The Website Is Live (Soft Launch + Early Bird Discount)

January was spent digging out, dealing with some property damage, and realizing I had pushed myself a little too hard trying to keep everything going through it all. We also lost Buffy this winter — my house chicken and loyal companion — and life feels a heck of a lot emptier without her. Between the physical work of dealing with the snow, the emotional toll of losing a pet, and a flare-up of some chronic health issues, my nervous system needed some time to slow down and recover.

February was a reawakening, slowly coming up for air after a hard winter (even though winter decided to come back this week). I’ve been able to get back in the studio, and while creativity came back slowly, it did come back and I have a couple of new prints that I’m excited to share for the first time this Friday at The Bear’s Lair in downtown Juneau. I’ve also been putting a lot of time and energy into some behind-the-scenes projects that are finally ready to see the light of day.

The biggest one: my website is officially live and I’m so excited to share it with you!

For those that don’t know, making websites is what I do for a paycheck. I’ve done it for years and have worked on some sites I’m really proud of. But something about working on my own site was paralyzing.

Maybe it was too much possibility — I know too much and had too many ideas to make decisions. Or perhaps it was the isolated nature of not working with a client. There was no one to bounce ideas off of or collaborate with.

So, to celebrate I’m giving you 10% off everything in the shop from now through Sunday, March 8.

Use code:

EARLYBIRD

SHOP NOW

Use the button above or visit akmichelle.com to explore the shop. And if you do take a look around, I’d genuinely love to hear what you think!

I’ll be showing my linocut prints alongside Ilsa of The Loving Loon, who will have a beautiful selection of earrings. Together we’ve put together a small show inspired by life here in Southeast Alaska — the colors, textures, and environments that make this place so special.

If you’re local, I’d love for you to stop by and see the prints in person.

And if you can’t make it to the show, the new prints will be added to the website this weekend (and yes, the EARLYBIRD code will work for them).

For those of you who found me through the printing press video: I promise we’re still working on the plans.

We’ve been testing and making adjustments to the design to make sure it holds up to real use over time. I don’t want to release the plans until I know it’s something that will work as a long term tool. Not being in the studio for over a month slowed the process down, but we’re back at it now.

I think we’re very close.

Thank you for your patience… and for caring enough about a homemade press to follow along in the first place.

If you’re local, I’d love to see you this Friday:

Thank you for being here and following along as I slowly build this little art business. Your encouragement, kind messages, support, and enthusiasm mean more to me than I can describe.

This winter was a hard one in a lot of ways — one of the hardest I’ve ever experienced — but it’s starting to feel like things are turning a corner and I am really excited for what’s next.