Author: JNA

Coming from a background in design, graphics, metal arts, and leather work, Jenifer Nakatsu Arntson makes quality hand-built vinyl goods such as hand bags, wallets, checkbooks, and accessories. Her materials are animal-friendly and her finished products are stylish and modern. After working in leather for many years, Jen has switched to working entirely in vinyl but approaches design and construction with the same attention to detail, quality and function she learned when apprenticing to master-level leather craftsmen and metalsmiths. She is now an Austin-based artisan but has lived in Kyoto, St. Paul/Minneapolis, and Tokyo. Jen's work is also available in Austin, San Francisco and New York boutiques. Her website is www.nakatsudesign.com. Jen is also an active member of the Austin Craft Mafia, and Babes in Business Bonanza. When she is not at the studio, she is on her way there.
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Adding to my etsy shop, and lightning hopefully only strikes once

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The metal roof where the lightning hit
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The light switch plate shattered and flew across the room, and this switch looks kind of scorchy

I’ve been listing items on etsy today, with more to come!

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar was good for me, thank you all so much for your support! I sold most of what I had there. I wish I’d been able to make more, but I’ve been out of production due to lightning striking my studio. I’m totally serious, lightning struck my studio. The wiring isn’t quite fixed yet so no overhead light or outlets working. I have to say I feel really very lucky there wasn’t a fire, no one was hurt (my kids were terrified!) and the damage is just around the studio. Ironically I had been working on some pieces with lightning bolt appliques before the storm. Hmm…

I had some surge protectors, not very good ones (a friend gave me one of these Tripp Lite Isobar Surge Protectors after the incident). It was a pretty direct hit (see the photo of the metal roof there on the left, and the scorchy light switch near the point of entry) and I did lose a color laser printer and a wireless base station.

I had just enough hang tags for the stock I had, and display stuff already printed out.  And fortunately all my sewing machines and my favorite shop lamp are ok, I can run them with extension cords until the wiring and the lights are fixed up. January is always a good time to refocus and set some goals, now that I’ve recovered from the holiday busy season, and I have some purging and organizing and cleaning to do before I can hunker down in the studio.

Happy New Year!

 

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In a Metallic Mood

I’ve been working with metallics, found a lovely oxen grained silver, gold (Finally! Who knew it’d be so hard to find in the weight I wanted!), pebbled bronze, and brushed bronze. Made a convertible wristlet (strap can be snapped to side or top D-ring), shown in silver.

SIlver Metallic Wrislet
SIlver Metallic Wrislet

Also, using up little pieces, as shown in this brushed bronze/silver combo zippie.
Dot Donut Metallic Zippie
Dot Donut Metallic Zippie

I’m making stuff for the upcoming Blue Genie Art Bazzar (November 28-December 24th), which is coming up fast! Back to sewing and making donuts. xoxox jna

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Blue Genie Art Bazaar! November 28 thru December 24

I will be participating in the annual Blue Genie Bazaar, now in it’s 14th year!

The 2014 Blue Genie Art Bazaar opens at 10am Friday November 28 at The Marchesa Hall & Theatre. The show will continue to be open 10am-10pm daily until Dec. 24th. Please note, we will be closing early at 6pm on the last day: Dec. 24th, 2014

Shopping at the bazaar is a great way to buy hassle-free holiday gifts and support local artists. The bazaar features the work of more than 130 local and regional artists, offering a wide variety of imaginative and beautiful handmade gifts such as paintings, photography, prints, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glassworks, ceramics, and more you can’t find anywhere else.

Note: Due to the bag ban in Austin, remember to bring your own reusable shopping bags. If you forget, they will have other bags available for a small fee.

Hours: 10am-10pm (closes 6pm Dec. 24th) more bazaar events
Where: Marchesa Hall & Theatre in Lincoln Village at 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin TX 78732 (across from Highland Mall on Middle Fiskville Rd) Directions
Cost: FREE parking and admission! Ample parking space available with immediate proximity to the show, and a bike rack near the entrance for cyclists. The closest CapMetro bus stop is: SW – Highland Mall/Middle Fiskville.

2014 Poster

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Blue Genie Art Bazaar 2014 Call for Artists! Deadline August 24

Blue Genie Bazaar 2014
Interested in applying?

The Blue Genie Art is accepting applications for the 2014 Blue Genie Art Bazaar. This year they are renting an additional 3167 SQ FT, so there will be room for a lot more artists!
Have you ever thought about participating in the Blue Genie Art Bazaar? Prospective Artist Info | Apply Online -before August 24th, 2014!

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Paint-by-number pillows

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I’ve been making a lot of pillows at the workroom which has been excellent practice. These are paint-by-number prints I picked up at Stitch Lab the weekend I went to the Austin Shop Hop (another is coming up weekend of February 21-23, 8 participating fabric stores! I haven’t been to the Cloth Pocket yet, am excited about checking out Nicole’s shop. Also Spruce to see what kind of upholstery fabrics they carry.) Back panels and piping are ultra suede. I made some pennant buntings with fabric I bought at Form & Fabric, photos coming soon, and the two-layered leather thimble I bought at Walker Hall is perfect for hand sewing my vinyl flower pins and tacking drapery pleats at the workroom.

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Blue Genie Art Bazaar! November 29-December 24

BLUGENIELOGO
The annual Blue Genie Art Bazaar opens this Friday November 29 at the Marchesa at 10 am, with a kickoff party from 7-9pm with DJ Bigface and raffle prizes. Free event!

Shopping at the bazaar is a great way to buy hassle-free holiday gifts and support local artists. The bazaar features the work of more than 130 local and regional artists, offering a wide variety of imaginative and beautiful handmade gifts such as paintings, photography, prints, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glassworks, ceramics, and more you can’t find anywhere else.

Note: Due to the bag ban in Austin, remember to bring your own reusable shopping bags. If you forget, they will have other bags available for a small fee.

Hours: 10am-10pm (closes 6pm Dec. 24th) more bazaar events< Where: Marchesa Hall & Theatre in Lincoln Village at 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin TX 78732 (across from Highland Mall on Middle Fiskville Rd) Directions
Cost: FREE parking and admission! Ample parking space available with immediate proximity to the show, and a bike rack near the entrance for cyclists. The closest CapMetro bus stop is: SW – Highland Mall/Middle Fiskville.

2013 BGAB Poster