I am in creative overdrive (I think thats a good thing?)

I am very pleased to report an encouraging opening weekend at our new shop, Redemption.  It was so wonderful to personally greet all the visitors who climbed out of their cars exclaiming, "What IS this place?!?!" and "I saw the ART sign go up last week and I just couldn't wait to see what was going to happen here!".  I did take a bunch of photos, I plan to begin posting them ASAP.  However, after a lot of bustle getting ready for the shop to open and then a long weekend at the shop itself, I must admit I had been getting pretty behind in the domestic duties department.  I have been doing so many dishes over the last two days!  I'm just about caught up with that (finally), the dishes, I mean.  Now I am sort of in creative overdrive.  I have been very productive lately, but the living room is looking like a tornado dispersed my materials over every available surface.  Thread, snippets of fabric and ribbon, boxes and bags of beads, various and sundry jewelry making supplies, etc... are scattered everywhere.  I have two custom orders to complete and I'm also working on a bunch of new cocktail rings!  (Look for photos of the rings here later this week, and they will be available for sale at Redemption this weekend.)

I've been featured in two of the most beautiful Etsy treasuries.  The first was curated by SatoriPhoto and the theme is Miles From Your Eyes.  Not only are all of the items featured really original and beautiful, but collectively they have a storytelling quality as well.  Oh, and there is my lovely handmade bloom for your hair (that's me, gazing out the window).  I really think this is a lovely collection, well done!




This treasury was curated by PrankePaintings, the theme is A Pick of Soft Colors.  Wow, the title is an understatement, the soft wash of pink/red/orange is just so pleasing to look at.  My necklace titled, "she just loved and loved" is featured here!  There are lots of lovely things to see, you may want to take a closer look at both of these treasuries, just click on the title to go to the treasury page (or click on a thumbnail to go directly to that item/shop for more information). 

Come visit us at Redemption this weekend!

Wow, things sure have been busy around here!  Today we'll be setting up shop at the new space, isn't that exciting?  Jeff has been working on the gypsy cart that I'll be using as my primary display area.  Travis and I put a base coat of paint on the cart yesterday and it looks so GREAT!  We're going to add more paint later, but we've got to get this show on the road!  I'm getting so antsy about setting up that I just keep making more new things, and more new things, and MORE new things!  I'm rapid-cycling through all my crafting skills.  One moment I'm sewing, then I'm making jewelry, then its back to sewing, then I'm working on some cards, sheesh!  Guess I have a little nervous energy or something!?!?  I'm just excited to get started!
Oh bummer, I took a few photos of the gypsy cart last night while we were painting, but I left the camera at the studio!  I guess I'll have to post them later.

Jeff has been working away at his garden art pieces for the shop.  There are several trellises, birdbaths, even a giant weather vane!  They are very imaginative and colorful, made almost entirely from reclaimed materials.  I'll shoot some photos of those when we move them to the shop today. 

Last night at the studio Jenny was making some awesome handmade journals out of reclaimed materials.  She used old record album covers for the journal covers!  The paper inside was even reclaimed, packing paper and brown grocery bag paper, etc...  Wanna see 'em?  Come to the shop this weekend!  (Okay, maybe I'll shoot some photos too.)

After I get my things set up at Redemption, I'm hoping to photograph my new pieces so I can start posting them in my Etsy shop. 


In other news, my handmade earrings "a pair of pears" were featured in an Etsy treasury.  The theme is "Pears or Pairs?".  Too cute, very clever and I love the colors as well!




My lovely hair bloom was also featured in a treasury.  The theme is "For my queen of hearts - for a little girl who has completely captured my heart"  aaawwwww, it was made by a new Mommy who has a preemie in the NICU.




Please take a minute to comment and click on some of the other shop's items.  Please tweet and 'like' on Facebook if you can.
Together we can make these treasuries successful and bring traffic to all of these wonderful shops.

shop update - rustic summer style

It finally feels like summer around here.  Today I offer you three new pieces of jewelry to refresh your summer wardrobe.  Go to the shop and get 'em while you can!

                                          

                                                        rustic red flower pendant necklace 

ancient ruin - handmade earrings

wading in the surf - handmade earrings

  Other news, the men have been painting and mowing at the location that will very soon become "Redemption".  They are beginning to move the first things over to the shop space today.  The mail man delivered a box of fliers and business cards from the printer today.  We got a stack of posters last week, so things are finally coming together!  Are you as excited as I am?  Meanwhile, all six artists have been busily creating new works that will be featured at Redemption...  I saw a few photos of the work in progress and they made me even more excited.  I will be taking plenty of photos to share over the next few days/weeks, as we continue to move things and get set up. 

love is a gypsy caravan

I love my husband.  A lot.  He is the BEST.  I have not been feeling very well this week, perhaps the rainy weather has been contributing to my usual achiness.  I have had a headache all week.  This headache has really been slowing my productivity, during a week that I wish to be extra-productive.  So, while I have been at home all week, working away at my projects here, I have been aware that Jeff has been at the Studio working away at his projects.  I just haven't seen any of his work this week because I haven't visited the Studio.  We have talked about the gypsy cart he's building for me to use as a display at the new shop, but we decided that I would wait until this weekend to see it.  I like surprises.  Well, this morning he was off to the Studio before I woke up (as usual).  I gave him a call so we could have a chat and plan our day and while we were talking he directed me to look at some photos he took yesterday at the Studio.  Imagine my surprise when I saw THIS on my computer screen!!!!!!

"Is THAT my gypsy caravan?!?!"  I yelled to him, over the phone.  "I LOVE IT, aaahhhhh!!!"  I knew he was going to build something amazing, we even sat on the sofa together and made sketches, but COME ON!!!  This is way cooler than our drawings.  AND its not even finished yet!  Hopefully we'll start painting it this weekend.  Don't you just love that arched window on the end?  We salvaged it from a local school building that is being renovated.  The side windows will be able to open (sort of like little cabinets) and there will be space inside to hang/display jewelry and other handmade goods.  The arched window will not open, we'll just use that space for display (sort of like a storefront window).  This is the perfect solution for a display that can be used outdoors, then easily moved inside, all while protecting my handmade goods!  THANK YOU JEFF!

Well, I'm signing off.  I have much to do today.  My new miniMOO cards arrived in the mail yesterday.  So I'll be pricing my things with my lovely new 'tags'.  I'll post some photos later.

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!

In nine days something WONDERFUL is going to happen!

In nine days, something very exciting is going to happen.  I am going to park my gypsy cart and set up shop!  Wait, it gets even better...  its not just me, there are six of us (not gypsies, artists - don't be silly).  Jeff and I belong to a local artist collective called Studio Rico Oeste.  Our members have discussed the desire for a shop/space for quite some time, and the search for just the right space has brought us to this point.  Our ideas are coming together (pretty quickly, I'll say) but I think the concept is good and the location is quirky (just like us).  I would love to give you more details, but I have SO much to do!  I will update with any big news and hopefully some photos very soon! 

Stay tuned for the opportunity to meet my compadres in this endeavor!