Nicole's Art Club Visit & Artist Zine

When I was in high school I was very uninterested in academics. At some point I fell behind and I was not able to advocate or speak up for myself and my needs. So I leaned into the things I was good at - art. I would ditch my other classes to hide away in the art room. If I couldn’t get out of class I brought my art supplies to them, which was some times enjoyed but mostly seen as a distraction. I grew up in a small town (my class size was less than 90) and luckily, eventually I graduated. For me art has always been safety - a way to express myself and escape. It has been years since I was in high school but I can still recall how I felt during those years.

Over the summer of 2024 I acquired lots of old plaster slip casting molds, which I decided to give away. While we live in a capitalistic society and some of these molds have value I find it much more exciting to find other ways of distributing them like trading or donating. During that time I met a few of our local art teachers and started chatting about their classes. I was eventually asked to meet with our high school’s after school art club. The opportunity to speak with young artists was such an honor especially as I remembered my high school years. Knowing that are time was limited I put together a handout or zine to hopefully provide some inspiration or at least share some thoughts. I hope that regardless of if these students pursue an art career they will at least find something helpful along the way and know that I am rooting for them.

Since we’re sharing, below you can check out some of the pages I included in the zine. Feel free to leave a comment with something that has inspired or helped you along your creative path.

~ No Ai was used in the making of this. Please be conscious of the energy and environmental impacts that Ai has ~

Wild Bower Joins the Nest Artisan Sustainability Accelerator

We are incredibly honored to announce that Wild Bower has been selected to be part of the esteemed Nest Artisan Sustainability Accelerator for 2023. As a small, solo-female run business, this opportunity not only validates our efforts but also reinforces our commitment to becoming more eco-friendly. We are excited to embark on this transformative journey, and we hope to inspire others within the handmade community to join us in creating a greener, more sustainable future.

Sustainability is at the core of our business philosophy. We firmly believe that even the smallest actions can make a meaningful difference. From responsible sourcing of materials to waste reduction and ethical practices, Wild Bower takes immense pride in our commitment to sustainability. Being selected for the Nest Artisan Sustainability Accelerator is a significant milestone, offering us access to specialized programming that will support our growth and further enhance our eco-friendly practices.

While we are grateful for this opportunity, we also understand the importance of sharing our experiences and inspiring others. By fostering a culture of sustainability within the handmade community, we can collectively make a positive impact on our planet. Through our journey, we hope to encourage fellow artisans to embrace eco-friendly practices, responsibly source materials, and explore innovative ways to reduce their environmental footprint.

The road to a greener future is one we walk together. We are filled with enthusiasm and excitement as we continue on this sustainability path. We recognize that creating a more sustainable world requires collaboration and collective efforts. By supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and raising awareness, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that extends beyond our individual businesses.

Wild Bower's selection for the Nest Artisan Sustainability Accelerator is a testament to our dedication and passion for eco-friendly practices. We are grateful for this opportunity to grow, learn, and inspire others in the handmade community. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey towards a greener, more sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and leave a positive legacy for generations to come.

Wild Bower Studio's Commitment to Sustainability: Creating Beautiful Products with a Conscience

Hey there! Did you know that at Wild Bower Studio, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do? We believe that we all have a responsibility to take care of the environment, and we're doing our part to make a difference.

More and more we’ve been using recycled and repurposed materials in our products. For example, we're currently developing lamps that will use handmade paper shades created from our paper waste. We’re also using broken pottery to create mosaic pieces. Not only are we reducing waste, but we're also giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in the trash.

We're always on the lookout for ways to minimize our carbon footprint. We've switched to eco-friendly packaging and are brainstorming ways to reduce our plastic usage. Plus, we've implemented energy-saving practices in our studio to help reduce our energy consumption like solar energy and only using rain water. Did you know that on average we use between 5 - 10 gallons of water each month? For a medium that is notoriously known for it’s water usage we are proof that there are ways to reduce the amount of water used.

We know that sustainability is an ongoing process, and we're committed to continually improving our practices. We firmly believe that being sustainable is not only the right thing to do but also a smart choice for our future. By focusing on sustainable practices, we're not only reducing our impact on the environment, but we're also creating unique and meaningful products that resonate with our customers.

At Wild Bower Studio, we think that all businesses should make sustainability a priority. By integrating sustainable practices, companies can reduce their impact on the environment and even improve their bottom line. We're proud to be a part of the movement towards a more sustainable future, and we hope to inspire others to join us on this journey. Oh, and we promise to keep things light-hearted and fun along the way!

New Approach, Same Handmade Quality: Exciting Changes at Wild Bower Studio

Hey, it's me, Nicole, the artist and owner of Wild Bower Studio. I got some exciting news to share with y'all. So, listen up!

As a small biz owner, I always want to give my customers the best shopping experience when it comes to buying my handmade ceramics and art. But, y'all, I gotta be honest with ya. The last shop update wore me out big time. I made some stupid mistakes and was on the verge of a meltdown, and I knew I had to make some changes.

So, I decided to no longer have big shop updates, but instead, announce to our newsletter subscribers when new items hit the shop. This way, our newsletter subscribers will get the first dibs on the new stuff, and I can take my time with each piece. I tend to hold onto pieces and hoard them way longer than I need to, but I can't help it - each piece is like my own little baby.

I know this might be a surprise to some of y'all, but don't worry. We will still offer the same high-quality, handmade ceramics and art. And, of course, I will keep creating new and exciting pieces for y'all to enjoy. We will update our website regularly, and you can also follow us on social media to see what we're up to. You’ll get hint at new items on social media but announcements of them being available will only go to our subcribers.

I'm really excited about this new approach, and I hope y'all are too. I promise to keep communicating with y'all via our newsletter, and I will for sure throw in some exclusive offers too.

Thanks for sticking with us and supporting small businesses like mine. Y'all are the best, and I can't wait to share more of my creations with you soon!

Preventing Burnout: Self-Care Tips for Artists and Business Owners

Weather Landscapes, 2023
Nicole Helen Brunner

Being an artist and owning a business can be a super rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it can also be equally stressful and draining. The pressure to constantly create, market, and sell your art can easily lead to burnout, which can have a seriously bad effect on your mental and physical health, as well as your creative output. I’ve lived it!

If you're feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, it's important to take steps to prioritize yourself. Here are some tips on how to take care of yourself when you're starting to feel burnt out as an artist and business owner:

Eat well, like for real

Taking care of your body is super important when it comes to preventing burnout. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein can help boost your energy levels, improve your mood, and keep you focused throughout the day. Take breaks and nourish yourself throughout the day. And don't you forget to take a break for lunch, even if it's just 15 minutes to eat something nourishing. Your body deserves it, hun.

These are some of my favorite recipes: Green Goddess Salad, White Bean Soup, Breakfast Tacos, Quinoa Kale Salad

Get enough sleep, like for real real

Getting enough restful sleep is essential for your mental and physical health, as well as your creative output. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night, and try to establish a regular sleep schedule that you can stick to even on weekends. Consider winding down before bed by reading a book, taking a bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like meditation. You don't want to wake up feeling like a zombie, do ya?

Make art for yourself, not just for cash

It can be super easy to get caught up in the business side of being an artist, but it's important to remember why you started creating in the first place. Set aside some time each day or week to work on projects that are purely for your own enjoyment, without worrying about how much money they'll make. This can help reignite your passion for art and remind you of why you started this journey in the first place. Do it for the love of the art, ya know?

Take walks, like really take walks

Getting outside and moving your body can help boost your mood, reduce stress, and increase creativity. Take a break from your work and take a walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park. Take in the scenery, breathe fresh air, and let your mind wander. When you return to your work, you'll feel more refreshed and focused. There’s a reason I moved to the woods! Trust me, it works wonders

Stretch it out, baby

Stretching is a great way to take care of your body and prevent burnout as an artist and business owner. Long hours sitting in front of a computer or standing to work on art can cause stiffness and soreness in your muscles and joints, which can lead to fatigue and burnout. Incorporating stretching into your daily routine can help you stay flexible, reduce tension, and improve circulation. You can do simple stretches at your desk or workstation, or take a break and do a more comprehensive stretching routine.

So, there you have it, folks. These are just a few tips to help you take care of yourself when you're feeling burnt out as an artist and business owner. Remember, you gotta take care of yourself first, so you can create your best work and be happy doing it.

Feel free to add your own ways to deal with burnout below.

Soft Sculpture: Transforming Fabric Scraps

I first fell in love with textiles when I was just 16, working as a fabric specialist at the now-defunct Rag Shop. That bolt of red velvet was what started it all for me - captivated by the endless possibilities of textures, colors, designs, and weights that could be created with fabric. And I was completely in awe of the people who could sew and bring those possibilities to life.

Over the years, my love affair with fabric led me to collect scraps, samples, and bolts, which I've been hauling around and storing away. But even with my large collection, the thought of cutting into the fabric always filled me with apprehension and fear of wasting it, especially if I didn't have a plan or the skills to sew it up properly. So, I just held onto my collection, waiting for the right moment.

When the moment finally came in 2022, I sat down to create my first soft sculpture - a flower. The design process for my soft sculptures is less structured and more about feel. I don't use patterns - I just cut the fabric and figure it out as I go. It's a method that works for me, even though I've had a difficult time committing to cutting the fabric.

I have a lot of fabric in my collection, and it's easy to feel scared about using up the full pieces that I have. But I remind myself that there is tons of fabric in the world, and that helps me overcome my apprehension. With each piece that I create, I'm gaining more confidence in my ability to cut and shape the fabric to create something beautiful.

Soft sculptures are typically made using supple and non-rigid materials such as cloth, foam rubber, plastic, paper, fibers, and similar materials. Artists like Claes Oldenburg and Yayoi Kusama popularized the art form in the 60s, creating large-scale fine art pieces that were not meant to be touched.

My soft sculptures are different. I aim to engage your sense of touch, which is why each piece is created with a different textured fabric. From a soft, plush velvet to a rough, burlap-like material, I want to bring a new dimension of sensory experience to my art. With each soft sculpture, I'm learning more about the possibilities of fabric and creating something that's not only beautiful but also tactile and engaging.

When we moved to upstate New York, I was enamored with the variety of flowers and colors. Each season had something different - purple crocus then yellow daffodils and tulips, then the forsythia and then the lilacs. I love flowers but have not been the most successful with growing them. As you can probably tell, I'm a "throw the seeds to the wind" kinda person. Anyways, I had been working on another collection about flowers from another planet using colored acrylic plastic. I cut the plastic and turned them into hanging flowers. It's still at its starting phases, but it inspired the soft sculpture flower.

Creating soft sculptures with a tactile twist is a way for me to explore the possibilities of fabric and bring a new sensory experience to my art. Each piece is a labor of love, and I'm excited to continue experimenting with different textures, colors, and designs. Who knows where this journey will take me - all I know is that I'm happy to be surrounded by my beloved textiles, creating something beautiful and engaging for others to enjoy.