Bozeman Collaborative

{ this blog has moved }

2008-12-21T00:46:00.002-07:00

The goal was to simplify our four scattered blogs down to one full-of-life blog, overflowing with inspirations, projects and even a tangent or two for entertainment value. We are still bringing over and archiving our past posts, but moving forward as well, so update your links and keep in touch.
You can now find us here.

type camp!

2008-07-24T13:58:00.005-06:00

I had never heard of it until just now! What a fantastic idea. A designer friend sent me a link to a great website called iLoveTypography.com and there was this fun article about letterpress, but then I kept reading and found this about TypeCamp! and look where it is taking place. Oh, how I want to go!!! But it turns out registration ends today and I regret to say that I just can't be that spontaneous now that I have a sole-proprietorship and a wonderful family including a 2-year-old. I wonder if the location where TypeCamp takes place has to reveal a beautiful example of typography in order to be the chosen spot?

ps. while we're on the subject of type ... watch this video ... very funny.

Craftivism

2008-07-23T11:37:00.003-06:00

Want to be part of the craft revolution? There are so many ways to become involved! (i'm going to start small and only suggest 3 here as not to overwhelm anyone)

1. Pick up a copy of Ready Made Magazine and marvel over the amazing things crafty people come up with
2. Take the Handmade Pledge and buy handmade from Etsy
3. Get inspired to create yourself and find blog with instructions for a fun project to do with your kids

(see theBirdDog Press above featured in the Etsy Paper Goods Showcase!)

down on the farm

2008-07-15T01:07:00.005-06:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love old houses with character? Especially farmhouses and bungalows. Look how adorable these country homes are, located in my home state of Tennessee or close by in North Carolina. I am always daydreaming over here on this website about a cabin in the mountains or a little country farmhouse outside of a town no one has ever heard of on a long gravel road. I can only imagine the inspiration surrounding me on that huge front porch.

particular about postage

2008-06-29T00:25:00.004-06:00

I love postage stamps. I never settle for the roll of 100 plain flags or the basic book of stamps. I always ask my local post office for what the new commemorative stamp of the month is. And I am so excited to announce the new Eames stamps that are out right now. They are so much fun. While I am on the subject, I should mention that I joined partner program through photostamps.com and now offer custom stamps with your custom stationery order with the BirdDog Press or the Handmaiden Papeterie.

Driven by the Wind

2008-06-28T15:34:00.003-06:00

We are supporting a local effort to positively impact climate change. We have calculated our carbon footprint and are offsetting it by contributing wind power to the big grid. Go Lyons wind challenge!

BirdDog Desktop Wallpaper

2008-06-16T15:32:00.004-06:00

I am a seeker of cool desktop wallpaper. So, in honor of {THE Bird Dog} Siler's 3rd birthday, there is now official BirdDog Press desktop wallpaper for the download:

1920 x 1200
1680 x 1050 (iMac)
1600 x 1200
1600 x 1024
1440 x 900
1280 x 1024
1280 x 800
1024 x 768

logo lounge

2008-06-15T12:49:00.000-06:00

I've got some work to do. And instead, I am procrastinating in the name of getting inspired. Thought this was an interesting article on trends in logo design.

design can change

2008-06-11T00:15:00.006-06:00

I took the pledge. The Bozeman Collaborative is all about doing our part to encourage sustainability. We already do a number of things to lighten our negative impact on the planet, but there are always improvements to be made. Design Can Change is a forward-thinking organization to help designers make more than just a branding statement or a pretty wrapper. I am looking forward to learning more about changing the way people think about design and the positive impact it can have from so many angles.

speaking of bites...

2008-05-25T16:13:00.002-06:00

Hands down...the best cupcake place in NYC is Babycakes - vegan, healthy, deliciousness.

Bite of the Big Apple

2008-05-23T18:14:00.000-06:00

Ahh. Florent. I am happy I was able to experience this place before the end. I suppose the gentrification of the Meat Packing District has gone a little too far and is causing the end of Restaurant Florent.

It is hard to pick favorites when one small area can offer so much good food, but I am going to have to go with Extra Virgin as my favorite meal this trip. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was european, quaint and happening. And the food of course was mmmm mmmm good. May I suggest the pistachio crusted goat cheese salad?

Don't know why I was surprised to see kumamoto oysters on the menu at Soho House, but I had to get some.

And last, but certainly not least, I must mention Zampa. A great little spot with great service and tapas size smaller plates for sharing the fabulous flavors. A great selection of wines as well. A perfect end to a great day.

Spaces and Places

2008-05-22T17:19:00.000-06:00

With so many wonderful things to see in Manhattan, it is hard to know where to begin. Luckily, we didn't have to go far for the most part – our fabulous host lives a stone's throw from the now hotspot – the Meat Packing District, both charming and HIP! The view from his office is quite the sight. Skyscrapers a plenty with amazing patches of green. They look like little oompa loompa gardens amongst the concrete.

I can't even begin to describe how amazing this little spot in Brooklyn is ... our friends in Crown Heights had a dream and made it come true. We were fortunate enough to venture out of Manhattan for dinner one night and it truly felt like we were walking around in a live Dwell Magazine ... you can read more about it here or here

Another out of the ordinary experience, this great restaurant back in the Meat Packing District called Spice Market instantly transports you to another continent all together. And they have kumquat mojitos - yum!

I had to make a little jaunt to my very favorite store while visiting New York. It is such an inspiring place to shop, you could never see it all or see the same thing twice when you go. I absolutely LOVE ABC Carpet & Home.

Left Brain : Be Organized : LobotoME

2008-05-21T11:56:00.005-06:00

Here's the Left Side of the Brain...er, I mean...Booth.

Let me tell you that the LobotoME products did help keep us organized leading up to the show - Alli & I both used the packME list; the list ME/doodle ME list & the momME planner leading up to the show. Everyone that came into the booth said, "Oh, I needed this packME list before I came to NY!" Seriously, the only thing that is better than making lists is crossing things off of them!

Speaking of LobotoME...we did have some characters that came into our booth during the show. Some of which included a man who told ME that I spelled LobotoME wrong on everything - that it is spelled with a 'y' and not a 'ME." uh, duh. When we proceeded to attempt to explain to him the reason for the spelling {goods to keep ME sane} - he told us "that our generation were all spoiled, text messenging kids who wanted nothing more than attention." lol just remembering it :-) Then another woman who told us that the booth was "too cheerful." And then there were the people who despite the BRAIN on the banner next to LobotoME {goods to keep ME sane}, could not for the life of them, figure out how to pronounce LobotoME. hmmm...

Speaking of characters, did I mention how Alli & I accidentally got on the subway to Queens instead of Brooklyn and the 13 year olds that helped us figure it out thought we had a lobotomy? Well, until I explained that Alli is from a town of 1700 people. Then they expressed a small dose of sympathy...with a smirk of course.

Right Brain : Be Creative : BirdDog Press

2008-05-20T10:18:00.001-06:00

The right side of our booth was made almost entirely from the 100% recycled corrugated cardboard the booth contents were shipped in. The BirdDog banner was hand-painted on organic cotton canvas. The table was made from mailing tubes and three layers of corrugated cardboard and the Flor tiles were made from 80% post-consumer materials.
All of the BirdDog press product line is printed on either post-consumer recycled paper or tree-free paper and most of the materials are produced with alternative energy, such as hydro or wind power right here in the good ol' US of A.

Buyers, Buyers, Everywhere

2008-05-19T23:59:00.002-06:00

We had many buyers visit our booth. The press was represented in large numbers and of course, Pigeons!!

booth construction

2008-05-19T22:12:00.004-06:00

three people and nineteen boxes all in one yellow cab!

we started with three walls of "pipe and drape"

putting it all together slowly but surely

armed and ready for day one!

{ look at US }

2008-05-18T19:34:00.004-06:00

NSS 2008 - it's on! Sorry for the lack of updates/photos/show gossip/etc. In all of the 19 boxes of stuff we had to ship back to NYC, we both overlooked packing a card reader - oops - but it should arrive tomorrow and when it does we will post rockin' pictures of our booth, set up day, our midnight jaunt to Magnolia Bakery (seriously, I should live here - NYC is a city that not only has tons of great cupcakes stores but ones that are open til 2am!!! - what more could I ask for?); and the YUMMY food we've been eating in NYC.

xo, Jenny & Alli

{ and this is what is waiting for us back in NYC }

2008-05-15T10:34:00.002-06:00

Lord help us. :-)

creme de la creme

2008-05-14T15:49:00.005-06:00

I've just discovered kirtsy from one of my fave blogs, Design Mom. It is a spot where everything cool and neato has been found for you and you can just dive in. Or, when you find something to share, you can post it there for others to love. Apparently, kirtsy used to be called sk*rt ... so I'm helping get the word out. Just like that friend who always finds the best stuff. Only Better.
Boy, I sure hope someone posts BirdDog Press or LobotoME there someday.

Making Our Mark

2008-05-13T23:56:00.005-06:00

So we got everything shipped off to NYC last week and .... well .... now what? I've been so unbelievably consumed with that project that I had forgotten how much can be accomplished now that the one big thing is off my plate. Since the weight has been lifted, I finished up a fabulous wedding invitation ensemble, spent Mother's Day with my family – (no work!), finally launched an overdue web project for a new book – Dear American Airlines, inspired myself a little design session for Splashes & Splurges (to be revealed at a hopefully sooner than later date), and knocked out a long list for my favorite non-profit – Leave No Trace. And while I completely agree with their message as far as getting outside goes ... I still hope to leave a big trace in New York ... we leave on Friday!!!! Looking forward to all the activity, excitement and continuation of the greatest learning experience in the stationery business that National Stationery Show booth #3867 has to offer.

{ i need a lobotomy, otherwise known as the evolution of booth #3867 }

2008-05-12T18:47:00.006-06:00

So you know how many booth ideas/drafts/plans/drawings, etc. that we came up with before finalizing our booth design? It must have been over 100. I started off wanting to buy this old fashioned hospital gurney and going with the whole brain surgeon/medical theme thing until my dear husband (smart one that he is)...told me that it would cost MORE to ship it to NYC from Colorado than the gurney, plane ticket and other items combined. Hmm...back to square one. Then, Alli & I designed a rockin' modern booth with cool Ikea stuff like this and this...well then that got shot down because we didn't want to have to pay to ship all of that heavy metal stuff back & forth or the union labor to put it together... Anyway, to make a long story short we have designed a simple, modern, eco-friendly booth space that we can't wait to show the world (or at least all of the stationary buyers!) later this week...

{ tips for taking product photos with props }

2008-05-05T07:14:00.004-06:00

Here.

ps. this is the NSS postcard mailer we sent out to lots & lots of cool shops across the country! come visit us at booth #3867 ~ we'll have special treats for you & cool show specials!

{ life on hold }

2008-05-03T10:52:00.007-06:00

This is my darling husband (aka shipper boy) shipping out BOXES of my stuff to NYC for the National Stationery Show that is less than 2 weeks away! So far we've shipped over 347 lbs of STUFF back to NYC. That's like 3 of ME...

Anyway, while I've been getting ready for LobotoME's NSS debut, I feel like I've put a lot of my LIFE on hold (I think Alli would agree). I go to bed about 3 hours after my husband and he & I trade off care of Sam all day long, so we haven't really seen each other, or talked about anything other than shipping logistics (and certainly have not had sex - OMG, can I say that on a blog?!?!?) in ages. My house hasn't been cleaned in weeks. I spend more time talking to my printing company than I do any of my friends or family (with the exception of Alli - my partner in crime & design - she & I skype each other everyday asking each other misc. tradeshow questions, like, "How exactly do they expect us to FIRE PROOF a booth made out of paper at a PAPER show!?!?" and "What shoes are you wearing, are flip flops a no-no?" (We live in Colorado - our mountain casual attire of Patagonia tank tops, shorts & flip flops, doesn't quite cut it in the fashion capital of the US.) Anyway, I am finally feeling like there is a light at the end of the NSS tunnel. Having said all that, and knowing what a LIST maker I am, I have now started my list of Post-NSS things to do...it includes such things as work on garden, send thank you notes from Sam's bday (yes, that was in March, I'm a slacker), do about 27 loads of laundry, lots more YOGA, clean our house, take a really long shower & really shave my legs, clean the garage, get patio furniture out of shed, hire window cleaner, catch up on accounting, making summer travel plans, etc. And of course dreaming of getting enough sales that I can send my tired body here for a few days of R&R.

Give it some gas

2008-04-25T22:55:00.000-06:00

So, I took my little boy to the Denver Aquarium last Saturday along with his "Agi" {that's short for grandmother in Cherokee} ... anywhooo ...

We were killing some time down in on the Broadway Antique district and I came across this site. Gasp!

I LOVE this old gas station and had dreamy late afternoon visions of having this type of building to house the whole Bozeman Collaborative and, more importantly, the BirdDog Press. It is just perfect with the nostalgic look and garage doors plenty big enough for presses and bindery equipment to move in.

Someday.

Roller Coaster! Ooo Ooo Ooo!

2008-04-23T22:48:00.000-06:00

When I was a little girl, my dad used to sneak me on the big roller coasters at the amusement parks even though I wasn't tall enough – according to the ride rules – to get that stomach-in-your-throat thrill. We would hold both hands up in the air and chant "I'm not scared ... Oooooo!" and laugh (even though I probably was)

Same is true today I suppose. I am on the rollercoaster ride of mompreneurship and I just printed these coasters to prove it! Stationery Show .... here we come ... I'm not scared .... OoOoooo!

crazy good, like a fox

2008-04-22T01:58:00.005-06:00

Okay, worries are over for the time being. I have entered my calm submissive state. The show must go on.

Today is Earth Day. One of my favorite days of the year next to loved ones' birthdays and Halloween. Today I will be sending my friend some foxy cards that I printed on the BirdDog Press like this one in honor of her son who left this earth nearly a year ago. They are planting a beautiful garden in Cash's name at the Children's Hospital in Denver. One may remember a poster I designed for his benefit concert earlier this year on his birthday. Cash is an angel watching over his Mommy and Daddy these days – often appearing as a curious fox on an evening run near their house. His foxy spirit will always be with us.

super stressful serenade

2008-04-05T14:26:00.002-06:00

eek. having a super stressful day. feeling overwhelmed with projects for others when the focus should have turned to my own studio projects over a month ago. i just can't seem to get ahead no matter how hard i try. not for a lack of inspiration or motivation. just never enough hours in the day. i just popped over to iomoi.com because i love their designs. this one about sums up my current state of mind. must find a mantra and push through.

to be where i'm going

2008-03-19T18:13:00.004-06:00

So, I have several blogs and I wasn't quite sure where this one was going. I am inspired by so many things lately and I think this may be my most important blog, though I have been neglecting it the most, just like my sketchbook gets neglected as I spend more time on the computer. It is a bad habit. It is easy to post recent work on my BirdDog Press or Handmaiden Papeterie blogs. It is easy to take a photograph of my son's daily adventures as a one-and-a-half year old. It is harder to get everything that I take in and process it for consumption online. I pledge to devote more time to my design blog and give a little more of myself to myself.

What am I inspired by today? Boxcar Press. They just launched a brand new website and I read almost the entire thing. I share their philosophy on so many levels and like to see them growing in an enviable direction. Thank you Boxcar for mastering and uplifting the historical craft of letterpress in this modern world with such care and passion.

Helvetica

2008-03-18T08:35:00.004-06:00

I finally got around to putting this one in my Netflix queue. The days of going to a movie theater are long gone for me. I have promised myself I would watch it this week. Hmmm. My birthday is Friday!

Goal Progress

2008-03-18T08:26:00.002-06:00

You may remember my goals posted for 2008, if not, here they are again:

1. Develop product line for sale in stationery stores across the country.
2. Execute Marketing Plan like a well oiled machine.
3. Build a team for maximum streamlined production.
4. Perfect policies & process to keep things running smoothly.
5. Knock 'em dead at NYC's National Stationery Show!

Because winter is nearly over and it's time for the renewal of spring, I thought I would give you an update on how we're doing so far. Number 1 is almost finished. The products haven't gone to production yet, but the product list, ideas & designs are 99% finished! The marketing plan is certainly in action, though we may not have quite made it to "well oiled machine" status as of yet. The team descriptions and job functions have been decided, now we just need to recruit the right personalities! Policies & Process are smoothing out – we'll definitely have this one crossed off the list by Spring's end. Number 5 remains to be seen, but we are confident! Of course we'll have another update when we return at the end of May.

National Stationery Show Booth #3867

2008-01-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Our final booth fee is due tomorrow! Yay... and Yikes! We are excited and nervous about our first crack at the biggest trade show in the world of stationery. We really look forward to meeting other letterpress artists and inspiring stationery big wigs and to seeing all of the beautiful things that we will put on our wish lists. We are nervous about making a fabulous first impression, getting enough orders to pay for the expense of going, and of course – pure exhaustion. One thing is for sure – it will be a beyond memorable experience.

Perfect Ten

2008-01-15T00:50:00.002-07:00

Accomplishments of 2007
1. Gained a respectable and growing list of repeat customers.
2. Solidified several affiliations with photographers, event planners, and other smart women to propel business forward.
3. Developed an organizational system to manage multiple projects.
4. Custom stationery sold in first brick & mortar stationery store – The Last Say.
5. Switched to a new plate printing system, reducing yet again, our impact on the environment!

Goals for 2008
1. Develop product line for sale in stationery stores across the country.
2. Execute Marketing Plan like a well oiled machine.
3. Build a team for maximum streamlined production.
4. Perfect policies & process to keep things running smoothly.
5. Knock 'em dead at NYC's National Stationery Show!

ProBono, ProLove, ProKid

2007-11-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

I have been helping two close friends with a poster for a benefit concert they are putting on for their son, Cash. It is a joy to be involved in the celebration of this child. You can learn more about Cash on his team blog.

Just Add a LobotoME!

2007-11-12T05:57:00.000-07:00

Another collaborative effort brings lobotoME to the Bozeman Collaborative collection. Two brains are definitely better than one.

I Am Yellow

2007-11-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

i am yellow
#FFFF00

Your dominant hues are red and green, so you're definately not afraid to get in and stir things up. You have no time for most people's concerns, you'd rather analyze with your head than be held back by some random "gut feeling".

Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right.

Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Spiffying Up the Studio

2007-11-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Been working hard the last couple of weeks to get a real workable space going for all of my design efforts. I have two new worktables, and several new shelving solutions .... ahh, just think how much more productive I will be. Plus it looks so much more presentable, well you should have seen the before photo ...

Photographia

2007-10-25T16:04:00.000-06:00

I had two inspiring interactions with photographers yesterday. The first was a meeting over tea to discuss collaborating my stationery designs from the BirdDog Press with Julia Vandenoever Photography in order to offer her clients baby announcements, holiday cards, and the like ... We had such a fun conversation and the inspiration was able to flow freely. We are both new moms, too, which also puts us in a similar frame of mind.
Next, I met another photographer friend at my local park for some family photographs. Such a challenge to get the light just right and to get a 1-Year-Old to smile on cue! But Julie kept her easy-going way about her and settled in behind the lens of Julie Afflerbaugh Photography. She ended the session with distinct confidence, "We've got great stuff here."
Photographers are visionaries and view the world in their own unique way on both sides of the camera. As an artist myself, I really feed off of this energy and thoroughly enjoy spending time in their presence, bouncing ideas to and fro.

Humor, Gratitude, Sweetness

2007-09-27T22:51:00.000-06:00

I went to hear a speaker last Saturday (Sue Fredrick) at a Women's Fitness & Health Day fair here in Boulder. She had so many enlightening things to say, but this is what I took away from it: Humor, Gratitude, Sweetness. Humor to laugh at the absurdity of life, Gratitude for those around you that make life worth living and Sweetness, like that found in the eyes of an innocent but wise newborn baby ...

The energy we have and exude everyday effects everyone around you, even people you don't know, thought is powerful. To prove that this is true she told a story of a study done with two men that had never met before. They were introduced and one was put into a room with monitors of all kinds (heart, brainwaves, etc.). The other man was put into a room with a computer screen and was told to think a thought - any thought - about this man he did not know every time he saw his picture.

The result? The monitors showed a recorded reaction every time Man #2 had a thought about him!

What am I getting at? This is exactly the sort of thing the Bozeman Collaborative has set out to promote. Positive communication, power of the printed word, good thoughts on paper (tree-free paper, of course). Before the end of the year, I have set a goal to send letters of thanks to all of the people in my life to whom I owe GRATITUDE. Luckily, I have many.

Finally, We Arrive

2007-08-25T22:51:00.000-06:00

Now we are getting somewhere. I have finally managed to put some work into my online presence and have made some updates to the BirdDog Press and its very own blog. I have also started my email marketing plan with Emma. The focus will initially be on the BirdDog Press and the e-newsletters will be sent out monthly. Hooray for letterpress.

jumping on the blogwagon

2007-03-13T07:43:00.000-06:00

Guess I'm joining the crowd here!