The countdown continues, only 3 more days!

While I can easily say that things are always crazy and busy around here, this last week has been especially so.  However, all for good reason(s).  Recently we photographed Claire and Nick's engagement session so I have been busy in the office with editing and post-processing.  (Stay tuned for a peek at the photos!)  Meanwhile, this idea that has been floating around in our local artist cooperative just sort of came to fruition rather quickly.  We have been looking for a location where we could set up shop for the summer and sell our work.  Some of us are selling online via our Etsy shops, but we also wanted an opportunity to have a local venue where we could have a more personal interaction with our customers.  Well folks, we've found our space and we're setting up shop this weekend!  We will be unofficially open for business, so stop by and say hello!

I would like to introduce you to my friends and fellow artists.  These are the members of Studio Rico Oeste (our local artist cooperative), who will be featuring their work at the shop.


Jeff Long a.k.a. "jefficus", and my husband, find his shop online at http://www.jefficus.etsy.com/.  Jeff is a photographer, artist and fabricator.  He went to the Art Institute of Seattle for Industrial Design.  Do you want to know what he is doing as I type, right this very moment?  The man is building me a gypsy cart (out of other people's discarded "junk") in which to display my wares.  Isn't that the most wildly romantic thing in the world?  (Well, if you're me, then it IS.)  I will be posting photos of the cart very soon!  Pictured, this is a new lamp that Jeff has just finished called the Tech Light.  Its made out of recycled and repurposed parts and pieces of things.  Look for Jeff's garden art, lamps, furniture and more in the shop!

Rick Weese, a.k.a. "Rico Oeste", the man behind the plan.  That's right, our artist cooperative is named after him, Studio Rico Oeste.  Artist, sculptor and lover of junk, Rick made the file-cabinet table pictured on the poster above.  Pictured below is a sculpture Rick made out of recycled junk.  (When I say "junk", that is like a term of endearment in our vocabulary, it doesn't mean garbage... but you already knew that.)  Look out for his furniture, sculptures and more in the shop!

Jenny Roth, wanderer, lover of junk, and creator of one-of-a-kind "modern tribal" jewelry as well as handmade journals, find her shop online at http://www.returnstudio.etsy.com/.  I adore her jewelry, she has creative vision that is just so unique.  You will never think of your kitchen junk drawer in the same way after you see what she can create out of old rusty stuff.  You can find out more about the fabulous neckpiece pictured below here. 

Jeff Dyke, a.k.a. "Padre", carpenter, scavenger and super-fantastic pinstriper.  Hey, if you don't want your soda or your bible pinstriped, then keep it out of Padre's way...  but if you have something that needs a little personalized va-va-va-vooom, you know who to talk to!  Bring him your guitar, your toolbox, your favorite chair, ANYTHING you can think of.

Finally, this is Jonathan Wesley White, a.k.a. "Juan Blanco", artist, photographer, etc...  Check out his shop online at http://www.artistetc.etsy.com/ or his learn more about Juan via his website http://www.artistetc.com/.  He is currently showing a series of paintings at a local coffee shop called J.P.'s.  Here is one of the paintings in the series.

Oh, wait!  I almost forgot about me.  I'm part of the group too.  I'm Jennifer Long (in case you didn't already know that), most people call me Jen.  You can find my shop online at http://www.pair.etsy.com/.  I'll be selling a wider variety of things at Redemption, so if you are local and you are a fan of my work, you'll be pleasantly surprised at all the fun things you'll find when you stop by to say hello and meet the gang.

There you have it.  Six local artists, working away this week to bring you an exciting new shopping experience in Holland, Michigan.  I'll keep you posted with any news, including the "official" opening date!