My Jewelry Design Book!

One of the reasons for my absence on this blog lately is that I've been working away on preparing for the launch of my first jewelry design book!  It's out this month and available at Amazon now.  It will be in stores at the beginning of next month - you'll find it in Barnes & Nobles, Michael's and Hobby Lobby. 

Jewelry Designs from Nature: Woodlands, Gardens, Sea: Art Bead Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature

The book is all about making jewelry, inspiration and nature - it's so me.  Along with the jewelry I have some of my sketches from my sketchbook and inspiration nature photos from my travels.

I have been scheduling classes, retreats and more to celebrate the book.   It's a fun time and an interesting process promoting the book now that it's officially landed in my hands! 

    My favorite is a weekend long retreat at a beach house in Michigan next month - life is so good.

SCBWI Conference Tips for Newbies

Unfortunately I'm not able to attend the SCBWI Conference in LA this year.  Pouty face.  But I will be following along on the Conference blog and wishing everyone a great time!  With a sold out event and celebrating it's 40th anniversary, this conference will be an event to remember.  Did I mention the pouty face?

I thought I'd share a few tips with illustrators who are attending the conference for the first time.

1. The Portfolio Display is More than a Competition - Sure you want to get noticed and maybe even win, but once you are at the conference it's time to let it go.  Be confident in knowing you are showing your best work.  But look at the portfolio display as more of a learning opportunity than a competition.  As you go through the display, take note of what catches your eye - what images really stand out.  Take a few moments to pour over the portfolios that have a crowd around them - why are they so appealing?  What postcards make an impact on you as you go from portfolio to portfolio?  Pick up your favorites. 

Be inspired, be encouraged - do not go away from the display thinking "I'm not worthy." (yes, make sure you say that in a Wayne & Garth tone of voice.) Everyone is at a different place in their creative journey.  If you feel like a beginner, don't feel overwhelmed.  Get excited - you are just starting out and have a fun path ahead of you!  Learn from the best, they will be all around you during the conference!

2. Don't be shy - Go to the Illustrator's Social on Friday and talk to as many illustrators as you can.  Just jump in and join a conversation.  Introduce yourself - share your business card or postcard.  Bring your portfolio.  In fact, my best advice is to talk to as many different people as you can through the whole weekend - you never know what friendships may be forged or what you might learn! 

3. Go team!  Each chapter has a time they meet at the conference, look through your welcome packet and find out when your local group is meeting and go say hi.  It's nice to see a familiar face at the conference and you'll find out what's new in your region.

4. Listen to the Authors - Don't miss events with the keynote speakers even though they are writers - you will learn something.  I have heard the most inspiring and soul-stirring speeches from today's top authors.  They share lessons that you will never forget.

5. Party!  Okay, don't go crazy, but do put on your pajamas and head to the costume ball on Saturday night.  I know it may feel awkward at first, but just start talking to people.  Everyone is friendly - this is your tribe after all.  Dance, enjoy your free drink, have fun people watching.  You need to unwind during the event and let your brain rest - this is the place to do it.

6. Pick Your Sessions Wisely - There is always a great illustrator's track, but there are tracks that have illustrators or art directors that aren't designated for illustrators - so I'm assuming they will share a more rounded talk about picture books for author/illustrators.  After looking through the schedule I would have a hard time picking a session.  If you are with a group of illustrators, you might want to break up, attend different sessions and compare notes.  And take good notes throughout the conference, it's so easy to forget the pearls of wisdom.  Check out the conference app to help you plan your days.  Study the faculty to learn more about the speakers before the event.

7. Follow Through - After the conference, make your list of editors and art directors and send out a packet to them.  Thank them for speaking at the conference.  Or send all the editors & AD's a thank you postcard after the event with your best image on the front.  Touch base with illustrators and authors you met and keep in contact after the conference.

Have the best time ever - the conference in LA is always my favorite SCBWI event!  I will look forward to reading the reviews on everyone's blog.

3 Simple Projects for Eco-Friendly Celebration Banners

Whether it's a spring soiree, birthday party or Easter celebration, a fabric or paper banner can add a festive touch and keep things green for the special day. 

Here are my top three Banner Tutorial picks:

Sew a pennant banner using fabric scraps.  Make something special that you can pull out year after year with this simple sewing project.

Create an adorable no-sew fabric banner with small scraps.  In a hurry?  Whip up this no-sew banner with some fusible tape and an iron.  This is a great project to use up tiny scraps of fabric and one the kids could help create.

Sew a paper bunting using up scrap paper or pages from old books. Recycle prints, old maps, music sheets and scrapbook paper into an fun banner that would look so cute in a bedroom or studio all year round!

5 Simple Ways to Enjoy Spring

Is the sun peeking out today?  Have the birds returned and little leaf buds are starting to pop out on the trees?  My yard was covered in dandelions last week - I know I should be disgusted as a home owner, but the kid me was rather giddy about pucking one up and making a few wishes of my own!

Even though I'm a mom of teenagers now, I still declare unplugged days where no computers or Ipods are allowed.  No matter what age your kids are, get them outside enjoying nature and help them find ways to have fun without gadgets.

Here are 5 simple activities to welcome spring.

1. Make wishes blowing dandelions. I know they are weeds - but they hold all sorts of charm for kids.  Find a wild field to explore or a park where you can get a hold of some of these fluff balls.

2. Make bubble magic with giant bubble wands.

3. Create a sidewalk chalk mural.  You can pick up a box of sidewalk chalk for just a few dollars.  Come up with a theme and draw a giant picture with your kids.  A circus, zoo or underwater scenes would be fun.

4. Jump rope - here are a list of silly rhymes for jump rope play.

5. Make paper airplanes and see which designs fly the farthest. This would be a fun way to use some of the junk mail before it flies into the recycling bin!

Click on the links for more inspiration.

Eco Super Heros

Help your kids live green.

The 3 R's never get old:

Recycle

Teach them to recycle household items.

(They get to help save the world every time they throw something into the recycling bin.)

Donate gentle used goods to a local thrift store or charity.

Reuse

Reuse cast off items to create craft projects.

Make stuff animals from old t-shirts, socks or single gloves.

Reduce

Repair broken toys and mend clothing rather than replacing them.

Teach your children the value of living simply and enjoying what they already have.

Create new toys & make games together instead of shopping for them.

Enjoy nature walks as entertainment.

Click on the links above for tons of great ideas.

Books for kids about recycling:

Don't Throw That Away!: A Lift-the-Flap Book about Recycling and Reusing (Little Green Books)

Written by Lara Bergen and illustrated by Betsy Synder

Simple Steps for Kids Activity Book

Written by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter

Bedtime Stories

These two little fellows popped up in my sketchbook yesterday.

Which had me thinking about when my girls were little and our bedtime rituals. 

Which of course, included a nightly bedtime story.

One that sticks out in my mind that captured my heart when my girls were little was Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest and illustrated by Anita Jeram.  Anita illustrated Guess How Much I Love You, this book is night and day from her light and playful watercolors.  It's filled with rich, painterly color and a sweet night time, fall-inspired mood that makes you feel all snuggly.

If you haven't had a chance to read this one, take a peek at it.

My youngest was 5 when this book first came out and we enjoyed cuddling up for a good snuggle while we read this story together.  Sometimes my older daughter would read it to us.  Those days passed so quickly.  I wish I could have slowed them down and spent more time in those moments.  It's funny how a picture book is now a little snapshot of that time, with it's words and illsutrations it can conjure up those memories and feelings. 

What an amazing honor to be a part of a family's history in the form of a beloved bedtime story.  I hope one day new moms are reading my stories and sharing my artwork as they tuck in their precious little ones at night.

Garden Sketches