Watercolor Commissions

January 4, 2016December 29, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Each year, a dear friend does a fair amount of her Christmas shopping from my shop. This year was no different, but instead of cards and stationery, she took advantage of one of my new offerings and commissioned several watercolor paintings. Now that the paintings are in the hands of their happy recipients, I can finally share them with you!

It all started with the radish watercolor I sold last year. Brittney asked if I was planning on more vegetables, and when I said yes, she made a special request for beets! I especially love how the leaves turned out on this one—I made sure to keep the painting very wet and loose so the varying colors I added could flow into each other and dry with the natural variations that make watercolor so great!

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Next up: something new! That’s Deirdre up there, and she loves flamingos, so Brittney asked if I’d be up for doing a little something different, and of course I was! The texture of the feathers was a bit of a challenge, but I feel like I got it just right.

Don’t worry, I’ve saved the best for last (or maybe it’s just my favorite because it’s the one I finished most recently…). For this piece, Brittney sent a few inspiration images, and they were all sketches and drawings, so I decided to go with a different medium. I created an abstract background with blue, purple and green watercolor, then inked the drawing (which I had already sketched in pencil) over the top. I don’t draw much any more, and this reminded me how much I miss it!

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I’d love to do more commissioned work in the future, so if you’re interested in a very special gift, or artwork for yourself, get in touch!

Gift Guide 2015: Girlfriends

December 1, 2015December 1, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I love shopping for my friends—I basically just buy them something I want in their personal style—easy, right? But if you’re feeling like this is the year to pick up something a little different, I’ve got some ideas for you!

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ALL MONOGRAMMED EVERYTHING! Whether it’s your sorority sister or favorite southern belle (I know, total stereotypes, but they do just love monogrammed things!), personalized goodies go a long way this time of year. Less than two weeks left to order stationery, so get in touch soon! Here’s where to find everything: Initial Necklace by Tom Design, Monogram Coaster by 622 press, Stationery Sets by 622 press, Script Stationery by 622 press.

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Then there’s that friend who is always cold. We’ve all got one, we’ve all told her to eat a cheeseburger and all will be well, but since that hasn’t yet happened, you should get her a huge super cozy cowl. I actually wore mine constantly when I worked in an office that kept the AC on well into November in Wisconsin. The unique crochet pattern keeps you warm while staying breathable enough so you don’t get all claustrophobic and hot.

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Making a new house feel like a home can be a challenge. So for a friend that moved this year—especially if it’s a big upgrade from their last place—help cozy up their new spot. Kitchen accessories, artwork and flowers should do the trick! Bonus points if you find out their ideal decorating color scheme. Citrus Coaster set by 622 press, Hand-crocheted dish cloth by 622 press, French 75 original painting by 622 press, Bulb Teapot by Maia Ming Designs, Floral Initial by 622 press.

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And then there’s that friend with the boho style you just can’t seem to nail down. For her, I’ve gathered unique accessories that come with a story. This incredible walnut and brass ring comes all the way from South Africa, courtesy of Zeal Living. It was hand-carved by a local jewelry artist and is sure to become the recipient’s new favorite piece!

I love supporting etsy shop owners—especially those that are just starting out. This gold-rimmed agate pendant and tassle bracelet—which I’ve been lovingly calling a friendship bracelet for grown ups—both come from women-owned shops with less than 20 sales. An order would make their holidays!

Speaking of, an order for one of my new custom floral crowns would make mine! Shown here is the Maxi Crown, but there’s a minimalist version as well (see previous post). They’re only available for custom order at the moment, so get in touch here to order one!

Somebody get me a cocktail

March 21, 2015March 13, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

Today is one I’ve been waiting for—in a few hours, a dear friend and her husband (and first Bermuda visitors) arrive and tonight we’re celebrating her 30th birthday. So it seems an appropriate day to blog about cocktails!

This month I’ve been painting a lot—reviving a love for watercolor I’ve had since childhood. A few weeks back, I started a series of classic cocktails sketched with pencil and illuminated with watercolor. I love the opportunity for both wet work—where the colors mix into each other—as well as layering transparent color on top of an area that has already dried, to create the illusion of glass.

The original paintings are now available in my etsy shop and I think they’d make the absolute perfect art for a home bar or even your kitchen! I’ll probably keep adding to this collection—do you have a favorite cocktail I should paint? Leave a comment below!

Gift guide: For the foodie

December 4, 2011 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 4 Comments

One of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received was a wok filled with all the equipment and ingredients to make a variety of Asian meals—all packaged up with a cook book to tell me how to make them. The giver of this gift not only gave me something I’d been wanting—the wok—they gave me the gift of a hassle-free cooking experience by doing all the legwork for me. It didn’t cost a lot of money, but her thoughtfulness really made a difference.

I’m planning to present a variety of gift guides filled with beautiful handmade things your loved ones will enjoy. I encourage you to plan ahead, put a little extra thought into your gifts this holiday season and make your gifts truly matter to those you’re giving them to! Happy Giving!

I love having unique recipe cards. They help me remember exactly when and where I came across the recipe every time I make it. I recently made these sets of Buzzing Bee recipe cards—and I created them so each individual card is unique. The bees are placed in a different position on each and every card.

The way I would love to receive this gift, especially from my mom or another family member, would be to get two sets: One that’s filled with the giver’s favorite dishes, and one that’s blank to fill with my own! There is something so special about having a recipe from someone you love written in their own handwriting. Package up your recipes with some of the supplies below!

These sweet measuring spoons from Beehive Kitchenware make doling out the right amount of salt much more fun!

These mixing bowls by Charm LA are an original design that makes pouring a breeze. What’s more, the beautiful ceramic pieces are both microwave and dishwasher safe!

Once you’ve measured and mixed, you’ll need something to bake those goodies in. These adorable vintage bundt pans from Curate & Love are just the thing!

Bailey Doesn’t Bark

February 8, 2009 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

Bailey Doesn’t Bark is the creative outlet for Re Jin Lee, a New York-based illustrator who wants her work to be not only beautiful but useful. She transfers her original drawings to porcelain blanks, making them handy for the home yet still a stunning piece of art. I love the whimsey of her ant pieces (above) and the elegant quality of her line.