heysusy

Moving Day!

Well, the day has finally come when I can show you what I've been working on over the summer, and into the fall. My new Susy Jack* website is now live, and starting with my next post, I will have a new home for my blogging, also.

Starting on Monday, I'll be posting over here at my new blog, exclusively. I'm thrilled to finally have my blog, shop, and studio in one venue. I hope you'll come and visit me often... I'll be posting more of my own work in style, pattern design, product design, and lifestyle, and of course, waxing poetic on paper clips and top hats, now and then.

See you on the flip side...

Can't wait.  xo! S

 

Website Redesign - Sneak Peek

Hello, all. Now, I'm not one to get too excited about things until they happen-- preserving my excitement is something I've gotten really good at in the course of owning a business-- But, now that we're onto the testing and tweaking phase of the new Susy Jack website, I do think it's time to share a snippet or two.

Susy Jack's new home, I hope, will be a place where my products and my blogging will live side by side, in a unique space. The concept I've been working with is of creating a "home" online - and the visualization behind it has been thinking of the type of space I'd love to walk through in reality, with my customers and visitors. What kind of space would I want us to be in together? And what would our conversation be like there?

It's been amazing to work with this idea in mind, to create a site that focuses more on where my designs originate from, opens possibilities for designing in new categories, and offers an improved shopping/browsing experience for my customers... something more than a "look" - an experience I can share.

While I can't reveal the whole launch, I thought I'd post two functional elements I've added in which will be great additions - a magnifying zoom which I hope will enable visitors to "feel" the quality and detail of items as they browse (so important for smaller, more delicate pattern work, and faster than all that clicking through); and, an improved account setup...which I hope will be more convenient and easier for those of you who order repeatedly.

Finally, one of my personal favorite touches are the little rollovers for the account info area...fun details like the key in the image above. The horse above the cart (see below) being possibly my favorite of all. 

OK - that's it for now...more to come very soon. x Susy

Credits 
All design - created by yours truly
Ecommerce and web development - I am working with Aeolidia (who are great btw)

Swatchbook

Happy Tuesday all. Just thought I'd share some pattern work, today. Things are moving right along here in the studio, and I am in the process of designing, organizing, and working on some aspects of my business that I am excited about. 

Next week, I'll be attending (not exhibiting--attending) Printsource here in NYC, which is one of the premier surface design and textile design tradeshows in the industry. It occurs a couple of times each year. I'm really looking forward to it. The past couple of years have brought some amazing pattern and licensing opportunities, which I didn't plan on when I started my business -- and it's an area of growth that I've greatly enjoyed, so I am going to head over and check out the show this year. If any of you are attending, let me know! 

More soon. x S

New Susy Jack at Target!

 

Good Morning, All!

I'm back with some happy news. The Susy Jack for Blue Sky Home Series has just launched at Target. I couldn't be more thrilled about the way the products look, and beyond that, they are super useful-- geared towards that tricky intersection where home, life, family, and work meet - one of my favorite spots to design for, as some of you know!

My own favorite features of this line are it's durability, upbeat mood, and stylish combination of brights and neutrals. The sizing of the calendars is also fantastic, with handy portable and larger versions.

There are a few other samples of to-do pads and shopping lists - so I'll post images of them when I receive them.

Anyway, if you are popping by a Target, I hope you will check out what Blue Sky and I have created together. The line can also be purchased at the Blue Sky website.

Top: Warm Tone Hanging Door List Pads and Dry Erase Weekly Calendar - love the grommet detail!
Bottom: Cool Tone Purse Planner, Wirebound To Do Agenda, Dry Erase Schedule Organizer and Note Caddy
Below: Warm Tone Purse Planner, Wirebound To Do Agenda, and Oversize Horizontal Planner.

images via Blue Sky, by Ken Greenlee

Weekender

Just a couple of quick sketches... I like the way they feel together Kind of fun and folksy yet modern in their color. These are grabs from my monitor. I think the top one would make great wrap or cotton fabric, and the bottom would make a really nice silkscreen for wallpaper - where the brown is kraft color/substrate, and the red and white are the inks on top.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. 

Collection News

Good Friday Morning, Everyone. Well, what a week it has been. I have to say, I'm pretty wiped out physically and mentally right now, but in so many ways, this week has been a turning point. Up here are a couple of images of what I have been busy with.

The top image is a new pattern I've created for paper, called Kilim Weave, which was probably, to my surprise, the best seller. I wasn't quite sure if the paper market would really like the sort of tribal look. But, I really wanted to celebrate a design style that is so inspiring to me, and to adapt it for paper.

A little history on the Kilim shape -- it is actually, in weaving, the symbol for a star. At this point, I found that particularly inspring, both from a personal and professional standpoint.

The bottom is an image of my booth at the show

I've definitely got thoughts on the show, and on the state of business in general, so I hope to assemble them sometime soon. I will tell you that this year, the Stationery Show was different. I can't exactly figure out how...but will be thinking about that more.

Have wonderful weekends all. Anyone who came by at the show...thank you so much. It was a pleasure to see you, speak with you, and get to know you better.  Susy

***update***
Perhaps you've been following this post over at Design Sponge...it's quite interesting, and is something I was thinking about prior to working on my collection, and to participating in the Stationery Trade Show.

I've never done this before, but here's a video I made on the topic. I highly recommend you watch the initial video on Design*Sponge first... and this one by Megan Auman too.

On Innovation and a Recent Trade Show from Susan Connor on Vimeo.

 

Open Endings { sculptural decor }

Today...a little furniture lust... I was taken by the shape of this table up top. It's made from an old barn beam. I really like the way the base makes one question what it is first, and then begin to think of ways to use it. One thing I love in design, is when an object serves a purpose, but also encourages more creativity.

Same goes for these tables. They're also made of reclaimed barn beams. I think my humongous vase would look great on these. What d'ya think?

Top: here
Bottom: here

 

Near, Far, and all the places in between...

I feel a bit guilty that I've been neglecting HS as of late. Basically, I've been busy working on lots of new products to launch, creating the catalog, the packaging, doing the pricing, making sure everything is logistically moving ahead. It's kind of like sitting on an enormous egg...

In truth, the launch is equal parts new designs and refocus. Since January, I've been thinking very seriouslly about my brand, myself as a designer, and the direction I really want to go in...what feels right?

The result is a special new collection called "Near and Far". I chose this name because it reflects the journey I have taken to arrive at the designs, but also it's an interpretation of the inspiration behind the motifs, the idea of bringing inspiration closer, making it your own. It also says a lot about myself as a creative entrepreneur...working intimately day-to-day, but also looking into the future, and being mindful of the past and it's lessons.

Anyway, there are fewer designs, so I won't be offering a huge reveal til May 15th, at the National Stationery Show, but before that, I wanted to offer a little context here. Happy Weekends All!

ps. If you'd like to be notified when the collection launches, I will be sending out a mailing, you can sign up here.

 

Take a Bow

Lots of people confuse design with styling or decorating. Not that styling and decorating are invalid...but I think it's important to consider the distinction, in terms of working creatively. Design involves more than just application, and in a way, it goes very deep. Design uses form, symbol, reference, and context to create something new and thought provoking...and of some use.

That being said, I consider these reversible bowties to be actual design. I really love the reference of the bowtie, with the traditional colors and patterns, flipped on it's head to make something wacky yet informed...

I came late to this party - they're no longer available. But they were originally designed by this person for this company.

Monday

Holla!

Just sharing a few sketches from the weekend. I am really loving the pattern with the sketchy black lines up here. I hope to explore that design idea further. I'm having a great time lately, soaking up tons of inspirations from all over the place, and cranking out surface design and textile inspired sketches. Just getting the ideas out is the important thing, right now.

The National Stationery Show is quickly approaching and I am getting excited...It has taken me three years to figure out how to plan for a trade show, and now I have it down pat, so... no stress! Just looking forward to the fun. This year, I did create a trade show schedule, so everything is pretty much under control. I'm really looking forward to launching some of my new products and showing off some new directions.

Enjoy your Mondays all.