Sunday, June 16, 2013

COZYmade Shop Update & Other News

So the shop will be closed for a few weeks. The truth of the matter is that I haven't been paying the attention to it that it deserves with other projects taking over. I have a whole list of new items I want to make, but I just haven't had the time.



What have you been spending all your time on you ask? Well here is my life right now in a nutshell.

  • I am currently in the process of looking for a new job.
    I am still employed full time, but my employment is coming to an end and would like the smallest gap as possible in employment. They always say it's easier to find a job when you have one. I am putting this to the test and exploring my options. For those of you who are new to the blog, I am a graphic designer by trade. Since I have started looking for a new full time job (about 3 months and counting)- the idea of working for myself has been circling my head daily. Ideally, I would love to work up to this point, but I am not currently in a situation where I can afford not to have a steady paycheck. But I can still dream.
  • I have been doing a lot of freelance design work.
    With the idea of working for myself circling my head daily... I have taken on many freelance jobs this year. I have worked with many clients on projects such as wedding invitations, trade show materials, re-branding and brand new logo/identity sets. On top of my design freelance I have also taken a few handmade custom orders that are larger than usual or what I am use to. Aka... quantity of 100 vs a quantity of one.
  • COZYmade will be sharing a booth at the Vintage Bazaar.
    So despite the fact that I have been so busy and have not been keeping up with inventory. I am sharing a booth for 2 days at the Vintage Bazaar with Remixed by Jacki. I have been working like crazy to get inventory to bring with me. A few sneak peaks here and here. The fair is this weekend! June 22nd & 23rd. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello.
  • House/Car Etc
    I have been looking for a house for longer than this year, but now more than ever I feel the need to put down roots. So while I was working towards this major life purchase.... of course my beloved Mini Cooper died. I knew I had needed a new car for a while now, but was hoping to get through the end of the year. Moving on... I have purchased a new Nissan Juke and am in love.

I am excited to share with you new products and give the shop a little face lift. I am hoping the shop will reopen July 5th just in time for a super-fantastic "Christmas in July" Sale. I will keep you posted. In the meantime stay connected by following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for sneak peaks, fair updates and more!

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Green Thumb?

So, if you knew me, you would know I am not one for gardening. I can't even keep a house plant alive. Yet... for some reason I can't stop buying them and trying. This however was something different. A birthday present for D's mom who loves plants and gardens and all things of those sorts.

I purchased a terrarium from Etsy. A nice little shop with a good reputation and adorable stuff. Take a look here: Lush and Lovely Terrariums It was a perfect transaction. I had inquired about switching out some accessories in the kit I wanted and Mike was nothing but helpful. When the box arrived, everything was perfectly packed and I was excited to assemble.

They are so cute and looked so easy to put together. I thought it would be a perfect present. The result? Take a look...






















After I set the plants, rocks etc inside, I added some jute to the top for hanging. My only regret was not buying a few gnomes to include.

The best part of this whole process was that D's mom loved it! I'm starting to think I should have bought two so I could have my own. But then again... maybe I will just enjoy hers from afar. I would most certainly buy from Lush and Lovely Terrariums again.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Follow me on Pinterest!

So... as you all know. Pinterest is a great way to find new ideas to try. It is absolutely full of fun creative projects I am dying to try out. As one of my goals... I plan on bringing my creative process to this blog. As you can see... I am a little behind.

None the less... I invite you to follow me on Pinterest. I will get to more posts/projects soon.... This year has been quite busy which was extremely unexpected.



And if you really want to see what I am up to.... there is always instagram!

More soon I promise :)

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

March disappeared...

A lot happened in March. Most of which was stressful (including finding out my job will no longer be my job in the near future). With that piece of news, I decided to update and re-design my personal design website. I have been taking a lot of freelance work lately and it was time for a refresh. Have a look around and let me know if you have any projects you would like to work on with me. www.stefwelik.com


In other news, things have been pretty quite on the handmade front. I have been focusing most of my attention on my design work, so handmade is getting pushed slightly to the back. Shop is still active and full. I plan on doing a give-a-way in late April so stay tuned for details.





Saturday, March 30, 2013

Insta-Flashback: March

March has been full of work. From freelance design to custom wreath orders... I have been busy, busy, busy. On top of that I am working on a website for my other "design life". I am hoping to have it up with in the next week or so.... (fingers crossed.) For now... here is a look at March via Instagram. You would think with all the work I've been doing, I would have more pictures of a creative process... but I guess when your too busy for photos... you know your too busy :)






If you don't follow me on instagram.... you should.
It's a way to keep up with me in photo form :) Enjoy. Follow me!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Insta-Flashback: February

Through the course of this month, a lot has happened. More than I can even share on this blog. What I can say is that there will be more to come. For now, here is a look back at the craftyness via instagram for the past month.

If you don't follow me on instagram.... you should. It's a way to keep up with me in photo form :) Enjoy. Follow me!

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, February 11, 2013

2013.... What's Expected.

Shocking. I am late again with this blog post. Last month I told you to be on the look out for the 2013 goals/objectives I said I wanted to have for the upcoming year. Well... I am off to a fantastic start. Which makes me change goal #1 to the following:

1. Make a schedule and stick to it:
I typically work better with structure. It's just something I have learned about myself. I am going to make a creative schedule. This will include blogging, craft fairs, brainstorming activities and more. My goal is with in a few months, to have postings once a week. Postings will include things like shop sales, items of note I've found, projects, future ideas etc. You've read blogs before, you know the drill :) Which leads to goal #2.

2. Make art (or craft) for the sake of art:
Before I got so seemingly busy, and I was carefree in my 20's (yes, I've hit the 30s now... eeek), I use to paint, do mixed media, craft, walk around with my camera... all just for fun! I miss it. I really would like to get back to creating for fun again. That's not to say I won't make new things for the shop... but sometimes, you just need a craft social or pinterest project evening. I think it keeps the mind fresh, and ideas flowing. Hopefully, a post schedule will help me share what I've made.

3. A space to create, maybe even an organized one:
So, if you don't know me personally... you don't know that I've been on the hunt for a new home. The past few years, I have bounced around a bit. With all the shuffling around, not only do my craft and art supplies not have a home- but I am typically found working on the floor where ever I am because I don't have the surface space. I am determined to find a space of my own in 2013. I can't guarantee it will be neat and tidy, because lets face it- I work better in "organized chaos", but it will be mine.

Those are the major three goals for 2013. I have a few minor ones that I am throwing in there... but they are secondary.

4. Take better photos: When I was in art school (life as an art school kid, I do miss it sometimes), I knew my camera inside and out. Photography is not like riding a bike. You forget things, and I certainly have.

5. Master Crochet: Last year the only goal I actually accomplished in full was learning to crochet. (if you are thinking of learning... I started here) Well... I learned enough to make a few things, but the truth is, I learned one stitch. I want to learn more so I don't stumble every time I pick up the hook. And who knows, maybe it will lead me to knitting!

6. Cook healthier meals: Although I don't have a passion for being in the kitchen, its always nice a nice addition to any goal list.  Everyone wants to be healthier to start a new year, right? D is typically the cook, while my kitchen time is reserved for baking or making something sweet. Its a good goal to work on together.

And there you have it. My list, as specific as I could make it. Do you have something you'd like to accomplish this year? Please share!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

It Begins...

So here it is, January 30th. Back in December I said... "I'm going to be good this year and blog on a more frequent schedule starting in January" Well... I am off to a late start, but here it goes. If you're coming over from Bright & Cloudy Blog, you will find yourself right at home. It's the same old Stephanie with the same crafty tendencies, and the same need to create things.

You may have noticed that the blog looks much different than the look of the shop. This blog and it's design is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will be making updates and changes as well as my planned blog posts.

I read once that the more specific your goal is, the more achievable it will be. General goals like "I am going to lose weight" are less likely to get done than saying "I am going to lose 20lbs". This year, I am really going to think about how I write my goals. Despite the fact that it's late, I am going to post my goals for 2013 in the next post (stay tuned, it wont be long.)

And on that note I leave you with a quote...
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. -Ayn Rand
See you next week.