New logo!

 So here's the new look I've created for my brand...

I was trying to figure out a logo for myself that speaks to who I am, my personality, and my story; something that represents the brand i want to create for my company.  If you're really observant, you may have noticed I changed my favicon [the little box next to my web address up top] recently.  I took the inspiration of that from some cut-out letters of my last name sitting on a shelf in my home.

They sit in front of a galvanized metal planter box with green moss and orange berries.  I took the typewriter font from the "K" and put it in front of a grey background with some orange berries in the right upper corner. I mean, what's Kara Kersten Design or The Kersten Haus without my last name Kersten?!?

Anyway, after reading some of my book The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin, I got some inspiration for my logo.  There's a quote by Matt Stinchcomb, the Vice President of community development for etsy.com that said, "A brand is much more than a logo.  Your brand is your lifestyle & overall embodiment of what your business is about.  It is really important that you're telling your story.  Your story is your brand."  I tried to think of my story, describing words, what other's would say about me, how I see myself, etc...  I like change, spontaneity, color, vibrance, surprise, I like to adapt to different environments, solve people's dilemmas for THIER life with THIER style- not mine.  But how do I leave my own stamp on my work at the same time?  [So far, I think my stamp has been left through relationships and people.  I've left an impression of authenticity and community with the people who have touched my life and I'm happy with that.]  How do I come up with a recognizable symbol that is stabile, constant, and predictable when I am not always predictable?  How do I come up with something that can adapt, change, and morph while still being the same?  So I took inspiration from my little favicon, and realized the berries could be circles, the circles could be interesting fabrics and patterns, they could change color with seasons, projects, product lines, and still be recognizable.  It feels happy, crafty, simple, exciting, and fun, but most of all- like me.  I love that I don't feel restricted to a dead-set symbol with no flexibility, I can change up the colors, and pattern to mimic my many different moods and endeavors as I feel...  freedom!

Here is the New Business card design I came up with:

Front:

Back:

Tell me what you think of my new logo and business cards- I'd love to hear your feedback!

Hints of the Caribbean

These are some drawings I had done for a client to help her get some new ideas for how she could alter her existing KC home.  She was from Miami and missed some of her hometown colors & style.  In the front, she wanted a shaded area to sit and relax with french doors coming out from her living room.

option 1

option 2

The backyard had brick steps coming off of the family room down to a blank patio.  She wanted a new stairway to descend down to the patio with an area above to put a grill.

The drawing I created included built in seating for guests on the patio and a gradual stair since she didn't want to just open the doors and immediately have a huge staircase to look down.

 

There was a gas fireplace she actually wanted to get rid of.  Instead, she preferred to use the area for another set of french doors out to the back onto a veranda.

 [Either a wrap-around stair on one side, or no balcony and curved stairs around the whole stoop down to the ground]

Quick Visual

This was a small sketch I did for someone doing graphics for Hallmark as a visual for their tables they set up throughout some grocery store chains around Christmas time.