So if I didn't think I had enough of an online presence with 4 blogs (only one active now), an online shop, and a facebook page, I needed to add one more.
I've always wanted to find a good place to showcase my photography and start taking myself more seriously as an artist in that respect. Flickr was not really doing it for me as a professional resource, so I came across another site that has a great online presentation. I just started this yesterday, and will be in the process of building this site up even more. The new link to my work is at:
http://katebunge.smugmug.com
I guess when someone like me has multiple interests, I need multiple websites. Hope you get a chance to check it out!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
New Loot
I don't post enough about the new loot around here. So..... drum rooooollllll..... I introduce to you the Vintage Tractor Toy invitations! With matching t-shirts!!
I had lots of fun working on this one. I was so lucky to have been able to borrow a vintage toy catalog from a friend so I can scan some old toys. I wasn't sure what I was gong to be using them all for yet, but I found a good use for the tractor toy. What kid in Ohio doesn't love tractors, right?
So this wasn't on my to-do list when I started my day out today, but some days just work out that way. It's been on a "back burner" to-do list for a while anyway, so might as well get 'er done. And my son has fun posing for the pictures, too! Speaking of the photos, I like to try new things when it comes to photographing the items for the website, too. There are so many good product photographers on Etsy! In my experience, I've noticed the better the item is photographed the more likely someone will buy it.
The T-Shirt
The Invitations
(I know you totally want to buy these now just because of the pictures).
I had lots of fun working on this one. I was so lucky to have been able to borrow a vintage toy catalog from a friend so I can scan some old toys. I wasn't sure what I was gong to be using them all for yet, but I found a good use for the tractor toy. What kid in Ohio doesn't love tractors, right?
So this wasn't on my to-do list when I started my day out today, but some days just work out that way. It's been on a "back burner" to-do list for a while anyway, so might as well get 'er done. And my son has fun posing for the pictures, too! Speaking of the photos, I like to try new things when it comes to photographing the items for the website, too. There are so many good product photographers on Etsy! In my experience, I've noticed the better the item is photographed the more likely someone will buy it.
The T-Shirt
The Invitations
(I know you totally want to buy these now just because of the pictures).
Totally late 4th of July photos
I was reading Mayberry's post yesterday and checking out all of her adorably cute pictures from the 4th of July, and I was like, hey! I totally forgot to post my own! So here they are. A few days late for those that don't follow on facebook.
May I offer you a piece of pound cake with whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries?
Give me the candy! I am addicted to candy!
Fun with sparklers!
A number 9? An upside down 6? A letter g?
O-H-I-O!
May I offer you a piece of pound cake with whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries?
Give me the candy! I am addicted to candy!
Fun with sparklers!
A number 9? An upside down 6? A letter g?
O-H-I-O!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
What I'm working on
When you are trying to develop your own business, it becomes very clear that you have no social life. I can't say I was ever a huge social butterfly, but I like my share of parties and social gatherings over warm cups of tea or full glasses of cabernet with ladies, men, old friends, new friends, family, whomever will give me the time of day. So when I get completely out of touch and overwhelmed by work, I feel deprived. All wha-wha-wha, whoa is me, why don't I have her life. A good friend last night made me realize that I have a lot going for me. And while I secretly do feel blessed to have what I have in life, there's nothing like a friend to tell you that. Tell you that you are talented. Tell you that what you are doing is good. Especially when it comes from a person whose opinion you respect.
Like many people I suffer from a lack of self-confidence, but maybe now is the time to shed that fear. Lack of self-confidence almost seems reserved for the adolescents of the world, and the fact that I am nearing forty, it becomes like, what have I got to lose?
I'm working on another photo restoration project for a family reunion we have coming up this month, and I'm looking into the eyes of my grandparents wondering what they thought of themselves back in the day. They raised 7 children, worked very hard, were good Catholics, and seemed very much in love. Did they ever put themselves first? Was it such a luxury in their time to even consider the concept of channeling one's self-confidence?
Maybe I just don't need to analyze it, and just do it. Just forget whether I am not confident or confident and just be me. Because again, what have I got to lose? There's only one life.
So I'm working on that.
Here is the picture I'm restoring. I'll post up the end result later.
Like many people I suffer from a lack of self-confidence, but maybe now is the time to shed that fear. Lack of self-confidence almost seems reserved for the adolescents of the world, and the fact that I am nearing forty, it becomes like, what have I got to lose?
I'm working on another photo restoration project for a family reunion we have coming up this month, and I'm looking into the eyes of my grandparents wondering what they thought of themselves back in the day. They raised 7 children, worked very hard, were good Catholics, and seemed very much in love. Did they ever put themselves first? Was it such a luxury in their time to even consider the concept of channeling one's self-confidence?
Maybe I just don't need to analyze it, and just do it. Just forget whether I am not confident or confident and just be me. Because again, what have I got to lose? There's only one life.
So I'm working on that.
Here is the picture I'm restoring. I'll post up the end result later.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Dad, 22 years today
I'm not sure if this blog can handle another post about my dad, but I feel I just can't let the day go by without commemorating him in some way. He died on this day 22 years ago.
And I still miss him.
And I still hurt for what happened.
And I still cry every July 3rd, no matter what is going on or wherever I am.
But the sadness is a brief disintegration of what is usually a fairly normal day otherwise. I continue on, as a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, even though I don't want to on a day like this. And tomorrow will be another day. And another year will have passed without him. And I've lived more years without him now than with him. And so what does all this pain mean anyway? Why do I care so much? I guess I just wish I knew him now, so he could see me for who I am today.
And we could chat about business. And art. And photography. And computers. He would love computers today. And the internet. There was no internet when he was alive. Or maybe he would hate it.
Who knows. It's a conversation that only takes place in my dreams.
And I still miss him.
And I still hurt for what happened.
And I still cry every July 3rd, no matter what is going on or wherever I am.
But the sadness is a brief disintegration of what is usually a fairly normal day otherwise. I continue on, as a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, even though I don't want to on a day like this. And tomorrow will be another day. And another year will have passed without him. And I've lived more years without him now than with him. And so what does all this pain mean anyway? Why do I care so much? I guess I just wish I knew him now, so he could see me for who I am today.
And we could chat about business. And art. And photography. And computers. He would love computers today. And the internet. There was no internet when he was alive. Or maybe he would hate it.
Who knows. It's a conversation that only takes place in my dreams.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
New project: sneak peek
I've been fairly busy with filling orders this week and last, which has been good for the positivity. I'm also working on new invitation designs this week which will be launching soon. Monday, I did the unbearably boring process of going through the sales report and financials and receipts the other day. Thankfully I have successfully recruited my retired mother to help me keep track of the books, who is much better at managing money than me. Trying to stay positive during the slow development period of a new business can get trying at times to say the least. But while bouncing from one project to another yesterday with my heat press loaded up, I discovered a new application for my art.
I guess I could say with certainty that photography would be my medium of choice for how I express myself artistically. However, I've always wanted to take it one step further and integrate my art into other applications. So while I've succeeded with that so far with the coasters and invitations and other paper projects, yesterday I worked on another application that I'm really excited about.
I usually don't like to post or talk about stuff that isn't finished yet, but wanted to share my new work. I still need to tweak the varnishing technique and the transfer application, but I'm really psyched about it! I'm going to start transferring select images from my library onto pieces of scrap wood. So I'm on the hunt now for scrap wood and metal for use as fixtures for hanging. If I can't find any cool metal I'll probably go with a traditional hanging fixture. I hope to have some done before the next craft show on the 19th, but I'm not going to rush it because I'd like to take my time with these.
So, now that you know what I have cooking here, what have you got cooking?
I guess I could say with certainty that photography would be my medium of choice for how I express myself artistically. However, I've always wanted to take it one step further and integrate my art into other applications. So while I've succeeded with that so far with the coasters and invitations and other paper projects, yesterday I worked on another application that I'm really excited about.
I usually don't like to post or talk about stuff that isn't finished yet, but wanted to share my new work. I still need to tweak the varnishing technique and the transfer application, but I'm really psyched about it! I'm going to start transferring select images from my library onto pieces of scrap wood. So I'm on the hunt now for scrap wood and metal for use as fixtures for hanging. If I can't find any cool metal I'll probably go with a traditional hanging fixture. I hope to have some done before the next craft show on the 19th, but I'm not going to rush it because I'd like to take my time with these.
So, now that you know what I have cooking here, what have you got cooking?
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