Rayna Cleland Design

2010 Beak and Botany calendar

Rayna — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:11:34 +0000

For those who remember my first blog post about a series of linoleum block cuts I was working on, those are finished!

Below is the final product I created with those linocuts! Introducing the 2010 Beak and Botany calendar. As the name suggests, it features a variety of birds and plant life, and one tree (which I know is not botanical, but give me a break).

While it may be a little late to post a calendar for sale after the new year has started, here I am doing just that. This isn’t your normal desk calendar, this 2010 desk calendar is miniature, meaning it only measures 3 in. x 3 in. when folded to show one month at a time. Or set it up accordian style to show 6 months at a time, when unfolded it measures a total length of 18 inches. Beak and Botany is the perfect companion to set on your desk without taking up much space. It is created with my originally designed linocuts, a total of 15 featured throughout the twelve months. Each calendar varies slightly due to being hand stamped, folded and trimmed. These calendars are carefully hand-printed on lovely Mohawk Via Felt 80 lb. cover paper using both pigment and dye based inks. Included with the calendar is one cork stand. Each cork stand will vary slightly due to being hand cut. Each calendar arrives neatly packaged in a semi-transparent glassine envelope ready for gift-giving or for your own pleasure.

To get one for yourself visit my sister’s Etsy shop DelightfulFig.etsy.com. She’s selling them for me while I get my own shop set up at RaynaNoelle.etsy.com.

Crafty Wonderland-super colossal holiday sale

Rayna — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:58:14 +0000

Yesterday, my sister and I found ourselves waiting in an extremely long line waiting for the colossal holiday sale to open. As this was my first time attending, I had no idea there would be such a large crowd! I should have known that Portlanders are dearly beholden to their local handmade crafters (having attended the monthly Crafty Wonderland events at Doug Fir).

We endured the line to be pleasantly surprised that we were among the first 200 – which meant that we left with a bag of lovely swag!

Good times were had browsing among the 200+ artists and crafters’ goodies. Some Christmas shopping was done and I couldn’t help but treat myself as well. I hope you enjoy the pics of some of the things I found endearing.

Waiting in line. If you look closely the line goes all the way up the stairs, around the corner and out of view.

Beards! Made out of felt and yarn. Find the beard of your dreams at imadeyouabeard.com

Felted pickles in a jar, and other cute stuff from Shamui. View her work at flickr.com/photos/shamui

Beautiful letterpress art from Lulu Dee. Visit their shop at luludee.etsy.com

Christmas Dessert Theatre

Rayna — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:14:57 +0000

Here are the invitations and tickets I designed for my church’s Christmas Dessert Theatre. We’ll be going to the Saturday evening show and I can’t wait! This year the play is set in 1941. It’s a story about family, hope and a nation on the brink of World War II. It centers around a radio so the music is going to be swell! Return with us to the golden days of radio and the sounds of the 40’s while enjoying a night of friendship and gourmet desserts. Visit www.fbcbeaverton.org/christmas to reserve your seats – it’s free!

Invitation

One of three ticket designs. The bands of color at the top and bottom are different for each performance. The other two colors are red - like the invite (my personal favorite), and chocolate brown - like the radio.

Egg Press inspiration!

Rayna — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:13 +0000

Over the weekend I stopped by the Egg Press sample sale. They had a large selection of beautiful letterpressed cards for just a buck – you just can’t beat that! Thanks Egg Press. If you missed the sale you’re in luck. Now through Wednesday they are having an online sample sale so check them out at www.eggpress.com.

The art of the letterpress inspires me. The tactile feel of the indent in the paper from the press along with the quality cotton paper make me swoon. Egg Press also has some beautiful, simple designs that can’t help but make you smile. One of my favorites is the paper doll valentine’s day card pictured below. It makes me happy that once punched out they are held together by a heart.

Paper dolls held together by heartstrings

Pure cuteness

Peacock linoleum block cut

Rayna — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:52:12 +0000

I’ve been working on a personal project creating a series of block prints. Here is my first block cut. It is my version of a peacock. Carving the block took me back to high school when we actually used linoleum. I remember the material being very tough to carve and there was always someone in class that gouged themselves with the blade, fortunately I don’t remember being one of them. The product I am using here is Blick EZ-Cut printing blocks and it is wonderful! The soft material, as the name suggests, is very easy to cut and holds fairly good detail. More block cuts to come!

original sketchbook drawing