Merry Christmas to all!

May your holiday be filled with family, friends, good food, and lots of presents to make the greatest fort the world has ever seen.

The shops are closed and will reopen in the new year with new goodies to share. Take care & thank you for the best Le Petit Elefant year ever!

Holiday Shipping Deadlines!!

A Weekend of Craft Fairs!

It's been a strange goal of mine to do two craft fairs in the same weekend and this Saturday and Sunday, my dreams are coming true. I'll be vending in person at Bazaar Bizarre in San Francisco, while Kevin (with my former intern Jackie on Saturday, and partner-in-calendar-crime, Victoria of Paper & Type on Sunday) will taking care of business at Unique LA in downtown Los Angeles. It's been utter mayhem preparing for two simultaneous fairs and planning booth set ups but I'm excited it's finally here. Come say hello!

New for the SF fair: narwhal & elephant chalkboard ornaments, 5x7 Holiday Clink print, framed prints, and yes, they're back... plush muffs! I'll be bringing the full range of goodies next weekend to Renegade Craft Fair LA, so don't stress if you miss this weekend. Kevin will be happy to see you though :)

Happy Thanksgiving + Black Friday Sale!!!

Now, on to the good stuff...

For this year's Black Friday sale, I'm celebrating all weekend long! Stock up on cards, prints, stamps and other random goodies because this time around, the shipping's on me, and all orders over $45 get a free gift (hint: if you like the image above, you'll LOVE the gift). Just use coupon code CORNBREAD as you check out. I have a bonus coupon code for fellow Doctor Who fans out there, too. Try typing coupon code EXTERMINATE as you check out for your free shipping, and you just may get a Who-related free gift, too. Choose your coupon code wisely!

New in the shop: Holiday Clink Card, 8x10 prints Growing Up Geek & Tea. Earl Grey. Hot., and gift certificates for those who can't decide which print or card to get for their friend. Exclusive to my big cartel shop, I'm also having special deals with the 2013 calendar, greeting cards, and prints. So go crazy!

I hope your Thanksgiving was delicious. Happy shopping, and happy official start of the holiday season :)

Ice cream & cookies (& Thanksgiving leftovers!),
Genevieve

Guest Post for Paper Pastries

 

Margaret of Paper Pastries asked me guest blog for her as she prepared for her wedding next Saturday (yay!). The dates aligned perfectly with my NY vacation so that's what I shared. Enjoy!

A fan's RAWR tattoo!

I just had to share how amazing Jess's tattoo turned out. I'm so flattered eeeee!! This is the second time my art has been permanently inked. See the first one (Clink) here.

I'm on vacation!

I've a feeling we're not in California anymore. Go with your feeling because I'm in New York City. I make an annual trip in the fall to see the pretty leaves & have a breather before the holidays. Instead of autumn leaves, I witnessed the first snow of the season. Just as pretty.

The online shops (both Etsy & BigCartel) are closed & will be up & running again on 11/12. In the meantime, here's a 2013 Calendar contest just for you, and you can follow my trip via instagram.

Calendar Giveaway: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Happy November! We're two months away from the new year and even closer to the first day of winter, but let's think green for a moment. 

When Victoria of Paper & Type and I were brainstorming themes for our 3rd collaborative calendar, many delightful ideas came to mind but one stood out in particular: growth. Victoria has a greener thumb than I do-I don't grow anything in my garden-but one of my favorite childhood memories was Community Garden Day in Kindergarten. Everyone was assigned to bring flower bulbs, seeds, gardening tools and supplies and for one whole day, we got our hands dirty in soil and seedlings. Did I love gardening because it was a respite from forming simple sentences in class? Probably. But growing up, I was also obsessed with "The Secret Garden" and loved the idea of having a secret haven to explore all to myself. Even the gang of Community took the idea and made it their own:

I digress! I thought about what my secret garden would be like, and I imagined it as a mix between Willy Wonka's chocolate factory garden (but substitute chocolate with ice cream & cookies), a Japanese zen garden, & Gaudi's Park Güell in Barcelona. And I kind of like the idea of a trampoline:

Now it's giveaway time: What you would grow in your garden?

*Email/tweet/blog comment/fb your answer for an opportunity to win the 2013 Calendar by Genevieve Santos + Paper & Type. I'll be giving away two calendars: one winner will be chosen randomly, & the second winner will have my favorite answer. Contest ends Sunday, November 11th at 11:59pm PST, & winners will be announced November 12.

You can be as silly and goofy as you wish. In fact, I welcome it. And get creative! Write a haiku, a short description, or draw a picture. Good luck!

*email: hello@genevievesantos.com
PS: Victoria is also hosting the giveaway so please only reply once. 

Holiday Schedule + Solo Show at Art Boutiki

As you can see, I'm sticking to relatively sunny California this holiday season for my craft tour. I didn't want to travel too much before my big 6-month voyage abroad. I might spoil my dinner :P

I have a solo show at Art Boutiki in San Jose this Friday as part of the South First Fridays Art Walk in downtown. I'm super excited & very honored to be showing there because Art Boutiki happens to be one of my favorite galleries on the map during the art walk. They'll be making shirts of my designs on the spot, and I'll be there hosting a pop up shop. It's the only way I can be social with strangers without being too awkward. There will be live music, food & drinks and lots of neighboring galleries to explore and drunkenly stumble into. This will be my only South Bay appearance for the holidays so stock up on Christmas gifts, cards, ornaments and other goodies while you can!

Art of Genevieve Santos
Friday, Nov. 2nd // 8pm

Art Boutiki

577 S. Market Street 

San Jose, CA 95113

Save the Date: Growing Up Geek Solo Show - Oct 20

Yay! I'm having my first official solo show at Sweet Breams in San Mateo, and it's all original work bearing my nerdy soul to you all. Inspired by true events--like being a Trekkie for Halloween in the 4th grade, my wildly unhealthy obsession with Dr. Mario, and actually owning the "I Want To Believe" poster from The X-Files--the pieces are a peek into my childhood of video games, comics, and sci-fi.

I would love for you all to come to the opening reception. I'll be there in person selling my wares like I would at a craft fair, and unveiling the original work, new prints, a limited edition Doctor Who-inspired line of cards & prints, as well as giving away laser cut charms to the attendees (if you're a Whovian, you'll love it!). I can't wait! :D

Growing Up Geek
A Solo Show by Genevieve Santos
Opening Reception: October 20, 6pm-9pm
Show runs October 20 - December 16
Sweet Breams
220 2nd Ave. San Mateo, CA (map)

Oh, and don't you just love the flyer my talented sister made for the show?

See you this Saturday at Roadworks SF!

I'll be vending this Saturday from 12pm-5pm in San Francisco for the 9th Annual Roadworks: A Steamroller Printing Festival. It's unlike anything I've ever seen (and have yet to see because this is my first time attending the event), but there will be a three-ton construction steamroller making large-scale prints on the actual street. Pretty nutty!! So if you're a printing geek, this should be right up your alley.

I'll be there with the usual printed goods, and debuting my chalkboards & the brand new 2013 Calendar. Come by and celebrate the Autumnal Equinox!

Roadworks
Saturday, September 22
12pm - 5pm
Rhode Island St. between 16th & 17th
San Francisco 

A preview of what is to come for the Holidays

There's even more but I won't ruin the surprise ;)

The 2013 Calendar is coming!

Victoria of Paper & Type and I are teaming up for our 3rd collaborative calendar. We like experimenting with different formats, themes, and sizes (see 2012 & 2011) so we're trying the poster angle this year. Have a peek!

Ink illustrations by Victoria

Alamo Square Flea Market in SF this Saturday!

Find me at the corner of Hayes & Scott! I'll be vending the usual goodies, and I'm bringing enough of everything so you don't have to worry about me selling out of stuff. So bring a friend, your family, your doggy, and hang out the way the folks of Full House did in Alamo Square:

 

Weddings Galore!!

I've been on hiatus from the blogging world because of WEDDINGS!! Not my own or even my friends' weddings, but customers' weddings. I can finally share the results of the collaborations:

Custom-made stamps for hang tags/party favors.

 A visual story of their love (& awkwardness). The stamp illustration is based on this original watercolor piece.

The groom-to-be actually proposed to his wife-to-be in a knight costume. SO CUTE.

I borrowed the artwork from their table cards for their menus.

Birthday Weekend + Renegade Craft Fair SF

I invited my close friends to Hog Island Oyster Farm in Marshall, CA for a tutorial in shucking & a day of feasting!

Highlight of the day was everyone chanting "SHUCK SHUCK SHUCK!!" (instead of "chug" teehee).

My laser-cut charms were the secret hush hush giveaway item for my birthday at Renegade Craft Fair.

A customer brought me a strawberry chocolate cupcake from Miette for my birthday. The nicest ever!!! :)

photo by Bob Wu

A surprise visit from my dear NYC friends, Jessica & Bob.

Photo by Bob Wu.

Photo by Bob Wu.

Next up: Renegade Craft Fair Los Angeles!!! See you there!! :D

July 20th Happy Birthday Sale!!

***please note I made a typo on the jpg above. It said <$10 but it should be >$10. It's up-to-date now! Thanks for your understanding**

I'm turning the big 2-8 tomorrow so to celebrate I'm giving a little gift to all of you. Everyone's favorite gift: FREE 99!!! There are two ways to participate:

1. On Friday July 20, visit my online store and use coupon code "YOUREOLD" for free shipping. Then if you spend more than $10, you get a free gift, too. Hollaaaa. Please note coupon is only valid on July 20, 12am-11:59pm.

2. If you're in San Francisco this weekend, swing by Renegade Craft Fair & use the secret phrase "Happy Birthday" at my booth to get a different free gift (while supplies last!). Heyyyyy.

Ok, I think that's all you need to know! Now, go have fun! :D I know I will because I'll be watching Aziz Ansari tonight & eating oysters with good friends for three hours at Hog Island Oyster Farm tomorrow. BLISS.

Next Up: Renegade Craft Fair SF

Yay! It's my first time doing Renegade Craft Fair SF and to celebrate, I'll be debuting brand new prints, new buttons, and if I get them done in time... wooden coasters! It's also my birthday weekend so I'll be in an especially good mood, and offering a SECRET DEAL to those in the know: say "Happy Birthday" (teehee) to me at the booth and you'll get a surprise gift :). While supplies last! See you there 11am-7pm this weekend! Photobooth, DIY activities, booze, and with a beautiful view.. what a dream!

Ace & Ash | A Collaboration with Paper & Type

illustration by genevieve santos.  letterpress printing by czar press. design & photos by paper & Type. 

It's always a wonderful experience collaborating with Victoria, and it's fun seeing my designs in letterpress form. we'll be gearing up very soon to start the calendar... yeee!! can't wait!