somavenus

2011 Recap - One of my favorite years!!!

2012-01-01T17:24:00.000-08:00

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love. -Rumi"

2011 was a leap of faith for me - after leaving a job I had held for 4 years to follow my true bliss. I was determined to have one of the best years of my life, and to listen to my heart, trust my gut and follow my dreams. It was time to nurture my soul that had been damaged from a job that left me drained sad and depressed most days. I became more in tune with who I am, what makes me happy, and how much my attitude affects everything. I focused on being as positive as I could be, and it's amazing to see and feel my life change! I have manifested so many amazing things into my life - I feel immensely blessed and fortunate and am SO excited to see what 2012 has in store for me!
some highlights from this year in no particular order!:

Feeding my soul with lots of face time with the sweet Pacific Ocean! This is where I thrive, where my heart sings, and where I feel most complete. I spent as much time as I could taking random road trips west. I took an art retreat by myself with a pile of cameras, vintage ephemera for collaging, and books to sew while overlooking the ocean - it was amazing!

I found a secret beach this year that I almost always had all to myself even in the busiest summer months. I would have picnics with the sea lions and the eagles <3 I also had my first overnight stay in a yurt! Sleeping with stars above me and listening to the waves and barking sea lions at night was so peaceful :)

2011 held lots of successes with my crafty endeavors such as:

Featured in Etsy's Quit Your Day Job
BINGO books featured in the UK magazine 3D Artist
Had my first "big customer" - NBC purchased a big lot of BINGO books to use for their Green is Universal campaign
Interviewed for the site Retail Me Not
Featured in the Oregonian (RadCat Cat Toys!)

I also started volunteering as a photographer and pet finder bio writer for the Cat Adoption Team! It has been such a rewarding experience, and is great practice for my RadCat Cat Photography (http://www.radcatpdx.com)! I was also asked to be one of their Professional Photographers for next years Cat Calendar!!!

In October of 2011, I landed a dream job of becoming the artist assistant for the amazingly talented Katie Daisy!!!! I have followed her work for such a long time, and was thrilled to see she had moved to Portland and was looking for an assistant! She has also become one of my best friends! :)

Fresh Woods by thewheatfield

Finally my favorite part of 2011 is having my twin sister on the same coast! We took a cross country road trip from New York to Oregon in early August to move her out here for good!

This has to be one of my favorite years to date! I am so excited to see what 2012 has in store for me - and wanted to end this with a big THANK YOU to all of my family, friends and fans for supporting me! I love you all so much :)

xoxo,
me :)

eeeee!

2011-04-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

now I will wait in suspense to see if my BINGO books are published @ LUCKY Mag :) cross your fingers for me!

xoxo :D

Crafty Wonderland! Come Say Hello!!

2011-04-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

Crafty Wonderland is almost here!!! Come say hello next Saturday May 7th 11am-6pm at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland Oregon! I will be in booth #162! I will have new items available that you'll see there first!! Can't wait to see your faces :)

Come on down to booth #162 where I'll be hanging out :)

xoxo,

Soma!

25% OFF SALE!

2011-03-17T16:15:00.001-07:00

Hello lovelies!!

I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you!!! I heart my fans and want to offer a special sale! 25% OFF everything in the shop! Now until ?? Enjoy!!!

xoxo,
soma!

ahhh Art Retreat at the Oregon Coast!

2011-03-13T19:35:00.001-07:00

It's been quiet over here in Soma Venus land! I have been putting a lot of my time and energy into starting my pet photography business Rad Cat! You can become a fan over here :)

I've been behind on making sketchbooks because of this, so I decided to take a much needed art retreat to my favorite place on the Oregon coast. No distractions just the amazing views and the sounds of crashing waves, sea lions and seagulls. P E R F E C T!

I absolutely love heading out on road trips by myself. I live completely in the moment and feel 100% in my element when I'm on an adventure! The drive to the coast is amazing - once getting out of the city traffic and off the freeways. It's an hour and 20 minute drive through farm lands and dirt roads on each side. It reminds me of home back in upstate New York. Eventually the farm lands turn into mountains and forests. I have many secret hiding spots along the way - waterfalls, hiking trails - just places to take a break, stretch my legs and photograph the mossy green trees.

When I get to Tillamook I always have to make a pit stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for some cheese curds!

Then it was off to my usual stomping grounds on the coast - Cape Meares Lighthouse, The Octopus tree, Oceanside. I absolutely love how lush and green Oregon is even in winter!

the small town I stayed in:

The best part of the mini art retreat was of course making art! I set up shop on a big table in my hotel room (which felt more like a studio apartment than a hotel) with a pile of books to sew and ephemera to collage with!

My view was spectacular - I spent my Saturday morning snuggled in blankets on the bed listening to the rain, waves, sea lions bark and seagulls! I worked on art until I had to check out at 11am.. it was so hard to leave!

I left feeling inspired and looking forward to the next time I can say hello to the ocean! One day I will live out there! It completely calms and soothes my soul and fills me with so much happiness and inspiration! I love you sweet pacific! Can't wait to visit with my twin when she's here next month visiting from New York!

How was your weekend, friends?

xo,
soma!

What are you making today?

2011-02-21T12:32:00.001-08:00

Happy Monday!

I would love to see what everyone is crafting today :D I'm busy making 200 (!) vintage matchbook notepads :) - half to go to a Conference in Australia, and the rest to send to a few shops in my hometown of Portland Oregon!

Star had to get in on the photo opportunity - he's turning into such a ham lately!

Happy Creating!
xoxo,
SOMA!

Celebrating Life

2011-02-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

(oops.. meant to post this on 2/10/11! bad blogger!)

Yesterday I set off on an adventure to the Oregon Coast. It would have been my moms 56th birthday, and I wanted to celebrate her life. She taught me to follow my heart and do what I love! I adventured out to Tillamook Oregon to the Tillamook Cheese Factory to get my fix of squeaky cheese (cheese curds)!! Tillamook is a quaint farm town just outside the Oregon Coast.

With cheese in tow, i then headed to Oceanside Oregon to one of my favorite new secret hiding spots that overlooks the entire small sea town of Oceanside.

It was so peaceful up here, and I could hear the sea lions barking up a storm :)

Then it was off to Cape Meares to see the lighthouse (one of my mom's favorite things) and to watch a spectacular sunset :)

I am filled with so much inspiration when I drive out to the coast! This trip took me over 3 hours because I would stop every few miles to photograph something (sorry to everyone who was behind me and had to experience my quick pull offs along the mountains!). You can see the entire collection of photographs on my Flickr, here!

Being a new blogger, I'm still trying to choose a direction with this blog (and to be a regular poster!) - thinking of posting about how I make books (will be making a tutorial soon!), my favorite artists, and things that inspire me... what would you like to see??

thanks for reading :)
xoxo,
soma!

my big secret...

2011-02-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

remember last post i told you about a HUGE secret? :D

I am honored and proud and at a loss for words at how excited I am to be this weeks featured seller on Quit Your Day Job!!

You can read the full interview here:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/quit-your-day-job-somavenus-12016

xoxo!

dusting off the blog!

2011-01-30T15:35:00.001-08:00

hello friends!

wow has it really been since JULY that i said hello?! so much has happened since then!!
the biggest news being I quit my day job to be a full time artist! woohoo! i will have so much time to make new products, branch out into new product lines, participate in shows (portland saturday market??), and most importantly BE HAPPY :D

i have lots of new products since i last posted, so be sure to check out my shop :)

more big news - i moved to Portland (from the 'burbs of portland) in October! I absolutely love my new place. It's this cute charming apartment built in the 1940's with lots of character. I finally got around to posting pictures of it here on my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/somavenus/sets/72157625939907092/

i launched a new line of prints as well as cassette tape books as well! I have so many ideas running through my head - and i have to say one of my favorite things about being self employed is that i can take off on a road trip photo adventure whenever i please!! Check out the photos from my last photo adventure here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/somavenus/sets/72157625941698624/ and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/somavenus/sets/72157625816366617/

whew! and i haven't shared the BIGGEST news! I will share that next week ;) I hope that you're all well, and please stick around, because i promise to be a frequent blogger now that i have time :)

latest photo adventure.. i have a knack for finding the most amazing secret hiding spots!! looking out at the dear pacific ocean on the Oregon Coast!

xoxo,
soma!

mail art & book making in the woods = ♥!

2010-07-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

ahhhhhhhh :) ♥

making a new line of books that will soon be in my etsy shop! The book above has just been listed here

i will be using photographs taken from last weekends road trip to wherever :) i couldn't have been lost in a more beautiful area. one of my favorite things to do is just drive around aimlessly to get lost, and my awesome sense of direction always seems to get me back home. the old farm lands give me inspiration and make me think of my old home in upstate new york ♥

off to go sew some more books :) i hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of july!

hey hi hello!

2010-06-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

trying to show off new hair and glasses - failed attempt. pook was being a grumpy pants.

i tried a new portrait with a new cat. fail #2. star wouldn't stop biting my wrist

hey hi hello! how are you friends? i'm super excited for this coming week -- wednesday - friday is Hello Craft's 2nd Summit of Awesome!!!! I am SO EXCITED TO GO TO THIS!!!! it happens to be in Portland this year. I get to meet a bunch of my crafty idols and take a ton of classes about running a crafty business! DUDES. it's gonna be amazing. yes yes yes.

and speaking of craftiness -- here's the newest item in my shop!

Vintage Matchbook Notepads! check it out..

i sell them in packs of 4 here. hello awesome!!

xoxo,
s♥ma!

2010-05-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

clouds ♥

2010-05-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

2010-05-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

hey hi hello friends!

it's been so long since i've said hello! i'm jumping back on the blog train :)

Crafty Wonderland was so much fun! It was so inspiring to be in a room filled with so many creative people. Portland is such a magnet for insane talent! For my first show i think i did pretty well :)

if you stopped by during Crafty Wonderland, say hello!

xoxo,
soma!

CRAFTY WONDERLAND!

2010-03-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

hey hi hello!

I'm super excited to announce that I was selected out of over 400 applicants to be in the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale!!!!

I've never done a show before, and this one is BIG (expecting over 6,000 visitors). I'm nervous but I think I'm ready for it -- now it's all about building up my inventory to be ready for the show on May 1st and 2nd.

If you're in the Portland area I'd love to see your face!

http://www.craftywonderland.com!

Business Cards!

2010-02-25T13:26:00.000-08:00

Finally! I have put off making business cards for way too long (2+ years!) .. i don't know why i procrastinated so long! These cards were designed by me (the front is a closeup of one of my marquee sign books) and printed over at gotprint.com. i highly recommend them!

FRONT:

BACK:

King and Queen of Hearts Books!

2010-01-30T20:31:00.003-08:00

Just in time for Valentine's day! I'm completely in love with these new books I've created!

they're both available here:
King of Hearts
Queen of Hearts

xoxo,
soma!

TTV Adventures!

2010-01-27T22:51:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends!

Eeek sorry it's been a month since i last said hello!

I've been playing around with TTV (through the viewfinder) photography and wanted to share some of the eye candy with you :)

I'm also working on a bunch of different book series to list in the shop shortly!

soma + martha stewart!

2009-11-29T19:13:00.000-08:00

(!!!!)
This morning I discovered I am featured on Martha Stewart!!!!!! Still shocked and speechless :)

see here:
http://gifts.marthastewart.com

xoxo,
soma!

BLACK FRIDAY SALE!

2009-11-27T00:31:00.001-08:00

catch 15% off everything in the shop!

Etsy
Buy Handmade
somavenus

Tender Loving Empire! (and new hair ♥)

2009-11-20T22:27:00.000-08:00

If you're in Portland you should go see my bingo books at Tender Loving Empire!

look! there's even one in the storefront display!

also...
no more pink :P

and a failed attempt at a family portrait with sleepy pook.

back to the day job tomorrow - what are you up to this weekend?

xoxo,
soma :)

!! I have a camera again!!

2009-11-20T01:32:00.003-08:00

my lovely twin sister (who lives on the other side of the country) sent me an early christmas present...

weeeee!!! so very exciting! the ocean ate my old point n shoot last january so it's been almost a year without one. (i've been lucky to have been able to borrow friends cameras for shop photos!)

one of my first test shots.. just using automatic mode:

eeee so so so exciting! I have a lot to learn and can't wait to redo my entire shops photos.

(and maybe now i'll be better at updating this blog!!)

xoxo,
soma!

Weekend Deals!! 10/23-10/25

2009-10-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

I am so excited to announce I'm currently featured in Etsy's Weekend Deals! Enjoy 10% off your purchase starting Friday 10/23 and ending at midnight on Sunday 10/25.

This is an excellent chance to get an already discounted set of BINGO sketchbooks for 10% off!
Stock up for the holidays or keep them all for yourself :)

click here to see item!

see the Storque article here!

xoxo,
soma!
http://www.somavenus.etsy.com

Etsy Weekend Deals! BOGO FREE!

2009-09-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

My shop is featured in Etsy's Weekend Deals this weekend!!!!! Buy any necklace get a 2nd one free!! Perfect time to stock up for the holidays! super low price too :D

http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-buy-one-get-one-free-5232/

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
somavenus.etsy.com

new!

2009-09-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry i've been quiet for 2 weeks! I had a good start at least :) I will work on at least posting a few times a week!!

I wanted to share some new sketchbooks in my shop recently:

more soon!
xoxo,
soma!

what's your day dream?

2009-09-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

holga photograph by somavenus!

i dream of buying an old air stream and convertng it into an art studio.
hitting the road and doing shows/zine fests/etsy/etc on the way.
travel all over the country and maybe stop back into portland from time to time to say hello.
the cats would be my roadies and i'd be the crazy cat lady artist gypsy :D

what's your dream?

Friday Favorites!

2009-08-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

Every friday I will post my favorites!

Here are some Favorites from Etsy!

Etsy
Buy Handmade
somavenus

xoxo,
soma!

the best kind of meditation!

2009-08-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

After getting all of my weekend chores done, I packed up my red suitcase with book parts and headed into the woods! the weather was perfect and i had the place to myself. ahhhhhhhh <3

tonight i'll work on more books and watch project runway (one of my guilty pleasures on tv!). then the usual snuggle in bed with a pile of kittens and zines!

tomorrow it's back to the woods for an art attack with aly!

yaaay art weekend :)

combining work and play :)

2009-08-26T15:55:00.001-07:00

I love when i get the chance to bring work outside.. gotta soak this up before the winter monsoons hit portland..

2009-08-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

hey! hi! hello!

i'm so happy to announce my new blog for my work and art! i've had a live journal for 8 years now (i feel old), and am excited to have a more "grown up" blog to present to the world and my friends, family and fans :)

get ready for a mod-podge of rad, crafty, nerdy, cat lady, dinosaur loving, etsy addicted, cloud photos, gypsy, nature loving, awesomeness! :)

to celebrate my birthday (yesterday) - i'm having a huge sale in my shop! new sketchbooks added almost daily! great buy 1 get one free deals!

some other places you can find me:
twitter
flickr
facebook
etsy chat & etsy labs
the ocean
the woods

xoxo,
soma!