Petra Monaco

Hey there, This week, we encountered Turtles in our walk after a big rainstorm that came through. It's actually one of my favorite times on the trail because a lot of people don't come out on the trails as it can be too wet and muddy - but it's perfect for reactive dogs. Remi and Zina are checking out the turtle. This Week in the Studio… I decided to enter a design contest and put everything else aside, and managed to finish ahead of the deadline, which is a new one for me, as I usually wait...

Hey there, This week, on a morning walk, I came upon a little fawn on the trail. It startled me at first, and then I worried it was injured. So I stood there for just a moment, pondering what to do. I opted to walk around it, and the moment I did, it got up and ran off into the woods. Whew, crisis averted. This Week in the Studio… I am working on a new collection, Deer in the Woods, and it's interesting that I'd walk upon a wee fawn on the trail. It's like the universe sending tiny messages...

Hey there, This week I’m settling back into a routine of eating well, working out, and moving through the familiar rhythms of life as a stay-at-home dog owner and artist. Spring is doing what spring does best around here: cool mornings, warmer afternoons, everything slowly waking up and stretching toward summer. I’ve never been someone who thrives with too much structure, but over the years, I’ve learned that a little routine helps me actually get things done. As a creative, that balance can...

hey there, You know how life just keeps moving along, things are good, and then suddenly your dog splits her paw open and has to spend the night at the vet because she needs stitches? That’s been my kind of week. Somewhere between the stress, lack of sleep, and trying to keep everyone calm, I found myself thinking again about how much I’ve been craving slower rhythms lately, not just in life, but in the way I create, too. This week in the studio… I’m participating in Bärbel Dressler’s...

hey there, It’s open. Wild Ridge Monthly: The Quiet Collection is now available. The first release will ship at the end of June. I’m keeping this first round small so I can manage production and make sure everything goes out the way it should. If you want in, you can join here: Join today! That’s it. Cheers, Petra Petra Monaco Pyrography Academy Wild Ridge Studio Ridge Raven 1506 DUDLEY MOUNTAIN RD, Charlottesville, VA 22903 Unsubscribe · Preferences

hey there, I’ve been working on something new. Not a big collection. Not a full product line. I kept coming back to how I actually want my work to show up in someone’s home, not as something loud or seasonal that gets swapped out constantly, but as something you can use, keep, and not get tired of. So I built this: Wild Ridge Monthly: The Quiet Collection Each month, I’ll send out: one art cloth one mini art card Both based on my original designs and tied loosely to the season. I’ll be...

hey there, I’ve got a quick update for you this week, nothing fancy, just a little moment to share what’s been happening behind the scenes. First things first… We have a giveaway winner 🎉 Congrats to lmaher — I’ll be reaching out shortly with the details! This week in the studio… I’ve been spending time working through new patterns and leaving them a bit unpolished because the best work comes when you don't rush the process. Right now, I’m leaning into: simple, repeatable motifs earthy,...

hey there, We’re halfway through the rooster towel giveaway. Which means two things: You still have time People are going to start rushing in at the end If you meant to enter and didn’t… this is your nudge. 👉 Enter here It’s a simple piece, but that’s kind of the point, something you can actually use, not just look at. I’ll be doing a new product every month, but this one closes soon. Winner gets announced May 3. Cheers, Petra P.S. Over the next few weeks, you’ll start to see some changes as...

hey there, There’s a moment in almost every creative project where the excitement wears off, and the questions get loud. You know the one. You’ve invested time, energy, maybe money. You’ve made changes, second-guessed the name, wondered if the whole thing was a detour disguised as a dream. And then maybe… something tiny happens. A first sale.A first yes.A first sign that what you’re building might actually have legs. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately, because I had one of those...