Monthly Archives: June 2018

Working & Resting Sabbatical

Mini Sabbaticlas, ,

I was on my mini sabbatical the week of June 11th.

It was a part work sabbatical because Etsy Wholesale is closing and I need to move my online wholesale shop elsewhere 😱

Sabbatical is a good time to work on a project like this because I can just focus on it and not the mundane little tasks or other deadlines I would normally juggle.

I chose Shopify as a new platform to have my wholesale shop at as I’ve heard good feedback from other makers, and some of my favorite online shops use Shopify.

I’ve been thinking of having my own online shop for a while, so Etsy Wholesale’s announcement to close the platform has kicked me into action!

I didn’t make as much of a headway as I would’ve liked to, though.

I guess when you’re on sabbatical, your brain just doesn’t want to do much work after all 🤷🏻‍♀️

Well, at least I started the process. It’s a work in progress and needs to be done in the next week and a half so I can share it with my retailers!!!

Wish me luck 🤞

(I need it 😅)

On another note, Dave and I have been searching for a property to do a land-based project in western Washington. 

We went to look at a couple of potential lands during my week-off.

There are so many complicating factors surrounding this project, so it’s taken a long time to find the “one.”

I can’t share much more than that publicly right now but will be sure to tell you more in the future 😊

I did take some extra time to read, too.

I read “I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual” by Luvvie Ajayi.

It’s funny, insightful, and heartfelt. I laughed out loud at several moments in the book😂

Highly recommend it if you’re looking for honest truth about life, internet, relationships, and oppression.

After having a relaxing, slow week, I participated in the Fremont Fair during the weekend of June 16 & 17.

photo by Rocket Buddah

There were so many people and cute dogs!

We had an amazing weather, too. Blue skies. No clouds.

I did get a little overheated in my booth but had a great time.

I just enjoy connecting and re-connecting with wonderful vendors and customers so much 😊 It makes my heart happy.

I have a really busy summer coming up with more fairs and markets – I’m glad I had a moment to breathe before jumping in!!

How’s your summer shaping up? I hope you get to take some time off and enjoy yourself!

xo

Lots of fun in the pottery class

Pottery, ,

Hey friend,

I’m taking my mini sabbatical week off this week, so I thought I’d share what I’ve been working on in my pottery class.

I’ve been taking a continuing education pottery class at South Seattle College every Tuesday morning since the beginning of 2017.

{These are the pieces I made in my first class. I still use these cups almost every day. I use the pinch pots for displaying my stickers at craft shows, and I get people asking if they’re for sale, too. (The answer is “no” 😀)}

I love my class and the nice creative community there.

Making something with my two hands, away from my computer, feels so nice and meditative!

I mainly hand build my pieces. I tried to throw a couple of times, too, but it’s hard 😅 and I was more stressed than having fun, so I’m sticking to hand building for now.

I’m making a small batch of kitty ornaments.

They’re glazed and being fired as we speak, and hopefully they’ll come out ok 🤞

When they do, they’ll be available for purchase.

If you wanna hear about it first, be sure to sign up for my newsletter.

And THIS. This Kitty Garden vase is the largest piece I’ve made so far.

And I LOVE it!

​The body was supposed to be more cylindrical, but I call it good as long as there is no hole and it stands up straight 😀

It makes me super happy to see this in our home!

I have to have pretty flowers every day now. 

Good thing our farmer’s market just opened up 💐

I just started working on small bowls. My goal is to replace our chipped cereal bowls with my handmade bowls!

I’m continuing to take the class this summer and am looking forward to learning and trying different pinch pot techniques.

(​If you’re interested in pinch pottery, I love this book and refer to it all the time.)

Having a creative outlet outside of my biz has been really awesome. 

It allows me to just play and experiment without worrying about it being “successful.”

Do you have a “thing” you do just for fun? Just for yourself?

Or if you’re in a maker/art biz yourself, how do you balance making things to sell vs. just for fun?

Tell me in the comments 😘 I wanna know!

xo

Mixed media flower drawing tutorial on YouTube

Tutorial, Video, , , , ,

Hey friend,

My new mixed media drawing tutorial was published on Sakura of America YouTube channel recently.

This is a really fun and easy project using Koi brush pens and Cray-Pas oil pastel sticks.

I don’t use oil pastel very much in my work usually, so it was fun to play with this medium!

The texture is really beautiful and I felt like a kid again getting my hands dirty 😀

I hope you enjoy it and please don’t forget to tag me @honeyberrystudios if you share your work on Instagram!

Have a creative fun day 😘

xo

 

Fall & winter collection sneak preview 👀

New Products, Shop

I’ve been working very hard on my fall & winter collection, which debuts at Urban Craft Uprising Summer Wholesale Event on July 2.

(The event is open only to the retail shop owners and buyers, FYI).

And I thought you may enjoy a sneak preview today!

My customers and fans have told me over and over they love my sense of color 🎨

Well, that’s a good thing because bright colors make me happy, and I love playing with colors!

So in my new collection, I’ve incorporated a bunch of fun color palettes for you to enjoy.

Here are some bits and pieces of my new work!

Aren’t they fun?? 😍

Also, lots of animals in my new collection! (and animals on wheels nonetheless 🚲)

I didn’t plan it that way at first, but hey, who wouldn’t like adorable animals??

I’m just so grateful that I get to make art I love and help you connect with your loved ones through my art ❤

I’ll be sharing more sneak previews with you in the next few months, so stay tuned.

(Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram if you haven’t already, as I’ve been sharing my works in progress there, as well 😉)

My new collection will be available to purchase in my shop in the beginning of September.

And if you are not on my VIP list already, sign up to get an exclusive early-bird price when the new collection launches!

Have a colorful, happy day, my friend😘

xo