What's a girl to do?

susyluxe* andra earrings, originally uploaded by SUSY*.

I really, really wish I could say these were just listed, because they were! But, as soon as they were listed, away they went. Someone snatched them up. I will see if I can find more of these lovely copper filigree shapes, but no guarantees. I am really surprised at how well susyluxe* is doing so far...but it makes me so happy to think of people out there enjoying accessories I have made.

Anyway...in SusyJack* land, I am fixing up some new patterns, which I hope to share soon. Also, getting to work on some art wall tiles. I hope to have them partially ready this weekend, and ready for upload in the SusyJack* etsy shop.

More soon...promise!

escape

escape, originally uploaded by SUSY*.

I haven't really been too active online lately...but, I've been very active in reality. Working on new designs, coordinating production of some of the items which will be launched at the show, and revamping the website to be more true to my vision of what SusyJack* is all about. It's exciting...and hopefully soon I will be able to share it.

So...many people have expressed curiosity about my workspace, and to tell the truth, I am...rather....reticent to reveal the squalor which I call a studio. I know that 'great ways to perfect your office' and 'cute workspaces' are all the rage right now...and there are some beautiful ideas flying about the blogosphere...but let's be honest....I can't get anything done without making a mess....so, perfection is just not practical for me.

Give me space, paper, ink, and I'll make something happen. Pretty organizers and sensible shelving are something I can't even aspire to. Still, all I need to do is look out the window to remember, I've got the best office in the world, the lady New York.

Delicacy is Called For

ornella5, originally uploaded by susyjack.

I really want to express my thanks to those who took the time to comment on my post a few days ago, the post called My Compass which I penned on the18th.

Yes, for the past 2 or 3 days, I've been giving pretty serious thought to how I market this lil' company...and I've buried my nose (finally) into some 'how to start a business' books. Truthfully, back in July, when I started really working on SusyJack*, I had not given much thought to where things would go...

It's been really interesting applying all of the skills I would use to help former clients build their brands in my own direction. So far, I'm coming along with some really interesting positioning that I really like.

As a sidenote-- up above, those are new ornella earrings in susyluxe*. When you're making big patterns and lots of graphics all day, it can feel really good to pick up a little pair of pliers and some delicate findings. Change is good.

ciao!
susy

SusyJack* Featured in Venus

SusyJack* Featured in Venus, originally uploaded by susyjack.

oooh....looky!

I'm really happy to announce that the wonderful independent culture magazineVenusZine has run a feature article about SusyJack* in their DIY section! This is pretty great. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with Amy Strauss, one of their writers, about the company and the past and ongoing inspirations for the designs and the products.

I'm really thrilled with the content of the article. Amy did a great job at picking through all of the details to create a story which really describes the work and what I try to do.

And...I'm not the only one featured on Venus. There are loads of other articles about women, the arts, culture, music, and the indie lifestyle which are worth exploring. I hope you'll head on over to take a peek, and let me know whatcha think.

xx susy

My Compass

14, originally uploaded by susyjack.

Hello, everybody... Quite an interesting frame of mind I am in, lately... I haven't been as active online as I usually am, and that is because I am working very hard to bring SusyJack* to the next stage.

All along, sharing my work as it happens has been a really wonderful thing for me. I make something, then, put it up for the world to see...but now, I find myself preparing work that I'm not sharing, and it's strange. I have to admit, it's because I really don't want to reveal what I am bringing to market...or how I am going about developing SusyJack*s identity as a newcomer to the paper world. This is really strange for me, because I am usually so transparent about working. But, I'm finding that business, rather than art, requires a little bit of a different mindset than I am used to.

Of course, there is plenty to come-- but, seeing as there's a big show and launch coming up for me, I'm keeping it under wraps. There will be several designs released before May, but, the majority I think I'll have to keep a secret!

My landscape is shifting a bit, so I'm doing my best to accomodate both selling on etsy and through my own site, as well as working more closely with retailers. They are two different animals, requiring different skills from me. So, switching between those 'gears' is not as smooth as I would like it to be at the moment, but I'm working on it.

Hopefully, in a few weeks, I will have made a good transition.

Anyway, I hope this finds everybody well. Interesting times are ahead.
xx Susy

Hearts, Chocolate and Cupids, ohhh my.

Ursula , originally uploaded by susyjack.

Yesterday, despite the rain, I managed to get out to the stores on 42nd which sell craft supplies and fabric...so, that was fruitful.

When I got home, I took shots of these ursula earrings which I'm really excited to add to the susyluxe* shop which I hope to stock full of yummy jewelry in the next couple of weeks. There are several designs I've been working on...but I'm also designing the backer cards, and that takes a little time. I'm such a sucker for fun packaging. To me, it's part of the joy of making things.

So...tonight Kurt and I go to see Rufus Wainwright at Radio City for V-Day. I have heard he puts on a great show, so I'm really excited.

In other news...an etsy friend of mine who makes great, screenprinted shirts which are eco-friendly and was also the videographer at etsy for some time, has launched a new blog called Screening Demons which is about all things silkscreen. She interviews talented artists and also waxes poetic on her love of silkscreen printing. Definitely worth a visit! Congratulations, Shan!

Anyway-- I hope everybody has had a happy Valentine's day so far...full of kisses, chocolate, and whatever and whoever it is you love.

A Busy, Snowy Day

Upcycled Pencil or Pen Cup, originally uploaded by susyjack.

A beautiful day today...snowing almost since 11:00, which I love, but rarely see here in NYC.

Today went by really quickly as I tried to shoot some new photos of new work...really have to get more organized about that...I tend to shoot whenever I make something, rather than saving items up and shooting, say, one day a week. It tends to take up a lot of time because my photo set up is...ahem...less than professional (think: diningroom table all overloaded with stuff that I'm trying to turn into props.)

One thing I'd love to do in the very near future is accumulate some really good prop ideas...I would love to build some boards using different textures, and really get into it. Wood, rope, fabric...I should be making a little list of all the ideas. Although I love my colored paper, I need some new life, especially because I'm designing for spring/summer now.

Tomorrow, I'm going to let my mind relax...I have a field trip planned to the bead store so I can create some more earrings...I'm loving having susyluxe* as my second shop...already, I can see how doing a little jewelry design is influencing my pattern design.

Ok. Hopefully my big surprised comes in the mail today...so excited. Fingers crossed, I'll have a new tool to blog about tomorrow.

so excited

ROPE, originally uploaded by susyjack.

Nothing makes me happier than a wonderful day in my studio...when something seems to be going right, and the I make a little 'breakthrough'. Usually, this is sort of how it works...I work really really hard to push through all of the other items I've seen and accumulated in my mind, to try and put down what I *really* want to design.

I feel like I really got back there, today. I've got a few motifs that I'm really excited about...they feel new to me, but also like they are very much in the style I've been trying to develop. I can't wait to work a bit more on them, but for now...it's off to the post office.

It's freezing here today, so I hope I make it back here without frostbite.
xx susy

Valla Earrings

valla_earring3, originally uploaded by susyjack.

Filling up the susyluxe* shop bit by itty bitty bit. Anyway...it's fun, and taking my mind off of all the stuff I've got to do to keep up with SusyJack*... it's always nice to have a diversion.

There's a very light, pretty snow falling here in NYC at the moment. It's just so beautiful. I am back in the studio after a little time away, and it feels pretty good. I'm catching up on orders, and most of them will be going out tomorrow.

I know I've said this before, but I really love my postal scale.
It's right up there with my stapler, my holepunch, and my ruler. I can't live without it. I'd definitely recommend getting one for anyone who would like to speed up their shipping. Combined with PayPal's multiorder shipping, it makes neat work of preparing packages.

Plus...it's somehow REALLY satisfying to see all the little packages...with their little official-looking barcodes...ready to go.

More paper goods on the way...I'm not going to reveal them til they are ready, though. mmm....secrets!

In the Meantime...

Wall Art Panels, originally uploaded by susyjack.

Hello! There is much brewing this week...and I have been very busy. But, unfortunately, I am away, visiting family and not in my workroom in NYC. I'll be back in action on Saturday. Still, I have managed to get at least a little bit done, like researching what I would like to do for my stationery booth, emailing a few old friends (who I hope are still speaking to me since it's been WAY too long)... figuring out what to get two wonderful old friends for their brand new, beautiful babies...if anyone has good recommendations, let me know. Something for a new boy, and a new girl...and hopefully handmade. : )

Also, I'm really excited to start in and use some of the newest pattern designs. I'm really liking where they are going. When I get back to NY, I'll be busting out the camera, and taking lots of pics of the newest items...so, I'm excited for that! More soon...And many other things...one nice surprise which hopefully I will post about here, soon!


xx Susy

{Wall Tiles} Four Letter Words

Letter Wall Tiles, originally uploaded by susyjack.

I'm really enjoying applying the patterns and shapes to the new Wall Art format. As a former painter *and* graphic designer, it really brings me back to be able to see things I'm making actually hanging up...I don't know...guess it's a sentimental thing.

So...I'm experimenting with a few ideas for custom combinations of tiles, and I'm loving the idea of letters...I can see doing a great combination for a name, a phrase...even a wall with a poem on it. This is the first sketch for the idea, and I'll be working on more.

In other news...I have begun to post some of my jewelry in a separate shop on Etsy. This is sort of an experiment...I'm not sure whether susyluxe* will work best in it's own store or under the SusyJack* store...but, we'll see. I'm trying it out. In other selling venues, like Supermarket I will be combining the items in a single shop. My focus is still on paper goods, but anyone who reads my other blog spiralbound_ knows...I have a really, really huge penchant for jewelry....sigh. Probably because I can't afford clothes, I have to supplement with accessories!!!

...or, maybe it's because I used to work in a bead store....
xo