Periodical and Annual Cicada Enamel Pins on Kickstarter

If you missed my Periodical Cicada pin project in 2021 -- we are running a Kickstarter to raise funds to make more since they sold out and I'm adding a green colorway to represent the Annual Cicada. You can pledge using the link below until July 12, 2024:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/periodical-and-annual-cicada-enamel-pins 

Currently two different broods of cicadas that emerge every 13 and 17 years are appearing in 2024 (for the first time since 1803). It is now a good time to celebrate the cicadas again! 

Both pins are the same design structure and will be produced at 1.5" tall. We will be using matte gold plating and translucent enamel for the wings. Each pin will be fixed with a brown rubber clutch and is packaged with a backing card made from real oak wood. The design portrays an hourglass shape of the body made with the overlapping wings that evokes time passage.

Thank you for your support and for sharing this project with your friends and bug enthusiasts.

Peach Fuzz Enamel Pin - Part of Pintopia from BackerKit

Those of you who have been following my enamel pins designs might know that since 2020 I have been doing a project every year involving the PANTONE Color of the Year -- and this year the color is Peach Fuzz. 

We're raising funds to create limited edition soft enamel pins with a beautiful original illustrated Peach Fuzz design. The pins will be produced at 30mm tall with sleek rose gold plating. The inside of the eyes and pit nose will be represented with the etching technique. Each pin will be fixed with a clear rubber clutch and is presented with a backing card. 

 The 2024 PANTONE Color of the Year is Peach Fuzz -- captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It's a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul. In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance.  

There is a sense of comfort and longevity within the symbolism of a Peach. Whether your strong glutes bring all the boys to the yard or you simply enjoy the taste of a juicy bite -- Peach Fuzz is here for you!

This is my first time using BackerKit, but I have done crowdsourcing before with ten successful Kickstarter projects under my belt. This is also my first time being a part of their initiative Pintopia -- a celebration of creativity and collaboration from a diverse group of artists collectively running enamel pin crowdfunding projects from March 28 - April 18, 2024.

Back the Peach Fuzz campaign and my collaboration partner "Diagnoses & Dice" from Arledge Comics before Thursday at 4PM EST (1PM PDT) to receive both of our collab pins at no additional cost.

Here is the link to Peach Fuzz: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/carolyn-belefski/peach-fuzz-enamel-pin

Here is the link to Diagnoses & Dice: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/arledge-comics/diagnoses-dice-an-enamel-pin-collection

The more Pintopia pins you back, the more FREE pins you can earn. ✨ 

⚔️ 2 FREE Cross Collaborative Pins if you back both pins from a cross collab project pair

💯 1 FREE Full-Color Pintopia 2024 Pin once ALL projects are 100% funded 

🏆 1 FREE Gold Pintopia 2024 Pin if you back 5 projects or more

Total Solar Eclipse Enamel Pin - Make 100 Kickstarter

Every January, Kickstarter celebrates the new year with Make 100, an annual call for projects that offer exactly 100 rewards. They encourage their creator community to think big and create small, and have fun with these first projects of the new year.  Each campaign offers specialized, limited-edition rewards for backers. You can help us welcome the new year by supporting a Make 100 campaign, or you can launch your own campaign between now and January 31. 

I started doing the #Make100 incentive in 2018 when I drew 100 Sad Fish. In 2020 I designed the Blue Rose enamel pin, 2021 was Banana Bandana, 2022 was "Thank you Mom" Mother's Day enamel pin, and last year was the Red Rose enamel pin. Part of the inspiration with some of the projects was from PANTONE Color of the Year selections and I still plan to design a project based on this year's color (Peach Fuzz). However with 2024 already zipping by right before our eyes, I realize a more pressing event is coming our way. 

We're raising funds to produce 100 limited edition soft enamel pins with a friendly celestial original illustrated design to celebrate the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse visiting North America on April 8, 2024. The pins will be 30mm diameter with production effects that include antique silver plating with etching on the moon craters. Each pin will be fixed with a magnet and comes with a backing card. The design portrays a happy moon with rosy cheeks, crescent eyes, and the Sun's corona showcased with white glow-in-the-dark enamel. 

You can read more about the project and pledge here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/total-solar-eclipse-enamel-pin-make-100

At this point, I've managed and delivered nine successful Kickstarter projects, so I am very dependable and have grown a nice following for the enamel pins. It would be great to have your support if you think you would wear or display this pin or give it as a gift. Thank you!

Red Rose - Make 100 Kickstarter

We're taking part in Kickstarter's Make 100 incentive raising funds to produce 100 limited edition hard enamel pins with a beautiful original illustrated Red Rose design. The pins will be produced at 30mm tall with sleek rose gold plating and red glitter color. Each pin will be fixed with a clear rubber clutch and come with a backing card. The first 25 pledges will receive a 3" tall holographic die cut sticker featuring Red Rose as a thanks to you from Curls Studio. There are also several opportunities to purchase additional products I've created through the "add-on" feature while pledging.

The 2022 PANTONE Color of the Year is Viva Magenta -- vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative. There is a sense of romantic love, passion, courage, and action within the symbolism of a Red Rose.

Hoping that you can pledge $10 plus shipping today to support this project and make it come to life.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/red-rose-make-100

Netfins & Chill wins Best DC Film at YouFilmFest

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 "Netfins & Chill" (directed by Joe Carabeo) won "Best Local DC Film" during YouFilmFest shown at REACH Kennedy Center. I contributed to the film by designing the film titles. Congrats to the hard work of the cast and crew.

Netfins & Chill playing at at Kennedy Center

"Netfins & Chill" from film director Joe Carabeo will be shown at the Kennedy Center in Washington. DC during YouFilmFest. Each screening block is about 1 hour followed by a Q&A with filmmakers. "Netfins & Chill" is part of the 6:15 PM block called "Films from the US & Around the World: Part 1" on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/film/2021-2022/you-film-festival-r

I designed the film titles and am happy to be a part of the project. Excited for the cast and crew to receive recognition and some of them will be a part of the audience Q&A after the screening.

Thank You Mom - Make 100 Kickstarter

We're taking part in Kickstarter's Make 100 incentive raising funds to produce 100 limited edition hard enamel pins with a beautiful original illustrated Mother's Day design. The pins will be produced at 30mm tall with sleek rose gold plating and purple glitter color to represent the mother. Each pin will be fixed with a clear rubber clutch and come with a backing card.

Sunday, May 8, 2022 is Mother's Day and as a way to celebrate this momentous day I've designed a lovely hard enamel pin as wearable art. The design features a floral motif of mother and child forming a heart shape surrounded by a growing nest of greens. The embrace and swirls convey the emotion of motherhood with a touch of art deco style to represent a contemporary symbol of unconditional love.

I have been inspired by Pantone's Color of the Year announcements for many years and two years ago I started to create projects featuring the selected colors. Last December I was interviewed and quoted by the Wall Street Journal discussing Color of the Year.

The 2022 PANTONE Color of the Year is Very Peri -- Encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time possessing a violet-red undertone, Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression.

Hoping that you can pledge $10 plus shipping today to support this project and make it come to life.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/thank-you-mom-make-100

Mentioned in Wall Street Journal article about Color of the Year

I was interviewed by reporter Alex Janin from the Wall Street Journal about Color of the Year selections and the abundance of companies declaring color announcements. Ultimately it's a great marketing tool for any organization working with color -- plus it gets people talking about color, so that is wonderful and one of my favorite topics to discuss. 

After following the Pantone announcements and predicting potential colors for many years, it was great to be connected with such an authority in journalism. For the past two years, I've independently designed my own products featuring the past two colors of the year (technically three colors, because in 2021 there were two colors selected). 

Here are the products I've designed inspired by Pantone's Color of the Year, click on the links below to consider purchasing: 

2020, Classic Blue -- Blue Rose 1.0 enamel pin (sold out), Blue Rose 2.0 enamel pin 

2020, Classic Blue -- Blue Rose holographic sticker

2021, Illuminating Yellow + Ultimate Gray -- Bee acrylic pin

2021, Illuminating Yellow -- Banana Bandana™ (Fashionable Scarf Neck Covering)

To read the full WSJ article click here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pantone-picks-a-color-of-the-year-so-does-everybody-else-11639068306?st=dpm4kvuruxw5adr&reflink=desktopwebshare_twitter

The article is also in today's WSJ print addition.

Santa Turtle Hard Enamel Pin Kickstarter

We're raising funds to produce limited edition hard enamel pins with an original illustrated Santa Turtle character design. The pins will be produced at 1.5" wide with a real jingle bell attachment. Other features include gold plating and backstamp. Each pin will be fixed with a green rubber clutch and come with a backing card on soft touch paper to evoke the warm and fuzzy mood of the season.

The campaign will end on November 4, 2021 so I can have time to produce, package, and ship out the pins in a timely manner for the holiday season. Santa Turtle is a jolly turtle who lives in the North Pole with Santa Claus providing encouragement to the working elves by ringing a bell to cheer the Christmas crew. The character first appeared in my comic strip, Curls.

I'm happy to pull out all the bells (and whistles?) with design features that challenge what a pin can be as wearable art or fashion accessory. The Santa Turtle pin makes a great gift for any fan of the holiday season -- it is a conversation starter and will also resonate with anyone who enjoys turtles, storytelling, fantasy, music, or nature.

Please consider a pledge to this Kickstarter and pass the limited edition opportunity on to your friends to spread the holiday jingle jangle! Thank you.

Pledge today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/santa-turtle-enamel-pin

Cicada Hard Enamel Pin Kickstarter

We're raising funds to produce limited edition hard enamel pins with a modern original illustrated Periodical Cicada design. The pins will be produced at 1.5" tall with two red rhinestones to represent the cicada eyes. Other features include matte gold plating and translucent enamel for the wings. Each pin will be fixed with a brown rubber clutch and come with a backing card. The design portrays an hourglass shape of the body made with the overlapping wings that evokes time passage.  

The campaign launched last Wednesday and will go thru the month of June. I've been fascinated by cicadas ever since I was young and remember collecting their exoskeletons in a square plastic strawberry container at my grandparent's house. I also am fond of wearing them on my shirt as a cicada brooch -- and that is what inspired this creative project.

If you feel the need to wear a cicada all the time, then please pledge to the Kickstarter. We'd enjoy your support and fondness for this exciting insect. Please pass this limited edition opportunity on to your friends as well! Thank you.

Pledge today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/cicada-enamel-pin

Banana Bandana™ Update and Ordering Info

The Banana Bandana™ project was funded through Kickstarter back in February and shipped in March. I flipped the classic bandana print and paired it with banana humor in a modern paisley design to create a fashionable scarf face covering. Originally it started with yellow fabric, but then I added brown fabric alternative near the end of the Kickstarter campaign -- so now we have two color options.

If you missed pledging to the campaign to back the project, have no fear! Bandanas are available for purchase here: http://www.carolynbelefski.com/store/banana-bandana-fashionable-scarf-face-covering

Big thanks to photographer Joe Carabeo from Astray Productions and model Camille Richardson for stunning Banana Bandana™ product images.

It was great to create this during the COVID-19 era. I have new projects and ideas up my sleeves and have been working in my sketchbooks. Hopefully I'll be able to appear at some in-person comics events later in 2021.

Banana Bandana™ - Make 100

Join us in raising funds on Kickstarter to produce at least 100 limited edition bandanas with a humorous original illustrated banana themed design. The bandana fabric color will be yellow and imprinted with two ink colors -- brown and white. Guard yourself and others against germs, coughs, and sneezes with this non-medical grade 22×22″ premium cotton bandana -- and look fun and fashionable at the same time. Or simply use as gang association, hanky code, or your next outing as an Wild West outlaw!

The campaign is currently 149% funded and we have 16 days to go, so that is a success and we’ll be able to get the file off to the print vendor in early February. Now is the time to pledge to receive your Banana Bandana™ and drape yourself in this appealing fruit fashion accessory.

Thanks to all the Top Bananas who have pledged to support this project, taking pledges until February 4 -- you can still get your friends and family in on this. Thanks to Joe Carabeo (Astray Productions) for taking my photo posing with a banana.

Click the link below to learn more about the concept and consider pledging: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/banana-bandanatm-make-100

Thanks for your support -- please help share the link on socials to grow our crew!

#CarolynsCreativeChallenge

Hope everyone is doing well as we all experience this global pandemic with Covid-19 together (but apart). For the past two weeks, I've been posting daily prompts on the socials -- calling it #CarolynsCreativeChallenge.

I've had this idea for awhile now, but never thought the timing was right because I wanted to finish The Legettes #2 first, which is very time intensive for me. The Legettes should be my priority, but I did feel the need to be creative in many ways and showcase small projects that almost anyone can do at home. Another driving force behind the launch of this is the fact that four of Curls Studio's upcoming conventions and appearances have been canceled or delayed until later in the year, so hopefully it will gain traction and get others to actively know our work and communicate with us.

View this post on Instagram

Day 13: Carolyn's Creative Challenge. Join in! Today's prompt: Make a sock puppet! Meet "Howlin' House" (he goes by Howl for short) -- an old blues man hound who has seen it all. View my process photos in Stories for the next 24 hours. Post and tag your work with #ArtAttack and #CarolynsCreativeChallenge! www.CarolynBelefski.com #art #challenge #thingstodo #creative #fun #happy #stayhome #staybusy #makearteveryday #artistsoninstagram #design #crafts #graphicdesign #quarantineartclub #sockpuppet #sock #button #dog #hound #howlinhouse #dogsofinstagram #puppet #buttoneyes #animal #pet #sewing #homemade #handmade

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Apr 2, 2020 at 6:08am PDT

Most of the challenges take under 10-15 minutes to complete, but some may take more time. Join in and participate! You don't have to do them all -- you can do the ones that you want to do (and you can even go back and catch up from the very beginning).

A new challenge is posted each day on my Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Occasional behind-the-scenes and process imagery is shown on on IG Stories that are up for 24 hours only.

A goal of mine is to showcase the creative spectrum -- projects have already included cooking, sewing, eating, drawing, collage, experimental inking, design, and more. My hope is that parents can introduce some fun to their children that is educational and will get them motivated to create. No boredom allowed!

See you on the socials,
Carolyn

Blue Rose - Make 100 Kickstarter Update

Here's an update on our Kickstarter "Make 100" incentive raising funds to produce 100 limited edition hard enamel pins with a beautiful original illustrated Blue Rose design. It's absolutely fabulous news: all of the classic blue glitter with rose gold plating pins are pledged for!

Since we still have 17 days left in the campaign, I figured it would be best to expand and offer Blue Rose 2.0 -- same design, but with different color and plating -- turquoise glitter, gold plating, and blue rubber clutch.

Please consider pledging $10 plus shipping today to spread the Blue Rose flair.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/blue-rose-make-100

Blue Rose - Make 100 Kickstarter

We're taking part in Kickstarter's Make 100 incentive raising funds to produce 100 limited edition hard enamel pins with a beautiful original illustrated Blue Rose design. The pins will be produced at 30mm tall with sleek rose gold plating and blue glitter color. Each pin will be fixed with a clear rubber clutch and come with a backing card.

I became enamored with blue roses about a decade ago because they symbolize unattainable love and longing to attain the impossible, as a Blue Rose does not exist in nature. The 2020 PANTONE Color of the Year is Classic Blue -- instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. There is a sense of mystery, rarity, and hope within the symbolism of a Blue Rose.

You may want to give the pin as a gift to someone getting married who can wear "something blue" as tradition. You may want to give two or share the pin with a friend. You may want a reminder to stop and smell the roses or a symbolic physical representation of waiting for true love.

Hoping that you can pledge $10 plus shipping today to support this project and make it come to life.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/blue-rose-make-100

Designing Film Titles: Netfins & Chill

Watch Madelyn Farris and Joe Carabeo's newest film collaboration "Netfins & Chill" at www.astrayproductions.com/netfinsandchill for a limited time. The story of two young DC lobbyists and their fishy secret! I designed the film titles -- here is my initial sketch above the film title still with the vector graphic.

To view more film titles that I started designing last year, check out this post: Designing Film Titles: Process, Rough, Daisy

Designing Film Titles: Process, Rough, Daisy

Last Tuesday, October 16, 2018 we celebrated two award nominations for the Joe Carabeo film "Process" during Pitch To Screen at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. I had a great time hanging out with true creatives and storytellers from screen and stage.

So far this year I've designed the film titles for three short films: Process, Rough, and Daisy. I've worked on designing prop items for films in the past as well, but film titles is new for me this year -- I've been having a blast with typography and handwritten elements. It so fun to experiment with the short film's message and style and show that through the title design.

You can see "Process" for a limited time here: http://www.joecarabeo.com/process

Below are examples of the title designs I've created. You can view more of my work at www.CarolynBelefski.com.

Recap: WeDC Fest 2018

On Thursday, September 27, 2018  from 11AM to noon Curls Studio was invited to speak at the first-ever WeDC Fest at the National Union Building in Washington, DC.

WeDC Fest was a three day conference (September 26-28) for the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and government leaders who make Washington, DC the nation’s Capital of Inclusive Innovation. The event featured unique programming and networking opportunities to showcase collaboration and innovation in the world’s most powerful global city.

I produced and organized the "Using Comics to Illustrate Ideas" panel. Here is the description: 

As studies show, people are using visual mediums now more than ever to get attention. This panel will focus on the value comics add to build your brand with humor and authenticity. Comics are a valuable visual asset that have the potential to achieve results and feedback from audiences. Learn how words, pictures, and infographics are used together to tell your story. Join us as we discuss how to write exciting content, collaborate with cartoonists, and inject an element of fun into your upcoming projects.

View this post on Instagram

Had a great time presenting "Using Comics to Illustrate Ideas" at #WeDC this morning with @astrayj @laughingredhead. Enjoyed being able to show slides of visuals and get feedback discussion going at closing of our time slot. Thank you for having us! View my stories for behind-the-scenes photos. ✏ WeDC Fest is a three-day conference for the innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and government leaders who make Washington, DC the nation's Capital of Inclusive Innovation. The event features unique programming and networking opportunities to showcase collaboration and innovation in the world’s most powerful global city. Thank you to the sponsors: @wdcep @lyft @amazonwebservices @capitalone @broccolicity @dcstartupweek @newseum @202creates @nationalunionbuilding @astrodoughnuts @benseverything and more. #wedcfest #cartoon #comics #acreativedc #ideas #washingtondc #publicspeaker

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Sep 27, 2018 at 12:14pm PDT

Thank you to the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP), the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), event staff, volunteers, and other who helped to make the event happen.

We also appreciated the catering from Ben's Chili Bowl and Astro Doughnuts.

Album Design for Nicole Belanus

I recently designed an album for musical artist Nicole Belanus called "The Grown Demos."

It was fun to design the sleeve packaging and CD -- plus Nicole is a great client to work with! Check out her tunes here. I like how she has tunes and I have toons. It's a great combo.

I designed album packaging! "The Grown Demos" by Nicole Belanus @beelines77 🌱 I'm a big music fan, so it was exciting to be a part of this project. Watch this space as I post the CD design tomorrow. Check out Nicole's tunes and also my toons (cartoons, that is) at www.CarolynBelefski.com. Thanks to Nicole for the opportunity and creative freedom. #music #design #albumcover #creative

A post shared by Carolyn Belefski (@carolynbelefski) on Apr 17, 2018 at 6:05pm PDT

Let's Work Together
If you are interested in my illustration and/or design skills, please view my portfolio and reach out: http://www.CarolynBelefski.com.

Christmas in July Sale

It isn't often we have major online sales, but today's the day to buy something if you can't make it out to see Curls Studio on tour! We are offering 15% off all online orders on July 25, 2017. Use promo code "HOHOHOT" to take advantage of the sale and stay cool with some comics, buttons, or prints!

www.carolynbelefski.com/store