There is something about Fall that makes me want to make things. I’m perfectly happy lying around doing nothing all summer, but for some reason, when it starts getting cool, I start getting crafty. So, here’s what I’ve been doing when I should be working on— you guessed it— the Fairy Tale book. I know, I know— someone made a comment when I was whining before about working on this book that she wished her “work” was a Fairy Tale book.  That’s a good point and I SHOULDN’T complain. Which is a shame, because I love to complain.  Anyway, I found these unpainted wooden bracelets at Hobby Lobby and brought several home to fool around with.  Then I found some clear acrylic ones at Red Lead that you decoupage on the inside.  I love them! I could do this all day if it weren’t for those pesky deadlines.

Then I went to Michaels and discovered they had greatly expanded their jewelry-making department, or maybe I had just never made it over to that side of the store before.  I made a few necklaces using my broken necklaces and earrings and buttons and pendants…. so easy and fun that I didn’t even mind when my neck turned green.

And finally, I decorated a jean jacket for my horse-loving daughter.  I was very happy with the way it turned out and surprisingly, so was she!!  The only problem is I had never worked with felt before and I just used the squares you can buy at the craft store.  I’m afraid if it rains while she’s wearing it, the felt will just disintegrate, leaving raggedy little outline stitches.  Oh well.  Live and learn.

And now, fun’s over. Back to the Fairy Tale book. I’m not complaining. I’m just saying.

-Mary

My name is Erin Stroble and I’ve been the intern at the Studios for the past four months. It’s hard to believe that my internship is finally coming to an end as I get ready to go back to school. Sometimes I still can’t believe that I’m eating lunch next to the same person whose calendars and quotes I used to collect in my room as a child. Over the summer I’ve really come to know the team at the studios pretty well. It’s hard not to let the work environment rub off on you with bright flowers and cherries everywhere.

As an art student and fan, I realize how lucky I am to have had this opportunity. Whether sitting in on meetings or seeing Mary’s next project up close, I’ve been soaking up everything as much as possible.

It’s been amazing getting familiar with all of the stages of the design and approval process and seeing how just one doodle can become a final product.

One thing that has really struck me is the span of Mary’s work; on a trip to visit a friend in Miami, I pointed to a picture hanging on a girl’s wall only to hear people scream excitedly, “You’re working for her?!” One thing this internship has really taught me is how much art can inspire people’s lives.

Getting a glimpse into the life of a successful artist has given me a whole new perspective I can’t wait to bring to my classes this year!

P.S. From Irene, AKA the Intern’s Boss!

It was such a pleasure to have Erin as our intern. She was truly delightful, very professional and a quick study – not to mention a very promising artist. We were so impressed with how willing she was to take on any project and her diligence in completing it…. so impressed in fact, that we kept asking her if she would drop out of college and just join the Studios already. We laughed; her mom didn’t.  By the way ME Studios encourages students to stay in school!!!  Hopefully she will return for another summer internship in 2010 because her cute TO DO BASKET  is filling up.

Good luck Erin! Much success and you will be missed.

Several years ago, my art director Stephanie Barken and I were wandering around the Atlanta gift show in between meetings with our licenses and prospective licenses.  Our feet hurt, we were exhausted, our bags were getting heavier by the minute and we were SICK of “gifts”.  All of a sudden we came across a showroom that was so amazing, so different, so fabulous that we immediately perked up and went in.  Everyone working there was in costume, everyone was laughing and talking and eating popcorn and drinking soda and staring around in awe of the beautiful displays of figurines and ornaments.  We had stumbled into Katherine’s Collection,  and are we ever glad we did! Now, after much begging on our part, Katherine’s is doing several collections based on my Christmas books, “A Merry Little Christmas” and “The Night Before Christmas”!

They had never worked with another artist before. All the artwork and design had always been done by Wayne Kleski and his amazing crew (Am I using the word “amazing” too much?  I can’t help it, for obvious reasons). Year after year, holiday after holiday, Wayne comes up with new and wondrous themes, including fairies, underwater creatures, new-but-vintage-looking Easter and Halloween things, angels, forest animals, the cutest baby things ever, gambling nuns, Victoriana….. the list goes on and on. He certainly doesn’t need any help from another artist, but I am honored to say he saw potential for our two lines to merge, and together we have created what I think is a pretty darling Christmas program!

The detail is, well, amazing. You can see how exact the figures are to the illustrations in the book.

We’re still working on “The Night Before Christmas” pieces for next year, but the “Merry Little Christmas” program will be available in October at our on-line store and hopefully at your favorite local gift stores.

It’s so energizing  to work with another artist who completely understands the look I’m going for. And Wayne, his lovely wife Katherine, and two daughters Kate and Julie, plus everyone who works for them are such fun! PLUS they send great thank you gifts.

I can see I’m going to have to get cracking on an extra-special Christmas gift for them. But  my best gift from them is being able to see  my drawings come to perfect 3D life at your house this Christmas!