Great big ol' USA - process

My husband inspired me to do something big with the tin art I've been making so I used the Our Fair States idea and went 48 times bigger - I made a map of the contiguous states. It's about 26" wide and 20" tall on two pieces of wormy chestnut. I started by printing out a map of the states. Then I traced and cut out each state separately. I then cut each state out of my stock of biscuit tins. I got lucky with some (NC and VA for example) and others were chosen simply for color or pattern. I began assembling at Washington state, moved down and across, down to FL and upwards to New England, tacking and cutting and placing as I went. After every state was tacked well into place I filled up a barrel of wine and set myself up for hours of tacking in hundreds of tiny nails (I use 19 gauge, 1/2" nails for anyone that's interested). When that was done I had a hot soak in epsom salts and slept like a baby. And dreamt of putting nails into metal. ("What could that MEAN?") I will have the piece on display TOMORROW at Handmade Arcade along with a batch of new tin pieces for the holidays. I will have some new 2C prints and my wooden panel pieces, as well. AND tasty Peppermint Bark to give away with purchases. If you brave the wintry weather that is predicted please stop by my booth and say hey. Onward.

Autumn news

Welcome to the world, Baby Harris! I don't know you but I made you a sign. Best wishes on your path through this world. 

Upcoming events:

TOMORROW! Posted at Townhouse in East Liberty. I created a series of three prints that feature my illustrations of jars with various keepsakes in them. Stop by the opening party from 6-9PM.

Craftin' Outlaws  - Saturday, November 16 in Columbus, Ohio. I LOVE this show and am so glad to be a part of it again this year.

Handmade Arcade - Saturday, December 7 in Pittsburgh. This show is packed with talent and I'm thankful to be included.

Making by hand and loving it

Handmade Arcade 2013 is only two days away and my mind is reeling with ideas and things I wish I had more time to keep making. I've got to stop and actually start packing up things and get to that Peppermint Bark I'll be giving away in my booth. Make your plans to visit the show - it's at the Convention Center from 11-7 on Saturday, December 8. And it's FREE so you can spend your money on handmade goods.Here's a sneak peek at some of my new pieces that I'll have. Also look for chalk boards and gift tags, a brand new print perfect for parents with picky eaters, bags and more.Happy Holidays! WORKER BIRD

Worker Bird

Alright ladies and gents, I've got it. I decided to name the new project "Worker Bird" (as in, busy as a bird). I'm not entirely sure how I plan to reconcile this space with the new space but I think it'll all fall into place as I go. I think this blog will be used for general posts about the chickens, illustration projects, client work, life, etc. I think Worker Bird will be solely about the products I design and make under that name. We'll see. Maybe in the end I'll fold it all together under one umbrella.Thanks to everyone for your ideas and suggestions. I need to get to work - Worker Bird will make its debut at Handmade Arcade on December 8.Lastly, please visit Sweet Six to read a little interview that my friend Jenny did with me. And order some tasty hand-crafted candy while you're at it.

Busy as a bird

This is it. Worker Bird. I've named it (and that's the hardest part for me); now it's time to get to work.A little housekeeping: I will debut Worker Bird at Handmade Arcade this December 8, 2012 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Until then I will be busy making things, designing the booth, doing some illustrations, sanding, painting, printing, jig-sawing, oh, and getting L2 Design Collective ready for HA:2012 as well!I will post new Worker Bird work here as it's done. In the meantime, wander over to Sweet Six to read a little about who I am and where I'm at in life. My friend, Jenny, interviewed me and it's live today.  And while you're at it, place an order for some hand-crafted candy!!

Any other name

I love to name things - Christmas trees, cars, plants, animals - but not anything of my own.I am taking a leap this Fall. I am going to start - FOR REAL - making and trying to get an audience for all sorts of art and craft-related things that float around in my head but never see the light of day.So I need a name. What should I call this venture? I welcome any ideas and thoughts and suggestions. The name I'm mulling over is "Beehive Crafted." I love bees and their unwavering industriousness. Someone opined that this is a forgettable name (JERK) and someone else said it might be "too cutesy" (DOUBLE JERK) for the things I make. So...back to square one? Or not.The first step in my giant leap was to apply to vend my wares at Handmade Arcade. I've done this show in years' past at the L2 Design Collective table and I love every second of it. It draws a huge, selective crowd with great taste and to be accepted to exhibit is a pretty big deal. Fingers crossed.I'll be posting more in the coming weeks about the products I'll be making. Of course I will feature my Love Letter to Pittsburgh series of prints on wood (along with bees, chickens, etc). But there will be other new things in the works. Standby.And do let me know if you come up with anything magical.

**UPDATE: My dear, sweet, best big brother pointed out that by calling people JERK and DOUBLE JERK for giving feedback might dissuade others from offering their thoughts. He's so right. He's always right about everything.

Love letter to Pittsburgh

I have started my second love letter to Pittsburgh. (The first love letter was a project for Wendell August Forge and I'll certainly shout from the rooftops when it's complete.)It is no secret that I am in love with this place. I love most everything about it and I think it's absolutely gorgeous and, more importantly, filled with some of the nicest people I've ever met.So I've had this idea flitting around in my head ever since I was lucky enough to have an exhibit at Wildcard (awesome shop if you haven't been there - and if you have, you know of what I speak!) and since I'm an ace procrastinator it's taken me this long to get on it. But I did get on it. Today. And I think I'll even have a few pieces done in time for Handmade Arcade this weekend. Stop by the L2 Design Collective table and say hello, will you?     

Handmade Arcade 2009!!!

This is it - tomorrow is the big day. It's time for another Handmade Arcade and I can't wait. Hours and hours of meeting new people and being surrounded by so much handmade awesome. I'll be at the L2 Design Collective booth showcasing our holiday cards and banners, totes and gift tags and whatever else we happen to make today (this morning I've just put the last coat of varnish on these little test print boxes, for instance).Stop on by (and I wouldn't be too too upset if you brought a cup of hot chocolate with you) and say hey.And here's one more little idea - this Christmas when you're thinking of how to spend your money, think handmade.