2018 Mad & Dusty Logo Round Up

For the billionth time, I’ll say it “How is it 2019?!” Like every year, there were ups and downs. All in all, I’m looking back on 2018 pretty fondly. (I mean, 2018 is the year we became pregnant with our sweet twins. Finally getting those interns I’ve been needing!)

2018 was a fun year for logos here in the studio. We worked with makers, small businesses, solopreneurs and nonprofits. One thing they all had in common - each of these folks is making the world a better and more hopeful place through their work. Dusty and I are beyond honored to be a part of their story. Here’s a look back at the logos we created in 2018:

ChatterBomb

ChatterBomb is a clothing company that celebrates encouragement and community. Jessica’s punchy shirts feature a message on the inside, close to the heart where it matters most. Her logo has a vintage flare and bold presence to match the brand’s personality.

Lead Designer: Dusty Beaulieu

Full Project Scope: The Brand Workshop with apparel design, print + packaging design, and styled photo shoot

Little Moon Rising

Becca is a childbirth educator and natural remedy maker. (Her Elderberry Syrup will banish any cough or cold.) She launched Little Moon Rising as a place where germs aren’t scary, women are empowered, and the food is good. Her logo was inspired by old time apothecaries and their imperfect, organic typefaces.

Lead Designer: Madison Beaulieu

Full Project Scope: logo design, packaging design

Chantel Adams

Chantel Adams helps inspired women follow their mission, not the madness. She creates content and products. (Her free guides are amazing!) Her logo is playful, grounded and feminine and aligns with her brand’s core values.

Lead Designer: Madison Beaulieu

Full Project Scope: The Brand Workshop

Susie Mann

Susie is a New York photographer. While she photographs a wide range of subjects, this logo was developed specifically for her family shoots. Her logo’s fun and lighthearted feel mirrors Susie’s magic ability to make anyone smile and feel at ease.

Lead Designer: Madison Beaulieu

Full Project Scope: logo design

Broadview Brand Strategy

Bethany launched her consulting firm, Broadview to help small businesses come up with a marketing strategy that communicates with customers in a way that connects. (Psst, She does free consults!!) As small business owners, we’re often too focused on the details of our business to know how to communicate our story to customers. Her logo is a nod to that old saying “Can’t see the forest for the trees.”

Lead Designer: Dusty Beaulieu

Full Project Scope: logo design

The Busy Bead

Emma Kenney, a retired NICU nurse, created The Busy Bead out of her love for making and desire to share. She creates nature inspired jewelry with gems and stones designed to heal. Her logo is a cute and playful take on the name. (I have this bracelet and I wear it all the time!)

Lead Designer: Madison Beaulieu

Full Project Scope: logo design, packaging design, Etsy shop launch

Miles for Major

Miles4Major is a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness and financial support for families of hearing impaired children through family-centered outreach events such as the Annual Miles-4-Major 5K Race. Miles4Majors help families go one more mile. This logo is made to grow with the organization and fit as needed.

Lead Designer: Dusty Beaulieu

Full Project Scope: logo design, website design

Local Makers: Jennifer Griffin of Jennifer Griffin Studios

I can't think of a better maker to be present on the 28th! It's also Reformation's Harry Potter celebration. YAY! I love the many ways Jennifer brings imagination and story to life. I'm always blown away by her work. Read on below to see what I mean!

What do you make?

I'm a costume and costume accessory designer, mixed media artist, themed wedding designer, and conceptual art photographer.

How did you get started making?

Years ago, after my first child was born I started designing hair accessories, costumes, fabric toys, bow ties and flat caps for my kids. That led into creating for other people and thus my shop opened.

What does your average day look like?

Since my kids are still at home and young, I spend most of my day "momming." But when they get to bed, or during school hours, I get my journal out to look at the ideas I've jotted down to start a new project. Or if I have custom orders I work on those. Then there is the customer service portion of the business. I spend lots of time in communication with my customers to be sure I am giving them the best quality and the best of my creativity.

What inspires you to keep making work? 

If I am in a rut, I try to step away and go for a walk in the woods. Recently though, I have been very stagnate and a walk in the woods didn't cut it. So, I spent 2 weeks in Scotland and I think it changed my entire creative level. My inspiration comes from nature and my cultural heritage, and the Scottish country side and forests were the culmination of both of those inspirations.

What is the hardest lesson you learned through your business/creative process?

Not being supported by one's circle is hard. I think this was the hardest thing for me to deal with. In art, regardless of medium, an artist puts a bit of their soul into their work. When the art is then rejected, it is hard to not take it personal. It feels as if it is a personal rejection.

What's the best part about doing what you do?

There are two things that I love about what I do. The first, making my customers feel like they are the unique and beautiful creatures they are. Especially brides. Most of the custom work I do is for themed weddings or hand fasting ceremonies. It's such an honor to be apart of something so special, but even more, knowing that the bride & groom fell like they are really in the fairytale they created. Making their romance come to life in a tangible way. The second is the personal satisfaction from creating in this world, the things from the world in my head. I have loads of ideas and designs in my head, being able to create those in real life is quite satisfying.

What are you working on now?

I am actually working on a collaboration with a few other artists. However, it is hush hush right now, so we will have to just wait and see when the project is done. It will be epic. That's all I can really say about it. But just for Jenifer Griffin Studios, I am working on a few photo shoots for the fall based on a fan fiction of the 1980's movie Labyrinth with David Bowie, and another shoot based on the original tales of the Brother's Grimm. So, a little on the dark side. With both of these, I get to create new characters or create my concept of old ones, and their costumes. Very exciting for me. All of which will be available for purchase after the shoots, which will be before Halloween. If you follow my social media, you can be looking for these costumes by the end of September, 2018. They are one of a kind so get them when they are released because chances are, they won't be available again.

View Jennifer's work on her site, Instagram, and Facebook! And don't forget to swing by the Maker's Mash this Saturday from 5-8 to shop her work in person!

Local Makers: Buffie Diaz of Digs N Rose

Meet Buffie Diaz, local weaver, yogi, all around wonderful person! I am so excited to hang with her this weekend at the Maker's Mash! 

What do you make?

weavings and natural fiber art

How did you get started making?

I was inspired by a sweet Fiber Artist named Natasha out of Hinckley, IL. She sheers her own sheep, dyes her own wool roving AND creates beautiful masterpieces. She offers workshops and classes. I started with wet felting, it felt so good to FEEL the art I was creating. Then, needle felting became serious art therapy for me. Then, my amazing wood-working hubby made me a loom so I could play with weaving and I fell in love! It feels so good to let the fibers flow from my fingertips into a beautiful piece of art.

What does your average day look like?

I have four kids (including 7 month old twins), so my days are pretty full and my days flow at a different pace than they used to when I was younger, childless and trotting around the globe. Most days I invest into my kids, my yoga students, and making yummy, healthy foods for my family (and me...I'm a foodie). I don't get to my fiber fun as often as I'd like, but I like to set small goals, like "today I am going to warp the loom" or "weave for 15 minutes."

What inspires you to keep making work? Where do you go / what do you do to shake out of a creative rut.

N A T U R E. If I feel like I don't know where to go next with a piece, I just go outside and look at bark or mushrooms or any other small, overlooked part of the forest and become amazed at the overwhelming intricacy and incredible life that is all around us. I usually grab a stick or something that speaks to me and weave it in. I like messy, free flowing, inspired art. So, it works.

What is the hardest lesson you learned through your business/creative process?

Sounds cliche, but the journey is the destination. Instead of seeking to finish a piece, I've learned to slow down, feel, and understand that presence is the goal, not the finished product.

What's the best part about making what you make?

Getting to feel the fibers in my fingertips, feeling the energy of the wool. Also, letting that creative spark (that we so often keep quite) flow freely - feels so great to be alive.

What are you working on now?

A giant weaving, my first circle loom weaving, two smaller frame weavings, and some felted natural soaps.