Huge updates!

I've been working on so many things, and definitely neglecting to update here! I've got lots of new earrings in the works, along with some new pieces I'll be working on for the summer shows.

Here's some new earrings that are currently available on my Etsy page:

The Spring Indie Garage Sale also passed us by without an update, here's my booth from the show. So glad we were able to be back at Utica's Union Station: 

I also finished up a flier & map for a local organization that I'm involved with. Project-U is a coalition of artists aiming to highlight the arts culture of downtown Utica and giving artists space and the opportunity to exhibit their work in empty and underused storefronts in the downtown area. 

Here's a close up of some of the buildings, Utica has some beautiful architecture and it was very interesting to see how these old buildings have evolved through the years. 

 

I was also able to work with my friend Kim at Creative Designs and Christine's Cookie Shoppe in New Hartford on another logo for Christine's new dog treats! Kim did the fantastic design on this, and I did the dog cartoon/caricature. 

Lastly, here's a digital piece I finished up for a show last month at the Mill Art Center & Gallery in Honeyoye Falls, NY. 

Moonlight Camping

Late post, but finished this piece up a few months ago. 

In other news, find me at the Destination Create Festival in Deansboro, NY this weekend. Saturday and Sunday from 10-6 at MKJ Farm: 

A Few of my Favorite Things

The weekend had finally arrived! So excited for this weekend's Indie Garage Sale! We will be at MVCC in Utica this year from 12-5 on both Saturday and Sunday. It's free to get in, however early bird tickets are available for those who would like a crowd free shopping experience. With your $10 ticket you will receive a limited edition IGS tote bag and entry into a $50 indie bucks raffle - not to mention first dibs on all the awesome stuff.

I am in love with the poster this year! My ornaments were chosen to be featured on the posters and billboards throughout the area: 

Here are some ornaments I'll be selling along with my artwork and jewelry: 

In celebration of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday I am also asking you to consider doing your holiday shopping with a local business. Keep your money local and support those who do what they do with passion. Here is a little list of my favorite local "brick-and-mortar" businesses from the CNY area to do your holiday shopping at:

Art/handmade items/gifts: 

Signature 81, Kellogg Road in Washington Mills

Artisans' Corner, corner of College and Williams streets in Clinton

The Mustard Seed & Stone Mill Antiques, Canal Place, Little Falls

Tarat Studio, 84 Utica Street, Clinton 

Fall Hill Bead & Gem, West Main Street Little Falls

Broad Street Gallery, Broad Street in Hamilton, NY

The Enchanted Bazaar, 212 North Franklin St, Syracuse 

Clothes/Jewelry: 

Lindsay Layne Boutique, Genesee Street, New Hartford 

EcoChic Boutique, 4314 East Genesee Street, Syracuse 

Sports Memorabilia & collectables: 

Hall of Frame Sports, Oriskany blvd. Yorkville

Wine and Spirits: 

Seneca Wine and Liquor, Seneca Turnpike New Hartford 

Hop and Goblet, 2007 Genesee Street Utica

Coffee/Sweets: 

Christine's Cookie Shope & Sugar Babes Cupcakes, Genesee Street New Hartford (behind Randall's Pharmacy) 

The Tramontane Cafe, Lincoln Ave in Utica 

Utica Coffee Roasting Company 92 Genesee Street, Utica 

Music:

Off-Center Records, 116 Bleeker Street, Utica

Hope to see you Saturday or Sunday <3

  

Rochester, NY Trip

It's been quite a while since my last post! I've just returned from a trip to Rochester, NY for the Mayday Underground Craft Show and a mini vacation with my college friends! 

In preparation for the show I created a painting of the Rochester skyline and 490 bridge. Prints are now available on Etsy.

This painting was done in a technique I have not used in a while: oil pastel, oil paint and colored pencil. I think I'll be experimenting with this a little more, since I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it. 

Heres some photos from the weekend: 

Back to School Indie Garage Sale

Just letting everyone know I will be a participating in the the Back to School Indie Garage Sale at Union Station in Utica, NY. This is part of the Bagg's Square Harvest Festival.

Hours:
Friday September 28th 4pm-9pm
Saturday September 29th 11am-7pm
Sunday September 30th 11am-5pm

This is always a great show with a diverse group of artist and craft vendors!

Oh, and here's a little something I came across on the internet that I thought I'd share!

Hope to see you this weekend!
Love.

First Necklace

Look, Look!! All that's left is the chain and clasp:

The cute back:

I guess I really like yellow and green.

Here are some "bib" necklaces I am working on for my next craft show. These will be adorned with some vintage broaches, buttons, etc. I'll also be backing them with some funky fabric! I cant wait to finish them all, it's just a matter of the right thrift store finds!

I got this great new lamp shade, for my green Salvation Army lamp find! Looks great with my mismatched paint cabinet knobs :)

Here's a wedding bouquet sample I put together for a bridal show a few weeks ago... love those roses!

I don't know what to call this post.

It's been a few weeks! So busy!

I've 99.9% decided that I'm going to be merging my handmade and illustration business and calling it "RetroSorrento" after my blog and my Etsy shop. [As some of my customers might know, if they are dealing with me off-line, I go by "Maria Vallese Illustration"]

The handmade aspect of my creative life has been intertwining itself with my illustration, and vice versa. It all seems to fit into one package, so it no longer seems necessary to separate the two.

Oh, and now you can like me on Facebook! I'll like you back!!! <3

Something I've been struggling with for the past year is the identity of the handmade business and it's packaging. This is such an important part of my business as a whole but something I never really considered starting out. Anyway, here are some new tag designs that I've come up with. The great thing about these is that they can be used as price tags for hats, earring cards, and can be glued to boxes for a really cute look!

I've also ventured back into some oil pastel work in the past few weeks. Something I felt so passionate about and then got away from, feeling it was an "immature" medium. In hindsight, I'm glad I made that decision because it helped me find my illustration style, but it's nice to go back to this medium and see how I've changed and improved, regardless of the outcome.

I've been reading "Van Gogh: The Life," and I think I can attribute some of my color, subject matter and experimentation inspiration to that.

[You might remember this from a previous post! It's one of my first floral arrangements.]

Last, here are some logo sketches for my cousin's DJ-ing business. In case you're wondering, he's flip-flopping on the name a little bit, but that's something I can identify with, so I don't mind.

Too many ideas.

Some things I've been working on getting ready for the Holiday sales season:

This piece was not dry when photographed, but pretty cool either way:

And a greeting card in progress:

Some experimentation. This piece is going to be slightly dimensional, in the style of kitsch 70's wall hangings!

Sketch:

Beginnings of a colored pencil piece: