![]() So, I just added a new print to my Etsy shop, and it's a piece of Doctor Who fan-art. You should go check it out and get one for yourself or that special Whovian in your life. All prints are signed by me and shipped in a clear protective sleeve. Please say you'll buy one, I'll cherish you forever Dear Reader! If you didn't catch the link above, you can find it here. Good news! Finally opened my Etsy shop! So on that note, go peruse and let me know if you have any feedback. Feedback is welcome! Thanks!
It's been quite awhile since I've written, hasn't it my darlings? Yes it has. Too long. You do forgive me don't you? It's been a busy..anyway, I'm sure you forgive me, so ONWARD!
What do you do when you're feeling professionally unfulfilled? I have no idea what to do. I absolutely love being a print designer and seeing clients faces light up with joy and excitement when something comes out the way they wanted it to. That's my job, to make people happy. To give them tactile things they can do with what they please. But then there is a downside when you know going completely freelance would be suicide. I wish I could go freelance full-time, but unfortunately, the world we live in is driven by the almighty dollar, and leaving a full-time job is just not in the cards. For now I must muster on with my current full-time job, and be satisfied with the fulfillment I get from my wonderful Maverick and friends and family. And the fulfillment that comes when I craft something in my spare time with my own two hands. I need to do more crafting. More bookbinding. I've been severely lazy in my personal hobbies division. My book cloths and supplies are sobbing, begging me to work my magic again. And I vow to pick it back up with a furry. I must. If I am to remain sane through all the impending wedding and moving plans, I must carry on my faithful stead. No more dallying about and wallowing in the dallying. FULL STEAM AHEAD!
So, earlier this week, an old professor of mine posted on the Design Society of New Paltz asking alums if they had any advice for new incoming graphic design students. I couldn't think of anything right away, but after stewing about it, this is what I came up with: Know your tools. EXPERIMENT! Don't sweat the small stuff, and if you need sleep, go get some, cause you don't want to be drowsy with exacto knives. And don't forget to leave buffer room for last minute changes, technical difficulties, etc. Nothing worse then showing up with something unfinished that you can't be proud of. Oh, and don't be afraid to make mistakes, cause sometimes they turn out to be really good happy mistakes that can take something somewhere you didn't think you could go. Good luck! Simple advice, but something I think the new students needed to hear. It's something I wish someone had told me my first semester, but c'est la vie. I learned very quickly though, thank goodness. Just a little something I think we all need to remember and follow, no matter your trade. Anyone else have any good advice? If you do, feel free to leave a comment here, or drop me a line via my Contact page.
No. Not really. But yes! Found something called Pantone Wedding. Looks like it's chip sets so you can match everything. How did I not know about this before? At any rate, I will be design nerding out and getting me a set or two or three.. Gawd I love Pantone. Also, before I loose my head and forget completely, here's the wonderful link! Enjoy!
This time, I've decided to do a double tutorial! Two in one this time..you my Dear Readers are going to learn how to make covers for your books, and how to bind it. So without any further ado, ONWARD MY FAITHFUL STEAD!
So you want to know how I'm gonna use my own fabric for the covers of my wedding planner, huh? "You need pre-made bookcloth!" I can hear some of you saying. BAH! SHUN THE NON-BELIEVER! Says I. So for you more adventurous crafty types, heres how I do it!
![]() I've decided that none of the so called organizers they try to sell you for planning your wedding are quite my style. Most of them are glorified 3-ring binder type shindigs, and way too expensive. So in light of that revelation, seeing as I love creating things with my own hands, and I'm part bookbinder at heart, why not do it m'self? I already know what size I want the book to be, and most of the nitty gritty details, so what the heck? Super personalized and way cheaper in the long run by default. Not to mention, hand-crafted and one of a kind. Above is a sample of the fabric I'm going to use for the covers. It's a beautiful (very) lightly ribbed, dark blue satin. I used it for a book I made during university awhile back, and just had to buy extra when I found this particular fabric. Boy am I glad I did. So pretty and luxurious. Waiting for my camera batteries to charge before I start. I want to be able to document everything for you Dear Reader. And maybe with any luck, this will inspire someone here to follow my lead and make their own one of a kind organizer. Wish me luck! Should've posted this awhile back, but now I am, so no worries. This month I am the Featured Artist at Catskill Art and Office Supply in Poughkeepsie, NY; which also happens to be where I work. And, no I wasn't picked because I work there. I was picked because, that was the luck of the draw. =] If you are a local artist in the Hudson Valley Region of New York, feel free to contact Catskill Art and Office Supply, and ask about their Featured Artist Galleries. Yes, I said galleries. We have three locations in Kingston, Woodstock and Poughkeepsie. And each store has a different artist every month. Come check out my work if you're in the Poughkeepsie area; it'll be up till the end of this month. And since I run the Copy Center, stop by and say hello. I like new people! Hope to see some Dear Readers of my blog come see me and my work!
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A Unique Perspective.Jessi SpadaA witty, snarky, fresh faced designer with a unique perspective on the world we live in. Archives
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