Shoot. Downtown Austin.

I got the chance to shoot this beautiful condo in downtown Austin last week. Isn’t it pretty? The sun was setting as soon as I entered the home. I’m kinda obsessed with the crazy jungle pool area. Since I’ve returned to Austin after three years across the pond, I’ve seen an explosion of condos pop up in the downtown area. I’m really happy to see the city growing up and central instead of sprawling out (although that’s still happening). I really hope Austin can keep progressing towards a more walkable and urban space, maybe even a wonderful bike city? Its a lot to ask for Texas but if I can just smash Austin and Amsterdam into one city…sigh.

Black & White

If you look at my recent stationery designs,  you would  probably picture a Japanese girl dressed in bright neon rainbows all the time. But I actually love love LOVE wearing all black. So if I had to wear one of my stationery sets, it would be this one. Now available in my shop.

First Sales & Biz Talk

Yay I had my first sales on etsy for my new little stationery collection. Thanks for being my first customers! I have a million more things to tweak and add to the collection but its nice motivation to get off on a good start.

Also, I have decided to write more on this blog about the process of starting my side business(s). More specifically my stationery line but also whatever else comes up in my life as a freelancer/self-employed/creative entrepreneur person.

Ever since I’ve left Amsterdam and moved back to the ol’ US of A, I have really tried to get some of my little side projects off the ground. I opened my photography etsy shop right before I left Amsterdam but something about living in that city kept me distracted from many of my own personal creative goals. I was busy running a magazine but I also made a lot of excuses when I lived there (I still do) about how the language barrier kept me from networking with people and how customers were reluctant to buy from abroad, etc.. I was all a bunch of crap but it actually kept me from really pursuing anything tangible.

Trying to make da skrilla from doing something creative is hard, but frankly I think fear is what holds most people back. It’s scary to put yourself out there. What if people hate your idea? What if you go broke? Following your own path is risky business.

Since starting this latest venture, I’ve been searching high and low on the internet for inspiring people and resources to learn more. I’m discovering a ton but this is just the very beginning. So since I’m basically starting from scratch when it comes to business, I want to share with you my experiences from step one. I’m sure there will be plenty of mistakes, and maybe it’ll end before it really begins but at the very least there will be lessons learned…and colorful paper. 

Bright Stationery

I’ve always been obsessed with paper goods. When I lived in Japan I spent most of my tweens and teens shopping for the perfect pencil case or the most kawaii annual planner. It was seriously my favorite weekend activity. I remember when I moved back to the states and had to go back to school shopping I was so bored by the school supply selection. For adults, the selection was even more of  a snooze fest. Who says folders and planners have to be plain black leather? I guess minimal has been equated with sophistication in the West. But I love seeing grown Japanese women in business suits busting out their Snoopy planner on the train with no shame. It makes me smile.  So, to honor the Japanese child in me, I’ve designed a line of colorful letter sets. Each set comes with 6 sheets, 3 matching envelopes, and 3 stickers to seal and post! You can take a look at the collection over at my etsy shop!

P.S. To launch my line I’m offering at 15% of discount. Just use the coupon code LIMEGREEN

Silent London

Anddd one month later, I’ve finally edited my pictures from my trip to Scotland and London. I flew to London the day after Boxing Day and stayed til New Years Eve. It was a complete ghost town! Half the shops were closed and I would only see a handful of people on the streets at a given time. It was strange and comforting in a weird way. It was nice to think about all the people fleeing the city to be with their friends and family during the holidays. Here are a few shots of deserted London. A couple of these prints are up on my etsy shop.

Clay Balls

Earlier this month I mentioned that I wanted to open a second etsy shop and expand my side business to sell some of my handmade designs. Many ideas are still storming around in my brain but I’ve been busy in production mode with a jewelry line of giant clay necklaces. It started as a fun Christmas present project for my friends but now it’s turned into a bit of a clay molding obsession. I guess I missed working with my hands. I’m hoping to have the shop up by the end of the month! Fun Fun Fun. Check out my instagram to see more of my work process!

Winter Postcard Series

I’ve added to my reindeer postcard collection with two more snowy Norwegian scenes. All available now at my shop!

Up Collective Art Studio

Ta da! Here is my art studio, aka my favorite little box in Austin. How can one little white room be so peaceful to me? Its been great coming out here in the evenings and having a space all organized and set up to make anything and everything. I also love watching my studio mates work on incredible projects and prepare for the East Austin Studio Tour. Even though I’m technically just hanging out in a room alone, I feel a lot more motivated when I know that I’m in a building full of people making things. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I’ll start stalking my neighbors and posting their space and work soon!

This painting is called “White”.  Kidding!

Winter Reindeers

I opened my etsy shop last year with a few illustrated Christmas greeting cards. I was pretty terrible with timing and published the prints in early December which is pretty much summer in etsy time. I actually still don’t know anything about scheduling for the  holidays since I’m wearing shorts and sweating while writing about Christmas cards but hey, at least I have a set up on time this year! I have a few more styles on the way but here’s my first set of cards. This is a photograph of real life majestic reindeers. I went for the rounded edge for a vintage look. Prints are available here.

Fall Fall Fall

I’m already noticing people on the interwebs posting about the color of the leaves changing and pumpkin spiced lattes! Here in Texas I’m still in sandals in sun dresses. I kind of have an obsession with fall. Growing up in the military, I’ve always moved to new countries in early fall so it reminds me of new beginnings and starting fresh. I’m also obsessed with fall nature. I’m pretty close to becoming one of those people with a calendar of Vermont foliage in my living room. So since I’m still swimming in the woods down south, I’ll post this picture of my trip to Bergen, Norway. I looked up and saw these trees above me. Beautiful!

Print available at my shop.