Colorful, subtle, quirky: Arthur's Plaid Pants illustrator shares story of turning art into business

I was featured in the Rapidian.

Full article here.

We're hiring!!!

We are hiring!!!
We are in need of an additional production assistant!
Lots of new products are being produced, heavy art show tour planning, lots of new wholesale accounts and other exciting things in the works.
With that being said Arthur's Plaid Pants is expanding and we need more hands on deck.

I'm looking for a part time production assistant.

Business Info:
Arthur's Plaid Pants is a home based business located in Grand Rapids (Eastown), Michigan.
We produce greeting cards, stationery, pinback buttons & magnet sets, custom illustrations, prints, tote bags & more. 
Our goods are sold online and in over 30 retail shops in the U.S. and Canada

Responsibilities would include:
• Using large guillotine cutter to hand cut large volumes of paper 
• Packaging various products 
• Hand scoring greeting cards 
• Quality control of products before they are packed & shipped 
• Operating manual button press

Requirements: 
• Must be local - Grand Rapids applicants are preferred 
• Must be responsible and reliable 
• Must be highly organized and capable of working independently
• High level of attention to detail is a must
• Ability to maintain a clean work space
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must be self-motivated and thrive in a creative business environment

 Desired skills:
• Some experience with Etsy.com & BigCartel.com as a buyer or shop owner
• Previous experience with working with a small start-up business
• Knowledge of pop culture from 1980s - present 

Educational background:
Must have college experience. Junior, Senior and recent graduates preferred. 
Marketing experience is a bonus.

Flexible schedule ranging from 10-20 hours per week. During busy times such as markets/art shows/holidays hours could be 25-30 hours per week.

What to include:
• Resume
• Statement of why you'd be a good fit for Arthur's Plaid Pants
• 3 references 
• Website with at least 5-6 samples of your work

Email all info to:  jen@arthursplaidpants.com
in subject line "production assistant"

Starting pay is $12/hour
This would be a great job for a college student, recent grad or someone looking for an extra part time job.

***As I stated, this is a home based business. We have 2 large dogs (pit mixes) they are very friendly and love people. If you are at all fearful of dogs, don't like dogs or are allergic to dogs, this is not the environment for you. Please keep that in mind before applying***

Arthur's Plaid Pants 2014 Fall + Winter Tour

Bizarre Bazaar

BIZARRE BAZAAAR

Our booth at Bizarre Bazaar Grand Rapids, MI 2014

 We had a great time at the Bizarre Bazaar show! This show happens to be right in the neighborhood we live in, Eastown Grand Rapids. Great weather, great crowd and great sales! Our next show in Grand Rapids will be the Eastown Street Fair on September 13, 2014.

Love is love.

Mr + Mr same sex wedding card

I made these cards a while back out of pure necessity. Have you seen the selection of same sex wedding cards at your regular big box store? Lame. A lot of stores don't even carry same sex wedding cards. The issue of marriage equality is near and dear to my heart. My best friend is gay, and she in one of the most healthy, strong and amazing relationships that I've ever encountered. 

It infuriates me that she doesn't have access to a RIGHT that everyone is entitled to. 

Love is love.

Mrs + Mrs same sex wedding card

Urban Folk Circuit

My 11x17 Chicago poster

I've been involved with Urban Folk Circuit for about 6 months now. I can't express how awesome it has been. I've been able to meet so many other local Chicago Artists, met with local business owners and have been able to get a lot of new wholesale deals. It's been fantastic all around.
There is such a feeling of camaraderie doing these shows. It's a new adventure each month as we change locations throughout the wonderful city of Chicago. The past 2 months we've had winter markets at the majestic Congress Theater. The last of these markets at the Congress is Sunday March 24th until next winter.
You can stay up to date on the shows I'm doing via my Etsy Shop (I list them in my header) and also my facebook page is incredibly reliable :)

 

Some of my space at the Urban Folk Circuit's winter market @ The Congress Theater.

Reclaimed wood projects

Reclaimed wood button display

So, if I haven't said it before I'm saying it now, my husband is the best. Seriously. He just built me a new & improved button stand to take to all of my shows. Not only was this hand crafted in our studio but it was made from all reclaimed wood from Chicago's own Rebuilding Exchange.

He's also hand crafted the shelves for my permanent display at Local Goods Chicago. They were crafted with reclaimed pallet wood.

Wall shelves crafted with reclaimed pallet wood. 

And last but not least he also made me wall hanging displays for my buttons at Local Goods from the same reclaimed pallet wood.

Button wall displays made from all reclaimed pallet wood.

We have so many reclaimed wood furniture projects in the works and can't wait to make some serious furniture/objects...stay tuned dudes.