All posts by Kristi

Kristi Beisecker is a graphic designer, photographer, printmaker and alternative scientist whose interested in making images through two contrasting elements. She is also a blogger in lifestyle, travel, wellness and health, art and design, beauty and fashion.
Blog, Business

It’s a Wrap!

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Well, I know it’s been awhile since I posted here. And a good reason for that. End of March I took up a seasonal position at Yankee Candle and the month of April flew by. I had a blast working at Yankee Candle and meeting everyone in the department that I worked in. I never had a job that fit me so perfectly. The tasks and skills required were a perfect balance of both of my left and right brain skills. I was sadly laid off a couple of weeks ago unexpectedly, though I know that there’s more to this than meets the eye…

The transition from working full-time to going back to a freelancer schedule has been difficult, not to mention leaving so many awesome people behind.

I have been redirecting my focus on my projects both freelance and personal artwork. It’s been refreshing to live in a place where you can have the space to do your own work. This past Friday my client in Dubai hired me part-time to their start-up after working with them on freelance projects for the last couple of years. I am a firm believer in establishing and keeping relationships in life, whether it is business or social. You never know what will come along, not to mention that loyalty is huge in this day and age.

The job will allow me to stay in Northampton which I am ecstatic for. It may also allow me to do a travel opportunity that came through a couple of weeks ago.

I am writing a studio wrap-up post soon after this one of an overview of what I’ve been working on. I’m excited for what is to come!

Maine, New England, News

Spring Exhibitions 2016

PineNeedles1. MDI Biological Laboratory “Art Meets Science: A Fresh Field of Life: Artists, Naturalists and the Vision for Acadia“, Bar Harbor, ME – June 20 – September 30, 2016

2. Larkin Gallery and Post Office Gallery “Angels – Rise and Shine“, Provincetown, MA and North Truro, MA   – May 27 – June 14, 2016

3. Wellesley Community Art Project “Blue and Green“, Wellesley, MA – May – June 2016

Blog, Business

Yankee Candle

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Tomorrow, I’ll be starting a new chapter in my life. I accepted a seasonal job offer at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, MA. I’ll also be rooming with an artist friend of mine in Northampton which I am super excited about. I’ve been wanting to explore Northampton more since I found out about it when I lived in Longmeadow, MA.

It’s been a struggle though. Last weekend, my dad and I went to the Boston Flower and Garden Show and he came down with something after that. I had already been sick this time last month and unfortunately I got his cold. So I am now in the midst of packing and getting ready for this new position while sick 🙁 blah!

 

 

Art, Blog, Business, Fashion, Projects, Retail

New Project: Quilt Mandalas

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Last summer I participated in the Hyarts Artist Shanty program in Hyannis, MA. Since then I have maximized my experience by writing down inspiration, tidbits and things people have said to me, that came to my mind and random things. I usually do this with action-packed experiences because if I have a lot on my mind I tend to forget it!

While working on this experience I experimented a little bit with my artwork on clothing and I really like how it turned out. It was really sell-able as well and seems to be the most cost effective way to produce artwork prints. However, getting into clothing manufacturing is a bit tricky. I’m not a seamstress and can hardly cut a straight line so I wouldn’t be the one making the clothes. I have to find a manufacturer that will do private labeling… essentially I design the clothing and claim it, but it will be manufactured in a factory, or something like it. Part of me wants to collaborate with others on the fashion line but part of me doesn’t want to split the credit…sounds selfish but I want it to make it my own, but without doing the dirty work! Only because it’ll just be another thing to be added onto my plate so I want to focus on what matters, the artwork.

So, I started searching on instagram for artists whose work will mix well with my owIMG_0272n. Since my mandalas fit the hippy, new agey vibe and I’ve been wanting to market to this crowd more. I connected with a fiber artist and designer from Missouri whose done some awesome incredible things. She made a whole bunch of bags, filled them with school supplies and then sent them off to a non-profit organization – Generation Next, for students in Africa.

She owns a small etsy based business called, Hills and Thread, and designs bags and other fabric based items with quilting techniques.  I contacted her if she wanted to collaborate and she was ecstatic to! We skyped the following week and came up with a bunch of ideas. It’s nice seeing my work in a different form with color and in a completely different light.

We have other plans to expand this project if successful. BUT I’m happy with the current progress.

 

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Articles, Events, Lifestyle

Taste of Iceland 2016

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Ever wanted to make it over to Iceland but never got around to it? Iceland has promoted themselves as a ‘stop-over’ destination and an inexpensive international getaway. I only made it through the airport terminal on the way to London last spring but reading all about the facts and trivia along the way on Icelandic air definitely made me want to go back. The young couple on the right of me were staying for 5 days and through WOW you can get a flight for as low as $380!

It’s a perfect getaway spot, though once on the island things can be pricey, but with all destinations, a little research and budgeting you can still have quite the experience! But why not put all that effort in? Besides this time of year Iceland is cold, if not colder than Boston and you can still get all the same flavors through attending a Taste of Iceland!

Taste of Iceland is an action-packed weekend at various locations throughout the year. This year’s Taste of Iceland happens to be March 4th – 7th. If you’re not in the Boston area, don’t worry, the event is scheduled throughout the country to promote Icelandic flavors and culture.

The one that I’m particularly interested in attending and enjoying is the culinary collaboration between Icelandic chef Thrainn Freyr Vigfússon, head chef at Blue Lagoon’s LAVA Restaurant and American chef Matt Foley, Executive Chef at The Merchant. The menu sounds delightful and intriguing. I’m always up for a good nibble.

The other cultural activities sound good as well, they’ve got an Icelandic band playing at The Middle East on Saturday, March 5. A film screening of Rokk í Reykjavik, a documentary that explores the expanding rock scene in Iceland; a literary event that “celebrates Iceland’s robust storytelling culture with a discussion lead by Eliza Reid, a Reykjavik-based writer and editor who helped found the Iceland Writers Retreat, an annual gathering for published and aspiring writers”. A Taste of Iceland is a great way to get to know the culture before going there.

Check out the schedule of events from Iceland Naturally.

Lifestyle

The BLT that Made me Fall In Love

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This past weekend, I went to the Boston Globe Travel Trade Show and got to experience and sample numerous destinations, learned more about travel writing, and lifestyle demonstrations. It was a great time, and an eye-opener, possibly life-changing event for me. It definitely open some doors and it could lead into some lucrative collaborations.

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One thing that I was pleasantly surprised about was tasting Chef Joel Frahm’s

elevating BLT that he demonstrated at the Culinary stage at the show. I am not a

fan of lobster and found his dish to be pleasantly delicious! It made me want to travel to Maine to Chebeague Island Inn especially and have more!

It was a traditional BLT, tomato, lettuce and bacon bits but he added a lobster spread of some sort. I unfortunately missed the beginning of the demonstration but so I wasn’t exactly sure what was in it, but you could hardly tell there was lobster, yet it was delicious. To me, lobster can be very bland and is one of the few foods that I feel should be dressed up to really bring out the flavor.IMG_0210

Chef Joel Frahm works for the Chebeague Island Inn in Maine – the Inn is only seasonal – and has a select menu describing delicious dishes utilizing local food to provide the freshest and most authentic New England tastes. Frahm grew up in Arizona with a passion for cooking and a love of food. He moved to Portland, Maine after becoming apart of the Cinque Terra through this experience he became distinguished through his use of New England island flavors and fresh local food.

Articles, Blog, Tips

How to Capitalize on Your Award

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So you just won an award as an artist? Congratulations! First of all, winning any award as an artist is huge and can be validating. I know that when I won my first award it was hugely validating as I never considered myself to be an artist previously, but the fact that my work was chosen by art professionals and judged by them, made it feel incredibly validating. BUT, there are ‘hidden’ extras that you can capitalize on as an awardee which can be smart moves in the future.

1. Establish a Connection with the Program Director or Program Assistant

Typically the program directors at non-profits tend to be young professionals who may or may not stay in the position very long. I know that the current program director at the time I won the VSA Award of Excellence she was moving on, and then the person who filled the position after her just moved on as well. But you want to establish a professional connection with them through linkedin or another social media outlet. Since these people move on, they may wind up in another really good position at another company and you’ll already have a connection there!

2. Utilize their mission and social media presence to promote your work

Sometimes these organizations would be open to promoting your own artwork since you’re the awardee. So don’t hesitate to send your links over, the least they can say is ‘no’ and that’s fine. Sometimes they only promote content that comes through their organization not necessarily others but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

3. Request Fiscal Sponsorship

This is probably the single most important thing you can do to capitalize your award as an artist. Many grant organizations don’t offer grants to individuals, so sometimes you have to find an organization that will basically stand up for you as an artist and offer fiscal sponsorship. All you need to do is get the W-9 form from the organization proving their non-profit status, and sometimes something in writing. Some websites suggest this so that both the artist and the organization are on the same page about what is expected and accepted. Though it depends on the organization, if it’s open-ended just be smart about it and make sure your project is inline with the organization’s mission.

So there you have it! You have this wonderful opportunity presented to you as an awardee at a prestigious competition, you want to make the most out of it and establish a relationship with them. They will be thrilled too to see what becomes of their awardees. It may be your 15 minutes of fame, but whose to say you can’t stretch and milk it afterwards? It helps you build a structure for more future successes.

Articles, Business, Events, News, Travel

Boston, MA – BGTravelShow

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The annual Boston Globe Travel Trade Show opened this weekend on Friday, February 19th at the Seaport World Trade Center. The weekend began with roundtable; ‘speed-dating’ style discussion groups with representatives of top travel destinations around the world. The morning and afternoon was broken up into different groups of destinations, “Wedding, Honeymoon and Group Travel”, “Family and Intergenerational Travel” and finally “Eco and Adventure Tourism”. These discussions are not to be missed as they provide essential information to booking your next vacation or corporate event. As a PR/Media attendee I was after contacts and establishing relationship with professionals whom otherwise I would not have met!12717220_3014200994328_260099795776186647_n

As a lifestyle specialist, a travel trade show is a small piece of heaven. Many booths were giving away merchandise or pamphlets and according to the destination, cultural foods and drinks – one booth even had a rum bar! As the weekend unfolds, there is much merriment to be had with food demonstrations, cultural performances and opportunity making.

The culinary program of events is impressive with two-full days of food demonstrations from top chefs across the world. If you ever wanted to feel like you’re in a cooking show, this is the next best thing! Throughout both days there are impressive dishes for the discerning New Englander’s tongue or they may provide the perfect inspiration for your next dinner party! If you’re not a foodie, that’s okay as the trade show also provides an educational, in-depth and inspiring cultural program with prominent speakers and writers that will help inspire you to pick your next destination.

Everyone’s objective in going to the Boston Globe Travel Trade Show is different. For me it was networking, building relationships, learning, etc. for some it is purely educational, for others mere entertainment. Whatever it is, I will leave you with my top 4 pieces of advice for going to a travel trade show.

1. Arrive Early
Whether you are there for part of your job, or a general attendee, arrive early. Many things that factor into your travel time there and if you get hung up in traffic or have trouble finding a parking spot the extra time will help. This is especially important for professionals, you do not want to be late!

2. Plan Your Objective
What do you hope to accomplish with your time at a travel trade show? Who are your top professionals that you want to speak to? For me, it was sales and PR representatives, those who can invite me to future press trips or provide sponsorships.

3. Prepare Your Promotional Materials
Many sales representatives will present you with promotional and merchandise materials. Creating yours will help you leave a lasting impression as well as show that you are legitimate. It can be as short and sweet as a sell sheet with your products and services, or as in-depth as media kit. But puh-lease, don’t do it the night before. 😉 It can even be as simple as a business card.

4. Be Open
This is an experience! Experience it by trying new things, live a little, as that is what traveling to a new destination is all about! Don’t be afraid to talk to fellow attendees or introduce yourself, the more people you connect, the more opportunity can be made.

Well there you have it! If you are local, regional or even national, the Boston Globe Travel Trade Show is a great affordable event for all travel enthusiasts. It’s like seeing all the world at once in one room!