. 

Here's a shot of some rough work...

...that I refine into final line work....

...and then inked and ready for screen.

I am really looking forward to throwing myself into screen printing. It's new, it's exciting, and it's inspiring to me. This is just the beginning, really, and I can't wait to really explore it. I'm also continuing my embroidery, and continue to add new stitches to my arsenal. I'm hoping to get a bunch of decorative pillows completed to sell over the holidays. Here's a quick preview... what do you think so far?

Now, this is where the mantra comes in handy. The craft shows and prepping for them is not the only project on the go. Perhaps I'm feeling inspired by my new day job (that I actually really like) but I've taken on three more projects (albeit two are fairly small). I'm going to HAVE to put my nose to the grindstone, simply because I promised I would. I'm hoping that everything goes peaches and cream and that I can keep my balls in the air. 

I just said balls.

Printsource of inspiration.

I guess what I meant to say was Thursday. Thursday I would write about the Printsource show.

I hope you've had a good week! I have to say that I feel like my old self again. My OLD old self again. No time for anything once again. This isn't a good thing at all and not a good way to start my year. It is, after all, the year that I start my journey to becoming a freelancer. I have to say I'm not off to a very good start. I have a feeling things will take a turn for the better in the next month. I have some news, but it's a bit premature to mention just yet but I will tell you about it as soon as I can. 

Now, the Printsource show!

I have been in the textile graphic design business for over six years now, and this is the first time I had been invited to attend the show. I didn't know what to expect. What I saw was a whole new side of the business. Though I was not permitted to take any photos, if I could it would show a room full of colourful booths of companies and individuals selling the graphics, prints and patterns I create everyday. Most sold their art for around $550 per graphic with all it's rights. As I observed (and participated in) people were buying. Retailers like Gymboree, Joe Fresh, and The Gap, all come to this show. And buy lots. There were mainly companies that came from Europe and from New York. Not much of a Canadian showing. I am hoping to change this in the future. In my day to day work I am usually drawing inspiration from other retailers already existing clothing lines due to time and money restraints. The people at this show offer original work based on trend forecasting. In a strange way I think that my boss brought me along on this trip to open my eyes to an opportunity I could take advantage of in my future business and I am grateful to her for doing so. Of course, at the moment I have obligations and a contract that will not allow me to start this nature of a side business just yet. I will look into creating a textile company of my own over the next few years though. If you are reading this and think it sounds like something you'd like to check out or exhibit your work at Printsource has a wonderful, information filled website to help you out. In the meantime, here are a few shining stars of the show that really impressed me:

Lemon Ribbon
http://www.lemonribbon.com

Image from Lemon Ribbon

I found out about these guys before I went to the show on the Print and Pattern blog. The work they do is bright, fun, cute, and trendy too. Lemon Ribbon is run by a lovely couple, Melanie and Edward, who gather artwork from a variety of artists to create a diverse range. They are based just outside of London and have a great European flare to their work. They're a new company (less than two years old) and are already very successful. I hope to contact them to talk shop in the near future.

Peagreen
http://peagreen.bigcartel.com

Image from Peagreen

Though I did not get a chance to get to talk to the folks here as much as at Lemon Ribbon, their work was SO GREAT! Also based in the UK, their design is whimsical, they use amazing colours, they had it all! Graphically, I felt they were one of the strongest booths at the show. After looking at their website it looks like they do paper printing as well. I would gladly hang their work on my wall or wear it on a t-shirt!

Lylove Studio
http://www.lylovestudio.com
 

Image from Lylove studios

 The booth that Lylove had set up caught my eye the minute I walked in the show. The bright unique colours, the beautiful florals, the cool travel themed prints- they had me at hello. I lyloved them. They are based in New York. I sat and watched as two women hmm-ed and haa-ed over two prints that we wanted to purchase from these guys. Eventually they bought and we were out of luck. We didn't leave empty handed though- three fabulous prints came home with us! I look forward to their upcoming website!


Wow! The night has flown! Tomorrow Ronaldo's band is playing a gig AND I have book club. Busy busy! Time to paint my nails and go to bed. 


Nighty night!