Sneak Peek

So I've been working my butt off getting ready for the spring season. I am so happy to get my sewing machine back from repairs and a much needed tune up! My back up Kenmore helped greatly over the past two weeks but now I can put it away for a rest.
I'm not going to post any new items in my shop, giving the Richmond people first dibs. Here are sneak peak into what will be new from Jennyjen this spring.

Happy Spring

I am wonderfully on spring break and trying to enjoyed this wonderful weather even when it decides to snow on my parade. The trees have burst with beautiful colors and the daffodils have exploded. The cardinals are out as well as the finches and of course the Robins. I'm sorry for not posting since March. The death of Louie has been a sad one and I've been doing my best to keep Chuckie happy and occupied, as well as myself. I have my spring schedule for the craft season. I'm pretty proud that my goal of getting out of Maryland has grown...notice 2 mre out of state shows!

Here is is:

Spring Bada Bing in Richmond , Sunday, April 19
Squidfire Spring Art Mart, Saturday, May9
ArtStar,Philadelphia, Saturday, May 30th from 11-6pm & Sunday, May 31st from 11-6pm
Great Grapes Wine Festival with the Baltimore Etsy Street Team - June 13-14, 2009
Pile of Craft - June 20, 2009
and hopefully Artscape, July 17-19,2009

a very sad day

i am sad to report that my dear Louie past away today of liver failure. His last quiet meow's were sounded this morning on that trip to the vet. He was such a great fella..always on watch duty, greeter at the door, constant visitor of the sweatshop, oversee-er of all tunafish cans. He is survived by his brother Chuck who will be a very spoiled boy from his moma in hope to make up for Louie's absence. He will surely be missed. He is playing with his favorite cat nip mice and chasing lazer beans.

Mr. Rooster FInds a Friend

in the shop now!

& Mr. OWl

and another new pillow!

today's creation

new birdy party pillow...in blues

New Mr. Pinky PEacock Tote

My new large tote design..in pink! Mr. Peacock looks so ready for spring in his glorious pinks, blues, red and olive green. This heavy duty tote is large enough for your papers and light groceries, books, personal items and small lab top. Made of heavy duty cotton duck canvas, lined with stiff interfacing for shape and durabilty, as well as stand up power! Mr. Peacock is made of a wonderful blend of 30% wool and 70% synthetic purchase trade free from an etsy seller living in England!

Three exterior packets, one large flap pocket in the front and two side pockets that are perfect for water or baby bottles, or a thermos full of coffee.

Interior is lined with Anna Griffin's Darcey set, Silhouette Floral in Red, and Michelle Engel Bensko, Birds in Natural, Dogwood Fabric for the sides and pockets.

Check it out here at my shop.

Giveaway Reminder

Just a reminder, as if you need one, that springtime is almost here! To celebrate, B.E.S.T. put together this mega-giveaway of springtime goods just for you. All you need to do is be on their mailing list and leave a comment on the original post here about a favorite work from one of the many talented BEST artists. ( and yes, jennyjen is one of them) If you are not on the mailing list yet, you are missing out on giveaways and newsletters delivered straight to your inbox (we promise to not be annoying, we only send you mail a few times a year.) So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now!

In this giveaway you will find work from these great BEST artists
1. Jersey Girl Design 2. A Stone's Throw 3. nfall2rt designstudio 4. Greenstartstudio 5. Yummy & Company 6. Herekitty Pretties 7. The Baker's Wife 8. The Giving Tree 9. Zetta 10. Tigerlillyshop

Swink Direct Mail

I've been trying to spruce up my shop and have been trying to think about my branding techniques...meaning I'm looking every where to determine what catches my eye and what elements I could begin to bring into my "look". I've been playing with color for my new spring banner and I'm working on new business cards for each season. Notice my last post with my new banner and sale avatar...still working on the pixilization on my etsy site...any help please?
Anyway, I saw this post on grain edit a while ago and it keeps coming back to my mind, reminding me to post it. I absolutely love unique uses for paper in which we with to pass on our info.Give me a reason to hang on to this and not recycle it...This beautiful promotional piece is from the Swink design and branding firm. It completely reminds me of the cardboard toys we used to get in cracker jack boxes or even high end everyday toys, like our 50' cardboard Barbie house! Now...what can I do to get one of these sent to me?

Spring Sale at Jennyjen42!

Check out my new spring banner as well as my spring sale. All pillows are $10 off with FREE SHIPPING in the US. Many totes are also $10 off with the same sweet deal on shipping! Come Shop!

More New Stuff

I'm really loving this Anna Griffin fabrics. New zipper pouches and clutches...on sale this week here.

Bijou Handmade Market

Bijou Handmade Market is a small showcase featuring regional craft artists that are creating innovative handmade craft items. Alternatives Museum Shop at the DCCA presents four Baltimore-based craft artists on Friday, March 6, from 5-9 pm:

• bowerbox press: books and letterpress cards handmade with the highest of standards

• The Broken Plate: fun, colorful, one-of-a-kind jewelry and more made from broken plate fragments

• Jennyjen 42: originally designed fabric bags and home accessories inspired by birds and other whimsy

• Sweet Pepita: urban, green, unquestionably hip children’s clothing made from recycled and organic fabrics


Presented by Alternatives Museum Shop and the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts during Wilmington’s Art on the Town. Enjoy live music, gallery opening receptions, open artist studios, food & drinks, shopping, and more!

New Bags

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit. I've been working pretty hard on new stuff as well as getting caught up with school stuff...come on students teacher! In getting ready for the new spring season, I needed to look over my past inventory and figure out what sold, what i liked making and what I really needed to get rid of. You've notice decline of the apron...I just couldn't make one more....clutches and patches will stay along with zipper pouches and eyeglass cases. I've really enjoyed making these pleated bags from Karl Parks pattern and have found a new felt source form England that I like a hundreds times better. Course that raises the pries a hair, but the quality is hundred times better. I've been also trying to find new canvas that is color and water resistant..also a bit more out of the wallet but I think quite worth it. Here is my sampling of the new items. Let e know what you think. They will all be coming with me to Delaware tomorrow night for their debut!

Her Morning Elegance / Oren Lavie

absolutely love this....what bedtime fun !

Tigerlily Patch at ACC

I am a bit tardy of my ACC posts....only 3 days away. Opens this friday to the general public....two of our BEST members are selling their wares as new exhibitors this year at the ACC craft shows. Alison of Tigerlily Patch will also be there. Her beautful jewery is the talk of BEST at all ofour shows. So go look for her! I'll be there with my two day $20 pass!

Sweet Pepita at ACC!

I have to present one of BEST finest on today's blog post for my ACC entry of the day. Shannon Delanoy of Sweet Pepita, who currently lives in our fair charm city makes beautiful wearable art with recycled green, trade free materials. She can make the most of your old tee shirts! Its great way to hand over those old punk rock shirts to your little ones in a more modern, hip and conscious way! She is one of ACC's new entrants and can be found in the alt craft booth. I guess I can whisper that there has been some talk of some future colloborations and booth sharing with sweet pepita and jennyjen!

ACC coming to Charm City

I'm very excited to go to the ACC craft show next weekend. My first experience of the ACC show was in during my undergrad years, being a booth sitter in the early 80's. I remember glass was big as well as shimmering colors of silk and woven vine furniture. Stain glass and pearl jewelry. When I went about 5 years ago, I saw a lot of the same items and styles of fine art crafts. I wasn't very impressed. But now the diy, hand made world has emerged and the ACC has gotten on board. Two of our BEST members will have booths there and another will demonstrate. I thought I would feature them as well as other favorites that will be there. Here is the important info

LOCATION
Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

DATES AND SHOW HOURS
Friday, February 27 (10 am - 9 pm)
Saturday, February 28 (10 am - 6 pm)
Sunday, March 1(10 am - 5 pm)

ADMISSION
Buy Tickets Online
$14 per person
$20 for a two-day pass
$25 introductory new membership at the Show only
Children 12 and under free
American Craft Council members admitted free.
JOIN NOW

Happy Valentines Day!

New poster by Shepard Fairey. Definitely was too late to get this one...came out yesterday and already sold out.

Film Maker meets Painter

I'm loving these paintings by Jim Gaylord. With a background in film these paintings transport reality into mysterious wonders. Cartoon flat worlds taking over the three dimensional world of film. I found this on Beautiful Decay:

Jim Gaylord will be exhibiting new work at Gregory Lind gallery, opening Sat. Feb 5th and running til March 14th. Building on his past work as a filmmaker, Gaylord's work cultivates and abstracts imagery from special effects and action sequences in the movies. With titles like "Study (Braveheart + Jackass: the Movie + Cloverfield + Last of the Mohicans + Home Alone 2), 2009," Gaylord reveals the humor behind popular culture through the lens of movies.

Shepard Fairey Arrested In Boston

Read it here

GetReadySetGo

UPCYCLED Cherry Red VINTAGE Train Case with HAND DRAWN Black ZWZZY scissorhands man in my dreams

GetREADYsetGO....is my discovery etsy shop of the day. ...is luggage for the unique & the geek! Making vintage luggage hot! Looking for a cool to travel or to have some new luggage for some mad props around the house. I'm really diggin the Amelia Earhart Red case!Here's hoping for a good tax return for making new travel plans!

UPCYCLED Dark Brown VINTAGE Carry On Messenger Bag with White Tree

UPCYCLED Green Small VINTAGE Suitcase with Black Forest of Trees Leaves Vines and skeleton key

UPCYCLED Aqua Blue VINTAGE Suitcase Set with Black Bird Crow Forest of Trees and Skeleton Key

new patches

so sorry for being so lame on the posts. This school year has gotten crazzzzzy busy...which I am not liking. We've gotten some snow and I was fortunate to have two snow days last week and 2 hours late today! Snow and ice are teachers favorite friends in the winter time! But I am looking towards spring and looking at spring shows to do. Looking at spreading my birdy bird wings to Richmond Va and Philadelphia this spring ! I really enjoyed getting out of charm city last year. So this year's goal is to go even farther. Thanks to Property taxes my funds have been on the way low, so I've been making what I can with what I got. Here's more patches...they can be purchased for a wee $4 each on my shop...makes a sweet Valentine present for the little ones or your special sweetie!