Yesterday, my stomach was finally at ease. The 2nd Annual Craft Lake City was a long day event and a first experience for me and Emily. I’ve never set up a booth before that wasn’t already figured out. I had imagined this in my head for some time and though it came close, I learned a lot of techniques that would better our display. Also, I definitely need to start earlier. I had new pieces I premiered that were very time consuming – animal head magnets, moleskines, a blackbird cut out the same process as my animal heads – and I wished the quantity were bigger so we didn’t run out. Also new are our letterpress printed cards – which I enjoyed seeing people smile after reading them. I also enjoyed explaining my mounted pieces to intrigued people. It’s a 6 step process:

1) Carve out the image on 1/4″ birch plywood

2) Ink the wood block and roll through press with rice paper

3) Cut out shape

4) Glue paper to 3/4″ birch plywood

5) Scroll saw exact image

6) Sand edges

Thanks to friends and family who came and all those who shared kind words. And big thanks to the boy who gives me 100% support!

By the end of the day I felt encouraged to continue this project and apply for future festivals. Firstly, I’m hoping to rework this website and start an online shop – but after I deep clean my apartment.

Note to self: Invest in a drying rack.

Craft Lake City is in exactly one week and it’s a bit overwhelming. There’s still lots to be done, but the overwhelming feeling also comes from the sudden attention we’re getting. Last Friday, during our all nighter, the folks from Printeresting.org held their second Copy Jam during the 6th Annual Printer’s Ball in Chicago where an estimated 3,000 people were in attendance. Shortly after meeting them at SGC in Philadelphia last March, they contacted me and asked if the Friends Make Prints logo could be apart of their event. After a quick consult with the redhead, we were more than willing to partake. I left for Lake Powell before I could see the pictures and all I can say, I wish we were there:

(Video via Design Chat)

(Pictures via Printeresting.org)

Nextly, one of the most flattering things I have been asked to do is be apart of the 10 (out of 130) artists to be spotlighted and interviewed in SLUG – Salt Lake Underground) Magazine. The article turned out amazing, especially the part where they let my pup Sheila hop in the picture with me and wrote about how important she is.

I am not used to this kind of break and I am very fortunate. Hopefully the streak stays with throughout this week and I get the many things done needed for the Saturday event!

Yesterday I woke up at 6:30am, drove a half hour to North to Ogden to grab my animal head wood blocks. I then went on to drop off Di’s wedding invitations and forgot to tell her Happy Birthday, like a jerk (sorry Di!). Then another hour drive to Logan, where I went to school. I got myself and Emily special permission to use the print studio for the day. I haven’t been able to find a rolling press in Salt Lake City that fits my moose and buffalo (has to be at least 35″ wide!). We’ve been really busy working on products and prints for Craft Lake City which is now exactly two weeks away! Oy. It’s been pretty stressful being it’s our first real event. We’ve talked all year long about how we could make FMP work, a real business. Finally we stopped talking and got to doing. But the most stressful thing is that MisterArt.com forgot to put my 2 rolls of rice paper on their shipping truck for 3 days and didn’t do anything on their end to help a girl out and get it by Thursday! Needless to say my paper didn’t get here on time and I will never be ordering from them again. Two of my former classmates were very gracious to let me borrow their roll or what they had left of their roll. I would not to have been able to get any animal heads done with Brandt and Matt! Thank you boys.

Emily and I didn’t leave the studio until 7:00am. We got a lot done. We wanted to do more, but we had been awake for more than 24 hours on top of her niece is getting married today up in Burley, ID and I have to work back in the city for the rest of today. I dropped Emily off then my pup Sheila and I headed back. After a half hour in the canyon I was dangerously drifting asleep. I took a 40 minute nap in the Brigham City Walmart parking lot as Sheila barked at any noise. She’s such a good watch dog when situations are strange to her, but a horrible listener when I yell, “Quiet! Mommy needs sleep.”

I want these next two weeks to be over with, but take as long as possible to go by at the same time.

Finished up this logo where for the first time I drew text inspired by a Dard Hunter typeface. Vickie was wonderful to work with because she let me talk to her about typography and what I believe in when it comes to identity systems. She has even taken an interest in letterpress printing her business cards! Wish my Kelsey was in working order so I could print them myself. After August 14th I can start focusing on other things than products for Craft Lake City so maybe then!

I’ve heard scary stories in the letterpress studio about people smushing their fingers in the press. I never understood how until today while finishing up my old roommate’s wedding invites. After printing 400 invites, 100 ceremony/RSVP postcards, I was a little tired to do 400 envelopes. I wanted them done quickly as possible. With the extra flap flapping in the air as I feed the paper across the cylinder, I held on to ensure it eased through the machine until my index and middle finger put a stop to the whole production. They were stuck between the cylinder and a bar that the paper slips through. I thought for sure I was going to lose a fingernail or two, but as of right now they’re still painfully intact. The first thing I thought, I must really love Di, and I powered through the rest of the set.

I have never designed or printed wedding invitations before but Di and Matt are such amazing and supportive friends, I thought it’d make a great wonderful gift. I have to be honest though, I don’t think I am cut out for wedding stuff. I felt burnt out after shooting two weddings with my holga camera and this, this was another world. So many freakin’ options and so many people to invite. Oy! Luckily I knew how much they love cats and how they will be cat people – married or single – forever and ever. It seemed obvious that their two cats, Monster and Zim, had to be on there. I am more of a dog person myself so that may be the reason why I am not in love with my design. But Di and Matt love the invites and I love those two so that’s all that matters.

Printed on Crane’s Lettra Ecru and Neenah Classic Crest Slate.

If you can’t tell there are a salt and pepper shaker in placement of a couple of bullets. I titled it, “For an Honest Man,” whatever that means. And I got to use Sculpy and Gorilla Glue for the first time! The antlers, gun, bullets and shakers are all woodcut prints pasted onto 3/4″ birch plywood and cut out with a scroll saw. This piece was quite the experiment with a lot of fingers crossed that it would come out the way that it did. And a Miss Sara bid $100 on it! I never got to meet her, but I hope she likes it!

I’m kind of sad to see it go. I couldn’t imagine being a sculptor or painter who makes one of a kind pieces and never see them again. I miss my box already.

Kayo Gallery is always accepting donations and always has amazing shows.

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In other news, I’ve been promoted to Gallery Director at work! Very excited for future shows, especially the next one for August Gallery stroll! It will be my first one I will organize and I am hopeful the idea is well received. Stay tuned!

(via the Save the Sugar House Fireworks FB page)

(photo of Scott Workman via Deseret News)

(Running into it at Jamba Juice)

A couple months ago, Intrepid Agency, a local and prestigious PR firm contacted me to do some freelance design work. Emphasis on free. The project consisted of a logo, website, and various items (buttons, shirts, banners, etc.) to help Save the Sugar House Fireworks for the 4th of July. A long standing tradition went away last year due to budget cuts and one man, Scott Workman, wanted to bring it back. When I was called into this project, only $20,000 had been raised out of the $75,000 needed to prove he can put on the show. I have to be honest, I wasn’t very optimistic. But after I handed off the files, Intrepid went to intense work. A lot of big name companies located in the Sugar House district supported the cause and with the community donating and purchasing buttons, lets just say, on with the show! And there are already funds saved and ready for the 2011 show!

It was a really neat experience to run into my logo around town and see it on the news. And it was amazing to see all the support throughout the community. Wish I was there to see the turn out of the largely attended event of the 4th of July holiday, but I hear it was fantastic!

Oh and I can’t forget a huge shout out to Ryan Gregson for his time to help code the website. Really couldn’t have done it without you!

Check out the video from FOX13 News. The logo is placed in the corner (what is that called?) with the anchorman and you can see it in front of the cash registers at Whole Foods one minute in.

Last night was Signed & Numbered’s “soft” opening as Young, The Giant and Steel Train rocked out next door at the Kilby Court music venue. If you need caulking, priming, painting, beam sanding, etc, I’m your girl. I’ve never worked like this before and it’s a great feeling to see all the hard work paid off into such a beautiful space. The grand opening will be on Sunday July 11th, 6pm-10pm, as Maps & Atlases are headlining next door. It’s a fun atmosphere when bands are playing and sometimes you can talk to the band members. For instance I got to talk to Evan from Steel Train:

“So what position are you?”

“Bass guitar. Short stop.”

“I’m an idiot.”

Hahaha. I should just stick to what I know, art. Thanks for all those who came out last night, especially the familiar faces. It’s so great to know I have awesome friends who show support and interest in what I do.

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Oh and in other exciting news, I can finally talk about that mysterious phone call I had over a week ago. SLUG Magazine sponsors the annual Craft Lake City that I recently applied to. They called to tell me that Friends Make Prints has a spot! Then they went on to say they want to feature me in their August issue as one of the 5 artists spotlighted for the event. As I said before, I am stunned and flattered. The interview took place last Friday and I can’t wait to see how the article turns out! Things are looking up for FMP!

And can you believe it, I didn’t try any of them! I thought it wasn’t right to try it without the artists themselves. By now I have tried “Tilted Smile,” the Imperial Pilsner by my new boss at Signed & Numbered, Leia Bell (she designed two out of the 4 in the Crooked Line brewed by Uinta Brewery Co.). Funny how when I first blogged about these, she didn’t know who I was! And not too long ago she poured me a cup! And it was delicious! I am not a beer lover. I only dare drink it if I can see through it. Thankfully this one was very light and had a hint of sweetness. Highly recommended. I was told I will hate the rest of them. But I still need the collection in my kitchen. I thought I’d start today.

I can’t drink “Cockeyed Cooper”  the Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine Ale without my friend Travis Bone and I couldn’t even find “Labryinth” the Black Ale by Trent Call. I don’t know him, well not personally, but I need it to complete this limited edition! And when I do, bottoms up.

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I’d also like to announce that the new Signed & Numbered Gallery, located next to Kilby Court music venue, has passed inspection! And thank the lord too because last Sunday when I was painting, I near fell off the ladder from a combination of not eating for 12 hours and locking knees. A lot of hard work went into restoring this space by the crew and Wednesday June 30th from 6pm-10pm is the “soft” opening of the “mini” print show by artists nationwide. Steel Train will be having their show that night at Kilby Court as well! The official grand opening is Sunday July 11th from 6pm-10pm as Maps & Atlases plays next door. Hope to see many friends there! My latest print will be displayed for the first time as well!