Pulp Sushi

I am NOT taking a break....sorta.

Have you checked out Crafting an MBA: Business Thinking for Designers & Makers?  Well maybe you should. Megan does a very good job sharing her knowledge and helping to see other designers succeed in their business.   She just released a *free* e-book: Skill Price + Profit - The Best of Crafting and MBA and you can get a copy too!   Just submit your email and it will be sent to your inbox. 

This is a real treat.  I started reading through it the other day.  Great continuation from taking the Indie Business & Dream Job e-courses.   It seems like I've been doing so much reading and learning lately and not enough MAKING!  Well sometimes things have got to give.  I have three big shows coming up, a custom wedding order, and possibly an exclusive collection for one of my retailers. So I got to get it in gear. 

With that being said, I feel like my brain has been running a little dry so I might have to take a step back from the blog.  No I'm not going anywhere, I just need a few days where I don't feel like I have to write blog posts in order just to keep up with everyone else.  I don't want things to get stale.  I have blog post ideas but I seem to be experiencing a bit of writers block.  So instead of forcing it, I'm taking a little break for a few days starting this weekend.  I have written this kind of post of before so I'm not too stressed about a blog break. I'll be back next week!

What I Love - COLORS!

This week, what I love is browsing through bright, multi-color collections on Etsy. Click items for listing.

There can  never be too many colors in our daily lives. :)

Tutorial Love 4.27

I wanted to share more cool tutorials I came across my daily blog reads, hope they inspire you to try something new.

 Upcycled Gameboard Journal from Just Because...

How To Make a Hanging Notepad from The Storque (Etsy)

 How to make a Dream Catcher at Lune Vintage

If you have a tutorial you would like to share on this blog, drop me a note! Especially tutorials that are geared toward Spring/Summer, Wedding DIYs, Graduation party decorations, or any other fun afternoon projects you'd like to share!

Howland Recap

Hi everyone!  Sorry for no post yesterday, I just needed an extra day to get back to normal. Saturday I spent the day at The Howland Cultural Center with members of the Hudson Valley Etsy Team having our Spring Market.  The weather was a little wet and drab but I think the turnout was respectable for our first Spring show.  I think as the team continues to get the word out, more people will be attracted to our events knowing it is not the same as the average church craft fairs that are common to the area. We're starting a revolution!!!

You can see a ton more photos on the team's Facebook page.   The next event the team will be having is on Sunday June 5th, our first outdoor show.

No time to rest for me though. I found out on Friday that I will be participating in...

Saturday May 21st in Manhattan.  This will be my first time doing one of their Spring events. Not as many vendors as their holiday show but still pretty big (100!).  Work! Work! Work!

Friday Treasuries 4.22

Tomorrow is my first event of 2011 with the Hudson Valley Etsy Team.  We are having our Spring Craft Fair at the Howland Culture Center in Beacon, NY.  I am excited.  I haven't sold in person since early December. As exhausting as it is, I still like doing it. Plus I'll be spending the day with my teammates so even if it's a slow day, I still get to hang out with my friends. :)

This week I am bringing you the latest treasuries that I put together.  It's been a while, I had some catching up to do.

I'm Tired

Don't Make Me Blush

Blackheart

Preppin'

A short, quickie post today.  Getting ready for my show this Satuday with the Hudson Valley Etsy Team.  I feel like it's been forever since I sold in person - it was only December.  Here's a picture of what some of the goodie bags will include

I hope to have a nice recap for everyone next week with pictures.  While you're here, why don't you stop by the team's blog and check out the current giveaway we're having!  Open to US Residents only.

Today is Earth Day and it snuck up on me. I'm sorry I don't have a proper post to acknowledge the day.  Here is my post from last year.  Not much has changed. =/

What I Love - Stacey Winters Picture Frames

That's right, not just any picture frames, mind you. But the special frames Stacey Winters had made for her current art show *Dreams of Spring* at this LeeLee's Wonderland Gallery in Los Angeles. I so wish I lived close to this studio/shop/gallery looks like I can spend a whole day there.  Don't worry Stacey, I will not stalk you. :)

 

To quote RuPaul, I was gagging on the extravaganza eleganza when she posted these frames on her blog.   And they work so well with her prints.  I love looking at her Etsy shop and reading her blog. I live on the East Coast so there is no way I am able to check this show out (which ends May 8th) so if you're closer, pop a visit for little ol' me. :)

Tutorial Love

I wish to post more tutorials on my blog, but unfortunately, I don't seem to be very good at giving instruction nor do I know many fun projects to share. 

If you have a tutorial you would like to share on this blog, drop me a note! Especially tutorials that are geared toward Spring/Summer, Wedding DIYs, Graduation party decorations, or any other fun afternoon projects you'd like to share!

The following talented ladies let me share their latest with you all (two of them fellow Indie Biz graduates).  Make sure you check out their blogs and shops.

 
Ruffled Country Chic necklace by Bonita Rose

 Turquoise and Red Triangular Banner Tutorial by Karis Kisses

And here's a nice one I came across from HearthandmadeUK

 
Frame Memo Board

My new candle: Vanilla Sakura

I have exciting news!   Remember how previously I said there was a bunch of exciting stuff going on that I was dying to share with everyone? Well here is the first of them...

 

In collaboration with my *favorite* candle maker Tattooed Geek, we have come up with an exclusive 1 oz candle - Vanilla Sakura! Coming out just in time to see the real Cherry Blossoms bloom - totally EXCELLENT timing but this candle you can enjoy any time.

I love Tattooed Geek candles and I have used many of them over the years to scent my home.  I was so happy Kerry decided to go along with my crazy idea to have a Pulp Sushi candle.  Kerry and I worked on the design, scent, and color.  I had a picture in my mind and she was able to fulfill it perfectly, I love her!  She is very professional, thorough and passionate about her craft.

There are three ways you can own one of these lovelies.

1) Order it on pulpsushi.com for $3.00
2)Purchase it in person (See Events listed in upper right column)
3)Receive it as a free gift when you order $40.00 or more on Etsy

The scent is lovely.  I wanted it to be light and a little fruity. We came up with a nice mix of Vanilla and melon that conjures up thoughts of a nice sunny stroll.

Friday Treasuries 4.15

A whole lot of green going on with the treasuries lately.

Isn't the photo with the cat priceless??

And here are a couple of treasuries featuring Indie Biz folks as part of the launch celebration earlier this week.

 

 

What I Love - Nostalgia

Nostalgia: a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time.

The older I get, the more nostalgic I become for almost everything. A lot of current things don't seem to interest me (ie: movies, television, music). I do enjoy how styles of the past are more appreciated and accepted now.  When I was in high school, if anyone wore anything that made them look remotely 80s (or earlier) would have been made fun of.

Instagram is one of the reasons why I wanted an iPhone.  I grew up with photographs looking like this and I missed the texture and character it gave prints.  I took these with my iPhone.

I recently starting following Smile and Wave and Rachel posted a house tour of her living room. I loved everything in it, totally decked out in vintage and mid-century pieces.  I want this bookcase!  Just looking at these pieces made me think back of visiting my grandmother's apartment when I was little (except everything was covered in plastic).

The latest Anthropologie catalog is gorgeous as always, continuing the vintage vibe...

I confess, I have not watched Mad Men, I don't know why!

I have a feeling I would really like it. Would it be too much to catch up with now?  I've seen enough images to know that I love the look of this show. It's actually the kind of style I try to pull off during the work week, I try.  Speaking of which...

I kind of want this dress from Dorothy Perkins soooooooooo bad.  I don't usually get so dramatic yearning a material item but this dress does something every time I look at it.  I didn't care for dresses or skirts growing up, now I wish to only wear skirts and dresses. 

Inc Magazine

Remember back in February I went to a photo shoot for Inc Magazine?

Ta da!

 

I have to admit, I was a little put off with them saying "Plastic Jewelry".  It almost sounds kind of cheap, like I make $2.00 trinkets or something. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.  At least they spelled my name right and I don't look too goofy.

I am in very good company.  I'm gonna give some of my Etsy friends from The Hudson Valley & {NewNew} teams a shout. Just a little plug here since we didn't exactly get it in the article.

1) KnitKnit
2) Pulp Sushi
3) Bshorr
4) Alton Weekes
5) Wool Solution
6) Wicked Mint
7) Caja Jewelry
8) Oktak
9) Lingua Nigra
10) Pretty Stationery
11) Virtuosity Clay
12) Nordea Soaperie
13) Groundsel
14) Wabisabi Brooklyn

New this week

My usual shop updates post was bumped due to the launch party yesterday. Here's what's been added to the shop this week.

The necklace is made with Fresh Water Pearls, it came out so pretty and when I tried on, I loved the way it felt. 
The bracelet I originally made for a wedding. I liked how it came out so much, I made a second one for the shop.

A second pearl necklace (double strand) featuring a flower cameo was also added.

Also listed a new pair of Czech Glass earrings (I never get tired of using these beads) and more Vintage Beaded earrings.

Pulp Sushi is also participating in DaWanda's Spring Fling where there is a 12% reduction off the selling price of participating products in the categories of the day. This offer is until 21.04.2011<---because it's a European site =D I remember when I was a temp at UNICEF I had to write my dates this way, it took some getting use to. When I finished with my assignment, it took some getting use to writing dates back in the American way.  To check out my shop on DaWanda, click the button below.

Indie Business LAUNCH PARTY

 
Last Friday was the last day of the Indie Business 3.0 online course and it's kind of difficult to put in to words just how much I took away from it.  Sure I shared my recap posts here but there is so much more to it.  I'm very thankful for Leigh-Ann, Lisa & Jill for all of the hard work and passion they put into this class. It's very inspiring.

Today is a very special day for many of my Indie Business 3.0 classmates.  Today is Launch Day!  New stores are opening, new blogs are starting, new product lines are being introduced and I am happy to share this with you all.  It's like a big party!  What you see below is just a small taste, believe me there is so much more going on, I could not possibly cover it all here.  For a more in depth look, visit Eleventh Monkey who has done an excellent job getting all of this in order.

Today, Kristy from Some Odd Girl is debuting prints her Etsy shop, too cute!

How cute is that fox????

Shops that opening today or very recently opened that you may want to check out....

 Joelle Maira

 Pursue Joy

 Lilac Lime Studios

Project Anthologies

Just Because

More shops to visit
Geeky + Sassy
The Painted Frame
Asymmetrical
Sew Indy
Hey Daisy
Nola Loves
The Pickled Poppy

How about some new blogs to visit?
My Happy California
Asymmetrical Joy
My Simply Great Life
One man, one wife, and our life...
Operation Stitch
Random Gypsy
Just Because
Nola Love Shop

And last, who doesn't love a GIVEAWAY!  Check out the following giveaways going on right now.
BonitaRose - www.alifeunrehearsed2.blogspot.com
eleventh monkey - www.11thmonkey.com
Janmary - www.janmarydesigns.com
Love Scrap Life - www.lovescraplife.typepad.com
Bad Hausfrau - www.badhausfrau.blogspot.com
Pickled Poppy - www.thepickledpoppy.blogspot.com
Earl-Leigh Designs - www.earl-leighdesigns.blogspot.com 
Kait Makes Things - www.kaitmakesthings.com/blog
Green Dandelion - www.greendandelion.com.au
Camp Moxie - www.ashleycrenshaw.blogspot.com
Designsomethingbetter www.designsomethingbetter.com
eef-ink - www.eef-ink.com
Random Gypsy - www.randomgypsy.net
Just Because by Lee Lee - www.justbecausebyleelee.blogspot.com
Lollipopscards - www.lollipopscards.com
Life With Ike - www.ang4332.blogspot.com
The Busy Bean - www.thebusybean.com
Nola Love Shop - www.nolaloveshop.blogspot.com

 Congratulations everyone!!!!

Friday Treasuries 4.8

While most treasuries are based on some kind of theme, I love being a part of a treasury where a theme is something I haven't thought about before. Like wristware!

Here's a yummy from my local team, the Hudson Valley Etsy Team

What I Love - Big Fluffy Flowers

I don't know about you, but I'm loving the big fluffy flowers I've been seeing blooming over at Etsy.  My Favorites button has been busy lately.  What a fun accessory to wear! It's really pretty and playful, great for weddings or just wantings to feel like a Garden Princess...

 
Pink Champagne Ruffle Flower Headband from Lilypie Accessories

 
Tulles Corsage shoe clips from Fink Shop

Corsage Ring from Blondechick

Hair Clips from Sunshine and Carousels

This Spring/Summer, I need to wear more flowers in my hair. It's hard to be in a bad mood when you have flowers in your hair right?

Inspire Me - Shag

Another new series I would like to get started is sharing what inspires me.  My inspiration is all over the place and pretty darn ecclectic.  I hope to share a little taste of where my mind is at and what helps me get going.  The first one is a doozy.

 
Josh Agle - known as Shag, is an artist I've been following for many years.  They say his artwork celebrates consumerism and consumption.  It was through his work that I wanted to experiment working crazy bright and bold colors together - I just wasn't expecting it to be jewelry. 

I love his tongue-in-cheek subject matter too.

 

 

 
I have one of his prints hanging in my dining area, The Raven.

And I squealed like a piglet the first time I met him and he signed this in my book.

 

He probably says that to everyone but who cares! I like to think I'm special. Thank you Shag!!

Indie Biz Recap - Week 5

One of the things I remember when I was at my last job was once a year my
department would discuss the budget for the upcoming year. We would all get a copy of it and it was a breakdown of how much money was alloted for things like supplies, overtime, workshops, meals, travel, etc. I didn't give it much thought at the time because it's not my money and most of these expenses don't apply to me anyway, how much longer is this meeting gonna run???

When it came time to discuss budgeting in the Indie Biz class, I cringed a little. The system I have is a little crazy. I admit I am very good at keeping receipts and tracking where I am spending my money in supplies, shipping, vending fees, etc. and I have my crazy spreadsheets to show for it.  This is all well and good but I wasn't exactly planning ahead of time on where my money would go - just spend spend spend when I had it.  Maybe this is why I haven't really profitted from my business, duh!

With the start of a new month I am assigning myself a dollar amount of how much I need to spend in that month (and this includes renewing items on Etsy).  Which means a new sparkly spreadsheet!  It's foolish that I haven't done this sooner but better late than never.  How do you manage your budget?  Is your life a series of spreadsheets like me?

 

I didn't want to wait till Friday to post this. Since it's Indie Biz related (sorta), why not share it today? It is an Etsy Treasury curated by my classmate Laura from lillypieaccessories. Isn't it pretty?

More Brooches

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a nice weekend. I promised more flower brooches for the shop so here they are.

Some more new items added this weekend are a pair of Sunshine Pink earrings and a Classic Audrey necklace with onyx beads and a shell pearl bead - totally inspired by Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
I also finished my contribution to the goodie bags that will be distributed at the Spring Artisans Fair the Hudson Valley Etsy Team is having later this month.  It's my first show for the year so I'm looking forward to it.

Friday Treasuries 4.1

I hope it is more Spring-like where you are because New York didn't seem to get the Spring memo this week. I was cleaning snow off of the car this morning! What a cruel April Fool's joke Mother Nature is playing on us.  Oh well, before you get to enjoy your weekend, how about checking out some  Friday Etsy treasuries?

 

 

 

There can never be enough PINK treasuries!