Sunday, January 10, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
How do you know what necklace length is right for you?
Ivy Presho posted a fantastic little article on her blog, distictlyivy, about the different lengths of necklaces and how to tell what is what.
(shown here is the princess length)
I thought it was really helpful and interesting! Please go to check it out here.
Thanks Ivy!!
(shown here is the princess length)
I thought it was really helpful and interesting! Please go to check it out here.
Thanks Ivy!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
MY FIRST TREASURY!!!!!! YAYYYYYY!!!!
Hey everyone, I have very exciting news to announce... I was featured in a TREASURY on ETSY!!!!!!!
I was so excited I got up and danced around like a little kid
Isn't it beautiful??? I may be a bit biased, but I think its pretty front page worthy. If you think so too... please go see it in person here and click and comment to get it noticed!
Thank you to flossadornments (who makes FANTASTIC jewelry) for the feature!
I was so excited I got up and danced around like a little kid
Isn't it beautiful??? I may be a bit biased, but I think its pretty front page worthy. If you think so too... please go see it in person here and click and comment to get it noticed!
Thank you to flossadornments (who makes FANTASTIC jewelry) for the feature!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sketchy Sundays
I am proud to debut another weekly feature here at eschechtman.blogspot.com... Sketchy Sundays!
Lately I have been posting mostly about Etsy and my Jewelry, but these encompass only a part of my world... IRL, I am a professional illustrator and designer with Darice Inc, a crafting supply company based in Strongsville, Ohio. (You may know us from the "foamies" brand foam craft shapes.) We create many of our own products (especially for kids) for our Pat Catan's stores as well as for Michaels, Target, Wal Mart, Joanne Fabrics and more. Awesomely, I get to go to work every day to design these kids products (about 50% stickers, but also many many other items). I LOVE my job. I will tell you more about it later in it's own post.
Anyway, we work almost %100 digitally, and I find that I need to work on something tactile once I get home. That is the main reason why I started working with ceramics and jewelry, and how my etsy shop was created. I would also like to start working in my sketchbook more, a favorite pastime of mine that was largely abandoned once I graduated and started working.
So... In an effort to get myself away from the adobe suite and back to drawing by hand, I herby designate SUNDAY as a weekly sketch dump. Each week, I will post 1+ sketchbook or work in progress drawing here on the blog.
This is the first one!
Lately I have been posting mostly about Etsy and my Jewelry, but these encompass only a part of my world... IRL, I am a professional illustrator and designer with Darice Inc, a crafting supply company based in Strongsville, Ohio. (You may know us from the "foamies" brand foam craft shapes.) We create many of our own products (especially for kids) for our Pat Catan's stores as well as for Michaels, Target, Wal Mart, Joanne Fabrics and more. Awesomely, I get to go to work every day to design these kids products (about 50% stickers, but also many many other items). I LOVE my job. I will tell you more about it later in it's own post.
Anyway, we work almost %100 digitally, and I find that I need to work on something tactile once I get home. That is the main reason why I started working with ceramics and jewelry, and how my etsy shop was created. I would also like to start working in my sketchbook more, a favorite pastime of mine that was largely abandoned once I graduated and started working.
So... In an effort to get myself away from the adobe suite and back to drawing by hand, I herby designate SUNDAY as a weekly sketch dump. Each week, I will post 1+ sketchbook or work in progress drawing here on the blog.
This is the first one!
Involution (aka... I have GOT to have these earrings)
Look at these...
I am so in love with these felted earrings by Involution on Etsy. I first came across Involution in a chat room, and am happy to say that not only does she make beautiful stuff, but she is super nice too! These particular earrings are called "All the Tea in China" (Love Love LOVE the title.. makes me think maybe I should rethink my naming style??) and they are made using sterling silver and wool.
Anyone want to get me a super early birthday present?.... Anyone?
I am so in love with these felted earrings by Involution on Etsy. I first came across Involution in a chat room, and am happy to say that not only does she make beautiful stuff, but she is super nice too! These particular earrings are called "All the Tea in China" (Love Love LOVE the title.. makes me think maybe I should rethink my naming style??) and they are made using sterling silver and wool.
Anyone want to get me a super early birthday present?.... Anyone?
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Five and Under Feature
I am super excited to debut a new weekly item here at eschechtman.blogspot.com - Weekly posts that star new Etsy sellers that have had five or less sales.
To kick things off, I would love to introduce you to FlyCatcher Studio.
Flycatcher studio, which is based in Chicago, sells beautiful screen printed coasters. This shop opened only a few weeks ago and has yet to make a sale. I am sure that it won't be much longer though :)
Flycatcher studio may just be getting started and not have many items in the shop yet, but all of them feature well crafted and tailored designs, beautiful photography, and a great sense of color. Each 4x4 coaster is silk screened by hand with the artist's Gocco.
Isn't this calendar so beautiful?? I love the mustaches... it wouldn't be the same without them! According to the artist, "The 'bugman' series came out of a collection of doodles inspired by a distinguished moustache and how it can change the face. You may recognize some of these faces as world leaders and men that changed history, all while sporting their own style of moustache." - Neat! Like the rest of the items in the shop, this piece of artwork doubles as a coaster, though I don't think that I would ever use it as one. Regardless, I can only imagine that these would make a great host or hostess gift!
As of now, there are only coasters in the shop, but I hope that Flycatcher will expand to include cards and prints in the near future.
How can you not love them?
Please go and see this shop for your self, and give Flycatcher Studio the welcome that she deserves!
To kick things off, I would love to introduce you to FlyCatcher Studio.
Flycatcher studio, which is based in Chicago, sells beautiful screen printed coasters. This shop opened only a few weeks ago and has yet to make a sale. I am sure that it won't be much longer though :)
Flycatcher studio may just be getting started and not have many items in the shop yet, but all of them feature well crafted and tailored designs, beautiful photography, and a great sense of color. Each 4x4 coaster is silk screened by hand with the artist's Gocco.
Isn't this calendar so beautiful?? I love the mustaches... it wouldn't be the same without them! According to the artist, "The 'bugman' series came out of a collection of doodles inspired by a distinguished moustache and how it can change the face. You may recognize some of these faces as world leaders and men that changed history, all while sporting their own style of moustache." - Neat! Like the rest of the items in the shop, this piece of artwork doubles as a coaster, though I don't think that I would ever use it as one. Regardless, I can only imagine that these would make a great host or hostess gift!
As of now, there are only coasters in the shop, but I hope that Flycatcher will expand to include cards and prints in the near future.
How can you not love them?
Please go and see this shop for your self, and give Flycatcher Studio the welcome that she deserves!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Mika with the Groceries
This is my newest painting:
This one was for Grand River Beads and Gallery in Rocky River, Ohio. (Its still for sale if anyone is interested! ;) )
I LOVE to paint my cat. But with these eyes, who wouldn't??
This one was for Grand River Beads and Gallery in Rocky River, Ohio. (Its still for sale if anyone is interested! ;) )
I LOVE to paint my cat. But with these eyes, who wouldn't??
This is It!
It is time to get serious about blogging.
This has been a task that I have been putting off for quite a while. Yes, there have been weeks that I have posted more than once, and I have said to my self - "This is going to be it..." but things have just fizzled. The thing is - as anyone who runs a weekly blog knows - the relationship that I am about to start with eschechtman.blogspot.com and with my potential readers is a serious commitment that should not be taken lightly.
I feel like I need to enter into a formal contract to start this off...
Something like, "I, the undersigned, hereby commit myself to upload a high quality written "blog" post accompanied by 2+ images at least twice a week. The post must meet the high standards set out by other successful blogs in a similar genre..." etc. etc.
Blogging is a lot of pressure. I am putting myself out there on the internet for the whole world to see. As a perfectionist, this is no easy task. This is scary! The words that I put here will be here forever. I can not underestimate that fact.
However, I do have a lot that I want to say. I want to promote myself, of course, and I have to admit that one of the main reasons that I am doing this is to drive more traffic to my Etsy site (Found here, hahaha). But I also want to share my art with the world, and show everyone what I can do. I want to promote other artists as too, and get people excited about all the amazing things that are happening in the Handmade world. I want to get people talking about Illustration, and talk about my heroes, maybe even get to interview them! This blog can go many places.
So, Here is what is coming to you. THIS is my commitment that I am making Right Now. This is my promise for what you are going to see:
1. At least 1 new post each week (maybe more, but never less)
2. More pictures of my illustrations and my jewelry
3. Posts where I explain my processes
4. Posts where I promote or feature other artists
5. A monthy etsy finds post (maybe more frequent, but that is what I am promising right now)
6. Posts about my heroes / inspiration
7. Posts about me
8. Pictures of my cats (cause they are the bestest ever!)
9. In-dept analysis of my favorite tools / art supply reviews
Mika the Cat!
Here are things that I would like to post about, but am not committing to at this time:
1. Posts about my wonderful adopted home / home town (its complicated) of Cleveland, OH
2. A weekly art-related post by my Boyfriend Ron
3. Posts about my cooking / baking adventures
4. Perhaps some vlog posts? (I do have a webcam on my imac)
Now I did just get my dream camera, so there are no excuses:
Ok internet, are you ready?? Because this is it.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Newest Etsy Item - Ruthie!
Ruthie is a wonderful woman that I work with who always brightens up the room. This necklace was inspired by her!
Do you treasure this necklace as much as I do? You can purchase it here.
Monday, December 7, 2009
I need a camera
So...I need a camera.
No no, that's not right.
Let me rephrase:
...I need a good camera.
I need to be able to photograph my illustration work and jewelry without taking 100 shots of each to maybe have a few non-blurry shots. I need a camera that I don't need to hold for 4 seconds stock still while I wait for the lens to click open and close. I need a camera that is sharp and true to life that will let me take fabulous photos of Laura's wedding when I go to England this March.
I need a shiny, new, beautiful, semi-professional camera.
My problem is that most good cameras (like the one pictured above) are over my $250 budget.
What I would like is a digital SLR that is somewhere around 7 megapixels. However, I don't really know anything about photography. To be honest... I don't even know what SLR means. I know that it has to do with what you see through the viewfinder and that this makes it better - and significantly more expensive - that the non-slr models, but what I know pretty much stops there.
Its also tough to wade through all of the camera reviews that tend to get very technical and end up going right over my head.
However, the camera that I have at the moment has a broken screen, and makes all of my images look like this:
Not to mention that it was a hand-me-down from my little brother Matt:
Anyway, when photographing artwork, no matter how good a point-and-click is, it is nearly impossible for me to take a non-blurry picture.
It is incredibly frustrating.
Oh well.... better start saving up.
Thanks for letting me wine awhile anyway.
Here's what I am working on now:
Stay tuned to see where this little guy will end up!
No no, that's not right.
Let me rephrase:
...I need a good camera.
I need to be able to photograph my illustration work and jewelry without taking 100 shots of each to maybe have a few non-blurry shots. I need a camera that I don't need to hold for 4 seconds stock still while I wait for the lens to click open and close. I need a camera that is sharp and true to life that will let me take fabulous photos of Laura's wedding when I go to England this March.
I need a shiny, new, beautiful, semi-professional camera.
My problem is that most good cameras (like the one pictured above) are over my $250 budget.
What I would like is a digital SLR that is somewhere around 7 megapixels. However, I don't really know anything about photography. To be honest... I don't even know what SLR means. I know that it has to do with what you see through the viewfinder and that this makes it better - and significantly more expensive - that the non-slr models, but what I know pretty much stops there.
Its also tough to wade through all of the camera reviews that tend to get very technical and end up going right over my head.
However, the camera that I have at the moment has a broken screen, and makes all of my images look like this:
Not to mention that it was a hand-me-down from my little brother Matt:
Anyway, when photographing artwork, no matter how good a point-and-click is, it is nearly impossible for me to take a non-blurry picture.
It is incredibly frustrating.
Oh well.... better start saving up.
Thanks for letting me wine awhile anyway.
Here's what I am working on now:
Stay tuned to see where this little guy will end up!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A few better pictures from my Local Girl Show (alternate title: LOVE)
Hello internet! Here are a few better images of my collage work:
We (ie: Ron and I) had such a hard time taking these photos! We ended up opening up the frames (groan) and putting the work back in without the glass (ugh). The process then involved struggling to take a non-blurry photo (blech) and then painstakingly putting everything back together without (and this is the kicker here).... without getting a single strand of cat hair stuck btwn the illustration and the glass. Pretty darn frustrating.
All in all, I managed to get a few good shots with Kalya's pink camera. I really REALLY need to get my own though. Can anyone recommenced a Digital SLR that is around $200?? It would be a huge help.
Anyway, I love my paintings.... that's what it all comes down to..pure LOVE.
We (ie: Ron and I) had such a hard time taking these photos! We ended up opening up the frames (groan) and putting the work back in without the glass (ugh). The process then involved struggling to take a non-blurry photo (blech) and then painstakingly putting everything back together without (and this is the kicker here).... without getting a single strand of cat hair stuck btwn the illustration and the glass. Pretty darn frustrating.
All in all, I managed to get a few good shots with Kalya's pink camera. I really REALLY need to get my own though. Can anyone recommenced a Digital SLR that is around $200?? It would be a huge help.
Anyway, I love my paintings.... that's what it all comes down to..pure LOVE.
ToBeTreasured
I am SO proud to announce that my Etsy Store - selling lovely handmade ceramic necklaces - is officially up and running!!
Please go and pay a visit! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ToBeTreasured
Please go and pay a visit! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ToBeTreasured
Sunday, October 25, 2009
"Prayers From Maria"
Wow those last photos were bad, eh?
Here is my latest painting:
Slightly better.
This piece was for a auction that raised money for a organization called "Prayers From Maria" which battles against Childhood Gliomas - a deadly form of brain cancer. Please click on the link for more information and to see how you can help.
My lovely S.O. Ron (see image below) was the auctioneer.
(he's only a caveman for special occasions).
At the end, we had raised $1665 from the auction alone!
It was a good night.
Here is my latest painting:
Slightly better.
This piece was for a auction that raised money for a organization called "Prayers From Maria" which battles against Childhood Gliomas - a deadly form of brain cancer. Please click on the link for more information and to see how you can help.
My lovely S.O. Ron (see image below) was the auctioneer.
(he's only a caveman for special occasions).
At the end, we had raised $1665 from the auction alone!
It was a good night.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Happy Birthday Harvey!!
Exciting News:
I was invited to participate in a project celebrating Harvey Pekar's 70th. 95 artists submitted Harvey portraits, and I am so honored to have been one of them!
Check out the amazing collection.... oh, and my Harvey Head is the second from the bottom :)
The collection is pretty darn awesome. The range of styles is great and there are some big names in there as well as some relatively unknowns and completely unknowns (i.e. yours truly)
Here are a few of my favorites (click on the names to visit their websites):
Sean Pryor
This is hilarious because Harvey's birthday cake was doughnut shaped and was filled with doughnuts... Harvey kept getting up from the chair where he was perched all night to grab some
Adam Roth (I am having a hard time finding a link to post... help? Anyone?)
I loooove this, the expression is perfect!
Steve Chanks
This may be my favorite one... the movement, the colors, the expression ... everything! awesome...
Tom Galambos Doesn't really have a website, so link is to an interview
Arn't these lines gorgeous??
Brent Engstrom
Pure. Poetry.
Box Brown (a.k.a. Brian Brown)
SO BEAUTIFUL!
Dan Goldman
Haha LOVE how innocent he looks here
Dean Haspiel
LOVE how grumpy he looks here
Jeff Smith
Um...Jeff Smith?? Nuff' Said
SOOOO.... This was pretty cool to be a part of, and to honor Harvey.
Go check out the rest of the collection! Which are your favorites?
I was invited to participate in a project celebrating Harvey Pekar's 70th. 95 artists submitted Harvey portraits, and I am so honored to have been one of them!
Check out the amazing collection.... oh, and my Harvey Head is the second from the bottom :)
The collection is pretty darn awesome. The range of styles is great and there are some big names in there as well as some relatively unknowns and completely unknowns (i.e. yours truly)
Here are a few of my favorites (click on the names to visit their websites):
Sean Pryor
This is hilarious because Harvey's birthday cake was doughnut shaped and was filled with doughnuts... Harvey kept getting up from the chair where he was perched all night to grab some
Adam Roth (I am having a hard time finding a link to post... help? Anyone?)
I loooove this, the expression is perfect!
Steve Chanks
This may be my favorite one... the movement, the colors, the expression ... everything! awesome...
Tom Galambos Doesn't really have a website, so link is to an interview
Arn't these lines gorgeous??Brent Engstrom
Pure. Poetry.
Box Brown (a.k.a. Brian Brown)
SO BEAUTIFUL!
Dan Goldman
Haha LOVE how innocent he looks here
Dean Haspiel
LOVE how grumpy he looks here
Jeff Smith
Um...Jeff Smith?? Nuff' Said
SOOOO.... This was pretty cool to be a part of, and to honor Harvey.
Go check out the rest of the collection! Which are your favorites?
Friday, August 14, 2009
My Gallery Exhibit!
I am pretty sure that the only people who read this are Becky and My Mom (Hello my loves!) but, to whoever stumbles across this blog, I am proud to extend you to an invitation:
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