friends & fonts

A few months back Rebecca from Manzanita mentioned she was going to be visiting up this way and I was so excited knowing we would be able to finally meet.  We have been chatting for a few years now and it started through a mutual friend when we both had accessory businesses.  We have always tried to collaborate somehow, we follow each other on instagram & keep in touch when possible, but meeting in real life with her in Colorado and me here in Oregon just didn't seem possible.

As the weeks grew closer to her visit she threw out the idea of hosting a calligraphy workshop locally and wondered if I could help arrange a few of the details.  It all worked out perfectly and we found an affordable location (during the start of the very busy wedding season), all the supplies arrived here on time and people signed up without a hitch.  The workshop took place a few nights ago, here are just a few iphone photos from it- I would have taken some on my camera, but I was making a mess with the ink while shoving my face with cupcakes & meeting a new friends!

I got to freshen up my calligraphy skills (I studied it in school like 13yrs ago), but meeting and instantly connecting to someone was by far the best part!  I am always amazed and so thankful of the relationships we are able to build and nourish through blogging, instagram & other social media platforms.  When sometimes there can be dark negativity and craziness on the internet, this is one of those times when there is light.

In the Studio: Julie Ann Art

Oh friends- today is a good one.  I have Julie Ann Art in the house sharing a giveaway, a discount and peeks into her creative process.  This chick is funny, down to earth, beautiful and she lets me text her curse words- she keeps it real!  All of this streams over to her art- which is her amazing card line.  I'm sure you have seen these cards of hers floating around and if you are anything like me you giggle a little, relate and then hit yourself for not thinking of it first.  Today she is hanging out answering a few questions and sharing images of her art from start to finish.  I heart this girl and if you don't already you will after this post.  I pinky promise!

Julie Ann is a designer, photographer, and DIY lover. She started selling on Etsy in 2008 and it has changed her life. She is an avid supporter of handmade and independent businesses and continues to spread the word on the handmade movement.  Along with designing cards for her Etsy shop, she's also an avid craft blogger over at Julie Ann Art. When she's not caught up in her online business world she likes to bike ride to the beach with her boyfriend and their little terrier.

first, its obvious your work is funny & original- how do you keep that witty charm through all your work and not run dry?

 It is not always an easy process and a lot of ideas end up getting scrapped. I tend to have lists of ideas on hand so I can update them whenever something comes to mind. When I'm ready to start designing I resort to the list. Some ideas are an  immediate "yes". Some will have a concept but I know it can be improved. Some I'm like, "that is the lamest ideas ever, what was I thinking?" So, they're not all good, but it is the extra brainstorming and editing that creates the cohesive "witty charm" throughout my shop.

because some are a little on the dirty side, be honest, do you ever get comments about that? and if so whats your response?

On Etsy, it's easy to hide behind, well, my laptop, when it comes to judgement on my cards. I do get to see people's reactions in person when I do craft shows though. When people my Granny's age stop by my table I always get a little nervous on how it's going to go. 9.5 times out of 10, the Granny laughs. (sigh of relief) Only one time, a woman spotted my "You're My Favorite Thing To Do" card and she said "Well, that's not very nice." I smiled and said "It's not for everyone."

go back to the beginning of all this, do you get nostalgic looking at your first designs or do you just see the growth that brought you to where you are now?

Nope. No nostalgia at all. When I started selling on Etsy it was just for fun. I didn't know who I was as a designer yet and I made things that I thought were "cool." This is not to say I don't think my designs are cool now, but they are a better representation of who I am. I'm definitely thankful that I randomly opened an Etsy shop one day, but I am also thankful for the changes and growth I have experienced along the way.

you are a midwest girl right?- looking back did moving to california change you as an artist or help you come out more?

I started selling greeting cards when I lived in Michigan but I hadn't found my "style" yet. I remember knowing I wanted to create a cohesive look throughout my shop but I wasn't sure what that was yet. I moved to California over three years ago and while I'm not sure the move itself directly effected my creativity, it certainly taught me more about who I am as a person. That in turn most likely helped my inner artist come out.

how do you avoid (if you avoid it at all) competition, negativity, slumps, ruts.. etc.?

There's no way for me to completely avoid competition or negativity unless I were to close my laptop, leave social media, turn off my phone, etc. I would be lying if I said I didn't let it effect me. What I can say is that I'm teaching myself how to use it as motivation. I try to take that negative energy and let it to push me to work hard, to be better. I know that the more successful my business becomes, the more challenges I will face. But overcoming challenges is what makes a business grow.

what has been one of the best parts of running your own business?

I feel so fortunate to have a great sense community that surrounds me and is so supportive. I have made real friends through this journey. I've created great relationships with customers. It's just something that I never expected. Which in hindsight is kind of silly since it is BECAUSE of these connections that I am able to do what I love. The support is so humbling, I still have times where I can't believe that this is happening. That this is what I do.

apart from your card work, what else do you do to stay creative or inspired?

Well, I have a little blog over here that helps keep me on my toes as far as DIY projects, recipes, etc. I also am a videographer for Etch Films, so that is another creative outlet that helps me to get away from the computer and get behind the camera.

so whats next for Julie Ann Art?

I'm in full Valentine's Day mode right now. It's my busiest season so the majority of my focus right now is staying on top of orders. When this season has passed I really want to focus on getting a new website going. I absolutely love Etsy but for JAA to grow to it's full potential, I will need an e-commerce site to better handle wholesale orders and have more control over my sales and fees.

Julie Ann Art

blog // shop // facebook // twitter // instagram

(use code JUSTLOVELY to save 10% in her shop)

THE SWEEPSTAKES IS NOW CLOSED

Winner: Elise 

*Sweepstakes Details- winner will be chosen at random.  if winner chosen does not have a gfc profile with a valid email address and a way to contact is not left in a comment or a registered entry then another winner will be chosen.  all entries are worth the same amount after initial mandatory entry has been received.  Open to US residents only.  Age 18 and older.  Winner will be announced publicly and notified via email as per FTC guidelines.  The fulfillment of this sweepstakes is provided by Julie Ann Art and sponsored by Heather Smith of JustLovelyThings, LLC.

you should know: the oxford trunk

This year I wanted to share more then just 'sponsored posts' (of course I will still do those, but this is different!) instead I have made a new goal to authentically and intentionally share businesses and artists that I respect and lets face it, totally swoon over.

Today I wanted to share with you the ladies of The Oxford Trunk: what they are about, have accomplished and of course their links so you can go find out a little more about them yourselves.  If you are one to skim the sponsor posts, please know this isn't one!

 

Young. Broke. Fab. That is the mantra and foundation at The Oxford Trunk. Where they specialize in the most current trends in the fashion world and bring them straight to you for less than $50. Their blog is full of inspiration and styling tips. Let's meet the girls behind the scenes!

By Jen Davies- Co-owner

I would love to know a little more about you and what else keeps you busy besides Ox?

I have two young children, Barron (2) and Aniston (10 months) who keep me very busy!  They are the loves of my life and I love spending time  with them and my husband Tim. We love to take the kids out on our Stand Up Paddle-board and are always beach camping along the coast. When I'm not with my kids or working for Oxford Trunk I really enjoy yoga, dining out with my husband, blogging, and trying out new dishes in my kitchen. I am also a big fan of juicing and am always trying new recipes for juices, cashew milk, or really anything I can throw in my Vitamix! - Jen Davies (co-owner)

How do you stay inspired if you ever fall in a creative rut?

I try to avoid a creative rut by keeping my daily surroundings touched with things that inspire me. If you create an environment that keeps you excited, you don't run the risk of falling into those nasty ruts. From my work space, to my fashion style, I always try to keep things fresh and new so my brain never runs out of creative juice. If I do happen lose my creative way, I like to jump on Pinterest because there is always new fashions and designs to spark that fire. - Jenna Gruttadauria (co-owner & creative director)

What are some plans you have for your business in the future?

We hope there will be lots in store for the future of The Oxford Trunk!  We have been so blown away with the success of this company and hope to continue to grow at a manageable pace.  One of the main reasons we started Oxford Trunk was for the passion we have for women, so in the coming months expect to see more "personal touches" from us Oxford Girls.  We really wish to reach out and connect with our customers via blogging, instagram, and other social media whether it be for fashion tips or sharing recipes! - Jess von Bluecher (founder & CEO)

 

Above is a peek in to their work space, did you have to wipe the drool from your chin too?

 photo credits: Jacey Autumn Photography 

Find more of the Oxford Trunk here:

 website // twitter // facebook // pinterest // instagram @theoxfordtrunk

friday is for friends

Those of you that follow in a reader or via email miss out on all the amazing friends I keep over on my sidebar.  Since they are constantly coming and going like a teenager that hates their mother, I'd like to take just a minute to let you meet a few of them real quick! Take a moment to visit a new shop or start following a new blog.. if you are like me and like to keep things almost creepy I'm sure you will stalk most of these ladies real soon <3

YELLOW HEART ART - shop // blog // fb - code JUSTLOVE15 for 15% off exp 06/29

A SNAPSHOT LIFE - blog // portfolio // fb - TriState area summer promos starting at $75

CHEEKY CHEEKY - blog // shop // twitter - code SUMMERLOVING free shipping for june

GOOD NATURED - shop // facebook // pinterest - code JUSTLOVELY for 15% off

LIVING IN YELLOW - blog // facebook // twitter - code YELLOW for $5 off any sponsor option

RAGS TO STITCHES - blog // shop // facebook - code NEONLOVE for 10% off

ACUTE DESIGNS - blog // shop // facebook - sign up for newsletter for 20% off

THE LETTER 4 - blog // shop // facebook - 20% of proceeds benefit letter 4 + 1

WONDER FOREST - blog // shop // facebook - code 1YEAR for 15% off cards, pouches & prints

CASEY WIEGAND - blog // shop // facebook

GUSSY SEWS - blog // shop // facebook

FOR LOVE OF A CUPCAKE - blog // facebook // twitter

ask yourself: what kind of friend are you?

Now I may be completely alone on this subject of friends, but the older I get the more its brought to my attention that building friendships is hard.  Let's back it up so you get where I'm coming from...

I was born and raised in Southern California (actually never even left the state) until my mom re-married and moved me up to Oregon when I was 13.  We actually moved a few times around the area causing me to never be at one school longer then a couple of grades.  I met lots of kids and had friends, but I don't know anyone now that I knew then.  I always wish I had some friend to speak at my wedding that would say "I've known Heather since we were in elementary school" or refer to anyone as a childhood friend.  When we moved up to Oregon it seemed the kids in middle school had all known each other since they were little, and sure I met some and 'made friends', but even then I only stayed here til I graduated at 17 (in 1998) and moved again.  I then lived on my own and did the whole college thing out of this small town until 2006 when my husband (then boyfriend) decided to move back here.  But when I look back I'm not actually friends with anyone from grade school, high school or college.. instead I just have acquaintances.

{via}

Now I'm sitting here wondering how finding people, building bonds and actually becoming friends.. real friends can happen.  When you take into account your lifestyle and the people you associate with now, are they your real friends? (if your answer is yes, then I envy you)  Between marriage, my home, my family, work and just living well there isn't much time to figure out how to make friends.

Now take into consideration that I don't have kids.  Me making friends with others who do is hard because a) we can't relate on that level b) they always feel weird knowing of my infertility struggles and c) their kids take up a lot of their time.. so it seems easier for mommy's to be friends with other mommy's.  Ok so let's take the mommy's out of the picture.  How about my friends who aren't married?  Well I am.  This makes it hard when they want me to a) go out with them b) party and c) listen to their single-ness drama.. so it now seems that the singles have it easier to be friends with other singles or couples who maybe like to party and go out or couples who aren't as serious. And then there are the people who (maybe because I live in a small town and a few of the girls I have this problem with have never left the area?!)  a) like to gossip b) like to smile to your face but behind your back it's something else and c) live really sad lives that I want no part of.  I don't thrive off of drama, I like the real happy stuff instead.. no matter how cheesy that may sound!

So where does that leave me in the friendship department?  If real life were an episode of How I Met Your Mother then I would say that everything would be a-okay.  Lilypad & Marshmallow do just fine with their friends (yes I might like this show to much)...so I have my husband (except he travels a lot & doesn't have a clue what a 'blogger conference' or an 'photo a day challenge' means to me, poor guy), I got my mom (thank goodness she just listens and nods her head, she helps a lot but has her own life to take care of) and I have a few girls that I adore but we all seem way to busy to try to build anything close to a real friendship.  Then I have my blog/biz owner friends, now these are my people!!!  It seems like I am building these connections over something we can relate to and I'm loving it (which is so weird to seem to be sharing my personal life with strangers and it feels ok), yet at the same time its lacking everything personal that a friendship should have:  face to face time, double dates with our significant others, knowing what each others houses look like, going shopping.. you know the real stuff!

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My mom was super good in the manners department when raising me and although I may cuss like a sailor, say whats on my mind and have a strong will to not put up with crap (all which make me who I am) I still know how to listen, how to be here for someone and how to just be a nice person (she may not approve of the other stuff, but she did teach me well I promise!)  Sometimes I may not always be available, I'm still trying to figure out me and sometimes that takes a lot of my time.  But when did I become the non-friend-able girl?   I know we all grow up and get families, but I don't want to think someday that I'm not someones friend.  Maybe since I'm totally okay doing my own thing (loner-ish of me I know) that I've actually become my own worst enemy.  And when writing about making friends, using the word enemy isn't really what I want to think about.  I wish it was easier to make friends as an adult, but I wonder if my expectations of friendship are too high?

So one of my 2012 goals (the list is long) is to find good friends, and become a better one too.
I hope that I have more dinner parties (kids are invited) and that my husband can figure a way to talk to my other friends husbands better (ok he's a little people shy). I should take Arthur on more puppy play dates, hey he needs friends too and maybe even start a monthly crafters night for local girls with the same interests as me.  I know these aren't huge plans here, but statistics say people with strong friendships live longer lives.. so I guess it's a start.

{via}

What kind of friend are you?  

Have you ever struggled with this same feeling?
*hey real life buddies of mine that may be single or may have kids.. 
and may read my blog this wasn't about anyone specific I love you dearly and what we do have *