Etsy Treasury (Midwest)

I saw tonight that I had a few hits more than normal over at my Etsy shop. I found out that I am listed in a treasury. Happy dance. Look at the painting titled "Duo" right below my card. Luv it.

Donuts (Midwest)

Here are some shots of my first letterpress print run (see below). I have just a few "decent" prints for sale on Etsy. I scoured around other letterpress shops and realized that I need to get my new rollers working to have a nice smooth layer of ink on my plate. I used the old rollers that came with the press for these cards and they are a little pocky. I'm so used to silkscreening that I tend to like the mottled texture of uneven ink. Anyway, I like the donut illustrations quite a bit.

Letterpress Failure (Midwest)

Today I ran my letterpress for the first time. After it bit me hard on the pinkie, I managed to ink two sets of rollers, smudge lots of expensive paper, and smell up my office. I will say that the one success I had was that I learned a whole lot about what not to do next time. I'm such a rookie. Big sigh.

This afternoon I need to reprint (for the third time) my Periodic Table prints because I promised one to someone on Etsy. I am hoping to redeem myself with more agreeable ink and paper.

Oh, I almost forgot. I finalized the "Loco for Gocco" logo for the Gocco Etsy Steet Team. Here it is:


If you don't know what Gocco is learn more here. Also, I wrote a short description of my design process here.

Art vs. Craft (Midwest)

I'm posting a photo of some of my purchases from Art vs. Craft this last weekend. I drove an hour to get there, but it was worth it. I did about 5 laps around before I got up the nerve to introduce myself to some of the vendors. I especially liked talking to Krista from PaperedTogether! Her letterpress items are popular on blogs and at Etsy. I bought a set of coasters from her and a sweet little bird card. I decided I might start collecting bird cards. Why not!? Anyway, seeing all her stuff inspired me to send out for my first photopolymer plate. It's due here on the 16th. I ordered ink too. So I guess next week I test my new rollers and letterpress.

I also got to meet Nancy and Andy from Circa Ceramics. I've gotten to "know" Nancy via the Loco for Gocco Flickr group. She is really upbeat.

Speaking of Loco for Gocco. We are officially forming an Etsy Steet Team. I was asked to help with a logo so I stayed up late last night sketching. I will post an in progress mock up after I get a little feedback on it.

Today I had some more time to work on the logo & identity package I'm doing for local photographer Kate Huntington. She's going to shoot our family next month. I'm really, really looking forward to that as an activity. It will be interesting to see what her eye captures. As we nail down her logo I'll post that, too.

Above goodies are from Lisa/Artgoodies (the stuffed quail), Earthwork. in Milwaukee (the handstitched bowl) and the pin is from a Beth Eaton Pottery. Her stuff was really interesting. She presses textures and patterns into porcelain. Here's an article with a photo that highlights her ceramic panties. I really wish I had some for my bedroom wall.

Well, I must sign out to go make pasgetti dinner for the kids.

Application Sent (Midwest)

This morning, early, before noisy children descended upon me, I applied for the DIY trunk show in Chicago. I filled out an online application form. Then, had to email 2-3 photos of my work. I would much rather email about 10 shots. I compromised by comping up two "family of products" shots. When I saw my stuff grouped together I was modestly proud. So, I'm posting them here for all to see. God, I hope I get accepted into this show. It would be a good stretch goal for me to create a butt load of Xmas paraphernalia. (I'm giggling now because in running the spell check feature I learned that butt load is really two words. I thought it was one. Who knew? Tee hee hee.)



I'm heading off to Milwaukee later to check out Art vs. Craft. I'll take the digital camera and post what I see and what I buy. I'm going to look for some folks that I've met online via Etsy and Flickr.

The 4th (Midwest)

This flag sums it up for me. We are a country made up of many. Many people, many places, many ideas. But when we all come together we make something great.

Hope everyone had a great 4th.

New Cards (Midwest)

I made a huge discovery completely by accident. My Epson printer will produce prints that can be exposed with my Gocco flash unit. Apparently the toner has carbon in it, which has been the elusive ingredient needed to image a screen. I've been sending out for laserprints. I can now work totally in house. Whoohoo!

With this new capability, I had some time this afternoon, so I printed up a new batch of cards. I designed and illustrated these really quickly, but didn't feel the need to do endless tweaking to the design like I usually do. I have three designs in this style. I sketched all of the illustrations first by hand, then scanned and recreated them in Illustrator. Here is the set thus far.


I'm wondering if I thin the line weights, these might look nice on my letterpress. Maybe that could be my first project. Perhaps as postcards. Hmmm.

Ready to Mail (Midwest)

I'm posting a peek at my print for a swap I'm doing with some folks in the EtsyTeam Loco for Gocco. I'm not going to post details about the print because I want it to be a surprise. Ya never know when a stray Flickr viewer could stumble upon this blog. Hey, it could happen.

Also, I was reading the threads at the Flickr Periodic Table Group and saw that the project had a mention on Poppytalk. I went over to read what Poppy had to say and saw that my print was pictured. So cool.

This week is the first official week of summer vacation for my kids. I need to line up some Mother's Helpers so that I can find some more time to print cards, art and maybe start a letterpress project.

I Don't Make Lawn Spinners (Midwest)

Saturday I attempted to sell my wares at "The Taste of Wisconsin Dells" craft fair. The weather was perfect. The attendance level was good. The market was, well, not my market. So, it was a learning experience. Here is a line list of information gained from the event:

- Preparing for a fair is a lot of work, but exciting, fun work filled with anticipation.
- Preparing for a second fair would not be much work, and would still be exciting.
- It is important to put the tent all the way up so that people can fit under it. Don't ask.
- Rocks come in handy (for holding down product, not flinging at customers, silly you!).
- Popular fair items (at this fair) were, lawn spinners (see photos below), cat beds that look like big fish, toe rings, wooden roses - I bought 3, beer can lamps, fishing lures, etc.
- When bored at a fair find things to amuse yourself. I decided to photograph the most popular item, lawn spinners, as they walked by my lonely tent.
- Think about better marketing ideas for next time. This reminds me of the man in the soap booth who said to me "Oh, you sell greeting cards? You must have a lot of Father's Day cards today." Me, frozen face, smile, thinking that would have been a really, really, good idea. Doh!
- Have a buddy to enjoy the experience with. Thanks Joy!

Even with the lack of sales it was fun. I would do it again, but I would research the fair better and find a better fit for my products. On that note I leave you with photos of the ever so popular lawn spinner. I heard they were only 5 dollars. My kids would love them. No wonder we saw dozens go by.

Stick Figures in Peril (Midwest)

The title of this post says it all. Almost peed my pants with this one.