Today is the last day to order online and receive in time for Christmas! I have new work listed in my online shop, including these handbound leather journals. Also, this Saturday is my last show of the year. It will be a smaller set-up so let me know if there is something in particular you’d like me to bring. Winter break is almost here! December 20 Last Call Art Market Lexington, KY (@westsixth 11am-5pm)

Today’s feature is the Intentional Maker Gift Boxes. There are several different combinations, and each box has work from a few different makers. This is a great way to support multiple small businesses. I have some with handmade mugs, some with handcrafted watercolors, and others with handmade wood pens. If you would like a custom combination, I do have a few additional pieces that are not listed. Feel free to reach out with any questions about that. These are only available online. If you are local and would like to pick up a gift box at my last art show, please let me know by December 18th. The last day to order online and receive in time for Christmas is December 17th. —- Last Show of the year! December 20 Last Call Art Market Lexington, KY (@westsixth 11am-5pm)

Today’s feature is the refillable leather notebooks. I also have this option in sketchbooks (lined paper versus blank paper). These are great for someone who goes through a lot of paper, isn’t planning on keeping the notebooks, or is nervous about using a handbound book. I’ve seen many people start with these and work their way up to a handbound journal or sketchbook. These are also very popular with professionals and students. That larger size shown takes a regular composition notebook, which is a size that many people already use. I have multiple sizes and style listed in my online shop. December 17 is the last day to place an online order and receive in time for Christmas. —— Last Show of the year! December 20 Last Call Art Market Lexington, KY (@westsixth 11am-5pm)

New shop drop! We are one week out from the last day to order online and receive in time for Christmas. I added some new work to my online shop and will give a little info about different pieces leading up to our last day for shipping. Today’s feature is the minimalist leather bag. This style is my smallest size and is perfect for the essentials. It comes with a crossbody and wristlet strap. It also has a front pocket and an inside pocket. This is what I carry every day. They are lightweight and come in a variety of colors. Link in bio.

Thank you for a full and happy weekend, Columbus Winterfair! It was great getting to see so many familiar faces and catching up a bit with many of you as well meeting new people. I had a very cool full circle moment with someone who used to own a gallery I sold to and is now in a new chapter and was shopping for herself and daughter. So many good moments with people! I have great booth neighbors and enjoy so many of the artists at this show. Thank you also to Roxanne, Kim, and all of ODC and volunteers who orchestrated the weekend! I’ll be working on listing more pieces online over the next few days as well as getting ready for my last show of the year coming up soon: December 20 Last Call Art Market Lexington, KY (@westsixth 11am-5pm) Photo: thanks to Kayla of @tealsaguarowellness for all these photos!

Here’s a look from blank slate to colorful! It’s fun adding all these pops of color and personality. It’s time for Day 2 of @colswinterfair. We are open Saturday 10-7pm and Sunday 11-4pm. I’m in booth 520. Happy to be here! Come join our cheery atmosphere and be inspired!

@colswinterfair is officially open!! I’m here in Columbus, OH with over 350 artists. There is literally every kind of art and gift you can imagine. We are warm inside the Ohio Expo Center and ready to share our holiday cheer with you. It’s happening Friday and Saturday 10-7pm and Sunday 11-4pm. I’m in booth 520. Come on by, Columbus!

We got a bit of snow just in time for Columbus Winterfair! It’s the right amount to put you in the holiday mood. This Friday-Sunday, I’ll be warm tucked indoors at the Ohio State Fairgrounds along with over 350 artist and makers. I’ll be in my usual spot- booth 520. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon, Columbus!! December 5-7 Columbus Winterfair Columbus, OH Booth 520 @colswinterfair

What a whirlwind of a weekend- in all the best ways! Big thank you to everyone who came out for the shows! I was able to see some of you twice, which was fun. Thanks so much to Madison and @lexingtonartleague for a great time on Saturday. We had a steady crowd, wonderful music, and an all around good time. And thanks to Sarah and everyone at @kyferalfolk, @amongtheoaksfarm, and @kentuckyheartwood for yesterday at @greylinestation. The day was non-stop and bustling with good vibes. We all really appreciate you supporting local and small businesses, especially this time of year when everyone is so busy. Thank you for taking the time and care to show up. This coming weekend! December 5-7 Columbus Winterfair Columbus, OH @colswinterfair And last show of the year! December 20 Last Call Art Market Lexington, KY @westsixth 11am-5pm

Today is the @kyferalfolk Winter Market!! I’m so excited to be here with all these unique makers! We are at the @greylinestation today only. We are open 11-4pm. Come on by!

Happening now!! It’s the @lexingtonartleague Holiday Market. We’ve got a great group of artists here. We’ll be here till 6pm today only. It’s the perfect place to spend Small Business Saturday!

Thank you for your support, your following along, your showing up for small businesses and makers alike. I was making a gratitude list yesterday and definitely included all of you: customers, friends, supporters of all kinds, other artists who travel alongside me, the many show directors and store/gallery owners who make so much of this possible. I am so grateful. If you are wanting to shop for thoughtful, meaningful handmade gifts or support small businesses, please join me this weekend at two wonderful, local events. November 29, Small Business Saturday, I’ll be at the @lexingtonartleague Holiday Market from 12-6pm at the Loudoun House. November 30, this Sunday, I’ll be joining the @kyferalfolk Winter Market from 11-4pm at the @greylinestation. If you are nearby, both of the markets will be full of great makers and so many unique, handmade gifts. November 28 Lexington Art League Holiday Market Lexington, KY @lexingtonartleague @loudounshop November 30 Feral Folk Winter Market Lexington, KY @kyferalfolk @amongtheoaksfarm @kentuckyheartwood And in one week: yes, I will be at Columbus Winterfair! December 5-7 Columbus Winterfair Columbus, OH @colswinterfair

Holiday Markets start this weekend! I will be participating in two really great local events. On Saturday, November 29, I’ll be at the @lexingtonartleague Holiday Market at the Loudoun House from 12-6pm. Join us on Small Business Saturday to shop from local artists and makers. Enjoy live music and refreshments while finding unique handmade gifts at the historic Loudoun House. This is always a fun one as they fill every nook and cranny of that house with artists. All are welcome! On Sunday, November 30, I’ll be joining the @kyferalfolk Winter Market at the @greylinestation from 11-4pm. With support from @amongtheoaksfarm and @kyheartwood, the vision for Feral Folk is to nourish land-based makers and the land itself. What’s truly special about this market is that the vendors are not only handcrafting their goods, but many of them are growing, foraging or locally sourcing the materials themselves. Examples include jams made with local fruit, upcycled clothes dyed with foraged walnuts and goldenrod, sterling silver jewelry made with Kentucky agate, cutting boards and gua sha carved from salvaged wood, locally grown dried floral decorations, Kentucky tallow and ginseng skincare and SO MUCH MORE! Your support helps to keep these land-based crafts alive and our local economy strong. Both of these events are well worth your time and will offer many wonderful handmade gift options. November 29 Lexington Art League Holiday Market Lexington, KY @lexingtonartleague November 30 Feral Folk Winter Market Lexington, KY @kyferalfolk

It’s time for the Intentional Maker Gift Boxes! For those unfamiliar with them, these gift boxes are filled with work that is handmade by multiple artists. The gift boxes are only available online. I will not have them for sell at any art shows, but you can let me know if you want to pick one up at an art show. Be sure to message me in advance if you want to do that. All the Intentional Maker Boxes include a handbound journal and handcrafted tea and/or candle by Forget Me Not Farm. They each also showcase one other maker. “For Contemplation” has a ceramic mug by @kris.busch.1. “For Eco-friendly Watercoloring” has handmade watercolors by @monasartsupply. “For the Mindful Writer” has a handmade wood pen by Steve’s Wood Crafters. There are several maker boxes listed online, but I have some extra mugs and watercolors. If you’d like a different journal combination to go with it, let me know. Please note that I also have other work available online. If you do not see what you are looking for, please message me and I can send you photos of what’s available. With several upcoming holiday shows, I do not currently have time to list more work online. Online orders need to be placed by December 17 if you want to receive them in time for Christmas.

“Whatever happens, stay alive. Don’t die before you’re dead. Don’t lose yourself, don’t lose hope, don’t loose direction. Stay alive, with yourself, with every cell of your body, with every fiber of your skin. Stay alive, learn, study, think, read, build, invent, create, speak, write, dream, design. Stay alive, stay alive inside you, stay alive also outside, fill yourself with colors of the world, fill yourself with peace, fill yourself with hope. Stay alive with joy. There is only one thing you should not waste in life, and that’s life itself...” ~ Virginia Woolf ——- Holidays shows: November 29 Lexington Art League Holiday Market Lexington, KY @lexingtonartleague November 30 Feral Folk Winter Market Lexington, KY @kyferalfolk December 5-7 Columbus Winterfair Columbus, OH @colswinterfair

Here is a custom order for someone who has several of my pieces. She wanted one of my new medium horizontal designs because it’s slightly bigger than the minimalist purse while still not being too big. Also, I made her this special custom wallet with a key closure some years back, which is not so small. It fits in the minimalist purse, but doesn’t leave much room for anything else. It will easily fit along with some other items in her new leather purse. She chose colors that would match the wallet and took care to pick a brown that wouldn’t scratch easily. She definitely wanted a two-tone look and was pleased with the classy end result.

I’ve been pretty tucked in the past week or so as I’ve been focusing on custom orders and figuring out what is needed as we head into the holidays. I’m excited about my upcoming holiday shows. Each of these is special and fun in its own way, and I’ll be joining so many other wonderful makers. Mark your calendars! November 29 Lexington Art League Holiday Market Lexington, KY @lexingtonartleague November 30 Feral Folk Winter Market Lexington, KY @kyferalfolk December 5-7 Columbus Winterfair Columbus, OH @colswinterfair Pictured above is a custom order for someone who wanted an extra large portfolio to hold oil paintings that she is working on. The sleeves that we added inside are acid-free and are accessible from the top so she can slide her paintings in.

Thanks to @artsconnectlexington for organizing and bringing together artists and studios all over Lexington. And a big thank you to @pbsartist for hosting me at the @encausticastle along with @martaedortonartworks and @deborahsloneart. It was lovely connecting and spending the weekend with you all. May we all be rejuvenated and inspired from our time together!

@artsconnectlexington Open Studios is happening now! There are 58 artists participating around Lexington. I’m at the EncaustiCastle Compound with @pbsartist, @deborahsloneart, and @martaedortonartworks. You can register for free at artsconnectlex.org for a map of all the open studios. It’ll be this weekend only- Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm. November 1-2 Arts Connect Open Studios Weekend Lexington, KY

I’m looking forward to being one of 58 artists that are participating in @artsconnectlexington Open Studios Weekend. They handed out these beautiful booklets representing each artist, and there will be signs showing you where each location is (see last photo). I’ll be joining @pbsartist, @deborahsloneart, and @martaedortonartworks, and others at the EncaustiCastle Compound. You can register for free at artsconnectlex.org for a map of all the open studios. It’ll be this weekend only- Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm. November 1-2 @artsconnectlexington Open Studios Weekend Lexington, KY

Here’s a look from blank slate to colorful! It’s fun adding all these pops of color and personality. It’s time for Day 2 of @colswinterfair. We are open Saturday 10-7pm and Sunday 11-4pm. I’m in booth 520. Happy to be here! Co

Today is the @kyferalfolk Winter Market!! I’m so excited to be here with all these unique makers! We are at the @greylinestation today only. We are open 11-4pm. Come on by!

Melissa Oesch 11/4/20 Melissa Oesch 11/4/20

Christmas Buying Update 2020

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Just kidding- the sun is out and it’s 68 degrees here in KY. I have just about caught up on all fall custom orders and have a few openings left for Christmas custom orders. If you are wanting to have a custom order by Christmas, let me know by Nov 11. I will have two online shop updates to be announced (mid Nov and early Dec). I will also have a local in-person shopping option, which I will announce as soon as the date is set. If you are hoping to see a certain design available online, let me know!

ReImagined by Luna 1/6/15 ReImagined by Luna 1/6/15

Little Update and Custom Leather Journals for Men

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you made it through the holidays with as much ease as possible. I stayed busy and grateful throughout it and was also grateful for a little breather afterwards. I've been quietly getting paperwork, new designs, and such in order for this new year. While I get new designs solidified and ready to share, I will be posting some of the custom pieces from last year. These below are custom sketchbooks made as Christmas presents for a couple of brothers from their mom.