at least i am back to posting weekly, instead of every other month. here is the run down...things are getting busy in the studio for the holiday season, i can feel it coming on. business is getting busier around town too, now that i am a bit more plugged in to the scene and have a wider network of amigos. i'm very excited to put together a nice collection for the ruby martini show on november 5th (at core source from 11 to 4pm) in ne portland. leave me a message for more info. shows are a nice way of meeting people and getting the word out, showing the new line (yay) and getting rid of old pieces that seem like they are going to live in the studio forever. and, it's going to be sarah's first show. i'll be in a class all weekend, so the goods will be managed by her. it's nice to have the added (and much appreciated) teamwork around the studio. i am also so excited to keep developing the website. the new front page is up at vanessajean.com, so check it out and report back about how you like it. it should be running by the end of the week, depending on how many more orders come in (it's so hard to prioritize web design when there feels like more pressing work to do!) either way, it's a good time. also, the fall/winter line should be out in no time, just trying to pare it down to a sturdy collection instead of a few (but great) mishmashed designs. i'm going to be introducing a duct tape pin (you know, a brooch, but trendier) and the stationery is going to come back...although this time it will be much cooler.

as for me, i'm still plugging along at all the other important things in my life! i finally feel like i have a social situation here that i am incredibly happy with (saturday plans for the past two weeks!) and i am moving in the educational and professional directions i want. the benefit of having a work-for-yourself schedule is that you can volunteer on all sorts of projects, which i am trying to maximize. right now i am doing (ok, just starting) some classroom based learning for the psu FEED program, and hopefully getting to work on the farm space more too. i am also taking some permaculture courses with the portland permaculture institute which is incredibly exciting! i am also still riding my bike alot and enjoying the last few sunny days before the need to build an arc sets in here. oh well. also, i have discovered the wonders of acupuncture, and i recommend it all around. ok, back to work...