{Re}Introducing Magnetic Kids!  We’re back!

Magnetic Kids are magnetic “paper dolls” drawn and designed by me.  This project has been on the back burner for several years due to other commitments and priorities.  But I’ve just relaunched and I’m really excited about it. So here’s a bit more about Magnetic Kids and a small goodie for my readers, as well!

Currently there are five different sets, each of which include a Kid + 3 Outfits + 1 Pet.   If you absolutely must get a kid with a different outfit or pet, let me know and we’ll talk.

It’s important to me personally to do as much as I can to produce environmentally, ethically and economically responsible products.  So I’ve kept the production close to home and I use recycled materials when possible. The magnets themselves were manufactured outside of Boston, Massachusetts.  After you order one they are  individually packaged by me, a hop and a skip over in Providence, RI.  They come wrapped up in a cute biodegradable and compost-able box made out of sugar fiber  from a company in Pennsylvania.

The hangtags are made by the wonderful MOO, Inc. also located in Rhode Island.  Soon the cello packets I use for wrapping will be recycled as well.  I find the packaging seems to be a work in progress to find the balance between being earth friendly, while pleasing to the eye, but easy for me to work with, and of course easy on the wallet.  I’m doing my best.

Through Magnetic Kids, I donate a portion of the proceeds to charitable organizations that benefit children. Currently, I find projects to fund through the wonderful DonorsChoose.org, which works with public school teachers to “provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack.”  I’ve been picking projects having to do with art for the younger elementary and preschool age set.

Right now Magnetic Kids is donating money to a New York City kindergarten class for new art supplies.  They want to work on some self portraits and I’m really looking forward to helping them do just that.  You can read more about it here.

And now for the goodie:  To mark this happy occasion you can get free shipping until September 15th if you mention …and Other Such Things blog in your checkout form.  Spread the word!  Whoo hoo!

The first time I ordered promotional postcards, I ordered a lot. Not only do I have a bunch leftover, but the contact information is out of date, which means they’ve been packed away for a couple years.  

But the other day I realized they would make cute gift tags.  

So they’re in the shop.  – 20 tags for $5.  Skip on over to Other Such Things to get yours!

What? What’s this?  My Hello cards are being featured on Modish as I type.  How wonderful!  What a lovely way to start the day…

Not only do I scour Modish Biz Tips and participate in the monthly goal meetup, but the “regular” Modish is a delicious daily treat.  So I can’t tell you how excited I am to be included!  Thank you so much Jena.

I’m really happy with how these Balloon Cards came out.  

The image is based on a photograph of my friend’s daughter.  She and her pal were playing in the park under an umbrella.  But I decided balloons were more fun to draw.  Pop over to the Other Such Things store to check them out. 

Speaking of, Other Such Things has a new shop banner.  I had actually recently updated it, but after reading this article on Mint by Kim Ludy (from the vintage shop Trampoline) about product photos, I decided to rethink things a bit.  Kim made some really good points about a shop’s visual continuity.   I really did like my then-new header, but it didn’t make much sense in the theme of the shop really.  I think the new header ties in the products wood backgrounds.  

It’s simple and clean, which I like as well.  I’m not totally in love with it, but its a step in the right direction.   I also took new wide shots of the cards.  I had this before:

I like elements of it– the curtain pattern, that blue and green together– but again, it doesn’t really go with the whole look.  So now I have this:

It isn’t a perfect solution.  I really wanted to show the cards in a frame. –They’re postcards, but they look so great framed!– But its getting closer.  If you’ve got a minute, head on over to Other Such Things and tell me what you think.

So how have I been doing on this month’s goals?  Well…pretty ok, actually.  Yes, I have a bunch of loose ends to tie up before I can go crossing everything off my list, but that’s alright.  That’s what this last week is for right?  

In case you need a little pick me up, my Hello flat card (above) is available in the shop, and would love to go home with you.  I’ll also be adding a few other cards as soon as I get them.  And hopefully I’ll have a few exciting announcements by the end of the month as well!

Time for June Goals with Modish Biz Tips.  

1. Send out Newsletter announcing Other Such Things online shop!  

2.  Research specifics for new kid product.   If it seems doable, plan out and work on the drawings for it. 

3.  Contact Thumbtack Press and possibly others to see if they’re interested in carrying any of my work as prints.    

4. Get my two promo postcards printed and mailed out.  I decided to go with my “Balloon” image and “Garden” image after all.    

5.  Contact two blogs about my online shop. 

6.  Add new work to site and HAI!

The Mister is in Austin, TX at SXSW. About a year ago, he and his design partner  created the site Eric Piasecki: StockSearch.

And now its a finalist in 12th Annual SXSW Interactive Web Awards Presented by Adobe!  The site is gorgeous and I am beyond thrilled and proud of him.  Yay!  What a lucky duck: SXSW two years in a row!

In other exciting news:

It has been FOREVER since I sold anything in my poor little Etsy shop. But here’s a preview of the drawings I’ve been working on that will be for sale soon.

 So far I’m doing a bear series, a reindeer, and I think after visiting some colts with Jane yesterday, I’ll have to do a baby horse series as well. They’re all hand-drawn in ink over collaged vintage paper.

Before the holidays I did an Etsy trade with Lisa– my Seasons Postcard Set, for a tie-dye baby onesie and the cutest earrings.  Anyhow, I got an email from her today with a photo of the newly framed prints:  

Look how great they look!  It was so exciting to see them actually on someone’s wall:) Thanks for sending it Lisa.  And that gave me an idea.  I’ve been meaning to do a post on the craft projects I did last year, the majority of which were gifts, but I’m thinking it might be more fun if  you all send me a photo of it in your house, or on your body ( for those crocheted ones.)  It would be great to see where they all ended up.  So if I made you something crafty last year, send me a photo! If you don’t mind, I mean…

In the meantime, check out Lisa’s stores:  Jewelry by Lisa Gaumond and Lisa’s Studio.  

Oh my goodness it is so nice outside!  Its weird, because a lot of times I go most of the day without noticing the weather. My new(ish) desk set-up faces away from the windows, which in the winter are closed.  So I’m lucky I didn’t miss this surprise lovely day.  I just ran around opening all the windows.  I guess its troubling that this day belongs in May while its the beginning of January.  But I’m sure we’ll all be freezing our toes off tomorrow.  I’m going to appreciate being able to air out the apartment…perhaps I’ll even change into a skirt.  gasp.  I’m trying out some new coloring/ compositing techniques today.  Its going well so far… Oh! and I finally updated the shop. Well, a little anyway.  I added in a light plate, and the cutest thank you card ever: