New work is in process (on all levels).
I've been asked often "What happens once my hand-bound journal is filled up? Is there a way to refill it?" While there has always been that option, I am officially making it easier than ever. You can now go to my shop and purchase refill options for either your large or medium leather journal. If you have another type of journal that I've made that you would like me to refill, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can also purchase the "rebind text block" option if you would like. This would be in addition to the refill for your journal. Let me explain: The old pages have to be cut out of your journal before I can sew new ones in. If you don't want to keep these pages or aren't concerned too much with them, this is not something you will want. However, if you want to keep those old pages and want them sewn so they stay neatly together, I can do that. You'll want to purchase the refill and the rebind text block option. As always, let me know if you have any questions.
These particular inside planners are a local, collaborative effort. The layout design was created by Rebecca Wheat of Lily of the Valley. She is awesome...just so you know. They were then printed by a local printing shop (Beaugraphics-these guys rock). I then created these covers, and some of the glass beads are made by an artist friend, Cee Thompson of Illume Jewelry Design. While they've been a work in progress for quite some time, I'm excited with how they've turned out. Also, they are a limited series so get them while you can. They are 4.5 x 6.75 inches. Oh, yes-and refillable!
And some are even created from coffee bags! Go here to see more examples.
May you give birth to an even truer version of yourself in the coming year.
"To claim your light is a revolutionary act."-Willow Arlenea and Jasmin Lee Cori
I was asked to create a custom piece featuring a sea turtle. I had to do a bit of research to do so and discovered some pretty fascinating aspects, especially the way they are shaped. The customer was correct in asserting that the pattern on the back echos a labyrinth. It was fun discovering how intricate I could get while still maintaining a clean, minimalist look.
I got inspired tonight amidst various orders and, of course, a long to-do list. The inspiration started here, which I saw last week. I guess those ideas have been simmering in my head somewhere. All I know is that I was finishing up an order like any other evening. Before long, I'm getting all these text blocks of books together and deciding how I'm going to turn them into a Christmas tree. I found an extra string of lights, made a paper star top, and hung my mini book ornaments. It's the first time I've ever had a Christmas tree in my studio, and I'm actually pretty excited about it. Happy Holidays to me!
POP-UP ART STORE
- Where: MS Rezny Gallery 903 Manchester St.
- When: Thursday, December 15th from 4-6:30pm
- What: There will be various artists showing and selling their work. No admission and light refreshments will be served.
JEWELRY AND JOURNALS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT
- Where: The Tibbetts House 4009 Hillside Drive 40514
- When: Wednesday, December 14th from 6-9pm
- Sunday, December 18th from 2-6p
- What: AmandaMade and ReImagined by Luna present two shopping events for all your Christmas shopping needs!
AmandaMade jewelry offers a large variety of handmade jewelry including wire wrapped pendants, rings, bracelets, and necklace sets. Custom orders placed will be ready in time for Christmas.
Invite your friends :
I've just made alot of new product available online. Be sure to check it out. Also, I am having an End of the Year SALE and have marked particular books down 20-35%. The photos below are examples of new product now up for grabs in my online shop. Happy Shopping!
You can read the 2011 Holiday Gift Guide in it's entirety here.
For those of you who do not yet know, Noteables are journals that are made with roof from the RCA Dome. I happened upon People for Urban Progress (PUP) a couple of years ago and began learning about this material. The RCA Dome was an Indianapolis landmark between 1984-2008. Upon demolition ofthis structure, PUP arranged for the salvage of approximately thirteen acres (about 90%) of the roof material. PUP was already creating other products out of the Dome roof, and I asked if I could try making books. Since that time, I've created over 500 books in partnership with PUP. Those pictured below are plain covers with elastic closures. They are all handbound and have 96 recycled pages in them. They cost $24, and I will hand-stitch intials for an additional $7. You can also pick from a variety of thread colors. These would make great Christmas gifts! Get your orders in ASAP to make sure it is completed in time.
I am doing an online sale today only. Since many of us will shopping online today anyway given that it's Cyber Monday, stop by my online shop for 25% off your purchases. It will end at 10pm tonight. Just put in the code CyberMondaySale2011 when you get ready to check out.
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie
I have felt floods of gratefulness. They have been coming in waves over the past several months. I was driving to one art show in August and realized how deeply grateful I am. It was almost like a light coming on: I am so grateful. I am learning and growing and moving forward and getting to do work that I consider play. I am supported by strangers and friends and acquaintances. I am thankful for healing and the continuation that it is and truth and it's ability to continue to make itself known. I'm thankful for people who have been good medicine and the various forms that has taken.
With 2012 approaching, it is not too soon to begin thinking of a planner for the new year. I've been working the past several months on getting the best ones available. I'm thrilled to announce that We'Moon planners will be one of the types that I am now offering.
The covers are designed to inspire your 2012. The outsides are one of a kind and handmade out of recycled/repurposed materials. The inside planner was created by We'Moon and is for women who are drawn to spirituality and feel a deep sense of interconnection. There is a daily view that shows the moon's cycles as well as various quotes and poems and bits of art work throughout the planner. It is really more of an experience than simply a date book. The covers are created to further heighten that experience as well as protect your planner from wear and tear during the year.
Chrysalis
We'Moon: Womyn are intricately connected to the moon and its cycles. The moon's cycles are an ever present reminder of our own particular cycles and also progression forward.
In thinking of a new year, growth is key. It's key to moving past our old ideas and thought patterns and discovering our best selves. Seeds hold much potential (as do we). We must allow for growth to realize more of who we actually are.
"The trees in the storm don't try to stand up straight and tall and erect. They allow themselves to bend and be blown with the wind. They understand the power of letting go. Those trees and branches that try too hard to stand up strong and straight are the ones that break. Learn the power of the trees. Let it flow. Let it go. That is the way you are going to make it through the storms."
-from The Legacy of Luna by Julia Butterfly Hill
November 19 ~ 20, 2011
Heritage Hall at the Lexington Center
Lexington, KY
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I am grateful to live in a place where people are supportive and intentional about supporting handmade and small businesses. I felt that deep gratitude again this past weekend. I am happy to say that the pop-up shop was a success and that there will probably be more in the future. Thanks to everyone who stopped by! We really appreciate you. To begin with, we could not have asked for a more beautiful day. It was cold and rained several days leading up to it, but Saturday was as gorgeous as they come. We all set-up at Amelia's house next to her studio, which meant Mayapple Creations and myself were in the backyard beneath this fabulous tree. It was fun being set-up with our full display in a backyard. The whole ambiance was relaxed, and there was plenty of opportunity to engage. Sometimes at the larger shows, there are so many folks that there isn't time to get to converse with our customers the way we would like to. This type of atmosphere allowed for more of that. We also had food and hot beverages as a treat for our customers. Again, we do appreciate each and every one of you.
Come celebrate Lexington's local artisans and get a head start on holiday shopping! Several local artists will be exhibiting in the first Local Artisans of Lexington Holiday Pop-Up Shop. Featured items include eco-friendly jewelry by Josie and Mark Lamb, handmade ceramic ware by Amelia Stamps, and upcycled journals by Melissa Oesch. All of the artists are also a part of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and create full-time. They will have ample products available for early Christmas shopping as well as some discounted goods. Light appetizers will be provided.
Regarding: Local Artisan’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Date: This Saturday! (November 5th)
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday
Place: 117 Elam Park Lexington, Kentucky (Home of Amelia Stamps)
Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.
–Howard Thurman.
Ah, it's been a good four-week-run of festivals every weekend. I've thoroughly enjoyed the bit of traveling and meeting and spending time with so many wonderful people.
I participated in St. James Art Show a couple weeks ago in Old Town Louisville. Here is a peek at the fountain on St. James court in the wee hours of the morning. I found out when I was setting up that I was scheduled for a t.v. interview on Friday morning at 6am. I had planned to drive to Louisville on Friday from Lexington. This means et up really early. There was something nice about being at the show while it was dark and still, before all the bustling began. You can check out the t.v. interview here. The rest of the weekend was pretty constant. I got to see and meet some amazing customers and friends. Plus, my friends, Amanda and George, made me Vegan lasagna, which was quite tasty!
Last weekend, I was at the KY Guild's Fall Fair. It took place at the Indian Fort Theater, which has to be one of my favorite venues ever. All of the artists are literally in the woods along a trail. And with it being Fall, it couldn't have been prettier. Some of the leaves had changed, and the weather was sunny and fabulous. We could not have asked for a better weekend!
I'll be at St. James Art Show. Come on by! I'll be on Fourth Street at booth #777.
I had a gorgeous drive this past weekend to Madison, IN. GPS took me along backroads the whole way there. It was incredibly tempting to pull over and go exploring. Instead, I soaked it up from my car window and appreciated the sunshine and crisp fall air. After several bridges and a scenic view of the river, I arrived in Madison. Being there was delightful. The town is quaint and surrounded by beautiful countryside, and the people were so warm and inviting. 
We did have some rain on Saturday, but people came out regardless. These folks obviously come year after year as I was repeatedly told, "You're new here, aren't you?" They are quite the dedicated crowd. That Sunday morning, a volunteer came up and asked what my booth number was. She had a piece of paper in hand, and my first thought was that I must have parked in the wrong place or something. Actually, I was up for an award and was suppose to attend the award ceremony at 11. What a fun way to start the day! I went to the ceromony and received First Place in Fine Craft. The mayor of Madison presented the awards, and I was given a handmade wooden box that a local artist had made from cherry wood. Between the award and the sunshine making an unexpected day-long appearance, it was a fabulous day. And now, a long deep breath....and I'm back to the studio.
*group picture courtesy of Madison Chautauqua Art Festival