Hi There!

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve posted here, since there’s been some new work  brewing in the studio, and I’ve been preparing to make a big jump!

For seven years, Susy Jack* has lived pretty much exclusively in the stationery category. Very soon, I’m finally going to bring my product and pattern design sense into some new categories. I’ve been sharing some of my ideas and tests on instagram, for the past couple of weeks. While Susy Jack* won’t be participating in the National Stationery Show this year, my line will be growing in other directions, using online media and this website. By returning to working on smaller batches, I’m moving back into the artistic space…where I began so many years ago. These past few weeks, experimenting again, freeing myself up to really explore, have been incredible.

I’ve asked myself “What do I really want?” and “What is success, to me?” and “What kind of products do I personally use, love, and give?” and the answers have taken time to arrive at, and been a revelation. My dream is for Susy Jack* to be a place where my creative vision thrives and takes the shape of a variety of beautiful, quality items, made with heart and soul, shared in an inspiring, fulfilling way. Not to hold back…to explore and try new things, to allow process back into the picture.

Anyway, that is the news fit to print, for now. Up above is an image of some of the materials I’ve been experimenting with. It will take a little while to refine what I’m working on, and can’t wait to share the first real designs with you. The second image is a recent portrait by my friend Brandi Schaffran-Webb, an amazing photographer here in NYC. I think she captured my mood right now so well. I wanted to share her incredible talent with you.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll “stay tuned”.

xo

Susy

August has arrived! With it, some time on press with my 2013′s. Can you believe we’re already into the 8th month?  This year’s design features more a swatch sampler layout style that I really thought went well with the types of patterns I’ve explored this year. Also, the format is printed on the back of each month, so when you’re done, you’ll have a set of 12 lovely flat notecards to re-use. They’ll be in the shop soon, soon.

I thought this was kind of a fun post to follow up to my last blog about pattern inspiration. Working to get just the right mix of designs was really interesting, and I love the mood of the entire desk calendar- it literally feels like walking through a cool fabric store. Lots of allover pattern.

In other news, Susy Jack* has a new studio! It’s yet to be decorated, located in Bushwick. Looking forward to work in what is an amazing and unrefined area of the city. I can feel the creative electricity there – do you know what I mean? Kind of a vibe in the air that feels like home, but also feels uncharted and invigorating. Like something *wants* to happen.  xo for now. Sus

Well, I was going to wait til Monday, but over the weekend, prompted by a lovely post on Decor8, I listed the latest in the shop (it’s in pre-order at the moment because the packaging is still being assembled). A newsletter will be going out shortly. Probably mid to end of this week.

There is lots to do around the new collection, even though it’s technically “launched”. But, now that NSS is over, I’m also starting to look ahead to the rest of the year. I keep referring to this page in my sketchbook, whenever I am feeling overwhelmed, and it lifts my spirits. It’s getting kind of crammed with little reminder-doodles. Nothing too final, just the beginnings of ideas…

However, prior to any kind of new exploration, I need to put myself to task finishing up what I’ve been doing, getting my marketing done, and tweaking all of my accounting, which I’m chronically behind on. After that, I really hope to start looking for a studio space, which is seeming more and more vital, to me. Still, the reward of all that organizational work will be sweet. Making new things, trying new stuff. Staying on the path I’ve been on for the past several months. Knowing where I’m at. Feels good.

What a week it has been. The Nat’l Stationery Show has wrapped up, the booth has been taken down and I’m back across town, getting in a little work before le weekend. Happily, my new Foodie line was a big hit! I was so pleased with the designs heading to the show that it was really heartening to feel so supported by my retailers and peers as I tried out a new category. This line is really close to my heart, and I can’t wait to start uploading the items and giving the shop a much-needed update.

For now, a couple photos from today’s shoot – of my personal favorite pattern…it’s a modern take on Delft dishes, in a broken mosaic style. To me this design echoes modern attitudes towards the kitchen, and reminds me of growing up, when my mom had several mismatched styles of Delft…This design was about inventing new ideas out of time-honored traditions…

More coming soon…have a wonderful, restful weekend all. To those who stopped by at NSS, thank you for coming. To those of you here…thanks for reading! x S