dreaming of trucks

Happy Monday!

I know this is well off the beaten path of my usual blog focus... but I've been drooling over 1950's trucks recently.  For the past few years I've had a minor obsession with the beautiful rounded body of these trucks and for some reason they've been taking over more and more of my day dreaming.  

So I've made myself a little deal... once I pay off my credit debt (my card is currently frozen in block of ice next to the brocolli in my freezer) I will open a special account solely for the purpose of purchasing my dream car.  And then Harper Marie and I will roll the streets of Rochester listening to bluegrass and trying not to stall... such a beautiful dream.

courtesy of

courtesy of

gettin' stuff done!

Check out my new dog toys on Etsy!  I'm calling the line Rescued Fabric Bones as each toy is made from salvaged material that I find in antique stores, second-hand shops and at local fabric providers.  All the toys are double-stitched for durability and stuffed with 100% organic cotton.  

French Daisy Rescued Fabric Bone

Damask Rescued Fabric Bone

Striped Rescued Fabric Bone

Floral Rescued Fabric Bone

Red and White Rescued Fabric Bone

13 bones

I've  had a lovely Saturday!  Besides geeking out and watching the first Lord of the Rings movie (extended version) and eating homemade chili with a friend I also created 13 more dog toys.  Tomorrow I'll add the final touches to the toys, photograph them and get them up on Etsy.  But for now it's time to get myself and the puppy home to eat more of that chili!

sold some stuff :)

The store opening was a success.  Pistachio Press had a great turnout and my studio mate Jim and his wife both sold paintings! Thank you to everyone that came out!

I had no idea how my own products would do but I managed to sell 2 dog toys, two bags and one garland.  I've also had a few people mention they might commission me to make some custom items!

yellow floral dog bone

However the hard work is far from over.  I see many more late nights in the studio.  I did finally get my first dog toy on etsy.  Here's to a good start!

the lobster

With the help of a friend I finally have a decent screen burned.  I pulled my first prints last night and was less than thrilled with my rusty screen printing skills.  Thank god my studio mate also teaches screen printing!  By 1:00AM I completed my first lobster toy model.   Some things were great, some things were not so great.  I'm hoping tonight I can iron out the malfunctions and have the final product completed.  At least the studio pit-bulls got to enjoy the reject lobster.

Dolly with the reject lobster

studio progress and weekend fun

The studio is finally starting to look like a studio!  There's still a lot to be done but after a weekend of painting and organizing the space is coming together. Pistacio Press' retail shop is looking spectacular as well!  But you'll have to come see that in person :)

Given the choice I probably would have spent every spare second working this weekend but I managed to get out and have a little fall fun.  I navigated my first corn maze then rode a tricycle through the childrens' mini maze.

I've been having a bit of trouble getting things going with the dog toys... The first screen didn't burn quite correctly so I'm giving it another go tonight.  I now have 6 designs that need to be printed (in multitude), sewn, stuffed and squeeked by Friday.  Bring on the coffee and late night studio drinks!

editing...

Here's what I've got so far in the 'about' section of my Etsy site.  If anyone's got any editing suggestions I'd love to hear 'em!

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Welcome! 

My name's Jen and I live and work in the vibrant city of Rochester, NY.  I left the flat, cow-covered fields of Ohio back in 2006 and decided to stick around after finishing my university studies in studio arts and marine sciences.

I am the proud adoptive mom of a rescue pit-bull (Harper Marie) who spends countless hours exploring the studio while I fiddle around with fabric and paper.  When I'm not in the studio or working one of two art-related gigs you can find me out adventuring.  I enjoy running around the beaches of Ontario Lake with my pup, mountain biking on the hidden Rochester trails, climbing at the local rock gym, devouring empanadas at the public market and playing card games with friends.

As for my craft - I adore items that have had a previous life.  I scour antique stores, flea markets and friends' attics for the perfect materials to create garlands, bags, dog toys and other textile pieces.  Design, sustainability and quality are quite important in my every day life just as they are with the products I create.

If you'd like to learn more about me I keep a blog at: beeswaxhorsehairandsutures.blogspot.com. 

Thanks so much for visiting!