coco-belle bijoux

Hello there! How have you been? Things have been constantly moving here with finishing summer workshops, swim lessons, getting my business up and running, getting ready for more markets (I have another one in Santa Barbara Saturday and one August 31 in Carpenteria!) AND keeping on top of Etsy and wholesale orders. Whew! 

Anyways, I wanted to share a little bit of what I've been up to. I was commissioned by some lovely and talented ladies to design a logo and some accompanying banners for their new Etsy shop! It was such a fun project! They wanted a simple logo, with a bit of a boho chic feel. I love the results and I'm so happy they loved it too! 

Check out Havaiki and Pearl's sweet Etsy shop, Coco-Belle Bijoux, and show them some love! They make the most stunning necklaces and bracelets using Tahitian Black Pearls. You can also check them out on Facebook and follow along with their creations and inspirations on Instagram! 

changes...

The blog has come a long way since I first started it back in 2009, back before I knew anything about editing a blog or how change an html code. The html codes skills still aren't that good but they're better than they were 4 years ago! I wish I was better at taking screen shots and documenting the changes along the way...but alas, I am not. I don't have a screen shot of the old format but I do still have the banners!  I think it's a pretty good progression to the current banner/format...

There have been a lot of changes in all realms of the Sketchy Notions lately, not just on the blog. My Etsy shops have come a long way since I opened the first up in January 2011. It took awhile for me to settle on a look for the Notional Notions shop but I'm really happy with its current banner! I think it ties in better with my business cards (which are also in the process of being updated!) I need to update my Heckyl & Jyve shop too...

And today I finished giving my website a giant face lift! I think the blog and website are much brighter and cleaner now. I really like looking at the progression of all these banners...I think my computer/graphic skills have come a long way! 

Before...

Today! 

Vino & Italia...

Remember that wine label I was designing a few months back? Well, IT'S DONE!!!! I just got a couple of the bottles this week and I'm so stoked to finally see the label on a real bottle! 

I'm so happy it's finally done! We hit a bunch of little snags getting it approved but it's finally done! Hooray!!!!!

Other very happy news this week... 

I'm officially going back to Italy!!!!!!!!!!!!  

In October! So many exclamation points!!!!!!!!

It's only a quick trip but I intend to see as many friends as possible and sketch every day there! Maybe fill a medium sized sketchbook? We'll see... but the main thing that matters is that I'm going back. Albeit there's a 12 hour long flight to Moscow tucked in the middle of returning process but minor details...12 hour long minor detail, oi vey. 

Lately....

Busy busy busy lately! Lots of projects and new things happening....a really big one is brewing over the weekend that I'll be able to post next week...So excited!!!!!!

After a long hiatus on my part, Livi & Grace is back on the table too! Updates one those little lovely girlies are coming soon. And I have a bunch of tattoo designs in the making right now too. AND a skateboard deck design. Lots happening...

But! In the meantime, here's a look at what's on the drafting table today. I'm re-working my friend's family wine label, Pace Family Wine. It's my first real design project and I'm loving it so far. We have it narrowed down to 5 ideas, including this one. (but so far this one is my favorite!) It's a pretty wide array of ideas that we've come up with, everything from plain text, figure silhouettes to this 70's typeface collage. I'll be adding the color to this one today so we shall see how it goes....