Welcome In the New Year!

Each year goes by faster than the last. When I think about all that I have done in the year, it does not seem like much and maybe I could have done more. Where does the time go? I do not really make new year's resolutions because I constantly have goals for myself. 2010 will definitely be a year of major change for a lot of people. Change is always good. For some, it will be new jobs, a new place to live, an entirely new career. For myself, it will probably be all of those! Welcome the new year with open eyes and see the possibilities. Make it happen!

This year, on my infinite to-do list, I am going to create a cohesive look for Blushing Pearl. Starting with this blog post-- new colors, maybe even a new font for the year? I always wonder how studios come up with a look for themselves, I think I have too many to just stick to one! 

 "The most successful people are those who are good at plan B." -James Yorke

Happy New Years to you and may 2010 take you places you may have never dreamed of! 

*photo credit: marthastewart.com

Straight Lines Please

I have been printing consistently for 5 months now. There is such a huge difference in my prints from when I first started! I am still a novice compared with those who have mastered the letterpress trade, and I can only become better. The hardest technique for me, is knowing how and when to adjust packing for an even, relatively deep impression. There are discussions on Briarpress about how deep an impression should be- just a "kiss" to the paper or an obvious indentation. A veteran printer will tell you that one should not even see an indentation in the paper. Modern letterpress junkies will tell you their clients want to see and feel the texture on the paper, and that is what they are paying for. If they wanted offset printing they could have paid for that, but they want letterpress and would like to see that it is indeed, pressed into the paper.

A few things I need to play around with:

* Registering a straight line to be straight. Ever draw a line with a ruler and it ends up not straight? Sometimes I feel like my eyes are playing tricks on me and my print looks straight, but to the graphic eye, it's not. What is the best method of measuring and registering a straight line? Any tips on technique are welcome.

* Cutting a straight line. If you look at the posting of my newly acquired Challenge 19" Guillotine, you can see that this is one serious paper cutter. My only issue is, when I cut down, the cut line shifts and ends up crooked. I put about 25 sheets of 110# paper, maybe I need to decrease the amount per cut? Or maybe I need to tighten the grip on the paper before cutting? If I can master the art of cutting paper, I can do more cut downs on my own instead of sourcing it out and paying a fee.

If you have any tricks of the trade, please leave me a comment. I could use some advice on these!

Spice It Up!

People seem to dig the Textile Pattern gift tags I printed a few months ago. I decided to do another color variation with one of the patterns that was popular among my Etsy buyers. Turmeric Yellow, Sunburned Red, with Curry-colored envelopes on Neenah Cover stock. Sounds like an exotic dish!

Now that I have gotten the technique of adjusting packing, printing on Neenah cover stock seems just as grand as printing on Crane's Lettra. (although I am partial to Crane's pillowy lettra!) More hard packing was required when printing on this paper stock. I have to say, that I am pretty satisfied with the final print!

:: spiced textile tags are available on etsy ::

Erin Note Gets Less Personal

After working on Erin Personal Notes, I found that I really liked how the pattern I designed turned out. I decided to to a "less personalized" note set: Erin Notes with Acai Berry purple and Sunburned red. I am thinking about doing another color combination? Any preferences? 

 :: erin notes are available on etsy ::

Choose Your Own Business Card and Icon Notes

These days, it seems everyone is scrounging around for a new job.. Including myself. This year I've been forced to sit down and reinvent myself as a graphic artist. An official Blushing Pearl website is still in the works, but at least I've mustered up a make-shift site for the time being. It seems there are so many things on that to-do list when making an identity for yourself! The worst part of it all, is your own self criticism... when will it ever look "perfect"?

For those of you who are reinventing your identity, business or personal, I have created some custom business cards or calling cards, and icon notes. It's easy- just pick a design layout option, color, and convo-mail me via etsy the details. In a few weeks you will be getting your snazzy, letterpress printed cards, ready for you to distribute and market yourself as the "new and improved"!

:: choose your own business card ::

:: customize your own personal stationery ::

Hey Stranger!

Time passes by too quickly. Before you know it, it's been months since you've last had dinner and a catch-up session with that good friend. Or you've been playing phone tag, leaving messages and texts postponing that dinner or lunch date. I am guilty of that. Hey Stranger, let's mark our calendars and catch up! (And this time no one will flake!)

:: This single card can be found on etsy ::

Erin Inspired Notes

Hot off the press: Erin Notes! Inspired by a good friend of mine, these folded notes make a pretty cool, personal gift. Her birthday is coming up next month and it's a big one to celebrate. Fingers crossed she doesn't see them before I mail them out to her!

:: If you are in need some gift ideas, I have a few customized pieces available on etsy. Go ahead and take a peek! ::

A simple Thank You and Mahalo should do the trick!

It's always so nice to receive a handwritten note of appreciation for a thoughtful gift, or a note to say what texting, emails, and Facebook comments just don't say enough of. I have just received a written thank you note from Irena, of In a Card. She even wrote her thank yous on the Whispy Notes I made for her. She's too cute! To receive a handwritten note means the person set time aside to write that little piece of gratitude... and it makes me feel warm inside knowing I made that person's day!

:: I made some simple thank you notes for those moments of appreciation. Both listed on etsy ::

 

The Spirit of Giving

Here is an update on a few custom orders I had finished for the Holidays. I hope they bring a smile to the face of the person receiving this gift.. and a sense of gift-selecting satisfaction to the gift giver! What's a gift without that "special touch"?

Lust and Flora and Fauna Custom Pieces

 

 

Warm Knitted Fashion Pieces

Etsy has posted a tweet on Yokoo. Being a fan of knitted goods as well as an amateur knitter myself, I found these fashionable pieces amazing! They are simple and look functionally warm, but the way Yokoo photographs her pieces really make the look a  high fashion masterpiece. Take a peek at her photos. Yokoo herself adds a bit of quirkiness to her photos, even sporting a Michael Jackson pin! She seems  to be inspired by Japanese Harajuku fashion trends, European runway, and modern dancing as well.

*photo credit: Yokoo via etsy.com

 

Love and Letterpress

Visualchemist is hosting a letterpress coaster swap and I have decided to participate! The theme is "Love and Letterpress". Participants submit their finished coaster set and in return will get a collection of other letterpressed coasters submitted. Rules and information can be found on Visualchemist's blog. The pressure is on, to create coasters as art, expressing what love and passion means to you...all on  4" square, luxuriously soft, coasters. I have a few ideas, of course limited to the art of letterpress printing, but ideas to also use these pieces to strike conversation when displayed. After all they are coasters and their sole functionality is to protect your table top! The deadline is before February 14th, the national day of Love. Suiting for this coaster swap's theme!

Daily Drop Cap

essica Hische is my newest inspiration. She is a very creative illustrator, designer, and typophile. From viewing her website, I believe her to be a funny gal. Her about page is pretty creative, showing off her type tattoo, works space and funny candids. The drop cap of this post is one of Jessica's daily posting of various drop caps she designs. I think I may have found my new BFF. I have this drop cap poster on my wishlist. If I were to get a tattoo, I would commission her to custom design one for me. Her typography is whimsical and very unique. She mixes vintage type with her own illustrative line. 

Here are a few more drop caps from Jessica:

Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische.  

Rainy days:Creative Days

I came across this DIY project on this very inspirational blog aptly called Design Sponge. Their finds are eye candy for those who are constantly looking for creative projects and  visual stimulation. This particular project involves creating plush pumpkins made from vintage looking fabric. Take a peek. I am going to add this to my many list of projects to do! With the right fabric, these pumpkins make great decorative/accent pieces.

*photo credit: design sponge

A different kind of gift

Stumped on what to get that special someone for the holidays this year? Maybe some very cool stationery from my etsy shop? Ok, enough about etsy, check out these fabulous and different finds:

Whipped Rings- $25

 Makes mouth water!

Kakuzi Wood Block-$29

By Designer Kenjiro Sano. Looks like a real block of wood!

Baby Chicks- $3

Aren't these chickadees the cutest?

 

Eco Coffins

For a more natural burial.

Half the Sky $16

This book is next on my list.

Another great read is a autobiography about the life of Somaly Mam. Her book is raw, real, the ugly truth. Though it is relatively thin in number of pages, the content leaves  an impression one can NEVER forget.

Sending a Whispy Note

A good friend of mine,In a Card, (aka Irena) is having a huge shindig for her big 3-0. Her invitations she designed were one-of-a-kind... Including cupcake decorations to match! Though I will not be able to share this special occasion, I made sure to give Irena her gift- Custom notes wrapped in a decorative gift box!