I just added several new art images on my page "Art for Licensing" Hope you will take a look.
And, check out FineArtAmerica, where I am offering four (4) of my illustrations as prints  

   http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/joanne-meller.html

Now, it's back to work as I am preparing some decorations for my church's annual Ladies Tea.
  Our theme this year is "A Perfect Fit"....can't wait to show you what I've come up with!
I'll post some pics of my progress later.  

More New Art Available for Licensing

Good Morning Friends and Patrons,

This week we finally had a few days that actually felt like SPRING!  This makes me happy, happy,

and inspires me to create more art.  Yes, I know I should be out in the garden preparing for lots of planting (my favorites- zinnias, cosmos, petunias......oh my!)  And I plan to do just that this afternoon.

And on Monday it's back to work getting more art ready for market.

                                                  These photos are from last year's garden

On Wednesday, April 10th, you'll find me at America's Keswick in Whiting, NJ, enjoying a wonderful

luncheon and the guest speaker, the multi- talented Sue Duffield.  AND displaying my collection of t-shirts, totebags and wall art with a focus on  inspirational and Christian messages

I just added six (6) more images to my page "Illustrations Available for Licensing"

Some of these are available on Ladies T-Shirts, Tote Bags or Canvas Wall Art.

Hope you'll take a minute to browse.

Until next time, HAPPY SPRING,  and take time to smell the flowers!

Trends and Thoughts at the NY International Gift Show

This will be my final entry (about time, right?) about my shopping experience at the show.

As I wrap up my  walk through the "Handmade" section, I must say I am on sensory overload

already.

But here are my impressions of what I noticed:  Clothing in beautifully dyed cottons; embroidered,

bedazzled...The fabulous and unexpected pairings of color and patterns....beaded,fringed, trimmed....

I am in love with this "bohemian" look! ( Uh-Oh, my "inner hippie" is starting to show!) Handbags, Hats and other accessories are  abundant here.  So much fun!

Moving on to the rest of the show- seems like miles and miles of booths, all with gorgeous displays of everything gift-related; including tableware, linens, decorative accessories, books, games, jewelry and art.

I saw silk flowers that look so real you have to touch them before you realize you've been fooled.

I especially love the "calla lilies"  (latex, I think).  A dozen or so thick, long stems with blooms in creamy white, deepening in the center to a pale green.

So elegant, so simple arranged in a glass bowl.

I never get tired of this look.

The section  with all the paper goods is chock full of amazing patterns and colors.  Greeting cards, gift wrap, bags, ribbons and tags are adorned with seasonal themes.  Spring and summer are featured, along with Fall and Christmas offerings.  It's really cool to see licensed art on some of these products by artists I am familiar with.

Here's where my personal interest as an artist/designer comes in:  It is my goal to do the same with my designs.  In fact, I have been putting together "collections" for the past few months, with the hope of getting the attention of manufacturers.  Just think, we see ART on everything from paper plates and napkins to fabrics and wall paper.  (and scrapbook paper, cards, gift wrap, vases, wall decor, the list is endless!)

Here are examples of art on products by Kelly Rae Roberts and Tara Reed.

Here are three (3) of my designs (chosen at random to give you a "sneak-peek") 

These discoveries are fun and inspiring, but the main reason I attend this show every year is to see new trends and to find good sources for my Interior Decorating Business.  (Designs by Meller).

You might be surprised to see how trends in style or color carry through from personal products and accessories, paper goods, wall art and lighting.

 What did I learn?  The classics are still strong, and the trend toward brighter, fresher colors (orange is big), along with earthy and organic colors prevails.  Grunge, Graffiti, Collage and more "simplistic" art continue to fascinate me, and are obviously very popular.  Vintage and Retro are still a strong presence.  

I was pleased to see more small or "Indie" companies, with the owner/designer present at their display. (As opposed to a team of "sales reps").

 I think the artist, even me, has a chance to be part of the gift market,  which is very exciting!

The plan is to show you more of my designs over the next few weeks, and, I promise, more photos, less rambling.

Until then, may you have a creative and fun week.
                                                                        

                                                                                                 JoAnne

Links to see my products

Would you like to see my designs for t-shirts?  Go to  

http://s1057.beta.photobucket.com/user/mellerdesignstudio/library/I%20Laughed%20I%20Cried%20I%20Bought%20the%20T-Shirt%202012

BTW,  most of these designs can be printed on totebags, too!


Would you like to check out my ETSY SHOP?

Go to:    http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperdesignbymeller

Continuing with my "Adventures" at the NY Intl. Gift Fair

I am now settled in at the "Preferred Buyers" Lounge, where I can hang up my coat, grab a cup of tea, and munch on my croissant.  (Almond this morning, Chocolate for tomorrow's treat).

And now it's time to browse the seemingly endless aisles, brimming with beautiful displays of almost
every type of product that you can imagine that relates to the retail gift industry.

I begin in  the "Handmade in America" section (of course!), and I am totally inspired!  It would take many, many pages of writing to give you lots of descriptive details, but here are couple of highlights:

Cute little "onesies", bibs, etc. with the funniest captions on them!  They are the creations of
Sara Kety. and I just LOVE her sense of humor  For example:

"Stop Texting and Change Me!"

"I am Cranky.  Is there anNapp for that?"

I would love to show you pictures of this adorable line, but they were not available to me.
I will provide the link, however, so you can see them for yourself.  I understand that they
are sold at Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.  Here is the link to her website:  http://www.sarakety.com/



Another favorite designer/owner, Susan Kolowich, has a a product line called "French Graffiti."
I guess I am especially drawn to beautifully designed products that make me smile (or totally
crack up!), because Susan's linen towels, wine totes, paper napkins and more have very cool designs that have "graffiti-style" captions and a very vintage look.
                                                           This caption "They read about the perils of drinking...so they gave up reading" is an example of the sensibilities and creative savvy of this designer. My photos are not great, but I encourage you to go to her website and see the entire collection.
www.frenchgraffiti.com


Next I am "wowed" by Diana Indgjerd ("Dee").  Her company, 
"In Small Packages" is aptly named; she creates tiny little bits of vintage art on mah-jong or "Scrabble" tiles!  It's jewelry, of course....miniature art vignettes- birds, text, etc, finished with a resin coating.  Sweet!

Then I spot "Art Bird".  It's tag line, "Outerwear for Your Internet" says it all.
I especially liked the I Pad cover that says "Once upon a time there were books," featuring a charming mermaid.

Guess you've noticed a trend in picking my favorites; Vintage and Graffiti always
beckon me to look a little closer at the unique and original offerings.  And if it is humorous, even better.  The CEO of this company, Roy Fox, calls himself "Chairman of the Bird",  Too funny!


Then there's "Cookie and the Dude" (Owner/Designer is Helen Fawcett)  She creates turbans, headbands, tissue holders, earrings and more using bright, perky fabrics.  Really cute stuff!

I had the opportunity to meet a great jewelry artist, Randall Johnson.  His collection is called
"Je Suis Fraiche", and his style is, well, vintage and antique. (surprise, right?) You will also see a "jazz-art-deco" influence, as well as "tribal african" in his work.
He uses vintage components, antiqued brass, european beads, natural fibers and cameos to create amazing, one-of-a-kind bracelets and pendants.
At the time of this show Randall did not yet have a website, but he wants to make a blog (which I encouraged him to do).  I found some of his work on Amazon.
I hope that he can take some time as he creates his beautiful jewelry  (his studio is tucked away in the Catskill Mountains in New York state) to execute more of an on-line presence.

IN MY NEXT POST, I will share with you TRENDS I noticed,and how attending this show relates to my own art/design goals.  In the meantime,  I hope you will check out these "Made in the USA" artists/entrepreneurs.

How I spent January 29th in NYC

Well, I had forgotten that I had lots to share with you from the day I spent recently at the NY International Gift Fair.  But I just came across my notes, so here goes:

The bus departs for NYC at 7:45 AM.  A little early for me, but it's stress-free.  (Never drive into the city on a weekday morning- not fun!)  

I arrive at the Port Authority terminal, and following my usual routine when I come here, I dash for the "au bon pain" bakery/cafe, because I MUST have a deliciously rich, gooey and calorie-loaded croissant as my mid-morning snack.  The only issue on this day is, do I want the chocolate or the almond???

My decision? Get both.  (Not at all sensible, I know, but I only get the opportunity twice a year, so I'm saving one for tomorrow.)

Making my way through the crowded streets, I arrive at the hotel where a shuttle bus awaits all those heading to the Jacob Javitz Center.  I take care of the appropriate "check-in", and make my way to the "preferred buyers lounge", a privilege earned upon attending the show for ten (10) straight years.

BTW, I used to spend three long, tiring days at this show, buying for my retail store(s).  Now my purpose is a little bit different; my business is now Interior Decorating, and this show is a great venue for discovering trends in the market.  You would be surprised at how a trend in color or style carries through from paper products, linens, and personal accessories, to picture frames, wall art, lighting,  even
stuffed animals and toys.

So what did I find?  Hot pink and turquoise, cute or sophisticated, textures like rustic wood or stone?

Collage or graffiti or Impressionism?

Find out in my next post!

As the year is already flying by, I am way past due for posting.
Just a quick update:  Although my Kickstarter project did not 
reach its intended goal, the T-Shirt business is up and running!
There are now over 80 designs in the collection, and new ones
are coming almost daily.  (So many ideas, so little time!)

If you like my art on t-shirts, please share with your friends.
I want to CHANGE THE WORLD, ONE T-SHIRT AT A TIME!

More to follow, including new images and some stories
about this journey.