Just...hello

There are lots of orders to fill....that's why no blog post lately...Above...Photographic proof that I have been a busy bee.
More soon...back to work!

It's a Mini!

Ok, soon, I will stop posting about the calendar...but I had to do one...more...because the calendar now comes in a mini size, so I wanted to let people know. It's about 1/2 the size, all other features are the same. Great to hang in a small space, or...separate the pages and hang up a few months at a time.

More on the way...I have some orders to fill, but then, design resumes! I hope you all are well, and enjoying the holidays, so far!

Sketches and Treasures

Doin' some sketching on Sunday, and this is what I came up with...I found a huge paper supply store in NYC this weekend...so I have some cool new binder rings to play with. Planning on some long books that are hangable...not sure if it will work, but I certainly am excited to explore.

Also, yesterday a nice feature of the calendar on Omiru which is a fun shopping blog. So...that was an extra perk for 'Cyber Monday' as it's now called.

I also have a treasury going on Etsy called Fa + La x 8...for anyone who is interested, there are some rich picks for the holidays!

ANNUALS

Ok. Here it is. It's up!
Finally, the first Deluxe 2008 Calendar has been listed in my etsy store. Since I've been under the weather all week, it was put on hold, but today, I finally got the light for the photos and was alert enough to take them. Anyway, I do hope people will enjoy this. It's definitely been a hard process-- harder than I thought it was going to be. But, I'm happy to see it come together.

On view at SusyJack on Etsy.

Love and Headcolds, and Calendar Progress

I may have a stuffy nose, but I will not be stopped! Ok. Yes I will...if there's a Project Runway marathon on...

But anyway...I'm working on filling some orders, taking photos of my new necktile designs, and recovering from the TRAUMA of the bindery and what they did to my precious calendars. Thankfully, I had only brought a sample, rather than a whole bunch of calendars to them because they butchered them. Oh well. So, back to the drawing board on how to actually bind these suckers so they can hang.

Thank heavens for screw posts. In reality, they are the most attractive option...but they require a little more work to change the month. However, I don't think it will be a problem. The pages can easily be torn off, or moved to the back. Plus, the screw posts give a little bit of a high-end industrial feel to the whole affair.

Categorically Speaking

Adding categories to the website...and making a few changes that will make it much easier to add new products. Since the website has been up for a while, I'm finding out what I should change and what is working. So, some changes are on the way...but like everything else...will take a while. I'm pessimistic today. I have a bad cold and I'm just generally mopey because of it.

Calendar Progress

Well, I've had some really wonderful, edifying comments on the calendar, so...I thought I'd post a shot of the progress...I was not happy with the binding job on the samples I brought to the binder, so...today, it's off to try and find another solution. Somehow, a basic spiral binding just doesn't cut it b/c all the pages get uneven when they are folded over. So, today I shall try wire-o...which is a little more reliable as far as neatness. Learning as I go is my modus operandi, in general.

Oh...and here's a pic of a new necktile that I will list shortly. I was at the Japan Society the other night, and they had a speaker talking on a mustard yellow podium. I was so struck by the color that I knew I had to work it into a piece, somehow. I'm really enjoying making these. It's fun to switch up media, and interesting to adapt and work with the patterns and motifs into other shapes and purposes.

If you can...

If you can cover it in paper, I'm gonna try. That's pretty much what I think about what I'm doing lately. I wake up at night, and dream of covering things in paper. I walk through Home Depot like a mental patient...silently cataloguing anything that can be covered in paper or made into a product...and it feels so GOOD.

A few weeks ago I posted about some pendants I was beginning to experiment with...and now, after a little while of plugging away at it, I've finally put my first one up on Etsy. I'm calling them NeckTiles, because I like that they look like little paper tiles. Each one comes with it's own felt pouch, handmade by yours truly. At first, my pendants looked a little globby and the color wasn't coming the glaze enough. But, I stuck to it, and now I'm quite happy with them. I'm even making my own bases for them, using my trust revlon nail file and a little patience.

I hope you enjoy these. I'll be listing more soon, in different designs and with different pouch colors.

More New: Calendar Progress! I am on my way to the bindery (scary) today with my printed calendars. There will be a large size (about 17" long) and a wee size (about 10" long) for sale shortly. So, I hope the binder doesn't mess em up. Holding breath.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow

I feel a bit like my mom when it comes to this calendar. She has this quilt she's been working on for about 30 years...and it's this family joke that it will never really be finished (actually, we joke that it will be her funeral shroud at the rate she's going) but that's what you do when you come from a family who can't resist the dark humor.

Anyway-- I feel a little like that, because I keep getting *close* to finishing this...but just can't quite make it all the way. I'm a little closer today...the dates are plugged in. But, the artwork needs to be refined a bit...and the color needs work. The cover needs to be done...and, oh...they need to be printed and bound. Right.

Anyway-- I guess I could always put this out for 2009, but I was *SO* hoping to have my first calendar be for this coming year.

Some ideas for prints...Hoping to get to this after I finish making up orders today, or over the weekend...There are definitely many ideas floating around in my head...but I haven't really gotten to them yet. This is just a sketch.

Thursday Thoughts...

ooh. that post title sounds like the name of a self-help column. Well, I guess that's pretty accurate. I feel frazzled. But, things are moving along...I'm working on some new ideas...and filling some large orders that have me pretty much paralyzed til I get them done. My mind is racing because once I set into production mode, my mind generally starts to wander into new territory. I hope this finds all of you fine and dandy!

Sets of 3 and new Pencil Cups

Just listed a bundle of 3 journals on etsy...so, you can pick your favorites and get them as a nicely wrapped set. I love the way that patterns look together-- and one of the things I love to do the most is take a bunch of my favorites and start combining them. I thought this was a fun way to get that to happen. A set of 3. Plus, this set is a bit of a deal, since the journals are usually $8.5 each, this works them down to $7.33 each.

Also on the way... PYOP Pencil cups...and Cup o' Clips. Still working on the necklaces. I'm out of goo, so I need to get some more. Believe it or not, I can't find this stuff anywhere in NYC. Frustrating. Mystery Goo.

FYI I have started going to the gym in the morning and I feel like I have 2 additional hours in my day. So nice!

My Pretties...

One thing about trying to make these...it's really hard to do while jumping up and down with glee.

Anyway-- these were just little tests-- They have yet to dry. And they don't have their silver bails yet (that's how they will affix to the necklace). I'm thinking they will be a bit less blobular once the stuff on top dries-- I like the blobby look, though, so I hope they don't lose too much of their roundness.

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.