On the hunt! Help!

As I start 2016, I am on the search for a few great people and some great businesses, and I have decided to crowdsource to help in the search for these people and places! Ask your friends, think about your favorites, and let me know!

1) I am searching high and low for a new intern! I need someone here to help with tasks such as: shipping, handling emails, some social media and blog management, help with special projects and brainstorming, occasional errands, and a few other things, none of which are too difficult. Requirements: Not many! Can you write emails eloquently and politely? Do you live in Columbia, SC? Can you drive? Cool! You're a great option! Schedule is flexible and changes as needed. Unpaid, but can be arranged for class credit or a fabulous recommendation/resume line. 

To apply, please send your resume immediately to megancarn@gmail.com. I can't wait to talk to you!

2) I need a local photographer! Ideally, a reasonably-priced photographer who could occasionally shoot new pieces and studio for my website, publications, and other things. Please email me at megancarn@gmail.com with suggestions, or if you are a great photographer!

3) New retailers and designers! In 2016, I am looking to expand into more storefronts and interior design firms (outside of Columbia) that are as fun as I am with prints, originals, and stationary. If you have a storefront or an interior design studio, I offer wholesale prices and designer incentives-- I would love to speak with you. If you have one in your hometown that I should reach out to, let me know! [megancarn@gmail.com or the contact form] 

THANKS!

xx

2015 in Review:

2015 flew.  It seems like I was just celebrating the New Year of 2015 with my best friends, but here we are again! Mostly for me, but for anyone who cares too, I decided to do a rundown of the "big" things that happened. Oh, what a year!

1. I quit my job and moved into my first solo apartment to do art. What was/is this crazy girl thinking? I am daily challenged, constantly thinking, and always trying to grow my business. But really, it's crazy. 

(Note: not only did I repaint the mailbox, I repainted the entire apartment with the help of a few friends and my parents. We will revisit this note later..) 

This mailbox had a big year too! It went from black to pink to black again!  

2. I met the love of my life! (Literally two weeks after I moved.)

 And he kept me laughing every single day. 

This picture makes me giggle, and I'm sure it will make you giggle too. 

Another minor-big thing-- He had surgery on a wrist injury. Not fun, or exciting, as exhibited here. Happy hospital dayz!

3. WE GOT A DOG. 

There are four words I never thought I would say... But you read it. We got a dog! (An inside, couch-sitting dog) And she is the sweetest, sassiest thing this world has ever seen. Really, though- she's the best. I wouldn't trade her for the world. Andrew and I each had our family dogs pass away this year, but Effie was there to flip and flop and drool her way into cheering us up. 

I'm sorry, will you just look at that puppy?!

Look at that face. Just look at it. 

4. We hung out with my parents: 

A lot.  Effie came too!

She's a lover.

5. We moved into a new house:

It took even longer than expected because of  Columbia's epic and tragic flooding during the weeks and weekends we originally planned to move in October. Both of our houses stayed dry in the midst of all the water-- we were so lucky. Effie has a yard now, too! Needless to say, we did NOT paint all of the walls in this new house. Nope.

A Halloween family photo... this year's theme? Pumpkins. 

6. And I went to California for the first time! 

Twice! 

6. WE GOT ENGAGED!  

... And who doesn't love a good engagement? Of course, you've already heard about that.

Gosh, what else happened? Well, I was in my first wedding as a bridesmaid; I tried (and loved) duck for the first time; I painted a ton of dogs; We went on a few beach trips, and I went fishing for the first time... AND CAUGHT SHARKS; I started this blog; I started working every now and then at Pink Sorbet, and obviously fell in love with everyone there; I turned 24; I started learning Spanish; I watched all of Narcos, Blacklist, Parks and Recreation, The Office, OITNB, and so many other Netflix thangs; and I wouldn't change anything that happened. 

Thanks for a great year!

xx

How he asked!

Preface: For Thanksgiving this year, I spent two weeks in the Bay Area of California with my boyfriend-turned fiance (Andrew) and future in-laws. We had a great time! We arrived on a Thursday, and he proposed the Monday after we arrived- right before Thanksgiving! Here is HOW HE ASKED:

China Beach

So on Monday morning, we decided to go to brunch with Andrew's Nona at the delicious Penninsula Creamery in downtown Palo Alto. Did I have a hamburger at 10 am? Yes. Do I have an issue with it? Nope. 

Afterwards, we decided to go to one of the bay area's many National Parks that Andrew's parents told us about-- Land's End. Andrew had never been there before, and obviously I had not either, so when we arrived in our brunch clothes and realized this was more of a hiking area... we weren't so sure. We walked around for a bit (probably a mile or so) and saw some gorgeous views, took some pictures, and then I was starting to get blisters from the flats I was wearing. So we decided to head back to the car. 

Andrew was what I call "fidgety"... I assumed it was because of the brunch clothes and the walking in completely improper shoes for the terrain, so I didn't even think twice about it. Later, I realized it was because he was trying to find the right spot to propose! He drove me through Golden Gate Park and we saw some of the fabulous houses right around that neighborhood, and then we landed at China Beach. 

It was completely empty, with cliffs and rocks all around. We had an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge from there, too. With just the two of us on the whole beach, he asked me to marry him. (And of course I said yes!)  

My ring is yellow gold, yellow citrine, and diamonds. It is unbelievably hard to capture the color in a picture! This one pretty much nails it. 

A few funny things: Earlier this year, I purchased a pink Mrs. Box for fear they may not be available again when the time came for me to get engaged. It is a gorgeous vintage French velvet ring box (pictured below) and I am obsessed with it. It is a more petite box, however and wasn't closing to my fiance's liking when he put it into his pocket... SO HE TAPED IT SHUT! Tons of tape. I had to {gently} remove the tape, not wanting to ruin the box- which I was a little worried was already ruined- before I could even see the ring. It made me laugh, the box is still intact, and much to Andrew's satisfaction it didn't come open and he didn't lose the ring. S/O to the Mrs. Box, I'm in love with this little house for my ring!

See? In this picture, the ring looks yellow! What is happening?!?!

We had the whole beach to ourselves, and so afterwards we just hung around waiting {okay, hoping} someone would come by and possibly take our picture. We waited for about 30 minutes, trying multiple failed selfies (I stood on rocks, he held the camera, I held the camera.. it just didn't work) and finally a cute couple from LA came by and took our picture! Yay! 

In the downtime, we ventured around a huge rock that was barely out of the water. We got the view pictured above! We also saw some starfish, which I loved. Then, we turned around and realized that our entrance was closed by the incoming tide, so we scurried on out of there. (I have now dipped my toes in the Bay.)

Afterwards, we had pho at Kevin's Noodle House in the outskirts of San Francisco. It was my first pho, and my first meal as an engaged lady. And it was delish!

Nail Color: Chiffon My Mind, OPI 

xx

UMMMM... Someone tried to scam me. WHUT.

So, about a month ago, I received an interestingly worded message via my website from an SC man named Senior Collins. This seemingly sweet, older man "noticed his wife looking at my work a few different times" and wanted to know how he could purchase a piece. (**Note: Inquiries like this are so normal-- the internet is not familiar for some people and so the concept of an online store isn't always easy. Also, the wording seemed way formal and little odd, but again, not too strange when considered in perspective.)

My fab new intern (Blog post coming soon on her!) responded for me with all sorts of helpful information... we love to make surprise gifts happen! She included the link to the store and directions for using it. 

Senior responded that he wanted a large leopard painting that I had listed, and asked if we would do a local pickup with payment via check. "Of course we can! We do local pickups all the time." (Because we do...) And that's when things got a little weird. I should have known then. Should have. But it didn't even hit me until later.

Senior was going to have a "friend" pick up the painting for him, since he was out of town with work. (Later, that changed to "Sailing in the North Atlantic," which isn't quite the same as out of town for work..) Also, because his wife handles the couple's finances, she would notice a large transaction, so another friend would be writing a check for me to deposit before the pickup. Makes sense. Makes sense. 

BUT then, things got really weird. These things made me think, "Hmm." When the check came, it wasn't quite a check. I'm not really sure what it was, but I knew it was a tricky thing. Also, the sender wasn't an SC resident.. weird because Senior Collins, an SC resident, would probably work with another SC resident, not a Maryland resident. ALSO, the check was written for way more than the cost of the painting. After I got the check, Senior asked if I would deposit it and send the overage to his "friend", the shipping agent... who lived in Virginia. Why would someone pay a few thousand dollars to have a painting personally picked up when we can just FedEx it first class for a few hundred? 

So, I googled Senior Collins and guess what? "Senior Collins Art Scam" popped up before I even finished typing. I read a blog post really similar to this one describing the exact same experience as I have just had, and I felt a little sad. Internet scammers are the worst. And this one almost got me! I say almost because he didn't. Luckily, I was cautious and I looked into the red flags when they came up. I am writing this so that next time a hard working small business owner gets an email from this criminal and googles the name, it will come up again! Fingers crossed it helps a few people. If nothing else, its an interesting story. 

(The scam part would have come in when I deposited the check... apparently, it would take awhile to bounce, and in the meantime I would pay the overage in the to the shipper out of my own account. Basically, I would have ended up losing a few thousand dollars.)

So in closing, sorry for googling ya, Senior. I hope you have a terrible time!

xx

Art Crush: Kristi Kohut

Earlier this year, I found Kristi Kohut via Instagram. She is FABULOUS. (I mean, her brand name is HapiArt, and who wouldn't love that!?) Kristi has a style and vision that I love so much. Her work is colorful, fluid, and so, so unique. Also: It's multimedia! These awesome pieces are made from all sorts of items with amazing attention to detail from Kristi. 

Another touch I love- the tiny glass beads that make for a great finish on top of each piece. It adds a sophisticated sparkle to the already gorgeous abstracts. 

Kristi has been featured all over the place- in blogs, museums, magazines, and pretty  much anywhere else possible! She does commissions, sells originals and prints via her website, www.choosehapi.com, AND she now has fabric and scarves for sale! (No joke, the one of the scarves is definitely on my wish list.)

Definitely go check out her work! You won't be sorry you did.

www.choosehapi.com

Instagram: @hapiart