Hello friends!
Writing to you from a brand new computer & a crazy week.
I sort of feel like I'm writing to you from a whole other universe on this machine.
I've wanted to share a Nutcracker tale with you for ever so long.
Finally, today is that day.
Hooray!
With new treats in my shop too.
But first, here's the tale.
The company (BPlusPrintworks) that I worked with on my ballerina giftware line asked me to do something fun this summer. They asked if I would consider illustrating characters inspired by The Nutcracker ballet. The illustrations would be used on some fun products for the ballet industry.
I agreed and set off to watch The Nutcracker endless times.
It became Christmas all summer.
I just let The Nutcracker repeat in the background as I drew for months.
I submitted my drawings, worked on edits and pretty soon things started to take shape.
Clara and the Nutcracker grew very near and dear to my heart.
As visions of sugar plum fairies really did dance through my head.
Over and over and over.
Pretty soon I had 60 or more drawings to choose from.
Then I spent another couple weeks adding color to all the drawings.
After that I waited to see how they would be brought to life.
Or what kind of products would be made.
And then, I received some super sweet pieces.
These are boxed notecards featuring some of my illustrations.
I love the box they are in so much.
There are also coffee/tea cups.
I was so overjoyed and just smitten with these little delights.
Then I was inspired to create a poster using all of the characters.
So, I created this Nutcracker Sweet Poster for BPlus Printworks.
(they sell to retail establishments and do gift shows etc)
They have sold out on the poster a couple of times, however I got my hands on a dozen which I popped into my shop.
The price point is pretty amazing, but it's a vendor promo price that may not last, so do take a peek if you'd like one for yourself.
Here's a better peek below at what the boxed notecards look like.
They are great quality fold open cards.
This is what the back of the box looks like.
My camera was being finicky, sorry about the pic.
There are also collectible pins as you can see below.
And some super adorable 3" mirrors.
These make such great gifts.
I've bundled them into little gift sets in my shop.
They turned out so crisp and clear.
I'm so excited about how sweet the pieces turned out.
I really couldn't be happier after a long drawing summer.
So, if it seems like I've been missing here and there...
Now you know why.
I've had a bunch of things going on and been quite busy.
I'm also trying to finish some sculptures and paintings while working on other projects.
I have a few of all of these products in my shop.
Not a ton, but a nice little smattering.
I hope you like them.
You can get some right here.
It feels like these officially kick off the holiday season.
In my world at least.
:-)
All my seasons sort of did a mashup this year.
I'm trying to sort it out somehow in my mind, haha!
Off I go for now.
See you real soon!
Love, V
