The Noodle Factory

What Would You Like To See?

2012-02-10T08:42:00.003-05:00

I've been creating a lot of flowery things lately, and that's fun. But I feel like I need to add some other themes to my product line. I'm thinking birthdays. Maybe friendship. I'm looking for some feedback. What would you like to see?

Pretty In Pink Wedding Set

2012-02-07T11:22:00.002-05:00

This is, by far, one of my favorite clipart sets. I'm afraid the photos may not do it justice. It's super romantic and pretty, perfect for wedding/shower invitations and paper goods.

So if you or someone you know is planning a wedding this year and looking to stay within budget, this is an inexpensive and simple way to get a really unique and pretty look. Visit my Etsy shop to find out more.

MCAL Aquarius Show

2012-02-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

Orange Dart Frog - color pencil

Blue Dart Frog - color pencil

Last September I joined the Medina County Art League, a group of talented local artists. The Art League organizes wonderful speakers and workshops for it's members and any visitors through the year. It also arranges many opportunities for it's members to show their work.

The two largest shows sponsored by MCAL are "Art In The Park", an annual Summer Event that draws nearly 15,000 visitors every year, and the Aquarius Show; a members only showing of two pieces from each member willing to participate. The show take place in a beautiful, bright and convenient location in our local library. This year there were 116 entries of all varieties.

Watercolors, pastel, oil paint, photography, color pencil, graphite pencil and mixed media were all represented. It's a lovely show and, if you're in the area, it shouldn't be missed. It's a great opportunity to sample some of the creativity and talent right here in Medina.

I was so excited to include my two 6x6" color pencil pieces, two poisonous dart frogs! I just loved them, and was grateful for a chance to show them along with my Art League friends. Trust me when I say that never in a million years did I expect what happened. I received a call from a league member suggesting that, if I wasn't planning on attending the opening reception, I should reconsider. She had reason to believe I may want to be there. I was so excited thinking that I may had received an Honorable Mention. Well, I had planned on attending the opening anyway, now I was just a bit more nervous!

The Honorable Mention Awards were called and I wasn't one of them. Oh well, I thought. She must have wanted me here for some other reason. The remaining awards were announced (3rd place, 2nd place, 1st place) and no mention of me (not that I thought there would be!). Long story short, friends.... my little Orange Dart Frog received the prize of Best In Show!! I couldn't believe it!! I was stunned. I was on a high for the next 12 hours.

And, you know, receiving that recognition encourages me to try even harder and become even better at what I do. I'm so thrilled and motivated now to really make the most of my time and efforts and creativity.

Just had to share.

My proud boys and I (note the 'this can't be right' look still glued to my face).

Thursday, Feb. 2nd

2012-02-02T12:03:00.002-05:00

Happy Groundhog's Day!

This image is one of five from my "My Little Chickadee" clipart set, available at my Etsy shop.

Today is grey and cold and it seems like a perfect afternoon to draw some flowers. I have a vision in my head of these beautiful pale pink flowers sweeping around the edges of a wedding or shower invitation. Look for them here in the next couple of days.

Custom Orders

2012-02-01T09:22:00.001-05:00

Good morning! Today I thought I'd share what seems to be an Etsy favorite. It's been getting a lot of attention lately and, why not. It's cute, isn't it!?!

This was a custom order for MadeByAPrincess, an great Etsy shop where you can find adorable and unique paper products for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers and more. This set of birthday cupcakes is for a certain little one's first birthday party.

Custom orders are fun for me as I love to hear your ideas. So if you have a great idea but can't quite find what you're looking for, contact me at my Etsy shop and we'll be on our way to being creative together!

Third Tuesday, Jan. 31st Post

2012-01-31T10:37:00.001-05:00

Last post for today, but, given that Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I thought I'd share a heart-filled clipart set that has become very popular at my Etsy shop. Have any Valentine projects coming up? Then come by and take a peek. It really is very cute.

Second Tuesday, Jan. 31st Post

2012-01-31T10:29:00.003-05:00

As I've been gone for so long, I have a lot of catching up to do. I'll start with my favorite new clipart set that I created with weddings in mind. According to theKnot.com, hand drawn illustrations are a hot trend for wedding invitations in 2012. I've created this set with not only the invitations in mind, but response cards, menus, programs and any other paper product you may want to use. I also think it would make beautiful notecards and stationary. I know working on these perky and bright daisies definitely cheered me on a grey January day.

Stop by my Etsy shop to see the full set. It sells for $5 and includes seven separate images. If you purchase the set, I'd love to see what you do with it. Let's be creative, together!

First Tuesday, Jan. 31st Post

2012-01-31T10:22:00.001-05:00

I'm back. Loyal followers and well wishers, I have spent the last couple of months refining what it is I do. I was getting frustrated that my blog was becoming a scattered assortment of this and that without any real focus or direction. It was, in all honesty, a reflection of how I was feeling artistically and professionally.

But no more! I took a step back, thought about what I really like to do and what avenues are suited to my style(s). Rather than tailoring my work to what I think others may want to see, I've defined what it is I do and found appropriate outlets and products for it. And I'm feeling happy and satisfied.

I've begun selling digital clipart at my Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/JCarrIllustration) and I'm having so much fun with it and getting really good feedback. I'll be featuring new clipart designs here and at my shop and would love to hear your thoughts and impressions of them. If you're a crafter or know one, digital downloadable clipart is a wonderfully easy way to obtain images for use in your home craft projects. If you use any of my drawings I'd LOVE to see your finished product.

I'm also creating fine art drawings and showing them locally. I've become more involved in my local art league and am thoroughly enjoying the experience of interacting with other artists. I'll also be filling you in on art shows and original pieces that I'm working on. If you're local (Northeast Ohio) maybe you'll even attend one of the events I blog about. I'd love to see you there!

So thanks for sticking with me and I hope I can offer a worthwhile place for all of us to share our creativity.