Goal this year.

I am kind of thrilled with myself. My main goal this year is to successfully sell in 7 different online shop/venues. I just spent countless minutes, maybe even hours going through some of my inventory and sorting/organizing it. I think I'm really going to reach as well as surpass this goal. After looking at my older pieces and my newer ones I'm getting so excited to create and make things work.

I have so much to photograph and list. Yay 2011! <3

Where Products are Shipped

Ever wonder how your order from 1337 Art is prepared and packaged?

This is (ideally) how my shipping area is supposed to look. I took this picture after I first set it up, and after I played over there it got messy and temperamental when I tried to keep it "clean."

I'm currently moving it across the room so I can use this shelf to hoard my beads for easier access. My work tables are in front of that white drawer. Think upside "L" shape.

Once it is all set up (again) and personalized I will post another picture. Maybe if I keep posting pictures it will inspire my office / studio area to clean itself? And again, when the whole room is redone I'll post those pictures as well.

Thank you so much for reading!

A Vampire Book Worth Reading!

As an early Christmas gift my hubby gave me a signed copy of this newish book "Risen" by Krystal Lawrence.

Yes, it is a vampire book, but it's not the Twilight vampires, nor is it Anne Rice's vampires. Krystal Lawrence has created her own un-living, reacting vampire in this suspense thriller (with a dash of horror!) I wasn't sure at first what I thought about this vampire, but by the end of the book all I could think was "Well done!"

It was a pleasure to read. The characters and their situations are so real - you don't often get that in a book. A real page turner.

You can purchase the book here. I really really hope there's a sequel.

The author, Krystal Lawrence, lives in the Pacific Northwest and is writing her second book. Her website is as follows:

www.darksidestories.com

Poll: Are You Bothered When an Artist Redirects You to an Off Site Venue to Purchase Their Artwork?

I previously conducted a survey entitled, "Does it turn you off when you visit an artist's website, and you have to purchase their products off site at a venue such as Etsy or Ebay?"

The general consensus of 43 participants voted that it did not bother them at all. 28 participants admitted that it does bother them. Below are a few comments that were left in regards to this topic:

"To be honest, I've never had the opportunity. I can see how it would turn one off since it's a detriment to convenience, since you're going to -another- site and all, but I also can understand why they do it."

"While it definitely seems more professional if the artist has their work for sale on their own page, I can also understand from a seller's perspective that the type of website needed for that sort of process is not only more expensive but much much harder to code. Honestly, if anything, it just makes the artist seem a little less professional, but being a human and not a business isn't always a bad thing."

"Well, i don't like it when you have to buy their products on Ebay, but places like Etsy are fine. but it is easier and convenient when you can buy their products on their website, and very easy just with PayPal and all that business, but there's no problem with just a few more clicks to go to another website "

"It doesn't bother me because they usually live a ways away from me, and that's their method of getting their product to you. I mean, at least you know for a fact that you're going to get what you ordered because artists are broke and they want to spread their creations! I myself plan on getting an Etsy eventually. "

"It irritates me because i don't have accounts with Ebay or Etsy and i don't really want to set one up to buy one product =/"

To read the entire list of comments please follow the link below:
http://1337-art.deviantart.com/journal/poll/1408755/

Thank you so much for reading. I hope this helps out the independent artists out there that are troubled with directing customers off site to another venue to purchase their artwork.

<3
Christina

I collect coffee mugs.

I'm not hoarding; I just know what I like.

Okay. I admit. I collect coffee mugs. When I travel or go to a concert I need to bring home a mug. And nothing beats a $0.50 mug from a thrift store either.

They go great with my other addiction: coffee. Mugs are homey and cozy. I would have a whole cupboard (and more!) full if I could but I guess two whole shelves worth is enough for now.

I see it as a great welcoming gesture to have a friend walk through the door, and then to hand them a nice, steaming cup of yummy coffee from my mismatched coffee mug collection.

It's a weird habit to acquire; just the act of collecting something. Seeing an inanimate object that has a personal connection to you that you want to surround yourself with it. And everyone has their own thing to collect.


Here are some popular collections:

*books
*baseball cards
*comic books
*novelty statues
*stamps
*dust

So, dear reader, what do you collect? Why do you feel a pull towards these things?

Please feel free to post a comment of your collection.

Thank you for reading.

<3
Christina

New Studio Office in Progress

My husband and I finally moved in to our first place. It's a house that is right across the street from a lake, which provides a nice view. And I get my own studio office!

I started my business at my computer desk and a small corner of my bedroom, which evolved into transporting between two houses, then when I married and moved, I shared a room with my husband's computer/game room, and finally, I get my own space!

I have made a little progress since these pictures were taken. A lot more boxes and random things were piled into the room, then unpacked and stacked and unstacked. I had shelves mounted in my previous place of residence, and it will probably be awhile before those are put up in this room...but I found an awesome big black shelf at Costco that I hope to bring home soon.

Instead of painting the walls bright green for now I'm happy settling with artwork all over the walls: posters, prints, etc. One of my favorite places to shop for artwork is Deviant Art. It's a community of independent artists, and some of the things I find on there are just amazing.

I'll definitely keep posting more pictures as my studio office progresses. If you have any design tips or ideas I'd love to hear them!

Thank you so much for reading. Look for more updates soon.

<3
Christina

Spontaneous. What I've Been Up To.

I have been back from vacation for over a week and have been busy with work and an unexpected surprise: a new house! Actually my husband 's and my first (and own) place. So the signing of the lease is quickly approaching, and unfortunately the packing and planning that is involved. It's a nice place though with a lake view, (it's across the street) and I get my own room just for making jewelry, accessories, collage work, and anything and everything else I can think of.

I originally planned to dive right in to work creating new pieces and getting my online shops (and website) fully loaded so the early Christmas and Holiday shoppers have plenty to choose from. Now though, with the spontaneous move, it will have to wait another couple of weeks...but a couple of weeks isn't so long is it?

During the transition I'll be blogging more often and filling empty pages with design ideas. I'll keep feeling guilty though until my shops fill up.

Thank you so much for reading and for your interest.

<3
Christina
http://www.1337art.net

Is it Fall Yet?

After many pleas and cries the sun finally decided to show itself in the Pacific Northwest, and after less than a week I am already hiding by the air conditioner and waiting for Fall to make an appearance. I don’t much care for hot weather and bright obnoxious light.

I am already thinking about the holidays and planning my inventory for them. I have a feeling that this year will be the best and most successful. I have lists of supplies to purchase, items to list in each of my three online shops, and random ideas that are waiting to be brought to life. If only I was a master of time management!

Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoy your Sunday.

<3
Christina

Strawberries Make Summer Better.

Even though it's pouring outside in Washington State, and to some the sky is perceived as "gloomy," I found some mouthwatering strawberry smoothie recipes that I am anxious to try once the weather warms up. For those of you that are experiencing the sunlight and love strawberries please read further.

Thick Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:
6 large strawberries
1/2 cup of your favorite yogurt
1/2 cup of vanilla or strawberry ice cream
1/2 cup of whole milk

Directions:
First Blend strawberries and milk together until strawberries are well blended, than add ice cream and yogurt and whip for just a little bit so smoothie remains thick.

Slushy Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:
4 large strawberries
1 tsp of sugar
1/2 cup of whole milk
1 cup of ice cubes

Directions:
Blend strawberries with milk on low speed till well smooth, than add ice cubes and blend on high. Add sugar and blend on high speed for about 1 minute. The texture should be slushy and smooth.

Non Dairy/No Sugar Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

This recipe is for those people who would prefer no dairy products and no sugar.

Ingredients:
6 large strawberries
1 cup Welch's Strawberry Breeze
1/2 cup ice cubes

Directions:
Blend juice and with strawberries and add ice cubes until slushy consistency is formed. Soy milk may be used to replace juice for a thicker Strawberry Smoothie Recipe.

***

Check out more delicious sounding smoothie recipes at this website. I am not affiliated with this website in any way. I randomly found it on Google and wanted to share.

Thanks so much for reading.

<3
Christina

Pale Ponders of Summer.

The first of June is winding down, and the rain outside continues to fall down. My husband and I will be celebrating our first anniversary together outside on the beach and inside of the rainforest. I can almost smell the crisp fresh air of the Quinnault Rainforest. We were there before together (during our first year I think.) I look forward to long cool summer nights and breezy days full of the things that imprint memories.

It's going to be a beautiful summer.

<3 Christina