Custom Vintage Inspired Travel Poster using YOUR Photo! NEW!

As you might suspect, being both artists, Gavin and I normally make our gifts for one another. So, for our first wedding anniversary this past October, the tradition of paper was a perfect fit for me! I had this in the bag.

I wanted to design something for Gavin that was unlike anything I've yet to create so he knew I really put the time and thought into it. Also, our wedding pictures from Boko Photo are so extremely awesome that I knew I wanted to work with a photo of our wedding.

We got married on Gavin's parents farm property on Sleepy Hollow Rd. so the those 4 red barns all decorated for our October wedding just melts my heart with memories of the single most awesome day of our lives. 

See more from our wedding

It took me a while to choose a photo, and come up with an idea on how to translate it into wall art that I, personally, am going to hang in my home. We don't display much of our own work around the house - there's so much nice work out there to bother looking at our own all day! - but I knew this was a piece we'd have for a long time.

Setting aside all the mushy-gushy anniversary stuff, creating a new design that allows me to offer a new print in the Near & Dear Etsy shop is important as well. Killing two birds with one stone, I used vintage travel posters as my main concept and WAH-LAH! 

Happy Anniversary to the Printmakers Husband

Crazy about you!

Love, the Blacksmiths Wife

Custom Vintage Inspired Travel Posters using YOUR Photo
are now available for order!

You provide the photo* and I'll do the rest! Include the names of a bride and groom and wedding date to create the perfect wedding or anniversary gift or use your family name for a lasting memory of your vacation. Matting and framing are not included - see below to add these items to your order for a complete ready-to-send gift!

* All photos used remain the property of the original photographer.
* Images provided should be the highest resolution possible.

Custom Vintage Inspired Travel Posters using YOUR Photo are now available for order!

Meet the owner of NearAndDearDesigns

Learn more about her shop and process.

All designs, illustrations and intellectual concepts are © 2014 - Brooke Witt Art & Design, LLC

February Studio Recap

Is it summer yet?

Even though February went by fast, it certainly didn't go by fast enough. The winter here in Northeast Ohio has been brutal. With temps in the -0's and constant snow up to our knees, the best thing to do is stay indoors and make stuff!

February brought us:

• Our first several orders of Personalized Graphic Tees thanks to a wonderful Valentine Sale this year! 
• I also sold/designed/printed/shipped approximately 200+ personalized art prints from the Near & Dear Etsy shop. 
• I worked on several home illustrations this month, one of which has become my new favorite. 
• Designed and released for free download, 'You are my favorite' Valentine and it was shared by many on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest with your own favorite people!
• I added over a years worth of new placement prints and coordinating patterns to my Society6 shop and my Cuckoo Clock design was selected by Society6 to be a part of their official store!
• And, in case you thought I had any free time, my most favorite online art class started back up again - Lilla Rogers Make Art that Sells Bootcamp - bringing on the cuckoo clock obsession!

See all that along with images from our creative family life when you follow me on Instagram. Please say hi when you stop by!

All said and done, I'd say it was productive month and I can't wait to see March brings to our little studio!

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All designs, illustrations and intellectual concepts are © 2014 - Brooke Witt Art & Design, LLC

The BIG Move - Shots from the new roost

November has been a big month for us - hence being MIA around the blog lately - because Gavin and I purchased our first ever home on November 5th! Being both full-time freelance artists and independent business owners, we're feeling very victorious that we've been able to purchase a home solely by doing what we love!!! It's been a long road filled with opportunity and trust (ok, a lot of panic) but yes, folks, it *IS* possible. Please don't ever give up!

Here are few images from around the new roost since we've moved in. We have so much planned for this place that our ideas sometimes seem like pipe dreams. But we're doers so we might surprise ourselves.  But for now, it's just perfect for the 3 of us along with lots of space to grow our home businesses - which was #2 on the search list; #1 was good schools.

Lots of outdoor space, 1.73 acres, and a rather larger barn for the blacksmith shop. The barn will need to wired with ample electric but we'll think about that tomorrow. :)

First Sunrise

First Near & Dear shipment in the new studio!

First fire.... awww....

yes, yes.... I had to take a #selfie in our new home!

A rather large population of deer live in our woods - we guess their to be about 11 or 12 all together. Oh and the other night, we heard packs of coyotes too!

First compost 

Thrift store birthday treasures (my birthday was the 19th)

Thrift store birthday treasures 

Thrift store birthday treasures 

Thrift store birthday treasures 

 Getting to work!

All in all, it's still a crude setup and we're making do with what we have and a few purchases from resale shops. We made a promise that we're only going to purchase resale, handmade, conservation-minded or made in America products whenever possible for the house during our new home adventure.

The print studio is up and running for the holidays and we're ready to keep on keepin' on!

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving and keep an eye here or over on facebook for our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales! We have some great deals you won't want to miss!

2013 Family Campout

A few quick snapshots of our family camping trip at Findley State Park (not the best website). It was my husband's family's annual campout and boy, did we have a blast! It was so nice to unplug, be with family and soak in the rain! Yes, it rained almost all weekend but we're not particular and we were prepared.

It reminds of a quote I saw recently: Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Regardless, we had a great time. Here are few photos taken during the 5 minutes I remembered to document something.

My good luck fishing pole!

Camping cooking - love it!

yeah.. yeah... #selfie

Drying out the essentials.

Love this old vintage bike Gavin garbage picked a few months ago. It's first trip out!

blurry - but beautiful mother/daughter time

This is a big deal. This is my 3rd fishing trip EV.ER. and before this, I wouldn't even touch the hook that touched the fish - let alone hold the line with the fish on it! Baby steps.

That's right - taking the little fishie off the hook all by myself! (this is a big accomplishment!!)

Ew, and he expects me to kiss him after this??? haha!
That's my fish by the way!

Birthdays Galore!

Get this - my mother, my husband and my mother-in-law, all celebrate a birthday 3 consecutive days in a row - February 20, 21 and 22nd. I'll tell you, that made for a busy week last week!

Here's a quick photo recap of our week:

Cleveland's Historic Westside Market re-opened last week after a terrible fire at one of the vendor stands that closed the 100 year old market for three weeks.  There was a great local effort by several companies, including CLE Clothing Co. (yep, got me a new t-shirt!) to raise funds for help the market vendors. The restoration job was done beautifully and the Market sparkled like it was new!

So, Mom and I went down on her birthday to do a little shopping.  We purchased everything from fresh fruits and veggies, to fresh meats and sweets.

Momma J scoping out the cupcakes!

For my husbands birthday, we took off for the afternoon and went to visit the Western Reserve Historical Society (sooooo up his alley). The Western Reserve Historical Society is the resource for history, artifacts, archives and events for Cleveland, Akron and all of Northeast Ohio.

All these beautiful artifacts that document the history of Cleveland and it's impact on American History and all I can do is baulk at the graphic design.

I also had an eye out for pattern inspiration.... Can't wait to get started working from these!

The typography on the old maps just took my breath away.  Needless to say, the historic society had both of us at "hello". 

Late night birthday love.

And then Saturday morning, to celebrate all family birthdays, we all met at Nick's Diner in Cleveland for brunch amongst the work of local artist "The Sign Guy".  Food was fine, nothing to rave about - nothing to complain about - the atmosphere was superb and so was the company.

And lastly, to round off the weekend right, Gavin and I decided to go thrifting and we stumped upon the most truly awesome Suite Lorain.  I'll admit, a bit sketchy from the outside, but inside?  Oh.... you're in for a surprise!

Picture this: 8,000 square feet of a Vintage Department Store with items from Deco to Mid-Century

1920's to 1970's

• Vintage clothing for men & women

• Costume jewelry, hats & purses

• Vintage fabrics

• Books, records and magazine

• Ceramics & glass

• Kitchen kitsch

• Home furnishings & decorative accessories

• Collectibles

• Clocks, radios & small appliances

I ended up purchasing this vintage wooden desk chair with the teal blue seat. I've been needing a new chair for some time as my back has been aching and I thought a good ol' sturdy vintage desk chair might do the trick. All the lumbar supports, wheels and fancy hydraulics of my old chair seemed like it was doing more harm than good.

I wish I would've taken more pictures.... next time (and yes, there will definitely be a next time!) This spring I've got yard sale on my mind so I justify going back!

And there you have it - Happy Birthday to my family!!! Love you all.