Check out our new + improved updates newsletter!
We've completely redesigned and rethought our monthly newsletter.
Welcome to our all new, better-than-ever, completely redesigned newsletter!
In addition to our own project updates, check out some new and returning features:
“On Our Radar” - The section formerly known as the NJ roundup section. Here you’ll find fun links to Jersey stuff in the news, podcasts, museum exhibits, etc. Think of it as an anti-algorithm. Everything is selected by me, a real person, because I genuinely think it’s of interest. No ads!
“Stockist Spotlight” - Get to know the independent retailers who carry our products in their stores.
“The NJ Q+A” - This is a new section I’m most excited about. Every month, I’ll talk to someone interesting and Jersey-adjacent—a writer, photographer, musician, artist, business owner, podcaster, historian, literally anyone! Since slowing down with Instagram account takeovers, I’ve missed having the opportunity to meet and highlight different people, so I think this will fill that void.
“Opportunities for New Jersey Artists & Writers” - I’ll still share links for locally-based calls for submissions here. If you see any good ones or work with any organizations who are looking for local artists and/or writers for group shows/murals/etc., please send the information my way so I can share with our community. I prefer to share opportunities that do not have submission fees (but if they’re low, for a non-profit org, or if there are options to waive it, that’s okay).
I hope Jersey Collective’s newsletter will be one you’re truly excited to see in your inbox, and one that you’ll share with a friend if you think they’d like to join us in our corner of the Internet.
New Jersey Fan Club
New Jersey Fan Club had a birthday in June—the book has officially been out for two whole years! Thank you as always to everyone who continues to support it. If you haven’t already reviewed the book on Amazon (whether you bought it there or not), please consider doing so. More reviews help *the algorithm* determine it’s a book worth showing to more potential readers and it is one of the smallest/easiest things you can do to support a book!
Upcoming Events
You Are Here: A New Jersey Travel Guide
Tuesday, July 16 at 7:00 PM
Woodbridge Public Library
1 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ
My New Jersey day trip program is open to all, register at the link!
Tap Into Your Power: a Writing Retreat
Thursday, July 29 from 6:00-9:00 PM
Red Bank Women’s Club
164 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ
I’m looking forward to co-leading this writing retreat with my friend Kamelia DeSoucey and Project Write Now. It grew out of a series of photographs about women and power that Kamelia made last year for the Sea.Hear.Now. Festival. Join us for an immersive experience for women-identifying writers during which we will explore the theme of power and the role it has played in our lives through guided writing exercises and mindfulness activities. $90, meal included.
Rad Shirts Underground Pop-Up Series
Thursday, August 22 from 5:00-10:00 PM
Rad Shirts
23 Taylor Ave in Manasquan, NJ
Come shop Jersey Collective goods alongside Rad Shirts’ clothing, art, vintage, and more. This event is ASL (American Sign Language) accessible!
Can’t make it to an event? Shop our online souvenir shop! New Jersey Fan Club is also available wherever books are sold—if your favorite local shop doesn’t have it, ask them to order it! Same goes for your local library.
Sticker Club
I am hoping to announce a new pop-up soon, because I do have all-new S3 stickers (and a few S2 left too), but I have to fix a couple things on the machine before I can leave it somewhere unattended. In the meantime, you can see and read about the new designs by clicking through to this post:
As soon as I have some new pop-ups lined up, I will share them here!
I’ve been really enjoying the new podcast series Because the Boss Belongs to Us. The podcast was created by two Bruce Springsteen fans who want to explore their shared thesis that Bruce should be recognized as a queer icon. From the show’s own description: “Through original reporting, tender personal narratives, and playful, sound-rich surprises, Jesse and Holly go on a journey to not only understand why The Boss low-key resonates with so many queer folks, but also what it even means to idolize a celebrity in this way.”
The Paterson Museum has a new exhibit opening on July 8: A Story Without Words: Preserving Paterson’s Photographic Legacy. According to a post by the museum, the exhibition “will explore both historic images of the Greater Paterson Area, as well as discuss the various types of photographic negative and print that have been used throughout history and the challenges of preserving and sharing those images.” You’ll be able to see it until September 6th.
There’s been a lot written about the American Dream Mall, but this essay by Meghan Boilard is a wild ride and worth your time.
Highlighting our locally-based independent retailer partners who carry our products!
Kanibal & Co.
Locations: Jersey City and Summit
When I started selling decks of New Jersey Go Fish! to retailers, I was excited to see how they would display them in their shops. Would they group them with other games? With other New Jersey-themed stuff? One thing I hadn’t anticipated and have absolutely loved to see, is that Kanibal & Co. included decks of the cards in their “Italian Summer” collection, which features a lot of products with sardine/fish motifs!
Kanibal & Co. has two cozy, meticulously curated stores filled with perfect gifts, housewares, clothing, and other surprises, with an emphasis on local goods. I’m so thrilled that they have made room on their shelves for New Jersey Go Fish! Be sure to stop in if you’re local to either area, or make a day of it and visit! They also have a packed calendar of events, featuring things like book clubs and art classes.
Welcome to the NJ Q+A, where we hear from some interesting New Jerseyans!
Today we’re talking to Cyd Katz, who owns New Jersey Isn’t Boring, which you probably follow on Instagram. Cyd and I have worked together a bunch over the years on meetups and shared tables at markets and I’m always happy to see her or join forces. Like Jersey Collective, NJIB turned ten years old this year, so of course I had to ask her to reflect a little on that.
New Jersey Isn’t Boring reached a huge milestone this year—10 years—congratulations! Can you share a little bit about your origin story?
NJIB's origin story is pretty unique. While working on a certification for social media management, I came up with the idea for the website as part of a class project. It started as a simple WordPress site, but I quickly became passionate about it. I created guides for activities and places I wanted to explore in New Jersey. Before long, these guides showed up in Google searches, and the site began gaining traction. It all took off from there, transforming a class project into a fully formed website/business.
A lot of your guides are food-related. I remember excitedly following along with your ice cream challenge a few summers ago! Are there any diners/ice cream parlors/pizza places/etc. that you want to specifically call attention to as places you think all New Jerseyans should experience?
I am very big on supporting local businesses. One of my favorite things to do is travel to an independent coffee shop and work from there while getting to know the owners and finding out the origins of their coffee and coffee creations. Rey Sol in Ridgewood was a recent stop that I found pretty unique. When it comes to diners, I love classic chrome diners like Mustache Bill's in LBI or the Roadside Diner in Wall. There is no shortage of great pizza places in New Jersey, but I always come back to Frederici's in downtown Freehold. I have also eaten many XXL pizzas to earn free t-shirts at Pete and Elda's in Neptune. For ice cream you need to go homemade: Alaura Kitchen in Pitman, Bent Spoon in Princeton, Cliff's in Ledgewood, Cookman Creamery in Asbury Park, Das Creamery in Mount Olive, Duffer's in Wildwood to name a few.
What are some experiences you've had because of NJIB that stand out in your mind as particularly memorable?
I've had the opportunity to visit some truly unforgettable places through NJIB. Recently, I got to feed the hippos at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, which was an amazing experience. Attending a Devils playoff game is definitely one of my all-time favorites. I’ve enjoyed fantastic food tours in Cape May, Somerville, and Jersey City. Falling in love with the animals at Tamerlaine Sanctuary in Sussex County was incredibly special. Additionally, I’ve had the exciting roles of judging a beer festival, a food truck festival, and a dog costume contest.
Jersey Collective hit ten years this year as well, and it has been wild to think about all the versions of this project and how many people have been involved with it over the years. What's been on your mind as you enter into year ten?
As I reflect on NJIB's tenth year, I'm amazed at how far we've come and the countless lessons learned along the way, both good and challenging. I started with little knowledge of website management or social media on this scale, and I never envisioned myself as a business owner. I'm still navigating that journey. Along the way, I've met incredible people and formed genuine friendships, which has been truly rewarding. Every time someone tells me they use my website, it fuels me to keep going.
Looking toward the future, what are some goals you have for NJIB or things you want to do next? Let us know what you've got coming up!
I have always dreamed of creating a store/event space. It's an idea for the future, but I am always thinking about it. This summer I'm doing my first Sunflower Festival which I'm looking forward to.
Apply for a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship if you make work in any of the following categories: choreography, crafts, music composition, photography, playwriting/screenwriting, poetry, or sculpture. Deadline: July 16.
The Co-Lab at South Orange is looking for new volunteer board members. They are particularly interested in applicants with experience in any of these areas: retail, communications & marketing, creative/artists, or event planning. Deadline: August 1.
Zufall Health, a nonprofit that runs community health centers around our state, is curating a group show that will be on display in their West Orange facility. The show will be titled “New Beginnings,” and they are seeking submissions “exploring themes of renewal, hope, and the beauty of starting anew.” Submission information, in English and Spanish, can be found here. Deadline: August 23.
Flemington DIY is looking for a new batch of artists for a residency in their Art Machine—a restored cigarette vending machine that now dispenses work including “figurines, buttons, stickers, earrings, necklaces, keychains, tiny framed/ready to hang art, or music codes.”
Mike Ham, creator and host of the Greetings from the Garden State podcast, has launched Radio Garden State this week, a 24/7 radio station that only plays work by New Jersey-based musicians and podcasters. You can submit your music or show here.
Soup Can Magazine, based in Tuckerton, is currently seeking poetry and art submissions.