happy update!

I just got back from an EXHAUSTING weekend vending at Ghettogloss's Silverlake Art Craft & Vintage Show, but have a few pieces of great news I wanted to sneak in before retreating for a very needed good night's rest.

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{ number one }
100 IS SO CLOSE, I CAN TASTE IT.

I am literally two sales shy of reaching my 100th Etsy sale!

I realize that 100 sales may be nothing compared to some of the successful sellers that have a couple hundred per week, but just like how the very FIRST sale you make feels absolutely amazing... the same feeling goes for finally reaching three digits! I'm not quite there yet (just two sales separating me and my goal!), but knowing that I've shipped almost 100 packages of my own handmade products, literally, all over the world... is a PHENOMENAL feeling.

To share my excitement with the people I owe it most to--my supporters and devoted customers--I am offering a FREE SURPRISE GIFT to:

1. The buyer of my 100th Etsy sale
2. Someone randomly selected from the pool of awesome individuals who have EVER purchased anything from my Etsy shop! Bought more than one item? You get entered into the drawing for each item you have ever purchased!

The drawing will be announced once I reach the big 100! Help me reach that goal before the new year!

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{ number two }
PAPERnSTITCH EXHIBITION.

What is Paper N Stitch?
Straight from their webpage:

Paper N Stitch is an online exhibition space that was created to promote talented artists, designers, makers selling handmade goods, and independent boutiques. The exhibition space is curated monthly and showcases the best of the best on an international level.

When I asked Brittni, one of the creators of Paper N Stitch, for a little more information on the mission of the website, she responded with amazing feedback:

Papernstitch received over 138,000 views in the first month's exhibition alone. And has been featured on large blogs such as Real Simple: Simply Stated (Real Simple magazine blog), Oh Joy, Modish, Scoutie Girl, Heart Handmade, Cuteable, and many, many more. We have also been named an Editor's Choice by BUST magazine. All this in the month and half that the site has been up! And we expect even bigger things in the future as the site expands.

I had adored the site ever since I laid eyes on it... it's style, sophistication, and simplistic beauty. To know that many others think the same is no surprise.

It was a long shot for me to apply to get my own shop exhibited, but I thought it was worth a try. After my second application, I got invited to be apart of the third exhibition, which actually starts TOMORROW, December 15th, and ends on January 18th!

I am so thankful and honored to be next to other talented artists and designers, and hope this will be another stepping stone in letting my work reach a new audience. At the same time, all good things must come to an end and my time in the exhibition is limited! However, the exhibitor with the highest rating (most hearts) each month will win a month on Paper N Stitch for free -- so support my shop and maybe my time their won't be so short lived!

**P.S. My papernstitch shop page is still in editing process... it's been a long week! But, it should be done and ready within the next day or so! So, no worries!

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{ number three }
STEPPIE IN AN ART GALLERY?

The wonderful people at Ghettogloss have invited me to display my artwork in their gallery!


This is CRAZY, INSANE news as I've never had my artwork in ANY gallery nor did I ever think it was worthy of being in one! Nonetheless, I was flattered and jumped at the opportunity! I will be submitting new wood art pieces this coming Tuesday (short deadline!), and the exhibition will begin on December 18th and will be displayed for a whole week!

I don't even know what to think about this, but to feel blessed for this opportunity. I'll be showcasing some new art that hasn't even reached my Etsy shop yet, so it should be exciting! I'll be posting photos of the exhibition, but for those in the Los Angeles area, here is the address to the gallery:

Ghettogloss™
2380 Glendale Blvd.
Silverlake, CA 90039

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I am pooped.
But excited.

Very, very excited.

xoxo,
Steppie
http://steppie.etsy.com

recap: ghettogloss/silverlake art show!

The long awaited photos...

I will warn you now: this is a pretty F-A-T-T-Y post.
But a good, juicy one at that!

These are a collection of photos from my debut at the Ghettogloss: Silverlake Art Craft & Vintage Show on November 23rd. It was my first outdoor show, so there were a few more things on my list to have to worry about. But I'm quite proud of how it all turned out, while also realizing the major changes I need to make before the next one!

These are some of the photos I wanted to share, but for the exclusive collection, hop on over to my this album on my Flickr account!

View of my booth from afar!


For a closer view of my table...


Who was man-ing the booth?Yours truly, of course.


And the lovely 'ole boyfriend! <3


Original art displayed on a wooden display!
While I love the organic look, I will be opting to find a new solution since the wood is just too heavy. I didn't realize nailing in push pins could be so difficult!


Display of my printed greeting cards! These bad boys were a big seller!


Holiday card packs on my awesome hand-painted, refurbished wood pieces that I found at Goodwill! Holla to improvising & finding new uses for simple finds.


Basket full of art prints, all of my original paintings.
This basket was a lot roomier by the end of the day!


"Tropical Sunset," a piece not yet in my Etsy shop.
Painting on wood pieces = Awesome.


First edition of "Tree Carvings" officially sold!
The girls who purchased this piece for a present were a delight to talk to!


Rack full of adorable, hand-painted tote bags!
These were a good crowd stopper to get people inside my booth.


Ultrapunch x Steppie Collaboration:
(Want a collabo package of your own? Contact me!)


Ultrapunch x Steppie Collaboration:
"Panda Face" plushies!
Design by me; product by Ultrapunch.


"Panda Face" scrabble tile necklaces!


You can never have enough buttons!


My little work station!
Ready to make a purchase? Cash? Credit card? Free bookmark with a $20+ purchase? And a free dumdum for anyone and everyone?
Don't worry - I got youuuu.


Handmade bookmarks!
My new promos that I decided to give away for free with bigger purchases. :) Aren't they cute?
And yes, that's a little fishbowl full of dum-dum lollipops!
One sweet little girl asked me how much these cost for her to buy one... and the look on her face when I told her it was free? Priceless.


Big ups to the boyfriend for sticking out the full 11 hour day (well, aside from the little 10 minute nap in his chair). I love you!


And I had to include our photos from our sushi dinner post-Ghettogloss... we deserved to spoil ourselves after a long, hardworking day... and boy, did those DELISH sushi rolls really finish the day off!


YUMMMMMMMMMM.


Can't eat sushi without a big bottle of ice cold Asahi beer. If you couldn't tell, we don't like to play games... and won't waste a drop.

Ah - long post! But definitely a good, eventful day to document! If you would like to view all of the photos, visit my Flickr album here.

I'm always looking to improve the look of my booth, and am thinking of playing around with the set-up...

And, this is where YOU come in. I need your advice! Please comment, and let me know what you think I should do:

I keep going back and forth with the whole idea of moving the table back into the tent and using the whole space. Why? Because while it makes more sense to utilize all the space I can get, I also realize that a lot of shoppers find it more intimidating to step inside booth (as if it means you're making a commitment to make a purchase - while this shouldn't be the case, many may feel this way). BUT I do think my space would look a lot better as a walk-in shop... I can use two tables instead of one, and really make it feel like my own little "Designs by Steppie Boutique"!

What do you think? Please comment & let me know!

Thanks, loves!

xoxo,
Steppie

ghettogloss: silverlake art & vintage show!

What is Ghettogloss?
http://www.ghettogloss.com/

In an editorial review of Ghettogloss by Kim Cooper:

"What began as an art gallery dedicated to emerging artists with pop culture and outsider connections has expanded into the adjacent space to become a wacky shop packed with offbeat gifts, art, books and knick-knacks, some mass-produced, others exclusive artist-made creations in very limited runs."

Ghettogloss has now started a holiday flea market that will be happening every weekend leading up to Christmas. There will be local artists (like me!) mixed in with the best of vintage collectibles, vintage clothing, and retro furniture. Did I mention plants, succulents, a Tarot card reader, and a lady who does energy work on animals? What more could you ask for?


I tried to stop by last weekend to get a feel for the show at its debut opening, but nature called and I instead spent my Sunday sitting in front of the news to make sure that my house was safe from the fires.

Regardless, I've heard wonderful things about the show. Here are links to two articles talking about the Silverlake show:

Article by NBC Los Angeles:

Article by LAist:

I am excited to be joining the other talented vendors this coming Sunday - so come stop by! We'll be located at the corner of Silverlake and Glendale Blvd in Los Angeles from 9am 'til 5pm!

To view more information: Facebook Event Group


Support the local indie vendors this holiday season!

xoxo,
Steppie

difficult times.

It's a bit crazy on the home-front...
If you're not aware, there's been a firestorm that has been spreading like... well, wildfire in the Los Angeles and Orange County area. One of the areas that has been affected is the city of Brea, which is a very close neighboring city to my city, Diamond Bar. The building smoke has been peeking behind the top of the mountain that is across from our home, so my family and I have been packing our most valuable things into suitcases just in case there's a call for an evacuation.

Luckily, nothing's happened yet in Diamond Bar, and here's to praying that it stays that way.

I actually heard about the fire this morning by a wake up call from my mom, who told me of the news and told me to pack some of my most important things into a suitcase just in case the fire hit our home (not how I want to wake up every morning, for sure).

View from the front of our home right before the smoke got really intense.

So, I ask you: If you were told to pack up a small bag with your most valuable items with the knowledge that everything you leave may not be there when you return... what would you pack?

I think we're asked this question occasionally... you know, random chatty conversations with friends or even during one of those silly "20 questions" games we play on long road trips. It's a thought that crosses our minds sometimes, because it inevitably asks you: "What's most important to you?" But when you're faced with the reality of it, it's sometimes a totally different story.

Since I had originally thought that it would be difficult for me to leave things behind, it was a surprise when I realized that when it came down to it, most things are very replaceable to me. My first instincts were the items I had personal reliance on (sad to say, I'm pretty reliant on my MacBook Pro and cell phone), but aside from a few jeans and t-shirts to keep me warm and from being naked, I was stumped...

Except, when it came to my art.

I can always buy new clothes and find ways to replace all the material things... I could live without them. But when it came to my artwork... and even my hand painted tote bags, handmade journals and cards, art prints, buttons... I was scared I was going to lose it all. All the time and heart that had been put into every single item and to think I'd lose it all to some selfish fire?

Let's just say I quickly packed all of it into my car.

I guess my point is that as Californians are losing their homes to this fire, and even more of us are thrown into a frenzy from the fear of it... it's also really made me realize how important my silly little paintings really are to me. It's so much more than just "inventory" I sell in my Etsy shop or at local craft shows... it's who I am. And I think all us independent and handmade artists and crafters can identify with that.

Because I know I certainly can.

Please comment, I'd love to hear what you all have to say.

xoxo,
Steppie

new prints in my shop!

Update from the Etsy front:
New quality prints are available for purchase!

"Bunny Love" 5x5 Print

Available for purchase here.

"Mel the Unicorn" 8x10 Print

Available for purchase here.



Both found in my Etsy shop.

xoxo,
Steppie

event update: holiday hotness bazaar.

On November 8th, which will be fast approaching as we near our Halloween trick or treating, will be an important day for me and Designs by Steppie! It'll be my first time selling my original paintings and handmade items at a juried show. If you don't recall, my first time setting up shop in front of a live audience didn't happen too long ago (Orange Home Boutique), but now I'm taking all that I've learned and my expanded line of Steppie goods to the heart of Los Angeles! And boy, am I excited!



The Holiday Hotness Bazaar (HHB) is a unique shopping experience, showcasing some of the best and brightest designers from the independent community. HHB will feature a variety of artists, modern crafters and DIY'ers.

Admission will be $2 and free for children 7 and under.

They will also be giving away 100 HHB gift bags to the first 100 patrons!



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On another exciting note, My, the brain behind the event has just spotlighted me on her blog and on the Holiday Hotness website!


While I'm adding new exciting things to my line of handmade goodies, I am also preparing myself for a fabulous craft show and am excited to keep you guys updated with the process of it all!

If you are around the area, I would love to see new faces there! I have created a Facebook event group, which you can mark as "attending" to get updates and reminders about the craft bonanza!

If you're a seller - will you be doing any craft shows this season? If so, which ones? And if you're a buyer, will I be seeing you around? I'd love to meet some new faces in person! And you'd be able to touch and feel my products - how exciting!

Hope to see you there!

xoxo,
Steppie

ACEO obsession.

Woo - it's been a while.

The week's been crazy busy with my dad's Khmer Navy Reunion on top of many projects that I've been working on! I've recently been experimenting with greeting cards ("OH DEER!"), but we'll talk more about that next time!

What I wanted to talk about today?
ACEOs!

So for those that are curious...
ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals." Basically, they are miniature works of art the size of a trading or playing card (2.5" x 3.5"). They are an inexpensive way to purchase my artwork - and a new obsession hitting Etsy!

What do you do with my ACEOs?
Collect them, display them (in albums, frames, books), trade them, give them as gifts, use them as bookmarks, decorate your walls, and who knows what else!

There quite a bit of ACEO collectors on Etsy, but I've recently jumped on the band wagon. Actually, I just recently got accepted into the ACEO team on Etsy! You can visit them on Yahoo! Groups here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EtsyACEO/!


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Most of my ACEOs are reproductions of the originals in my shop, but a few are originals themselves! Here are a few of them:

"Sitting in a Tree" (original on cork!)

"I Heart Whale" (print)

"Chillin" (original with inks)

"Modern Tree" (print)

All ACEOs are carefully packaged in a super-clear acid-free ACEO sleeve to keep it protected and happy!

"Giraffe Silhouette" (shown in ACEO sleeves)

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I hope you like what you see!
Leave comments with suggestions for future ACEO creations!

In addition, I've been meaning to start my own ACEO collection soon - comment with links to your (or your favorite) ACEOs!


'Til next time - happy blogging!

xoxo,
Steppie
http://www.steppie.etsy.com