Extended Hours

Welcome back DAAPers!

Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply will be open 11am to 9pm on Wednesday the 21st and Thursday the 22nd, for your back-to-school supply needs.  

And don’t forget, free supply delivery to campus on Monday and Thursday mornings. Please call Wednesday evening before close, to place your order for this Thursday morning.

It’s been a week

And what a good week it’s been. Thank you, thank you to everyone that came out for the opening last Friday, or has stopped by since. 

I wanted to share a few photos from that first night:

via

via

I’ll share more photos shortly, as they come my way. 

Here’s to week two.

You’re Invited!

Almost there! The grand opening is this Final Friday, August 26th, from 6pm to 10pm. Cincinnati folks, please stop by to see what I’ve been creating for you, have a drink, and celebrate! 

Normal store hours will start Saturday the 27th:

Monday  11am to 7pm

Tuesday  11am to 7pm

Wednesday  Closed

Thursday  11am to 7pm

Friday  11am to 7pm

Saturday  11am to 7pm

Sunday  12pm to 6pm

Couldn’t be happier!

If you were at The City Flea this weekend, you’ve already had a peek at these. Screen printed by Andrew from YES gallery, and I couldn’t be more pleased! 

 Visit the crowdfunding post to get your hands on one.

The City Flea

via The City Flea

This Saturday was the August City Flea. Such a good day! A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by for a visit. Your interest, enthusiasm, and (kind of gross) hugs definitely helped fight the heat. And congrats to Nick and Lindsey for doing such an amazing job putting the whole thing together. There’s still one left this summer, if you missed out be sure to head down on September 3^rd! I’ll be over at 1301 Main by then, so stop by and say hello! 

Swimming Upstream update

Thank you so, so much to everyone who has contributed so far! I know this is not the most traditional way of doing things, so I love that everyone is embracing it and wants to throw in a little bit to get their name on the wall of the store.

And the emails, comments, and messages of support and encouragement mean more than you will ever know. When opening a small business, you’re really putting yourself out there, and that is never an easy thing to do. The community has to see a need for and believe in what you’re doing. All of your support makes me so hopeful for the future!

And finally I have to share something awesome. One of the shoe styles that was claimed, has been named for a little one in our family with Cystic Fibrosis. From now on, I’ll be giving 10% of the sales of the Lee Loafer to the Cystis Fibrosis Foundation. I love that this opportunity presented itself, and that there is a way for me to give back, while so many people are helping me.  

Swimming Upstream: Opening Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply

On August 26^th, I will be opening Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply at 1301 Main St. in the heart of Over-The-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio. This design and art supply store will focus on materials, tools, and resources made in the US, produced sustainably, and beyond the basics currently available locally. The space will also house a studio area for workshops and classes, and the workspace for Smartfish Footwear. For more information about Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply please visit this post. 

Crowdfunding is a new grass-roots form of start-up funding, allowing like-minded people to support small businesses. The philosophy behind crowdfunding is incredibly inspiring; that a community of many people can contribute small amounts and achieve large goals. Our culture is remarkably returning to a place where emphasis and importance are placed on community.

I’ve worked hard to keep start-up costs at a bare minimum, and your support would make this space a reality. I hope you’ll be a part of opening Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply by contributing below.

You can also help by sharing this with anyone you think would find it interesting.

Thank you so much for your interest and support! 

And here’s what you receive in return for helping:

$10 Your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

$20 Local music mix featuring Cincinnati bands/artists, for a bit of inspiration while you work on your next project, & a Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply sticker for your bike, moped, car, etc. + your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

$30 Choice of one of the following, with screen printed logo: T-shirt, tote bag, Klein tool bag (Want two - pledge $50) + your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

update: they’re back from YES gallery, take a look

Items will be available for pick-up at the store, or include $5 and I’ll ship it to you

$50 Local student extended hours & delivery pass. Between 7am & 12am (except normal store hours), I’ll drop what I’m doing & run to the store to grab any supplies you desperately need & deliver them to you + your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

$50 Limited edition 12x18 screen-print of 1301 Main Street, by Andrew Neyer of YES Gallery + your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

$300 Name a shoe style (limit 5) & receive a limited edition pair of that style with fluorescent orange (Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply color) outsoles + your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

$500 Choose the topic for a School-of-Smartfish workshop, includes cost of materials & your spot for the workshop (not local, you’ll receive all the materials & information ahead of time, & you can join us via skype) + your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

$1000 Founders level. An illustration of you will be hung in the store & your choice of any combination of previous levels + your name on the wall of the store & a photo of the store from opening night

How it works:

Select the amount you would like to give and click.

Fill out the necessary information. There will also be a box to send me a message, specify the reward you want, and include your mailing address and email. I accept creative math, if you would like to combine, explain what you’re thinking and we’ll make it happen. Thank you so much for your support!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at hello@smarterthanagoldfish.com with any questions or comments, or if you would prefer to not use paypal. 

While I’m in the midst of switching to a new online shop, I wanted to share a quick glimpse of the latest Smartfish Footwear style. Available as a boat shoe or loafer.

Men’s sizes  8  9  10  11  12  13     Women’s sizes  7  8  9  10  11  +

This style has been in the works for a long time, so I’m very excited to share it with you. It’s a keeper, folks! Hope you love it as much as I do.

What: On August 26^th, I will be opening Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply at 1301 Main St. in the heart of Over-The-Rhine, Cincinnati. This design and art supply store will focus on materials, tools, and resources made in the US, produced sustainably, and beyond the basics currently available locally. It’s the kind of store this city has needed since I was a student at DAAP, and we were spending days sourcing the supplies we were supposed to be working with, on our own.

Where: The space at 1301 Main St. has been vacant for three years. Renovating and opening this location will redevelop a prominent corner of Over-The-Rhine, a neighborhood at a turning point.

Why: The caliber and concentration of art and design programs in Cincinnati is rare and inspiring. The store will support these students and schools, and the working designer and artist community that has emerged as we are finally retaining more and more of these talented alumnae. The space will also house a studio area for workshops and classes, and my workspace for Smartfish Footwear. 

Welcome

Thanks for visiting.

I’ll be sharing the progress and happenings of Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply. Along the way, you’ll find out a bit more about who I am, what I do, what my days are like, and what inspires me.