cedar studio

In case you missed the news, we are moving! We are leaving Milwaukee behind and settling ourselves in a small town just north of here.
Life will be different.
Instead of drunk college students passed out in our front yard, we will have trees and a creek and a barn. Our neighbors will be wild turkey, bears, foxes, deer.

I'm going to take some time to nest and set up a new studio and write up a new business plan. I'll be posting here periodically with progress and some snaps of the new place. I hope you will check back in from time to time as I begin this new chapter. I am so excited to begin again, and the plans for what lies ahead are BIG and BEAUTIFUL and what dreams are made of. 

If I can take away one thing from the journey thus far, it is this - waiting around for life to happen will mean a life of waiting. I know that I want to spend my time doing instead of thinking about doing. 

I will still be accepting orders and shipping during this time...

xo

guest posting...

Well, let's set aside the fact that I can't seem to keep up with my own blog and head over to Little Lottie Loves to read about my thoughts on collecting art for kids! Charlotte asked me to cover for a day while she's out of town, and I couldn't be happier to oblige. 

Thanks Charlotte!

Pinterest

hello, buddies.
I have a new thing going on over at Pinterest.

It's a kind of bulletin board, where I can collect and "pin" images from around the web to share what I'm liking and loving at any given moment. I love this - it's a quick way to keep track of things for myself, and it's easier than making a full blog post.

So bookmark it and check back often!

http://pinterest.com/amymarcella/pins/

big love

Ava is 11 days old, and she already looks so different to me. Things we are learning about her:

- She is a noisy sleeper. She growls and grunts and kicks and flails for a good part of the night. She also makes tiny bird noises that make my heart explode.

- She loves music. Tom plays records for her and she seems to be really listening to it. The first song she listened to was The Girl from Ipanema:



- She doesn't like mommy to do anything but hold her. I need a new sling so we can have a compromise on that one, since I am a busy body and need to be moving around more than sitting on the couch. We have the Moby wrap, but I don't think either of us really likes it. We ordered a Bjorn and I would like to try a simple ring sling. Once we have that sorted out, we will be back in business!

In the meantime, I am still shipping orders as they come in so there should be no delay for my etsy customers. The challenge is getting new items listed, but that will work itself out soon enough....

We are expecting a record amount of snow today and tomorrow, so it's a good thing I am still on doctor's orders to take it easy - cookies and tea are in my immediate future...

Ava Winter

Ava Winter has arrived! She was born after 11 hours of labor, under a full moon.

These first few days have been unimaginably beautiful, exhausting, challenging, and amazing.

I couldn't ask for a better partner in life than Tom. I am the luckiest.

We are so happy to have you here, Ava!

calendar sale!

My 2011 Wall Calendar is now only $15.00! I had a limited run printed this year, so the remaining calendars are ready to go.

I also have a new print in the shop:

You Look Pretty print
I have been offering this as a card set, and now it is available as a beautiful archival print, suitable for framing, on my favorite heavy paper.

As this year wraps up, I am more excited than ever to see what the next year will bring. 2010 was an amazing year, and 2011 is just one big happy question mark. I can't say I have set any goals for the coming year, since all I can focus on is this new person who is about to introduce herself to us. We are less than 2 weeks away from the due date,  and as I write this this she is contorting her body, getting into position, getting ready to come out. It's all I can think about, and I have never been more willing to let go of expectations and set aside ideas of what will happen next - I just don't know, and that's fine by me.

I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year!

7 weeks

well hello there.

I have been a busy bee over here, shipping 100 calendars all over the world. It blows my mind that someone in Singapore will have my calendar on their wall in a few days. It's kind of like a little piece of me  gets to go too. And after several hardcore days of collating, packing and wrapping the calendars, checking names and addresses off lists, printing labels and sealing boxes, a little piece of me did go out with each shipment. 

This year's calendar was different for me because for the first time, I had someone else do all the printing and cutting. This meant a financial investment and risk on my part, and that was a hard thing to do. I had saved money all year to take this leap, but I was afraid to let it go. I had a lot of encouragement, and at a certain point it became clear that if I wasn't willing to invest in myself, why should any of you? So I did it, and I am so glad I did. This experience has set me up for more risk-taking and plans are in the works to take all of this to the next level - more production of more ideas and more to share with you. 

My birthday is this weekend, and for the first time, maybe ever, I don't care. I am the youngest of four, and I think this contributes to my annual anxiety over my birthday - does anyone care that it's MY SPECIAL DAY? The day that I reflect on what I did with the past year, whether I made good choices, where my benchmark is compared to what I wished for in previous years? I know - self-important, much?

This year I will be 32, and I feel like 31 was such a great year that I can't ask for anything more. I did good things this year, and somehow rather than make a big deal out of my birthday, I kind of want it to pass quietly, so as not to disturb the upward march to More Good Things.

Speaking of good things (are you still reading? This is a super long post), in about 7-ish weeks I will have a baby. Forever. I will be a mom. A parent. To a human. Last week in birthing class we watched a video of a birth, and as I looked around the room to see if anyone else was as grossed out as I was, I realized that maybe I'm not entirely suitable for laboring. I decided not to do it. This baby can just stay put, or be born through reverse osmosis, because there is no way I am pushing a human out of my vagina. 

On the flip side of that, I have watched this birthing video multiple times, and it makes me cry each time and then I feel like I can produce the human. It's so beautiful, and not gross, and there are no gaping vaginas.

to do

Cheerful Quilted Playmat : Purl Bee

I love this project from Purl Bee. Adding this to my list of things to do in the next 4 months, which is quite a long list, possibly the longest to-do I have ever undertaken. If you don't see me for a while, that's why. I have to clean out every nook and cranny of our house and rid myself of things we don't need. I have to de-clutter our lives so that we have room to play on the floor and to adjust our clocks to the clock of a new human. I have to ready us for an event that will change everything, already has changed everything. I have to make room for baby.

I started yesterday by attempting to clear out the guest room. This was a silly practice of pulling all the large things out of the room, only to place them in the hallway with nowhere to go. Sorry, chair. Your time here is up. Sorry, lamp. Your shape does not work for us anymore. Sorry rug. Your colors are not right for this baby. 

Once most of it was out, I began to lose my mind because now? Now all this stuff was taking over our living room and dining room and then the crib arrived. Oh hello crib. I am itching to get the crib set up and really get this nursery in order, but. BUT.

It turns out that the other giant item on my to-do list is also the largest piece of art I have ever attempted, and the only wall in our house that will accommodate its largeness is the wall in the guest room. The wall where the crib belongs. The work I will be doing is a commission, due in the next 6 weeks, and its dimensions are such that our little house can almost not contain it. Except this one wall. 

So, the crib will have to wait, and the house will be in disarray, and last night I dreamed that all my hair was grey. This is not to say that I am sad or even frustrated - not at all. I am freaking exuberant over here. Glowing. Skipping. Because yesterday we learned that in 4.5 months, that crib will hold our baby girl.

bird

I'm not sure what this orchid is called, but we have had it for a few years, and this year it finally bloomed again. I never noticed the bird before though, and I have to say it took my breath away when I began to photograph it. I didn't see it until I looked through the lens - I guess I just needed a new perspective.

(UN)SUBCONSCIOUS
I've been having a lot of crazy dreams lately - lucid, epic, startling dreams. I often wake up with confusion over what my brain just put together, but the overwhelming feeling is fascination. Dreams. I have always been intrigued by the unconscious mind and the puzzles it presents or solves. During this pregnancy though, I have been spending my nights protecting Oprah from a stalker, having elicit affairs with the man who in reality is sleeping right next to me, giving birth to a Chinese baby who suddenly becomes a 9-year old as soon as I turn my back - those are the tame dreams though. I have already washed away the others with my morning shower.

SPEAKING OF DREAMS
I am finally taking steps to make my little business a real venture. I want to get things rolling now, before the baby comes, in the hope that the momentum will keep moving forward. I have a lot of inspiration and  solid plans, and I think the next step to make it a reality is to register my business name. Can you help me out? Should I choose:

marso
marso handmade
marso design
marso home

I am stepping away from "amy marcella" and going with a combination of my middle and last name "marcella soczka". I think this short and sweet version will carry over to a full product line eventually, what do you think?

funday

hello everybody,

I have some pretty exciting things to share this week, as well as some pretty lofty goals to set and accomplish this summer. Let's start with the announcements, and save the goals for later.

ONE

I landed a commission! I will be creating some pretty gigantic papercut murals that will be installed in a hotel in LAS VEGAS BABY. I have never been there, but I am thinking that once this gets installed, I will have to make the trip. I will be sharing my process along the way, and all I can hope for is that I don't melt down with anxiety and start over five times. We are talking 64 square feet of me and an Xacto blade (or 60 blades, or more). 

TWO

I feel odd announcing this so publicly, but it is pretty much the center of my universe right now so here goes: I'm pregnant! Knocked up! With child! Baby makes three! 

I don't want to turn this into a baby blog though, so I am considering starting a new site for that purpose. I don't know about that yet, but I will certainly keep you posted. If I do start a new site, it will NOT include letters to my fetus or anything too gooey. It will be about cool baby stuff.

This is our first child, and he or she will arrive in January. I'm feeling pretty good, aside from sleepiness, irritability, and lack of motivation in the studio. I am overcoming all of that though, and have been told that in a couple of more weeks I will experience a burst of energy and vitality that I have never seen before. Part of me wonders if that is due to the complete detox that comes with pregnancy, but whatever it is, I'll take it. Also, holy cow I can not get enough fruit. I don't have weird cravings, unless you call my loss of a former cookie obsession and a new found need for fruit 24/7 weird. I don't - I call that a miracle.

Hooray for babies!

We'll get to the "goals" portion of this braincloud later. I need to get this pregnant ass to the gym before Netflix and the couch suck me back in.

want

This iRetrophone is so great! I miss the comfortable old phones and the curly cord that was constantly tested by me stretching into the other room, away from sisterly ears. I love my iPhone, but it's really not at all ergonomic. Then again, I don't like talking on the phone anyway so I guess this is maybe not practical. OR maybe I would be more of a talker if I had this. Hmm.

transitional

...and I'm back.

I know I have been pretty quiet lately, but I hope to be back a lot more often this summer with new work. I am still learning my new camera, and finding that I am in need of LOTS of practice.

I was going to write a longer post today, but I am too excited to get to work. high-five!

i like

I love my new iPhone app (hipstamatic). 

Sources tell me that in a few weeks, I will be back on this site on a regular basis, sharing my works and random ideas with you again! I'm pretty excited and have a few new things lined up - I will keep y'all posted. In the meantime, enjoy the beginnings of spring and the glory that is the sun being up past 6pm. What's old is new again! (who said that originally? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?)

red, red, red

It's beginning to smell like spring. The sun is up early and stays out past dinner, I am wearing a lighter jacket, smiling more and feeling the urge to run around outside. Soon the crocuses will poke their heads out and begin the transition of my backyard from snow-blanketed tundra to a place I would like to hang out all day. I need to figure out how to be paid for that on a weekly basis. My daily responsibilities would include reading books while laying on a handmade quilt in the grass, clearing out the wood pile and hanging a hammock, planting a cutting garden, and why not build a second floor on the garage for the studio expansion? Also, I want a swing and an ice cream machine. And tiny horses. Chickens. Koi pond.

...

oops

It appears I have let my shop go quiet over at etsy. I am figuring out how to work full time and do this too, and I have to admit - it isn't the easiest thing to split in half like that. The good news is that I am still working on my own things and have some juicy projects on the horizon that I am very excited about. I find the challenge is in updating this blog and staying in touch with you all. I appreciate your patience with this process, and assure you (and myself) that things will even out again soon.

I miss it. One thing is for certain - I know exactly what I want to do with my work now more than ever. Taking a step back made me feel the pain of separation from the work, my self, and my need to make things. I'll be back!

cast on

if you checked in earlier, you may have seen a long-winded year end wrap-up in which I reflect on not reflecting, etc.
I deleted it. Too boring, and it was more negative than I feel so I just wiped it out. Magic!


Happy New Year!

oh, hi thursday.

guys. I don't know what happened, but it's Thursday again and my head is spinning. This is GOOD though! I have had a huge response to the calendars, and getting them printed, packaged, and shipped has been my top priority. Things are a-changin' around here:

1. I am now employed full-time by a large company and will start this job the Monday following Thanksgiving. Oh my gosh. This means that I will have a regular person's schedule during the week, which also means less time to play here and in my studio. I'm a little sad about that but more happy to have consistent work.

2. I am hosting Thanksgiving for my whole family here in my house for the first time.

3. I am turning 31 this Saturday. I am trying not to care that it's my birthday, but a part of me will always be a little kid, making wishes and blowing out candles.

4. Art vs Craft! November 28th!

I will not be adding new things to etsy until after Art vs Craft - I need to keep the stockpile high!

big stuff

SHIPPED

whew! I have shipped ALL calendar orders that were placed before November 10. Those placed after will go out next week.

I had more to say and images to share, but you know what? I am TIRED. I'll be back Monday with shop updates and pics and general tom-foolery. Do something nice for yourselves this weekend - you deserve it! I will be having an early Thanksgiving with my family and more than likely a game of Dominos will be in full effect. Train up!

recovery!

Wow, I should really not blog when I'm angry. Noted.

Things are all better now, and I am sending out batches of calendars every day. They look very nice, all stacked and wrapped, and properly cut. Big sigh of relief.

LEATHER
I am hoping to start posting my leather clutches to etsy this week too, but first I have to cross about 7 other things off my list. Feels good.

More soon...

curses

I am so pleased with the calendar orders! I am working hard to get these all printed and out the door this week. I would be well on my way through half of the orders today if not for an unfortunate incident at the DigiCopy. I print the calendars myself, (which I will NOT be doing next year)but I take them to DigiCopy to get cut very cleanly and quickly. I went to a new location yesterday, with 30 calendars all printed and lovely and me full of joy over having so many ready to go.

(insert a long string of curse words here and also steam coming out of my ears, and yes, maybe a few tears.)

I watched as a the young lady stacked my work in the cutter and carelessly turned it on without clamping them down properly. I silently screamed when she looked around for her manager before bringing the ENTIRE STACK over to me saying "You didn't center this right. I cut it on the line you drew, but they are all messed up."

(omfg)

They were centered perfectly, I have had them cut before and they are always great. Half of them were salvageable and look fine, but honestly? I am so mad still. I know these things happen, but now my customers are going to have to wait another week and I have to order new supplies and spend the time re-printing all these calendars. And then to find a new place to get them cut!

Argh.

So, if you ordered a calendar please know that my top priority this week is to get them printed and shipped in the next week. I love what I do so much, so to see it get messed up in the blink of an eye is so upsetting. But really, these things happen. The only thing to do is to roll up my sleeves and get back to printing. First, some laughter therepy: