Motivated!

I finally designed my business cards, ordered them, and received them! Currently my agenda consists of cleaning jewelry, bagging them, and finishing up product shoots for storenvy listings. I am very excited to say that I think I am actually going to do this and do it right! I am heading out to Iowa to meet up with my uncle and take some notes on how I am going to run my store efficiently with out overwhelming myself at the same time. While I am out there this weekend I plan to shoot a little promotional video for my store opening too. I have a lot in mind and I hope to get a decent following on what I have to offer. This should be fun!
Other than that I am also proud to say that I have been officially accepted to Columbia for the second time and I can get this show on the road.
Meanwhile while I wait for all this to go down I have been enjoying my last semester at JJC and really soaking in what knowledge my amazing professors have to offer. This drawing class has really reshaped the way I observe the human body on the regular basis. Hope you enjoy my little Instagram shots of in class life drawings! Can't wait for my next post, hopefully I can squeeze in some new shoots too.

Vine Charcoal Life Drawings by me Vanessa Riojas

Progress Is Being Made

I've been complaining a lot lately about not being able to shoot and get things done over the weekend because I'm never home and in Chicago instead. So I decided to bring my stuff to the city with me this weekend!
This red skirt started me in on this look. It's a 50's slim pencil skirt with pockets on the front. The fit is great and it made me feel sexy even though it's past knee in length. The Black sweater with the red ornate design makes this look so vintage. It's 100% virign wool made by Pendleton. I found her at an antique store in Clinton, IA.
Can we talk about this hat though? This hat is probably one of the most exciting finds I've had, found in Iowa where I got the sweater. I'm thinking it's from the 50s, made in New York designer Adele Claire. The form is out of the ordinary and the colors of the feathers are killer. There was a bow on the front but it was really damaged when i found it so I had to do a little repair work but she came out presentable! & Special thanks to my boyfriend Eric Miller for helping me shoot!

P.S.
My Storenvy is still on it's way! I need to go visit my uncle who is an online seller guru so he can teach me the ropes when it comes to managing an online store!

Love, VanillaJade

As of Right Now

 My last semester of Joliet Junior College has started and I feel really relieved that I can finally start doing something else beside general education. I'm in a figure drawing class which is an amazing experience. The atmosphere is relaxing and I have never felt more in tune with my ability to really look and understand the body and be able to recreate that on to a piece of paper with some vine charcoal. I think this was a great class to take for my final few months attending JJC. I am going to be transferring to Columbia College in Chicago for the Fall and I think I am just going to go for it and major in fashion design. I am a bit nervous because choosing this major was difficult and the money, yuck I can't even go there. I have faith that I won't let myself down though. I want this more than anything I have ever wanted.

Other than school I have been researching alternatives to etsy and found Storenvy! On my free time I have been building this online store where I will be selling vintage jewelry and clothing. I will also be selling handmade art, jewelry, and even clothes and bags I have designed. I have about 30 listings right now, all vintage jewelry but more will be coming! I have yet to open it though because I need to figure out how I am going to do shipping. So stay tuned for my store opening I am really excited!

Here's a little taste of what will be for sale when I open my store. Product shooting is actually pretty sweet too. I feel like I executed it pretty well!