In which Sarah reveals a really big secret:

Hello, Hello!

Ok. Some really exciting news here. It's what I've been hinting at the past week or so.

And maybe some of you guessed it! But you have to watch the video to find out. I'm secretly squealing in delight! But I don't squeal in the video. Sorry. My babies were sleeping.

And if for some reason, you can't view the short 43 second film, just know that what this means is there will be lots for you to sew and make with come May 2011!!!!!!

OK! I'm off to speak at TOUCHPOINT....but I honestly can't wait to tell more. I promise I'll share when I can!

And really, thank YOU for all your wonderful support. I couldn't have done this without this blog. You are the best!

xoxo sarah

Writing letters.

Hi Folks, Kinda boring post this morning. Sorry. I promise I'll make it up...I've got some great news coming soon. But real quick:

I have a new link over on the side bar that looks like this:

This means you can sign up to have lovely letters sent to your inbox from me every so often. They aren't from spammers, or from crazy people. Just a letter every once in a while from Sarah Jane with special discounts, important updates, special news and pretty pictures that will make you smile. I know lots of you have signed up already, but i've decided to restructure some things and so if you could kindly sign up again, that would make me so happy!

*EDIT: if you have already signed up on past months, no need to do it again!*

And so that means if you are reading this in a Reader, click over and take a second to put in your email. Thanks!

I really love keeping in touch with you all. Count me in as a pen-pal. But I promise...I don't send junk mail. Just pretty mail maybe once every 2 months. That kinda thing.

And really. Sign up. I have some really awesome news coming soon!

Have a good one...and speaking of letters, I'm off to write a love note to this hot boy of mine. It's his birthday. And yes. That is really him. Isn't he darling?

xo

sarah

Monday Morning.

On my to-do list:

• Kiss those cheeks.

• Kiss those cheeks.

• Kiss those cheeks.

I can think of a few other things, but honestly....she's a bit distracting. Ah, well.

And thanks for all the lovely comments on MY STORY. I'll be writing more this week. But only after I eat me some good Ella. Have a good one!

xo

sarah

The Sarah Jane Story: Part 1

Photo by Katherine Le Cheminant

Next month is Sarah Jane Studios' 3 year anniversary! Now through the end of the month, I will be sharing my personal story of how a simple idea turned into a stay-at-home career in illustration & design

THREE YEARS AGO was an interesting time in my life. I had 2 children,  2 1/2 years old and 1 and 1/2 years old. I was finally sleeping through the night after 2 solid years of nursing and having babies. We were living in a tiny, middle story condo and my husband was in graduate school. Part of me was really tired, and the other part of me was just getting out of the slump of having my babies 12 months apart and I was finding  a new energy. I had this incredible urge to start a business from the paintings and the drawings I had been working on that summer. I had recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Theater, and was ready to put my stage life behind. I have always been an artist, and knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life in my art. I had big ideas, big energy and big hopes, but no money, tactics or direction.

But beyond my burning creative energy, I had a strong motivation to start working with my art to support my husband through school. He is a school teacher, and had just recently decided he wanted to get his master's degree. It left him with absolutely no time to get a second job, and left me even more convinced that I needed to step in and help out.

Me and by babies the month I opened the shop.

My faith is a huge part of my life. I can't tell you how many times you'll find me praying in a day. This art journey of mine is no exception and during this time 3 years ago, I was very prayerful about how to start a business at home without it getting in the way of my two infants. I barely had any time! Addie's naps were very short and Ian's were long. They went to bed early so I had some time in the evening, but they were very early risers so it was hard to stay up late. I told God that I needed to start a business to help support my husband through graduate school, but I didn't want to leave my babies. I also had a dream about making a mark in the children's industry, but I told him I didn't know how to even get started. But I started working in that direction, and prayed for a way to make it happen.

One of the first items in my shop 3 years ago

My husband came home from work one night with a clipping from a newspaper he had read that day. He never reads the paper. He prefers the computer.  But that day he had read the paper, and saw a clipping about an event specifically for women entrepreneurs who want to start a business. It was the following night and it was only a few miles away. I had no idea in that moment how much I would learn about how to get from the "dream" stage to the "make it happen and really have a business" stage. I was about to embark on a really awesome journey.

The event was perfect. Was it a coincidence that Nancy Cajun spoke on the very topic of "Turning an Idea into a Business?" Was it a coincidence that she was a published author and she spoke about the lifestyle and ropes being an author and illustrator?  Was it a coincidence that she talked about protecting your art and holding to copyrights? It was almost too perfect. It was just what I needed to really have the motivation and tools to move forward. But even more than that, I met people that night who could help mentor me, brainstorm, and give me ideas and support.

Goodnight friend: My very first sale.

But from here, I learned things like:"Know where you fit in the market, but don't try to fit in." "Your business needs to fill a need in the market. Identify it, and fill it." "Do your homework and know your competition." Simple business tips like this that allowed me to think beyond my own sketchbook and gave me the motivation to move forward. Someone like me, who had no business training, art education or professional experience in this market, needed to hear these things, and I was so grateful.

I will stop there with my story. There is a lot more to tell. But it's long, and it's not fair to ask you to read it all in one sitting. But what I did want to express this morning is how grateful I am this month for the mentors and support I found 3 years ago which ultimately gave me the boost I needed and the contacts I needed to get Sarah Jane Studios from my head into an LLC. I realized how guided I was then, but I see it even more now as I look back. It's just amazing...all the people and events a long the way that took me, step by step, in the right direction.

Kelly King Anderson, founder of Startup Princess has provided a fantastic network of support, and if you are feeling the need to start a business from your hobby, or if you have already started but need some extra support or inspiration, there is an event next week that will really help you. Sept 23& 24 I'm going to be speaking about building online sales, specifically on ETSY. I'm feeling rather sentimental and hope there are "Sarah Jane's" out there like I was 3 years ago....driven but needing help and ideas. I know how much these events can help, and I hope to see you there! Register here: www.startupprincess.com/touchpoint and enter in 'princess' for $50 off.

I'm going to be writing parts of my story over the next few weeks. It's a special one to me, and I love looking back to see how I have been so led and guided the whole way.

Happy weekend everyone! And thanks for all your support. It's been an amazing journey!

Guess who came to dinner?

Sandi Henderson is a long time favorite person of mine. Not that I had ever met her...but you know how blogging connects people and you feel like you know them even though you really don't? Well, Sandi has always been one of those people. And when I heard she needed a place to stay while she attended the local creative event, SPARK, it only seemed natural that she should hang out with our crazy family for the weekend.  As soon as I offered, and marked it on my calendar, I realized I just invited a celebrity and a stranger to my house for 4 days. Am I crazy? Basically.

Her first line of fabric,

Ginger Blossom

If you don't know Sandi, here's what you need to know. Creative. Seamstress. Fabric Designer. Artist. Mother. Vintage lover. Maker. Doer of good things. Crazy amazing. If you haven't seen her work, you might have seen it on your daughter's skirt. Or on your neighbor's quilt. Or at your local up-scale fabric store. She is one of those people with a really great story too:  Mother of 2 starts a business selling her children's clothing line and patterns, and naturally segways into fabric design (teaching herself all through her first line of designs) and now is making quite the name for herself in fabric and design.

See her

new book?

Loving it.

And besides all that great stuff...she is a really nice person. Don't you love nice people? She's a fun loving, great mama, beautiful person, and it was so great to spend time with Sandi in person.

Sandi's booth at Quilt Market

We all feel like we know each other from blogging, ya know?  We're all just behind a lot of screens, admiring each other's lives from behind a lot of computer monitors...supporting each other and rooting for each other from afar. But to connect in person...that's the ultimate.

Her latest fabric line,

Meadowsweet

It was so great to have her in our kitchen while we cooked, shared recipes, chatted and ate yummy food.  To find out our families are really similar...from the kinds of food we crave and make to our children's quirky tendancies...was really fun to discover too. We had also had lots to talk about in terms of art and fabric too...but I can't talk about that just yet...more on that later...and soon, very soon (wink, wink).

Images and tutorials from her new book

So this is what I'm thinking...all of this blogging love...just needs to happen in person more often. We (my husband that is) will be making a cinnamon apple tart with apricot glaze this weekend, wanna come over?

Studio News.

This weekend, I had the lovely time of having the lovely Katherine photograph my studio. I'm going to be on KSL this morning (11:10 am on KSL news), and I needed to send in some pictures of my work space.  And though I haven't finished decorating and designing it, it was fun to shoot anyhow. I've had an array of work spaces over the years, and it's fun to look and see how they have evolved...I've had everything from corner of the dining room table to shared computer desk to bedroom. But if I have learned one thing about what I need in a work space, it's two words: "comfortable" and "inspiring." So that is what I am working on. I'll be sure to show more pictures soon! Like when I put up my half wall bulletin surface, and paint the other wall with chalkboard paint. Stay tuned.

But really, if you are local, tune in. I think it will be a really great panel. I'll be speaking with 2 other women and we'll be sharing tips and realities of starting a business at home. (I could say a lot on this topic!!)  And thanks for all your wonderful comments about that topic. I got some really good ideas, and I hope to be addressing those! I'll post the link to the web clip below as soon as I get it.

Thanks so much! See you on T.V.

P.S. I'll be the one who's trying really hard not to look nervous. I haven't been on T.V. since 5th grade morning announcements. This should be about the same thing, right?

EDIT: Here's the link to the video clip. It was fun to do...and not long enough...but I did it. Whew.

Juvenile line.

Can I just tell you. I have the best job in the world. I wake up to 3 ready-to-explore-the-world-children. I get to spend time in my home all day. I get to read picture books as much as I want. I get to draw for kids. I get to see the world like children do all day. Oh, and there are all the other minor things like laundry, dishes, carpooling, budgeting, lessons, mopping, and working late hours after kids are in bed. But truthfully, I can't think of a better job doing what I love to do, at home.

Tonight I was sketching on the floor while the kids were playing, and Addie asked me to draw her. She had just chopped a good 6 inches of her hair into a darling bob, and wanted to pose for me. She loves to pose. Like most kids love to be in front of mommy's camera, Addie loves to pose while I draw. And most times, she comes and finishes the drawing how she likes it. Tonight, she wanted a crown, a bow, a tutu and added the text on her shirt and some flip flops. And to be honest, it looks better after she touched it.

Juvenile line. I've been thinking a lot about how my children draw, and how it reflects how they see the world. And how what I draw and see is so different than what they draw and see. It's an interesting concept: they see so much more, but draw so much less. And truly, that is the art I hope to re-achieve someday. True art is expressing as much as possible in as little as possible. And that 'juvinile line'...a child's expression which exposes in part how they see their world....makes all the difference.

Happy Site Friday

Some eye candy for your weekend.

I've been loving these pillows for a while. Don't they make you happy?

I love smart people. How awesome is this lego paper cutter? Paper and lego's mixed. Now you can craft with your lego lovin' kids. Endless possibilities. (Sorry, the link is to a Japanese site. Anyone know if you can get these in the USA?)

I am basically in love with this print. Found here and here.

Fall colors are my favorite. And this outdoors craft idea via Bloessom kids is charming!

And another brilliant craft idea with instructions here. Theses are cardboard horses on stampede. Stunning art!

Happy weekend everyone! Thanks so much for your comments on my art vs. business post. Such great thoughts from you guys! I love it.

And thanks for your well wishes about the T.V. spot. I've been so busy I don't think I'll have time to be nervous! I'll let you know how to watch it as soon as I get the info.

xo

sarah jane