Jacked-up Shruti
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Remember Shruti? Well, I kind of miss him, so I immortalized him in felt! Or, I guess I should say I ATTEMPTED to immortalize him. I've never tried needlefelting, but there are so many beautiful examples of it on Etsy, like this, this or this. Woolpets sells ready made kits with everything you need to make your own little pet. I broke two needles making Shruti. I definitely need practice, but this is definitely a fun, meditative craft. I'll keep you posted on my progress

Bruno--courtesy of Cicada Studio
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

A loyal customer indeed--what better promotion than this?

This is baby Bruno, the brand new, second son of my friend and fellow Etsian Michelle of CicadaStudio. Michelle is into the signs of the zodiac and since Bruno is a Leo, he needed this.

Look at those sweet, chunky arms! Don't you just want to squish him right up?

Thanks for making a cute baby to wear Mew goods, Michelle!

Shruti the tiny dinosaur

Shruti the tiny dinosaur
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I found this guy while I was out walking...his shell was dry dry dry with a crusty layer of dirt. There was no water in sight. He was hardly any bigger than a quarter. I can't resist a tiny thing, so I picked the little feller up and carried him home...he tried to scramble a few times, but I promised him a strawberry if he behaved.

He's a baby snapping turtle--someday soon he'll be a giant meanie who might bite your foot off if he's hungry. I put him in a bucket with a touch of water and Dino and I drove him off to the wetlands preserve to give him a new home. I have no interest in keeping a turtle for a pet--especially one that will grow into a beastly dragon in a while!

Soon as we put him in the water he was getting along just "swimmingly". I named him Shruti--and I've been thinking about him all day. I hope I did the right thing.

You should have a holiday party...

Holiday Party
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Ask Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray for some easy hors d'oevres recipes, hang a few paper pom poms from the ceiling, and have a few cocktails before the guests arrive to keep your stress level at a minimum.

Oh, and use these invitations. Please don't send an e-vite. I will do all the work for you--you just have to seal the envelopes. Can you handle that? Trust me, it's better for both of us this way.

; )

Home Improvements

DSCN2232
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Yeah, so you know HGTV? They're full of crap. It's nearly impossible...no, it IS impossible to complete any home improvement projects in two days or less. This heft project took us three full working weekends.

The kitchen was a horrendous shade of pickled wood before this...like a nasty pinkish tone. So in phase 1 of renovations we've painted and "distressed" the cabinets to give them that sassy Shabby Chic look.

As we were taking the doors off initially I mentioned, in passing, that it might be insightful of us to mark which doors came from where. But Dino, in his omnipotent confidence found that extranneous. Welllll...such lack of planning led to approximately 394 attempts at rehanging the doors in the right place. I'm no contractor, but once in a while I get a good idea.

Well, the hard part is over and now we have cabinets that we're too nervous about ruining to actually use. The Fantastic bottle is getting a lot of use as i go about chasing finger prints on the doors!

I'll keep you posted as phases 2 (a granite countertop later this month) and 3 (a pressed tin backsplash) progress.

Mew for Kittens
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Oh the Gocco! Oh, oh, oh the Gocco! What fun I had. Thanks to my dear friend Heatherjeany over at Etsy (who's having a kitten of her own soon!) I got the hang of this little device and had a lot of fun playing. I did waste three white onesies trying to get things just so. I really like the way the blue looks on the turquoise top. Have babies, and then make them wear these.

Fa-fa-fa-fuh-reeee!

Freeeeee!
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

That's me singing and chanting the joy of the free-ness of this delightful find! They were throwing this sucker away at my office because they got some fancy schmancy new stuff. Well, I've been eyeing these in the Staples catalog--do you know how much they cost new? Well, neither do I exactly, but it's way more than FREE! Now, it's looking a bit pathetic at the moment with only three piles of paper in the slots, but I have a gigantic shipping due in tomorrow or Friday and I will organize the bejeevers out of it! Could you imagine the free-for-all if I could get my hands on one of those p-touch labeler gizmos?

Sun Salutation
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I was twiddling away at my desk with a very specific idea in my head to design something with a fluffy dandelion. It was all figured out, and then that concept was pushed out of my tightly packed brain to make room for this one! I definitely can't keep too much information in there at a time. So instead of a soft, organic dandelion I ended up with these sharp, modern circles that have this weird undulating effect when you look at them--and that's withOUT mind-altering substances. They're a delcious orange color with a soft grey printed on shimmering silver paper. Buy them here. Do it.

Mew is spreading...

Pile
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Be careful or you'll catch it! This hefty pile of goodies went out early Monday morning for shipping--some to Texas, some to North Carolina and even some to Australia! Every little sale I make via Etsy is such a treat! I love spreading the love! Won't you join me? Tell your friends, tell your sister, tell your boyfriend's sister. If you have time, you can even tell your boyfriend's sister's sister.

Dudes, the WTF Department has been busy!

Well I totally intended the "Updates from the WTF Department" to be a weekly thing, at most. But on my trip to Trader Joe's at lunch today I encountered so much weirdness that it really couldn't wait.

Trader Joe's, if you don't know, is a kind of small, alterna-market. They have an artist who paints their signs and windows. Well, did I ever learn something about that artist today! LOOK at this picture of little Susie Q. and her mom on the mountaintop! Is it just me or does that knee look dangerously like a giant boner??? Yeah, I thought so. I pointed out my photo to the clerk and he said the artist "sneaks" in naughty images when she can get away with it! They actually had to REMOVE the one with the giant baguette poking northward out of a busy shopper's crotch!!! I got such a huge kick out of this that I felt I needed to share it with you all.

Oh, but it didn't end there. While mindlessly browsing the fruit and giving the white nectarines a squeeze I encountered THIS sassy fella! Oh, that's right, he's a fella, not a lady! Though I bet you chicks wish you had a set of gams like this guy! Yeah. Those are platform peep-toe wedge heels he's sporting.

Ummmm....WTF???

Look What's New at Mew!

Heels
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Whoa. I kind of forgot that it would be a good idea to keep designing new things. I got stuck on custom orders and went back to yoga and got very distracted! But I'm back, and I made something new for you! I'm pretty sure you all might need a set of these darling notecards with your name on them--or your friend's name. Or if you're feeling good, your boss's name. I'm just sayin'--get a set. The cuteness is unbearable!

A brief message from the "WTF? department"

Wait...whaaa?
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

In case you're ever in any kind of trouble with your pickles--be it the jar, the juice, the contents, worry not...because now you can get "real help in real time" at pickles.com

Just remember to have the package when calling.

Ummm, are you kidding me?

A Sneak Peek, just for you, loyal readers!

I was almost tempted to say "loyal reader" and address this to my mom, but thanks to M. Lee's daily blog role call I've gotten many more readers. So thanks for that, Mariss!

I'm busy in the studio developing a new Mew holiday line...every day a new idea kind of squirts out. Unfortunately, most of the time, the squirting comes out in the midst of an important work meeting when I can't get the illos down on paper. I sneak off whenever I can and jot my ideas down--I hope if I'm out one day no one has to go through my notes at my cubicle!
Enjoy the preview...more is coming. These are not posted in my Etsy shop just yet. In fact, I'm going to ask you all to give me your feedback--when will you begin thinking about holiday shopping? And sending holiday cards? And don't give me that "Oh, I'm lucky if I can get the gifts wrapped, let alone the cards sent" bit...I'm onto you! That's why I started early--so there will be NO excuse not to touch base with your aunt's third cousin's veterinarian's twin mother's brother in law this Holiday Season!

I'm pretending I'm right here...

Cape Cod
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Instead of in a 5x8 foot cell covered in fabric that could undoubtedly be reused as ace bandages. No, it's not REAL jail, but it's my cubicle at work--close enough. It's grey, gloomy, rainy and humid. Harumph.

This photo was taken last year in early September on Nauset Light Beach on Cape Cod. The kids and families had all gone back to school and the beach was deserted. Stormy weather had just blown through and made the waves aggressive and picturesque. It was a playground for the seals!

Perhaps we'll return this year...

Gocco
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I'm pretty sure I just joined a cult!

I bought a Gocco. What got into me? I can't read Japanese for one so how the HECK am I gonna know how to use it??? Heatherjeeeeeeany...hellllp meh!

Well, truthfully, everyone in the world of Etsy keeps singing the praises of this jaunty little device so I wanted to give it a shot myself. I have every intention of using it to print some of my favorite Mew characters on fabric. I'm not so sure that I'll ever be using it efficiently enough to do my stationery with it.

But a gal's gotta have an adventure in her life time so what the hey, right?

Seriously. I HAVE to go back to Yoga.

Yoga Studio
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

As usual, I overslept for work today, but in the early morning I had kind of fomulated my outfit for the day in my head. so I could just leap out of bed into my clothes and out the door basically. Yeah, well...it didn't go so well this morning.

I tried on three--that's right, I said three--different pairs of pants this morning before settling on this raggedy pair from years ago. Those other three that fit me so beautifully earlier this year gave me a camel toe SO BAD I swore could have picked things UP with it!

Sorry if that was too much information. But do you kind of know where I'm coming from? Trying to grow Mew Paper Arts took me out of the yoga studio...and now i have to just stop making excuses and get my butt back in gear.

I never leave a market empty-handed...

Well, this past weekend's open market in Providence was lean on sales, but certainly not on excitement! Five minutes into my set up, I was smashed on the head by the display from the booth behind me! Yowser. Poor Marie from Galvinized Headwear felt horrible...we milked her sympathy all day, even though the worst of it was just a goose egg! She sent me home with one of her original handmade headbands to cover it! I made some other fun trades along the way too. I got this funky bottle of "Roasted Ghosts" and those darling mermaid tags from Darlene of Ursula and Olive in exchange for a pack of Sassy Girl Notecards. And from Melissa of Hobo Camp Crafts (a die hard Harry Potter freak) I got the world's cutest felt scrap birdie pin. She took a pack of book notecards because she said they reminded her of her beloved Hogwart's! Believe it or not, even a stationery designer herself sometimes picks up a card...and I scooped up these two from Pish Posh Design. The luscious scent of black vanilla soap from My Urban Kitchen fills my linen closet.

But best of all...this sweet little bunny necklace. The girls of Mooka & Looka were right beside me and brand new to the market and to selling at all. I saw the bunny first thing and wanted it for myself--Dino's nickname for me is Bunny...how fitting! But by mid day it was gone--sold to someone with a deeper wallet than me. Boo. Later that night when I got into bed and pulled back the covers, there was a tiny kraft paper box with a familiar stamp on it...and inside was the bunny!

What a guy, What a guy!

Wanderlust
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

Very soon you'll be able to find some of the Mew Paper Arts collection here at The Wanderlust Boutique. Wanderlust is the brainchild of two fun and funky sisters who were bitten by the travel bug. Meg and Meilani run Wanderlust out of sunny San Diego, Califor-nye-ay. Besides my stationery, you can find delicious jewelry, home accents, bath and body products and more unique goodies from all around the world.

Come one, Come all!
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I'll be back at the Providence Open Market this coming Saturday, June 30th. If you're in the area, stop on by--you won't be disappointed by all the delicious handmade goodness at every booth!

Ornametal Jewelry
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

You ready for this fun coincidence? Somewhere in the etsy forums yesterday I noticed a seller from Danbury, CT--that's where I live too, sillies! So I dropped Ms. Ornametal Jewelry a line and casually mentioned where I lived...turns out she lives in the NEXT BUILDING OVER to me! We are neighbors! Aaaand, they have craft nights at the local pub--which I think is riotously funny, but I can't wait to join! You need to see the rest of Lauren's gorgeously organic handmade adornments right here.

A Peek into my sketchbook...

Well, if you know me, than you know how my studio normally looks--paper scraps strewn hither and thither, unopened mail in stacks, and hordes of envelopes atop scores of paper. It's not necessarily a mess...to me anyway!

My sketchbook is similar. In fact, it's not even a book. It probably was once, like back in college when it needed to be handed in and graded. Now it's leafs of paper torn from my tracing tablet, or the back of an old mortgage statement. I keep the "book" which is actually a folder full of these brain farts on paper, in a little porta-filer-job type thing. And for your viewing pleasure I'm sharing a few snippets with you.

This is how it generally starts...an idea in pencil on paper, then refined in pencil with tracing paper, then refined a second or third time usually! If it's a lucky drawing it ends up in color pencil on tracing paper and as a notecard that I wish
for you to someday send!

Holiday Card
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

When do stores start going Christmas Crazy, October? I feel like when the Easter Bunny is on his way out he's high-fiving Santa on his way in! Well in the spirit of jamming the holiday cheer down your throat, here's a sneak peek of something you can expect to see in the Mew Paper Arts collection this fall!

The Passing of Time

Birthday Boy
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

One year ago I stood by while this little boy, this brand new human, took his first breath. Such a fragile spirit he was once! In one year he's gained pounds, sprouted hair, cut teeth...he's a different person! It's seeing life change right before you eyes that makes the passing of time a reality.

Becca Lights
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

When was the last time you received something awesome in the mail? Well, I guess if you're an Etsy shopper that happens pretty regularly...if you're not, then get on the stick, you're missing out! I came home to FOUR packages today...

One had paper supplies which I needed to get jobs done.
Another had my sassy little Luau earrings from Gemmafactrix. Yet another had the most special thing I've ever bought on Etsy--the Seahorse pendant I told you about. It was packaged so beautifully and it's so dainty and perfect.

Buuuutttt...the most enticing one of all...my scented candles from Becca Lights. Baked Bread...no, I'm not kidding. You light that sucker up and you are IN a bakery at 5 in the morning. It is so delicious I can't convey it in words. You will have to go order one for yourself and experience the magic. This is my new go-to place for candles from now on!

This is how I know I'm alive

Alive
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I breathe the sea. I stand on the earth and let the waves prove to me that it's moving. I eat the sunshine. I feel like I can see all the way inside of this little planet I live on. When I stand in front of the massive ocean I know how tiny I am, but my presence is the truest. I live for these times...when the rest is left behind even for just a few days, when the morning sun wakes me up, and time isn't counted.

Seahorse
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I couldn't resist...doesn't it remind you of a deliciously frosted ginger snap? Good enough to eat. This cool necklace was featured on the front page of Etsy this morning in a treasury list full of creamy colored goodness. I bought the seahorse from DreamsandJewelry--check out the shop for one of your very own!

The Chappaqua Strawberry Festival...yeah. It sucked a big, sweaty pair of gorilla balls.

And that's all I have to say about that.

I didn't hit the target

Cosmos
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

with these custom designed invitations, but I'm happy with the result none the less. My buyer is looking for more of a peony theme. No problem. I can do that. But in the meantime, I've come up with another design to add to my portfolio and maybe to my shop a little later. Maybe they'll make pretty blank notecards. I love it when a mistake turns into a success!

So I shared with you where I work. And I work where I live. Here are a few peeks into the rest of my home. My studio space is one of 2 bedrooms on the third floor of my condo. I've lived here for about a year and a half, and Dino joined me this past November. Our bedroom is my favorite place to be I think. My therapist said I needed to stop "retreating to a cave-like atmosphere". I think my therapist should scratch my a$$. It is a bit cave like, but it's safe, and cool and quiet. My dad helped me paint it and he dubbed it "battleship green". Not a fan. By the way, don't be fooled into thinking it's ever looked like this again--most of the time you can't even tell that wicker chair exists!

Same goes for the living room--mail, shoes, laundry piles...not always, but when I'm busy with orders the housework surely gets neglected. Most of these pics were taken when I had just moved in, so things are a bit sparse. Since then, I've acquired the coolest coffee table that was $30 from Home Goods. My dad chopped the legs down for me, polished it up and it's good as new!

The kitchen is cozy--which is an alternate way of saying small. But for me I guess it's plenty. I loathe my standard contractor grade tile and can't wait to replace it someday. Also wouldn't mind refinishing my borderline-heinous pickled cabinetry. For now it's totally livable. Our first big project will someday be dark wood flooring in the living room. My dining room is actually my favorite room, decor wise, but I have no pictures of it at the moment.

Mostly that's it...I mean there's more to it than those rooms, but none worth showing in the state it's all in.

Enough about me. Isn't there a CSI marathon on?

Work area

Work area
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

I always am curious about where artists do their work. I thought it fair to reveal my studio space to you. I live in a three story town house with two bedrooms. My second bedroom is tremendous with plenty of room for a bed off to the side and all of my necessary equipment. Now, I may have pulled the wool over your eyes with this photo but the truth is, it's usually a PIT. I mean, mega mess. Typically you'll find 3-5 empty cups, mugs and wineglasses on any or all of the flat surfaces. If you can walk without stepping on a stray shoe, a box full of packing peanuts or a heap of paper scraps than you are more agile than I. The TV is there for Thursday nights only--Grey's Anatomy. Other than that it's rarely on. In fact, I often don't even bother with the stereo. I'll admit that I prefer things to be organized in there...but getting it and keeping it so is my greatest challenge.

The glory of Humble Glory

If you're an Etsy regular, then you know Ben. You've probably already bought something from him. If you haven't, then you should. If you smell bad, then you deeeefinitely should. I finally made my very first purchase and just the other day the package of goodness arrived...a sampling of several different fragrances that Ben mixes up himself. Yeah--he's a perfumer. Bet you don't know anyone who makes their own perfume. I asked him a few questions to get the idea of how he does what he does and thought I'd share with you all, my teeming throng of loyal readers!

1. Tell me briefly about your perfumerie--what sparked your interest in scents etc?

It started when I wanted to give my girlfriend at the time perfume as a Chrismas present. The kind I liked (Éclat d'Arpège by Lanvin) was too expensive for me, so I was searching google to find something similar, and I found that you could buy the individual fragrance notes and blend them yourself. Perfect! I can give her perfume, something I made, and save money! Well, it didn’t end up being as easy as I imagined, but eventually I had made an entire fragranced bath and body set consisting of perfume, body spray, deodorant, shower gel, and shampoo and conditioner.

Now I use only natural ingredients (organic sources) in blending my fragrances. This is for several reasons. First, I majored in botany in college, and I simply love plants and flowers. It gives me the opportunity to work with materials that actually come from plants and nature instead of some chemical factory in New Jersey. These natural essential oils cost about ten times as much as the synthetic fragrance oils, but the final product has more depth, quality, and is something I can be proud of. I am now even experimenting with distilling my own plant extracts, which will let me be much more involved in the process of creating my fragrances.



2. How did you learn the techniques that you use?
I have done a lot of reading and research. But there is no one out there that tells you how to make the “perfect” fragrance. So mostly it is lots of trial and error (emphasis on error). Perfumery is all about experimentation in my experience. Its about finding what works together. Often it is things that you wouldn’t expect that end up smelling good together. At least 90% of my time perfuming is spent just experimenting.

4. Some of us don't know that you're a seminary student--can you describe your experience in your college and what drew you towards Armenian (help me with the right word here) scripture? Studies?

Basically I have no Idea what I am in doing in life. So I just continue going to school until I figure something out. In college, I was a Natural Science major because I find science interesting. I took mostly biology classes, and some geology, astronomy, and physics. Since I did not know what I was doing when I graduated, decided to go to seminary to learn more about my Church and its theology, history, music, and language. I am Armenian Orthodox, one of the ancient Christian churches that has existed from the very beginning of the apostles (Rom. Catholic, Greek Orthodox, etc.). I went to seminary at the time mostly because I had nothing better to do. Two years into the program, and I still have no idea what I will do with my life. I could possibly become a priest, social worker, or hospital chaplain (among other things) with this degree, but I am not sure yet. I love caring for, nurturing, and serving. I just need to decide if I want to do this for plants or people or both. Priest or gardener… tough choice.

6. Describe an ideal one-week holiday?

Going somewhere where there is no people with a friend or two, and doing absolutely nothing. Just walking until we are absolutely lost in the middle of nowhere, and then trying to find a way out. Just fill a bag full of supplies (water, food, tools) and just start walking into the woods/desert/jungle/tundra/mountains.

7. When you're not busy maintaining your etsy shop what else might we find you doing?
Studying. Its become my life, at least from September through May. In the summer I work in landscape design, go fishing, ride my motorcycles, play baseball, watch baseball… breathe baseball.
10.What's the mostful useful tool or material that you use to make your products?

The most useful tool for any perfumer is of course the chainsaw. We use this to… nah just kidding. Seriously, if I didn’t have a nose, I wouldn’t be able to get very far in perfumery. So my most important tool is my nose.

9. Tell me about some of your favorite etsy purchases?
I have gotten some really great stuff from etsy! For one of my classmates, I custom ordered a night-lite made of fused glass with an Armenian cross imprinted in it. Of course the “Humble Glory notecards” which you made for another classmate of mine are in my top 3 faves. But my all-time favorite etsy purchase is my “nice rack” t-shirt from the boys over at mixedspecies. It is a lovely chocolate brown shirt with an elk/deer thing with 4 back legs and way to many antlers. Now that’s just too silly.

www.wickedlychic.com

So this was pretty cool...a gal who writes a column for Wickedly Chic (which is a super cool indie shopping guide that you definitely need to check out) contacted me to let me know she was featuring my Free Bird notecards in a blurb about graduation gifts. Check out the article here. If I were cooler, I could somehow show the page right here on the blog, but what do I know? Aaaand, if you're in the market for a unique and fun, personalized gift for a grad in your life you can't go wrong with handmade stationery!

A little chat with Jaime Zollars...



Remember a while back I posted about that gorgeous treasury I was featured in? That's how I discovered Jaime Zollars--an illustrator with a knack for whimsy. I fell so madly in love with her Underwater Circus print (if you know me, you're aware of my lust for mermaids) and we ended up doing a trade for it! Now it is mine, mine, mine. It's yet to be framed, but I already have a place to hang it. Via e-mail, Jaime and I exchanged some info and experiences with selling, wholesaling and art in general. I'll share some fun tidbits with you now!



What's your workspace like? Right now my workspace is part of the living room. I've got lots of shelves and piles of things, a big desk, drawers and cabinets and a few prints of art I admire hanging about. My computer desk has a door with tons of post-its on it. (My way of trying to keep organized) but the sheer number of post-its sort of defeats the purpose. MY ideal space would be separate from where I live and would have lots more art hanging around!



Describe an ideal one-week holiday? Right now, I'd have to say something new, but something tropical to enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation by the water. I'd love to see Kauai, Costa Rica, or somewhere on the coast of South America. A longer trip would be more adventurous, like a trip to India or somewhere far away, but there's only so much you can do in a week.


When you're not busy maintaining your etsy shop what else might we find you doing? Checking a bunch of design blogs, reading business magazines, or writing about paper art and toys on my blog, paperforest.com


Tell me about some of your favorite etsy purchases: I love the little pouch with kangaroos I just got from Camp Apparel, the lovely black t-shirt with a graphic white design I got from Harrilu, my Lusterbunny pendant, and my APAK coaster set from Mirrorgirl. There are more, of course, but those are coming to mind.


What's the mostful useful tool or material that you use to make your products? When I'm designing my screenprints, I rely on my Micron 005 tiny black pen. I love those things.



If someone from history or current events (alive or dead) wanted to buy your entire shop out who would you want that to be? The 16th century artist Bosch, since I'm a big fan, or someone like Edward Gorey with bizarre taste and and eye for art. That would make me feel pretty accomplished. I think just having your art bought by someone you respect is the best thing that can happen.

I wish that there was "Auntie Day"

I wish there was an "Auntie Day"
Originally uploaded by mewpaperarts.

There's mother's day, father's day, administrative professional's day...but no Auntie Day. I would make every day Auntie Day. This handsome little fella is my nephew Mikey D. Yesterday we celebrated his mommy's first mother's day, my mommy's 34th, and his daddy's birthday. Mikey loves company--he's a real show-off. He apparently also loves green bean casserole with fried onions on the top.