Don’t forget! The BUY 2 get 1 FREE sale ends Saturday night!

Don’t forget to stop by the shop!

Much awaited: Cards are here! These packs were so much fun to put together. Most of my cards just come with cards and envelopes. These have an added bonus: pretty box and gift tags to match! I had a lot of fun making these! I wish you could just see them in person. They are just yummy.

“Winter Cheer” Stationery Set

“Handmade Just for you” Stationery set

“Wellesley and Winslow Christmas Post” Stationery Set

I hope there are more Holiday cards coming, but I as far as “sets” complete with gift cards, this is it folks!

And while we are on the subject of GIVING….

How about a BUY 2 GET ONE FREE sale? Sound good? It does to me!

Just purchase TWO products, and mention the THIRD product in the message to seller box at the time of purchase, and I will include it in your order! Quesions? I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks to those of you who have been so patient waiting for these! Happy gift giving!!!

Have fun in the shop!

Have you ever tried Googling that phrase? I have. I know. A little embarrassing. But the truth is, you can’t really find an answer to that question. Experience is the only teacher.

Well, I guess if you googledd that phrase now, you would find this.

I was invited to be a guest blogger at Le Papier Studios, (A DARLING shop by the way…get your christmas goodies here!) and I spilled the beans about balance, and life and priorities and trying to live all three roles.

Something I hope to learn more about everyday. Life is meant to be lived…and when life is busy, there is no reason you still can’t enjoy it all. So…here is my two cents on the subject. (Ok…more like 10 bucks…it is a bit long, but then, couldn’t we all write novels on this subject?)

Enjoy!

In all the hustle and bustle of cleaning out closets and getting our place ready to sell, I forgot to mention this incredible Handmade Holiday Gift Guide over at Bloesom Kids (my FAVORITE blog by the way). She has included my Calendar…Thank you Irene! But all the other items she has included are so darling! So unique and great for you and the kids. Click here to get connected to list of items and their online locations! Oh, and check out her most recent post today…an OPEN house with the makers of LMNOP magazine. I love peeking into people’s homes! So much life and creativity here! But thank you Irene for the mention!

They are here! Another bookplate (which I wish you could see in person…they are DARLING!) and 2 more cards for the shop: “I love my sister” and “I love my brother.”

I also have both of these prints for sale together as a set like the other elephant and giraffe set. So fun! Oh…and there is more coming soon! I am signing off to get back to work! xoxo sarah jane

Hello, Hello! It is so exciting to have a more personalized space here. I hope you can come often, pull up a chair, and have a chat. Here you will find the latest on being a mother of two lively toddlers and the newest designs and illustrations for Sarah Jane Studios. Come as often as you like!

The month of July is filled with lots of fun surprises, so come back soon. You will notice a few new features, including the option to add your email to my monthly newsletter. Sign up for the latest updates in the shop and in the news!

Thanks to all you readers for your ideas, support and friendship! Being a mom and being an artist and business owner make for a lot of adventures, and I am happy to share the ups and downs. Thanks for sharing your stories as well! Stay for more blogging fun and lots of new designs coming soon!

Thanks for stopping in, and feel free to invite your friends! I’ll put the kettle on, and hope to see you soon!

xoxo,

Sarah Jane

Getting back from a big break is usually the pits. Laundry, unpacking, going through mail, and adjusting to boring “REAL LIFE.” This time, I got to get busy filling orders, and let me just tell you…It is good to be back. Thanks to so many of you for patiently waiting for your orders. I really didn’t think that I would get any orders while I was gone. But, 35 packages and 67 orders later, I guess I was wrong.

This stack would have taken me like 73 hours to fill 7 months ago when this all started. Not only was I working in a crammed corner of my bedroom (shhhhh…don’t tell any one that) but I was just getting used to all the ????

?What shipping materials are best?
?Return address labels?
?How should I pack multiple items together so they are safe?
?Where is the tape!
?How many sharpees can I go through in a week?
?Am I out of cello sleeves already?
?The post office closes in 13 minutes. Can I make it?

Wow. I still consider myself in the ‘start-up’ stage, but those days were the REAL startup days. Yikes! I have learned a lot about shipping and packing since then! It still is time away from drawing or creating, but I love to see all my prints making new homes somewhere else.

So thanks to all of you who made orders while I was gone. They have been sent on their way, and I can officially start getting artsy again. Ahhh…yes. My sketchpad and I have a date:)

Ok. It’s official. I am going on vacation. Not just any vacation. Hawaii. 2 weeks. No email. No computer. Husband’s orders.

My husband’s family is cramming all together in a 2 week vacation on the beach. I am more than ecstatic. My mother’s side of the family has lived in Hawaii since the early 30′s. So my roots are deep there. But this is a first for my husband’s side, and I can’t wait!

But this translates into a few things:

Shop will be closed June 10th -June 23rd.

This is the longest break I have ever taken.
(In my 7 month career on ETSY).

But it is much needed.

Sometimes I wish I was like these dear artists who have a lot more time on their hands to make make make. But then I pinch myself and realize that my time is filled with diapers, dressups, tantrums, tickles, messes, lullabies and kisses and I wouldn’t have it any other way! My time to be creative is limited to a couple hours a week (which is not enough for my art brain that doesn’t ever shut off!). But though I wish I had creative time everyday, I would be wishing my truest joy away: being a mom.

Everyone needs breaks from the go-go-go of real life. Charging the battery is key. Being truly alive is everything. Breathing and listening is vital to any scheduled day.

So, folks. There are just a few more days to order before I leave for two weeks. If you have been itching to get something, my last day at the post office is on Monday June 9th.

Oh, and a lot of you have been dying to see my studio…well, I drew a picture of it for you above. Isn’t it cute?? My bike is parked on the side and you can borrow it while I am gone. Just bring it back.

There are so many components to running a small business from home, and I am the first to say that I have not done this alone. I need to pay tribute to so many of you who have helped me and supported me this far!

My husband for believing in me and being patient with me when I choose to say up all night on a project. And for just being the most incredible husband on the planet.

My parents for supporting my ideas and always paying special interest. (sorry Dad, Carol and John…I coulnd’t find a quick picture of you!!!)

My wonderful cousin Liz who has been my new “hired help” the past two months and can do just about anything!

My sisters in law Robyn and Megan for being my on-the-spot babysitter when I find my self in a mini-crisis and Ann for being an AMAZING financial advisor!

My dear new-found-friend Kelly for all her incredible advice and wisdom

My online friend Jaime for her support and advice about the details of running an art business

And to all of you who have offered up words of encouragement and support along the way!

This list could go on and on. I am just so grateful for all the help I have received! I could definately not do this on my own!

And that brings me to my next item of discussion:

PRICING MY ART

I am raising my prices starting in March. This has been a really hard decision for me, since I aime at making my art work affordable for all. I really “poo-poo” all the children’s art work that is incredibly overpriced and seems to sell to the “elite” few who can afford hundreds of dollars in art for their children. But I also feel, that under priced art work isn’t in any one’s interest either. With needing more hired help these past couple months, and with the value of the materials that I use in the art making process, I am raising my prices just a bit to compensate. The challenge comes with placing a value on my work, and I have struggled over this one. But I feel that now is the time and I hope that you can support me on this one.

I mention this to you, because I want to give you a chance to buy before the weekend is out and my prices go up $5 per print. My prices will remain the same until Sunday March 2nd.

Once again, thank you to all of you who continue to offer so much support and encouragement! I just am a very lucky gal!

…first class that is!

Running a business while running after children is always an exciting adventure! The other evening I was tending to Ian, and Kenneth was in the kitchen. Addie came up to me wanting to play with Ian, and this is what I found. “DO NOT BEND” right in the corner of her mouth. I instantly searched all over her body for any more tatoos, but didn’t find any! Going into my office though, I found a few bubbled mailers completely covered in “DO NOT BEND” stamps. “I was doing my work, Mama.” She is such a little mommy.

The irony in this is that Addie doesn’t really bend! Two days ago, she claimed that she had a papercut on her finger. (I still don’t know if she really cut herself, or if it is pretend). I put a bandaide on her finger and that was that. Well, after a hand washing, the bandaide began to peel. She needed another bandaide to keep it “stuck.” After a bath, both started peeling, so she needed another. (For whatever reason, that evening wasn’t one to fight her on this). Well…I am really not kidding when I say this…we haven’t added any more bandaides since, but going on TWO DAYS now, she has had her left hand clinched in a fist to keep them from coming off!!! Last night I woke up at 2 am and went into her room to make sure her hand was relaxed. (I was too tired to think of taking it off while she slept!) We have tried all the little games to get her to open her hand, but to no avail. We even went out to play in the snow yesterday, and she wouldn’t wear a glove because her hand was in a fist. She has ALWAYS been my stubborn and determined one. Addie was my colicky baby…the one that could only sleep in my arms while bouncing and when her head was in a certain position in the crook of my elbow. Oh, some days I wish I had the mental energy to have blogged then!

On Ian’s side of the table, we had a big first yesterday!!! Ian went to the potty…kind of. He kept getting out of the bath tub, telling me he had to go potty. Well, after the 4th time of my slippery seal covered in bubble bath sitting on the porta-potty, he went….but because he is a boy, I realized maybe sitting on the potty isn’t the best choice! He ended up spraying all over the floor and all over me! Oh we had a good laugh…and a good celebration. It may have been messy,but Firsts are Firsts!!

Speaking of firsts, Horray for all of you who took part in my first “BUY TWO GET ONE FREE” deal! So fun! I will be sure to do more of those! But I am going to stock the SHOP with some more goodies first!