Neck and Neck

I ordered some things from various websites yesterday...some crafting supplies in the wearable category. I am SO excited to get them in the mail...but also completely freaked out that what I am planning to make will be a total flop, and only look good in my mind. Still. One must try. And all the medallion shapes I keep drawing need second residences...

For now, it's just me doodling in circles. Seeing where i can take things. I hope you are all having a great week so far. If you ordered from me recently, all of the items will ship out as of tomorrow-- and many shipped out today, so it should be about 3 day til arrival time.

Trunkt Show

I'm a new member on Trunkt! So...I thought I'd take a couple of minutes just to show off some of the great talent on that site....I made a showcase, which if you're curious, you can view HERE!. I've included some of my longtime faves (Lucie Summers) as well as some new finds.

I also have to say I'm really impressed with Trunkt's commitment to the site. Not only does admin respond really quickly to questions, but they are also really helpful in discussing how to make the most of your portfolio. I had a long train ride back down to Boston to visit my family and friends yesterday, and so, I made use of my time by following some of their advice on my portfolio...so, we will see where that leads.

In other news, I have orders from Little Otsu, as well as Rare Device, so all y'all in Bklyn or San Fran, go and check it out!
xo....Susy

Read Your Fortune?

I love these new clips just added in the SusyJack* online shop. I had so, so much fun making them today, and I just love how they look, and the sparky feeling you get when you read the fortunes on them.

My favorite is "You Find Beauty in Ordinary Things. Do Not Lose This Ability."

It looks so right on a clothespin. The other one I really adore is "Be mischievious and you will not be lonesome."

So much fun. Brought about as I was creating These Merry and Bright Studio Clips which are for sale in my Etsy shop.

A Bit Greener...

So, yesterday via the very resourceful design blog design muse I came across ReNourish, a really delightful online toolkit for designers looking to produce more eco-friendly work.

Anyway, in light of some recent goings-on here at SusyJack* I wanted to share the resource! There's a great section on smart and sustainable paper choices and a whole bunch more stuff...green blogs, articles, sustainable living info. etc.

I've been working very hard to keep green in mind when designing SJ* products, without worrying that quality will suffer. SusyJack* notebooks are all printed on 100% PC paper, and as often as possible, packaging is pared down to reduce waste. That's one of the driving forces behind SusyJack*...if I was gonna go into the paper biz, I was gonna do it in a way I could live with. Anyway, all, enjoy your day, and I hope you check out ReNourish. xo!

Red White and Merry

Last week, I put a couple of other designs up on my flickr acct page for xmas card packs (4 cards to a set) I've been working on and will have up for sale beginning this week. I really had fun designing different cards that are more and less Christmas-y. I particularly like this one because it's more about the season, and the fun of the holidays than anything too particular. It's a great card to give to a coworker, or even as an invite to a party. Of course, it could go to anyone, but I like the fact it is so versatile.

Here We Go

Getting ready for the new year already...so...this illustration is not finished yet (haven't quite gotten to the 2 and the left zero...) but it's coming along. I started it last night while I was working on some xmas cards and just needed a little break.

Things are moving pretty fast. I have another photoshoot planned for this seasons' xmas items-- and of course, plan on adding new things to the shop all the while.

Sold the first Pencil Cup on etsy today, so that is indeed exciting. I am very happy about that. So, I hope this finds everyone well, and painting, drawing, crafting, knitting away this morning.

SusyJack.com is L-I-V-E!

Yaaay!
I have finally achieved a long-time goal. The SusyJack*com website is complete and ready for business.
On the new site, expect to find all of the products from etsy, and soon, some products that will be exclusive. I really hope you enjoy the website. To celebrate, I'm offering a free set of my new blue scroll studio clips to everyone who purchases $10 or more worth of merchandise...so, just say you saw it here, and in PayPal checkout, enter the code blog101.

Scroll Pattern Clips

I've wanted to create some studio clips where the pattern really went with the shape of the clip, for a while now. Here's the first set. These are sold in a sets of 4. Perfect for hanging prints, illustrations...anywhere that 2 or more of a kind are needed. Personally, I love the clean, crisp combination of the white and blue. But...there are more colors on the way. A black and white, and a coral red.

Oh! and I almost forgot-- underneath appears a new product that I'm refining....recycled kraft wrapping paper in the grain pattern. I'm hoping to offer these either as a gift-wrap option, or as a product, on their own!

Enjoy!
Susy

Desk Toppings

So...here's the first of one of my new Desk Toppings designs-- a pencil cup. More on the way, as soon as I figure out how I'd like to package this, it will go on up at my Etsy store! xo!

In The Pink

Bright Pink Twirl Notebook: Just added this morning. This design also comes in a yellow-orange and a bright blue. Normally, I don't wear alot of pink...and I don't decorate with pink...I'm just not a pink person. But, when it comes to drawing, painting and designing, I LOVE it. Strange! Perhaps it's because I wasn't allowed to have Barbies as a kid. I was pink-starved. haha.

Anyway, the image above also shows the type of packaging you can expect to receive your orders in. I love to package up items...I think it's because I used to play 'store' incessantly as a kid. Well, I guess looking back at this post, I'm still very much a kid! xo!

Photo Shoot Progress...

New item available on Etsy-- Just added today! It feels good to have things heating up again. Very exciting!

And coming soon, Weave Journals...here's a peek.



If anyone's curious...there will also be a new variety of Studio Clips available shortly. Enjoy, everyone! xo

New In The SJ Store

Here comes fall product #1. I got to finish some photos this morning-- when I had some sunshine. Wonderful! Anyway, below are images of some of the other items on the way! I'm uploading to etsy periodically-- since I like to space my listings out over time. I hope you enjoy! I really had fun with this collection. xo

And Coming Soon....

Fall Collection Almost Ready!

Working hard today to get things printed and prepared! But, they are on the way. Tomorrow, or latest, Friday...it's photography time. Included in the latest collection: 4 New Journal Designs in 3 colors each, and some new folding cards.

Can't wait. I wish I had 8 hands right now.

For Your Patience...

Well, unfortunately *just* as I was hitting my stride, I was called away from my worktable and my designing. While I was able to sketch and dream of things to come, I was sadly not able to do any work with my hands over the break. But...I am back, and trying to put all of the designs I've got completed into reality at the moment.

Also, I got to start in on some new items (xmas, anyone?) and fun stuff for the new year, which will be in development. Scheduled this week...photo-shoot of the fall collection, as well as some work on the almost complete SJ website. In the meantime, CutxPaste has put up some of my products, which I'm really happy about...there are also a bunch of other products worth checking out over there!

All for now...bisoux.

You Think?

Hmmm... I wonder if all the looking at maps to find my way around NYC better is having an effect on the patterns I'm working on. I just was playing around with this one...and I think it is!

Getting Closer!

I have been one busy bee. So...I'm working away on the real SJ website...here it is so far. I'm liking it a lot, but I'm still undecided on the background....which I want to be a photo of some sort, but blurry. It's really important to me that I somehow communicate that the designs are made in a real place, by a real person...and I think that photography is an important part of that. But, it's also important that I present the items in a clean and crisp way...so that people know that I am really committed to the brand, and to the experience.

In all my years as a designer, this was a fundamental part of building anyone's brand...to communicate in the way that they felt most comfortable with, and that best reached their audience. It's really exciting to be doing it for myself, now. There are no rules, and no standards...and I have to be careful not to be too much of a perfectionist! But, luckily, I tend to be a *little* impatient, so my rule is that I throw things out there when I think they are 'good enough' and then correct as I go...with what customers tell me, or with what I find out myself.

I feel like I've been out of touch for so long...My last entry was the 16th! Truth is, things have been hectic, and I'm just starting to come up for air. Orders have all made it out on time, though, and I'm hanging in! I hope all of you are doing well, and to those of you who I've had the pleasure of meeting via etsy or this blog, you will hear more from me soon!

xo
Susy

In Bloom

Some exciting news today...literally...and I can't say too much because I haven't *seen* it yet..but somewhere, in the Washington Post, is a picture of SusyJack studio clips! So exciting. I'm going out to get the issue today...I can't wait to see it!

An update on the move to NYC...it's complete, so my address has changd from an 021 to an 100...oooh! I'll have more NY news into the fall. It's been interesting trying to manage all of this transition-- from starting a new company, to leaving one city for another, to starting work on a new set of designs while promoting the first collection...I'm looking forward to having a home-base to work from. It will make a big difference!

Bookish

Here are a couple of new books, soon to be added to the store line-up. I am planning on offering some new colors, like a hot pink and a green, as well. So far, I have the orange and blue all made and ready to go. These are not that big...only 5.25" x 5.625...about the size of a cd case. I'm trying out new designs on smaller-scale books, to save materials, for now. Ones I think work especially well might get bigger!

Sketchfest

I did manage to do a little doodling while away...I just brought these in to refine this morning....still working on it...but happy with the vibe of these little explorations, so far. I sort of think the hope idea might be better in blue...but yellow is just so pretty!

Skipping Town

I'll be away at fabulous Lake George with my family and my sweetie this weekend.... August 3 to August 7. Orders that were placed before today (Friday) will be shipped before I leave, today. All other orders will ship when I get back. I'll be able to re-stock the store, and also to email now and then, but I won't be able to make or send products!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend. I know I can't wait to jump into the water!

xo Susy