Friendship Set: Limited Time

I thought it might be fun to celebrate the friends in our lives.



For a limited time, I want to offer a special gift package to celebrate friendships. I've packaged both the archival print and bezel pendant together and applied a discount.

This is a great gift for sisters, moms, aunts, and of course, best friends.

Celebrate Friendships on CalligraphyPets.

Studio Notes: October Events

This has been an interesting week.

As I plod along working on paisley (yes, still working!), my enthusiasts have asked about the Aspirations show currently being held at EVOO; they're excited to get their pieces and I don't blame them. One local purchaser even stopped by to ask if she could pick up her pieces from the venue -talk about frenzied!!

Well, with any show, I provide an inventory sheet to keep track of the pieces I've installed; this little visual cue helps me to cross off what I've sold, to whom, and provide an easy guide for the wait staff. Also, I like to remove the pieces myself so that I can review how the pieces faired thru the event so that I can dust it, prepare it for shipping, and determine whether I need to repair the artwork (it is a public venue, after all) before it gets shipped to its rightful owner.

After 2 years of exhibiting at EVOO with several shows, I was was disappointed that most of my artwork was damaged during a renovation I had no idea was occurring. This past Saturday, Andrew and I removed the pieces and repaired the damaged ones. *Sigh*

At this point, I'm sure my friend Jeanne will comment on how I didn't grow a spine and indicate that the pieces I pulled down from a shelf were damaged should have been expressed to the chef. Yeah, that's right, I said, "shelf." At the same time, I have a 'gentleman's agreement' (at EVOO) about my work and at the very least, any staff member or the chef will sign my inventory sheet in case of theft, fire, or any other occurrence caused by mother nature to report to my insurance company. It's a neighborhood restaurant (a very fine one) and I know not to include original work.

Honestly, I'm feeling a bit passive-aggressive about my next show at EVOO. I'll let some time pass to allow myself to cool down while I'm working w/manufacturers and their images as well as developing new product, and displaying my wears at local shows. The unfortunate issue is that folks don't necessarily know how to treat art (this isn't the first time this has happened) and because this isn't a *gallery,* we all learn from these local experiences.

Meanwhile!!! I got an email from a noteworthy company who wants to take this current series and develop as a calendar!! Yee-haw!! Keep your fingers and toes crossed and stay tuned! Well wishes are strongly encouraged.

Mid-September Activities

Lately, I've been feeling as though life is having fun throwing me a few curve balls and last week I've been lamenting about how I didn't feel like I had much on which to comment. Fortunately, my Aspirations Show is going strong and I'm very happy that it's been well received, specially by my enthusiasts -thanks Christine and Jenny! I'd like to spin a few products off the series... Got any ideas? I'd love to hear them.

Currently, I'm having a quiet sale on my sterling silver jewelry. I'm not sure how long it's going to last, but would love to have you consider it as early holiday gifts.

Meanwhile, I had a mfg call on me late this week loving some of my wine series and also want a few other pieces not yet designed for licensing. Yea! I'm not going to say much because I always seem to jinx myself. Argh. Anyhow, Andrew and I are also busy in the workshop creating new product prototypes to determine their *worthiness.* Can't say much now, but the surprises will be revealed soon.

Now that the weather is cooling off (how 'bout those storms last night thru the SE?) I've been enjoying new recipes that my Culinary Alchemist has been developing, like the garlic toast with real garlic (found at Costco) and honey. Who knew?

Aspirations: Symbolic Inspiration

Aspirations - It's installed!! Even though I was under the weather, Andrew was a sweetheart to help me ready the pieces and install them.

I've got one of a kind framed pieces as well as classic framed and unframed prints.

Go to show Aspirations

This Week's Activities

I'm still beat from taking a week off to create gifts for my neices & MIL!! My MIL is blogging on the family blog wondering where the heck everyone is after our huge party last weekend -she's such a party girl -I can't keep up! Wish I could take some time out to explain my bon-bon couch routine but she'll just have to pop on over 'ere to read up! :)

Meanwhile, I'm in the midst of installing my Aspirations show at EVOO and there is so much involved.

• Andrew made awesome floating frames for only 12 pieces and because it's so much work, I decided it wouldn't be a common feature among our framing efforts.
  
• I launched an email campaign yesterday (that's a 2 day effort) to my Mewsmembers as an exclusive exhibit before the public show on Friday. Wow -immediately sold 2 pieces!
• Realized I need to replace the graphic on ecstewart.com
• I need to update calligraphypets.com homepage to reflect current events.
• I need to finish designing my restaurant poster, postcards & tabletop tent cards for EVOO and get them printed.

I just finished my poster that's going to be inserted in the little plexi-frame and it reminds me of the ads you find in UTNE. For zen meditation, please visit x.com, for yoga instruction, visit x.com, if you want to hear a duck quack -sorry, I digress.

I'm just about finished with my postcards and intend to have them printed at Premium Postcard, so I'll let you know how they turn out.

Ugh. Back to work.




Update: I've been doing quite a bit of Web research on printing-on-demand (POD) and finding it difficult. Some of the challenges I'm running into are the fact that this show is small and Raleigh isn't an art mecca. Folks don't travel in bands from one opening to another and therefore, not many cards are needed -say about 100 and I keep about 50 in my personal stash for promotions. Another is that because I don't require a large number, many of the POD services are requiring a person to purchase at least 500. I have that kind of following, but it's my client list and Premium Postcard offers the service of print & mail that I need for said list. So, my needs are the inverse of what the services dictate.

What I haven't told you is that I usually go to my preferred local printer, Theo-Davis, for my print jobs and decided that it would be best for my biz to continue to shop around. I've looked at some of his old quotes and he may just be the best resource yet.

Lastly, I'd like these card by Saturday. Ugh. Is that too much to ask?

I'm tired of all this shopping 'round -I'm having another glass of wine. Oh, and it's time for dindin.

IF: Visitor

My submission for Illustration Friday: Visitor



"Welcome" extends to visitors, friends, confidants, and family alike.

"Welcome" is part of a brand new show that I'm hosting locally called "Aspirations." There are only 11 pieces that have been mounted on floating framed (built by Andrew) that will be available exclusively to Mewsmembers tomorrow.

If you want to become a Mewsmember, you might want to head here now to gain access.

Thanks for "Visiting!"