Welcome to August 2024 at Sugar Cloud Collective! Today we’re unveiling our latest theme and embarking on a magical journey through hidden woodlands and whimsical market stalls! This month promises a delightful blend of cottagecore treasures, fairy-inspired creations, and, of course, a sprinkle of magic! From mushroom kandi to strawberry keychains, our artists are crafting the perfect collection to capture the essence of this mystical theme!
As we flutter into the new month, we're also excited to introduce some fantastic changes to our monthly mystery boxes and grab bags, ensuring you get the best of both worlds in every package! Plus, don't miss out on our first-ever impact report, celebrating the incredible support we've been able to provide to various communities thanks to your generosity!
Get ready to dive into a world where kindness and mutual support! So join us in discovering the enchantment that awaits this month at Sugar Cloud Collective!
Let’s continue to uplift community through creativity and celebrate what we can create together! ❤️
*.🧚♀️𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒🧺.* Fairy Market *.🧚♀️𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒🧺.*
Deep within the forests all-around the Sugar Cloud region, you might stumble upon some familiar woodland friends ... and unfamiliar ones.
Don’t blink!
Or you might miss them!
These tiny flying humans are extremely shy and wary of outsiders.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be invited to the highly searched for Fairy Market!
Nobody knows for sure where it is, but let the fae guide the way!
Discover the magic of the Fairy Market - a hidden farmer’s market where fairies and their woodland friends gather to barter, trade, and gift their harvests and handmade goods!
Forest depths and shrouded lands hide the Fairy Market from unsuspecting visitors!
Kindness and mutual support is the key!
Although it seems exclusive, the fairies are welcoming to all who show kindness, generosity, and grace!
🍄˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚𖡼𖤣 The New Collection 𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊⋆⭒˚｡⋆🍄
Our artists are hard at work perfecting their cottagecore treasures to share with you all!
Mushroom Kandi!
Strawberry Keychains!
Cottagecore Necklaces!
Fruit Confetti Hairclips!
Fairy Stationery Grab Bags!
Get ready for an entire month of gentle and whimsical vibes!
✨ Get the August “Fairy Market” Mystery Box for $40!
Our monthly mystery boxes will no longer be a choice between our accessories and our stationery! Beginning this month, our monthly-themed mystery boxes will ALL include ALL OUR monthly-themed goodies for the best, most fulfilling, and most immersive experience -- from unboxing your goodies, to putting them to use!
Now, our monthly mystery boxes will ALWAYS be the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!
Get an exciting treasure trove of all our fairy and woodland-inspired creative supplies, unique jewelry, and more!
Valued at $75+, our monthly mystery boxes are ONLY $40!
Our monthly grab bags will maintain their current options (the accessory grab bag OR the stationery grab bag), but we are adding another option to make it even better! The “Half-N’-Half” Grab Bag will contain accessories AND stationery, so you can get the best of both worlds! Our grab bags are a great way to experience creative themes and narratives in a “bite-sized” way!
The Half-N'-Half option allows you to get a bite-sized version of our monthly mystery box!
No more hard choices!
Always valued at $45+, our monthly grab bags are NOW ONLY $25!
We’re super excited to put out our FIRST impact report! Throughout the months of June and July, we were able to contribute to many of our neighbors! Of course, we would never be able to do this without your support, and for that, we are forever grateful!
So, what were we able to raise the past two months?
Palestine
$10 Raised & Donated!
Funds for Gazan Refugees (donated directly through GoFundMe’s)
From sales at Below Sea-Level Aid’s first birthday party!
When you shop from Sugar Cloud Collective, you’re not only supporting small artists — you’re also supporting the communities we share and the movements which help us all! This is one of the many reasons we base our collective on mutual aid and communal love, and why we value solidarity so much!
⭐ little_star_creative ⭐ Louisiana Artist 🪻 Currently Based in Bourg, LA ⭐ Etsy Shop ❣️ Instagram
little_star_creative is a Cajun artist specializing in digital design, stickers, hand lettering, and more! Her designs focus on anxiety and mental illness, musical artists, Louisiana culture, and other fun designs. Many of her designs feature bright colors, and her stickers are glossy and gliterry. Her art speaks to the experience of growing up in Cajun culture, and being emo in Louisiana.
⭐ Jodi D. Hill (She/Her) ⭐ LaFHAC 🪻 Movement Law Lab 🪻 Visiting Assistant Professor of Law ⭐ Ethical & Accessible Housing Advocate ⭐ hilljodi31@gmail.com
This month we’re excited to highlight Jodi Hill — a dedicated advocate whose work focuses on addressing systemic issues in housing and employment discrimination. Jodi's journey into activism began with a deep-rooted passion for justice and equality. Throughout her life, she’s been deeply inspired by her grandmother, who was a public school teacher and community leader. Jodi is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law and is actively involved with the Movement Law Lab and the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC).
Activist Journey
A large inspiration in Jodi’s life and work is her grandmother —a beloved activist in her own community. Working as a public school teacher, pre- and post-segregation, her grandmother started Mission Outreach in 2018. Jodi’s admirable convictions and compassion, motivated by her family and community, have led her on her own path of communal love and advocacy.
“I am currently working on scholarship that explores the experiences of tenants experiencing sexual harassment from housing providers in the United States. With this article, I hope to bring more attention to the experiences of tenants and the exploitative nature of the landlord tenant relationship.”
A main approach in her work is to view every win as a small step towards justice and autonomy in housing.
Avoiding Burnout
“Disappointment and anger are NORMAL … One of the hard parts is the level of loneliness.”
We often find ourselves subject to disconcertion under the current socio-political systems of the world, and those same systems rely on us losing our momentum through burnout.
Jodi emphasizes the importance of remaining aware of both her capacity and limitations. Her best advice to avoid burnout though, is the concept of self-care — which she notes comes in many forms and sometimes needs exploration.
Self-care for Jodi means taking a moment to step back and remind herself of the bigger picture, allowing herself time to breath and just be, writing about her feelings and ideas, and —most notably — building and maintaining a support system. All of these things are essential in Jodi’s practices and help to keep her grounded and motivated in her work.
Passions & Hobbies
Jodi’s favorite way to relax and connect with others is through cooking and culinary explorations. She first started cooking with her grandmother when she was younger, but later reunited with it as a survival method during law school. After getting paid, on Fridays she would research recipes and shop for the ingredients, and cook her meals for the week Saturday and Sunday. Now, Jodi enjoys sharing her culinary creations with friends and family, and some of her favorite dishes to make include red beans & rice, vegan red curry ramen, and salmon curry!
How to Get Involved
One of the most important steps to advocacy and communal support is learning! By learning more about housing injustices, power dynamics in provision authorities and suppliers, and local and regional housing policies, we can better understand discriminatory systems and their direct impacts on our communities.
Jodi's resilience and dedication to advocacy serve as an inspiration to us all! We are honored to feature her as our Advocate of the Month and look forward to supporting her ongoing efforts to create a more just and equitable society!
⭐ Stella Jones Art Gallery ⭐ Fine Black Art Gallery 🪻 Black-Owned 🪻 Local-Artist Highlights ⭐ Place St. Charles ⭐ 201 St Charles Ave #132, New Orleans, LA 70170 ⭐ Website ❣️ Instagram ❣️ Facebook
This month we’re highlighting the Stella Jones Art Gallery — a cornerstone of the art community in downtown New Orleans! Founded in 1996 by Dr. Stella P. Jones and her late husband, Harry W. Jones, the gallery has become a beacon for African American, contemporary African, and Caribbean fine art.
A Vision Realized
The Stella Jones Gallery was born from Stella and Harry's shared passion for art and a dream to make it accessible to all. Their journey began as avid collectors, and over time, they decided to create a space where the beauty and significance of Black art could be appreciated by everyone! Situated on St. Charles Avenue, the gallery has been a vibrant part of the New Orleans art scene for nearly three decades!
A Commitment to Black Art
The gallery has played a pivotal role in highlighting the historical relevance of Black art as Stella Jones proudly showcases local black artists alongside masters in a downtown venue. The gallery's mission extends beyond exhibition; it aims to educate collectors, museums, and the community about the political, social, and economic impact of Black artists and their work. This dedication has made Stella Jones Gallery one of the most respected fine Black art galleries in the country!
Running from May 4th to July 26th, 2024,this group exhibition features Black male artists who came of age in the 1950s and have significantly influenced the art community. The exhibition, which pays homage to Ernest J. Gaines' award-winning novel, showcases artists such as Benny Andrews, Richmond Barthe, and Jacob Lawrence.
Recognition and Influence
The Stella Jones Gallery's influence extends beyond its walls. In 2018, it received a Downtown NOLA award for exceptional accomplishments and was honored by Beyonce as one of the Black Owned Businesses on her list in 2020. These accolades reflect the gallery’s profound impact on the art world and its dedication to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Southern Black Artists!
Visit and Connect
We encourage you to visit the Stella Jones Gallery to experience its current exhibitions and discover the powerful stories told through Black art. For more information, visit their website or follow them on social media. The gallery is a testament to the vision and dedication of Stella and Harry Jones, continuing to inspire and educate the community about the significance of Black art!
