Saturday, July 05, 2008

Wooden Eggs

We're getting ready for Renegade Craft Fair SF next weekend, so this weekend has been filled with busy studio time. I'm excited about launching a new line of hand painted wooden eggs at next week's show, along with a bunch of new wooden apple boxes. Here are some photos of the process, which is wonderfully meditative for me. I love seeing patterns take shape across a real object (instead of just a computer screen).

Halfway done...

Almost there...

Soon in the shop! If you'd like to see them in person, make a date for next weekend at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion from 11am-7pm. Renegade's done a fabulous job of pulling together some great vendors, and I'm really excited to have a booth close to one of my favorite shops, Mahar Dry Goods.

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Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Renegade Craft Fair SF

With the Capay wedding wrapped up, I'm back in the studio getting ready for the 1st annual Renegade Craft Fair SF. I'm so excited for this 2-day show! I've been following Renegade for a few years now, and am always envious of the great booths and crowds. My studio is going back into crazy mode--I didn't even have time to clean up from the wedding prep. Oh well. In my book, a cluttered studio with tools laying about is the sign of a studio in good use.

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Saturday, May 17, 2008

Thriving on chaos

I always thought I was the one sane person in my family who didn't take on twenty projects at a time, but after a phone call with my sister last night, I realized that was a complete fantasy. My sister takes multi-tasking to an art form, but she learned it all from our mother, who has a full time job, runs a major NIH-funded research project, and freelances--you know, just on the side. I've come to the conclusion that I thrive best when I have lots of balls in the air, but then I need short sabbaticals to recharge. Just when you think you're oh so different from your family, BAM! You find yourself growing up and being just like them. I can just see the high school version of myself rolling her eyes.

This weekend is all about the balance, as shown in the photo above of my two side businesses. Our growth charts have been kicking it around the blogs this week--thank you for all the lovely press! It's so exciting to see an idea realized, and watch it grow and spread. We're working through this insane Bay Area heatwave to get more charts made. The Capsule SF fair is fast approaching (next Sunday, May 25th!), so we have lots more to go.

Tonight I'm driving out to the Capay farm to get back to work on wedding preparations for one of my favorite clients, Kristi & Blair. We'll be hauling major river rocks up from the creek to mark paths and garden beds. Since it's going to be 98 tomorrow, I imagine we'll also be jumping in the creek a lot, as well. The photo above shows test prints of their wedding invitation, which was so fun to make. I'm going to post more photos of my client work soon, just another glimpse into my strange mind.

Speaking of, I forgot to mention that Poppytalk did a Miss Natalie Studio Visit last month! Check it out on their April 30th, 2008 post (scroll to the second entry).

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Monday, May 12, 2008

Paper Nest

I've been swimming in a sea of freelance lately, but am emerging to dive back into Miss Natalie work. Here are some remnants from this weekend's studio time. More braille notebooks in the shop soon.

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