the things i do: somerville open studios: come visit me now!

the things i do: mess around with my drawings

I was hoping to create a beer label for the Steampunk City Art Exhibition but, long story short, I ran out of time. I ran out of time because I am teaching a full time class this week (I teach at Boston University's Center for Digital Imaging Arts), I am preparing for Somerville Open Studios, and I am preparing for an Open House this Saturday (we are selling our condo:FSBO). To top it off, I am also teaching a one-on-one class this Friday and celebrating my husband's birthday. Result: I didn't get it together in time for the submission deadline.

What I did do was start to create something....I am not entirely sure where I am going with it, but I can share a bit about my goals.... I wanted to mix my skulls with gears. My husband suggested I also toss in a splash of Victorian-era-camera-lens. So, I decided to pull out my handy iphone and use an app called OldPhotoPro and snap a photo of it. This is what I came up with.....and I'm not sure what do next. Ideas?

somethings orange

Thanks to my fellow etsy folk: Mary of MaryMaryHandmade of Honeoye Falls, NY for use of Cat-in-a-Box and Greta of Larripin Labs in Dallas, TX for the use of the cross stich Shrodinger.

the things i do: finalize prep work for open studios

Label bottles. Check!

99 bottles of beer on the wall....well, maybe not 99 bottles, but it's a hell of a lot of them! I have finally finished washing, printing, and labeling all of my bottles for Open Studios. Above is a photo of all the bottles - some, still needing to be capped.

Make Signage. Check!

I made my signs to match my bottles. I appreciate the importance of 'branding'. One sign is a price list and the other is a set of instructions...explaining to people how it is done. I want it to be very clear as to what my 'product' is and how one goes about acquiring it. I also created a 'look book' containing samples of all of my preexisting label designs. I want to make it easy for folks to see my goods....


Yard Bottles. Check!
I covered a bunch of bottles with orange duct tape for the installation that will be created in the yard....it's going to be cool!


Comic Bottles. Check!
For the 'special day' I am having an extra special product available! These labels will be available only on the days of Open Studios. These comic book themed labels are extra fun because I will take your photo on the spot. I will bring a wig or two and have some sunglasses and perhaps some hats available for your impromptu fashion shoot. I'll design the label for you right there on the spot and email it to you...your cool comic label will await you in your inbox, ready to print, when you get home. The four bottles below are some samples that I made of myself. Fun stuff I say. Fun stuff.

the things i do: fix things

Earlier I complained about my piece in the Somerville Museum. I complained that It was positioned in such a way that one would need to bend over to see it. You would need to get on your knees to read the text or see the details. Each time I saw the photo of it, it killed me. I have been spending a lot of time preparing for Open Studios and it really just broke my heart to see my work displayed so crappily.

Well, typical me, I decided that I needed to take matters into my own hands and at least ASK for them to fix it. It would kill me if I didn't at least ask. You never know until you ask right? So, I did. And guess what? They let me fix it!! Yipee. So, here is the new and improved display:

above is the 'after' shot. below is 'before':


I am so glad that I asked and that they were kind enough to accommodate me. It was an easy fix and now I can rest easy.

the things i do: try to learn new things - the hula hoop

I was out buying Easter basket goodies for my kid when I came across a hula hoop in the store. I decided I would make the investment and get one for myself. I don't know how to use it yet but I am committed to the idea of teaching myself. I realized that as a stay-at-home designer the hula hoop is the perfect thing for me. As I am waiting for things to print, files to save or items to download/upload I can easily pick up the hula hoop and 'practice'. I can pick it up and put it down very quickly and easily and it makes the time that would otherwise be considered 'down time' into productive time. I went onto youtube to find some instructional videos but have found everything a bit too 'advanced' for me. I need to know how to get it to stay up. Got tips for me? Please advise...

Thanks to Ali Fitzgerald of HoopMamas from Lawrence, Kansas for letting me use the above photo. You can pick up a hula hoop at her Etsy shop!

the things i do: ride my bike

I have the coolest bike in the world. It is a Townie Electra. It looks like a cruiser but it actually has 21 speeds. Mine also has a kid seat on the back. It is a great bike because it utilizes 'flat foot technology' which means that you pedal with a flat foot (as opposed to using the ball of your foot). It is also great because you can sit upright....causing no strain on your wrists. Finally, it looks all kinds of cool. I can't tell you how often I get comments like 'cool ride' when I am out on the street. I just ring my bell and lift my chin and ride off into the sunset....