Art Online!

Hi everyone! It has been a BUSY month here - but I have some exciting news (some of which I'll divulge later) but for now, I want to give you a little bit of info about an online art show I'll be participating in next week on Facebook!

It features 11 awesome female photographers who will all be showcasing their work (and offering some super cool deals.) You'll have the chance to sign up for prizes, browse the online galleries, and chat with the artists. Learn more about it here >> https://www.facebook.com/events/528317117202463/

I'll let you know more as the date approaches!

In other news, we're hunkered down here in Boston, keeping safe. Much love. Xo. Jillian

Lovely Little Studs / Delights for the Ears

I have something to confess... I have a small head. Really, like somewhat child-sized. When I walked across the stage for my Master's Degree graduation I was less concerned about falling (while that was a pretty big concern, actually, with my high heels and all) my bigger concern was "oh, god, I did not put enough bobby pins into my hair and this cap it is going to slide right down my face."

*Sigh* I suppose this is better than having a big bobble-head, yeah? Well, it's all well and good but it also means I have tiny ears. I love me some big dangly earrings now and then, but for the most part I keep it simple with little studs because, well, bigger earrings make me look like I'm playing dress-up.

Here are a few of my favorites found around Etsy. // Personal review : I purchased #4 in early January, I completely love them! I ordered #2 today and can't wait for their arrival! //

1. Starlightwoods // 2. amerrymishap // 3. bonnilu // 4. oblissjewellery // 5. craftsgardenofzen

Big ears or small, I hope you love these finds as much as I do! Have a lovely weekend! xoxo Jillian

Ranch Style

I have really been in love with all things Ranch and Southwest lately... in particular that has meant animal heads and skulls. (What a morbid thought, yeah?) But really there is something so beautiful and rustic about them. A good skull or animal head can be a real statement piece in a room.

Maybe it is because we're in the depths of winter over here in the Northeast and I'm craving a little bit of desert. Or maybe it is because I've been spending a lot of time sipping margaritas and eating tacos at the bar down the street that has a buffalo head hanging on the wall.. perhaps the design style has been wearing off on me. Who knows.

Either way, I love these western style designs from some of my favorite artists. I just purchased #2 and can't wait for its arrival... I already have the perfect spot above my bookcase ready and waiting!

1. NativeBear // 2. LucySnowePhotography // 3. NicAnnetteMiller // 4. Heather Green // 5. VIZArt

Have an awesome weekend. Cheers! Jillian

Mid-Winter Clean

Yesterday I organized my dress closet. (I know, I have a whole closet just for my dresses, I have a problem.*) I tossed them all out onto our guest bed and got to work.

Kitty was exceptionally amused, which meant sometimes she jumped in my ModCloth box, sometimes she chewed on it, and sometimes she attacked my hangers and dresses. Bad kitty! Mostly she behaved herself and watched intently as I organized like a maniac.

My dress closet used to be a mess -- everything crammed in with no structure or organization. It was impossible to find what I was looking for. And when you have a lot of dresses, finding what you want is important, otherwise you can forget what you own. (It happens.)

I decided to organize by color. I put the black and dark dresses together and the lighter, brighter shades together on the other on the other end. My goal was to make it easier to find what I'm looking for and make matching outfits a breeze. (Now I just need to go ahead and do this with skirts and cardigans.... *sigh*).

Tada!

*Note: I might have lied about this being the "dress closet" there are also a few handbags on a shelf up above. So it's the dress and handbag closet. Though there used to also be a row of clutches in a shelf to the side and those recently got bumped to another closet to make room for more dresses. Such is life.

Now I just need to go out to dinner/drinks to show off one of these lovelies. Have a relaxing Sunday! xoxo Jillian

Rock and Roll

I am loving raw rocks, gems, and crystals right now. There is something so feminine yet raw and earthy about them. Here are a few of my favorites that I searched out on Etsy - I also just purchased #5 and they arrived in the mail yesterday. Exceptionally awesome!

1. SparkleFarm / 2. Nobletownvintage / 3. Silverlinesjewelry / 4. Heritage1956 / 5. DobleEle

Sometimes You Succeed, Sometimes You Fail

Life is unpredictable, that's what I've learned. This year was much different from what I expected. Some things happened, some things didn't happen. But I learned to roll with it.

Last December I set myself a "30 before 30 list." Today, I turned 30. I completed less than half of that list. 

But last December I also set a goal for my photography shop for this year: to end the year with 300 sales. Today, I hit 500!

I opened Islay's Terrace last January, I was hoping to get 40 sales throughout the year -- as of today, my shop has 130. It makes my head spin. It has been incredible and I'm so grateful for all the love and support!

So, I didn't complete things I thought I would this year. I didn't send my novel off to an agent (even though it is 95% fully edited and nearly ready to go), I didn't watch The Godfather, I didn't make jam, or whipped cream.

But I did sell a lot of photographs. And embroidery. And prints. And had 3 awesome in-person markets/shows. I had a chance to visit my sister in China. And I learned how to play the ukulele. And I grew a pretty incredible container garden mostly from seed. (Very few plants died!)

It has been a really fabulous year and I'm looking forward to 2013 -- and my first year of my 30's, yikes -- I'm ready for what life throws at me.

With lots of love. xoxo. Jillian

My heart and soul

I picked up my first SLR film camera more than fifteen years ago – at the time, when I processed my first black and white photographs in the University of Rochester's darkroom, I never imaged that someday down the road I would be selling my work. SELLING IT! That someone out there (in fact, many people out there!) would be buying my photography and hanging it on their walls. It is an INCREDBLE feeling that I am so grateful for.

I did my first art festival in the summer of 2008 and I opened up shop on Etsy 2 years ago. I have come such a long way... and I've put so much work, love, sweat, and tears into this business. With each sale and each compliment my heart still thrums.

I just finished a 2-day winter market/craft festival here in Boston which was FANTASTIC. (A big, big “thank you” to everyone to came out to see me and make purchases at SOWA's Holiday Market!)

And another big, big “thank you” to everyone who has supported me in my 2 years on Etsy and the 4 years since my first festival. (Like those of you who would trade me beer or meals for photographs. And the friends who were early supporters and have my early work hanging on their walls.) The time has FLOWN by.

BUT, it's with all of this love and support that I have to make this sad statement.... recently, I have been battling copyright infringement. On Etsy, no less. My own home turf.

There are overseas sellers who continue to steal artwork, slap it onto iPhone cases and sell it CHEAPLY on Etsy. Here is one example:

I offer iPhone cases – of the same images. MY IMAGES.

These people are stealing my work and undercutting me by more than $15! When questioned, they ADMITTED to stealing the photographs off of the internet!

At the SOWA Holiday Market this weekend, a vendor at a neighboring booth mentioned that after Saturday's end, they noticed someone had stolen an item from their table. They were appalled and heartbroken. Not because of the actual value of the item, but because it HURTS. We are small businesses – this is our heart and our soul. Why steal from US?

When you steal from us you are not stealing from a big company. You are stealing from a small crafts-person, a small artisan, a small photographer. We put time, dedication, and true love into each product we make.

When you steal my designs and images it's not about the money I'm losing, it's about the passion I've put into it. The hours staring at a computer screen to get the editing right, or to make the font perfect. The hours I drove around getting the perfect shot. The years I spent learning and perfecting my craft. The true love and dedication I put into each and every image I make. And within seconds, you've taken that and claimed it as your own.

(And yes, there is the money, too. The money that comes out of my very own pocket to fund this business and make it work.)

Etsy, please stop allowing these sellers to exist on your marketplace. And buyers, please be cautious of who you are buying from. To my customers and fans, thank you for your love and support. I will keep forging on and fighting the battle.

NOTE: If you see my work in another shop, please alert me. It is through other photographers and fans (who I am very thankful for!) that I was alerted of this issue.

Cheers, Jillian

Pretty Packaging

I didn't do so much shopping over the Black Friday - Cyber Monday weekend... but I did stock up a little on some new packaging supplies... which I'm honestly thrilled about! I love packaging and wrapping supplies.

Every time I get an Etsy order my heart skips a beat because it means another opportunity to wrap up a package. :) Things I loaded up on this week:

• washi tape
• stickers
• business cards
• baker's twine

Plus I put a bunch of my scrapbook paper to good use and made a variety of sizes of handmade envelopes!

Each of my Etsy orders comes wrapped up special - each one is unique and has a bit of charm. Here are a few of my recent holiday orders:

 

Oh, yeah, what else have I been up to? Last weekend I spent Saturday and Sunday selling my wares at the Hingham Shipyard Holiday Market! (Next weekend I'll be at SOWA holiday! Hope to see you there!)

Cheers! xoxo Jillian

Welcome, Knitty Kitty!

Exciting news to announce... the grand opening of my VINTAGE SHOP happened last week!

(I know, as if I need MORE things to do, right?) I had been bouncing this idea around for a long, long time and it was finally the perfect moment to open - right before the holidays! And within a few days, The Kitty even had her first sale!

So exciting!

What's the deal with the shop name? I'm a bit of a vintage fanatic - I LOVE old stuff. Apparently my kitties do too. A few weeks ago I was knitting with my grandmother's vintage knitting needles and I set them down for a moment... what happened? One of my cats swiped one of the needles and decided to roll around with it on the floor and basically go bananas. And the vintage shop name was born!

What can you find at Knitty Kitty? Anything and everything! Right now I have a few sets of vintage buttons available that I have no use for (but need a good home and craft project!) and part of the HUGE collection of vintage Vegas ashtrays I inherited from my grandmother. (Even if you don't smoke, they make great coin collectors or plant holders, which is what I use them for!)

I'll be adding things as I find them - you know, as I scour markets, fairs, sales, etc. for awesome finds! In the meantime, feel free to stop by and check out what I've got >> Knitty Kitty Vintage. I'm always open to suggested requests for items you're looking for, it's like a treasure hunt!

Happy holidays! Cheers! xoxo Jillian

What's Your Style?

The holidays are approaching and I've been creating a lot of different Etsy treasuries lately. What I love about treasuries is how each one has its own style and flair. Soft and pretty. Urban chic. Boho. Simple and classic. It's amazing how 16 items can give you a certain feeling of being cozy and warm, or totally ready to party. Here are a few recent curations.

Which style do YOU like best?