Flora + Fauna
I decided it was high time for a new Black Apple postcard set, so I just sent this collection of 10 cards off to the printers yesterday.
Very excited! I'll let you know when they're here and packaged and available in the shop. Speaking of the shop, thank you for the dazzlingly (and almost frighteningly) good + fast update on Wednesday! Goodness gracious.
As usual, I am so sorry to anyone who really had their heart set on a painting or a doll but the truth is this: I just can't and don't wish to make a jillion dolls or paintings...I want to make a handful of both with regularity, and make them thoughtful and good. And above all, I want to continue to love making both, which for me, means not cranking out 10 dolls a day...because I would grow to resent their pretty little faces. So, I'm doing my best. I don't think there will ever be enough dolls, but there will always be a small gaggle of them available for each new update.
We really worked the whole day through yesterday, packing up the update orders...and it feel very good to know that (almost) all of them are starting their little journeys to their new homes this morning.
Our excellent friend Robert helped us take it all to the Post Office late last night, and I paid him in fries + feta from the diner.
Whew! Well, I've got a few things (fun and un-fun) on my plate for this afternoon, so I'll just leave you with a "Happy Weekend"!
Well said Emily! I understand the bit about quality over quantity. I have been lucky the last two time to get dolls, but I had been trying since July. So anyone who really wants something of yours will eventually get it. We all love your work and realize you aren't a machine; you're an awesome artist with a life :)
Happy Easter!
Posted by: Du Buh Du Designs (Dolls) | March 21, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Your originals and dolls are a beautiful rarity, as they should be. If you crank them out, they will most certainly lose those qualities.
Posted by: Sally | March 21, 2008 at 01:25 PM
That's some serious shipping action going on there. Congratulations on another successful shop update!
Posted by: Marilyn | March 21, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Yes,very well said! Lovin' the postcard set.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Carrie | March 21, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Am so excited about the postcard set!! Am sorry that you had to spend the first day of spring packing up orders. Am smiling at your words--i'd much rather miss out on getting one of your lovelies and know that you truly enjoy doing your work than to cause you to get to a point that you didn't want to make dolls or paint anymore. You're an inspiration for all of us to continue to do what we love--we're all of us blessed by you doing just that! :)
Posted by: readsy | March 21, 2008 at 01:57 PM
YAY a gaggle of my faves in a postcard pack! Can't wait until they're here :) I completely understand wanting to keep the love and creativity for what you do....I will always crave an original or dolly from you but if you cranked them out like candy they wouldn't be as special as they are so keep doing what you're doing :)
Thanks
Posted by: Susan | March 21, 2008 at 02:08 PM
oh, that postcard pack will prove too tempting for me, i'm sure! beautiful.
Posted by: kirsten | March 21, 2008 at 02:10 PM
omg, feta + fries at the grill? how i miss athens, sometimes. =)
Posted by: elizabeth | March 21, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Oh man I cry over that much packaging sometimes. I do all of it myself though and I wonder what it is you use for shipping prints. I've been sticking to mat board and shrink wrap for protection with a bubble mailer with extra cardboard but its proving to be a big hassle.
Posted by: Katie | March 21, 2008 at 02:22 PM
ANd that's why I feel so lucky to have been able to grab the Gosling and Cygnet painting, because I simply adore this one, but also because I know you are not a machine and that original paintings are not listed very often. I feel so lucky and happy! and well done on that postcards set! I shall order a set one day :)
Posted by: annejulie | March 21, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I love the new flora & fauna postcards! Perfect for spring. :) And I think it's awesome that you are not trying to mass-produce your art. Once you cross into that territory, it really stops being what etsy and etsy artists are about. Hope you are enjoying the second day of spring and are able to take a day off from the mailings! :)
Posted by: sarah | March 21, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I just ordered your "bonjour" pinset! I can't wait to get it!
Best of luck with your art!
Posted by: Dainty Deity | March 21, 2008 at 03:37 PM
The postcard pack is sure to be a hit! Congrats on another successful update! So fun to see that stuff fly of the shelves (literally!) Happy Weekend!
xoxo
Posted by: Morgan | March 21, 2008 at 05:26 PM
I really love your work!! And the dollies...I'll keep my eye out for some more...my oldest daughter (now 5) could be an insipiration...she even wears glasses...do you ever do custom portraits??
Posted by: Sophie | March 21, 2008 at 05:27 PM
...I agree so much with the other comments.
Please don't ever change, we love you the way you are and not a massed produced artist.
I too would really like to get lucky and hang one of your girls in my home.
But I will, like others, wait :)
I am always so excited to see whats coming up in your "updates".
It keeps it interesting :)
Your one smart-cookie miss.emily!
~Enjoy your weekend!
and
~Happy Easter!
<3 michelle.friend
ps. cant wait for the dollies :D
Posted by: michelle friend | March 21, 2008 at 06:20 PM
?
Posted by: miss.michelle | March 21, 2008 at 06:22 PM
"fries & feta"???? I am so curious.
I finally got to sit and watch your Martha segment (all by myself and a cup of tea) a few days ago and you were wonderful. Very bright and confident and beautiful.
Keep doing what you are doing, however it is that YOU want to do it. I am always very impressed and inspired. Really. Truly.
I am definitely ordering those postcards!!
Posted by: Danette | March 21, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I can't wait to get the Terrarium painting. I couldn't believe my luck when I actually got it. I had told my husband about it a few days before the update and showed it to him on your blog. He knew I wanted it really bad when I told him that I couldn't go on a hike until after 2:00. I really still didn't believe I had actually managed to purchase it until I got the confirmation e-mail. I felt like Gollum with my "precious" little painting. Now it's all mine, mine, mine. I already have a space for it right above my desk, so I can see it all the time. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Posted by: Kathy Hardy | March 21, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Shipping them out almost makes you wish you had a tiny camera following them on their journey, doesn't it?
Posted by: Lauren | March 21, 2008 at 08:46 PM
oooh fries & feta?!?!
Posted by: kat | March 21, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I think you are very smart to pace yourself and just enjoy it. I am at work during most of your updates, and am thusly very glad that I can make my own Martha doll from the show! Keep on keep'n on...that's why we all come back!
Happy Easter!
Posted by: Jane | March 21, 2008 at 11:15 PM
The fact that you spend your time making these wonderful dolls makes them all the more special. I appreciate all of your wonderful creations and I'm glad the dollies are going to good homes where they'll be loved!
Posted by: Cristina | March 21, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Yes, what an amazing store update it was yesterday! I always find it so impressive how well your business is going. Great job, Emily! You're so efficient with sending packages out too!!!
Posted by: Marie | March 22, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!! such cool stuff you have! really congratulations that's what I call a success!!!!
visit me
www.caracarmina.etsy.com
you are really terrific!
Posted by: Pajara Pinta | March 22, 2008 at 02:03 AM
Emily ... you are far too much of an inspiration and so young too.
I totally agree with the creative balance that you have and that churning out your dolls (even though the HUGE demand is there) is not the way to go about things and like you say creating just a few makes you love everyone and then that shows in the final product that you create.
Your work is such a joy and when I have 5 minutes (as things are soooo hectic here) I am going to sit and choose which one of your prints (my first ... and not last) that I will buy and treasure.
I love reading your blog and it gives me a spring in my step to know that there is someone out there that loves creating just as much as me.
You are heading (not that you are not already nearly there) for HUGE things and I know that you will never forget the little things that gave you so much joy and got you there in the first place.
The cash is a bonus but it is the little things in life that keep us grounded (as you know)... like when I was little I used to make things at my grandmothers and feel so happy and safe ... and I still do
Keep smiling, creating and growing.
Have a great Easter
dommie
Posted by: dommie | March 22, 2008 at 03:51 AM