Holiday Sale Update

 I made the push and survived putting my work out in public for the first time in a long time. It was worth it to socialize with other artists, crafters and friends. For the first sale, I made enough to do all the Thanksgiving food shopping at the farmers market and some great connections on how to distribute my breastfeeding thank you cards. The second sale reminded me how much I love potters and as a group of artists these women are the most supportive, thoughtful, creative bunch. I needed a good dose of pottery and inspiration! When I took my girls to see my pottery on display my 3 year old said, "Look! Someone makes pottery that looks just like yours!"

They are here! Breastfeeding cards!

I'm very excited that my breastfeeding thank you cards came this week. The idea of using my own drawings has been set aside for the time being. I found I didn't want to create a stereotype or limit the type of mother, baby, age on my cards. A few weeks ago I discovered Moo - a printing company with just what I needed. Tiny cards, rounded edges and I can put a variety of images on the backs of the cards. The first printing is simple with five of my nature photographs and one message, "You have brightened my day. Thank you for breastfeeding in public."

Going forward I would love to expand the images and the messages. Possibly one like: "You are doing an awesome job. Keep on breastfeeding!"

If you have any words of encouragement, leave them in the comments I'd love to expand this project and share the love with many women.

Works in progress

I'm excited to announce that I will be selling in two holiday sales next weekend. One is long standing potters show in a small arts center in the next town over and the other is a Friday night sale for an amazing organization that helps families in need. My kiln is filling up and hopefully so will my etsy shop with all sorts of goodies for the holidays!

Prenatal Belly Painting

I love birth, babies, bellies. The whole process is amazing. I have been blessed to have three healthy pregnancies and positive natural birth experiences. Combining my love of art and birth has come to offering prenatal belly painting.

 I've only done a few so far, but I feel so alive and energized after sharing the experience with the mom to be. I could do it every day!

Swirly Paper Spirals!

Thanks to a pinterest inspiration I made some paper swirls. They haven't turned into a finished piece yet because I'm still working on them!

The instructions are simple - find some colorful no longer needed paper, magazines, catalogs, whole foods fliers. Cut, or in my case tear into two inch strips. Fold, fold, fold, press with a small knife if needed to get them flat. Roll and glue (I used hot glue) as you go!

It is a slow process and I thought I'd have a finished product by now. Instead I'm collecting my swirls until I have enough to make a large collage or a series of 3 small ones.

My daughter has a birthday coming up next week and I may try to use some of the wrapping paper in spirals.

Happenings

My writing here has been quiet, but many of my personal projects are slowly coming together. In addition to my crafty projects, I've been face painting more. Through word of mouth my art colleague Theresa and I have painted at a few events. We are looking forward to the adventures ahead and much of our conversation has been about not limiting ourselves to "face painters." We'd love to do pregnant bellies, or super hero parties, or body art for adults. You can find us on fb here.

My latest discovery is a glitter tattoo product. I can use the body glue free hand with a paint brush - it seems to last a LONG time which is good, but if I make a mistake or the person doesn't love the design it makes for an eyesore.

In the mean time while I work on finishing my posts with a goal of two a week from here on out, I'll leave you with a few pictures!

Good Things Ahead

I haven't posted in a while, not because I forgot about this space but the pace of life is so busy sometimes I don't document it fast enough!

I have news.

I'll back up a step. In my community there is a family who has been on a long and terribly sad journey. Their little boy, Kai passed away last night in his mother's arms. They have been blogging about their days here. As a part of the extended community coming together to support the family (and the Jimmy Fund) a craft fair has been organized (fb event here). I was asked by a friend to face paint and then I added a vendor table.

I haven't done craft fairs in many years as a vendor. Most recently I've organized and advertised them which is an organizational skill but not about me having products to sell. This challenge has me thinking and making...  my list is a bit long but I'll have a table full of my creations and next to it a face painting space (creating art and selling art at the same time!).

This opportunity (plus a few others that have fallen in my lap) has pushed me to make Isabelle Jane a real business. I filed my dba and opened a business checking account just yesterday. As of today I can accept credit cards on my iphone and have a system to keep my art separate from my personal account. For me this is a BIG step.

So, as I create in the next 2 weeks, I'll post items here and everything that doesn't sell on the 8th will be added to my etsy site just in time for Christmas.