meredith cutler :: arts marketing :: artist

Yesterday wrapped as a "less-than-stellar" studio day for me; one of those days where every project I touched turned to dust between my fingers. Rather than torching my studio and giving up art forever, I chose to boost my morale by watching this video from Aardman Animations Ltd.

In times like these, I find that a good cartoon is usually the best remedy.

The sun is shining today, which must be nice for everyone who needs some airing out. For my part, this weekend I have been airing out my studio; digging through 10-gallon plastic bins of vintage stash and assembling all kinds of nifty supply packs for my Etsy vintage & supply outlet, crostini*VS.

Because once I get started on something I tend to explode with motivation, and grow a million extra arms like Avalokitesvara, I also banged out four new collectible, mixed-media collage pieces for Crostini designs and a materials study for a new alternative embroidery series that I've been working on.

Not bad for a Saturday. I hope that this steady flow of focused creative production continues, because April showers bring loads of deadlines for yours truly, and I like to make hay while the sun shines.

Tomorrow: stay tuned for a special Monday morning design pick and an announcement about Crostini at retail! 

I believe that you become a real grown-up when you start to willingly let go of the things you have been holding on to forever. Or, maybe I'm just a habitual stasher, finally running out of space! Either way, I'm happy to announce that I've officially opened my studio destash store on Etsy, called CROSTINI*VS:

My Hyde Park studio has been very patient with me over the last 8 years as I have slowly but surely loaded it up with stuff (i.e. every cool thing I find). Alas, I have come to terms with the fact that I will never use ALL of my vintage fabric, clothing and gift wrap finds, or my weaving yarn stash, or that wonderful glass jar full of mysterious gears! Various and delightful new goodies will be added weekly:

While you're perusing Etsy, don't forget to visit Crostini - the mama store, and home to my original jewelry, paper and mixed media designs. Click here for more info on Crostini designs.

We had some family business "up noath (north)" last night, so we decided to take the scenic drive up 95, to 93, to Storrow Drive, up JFK and down Mass Ave to catch the CitySampler: Boston release party at Spark Craft Studios. (If you are studio-less, Spark is a place to buy your supplies and work on your projects. I hear that on Friday nights, they give you wine to go with your projects. Fancy!)

To celebrate the wicked pissa-ness of Boston, our hometown, Crostini contributed some special, 2-color gocco prints and "Circolo" earrings. Although the initial batch of Boston CitySamplers sold out yesterday, Alison has made a few more available at the Sampler Shop. It's a wicked steal at only $18. Pick yours up today before they are all gone! (If you are lucky, you might get one of 30 limited edition prints of "It Came on a Grey Day" by Egg-a-go-go's Sarah Coyne.)

Considering the snow forecast, I decided to forgo a dangerous battle with Route 128 tomorrow in favor of today. So, I'm here in the studio, enjoying a chilly early evening in front of the huge window.

It's time to replenish Crostini Designs inventory, just in time for Valentine's Day and Saturday's upcoming release of the City Sampler: Boston. Here is a sneak peek at a couple of the tasty new pieces I'll be adding to the store over the next day or so:

Ciao!