Bari J.

Don't Forget! I've moved to a new location!

I'm still blogging! Don't forget, I've moved over to my Shopify Blog! Loads of great stuff happening there!

Here's a hint... Free stuff... pretty things!

Reminder: I've Moved

Reminder: I've Moved    

Just want to remind you to go ahead and subscribe over on the new blog! You'll find a giveaway there today! Note: the pop-up window will be for newsletter subscriptions, not blog subscriptions... you can subscribe to the blog by pressing the rss button on top of the right column OR I happen to really like the set up over on bloglovin'... you can find me here.

Moving the Blog over to Shopify!

I've been hanging out here on typepad since 2007... it's time for a change. I'm moving the blog over to my website!

Please join me for future posts there!

http://barijdesigns.com/blogs/blog

PS... I'm having a little sale... and since my first blog rule was no posts without photos, well, here you go... xo

 

Where Women Create

Where Women Create    

I'm so honored to be featured in one of my favorite magazines, Where Women Create! It's now on newstands and available for order here. Thank you for featuring me! My teenage girls think I'm pretty cool now. Well. Sorta. Kinda. Either way, that's a huge bonus.

A Painter's Tale

A Painter's Tale

Late last weekend (which was totally unproductive). Like, I didn't even do the laundry I needed to do, and I'm pretty sure there's still a dent from my rear on the sofa...

Sunday afternoon: Laying on sofa, getting nothing done, eating leftover Halloween candy that I shouldn't be eating, feeling like I can't start anything because there's too much to do. Decide that I just need to paint to get the creativity going... start peacock painting at 2 PM as a last ditch effort to save the weekend, stay up to midnight painting heart out.

Monday Morning, 2 AM: wake with a startle, thinking, "That peacock needs to be on two canvases!", roll over, go back to sleep, dream of painting.

Monday Morning, 7 AM: wake with a startle, thinking, "That peacock needs to be on two canvases!", jump out of bed, scurry across hallway, grab second canvas, paint background color, go get coffee in kitchen, stare at canvas waiting for background to dry, go get hair dryer to dry the background faster. Finally! (a long and drawn out 15 minutes after I painted the background) Canvas is dry, paint heart out.

Yay! That's out... And then I was able to go about the rest of my week and be totally productive. Sometimes you just have to sit on your ass for awhile and then go paint it out. 

Have a great weekend.

New Free November Wallpapers + a Free Printable

 

New Free November Wallpapers + a Free Printable

November wallpapers are ready and have already gone out to current newsletter subscribers! To get your just subscribe to the Bari J. newsletter (on the right). Psst... there's also a bonus free printable in it. 

Lee Heinrich's Chandelier Quilt Along with Emmy Grace Fabric

Lee's Chandelier Quilt Along with Emmy Grace Fabric

Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced Modern Quilts made this gorgeous quilt from my Emmy Grace fabric line for a really fun (and free!) quilt along on Bernina's blog, We All Sew, which starts today! 

Thank you, Lee and Bernina!

Happy quilting, you all!

 

The Sewing Party

 

 
Hey all! Just wanted to let you know that I'll be teaching ONLINE for "The Sewing Party" on November 8. This event is sponsored by Burda Style, Etsy, Joann, Pfaff, Singer, Huskavarna and Viking, and I think it's going to be a really fun event. There are lots of teachers and lots of great content for you to enjoy! I'll be teaching Easy Patchwork Slipcovers (pictured above)! I'd love for you to attend. Sign up here. 

New October Wallpaper, Discount Code and a Giveaway For Subscribers!

New October Wallpaper, Discount Code and a Giveaway For Subscribers!

The new FREE October Wallpaper link was just sent to all the subscribers along with a discount code and giveaway information for this month! You can get yours by subscribing to my newsletter in the link to the right! 

This month's giveaway is a 12" copy of my art print, "Microburst". You'll need to be a subscriber to enter.

Camp Stitch-Alot Re-cap

Camp Stitch-Alot Re-cap

Hi there. I'm just back from a really fun teaching gig in Michigan, Camp Stitchalot, which is organized by Brenda of Pink Castle Fabrics. I taught my Holiday in London bag to a crowd of wonderful women. 13 women braved the large bag, and 13 women finished. It was so much fun to see what they did, and just so satisfying to teach them.

 

Featured in my Emmy Grace fabric for Art Gallery Fabrics above. Available at Pink Castle and other wonderful retailers.

Thank  you to Brenda for inviting me. It was such a joy! 

If you would like to purchase the Holiday in London Duffle Bag Pattern, you can get it on my website.

If you would like to have me teach at your event please contact me as well.

All upcoming events are listed here.

News, freebies & Give-Aways, Oh my!

News, freebies & Give-Aways, Oh my!

Happy Monday!

I have a few fun things for you today. First, the lovely folks at Nuvango sent me 4 $25 gift certificates to giveaway to you! Nuvango was previously Gelaskins, but they've now reinvented themselves as a purveyor of art with products ranging from device covers to cards and canvas art. My pieces are available on their site mainly for device covers.

To win one of the four gift certificates, please sign up for the Bari J. mailing list at the bottom of this post.  If you already are signed up, you are already entered to win. A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, September 24 at 12PM Pacific time. AS A BONUS for signing up... you will receive a monthly Bari J. designer desktop wallpaper. Each month there will be a different design sent in an array of sizes for your desktop like the one pictured below. Free desktop wallpapers will only be available to subscribers.

 

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Put A Bird On It

Put A Bird On It    

I'm going to put a bird and an owl on it from now until the end of time. Just to clarify in case you were wondering.

Just finished this painting this weekend and had it scanned for prints for my Etsy and Website shops. The original and prints will be with me on Saturday at West Elm Scottsdale.

 

West Elm Scottsdale Pop-Up Shop with Bari J.

West Elm Scottsdale Pop-Up Shop with Bari J.

I'd love if you'd join me for my first ever retail pop-up shop at West Elm Scottsdale Quarter!

I'll have original paintings, prints and more!

 

For the Organization Geek

For the Organization Geek

Being the paper/office product, organization junkie that I am, I'm always looking for new ways to make a list and get stuff done. I created this product to help me, and now they are available in a pad of 50 on both my website and in my etsy store.

Get a 15% discount for pre-ordering before they are ready to ship on 9/15/14 using code PREORDERLIST.

These cute pads are 8.5" x 5.5" and are regularly $12.95. 

All the art in all the places.

All the art in all the places

Let's see... when was it? 2007 when I opened that Etsy store? Let's just say it's been long neglected. Forgotten about really. I've always had my own website, so I figured why should I list there. But a few artist friends of mine have been encouraging me to open it back up ... I'm told that some people just really really like to shop there. SO... I'm giving you loads of options... there's original work available here... AND I've made prints of my work available on BOTH my website and on Etsy. I also decided to "upcycle" some of my fabric designs into pretty prints in new colors that I hope you will enjoy! (above)

Petal and Plume, my newest fabric line!

Petal and Plume

I'm so happy to show your my newest fabric line, Petal and Plume, to be in stores this December. This line began with the drawing of the peacock in black and white. When it was colored in Illustrator, I realized that it was much more than the peacock, but part of a childhood memory. The initial colorization looked distincly like a ceramic bird I'd painted for my grandparents when I was a child. I saw that bird on their shelf every time I went to their house, and was so very proud to have it displayed. My mother now keeps it at her house. To me it symbolized the love and warmth I received from my grandparents. The rest of the line developed as an imagined world surrounding the peacock with pops of my favorite colors, blooms of all sorts and a really fun text print that I can't wait to use. I dedicate this line to my grandparents, Millie and Danny, who I miss dearly and who influenced my life profoundly.

Below, the initial sketch for the peacock design which was scanned and colored in Illustrator.

The ceramic bird that I painted at around age 8 for my grandparents with the initial coloration for the peacock. I think what stands out to me is the orangey red color with the green and the way the feathers look scaled. Sorry for the blurry picture... my mom took it late at night. Can you see I gave her eyelashes? That cracks me up.

PS... Is there one print anyone recognizes??? Say possibly from my very first fabric line in 2009???

(Order Petal and Plume from Art Gallery Fabrics for December delivery)

Paint

Paint

I've told you just how much I love to paint. I would most seriously paint day and night if I could. It has brought me to such a happy place with my creating. For this reason, I'm SO excited to tell you that I have licensed my paintings as well as designs that were originally created for textiles, to METcolors for canvas wall art. Shops, you will now be able to purchase wholesale from them! And hopefully, we will be seeing my pieces in stores very soon! This includes most of my paintings and so much more. Be sure to contact [email protected] for access to their catalog. Meanwhile... originals of my works are available on my website. This one will be uploaded tomorrow when the scan comes back.

In other news, I went ahead and made a piece for the Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search... likely just because I liked the brief! The theme was "little terrariums" so I figured that to be just right up my alley! I did this in oil paint on an old board my husband found in the garage, and then I added the writing and other layers in photoshop.

 

Tomorrow the results are posted for the top 50 pieces in the contest.

I feel very happy when I look at this, and was even happier creating it. As some of you may have seen me post on Instagram and Facebook, I really truly believe that that is the most important thing. There were 999 entrants in this contest. That means 949 great pieces of art will go unrecognized. And there is just so much fantastic talent out there. I hope that each and every one of you feels good no matter what the results are. Remember, there are so many other routes to getting your art seen and licensed! I know this for a fact! Lots of hugs to all of you beautiful wonderful artists.

Emmy Grace Fabric Project and Product Round-up

Emmy Grace Fabric Project Round-up ... From around the world!

So... whooooaaaa! There has been a TON of stuff made in Emmy Grace since it shipped in June. Thank you SO much for using and enjoying this fabric line... sorta' v'klempt thinking about it. THANK YOU!

To be featured, post on instagram and tag #emmygracefabric or post it on my Facebook page.

Here goes...

First, Violette Field Threads patterns has made thier newest patterns using Emmy Grace cottons and knits. Shazam!!! That top is to die for! They really get how to use these prints!

Sara from Sew Sweetness made two dresses from Emmy Grace voiles:

 

 

Sew Caroline has a free Kimono pattern made using Emmy Grace voile:

Tonic Australia is making bags using Emmy Grace:

 

Awesome bags by Gandre:

Jemellia made this McKenzie coat from my pattern for me for Quilt Market

 

And the instagram round up! Keep scrolling down! If you want your Emmy Grace project featured, tag it #emmygracefabric for me to find it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knits!

 

 

 

 

@sewbeeitclothier made a bunch of my patterns for quilt market.... I'll be doing a separate post with all of these beauties.

 

 

 

 

Knits!

 

 

KNITS!

 

 

Nuvango Device Covers and More!

New device cases and skins on Nuvango

Nuvango, formerly Gelaskins, now has a great selection of my art available on cases and skins for all of your devices. They have great products for iphones, ipads, Samsung and more. I have uploaded all of the Emmy Grace prints, and I think you are really going to like these. Please let me know of any special requests you have for any of my prints from past and current fabric lines as well as canvas art. 

 

Wallternatives!

Wallternatives!

I'm so proud and excited to announce that Wallternatives has launched wallpaper with my designs. This wallpaper is removable and reusable! I cannot wait to get this stuff up on my walls. Wall decals with my designs are also forthcoming. I can't wait. They've got big things up their sleeves over there that you guys are going to just love!

 

Painting, Painting and More Painting

Painting, Painting and More Painting

Hi there. I'm sorry I haven't posted in so very long. Since Surtex I've been very busy following up on leads and creating new art. I've found that my paintings are a good thing for my business, and have gotten a lot of traction in the direction of wall art licenses, so I'm concentrating on that. I also am putting the final touches my Fall 2014 fabric line, am involved in a really cool online sewing adventure that you'll hear about very soon, I'm sewing my daughter's college quilt and playing with the new Emmy Grace Fabric knits which are GORGEOUS if you haven't seen them yet. I also did a free handbag pattern for Sew Mama Sew, that is a lot of fun and I hope you make! On the homefront, we just re-tiled the kitchen and as soon as I get it put back together (it's a mess right now) I'll show you pictures of that. My husband did it himself, which IMHO is pretty impressive.

If you've seen my Instagram feed, you've seen a lot of my paintings, but I thought I'd do a show and tell here as well. I'm having all of these scanned, and then the originals will be available. Some will be licensed and available as prints that way, the others I will be offering as prints soon on my website. I'd love to know which your favorites are. All are acrylic on canvas, most around 24"

 

SURTEX Re-Cap Part Two

 Surtex re-cap, Part Two: What I've learned

Now, that I've decompressed a bit, I've had a chance to think a bit about the show... what I did well, what I might improve upon. If you are planning on doing Surtex, these are my first-timer tips.

1. PLAN SHIPPING WISELY. The first thing that I can improve upon is my shipping to Surtex planning. If I could do it over (and hopefully I will next year), I would ship to the advance warehouse instead of trying to ship directly to the show. You see, if you choose to ship directly to the show, you have to get your boxes there the day of move-in or the second day of move-in. If they arrive before, they'll be sent back to the shipper's nearest center. I decided to go that route, but when I got to the UPS store with my labeled boxes, I was warned that if I don't send 3day, I risk not having my boxes at all for the show. A one day delay between AZ and NY would have meant they'd arrive on a Saturday and UPS wouldn't deliver. I thus, decided to send the boxes 3day to my hotel. But the issue then was how in the world was I going to get my boxes from the hotel to the convention center? CABS?? OMG. No. I could have. And I understand people do, but OMG. No. Thank goodness for my friend Liz. She and her husband, Doug saved my butt! Not only did she bring furniture from IKEA, but they DROVE into NYC and helped us get our boxes from hotel to convention center. I was also really grateful Super Husband was with me. I could have done it myself, I'm sure. I've been there done that with Quilt Market, but was so happy to have his help.

2. SEND PROMO POSTCARDS TO POTENTIAL CLIENTS IN ADVANCE. I did this. It was a great success. Many of the people I sent cards to stopped by, and I likely have some great new business because of this. Remember to put your booth number on your card. Also... if you are making oversized cards, do check the USPS website for the regulations that show you where addresses, stamps and return addresses should go. They put a sticker on every post card at the bottom as it comes through, so you'll need to not put content in the bottom 1/4". But check out the their site for all the details.

3. ARRIVAL DAY. I did not need to get there Thursday night to set up on Friday. I could have arrived Friday afternoon and set up Saturday. It doesn't take as long to set up as Quilt Market does.

4. BOOTH DESIGN. I personally think this was something that I did really well. The booth really stood out. I knew I'd have that peacock low on the banner, and that it would need to really pop. So getting an IKEA coffee table, though it was a little more expensive (I spent $100 on furniture) really worked for what I was trying to acheive. I needed to have a good site line to that peacock as it was really central to the design. AND, having the booth look like a living room made people turn and stop to see all the details closer. Additionally, I made sure to have a good variety of art displayed. I even hung original paintings which I was actually advised not to do, but I ignored. But I'll tell you what... they got a lot of attention and I will likely have some great new contracts because of that... I MIGHT however make prints on canvas of them next time as I was a little worried about  shipping originals. 

5. PORTFOLIOS. This time I did portfolio books printed by BLURB. I liked them even though the color was a bit off. Next time I might do large printed sheets instead though. I think the larger format might work better for what I do. Think about what kind of art you are presenting. Mine might have been better larger.

6. PRESS KIT/LOOKBOOK. I think this was really really important. I had lots of info about my company and it gives a really good feel for who I am. I printed 50 of them, and I wish I had given more away at the show. I could have. I'm glad I didn't write SURTEX or my booth number anywhere on them because I am shipping leftovers to other potential clients. You can see my lookbook here. 

 

 

 

Surtex Re-Cap

SURTEX 2014 Re-Cap

I'm back! What a whirlwind! I had a great time at SURTEX, many connections were made, and there's now lots and lots of follow-up work to be done, but I believe I can call it all a great success. The bonus was meeting lots of wonderful people I've wanted to meet for years and many new friends as well! Below lots of photos of my booth. 

We aren't allowed to take photos of other people's booths like at quilt market, but if you google surtex you'll find many more.

The Truth is, I like Crazy Town.

The Truth is, I like Crazy Town.

My mom used to say, "I thrive on chaos". It was her explanation for having four children, I think. All these years, I've thought she was slightly nutty in that regard, but I have to admit... the excitement of having lots going on at one time, I think I do thrive on that. Maybe not chaos exactly, but having lots to do. Never a dull moment. That kind of living.

Right now, I may just be right in my element. As you know, I'm preparing for both Surtex and Quilt Market (photo above, a bag I just finished for quilt market from Emmy Grace fabric, and the photo below, brochures/lookbook for Surtex). They happen simultaneously in two weeks, and everything must ship by Thursday. I'll be going to Surtex, but I still have a partial booth that I'm sewing for and will be shipping items to Pittsburg. Meanwhile, we are throwing a big birthday party for my mom next weekend and my siblings are all going to be in town. The party is at our house. The night before mother's day. No worries. I got this. (cringes)

But there's also been other big excitement here... This past week, I was very happy to welcome a photographer for Where Women Create into my home to take photos for the November issue. While this was loads of fun, I couldn't be more excited for the issue, and I feel really really lucky to be part of it ... the timing? Well? It was slightly not fantastic for me. I'd have preferred June maybe? But when Where Women Creates wants to take photos for an issue, you just don't say no to that! It's something I've wanted to do for years. The original Where Women Creates book was published in 2005. I bought a copy, and have dreamed about it since then. This was big for me. I got the studio all cleaned up and Super Husband was nagged into doing a little light painting in here. 

There was lots I wanted to do to the house, but at some point, I just finally ran out of time. I did manage to make slipcovers for the chairs in the living room which we didn't really take many photos of in the end. But I really had to make the slipcovers anyways because prior to knowing about the photoshoot, I'd taken apart one of two of the covers to make a pattern for new ones and so I had two mis-matched chairs. The process of creating the covers needs to be a post all on it's own, but I can tell you that I'd have been better off creating covers from scratch rather than trying to use the old cover as a pattern. That was a total pain in the butt. Now I have to make new gray linen pillows for the sofa to pull the room together, but let's do that in June, shall we?

 

In other news, my 18 year old daughter, Anna, graduates high school the day after we get back from New York, so please pray for no flight delays on the way home! I'm doubting I'll post until we get back, so I'll see you after this is all over! Cross your fingers for me!!! 

Creativity Takes Courage with Jeanne Oliver

Creativity Takes Courage with Jeanne Oliver    

Hi there. It's a busy week in this studio. All of the portfolio pieces, brochures etc for Surtex need to go to print, I just got back from a teaching gig a couple hours away, I'm sewing for quilt market and I'm readying the space for something very special to take place next week. I feel like a slightly crazy person. Maybe more than slightly, but it's all good. I can't complain... I am likely the creator of all my craziness.

Today I'm excited to share something with you. Last week, I was interviewed by someone I greatly respect. Jeanne Oliver is a homeschooling mom, an artist and a designer of clothing and jewelry PLUS she runs a free "Creative Network" which offers videos and education series. I was interviewed for her series "Creativity Takes Courage"... a statement that I heartily agree with! I hope you will go take a look. Jeanne is a joy to talk to. After 30 minutes I felt like I knew her forever. Hugs, Jeanne. And thank you!