Happy July! You are probably wondering where I have been. I am now a full-time elementary art teacher and I just completed my first full-year of teaching. Most of my time has been spent learning how to manage work and my personal life and I haven’t had much time to sew, paint or create in general. My creative energy has been put into lesson planning and creating engaging, student-centered art projects.

Holding space for the creative release of so many children has been rewarding. I also realize that my experiences teaching summer art camps has prepared me for teaching full-time.

Hands of my students after gelli plate printmaking

A memory story quilt created by one of my students that was inspired by artist Faith Ringgold.

Getting Into a Rhythm With My Personal Art

Now that I have grasped a rhythm with my teaching career, I am beginning to find windows of time to create my personal artwork. This summer break, I decided to focus on creating more of my jewelry and art. A week after the last day of school, I hit the pavement running preparing to be a vendor at a Juneteenth celebration. It had been about 3 years since the last time I was a vendor at an event and I had about a two weeks notice to build my inventory.

It was a stretch for me to get so much done in short window of time, but by God’s grace and with the help of my tribe, I got it done. The event was a success and I almost sold out of all of my jewelry.

My vendor table at Juneteenth event (before)

Summer Collection

My shop here on my website will be restocked for my summer collection of jewelry and art this Thursday, July 6th at 8AM (EST). Based on my schedule as a full-time art teacher, I decided that seasonal drops work best for me. Having seasonal collections will also allow me to stay consistent in a way that works for me. Once the items sell, that is it until the next drop in October.

Thank you all for reading and I hope that you will be able to purchase my handmade jewelry and/or art prints.