Reno Earth Day Festival recap

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So I pulled it off: My very first art fair, where I actually sold a few of my handmade items (to strangers!). I was SO nervous leading up to this event, but looking back I don’t really know why I got myself all worked up. My fellow artists were super friendly and I loved the interaction with all the patrons perusing my tent and asking about my work. And I was lucky enough to have a few awesome friends help me set up and break down my display (and offer me relief for bathroom breaks because I have the bladder of a two year old).

As usual for Reno, the weather was amazing. Although, at one point, my worst case scenario happened: my art print display took to the wind like a sail and everything went flying to the ground. But it was really no biggie and the day was almost over anyway!

Remember when I wrote this post about not being busy? Well I was eating my words last week, because I was slammed with to-dos for the fair. But it was a good kind of busy and yesterday evening when I was driving myself and my wares back home, I had a serious excitement hangover. I called my mom afterward and bombarded her with one-sided hyper conversation for about twenty minutes.

Oh! And! I had the pleasure of meeting Ashley Jennings, a creative business coach living in Reno who is pretty much a wiz of creative business knowledge. I enjoyed her company so much during those last [windy!] moments at the fair. This girl lit a fire under me and I can’t wait to work with her in the near future!

With all the preparing, I managed to produce several new items for my shop (things I have been wanting to make for a while now), so those will be listed as soon as I can schedule a nice block of daylight hours for photographing everything.

The whole experience was so positive. I had enough sales to cover the cost of registering for the event (plus a little extra that I am designating as “celebration” money) and I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner. I was also very pleased with my display–not bad at all for pulling it together in a week!

New art panels, coming soon!

New pillow covers with my designs

MugStudios even made a little cameo…

The overall view of my tent…so glad I was able to fill up two tables!

i’ve been a poor blogger + updates

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Experimenting with my new camera. These are the small plants in my apartment that I haven’t killed yet. This red one even has new blooms!

I used to have a blog several years ago that I posted in almost daily where I lamented about my personal problems and failed relationships.

I loved writing that blog. It was one of the most therapeutic things I did at the time. Eventually, I grew kind of sick of myself–and maybe even matured a bit–and ditched the blog. But the one thing that was so nice about it was that it was anonymous. I felt like I could talk about anything with little consequence. So I did. And lord help me if it ever re-surfaces…I might crawl under a rock with embarrassment for all the angst-y T.M.I. things I wrote.

But now, having a blog that is part of my business seems to be a much different animal. I usually get the urge to write when I am pondering something pretty intensely, and sometimes I think that the things I am pondering may not be that interesting (business woes, finding my niche, yadda, yadda), so I put it off.

Maybe I should come up with a blogging schedule and stick to at least one or two posts a week. Even if they are short. It’s a work in progress…

Anyhow! I have a few updates to get me back into the blogging groove:

1. I got engaged! My ~~boyfriend~~ fiance, Alan, has spent every summer of our relationship in Alaska for field work related to his Ph.D studies, and this year, he popped the question a few days before leaving. We are thrilled. And a little daunted by wedding planning activities (and a growing guest list). Not gonna lie, we have already fantasized about eloping. Anyway, I love this man with all my heart and knew after our first date that he was marriage material…after a couple of weeks, I was certain that I wanted to marry him (people always say you just know, and I used to think they were full of crapola, but yeah, I knew). We are planning to be married in October 2014.

2. I decided on a whim to participate in my very first art fair this weekend. I decided to do it on Monday. MONDAY! And the event is on SUNDAY! I may be crazy, and I am certainly a little overwhelmed with to-dos, but I knew that at some point I had to stop planning to do one and just do it. So this is me just doing it. I’m nervous and feel unorganized, but at the very least I hope it is a learning experience that makes the next one that much easier to prepare for.

3. I am now officially a licensed architect in the state of Nevada. Woohoo! So for those of you that do not know how it all goes: to become an architect I had to attend 5 years of architecture school, complete 3 years of internship, and take a series of 7 grueling exams covering everything from structural calculations to air conditioning systems. Needless to say, I am relieved to have reached this goal. So is my mom, because now she can finally tell her friends and coworkers that her daughter is a real architect.

4. I finally bought myself a nice camera. I found a refurbished Canon EOS Rebel T3 on this site (thanks to the recommendation of a friend). It came with a standard 18-55mm IS II lens kit and I added an EF 50mm f/1.8 II auto focus lens to use for my product photography. I have been using Alan’s old Olympus point and shoot for too long and it’s been a struggle to get great photos with it. Well, he took it with him to Alaska and since I had no back-up, I thought it was time to invest in my own. I know very, VERY little about using a nice SLR so I am anxiously looking forward to getting acquainted. It makes a huge difference in my photography already with much less effort.

5. In general, I have been seeing a tiny bit of growth and exposure for my small biz. When I think back over how much I have grown as a budding entrepreneur, it’s exciting. I still get discouraged and wish I knew the secret to over night success and surviving on no sleep (hint: there is no secret, except hard work and patience). BUT whenever I am feeling like I am not growing fast enough, I just ask myself this question: If today was the first day after starting your business, would you be excited about the response to your work? What about the first month? The answer: yes.

So there it is folks. An update. Things are well. Hopefully I’ll be back here posting again soon.

Thanks for reading!

i’m not that busy

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When I was in architecture school, busy was a way of life. I felt guilty if I ever had a free moment to myself because surely there was something I should have been working on (and there usually was something to be working on). But I never fully embraced that way of life–and stress–and to this day have a sort of rebellious spirit when it comes to being busy.

Now that I am out of college and working, I find that a lot people glorify being busy. I never really feel busy, though. I don’t kill myself with long hours at my day job. Sure, most nights when I get home, I busy myself with projects for my side business, but I never truly feel busy enough and when others are lamenting about how busy they are, all I can think is: I’m not that busy.
Sample conversation:

Me: Hey, how’s it goin’?

Busy Person: I’m so busy.

Me: …

Okay, so truth time: the last couple of weeks I have been in total burn-out mode. I come home after work and don’t wanna do anything. I think my brain is in a bit of analysis paralysis. For a while there I was coming home everyday and working on my business and completely filling my weekend with projects to build my inventory. Then, I landed a few opportunities with MugStudios and almost immediately afterward, I hit a wall. And I think it is because I actually sat down for the first time since I have started this business and made a list of all the things that will keep me busy from now until the end of July–which is when I will participate in my first ever art fair. So I guess my little rebellious subconscious is doing its thang now (but I still feel guilty like I did in school for not being busy). And maybe there is a part of me that is scared to put myself out there in a new way, where I will have to actually watch people interact with my art. Maybe.

This past weekend I managed to pull myself out of the funk long enough to work on some new fabric designs I will have printed. I even hosted a little poll on my Facebook page to get feedback on colors (the Facebook polls are always surprisingly so much fun–I have to do more of them). Getting great feedback gave me the little kick in the pants I needed and now I am excited to get to work.

simplifying

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With Spring just around the corner (and peeking its head out to taunt us here in Reno) I have been having urges to purge my possessions and deep clean the apartment.

When I moved to Reno, I went through a major purge in order to make the road trip from Mississippi less stressful. It was such a good idea and really rearranged my ideas on owning things. Looking back, I think I could have eradicated even more of my possessions and had an even fresher start in our new town.

Up until that point, I was a bit of a pack rat, saving arbitrary things (mostly clothing…an obsession, really) and papers and accumulating stuff because I found it on sale or it was passed on from someone else who didn’t need it anymore. But after the Big Purge, I realized how much my possessions were stressing me out. It was so nice to have so little to be responsible for during one of the biggest moves of my life.

A few days ago, I read this post about living with less and remembered that great feeling. Then I looked around my apartment and realized how much crap I have accumulated over the past year and eight months since moving here. I am this close to pulling everything out of our closets and getting rid of anything that is non-essential. I threatened Alan with a garage sale this weekend and I might just do it.

There’s something really nice about living small, but it is so easy to start living large (and cramped). We have a small apartment in a small neighborhood, surrounded by small older homes and a small restaurant and coffee shop just down the street. It’s quite nice, actually. With Alan nearing the point of completion with his studies in a couple of years, it has me thinking about what type of life we will create for ourselves as “grown-ups”. In a world of mass consumption, the thought of living small has a nice feel to it. I never want to live above my means and have been working to reverse my irresponsible financial choices of the past by hammering down debt and getting to a place of financial “ahhhh”. Wouldn’t it be nice to be in a place where home is actually where the heart is and not just a place for all our stuff? Where I can create a stress free and low-maintenance sanctuary for my family and focus on all the adventures and experiences to come…

It’s a nice thought, isn’t it?

Four Finger Fundraiser

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Today I want to encourage you to check out the Four Finger Fundraiser Pop Up Shop. This online shop was created to raise money for Jonathan and Amber Perrodin of Perrodin Supply Co., a mom & pop style business that prides itself on old-fashioned friendships and exceptional products. On February 22nd, Jonathan, the woodworker of this duo, cut off his right index finger while working in the shop. As a result, the Perrodins have incurred large medical bills as well as a loss of valuable time for their small business.

I am new to the online handmade community, but have seen these guys popping up here and there and am really touched by the support of the artists involved. I have donated a few handmade goods from my own shop in hopes that I can contribute to their recovery fund.

Please head over to the Four Finger Fundraiser and check out all of the fantastic products up for sale. Also, if you are not interested in buying anything but would like to help, there is an option to donate money. All proceeds will be donated to the Perrodin Family! You can also learn more about the story and get updates over at the FFF blog. Thanks, Everyone!

how to be passionate about [almost] everything

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Click the picture to see this print in my shop.

When I first got the idea for this post, I sat down to write it and got off on this major tangent that became more about only one area of my life in which I am trying to be more passionate and less about what the title of this post eludes to.

Then I read this post, and it whipped me right back around to where I meant to be (it was actually kinda weird that I found it).

I have a lot of passion for many things in my personal and social life, and relishing in the small moments comes fairly easy to me. But when it comes to certain areas (the parts of my life that feel like have-to-dos), it is sometimes easy for me to take a grass-is-greener approach. And that’s kinda lame.

While I wholeheartedly believe that I should always be searching for the things that bring me joy, it is dangerous to dismiss the things that “don’t”. This revelation has become increasingly apparent to me lately and I have been making a conscious effort to appreciate the “have-to-do” routines in which I have been privileged to participate.

Instead of letting myself build up resentment for the things I feel are out of my control, I need to be an active participant in everything I do. I think it is way too easy to retreat into myself and power through hard times with my head down, trying to lay low and bear through it. I’m telling you now that this is not the best way to do it.

I decided to start approaching these things in a different way…sort of like an experiment, just to see what would happen. When I pushed myself out of the protective shell I had created and engaged, those hard times weren’t so hard after all. I stopped being so passive, and I made the situation better, not only for myself, but for the people that had to interact with me as well. As a result, I felt more passion for the have-to-dos and they felt more like want-to-dos. Plus, I allowed others to bear through it with me.

Without getting too deep and emotional over it all, I just thought it was an important lesson. While it doesn’t mean I have found the secret to never having another bad day, it does mean that I actually have more control over the outcome of my day than I thought. It also doesn’t mean that I have to sacrifice my passions. They are still very much there. But by bringing my best self into every situation (telling stories, giving [unsolicited] advice, and trying to make people laugh), the day or task or whatever becomes less about what I’m not able to do, and more about what I am.

I think that’s what makes the great parts of my life so great. I bring my whole self to the party without hesitation or a second thought. Without even thinking about it, I let myself enjoy life and I focus on the positive. And that’s what I am trying to practice in all areas of my life.

On that note, have a Happy Monday

on being vulnerable

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I had a conversation with a fellow artist friend a few days ago about feeling like a sell-out when we create pretty, frilly, fun things for no good reason other than it makes us feel good. We fear what others will think of us and end up not creating as much. It seems like the times when I stress the most over a piece of artwork are the times when I have the poorest response to it. BUT, the times when I just go for it and do not limit myself on what I create (even when it starts to feel too mainstream, or too silly, or too fun)? Those are the times that I get some really positive feedback–those are the times that I actually connect with others through my craft. My friend shared this revelation (and we were both relieved and inspired after discovering we weren’t alone).

As I have persisted with my little side business, I have learned that I have to be willing to put myself out there and be vulnerable with my art even when I feel like someone (anyone) might think it is ridiculous. There was a time when the thought of exposing every little thing that I created would have given me an anxiety attack. I would have thought “What if I annoy the hell out of people? What if it appears as if I think I am actually talented?”

That last thought? Is crazy. Right? And sometimes I still think it. Even when I know I am talented. I know I have something to share. And I know that there are people out there that appreciate it (especially my Mom).

I don’t really know why I cut myself down on the behalf of others, but I think a lot of us do it. I have been reading Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly and there is a lot of great insight within the pages of that book into self-effacing behavior. It’s kinda funny, when I saw Brown’s TED talk online I was so inspired by her point of view on vulnerability. And I was dumbfounded when I saw her second talk where she revealed that she struggled so much after that first talk with her own feelings of vulnerability. I think one of the most resonate points I have taken away from her talks and her book so far is that when we see others being vulnerable it is empowering, but when we think of ourselves being vulnerable, it is terrifying.

So, this is something I am workin’ on. One way I am doing it is by posting on this blog (which elicits the thought “What if it appears as if I think I am actually a writer?”). But mostly, I am trying my best to create something new every day. And then I am exposing it to you.

I also think that if you are feeling vulnerable about whatever it is that you want to put out into the world, you should embrace it. Because chances are, you will inspire someone else to do the same.

new in the shop: prints and a painting

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Over the past couple of weeks, I have taken a more organic approach to my art for casey d. sibley. For a while, I was getting really caught up in what I was supposed to be doing with it and stopped creating for fun. I have to say, this new approach is much more fun.

I am also trying to not over think putting my creations out into the world (I was getting so wound up about defining an overall brand and style before I really investigated what it is). So, here are a few more items that can be found in my shop. These are the result of just sitting down and painting without over thinking what the end result would be.

Hope you all are having a great week!

getting back to what makes me shine

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I used to paint just for the hell of it. I loved it. I would get a spark of inspiration and just go for it. My mom always tried to convince me that I should sell some of my work, and although I always thought about it, it took a while before I finally started to put myself out there.

Actually, it took a move across the country to a new city without a job (and no solid prospects) to follow the man I love.

When we first moved to Reno, I was desperate for a job, and since that was not panning out immediately (and since my type-A self needed a sense of purpose), I decided to try to sell a few things on Etsy. Within a couple of days, I had my first sale and I was hooked.

But somewhere along the way, I got caught up in the business part of things and trying to figure out what the masses wanted out of my art and stopped just creating what I love. Once I realized that people would actually pay me for my art, I felt indebted to create what they wanted and stopped doing as much of what I wanted, which is silly, because doing what I wanted was what brought them to me in the first place! I mentioned before that I recently shifted my business focus to MugStudios so that I could relax and figure out what Casey D. Sibley art needed to be.

So, in an effort to rediscover what it is that really makes me tick and inspires me to create beautiful things, I am getting back to the basics:

1. First and foremost, I am going to stop comparing myself to other artists (or at least try). Of course, I will still follow my favorites (and any new ones I come across), but instead of wondering why my art pales in comparison to theirs, I am going to use it as inspiration to keep growing my craft. One thing I like to do is look back at the early work of an artist compared to their current stuff (I will probably continue to do that). There is usually a noticeable change over time, proving that everyone starts somewhere. I saw a post on twitter once that said something like this: If you are not embarrassed by your past work, then you launched to late. True ‘dat.

2. Secondly, I’m pursuing my art daily. The only way I can grow is to practice. So I have started journaling (inspired by this post) as a way to dump the creative contents of my mind onto a sheet of paper with no rules. ‘Nuff said.

3. I set up a painting station in my studio (<—sounds so much better than “the desk in my apartment”). I have a little storage nook in my bedroom where I used keep all my paints and dragging them out and putting them away every time I got a spark of inspiration kinda snuffed out that spark. Cleaning = chores. I don’t want any part of my creative process to be a chore.

4. I’m also squashing the notion that my art has to be one thing or another (this partly relates to numero uno up there and partly to the fact that uber-serious-architecture-me kinda makes artsy-fartsy-me feel like I need to create uber-serious art). I like to paint and draw pretty flowers, among other things! It’s time that I stopped denying that. It’s pretty silly really, but lately every time I draw a flower, I give myself a little mental slap on the wrist. From now on, self-censorship is a no-no.

Basically, the rules are to create art and throw out the rules. So far, I like the new rules. I have been painting for the hell of it again and sketching and writing in my journal whatever comes to mind, even bitchin’ about work (like when I slipped and fell on a patch of ice at a job site the other day) or making a list of things that I need to do over the weekend (creating the best dish for the Super Bowl party) . I also make little notes to myself when I start feeling that weight of creative expectation and remind myself to ignore my…self. I promise I’m not crazy (I don’t think).

And with that, I press onward!

my first contest was a success!

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In an effort to reach out to my MugStudios followers and maybe do a little social media marketing, I hosted a contest on my Facebook page last week. The challenge was for the animal enthusiasts in my circle to pitch ideas for the next animal portrait for the shop and the prize was a free print to the winning idea-maker.

As you can see, a little Hedgehog took the prize and I just. Love. Him. I will definitely be doing this again in the future. Not only was I thrilled with the amount of participation, but people had some great ideas (much better than the stuff I was coming up with)!

If you want to be in the know for the next Facebook Animal Portrait Challenge, hop over to my fan page and “like” me! I also use the page to post updates on my other art projects, so you will basically be on the cusp of everything going down with Casey D. Sibley.

If you like this little guy, I will be posting the original Hedgehog portrait in MugStudios (probably this weekend after I have a chance to photograph the finished painting in natural light). I’ll also be adding a few Hedgehog prints.