Snowpeastudio

Little Valentine Monster

2012-01-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

The Popcorn Factory has introduced a Valentine version of my Little Monster (see below). Boxes and tins of delicous snacks, some of them with a plushie Fun Pal. You can get them here.

Little Monster Lives!

2012-01-03T13:27:00.001-08:00

In May, I was delighted to win a LOUIE award for the greeting card I did with Great Arrow Graphics. It won an award for Best Children's Birthday Card of 2010. Now the monster character has been turned into packaging for gourmet food products for The Popcorn Factory. They even created an awesome plushie. Don't you have a Little Monster who would like a tin of popcorn, pretzels and chocolate? You can shop here.

Holiday Product Roundup

2011-11-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

This time of year, I like to go into New York and walk around the stores, looking for my products on the shelves. I usually don't know what stores carry them, so it's always a surprise. This is a really fun aspect of my job, getting to see the final product on the shelves. First stop, Macy's 34th street. Nothing like going to their Christmas section to get into the mood....

In Macy's, I found my NOEL boxed cards from Design Design, Inc. They are a part of my Graphic Ornaments collection that is out this year.

In Papyrus I found my diecut snowflake trio card.

This year, The Container Store is carrying not just ONE, but TWO of my designs. Shots from my Graphic Ornaments collection:

And also The Container Store was selling a wall of my Birthday Tweets goods:

I found more of my cards in several shops I went in. My gorgeous foil snowflake card:

and my HOPE card.....

and last but not least, saw several sightings of my best-selling "Santa's Servers®" napkins and coasters.

Since I spend about six months of the year designing for Christmas, it's great to see everything finally on the shelves! Whew!

Thankful for So Much

2011-11-15T04:50:00.001-08:00

It's hard to feel in the fall spirit when it is 65 degrees out and our maples are still green! But it's definitely that time of year again, and I'm thankful for so many things in my life. Not the least of which is being able to do something for work which I also love. Here's my Thanksgiving Turkey from Great Arrow, makers of beautiful hand-silkscreened cards.

Spooky Halloween Cards

2011-10-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

It's not too late to send a Halloween Card! I have a nice selection out this year with Design Design Inc! They are really fun cards to draw, and a fast-growing segment of the market!

First Products for the A&A Collection

2011-09-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

Recently Snowpea Studio launched a collection of artwork, in a completely new style. This style is a collaboration between me and my mom, Ardys, who is an inspired pen-and-ink artist. This collection is a nice balance to the contemporary designs that I do, and we have been receiving quite a bit of interest from the manufacturing community.

So this month, we are excited to receive samples of our first debut collection of tableware, done with Creative Converting, called "Autumn Art". I am so pleased with the reproduction quality, the pen-and-ink lines are sharp and gorgeous, and the whole set is done in warm tones of mocha, orange and cream. It will be in stores across the country.

Lobstah Love

2011-08-05T12:56:00.001-07:00

I wait all year for a summertime trip to the Ocean just so I can eat a couple of Lobster Rolls! Turned out our weekend trip to the Newport Folk Festival was thwarted by being sold out in advance for THE FIRST TIME EVER, so we made the best of it by hitting the beaches in Narragansett, RI.

Here is the perfect lobster roll, from Captain Jack's outside Matunuck State Beach entrance. Lightly toasted hot dog bun. Big thick chunks of lobster tossed with just a TOUCH of mayo. The celery is controversial, I prefer without it. Best eaten wearing bathing suit and flip-flops. This was the first of three rolls I ate over the coming days.... I feel much better now.

Summer Fruit from a Master Glass Artist

2011-07-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

I first saw Elizabeth Johnson's work several years ago, and fell in love with her stunning berry jewelry. I wanted to write a little piece on it, because I find myself returning to stare at it again and again as she grows her collection. As someone who collects glass and appreciates its qualities, I am so impressed with her understanding and sensitive handling of the medium.

One of the first things I purchased was a pair of perfect blueberry earrings. The surface is exactly like that of a blueberry, only better.

My second purchase was this amazing raspberry, shockingly realistic, combined with olive-green crystals. But personally, I think her tour de force is her gooseberries. They are unbelievable, with seeds visible within.

Elizabeth creates all these miniature glass sculptures in her flameworking studio in Colorado. She says, "My work in glass is an attempt to capture parts of the miniature worlds present in nature, and to freeze them in time so that they can be held in the hands, observed closely, and enjoyed over and over again." Her work has appeared in galleries all over the country, and has been featured on the cover of Glass Craftsman Magazine.

As she is diving more and more into custom work (yes, you can work with her to create your own berry creation), some of her creations boggle the mind for their delicate beauty.

Please visit Elizabeth's website to see all her jewelry or to place orders. I can't stop looking!

Won a Louie Award!

2011-05-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to have won another LOUIE Award, which is the Greeting Card Association's annual award. I won for Best Children's Birthday Card, $3.50 and below. I did this card with Great Arrow Graphics, you can see it on their website here.

Surtex has come and gone and now comes the business of doing all the follow-up with potential new clients. It's just as much work after the show as preparing for it! Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth to say hello, it was an encouraging show.

Exhibiting at Surtex, Booth 544!

2011-04-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again....I'm getting ready to exhibit at SURTEX at the Javitz Center in Manhattan. Portfolios are getting printed, posters getting made and new designs being created. I've been preparing all year for this show so New York here I come!

Not Everything is Created Equal

2011-03-29T14:13:00.001-07:00

These eggs were in my latest dozen from the local chicken farmer. The one on the end was so big it prevented the carton from closing, I saved it to eat last. All fun in life comes from the unexpected and the unusual.

I Love Green

2011-03-16T05:53:00.000-07:00

I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way.... except green is my favorite color so I can't resist it.

Why I Love New York

2011-01-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

This week, roses sprang up along the median on Park Avenue, through the snow. This installation is the work of artist Will Ryman, and goes along a 10-block stretch of the avenue. The blooms are made out of stainless steel and fiberglass and painted with boat paint. Check out the article here, this really cheered me up.

Love has its ups and downs

2011-01-24T05:43:00.001-08:00

Here's a new Valentine's Day card for Great Arrow:

Know what I mean?

Happy New Year

2011-01-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

A picture from the one of our first walks of the year... the Red Mill in Clinton NJ. What a beautiful spot and another part of the "hidden New Jersey" that I am fortunate to live in.

New Year, New Products

2011-01-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hit the ground running in 2011, and it promises to be a busy year!

The first two of my comfy accent pillows have come out, and the designs are Peace and Love, and Blue Crab with Lemons. Here they are with their matching accent rugs, all by Home Comfort. They are available at gift shops across the nation.

Fancy Flakes

2010-11-17T10:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a design of mine that is available at Papyrus this holiday season. I love the way they embellished the flakes, which are die-cut, mounted with jewels and backed with vellum. Hopefully a little different take on the traditional snowflake!

Customizable Holiday Photo Cards

2010-11-07T08:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some samples of my customizable Holiday Photo Cards -- all at Cardstore.com. I have cards for personal use as well as a line of business holiday cards. Write your own text, and insert your own photo, it's simple, all online!

You can see more of my designs here, on Cardstore.com, a great site to get holiday cards and other types of greeting cards.

My New Toy

2010-10-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a giant crate that arrived by FedEx the other day...with the delivery guy cursing me because it weighed 124 pounds!

I've been looking forward to getting this box for a long time, and today I got to open it up:

It's a tabletop printing press! My mother-in-law has done her own typesetting and printing for years, under the name Gray Goose Press. She didn't want this press any more, and now it's mine! I can't wait to learn about it and start making beautiful letterpress images. This one's the perfect size for making cards. I can't wait.

It's BOO time

2010-10-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

For Halloween, here's my spinning googly-eyed spider BOO card. I love to create specialty cards, with die-cuts and moving parts, and I've had a great response from this one. It's available in stores across the country and online here.

Flying Burger Scarf

2010-08-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well I had to buy this silk scarf the other day at a consignment shop. The owner and I spent 10 minutes trying to figure out what these things are -- furry hamburgers? She said hats. My husband thinks they are Czechoslovakian chestnuts. Whatever they are, why are they blue inside? And what are those blue spots?

Decoration Committee

2010-08-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you get asked to be on the Decoration Committee, a job which I always have fun with! This time, it was for a Memorial Picnic in the park, celebrating the life and music of a friend of ours who passed away this year. CT Tucker was the leader of a band called the Blue Sparks from Hell, and in addition to being a great entertainer, he raised potbellied pigs and other animals.

Over the past week, 60 day-glo pigs were in production, and were destined to swing from the rafters of the party pavillion, along with giant banners featuring song names and phrases. All in all we had a great time, hundreds of people came, and the little piggies danced every time the wind blew!

Summer Designs

2010-07-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

This batch of designs is new this summer.... and they are on giftbags, rugs and flags. Makes me wanna go lay in the hammock...on the beach.

Love a Duck

2010-06-21T07:17:00.001-07:00

I love this duck's expression. It's exactly how I felt on my last birthday, stunned. He's one of a few new cards I've done with Great Arrow.

Rødgrød med Fløde

2010-06-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

I had some people over for a Danish breakfast, and one of the things I served was home-made Rodgrod med Flode, or red berry pudding with cream. Widely accepted to be the most difficult thing to pronounce in the Danish language, it sure tastes good, and here's a little step-by-step.

Take about 8 cups of berries... I used strawberries because they are in season here in NJ (so good, red ALL the way through), but the traditional fruits are red currant, raspberry and rhubarb.

Who can resist taking a moment to make a character out of the funniest berry?

Put the de-stemmed, cleaned berries in a big pot with some water, simmer for a while and smush down to get all the berry juice out.

Force the berries through a fine sieve to remove seeds, or squeeze in a cheesecloth bag. I get out most of the berries but like to leave some.

Add about 1/2 cup cornstarch and 3/4 cup sugar and cook until thickened, and mixture is beginning to bubble.

Transfer into one big bowl or individual serving bowls and chill. Serve with cream on top, I do slightly sweetened lightly whipped cream. It is the intense, luscous flavor of concentrated berries, and refreshing on a summer day.

Wow, having white appliances and counters is not an asset when making rodgrod!

LOUIE LOUIE

2010-05-18T05:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my Easter Sticker card won a Louie Award. The Louies are the recognition awards of the Greeting Card Association, and are given annually during the National Stationery Show. Thanks to my great manufacturer Design Design, Inc.!

SURTEX

2010-05-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

Surtex, the trade show for surface and textile design, is the trade show I usually exhibit in. Not this year though. I will be walking the show instead, meeting clients and friends. The show runs simultaneously with the National Stationery Show at the Javitz center in New York.

So I'm getting myself ready for walking, meeting and looking. I'll be excited to see new products of mine coming to market and will be looking for new potential clients. AND I'll be bringing two pairs of shoes for all the walking.

The image above is the ad that is running in the current issue of The Art of Licensing, which is available at the Surtex. See you after the show!

Lucky Bookworm

2010-04-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

I'm lucky to come from a family of book lovers. Recently I received a surprise package from my sister-in-law ... she was having trouble throwing some books away so sent them off to me. In the package were three children's books from the 50s, including this one by Ann and Paul Rand from 1957. Sparkle and Spin: A Book about Words.

Ann Rand wrote five children's books, four of which were illustrated by her husband. What genius, these words and images are as fresh today as they were when they were written.

Right up my alley, thank you.

Makes me so Hoppy

2010-04-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Easter, I'm so "hoppy" to learn that this greeting card of mine has been nominated for a LOUIE award! The Louies are the Oscars of the greeting card world, sponsored by the Greeting Card Association. The voting happens during the Stationery Show in May.

I've been doing some kids' sticker cards with Design Design, Inc, and this Easter Bunny one turned out especially nice. Decorate the eggs inside with the stickers! I wish I had a card like this when I was little.

Magic in the Woods: Part 2

2010-03-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

I have been posting a bit this winter about the thrill of finding the unexpected in the ordinary. Whether it's a red cardinal brightening up a winter landscape, or little gnome-houses planted on a walking trail, these are the reasons I continue to believe in wonder and the power of the imagination.

This past weekend I visited the deCordova museum in Lincoln Mass, and was absolutely delighted with the outdoor sculpture park, accessible any time of year. Here are some highlights:

Rain Gates, 2000, Ron Rudnicki

Bark Balls, 202, by Caroll Spack

The Musical Fence, 1980, Paul Matisse

A Mile from Any Neighbor from Walden, 1999, Christopher Frost

Cones, 2006, Ronald Gonzales

Surprise!

New Easter Collection

2010-03-01T10:37:00.001-08:00

Here is my new line of paper products and textiles, available now in stores across the country. Colorful Fun tableware is accented by the Funny Bunny products, all in time to cheer up your Spring parties.

Magic in the Woods

2010-02-11T13:50:00.001-08:00

So one day a couple of years ago I was walking on the rail-trail, alongside the river in back of my house.

I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye

I went closer... what IS that?

Are you kidding me? It's a little door on leather hinges!

Inside is a little troll, and a tupperware container with a note that says, "Take a trinket, leave a trinket". It was wonderful! Somebody had planted a little treat box for those who look for magic in the woods. Well since that day, our trail has turned into Troll Trail; according to the newspaper, there are now 15 troll houses in total. Last week I found two more of them.

I'm not going to open this last door and show you... you'll just have to come and discover the contents for yourself...

Love is Blue

2010-02-04T06:14:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy this week, I'll just post this new Valentine's Day card of mine from Great Arrow. Inside: "You make my heart sing!"

Will He or Won't He?

2010-02-01T11:07:00.001-08:00

I don't totally trust this guy. I mean, what is his M.O.? If it's sunny, he has to go back to sleep for another 6 weeks. If I were him I would lie and say there's no shadow so I could come out and play on a sunny day.

One of Those Weeks

2010-01-26T13:09:00.000-08:00

Too much happening. Too much to do, too much to think about, too many decisions to make. It's one of those overwhelming weeks.

Hidden Treasures

2010-01-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

Here in the Northeast, our snowy winters are the perfect time to explore the little-visited museums of our area. Recently we drove to Madison NJ, home of the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. What a gem! This lovely building was originally built as a library, and has vaulted ceilings, elaborate fireplaces, carved stone and wood detailing and a working Seth Thomas clock in the tower.

But the best part of the building is are the literary quotations that are in the stained glass windows, painted on the walls and carved into the fireplace mantles.

Isn't it wonderful when something like a little museum can lift you up on a winter day?

New Everyday Cards

2010-01-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

In designer language, "Everyday" is a category that refers to occasions or events that can happen any day of the year. Like birthdays, weddings, births, thank yous and the like. As opposed to occasions that are date-specific like St. Patrick's day and Christmas. Here are two new cards I did with Great Arrow, and they turned out beautifully! I love the rich smoothness of their hand-silkscreened cards, and the care they put into the craftsmanship. My Great Arrow cards are available here.

It's as Plain as Black and White

2009-12-31T06:56:00.000-08:00

Waving Goodbye to Christmas

2009-12-28T12:07:00.000-08:00

All Aboard!

2009-12-21T13:44:00.001-08:00

Halcyon Days Begin

2009-12-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

Halcyon Days are traditionally the two weeks around the Winter Solstice, this year beginning December 14, a time of prosperity and peace. The ancient Greeks believed this to be a period when the seas were calm enough to allow the Kingfisher (halcyon) to lie quietly afloat on its nest at sea. Here's to calm weather.

My Studio

2009-11-25T13:14:00.000-08:00

I am fortunate to have a space in this beautiful Italianate house in the small river town of Frenchtown, New Jersey. A former B&B, now a spa, there is a room on the second floor that is just right for me. I can have my computer table, my art table, and there's plenty of room left over for a sofa. Here's my space:

Frenchtown sits right on the Delaware River... with a beautiful walking path alongside. And my building sits right between a wine store and a cafe with good coffee... what else could I need?

Some chickens on the trail, maybe. For inspiration.

Green Greeting Cards

2009-11-09T06:01:00.000-08:00

These cards are part of Design Design's Green2 collection. Each card is made from Green-e certified paper that is process chlorine-free and acid-free. All cards, envelopes and boxes and labels are made from recycled paper, and the boxes are constructed without the use of glue. It's great to be a part of a conscientious design movement.

My boxed greeting cards are available here.

Halloween Etiquette

2009-10-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

I always panic about having enough candy on Halloween. This year, since it falls on a Saturday, I really don't know what to do. We live in a neighborhood that is "safe" to trick-or-treat in, and so families from other towns bring their kids over to ours. We could have 50 kids or 300, we never can tell. So I'm interested to find out how everyone distributes their candy -- do you let the kids take their own? Do you put the candy right in the bags for them? Do you tell them "take one" or "take two"? Or do you put a bowl of candy on the porch and go hide in the basement?

Flea Market Find #3: I Can Say No More

2009-10-20T13:55:00.001-07:00

This garage-sale find either needs no explanation or needs a lot of explanation. No I don't know what it smells like, the package is sealed (and will stay that way!)

Beware the Spinning Pumpkin Head

2009-10-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

It's the season for my spinning pumpkin head card by Design Design, Inc. They did a magnificent job producing the card, it's exactly as I envisioned it. WoooOOOOO! (click on image to get the spinning effect)

The Secret Life of Dioramas

2009-09-27T14:08:00.001-07:00

I discovered a new passion this past week while on vacation in British Columbia. I had left my camera at home and thus had to buy a new cheap one for use on the trip. We happened to visit the Museum of Miniatures in Victoria; it was filled with 80+ dioramas of scenes from history and fantasy. At the museum I started testing the camera's macro lens on some of the little objects in the scenes, and discovered what a different story they tell when looked at up close. Tiny little figures frozen in time and place, poetically posed, dusty and still.

What Are You Looking At?

2009-09-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

If you've ever been suspicious of those crows wandering around in your yard, you'll like my new Halloween card from Great Arrow. Great Arrow publishes gorgeous hand-silkscreened greeting cards that have a richness and saturation that cannot be replicated by standard lithography. You can read more about the company here. Hey and if you're inspired my card can be purchased online here.

Winter Whirl Collection

2009-08-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

It's late August, it must be time for Christmas! I'm so happy to announce the arrival of my Winter Whirl tabletop and giftwrap collection. This design is a contemporary take on a traditional holiday, available in plates, napkins, tissue, guest towels and more. All coming to an upscale store near you, and also available for purchase here.

MoMA Card and Ornaments

2009-08-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to announce that my Holiday card for the Museum of Modern Art in New York is now available! I am honored to be a part of their card program. The award-winning MoMA holiday card program has been in existence for more than a half century. Initially, the Museum invited artists whose work was represented in the collection to create original designs, including Alexander Calder, Henri Matisse, and Andy Warhol. They have expanded the program over the years to include images from MoMA's permanent collection as well as new designs by talented contemporary graphic artists, illustrators, and designers. In addition to my boxed Multicolored Snowflake, the museum has also made felt ornaments out of the design.

Flea Market Find #2: I Know You're Jealous...

2009-08-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

A commemorative plate of the New Jersey Turnpike! Yes! Construction of the 122-mile-long Turnpike took 2 years, from 1950 to 1952. Rest stops include: Woodrow Wilson, Walt Whitman, Thomas Edison and Alexander Hamilton. Simon and Garfunkel referenced it in the song, "America", Harold and Kumar speak of the Turnpike, and both Al Gore and Bruce Springsteen have traveled its byways. You yourself may one day "enjoy" a ride on one of the most heavily traveled highways in the U.S.

Autumn already!

2009-08-06T12:34:00.001-07:00

I'm not ready for Autumn yet, but I am excited to see these samples which arrived in the mail today. My Autumn Leaves garden flags available at a Lowe's near you!

Garlic Scapes

2009-07-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ok so I bought these at the farm market out of curiosity. Garlic scapes, apparently only available for a few weeks each year, are the stem from which the seed head of the bulb is formed. The scape grows, becoming loopy and floppy and delicious to eat. People use them in dips, pasta, soup, salads, you name it. The ones I bought here proved too tough to eat, sadly --notice how straight the stems are... and tough, woody :-(. But I did make a pesto out of the tenderest of them, with pine nuts, olive oil, parm and a few basil leaves, these scapes added the mildest and freshest garlic flavor I've ever had.

Kutztown Folk Festival

2009-07-18T13:37:00.001-07:00

Every year, we go to this Pennsylvania Dutch Festival in Kutztown, PA. It's not your normal summerfestival: it features traditional crafts, German Orators, Cloggers and a small farm engine demonstration tent. Here are some suggestions of cool things to do when you are there:

Have a Hickory Smoked Sausage and a Homemade Root Beer...

Eat some of the giant roast Ox (thankfully out of the picture)

Check out the staggering number of quilts in the Quilt Barn...

Try your hand at Wheat Weaving....

Or have your photo taken with this dude. What a blast!

Creative Problem Solving

2009-07-09T13:53:00.001-07:00

I'm a firm believer in the power of the imagination. Every problem has a solution, although it may not be apparent at first. Sometimes you have to really stretch your mind to see something in a different way. Take for example, a pig -- this view of the pig is ordinary. But what happens when you start to think about it from different angles?

Defending our Way of Life

2009-07-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

Spotted at the parade on the 4th...

Got the Blues

2009-06-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

It's that time again in New Jersey....Keep your eye on 'em, they won't last long!

Flea Market Find #1: The Eye of the Beholder

2009-06-20T12:41:00.001-07:00

Designers spend a lot of time staring at things. I mean, staring at them trying to figure out how they came to be the way they are. Thinking about the process of creation. Take this alarming little vase I found at a local flea market this weekend: Someone had to 1) CONCEIVE of this figure, 2) get it out of their mind by DRAWING it, 3) more people became involved as a sculpture and a mold had to be made from it, 4) yet others cast, glazed, fired, painted and gilded it, 5) someone put it in a box and others drove a truck taking it to a store where some nice person had to sell it to another nice person who looked at it for 4o years and finally got tired of it and had their daughter put it up for sale for $1 at the flea market so I could see it, laugh and buy it.

Now isn't that marvellous?

Favorite New Cards

2009-06-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

This new design of mine is available as blank boxed notes. I love how they turned out, they have glitter on them and are so fun. You can buy them here.

Where do ideas come from?

2009-06-12T08:30:00.001-07:00

My mother, who lives in Arizona, sent me this photo of an amazing Mesquite Bug that was found in her pool. They rescued it, dried it off and sent it on its way to dazzle someone else.

Mesquite Bug

Navajo Rug

Pueblo Jug

Bike Helmet

It's That Time of Year!

2009-06-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

This is my best-selling greeting card. I did it with Design Design, Inc in 2005 and it continues to sell well every year. The trick in designing greeting cards is to come up with an original take on a familiar subject, which frankly is not always that easy to do. This grad image would also make great gift bags or tableware. You can buy the card online here.

Green Eggs No Ham

2009-06-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! Snowpea Studio is my art and design business. Every week I'll be sharing my thoughts about design, my work, and my art discoveries.

I thought this photo would be an appropriate post for my first blog: new beginnings. We get our eggs from a local farm, and just look at the variety of colors and sizes we get! This week, as an extra bonus, the hens decided to give us a few GREEN eggs!