Knitting makes me happy!!

I have been spending quality knitting time and have gotten some fun gifts completed. I find myself up at midnight trying desperately to complete a section of a pattern, or just trying to make headway on length. The more I knit, the better I understand it. Like anything else I suppose! Practice makes better, not perfect in this case!! I am still learning!! I knit the above cat from a pattern off of Knitty. It was a fun piece, and will be a gift for an upcoming birthday (I wont say more to try not to ruin the surprise!).

I finally finished the snake I started last year for my niece! Her 2nd birthday was a few days ago, and she loved it. I will have to work on the sizing of the mouth to make future versions less lippy! There is a lot of mouth there, and even more hidden! I had to seriously sew into the red and make it about 60% of what it was, and it is still huge! This was inspired by the Zoe Mellor snake pattern in one of her books a friend had, but I like to knit in the round and so decided to make my own. How hard could it be right? Well, that mouth is a perfect example! LOL

I also knit this Monkey (seen here with momma Jamey) for Miss Abby for Christmas. Another learning experience for sure! I also just finished knitting a neck warmer for myself (blocking and then I will show), and am in the middle of a small teddy bear, and a zebra for another little one. I have so many friends who are expecting, and with so many babies on the way, I am making as many knitted gifts as I can! Feed the yarn addiction, while being productive! I like that!

A Few finished Commissions

Michael and Susan, 9" x 12"
Now that the gifts have been given, I can share some of the commissioned pieces I did over the holidays for clients!

Suss and Al, 16" x 12"
The prevalent theme this year seemed to be parents and love and relationships. I had SO much fun learning about all of the amazing people, and was really touched by all of the love stories!

Carol and Lyle, 18" x 24"
You can see more in my Commissions set on Flickr!

2008! Can you believe it!

Hello!!!! I am am back after a much needed hiatus, and have so much to share! I feel like it has been eons since I blogged, and while I have been working hard on re-centering myself (not sure if that was accomplished :) It was such a cozy holiday here in our home. The cats certainly had no problem taking full advantage of their giant beds next to the fire! It was a lovely tree this year, and I was sad to take it down.

I also took time out to see some movies, play a few board games, and hang out with friends and family! We did a lot of cooking, including the above Chocolate Hazelnut Cake which was unreal! Of course there has been a little work sprinkled throughout. I have to say that I am glad to see an end to the overwhelming madness of the holidays! I just can't believe that it is already 2008!

January 2nd was the 10 year mark of the day that I left LA and moved to NYC to go to art school. 10 years has gone by in a blink, and they were amazing years! I never thought for one moment that I would ever be living back in LA, and as a full time artist. I envisioned myself in some corporate design job somewhere designing books or product packaging, or who knows. I look back over the time I have spent, and am proud to be here in suburbia, surrounded by glue and paper. I just didn't see it coming! I recently found a book that my sister gave me for Christmas right before I left for NY, and on the inside she wrote "Have fun. You only get to do this part once. . . ", and I realize how true that is! I wish I could go back to my 20 year old self and give her a good shake, and a few pearls of wisdom I have gained along the way. Just tweak my/her mindset a smidge, because I dont think I did too badly up to this point, but I would be more adventurous, alone and young in a place like NYC. Looking back, I would do a few things differently now, but only if those things led me right to where I am today. Can I have it all please? LOL

Poppytalk Handmade Market!

I am really excited to be taking part in this months Poppytalk Handmade Market!!! This is a really cool cyber-fair, for all of us craft addicts who read about fairs in areas far from us and wish we could attend!

Jan and Earl, of the fab blog Poppytalk, have done a great job in the last couple of months, curating these shows and offering and eclectic and vast range of vendors from all over the world! This months theme is Love Transforms and they have found vendors for all of our Valentines needs, including a perfumery! The "show" runs from January 7th-February 8th. Go check it out!

Happy 2008!

Just a quick drop in to say that I hope you are all having a fantabulous holiday week!! We have friends in town from SF and are having a ton of fun! Lots of cooking and eating and drinking going on! This is much need time to just be goofy and relax! I will be back on the 7th, up to my old tricks, and sharing some new ones!!

May you have a safe and happy New years!!! Cheers to 2008!

(Amazing illustration done by the super-talented and kind Leigh Wells!!!)

Laughs like no other!

We should all be so easily amused!

Time, she is flying!

Hiya! I feel like I say this all of the time, but fret not, I have not abandoned the blog! I have spent the last week completing commissions and trying to get my own holiday shopping done. Just getting out our holiday cards is proving to be a test. I have a small stack left to write and today will be the day! I also have my annual cookie baking spree to undertake, which is fun. This year I am limiting it my famous Chocolate Chip Cookies and I am going to be ok with it! Normally, I also try to make rum balls and festive sugar cookies as well, but time is not on my side! At least the weather is rainy and gray today, so being inside and baking seems appropriate. Maybe I will throw on a little Ella Fitzgerald, her holiday album is my favorite for this year, and bake away!

BTW, have you heard this album before? I cant get enough of it! So sultry and festive. It just makes me happy! I got it on iTunes, but you can get it from that link if you prefer actually getting the CD in your hands. For me iTunes is a total saving grace, as I am generally very impatient to get my music once I find a CD I want. I have to have it NOW, and iTunes makes it just that easy. I am sure there are other services too, but as a Mac girl, it is all just too easy! (I love that I am saying this as if it were a whole new world of MP3s, like we haven't been downloading music for a few years now! I dont often take advantage of the simplicity, and get really excited by it when I do! LOL)

Can you believe how fast time is flying?? I feel like we just got the tree up, and now Christmas is less than a week away! Once I have cleaned up a bit I will snap a shot of the tree next to the fireplace! It really looks awesome without that gross lava rock! Finally, a mantle to hang our stockings from!

OK, I am off to make a mess in the kitchen! Wish me luck! ;) (By the way, how awesome are those pomegranates! Perty festive!)

So in the mood!

OK, I am finally in the holiday mood! After being inundated with Christmas in every store since August, I was doubtful that I would get over the anger of the holidays being shoved down my throat so early. BUT, and I say "but" with glee, I am now ready to let the Merry Merry in! Tis the season, and I am a tree decorating fool! I have been listening to this cute little animation in the background of my Firefox windows over and over again! Click on over, and belt it out! I dare you not to sing along! So cute!

(Illustration by Joshua Held)

Deadlines!

How amazing is this photograph? This is a recently finished commission, 16"x20" and I just totally fell in love with the photo. It makes my heart swell! It is just incredible!

The deadline to have have your own commissions in for a Christmas delivery is Wednesday, Dec 12th, and the size is limited to no larger that 11"x14". If you have any questions, please contact me (michelle{@}michellecaplan{.}com) as soon as possible.

Also, the deadline for purchases from my shop to be sent via priority mail is December 18th (within the US). International buyers will have to contact me with detailed location info.

Trunkt!

Have you ever seen Trunkt?? It is my favorite new place to play on the web! There are lots of rad designers and artists listed on the site, many I had never seen before! I am proud to say that I am now one of them! If you have never been to the site, you have got to go! Happy hunting!!

IF: Little Things

Conner3, 4" x 4", 2007

Good things come in small, and special, packages! To see more little things visit Illustration Friday!

Cactus Gallery Opening!

I am capping off this oh-so-hectic season with a fabulous group show at the Cactus Gallery in Eagle Rock, CA! This funky fresh gallery is jam packed with really cool art and insane handmade items. It is all quite a collection to see! There is a big opening party for the Tiny Treasures2 show, which is a cash and carry show running Dec 8th-January 8th, this Saturday night! I will be there with Tyn Atol, and Kari Atol both of whom have pieces in the show as well! Make a day of it, Cool Baby Cool Market in the AM, and then Cactus in the PM! That's my plan!

PS, if you cant make it to the opening, they are open everyday in December, except the 25th, for your shopping pleasure!

My last fair of the year!

This weekend is the more than fabulous Cool Baby Little Monster Market! Despite a crane falling on our original location ( you heard me right!) the show will go on right across the street at Riad Decor! This show is great for all things mom and baby! You can see a full list of vendors here. Come one, come all!

I am having a HUGE Holiday Blowout Sale!

I cant believe that it is already December, and that we are well on our way to a new year! Despite the fact that we started seeing holiday gear in the stores in August (yuck!), it seems like the season is flying by at new record speed! If I dont get some lights up soon, I will be just in time to take them down!

2008 is going to bring a lot of changes around here as far as my focus and style is concerned. While I will still be doing commissioned portraits for clients, I will be switching gears and re-inventing my works. I have a sketch book that is over-flowing and I am ready to get busy! I am sure that portraits will be a part of the things to come, but I am going to be branching out, exploring and experimenting! I am going to be starting off the new year with a big surprise. . . . I am not quite ready to reveal the details yet, but I hope that I have peaked your interest!

With all of that said, I am excited to announce that the last pieces of 2007 have been uploaded to my Etsy Shop, and I am having a blowout holiday sale to help clear out and make room for the new goodies!! Most pieces have been marked down u to 30%! SO go get some Holiday shopping done! And remember to buy as much handmade as you can!

Commission Crunch Time!

This is one of my most recently finished commissioned pieces, done as a gift for this couples 40th wedding anniversary by their children! It was amazing to learn all about their lives and an honor to know their story!

As far as getting a piece done for your family for this Christmas, crunch time is here! I have been getting a lot of inquiry emails about having custom commissions done in time for the holiday, and so here is the info ya'll need! The deadline for ordering is by Dec. 11th, and that is pretty firm due to shipping time needed. Don't hesitate to contact me after that date, as I may be able to work with you in time, but there is no guarantee for a Dec. 25th delivery.

Anyone local should contact me directly as delivery by the 24th wont be a problem if I can drive it over to you! Download my brochure here. (a PDF will be downloaded.)

Domino Art Gallery

I got an email over the weekend from Holly at decor8 letting me know that one of my prints had been included in the next batch of Domino Magazines Art Gifting: prints gallery! There are 15 different Etsy artists included in the selection, and I have to say that there are some here I hadn't seen before, and LOVE! If you click over, be sure to check out Nina Clough, and Olivia Jeffries! Their works are really cool!

I am, of course, a huge fan of Domino Magazine, and to be included in their online slideshow is really exciting!! The folks over there have such a keen eye for gorgeous design and encourage me to surround myself with inspiration throughout my own home. I really love the features they do on peoples homes. The spaces are always so incredible! I wont lie, to be recommended by them, makes me a little giddy! Thank you so much Domino, and Holly!!!

Eagle Rock Center for the Arts!

This weekends show is going to be one fun day! Not only is it indoors (yay for warmth!), but it features some of my most favorite people in the local craft community! We are going to have a blast! A few have done this show before and have not stopped talking about how much fun it is, so I am looking forward to my first time being there!

There will be live music starting at 11am with a harp & cello duet, followed by piano at noon, Gypsy Jazz at 1pm, Folk Guitar at 2, Theremin-3pm, Latin Jazz at 4pm, and Acoustical Holiday Rock from 5-6pm. AND every half hour there will be a raffle drawing for prizes donated by each vendor, all guaranteed to be worth a minimum $30! Free loot! Woo Hoo!

Here are the details:
Center for the Arts Eagle Rock
2225 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041
DECEMBER 1 Sat. 11-6pm

This is my second to last show of the holiday season! Next week will be the kid-centric Cool Baby, Cool Market in West LA which is going to be rockin' as well! Details on that one later!

Patio Culture

I am so excited to share that my work is now available at Patio Culture in Venice, CA! Karla Stevens, the owner of PC, and her fab sister Kimberley, recently contacted me to see if I would be interested in participating in their holiday boutique.

The shop is all about outdoor living and entertaining and generally focuses more on custom orders, but when I saw the space, I understood why they HAD to go retail! The vibe in this little beach house-turned shop is so warm and exciting! There are some amazing textiles, gift items, and artwork to see!

I love these photographs to the right of my work! Fantastic beach scenes and surf shots that do not disappoint! After all, PC is just steps from Venice Beach, so they are all about the CA Beach way of life!

Karla used to be the costume designer for The OC, so you know she has impeccable taste! The Stevens sisters together are a force to be reckoned with! They have selected the newest and hottest designers to fill their shelves! Plus, they are big on bringing in the lesser know artisans, and getting them seen, so you know there is goldmine of goodies there!

Patio Culture is located at 1612 Abbott Kinney, a street in LA famous for its eclectic shops, fabulous interior design studios, and awesome restaurants! It is a great place to spend the afternoon for brunch and holiday shopping! Friday, December 7th, all of the shops will be staying open late for the annual Holiday Street Event! There will be carolers, magic shows, even Santa! And of course, great shopping! I will be posting more about that next week!

1000 Etsy hearts!

Holy Moly!