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I’m really not sure what it is, but this last week or so I have been having this urgent feeling like I’m forgetting something and there are not enough hours in the day. Or minutes. And then I slow down, remember that this moment is all I have (yeah, a little existential for this mind/crafty lady/blog — but it IS true, right?) and then I relax and enjoy what I’m doing and remember that it will all get done and whatever is happening, is what is happening. Whatever I’m able to accomplish in a day is what I am able to accomplish.
I know I’ve mentioned him here here before, but I think Michael Neill’s books and radio show and overall personality and work have helped me with this — I’m striving toward the idea of “being done for the day” and remembering that no matter how cranky I am and how bad anything seems to any one of us, that usually it is actually all ok. We are not about to be run over by a bus or attacked by a rabid wildebeest. So… like I said, I’m not sure why I’m still having this feeling of not getting it all done, except maybe I’m just realizing that I WANT TO DO IT ALL. This has been a big problem for me my whole life — I’m what some might call a “maximizer” — I want to do it the BEST way, anything must be totally worth it and done just right or I don’t see the point. I’m trying to overcome it, but it’s not easy.
This is all to say I’ve been meaning to come here and tell you all about Twist and how wonderful it was last weekend and how many fantastic artists I met and what wonderful goodies there were for sale and all the yummy beers and tasty tidbits we were fed by the organizers and all the general goodness of Northampton (and on Pride weekend and a gorgous sunny day, at that!) BUT I just haven’t seemed to have the time to tell you about it! So here’s a quick rundown on a handful of my favorite artists there, which is by no means an exclusive list, because I pretty much loved EVERYONE! (click the images to go to their websites)
Alison Tauber, who makes wonderful screen-printed clothing and accesories and who was kind enough to mention my work on her blog this week — I have been drooling over her work since I first saw it at Twist in November. Gorgeous organic shapes and patterns.
Miaow. I am so lucky to have come home with one of thier little stuffed birdies. I couldn’t resist! Mine is orange on orange, which looks fantastic on the top shelf in our green bedroom, where no dog or cat can get hold of it!
I’ve mentioned Maeg of Ranunculae before; a fellow gocco’er who also makes smashing pillows and art prints and pincushions and more!
I also came home with this gorgeous necklace from Donnabelle Designs. Enameled glass, Gorgeous!
Also enamel, but on copper, is Angela Gerhard’s gorgeous jewelry. She was one of my neighbors at Twist (on my other side was Storey Publishing!) My little green mascot birdie happily went home with her and a few pairs of her fabulous earrings are happily hanging from me and my helper Sarah’s ears!
Directly behind us were the lovely ladies of the Spun Monkey Fiber Shoppe; drapey and colorful felt scarves and yummy yarns. Too bad my knitting hobby is sitting very very still lately, or else I might have allowed myself to take home some of her wonderful yarns!
Erica of Vonica Designs makes funky handbags, wallets and pouches from uniquely textured and often vintage fabrics. Vonica was across from me at the last Design Hive market I attended, a lovely neighbor to have!
RecycleMoe; undefineable (kinda like me!), Moe makes lots of things from lots of things. She recycles plastic bags, fabric, books, board games, sweaters and more into funky fashionable items. Sarah and I both scored coffee cup cozies, and my water bottle is currently sporting it right now, looking very swank.
Just looking at the Twist Vendor list is reminding me of all of the other super splendiferous vendors there; take a look and be prepared to be awed! Thanks also to everyone who came out and bought some of my work. Lots of my cards, tiny needle-felted birds and artwork found great new homes!
Jane and I are just popping in to say hi and point you toward the new market at Poppytalk Handmade that starts today and runs through Feb. 13 — it’s really fantastic, with lots of great Valentine’s (and anti-valentine’s) and love-themed goodies, from new and returning artists. If you have a minute to shop (or window-shop), pop on over and have a look.
I have a few new things in my gallery there, including prints and cards from a new stitched-paper illustration, “Love is All Over the Place” and the ever-popular Love Goat gocco card.
Tis the season….
to be sending holiday cards out late!
If you’re anything like me, you find yourself too busy to get around to sending out holiday cards. But you want to send them out. You like sending them out. And you have vowed that one of these years you’ll streamline your address book and GET IT TOGETHER, will you?
hah.
So if you also don’t quite have those cards in hand yet, may I suggest some smashing new Bike cards?
This design was commissioned by my dear friend Ms. Sarah G.(couldn’t ask for a better muse!), these cards are perfect for a simple happy holiday wish. They are lovingly silk-screened (three passes thru the ol’ Gocco!) and blank inside for your handwritten or perhaps stamped greeting. I’d even be happy to add a stamped greeting for you, and this year I have “Merry Christmas” or “Peace on Earth” (and could probably get my hands on something else if the mood strikes you).
They’re available on white or blue cards with matching bright red envelopes. Single cards are $3 and sets of 4 are a steal at $10.
Ride on.
hey hey I’m back from Boston — what a fun time! We really enjoyed Design Hive (Kari and Sarah joined me for the day, and Jaclyn, Vanessa and some other great friends stopped by!) — thanks everyone for buying my goodies and all the smiles and great feedback. It’s so fun to see people’s reactions to my work. And I’m happy to say that two of my new needle-felted birdies found a good home, which really makes it all worth while. 
Also a few of my Peace Cranes made it to the Design Hive blog — thanks Val!
We also had a fantastic time shopping the Bazaar Bizarre, which was so inspiring to me. I brought home a few handmade holiday gifts as well as maybe a few things for myself (I only have so much willpower, really). There were some wonderful vendors there, including some of my favorites:
Ranunculae silkscreen cards and fabric goodies
Swallowfield Intricate art and fantastic-ness
1Girl1Boy Hand block-printed fabric goodness
Argyle Whale little illustrations of hedgehogs and goats and things
Campfire Goods T-shirts a-plenty for the type/geography/pop culture nerd in all of us
Egg-a-go-go Illustrationy crafty goodness {we all love the Button Collecting Bird!!!]
Family Dinner for One super star cliparty T’s
Fern Animals tiny soft sculptures
Mean & Wroughten welded art pieces (he was set up across from me at Design Hive, too!)
Miaow wonderful whimsical softies, so huggable!
Sewing Stars adorable plushies
Soto Softies more adorable plushies (sensing a theme?)
Traveling Rhinos Yarn and fiber goodies
Twigs and Heather gorgeous silver jewelry — my favorites are the maple seeds, I don’t think I’d ever take off a necklace so beautiful!
I also got some gorgeous earrings and a necklace at Design Hive from Erica Walker at Walker Silverworks, who was set up right near me — I’m wishing I had picked up a few of her star ornaments, since we’re about to decorate our tree tonight or tomorrow — they’d be so fantastically sparkly with the lights reflecting on them!
I think I’m ready, so I’m off to Design Hive today! Well, it’s not till tomorrow, but I have to be there early to set up, so Kari and I decided to head out today and hang around Boston for the evening. Come visit me at the Hive!
OH and guess what? I can now take credit cards in person at shows! whoo-hoo. I’m using Paypal’s Virtual Terminal for now. Though I’m thinking of switching to ProPay after the holidays, as it seems cheaper. I just went with PayPal now because I’m familar with the whole system and already had an account. Anywho, come visit me, and bring your plastic! 
Yay! New stuff! The needle felted acorns above are available in my Etsy shop (www.lauriecoyledesigns.etsy.com) — I’m happy to take custom color orders.
I hesitated a little bit to post this stuff this week, beacause I’m leaving late tomorrow night on a trip to Arizona for a week. I’m hoping anyone who orders this week will be understanding if I don’t ship their stuff out until next week — I’ll be able to ship on Thursday Nov. 13th. I’m a little overwhelmed with the idea of being gone for a week, and I will certainly need to do some homework while I’m gone, but of course I’m also super excited to see my far-flung family members and have a sunny vacation in a warm place — looks like it’ll be in the high 70s and low 80s while we’re there, which is perfect for me and maybe even warm enough for some swimming (unheated pool? eek!)!
Thank You gocco cards availble here and here.
Prints from my goatie watercolors, available here and here.
Holiday Peace gocco cards, set of 8 available here.
Good Fortune gocco cards, set of 8 available here.
I’m also happily taking orders for custom holiday cards — either digital illustrations, hand illustrations or silkscreened — your choice! E-mail me for more info and prices — maylaurie@gmail.com.
And last, but not least, the 2009 calendar — chock full of hand-drawn illustrations with a theme loosely based on your kitchen and food, including things like delicious treats, pretty potted herbs, a kitchen-aid mixer and a set of cooking utensils.
This is where I’ve been all week. Hoping to get it cleaned up next week before I take off for a week in Arizona, visiting my Grandparents, my aunt and my cousin who had a baby recently!
To Do list before the trip:
• Sell much Crafty Goodness at the Richmond School Craft Fair tomorrow! (Nov 1, 10am to 3pm)
• Do much homework to hopefully be able to slack off while on “vacation”
•Clean up studio
•VOTE
• Help start a Berkshire Etsy Street Team — We’re meeting Tuesday at 4pm, at the Elm Street (Pittsfield) Juice and Java; all interested in being involved are welcome!
Here’s a peek at my makeshift craft fair setup in the kitchen:
These little stuffed budgies are now named after characters from “The Office” and some old friends — they make me smile! “Hello, I’m Jim and I like Tuna Sandwiches.” “Hello, I’m Andy and I love flannel shirts.”
And, lastly… it’s Halloween! Not one of my favorite holidays, and we just hung out and handed out candy (I tried a tactic of buying candy I don’t like, and I have to say I only tried one piece so I think it worked… ) and HappyDog wore her first ever semi-outfit, and I think she looks adorably festive. We actually got this bandana to keep her safe from bow hunters out in the state forest we walk in by our house, but I think it might have to become a regular fashion statement — isn’t she the cutest?
“You are a dork. I can’t believe you’re making me wear this.”
Happy Halloween! Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow if you’re around the Berkshires!
There’s nothing like a deadline to get me to work on into the night! And a newly (almost) organized studio doesn’t hurt, either. I don’t want to show the design just yet, because it’s a gift for a friend, but will soon. It was a fun one to come up with, though. Cuteness abounds!
I will show off the backs of the cards drying atop my new library table/desk, though. Note the swanky new ikea bookcases and paper chandelier. love!
