Happy 2011 everyone! I’m so excited to see what this year brings!
My vision for this year is expanding my enamor wares to include exclusive wedding items. I had so much fun planning and making things for my own wedding that took place this past September, I wanted to give other couples the opportunity to experience that handmade touch for their own big day.
I’m a die-hard crafty person at heart, so my big day just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t have a big part in planning and making a lot of the details. I made my ring pillow, bouquet (plus boutonnieres and corsages for thirteen people), card box and lots of decorations at the reception. Luckily, I have a crafty mom too, which helped! My mom practiced for months with fondant, frosting and stencils to make my fabulous wedding cake.
Being able to make things for my wedding were kind of way to escape from all the stress of planning, but also inspiring. It’s almost hard to explain the feeling of seeing a vision in your head and being able to produce something with your hands which is exactly how you envisioned. I get that feeling with my regular crafts too, but there was something different with the wedding crafts- even though my wedding was over, I still had the desire to make more.
I have been painting and crafting with my original Etsy store, enamor, since 2006. The past couple years for enamor have been fantastic, despite the lull in the economy. I have met so many wonderful and talent people! I’m excited about the expansion of my business into the realm of handmade weddings and the new places and people to come in the future.
Etsy features articles on handmade weddings on their blog, the Storque , called Handmade Life. Each article features a couple who incorporated handmade elements into their wedding. Know what’s another good feeling? Finding out you’re not the only person out there doing something that’s out of the ordinary!
The enamor weddings line will feature handpainted (of course!) bridal handbags, ring pillows, card boxes and wedding cake toppers. The new Etsy shop will open at the end of January, but that doesn’t mean I’m not making things! I’ve been having a blast painting mini bride and groom cake toppers.
I am super thrilled to be traveling to St. Louis, MO in March to be part of Off White- An Indie Wedding Show. Its like an indie craft show, but for weddings! Off White was created by Brea McAnally, who is a professional photographer. Brea hosted Off White for the first time last year for the off-beat couples who wanted a more personal, creative, and handmade touch to their wedding.
This year promises to be bigger and better than last year with over fifty vendors, a fashion show, and not to mention, wedding must haves you won’t find anywhere else! I have been busy planning and crafting for this most exciting opportunity to showcase my new wedding wares. If you will be in or around the St Louis area on March 20th, and are planning a wedding, I would highly recommend planning on attending. You can even buy advance tickets online! For more information about Off White, check out the website.
While I’m busy crafting away, stay tuned- a crafty giveaway just in time for Valentine’s Day is in the works!
I feel compelled to spread the word about DIYpsi, a handmade holiday show, which is happening this Saturday!
The event will be held at Woodruffs, in Depot Town. Not only will the show have over 30 of the best indie crafters in Michigan, there will also be a full bar, live bands, and irresistible eats available.
See? Aren’t they all awesome? If you have some holiday shopping left to do, make sure to stop by from 11am-7pm. Check out DIYpsi.com for more info. See you there!
Hello! Today I will be taking you on a little virtual tour of Blue House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Blue House is a handmade consignment studio and workshop that opened in March 2010 that is located just down the street from my favorite landmark in Ann Arbor, The Big House (Michigan Stadium).
Once you step inside this two story house, you will find yourself surrounded by a creative atmosphere. Each nook and cranny is meant to inspire, even the ceiling!
Blue House not only is a unique place to do holiday shopping, you can also try your hand at sewing, knitting, photography and painting in workshops led by local artists. Siobhan Lyle, the creator of Blue House, wanted to bring the indie-craft movement to a more localized setting and provide opportunities for everyone to learn a new skill.
I am proud to have some items at Blue House and be part of the awesome showcase of local talent in the consignment shop. Right now artists are bringing in new wares just for the holiday shopping season. I would highly recommend skipping the over-produced and busy shopping mall and big-box stores on Black Friday and stopping here instead! In fact, you can find unique items from 24 Michigan indie artists. Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm at MakersMeet, artists come together to work on projects, socialize and share a tasty treat or two.
For you crafty types, MakersMARK takes place every month at the studio, where a guest speaker shares knowledge and tips at surviving and thriving in the handmade community. This month features Michelle Schaefer, director of programs and outreach for the Ann Arbor Art Fair. She will be speaking about the art of selling handmade, the importance of displaying your items, and how to package and price your items. Sign-up for a spot via the Blue House Facebook group under links. A $5 donation is all that is required at the door to attend! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 7, from 6:30-8:30pm.
On Sunday, November 28 from 1-4pm, there is a special holiday workshop where you can learn to make handmade ornaments for yourself or for gifts. Supplies and help are provided for just 10 bucks! Wow! email for signup information at bluehouseannarbor@gmail.com
Looking for a one-stop event for holiday shopping? On Saturday, December 18, from 11-6, Blue House will be hosting MittenMade, a handmade craft show featuring
lots of local artists. For more information about the show, events, or classes, check out www.bluehouseannarbor.com.
So many good things have been happening these past couple of weeks! Must be the rush of the holidays that are now upon us.
I have been working on so many new projects, its hard to pick a starting point. My studio (and my kitchen table!) have been busy with activity. I have been working on a new art print featuring my Foxie design, but have brought her back to a time of kitsch and baked goods. She looks quite retro in her teal apron! I haven’t finished the entire drawing yet, but here’s a sneak preview:
I’m working on creating more of these squirrel frames for upcoming holiday shows. This one I made for Sarah (hiptopiecesqaures) as a thank you gift for being my maid of honor at my wedding. Luckily, i have three more frames to make.
Upcoming craft shows means I have to go out hunting at antique and thrift stores for some supplies. Anyone who thrift shows knows what a thrill it is to find something you are looking for. The planters I use for my pincushions are my favorite things to look for, and I especially get excited when I find deer and squirrels! My last trip to Ohio proved to be a good one for planters. Another fun part of this craft is picking out coordinating fabric for the planter to make the pincushion, and in turn the pins that go with them. My kitchen table quickly became an assembly line full of thread, fabric and stuffing!
I’m so pleased at how this little deer turned out! Isn’t she adorable?
Lots of painting projects have been going on too. I’ve been making stock for shows and for Blue House in Ann Arbor:
Just Resting mini painting and stand, too cute!
New Design! Tweetie coin purse. So excited to do more with this design! What do you think?
Babushka makeup bag, perfect for those holiday travel essentials.
I also helped out my dear friend Sarah of hiptopiecesqaures make a new sign for her booth for Art in the Park in Ypsilanti, which happened last Saturday. We worked out of Sarah’s studio, and amid a lot of laughter, we did manage to actually get some work done! Sarah sewed the squares and I painted the words. We joked that we have been meaning to do a collaborative piece for awhile, and well, here’s the first of many I’m sure. I think it turned out great.
At Art in the Park, I picked up some lovely new art pieces for my apartment.
The first is a darling deer photo print from Lori of baclori:
I also got this amazing print of Ann Arbor from Nicole of SloeGinFizz. My husband and I are super huge University of Michigan football fans, and I couldnt wait to put it in my living room. Once Paul got home from work, he saw it hanging above the sofa and quickly exclaimed, “That’s awesome!”
Mark your calendars for DIYpsi holiday craft market- I have said this a couple times, but I’m serious people…this show has the MVP’s of the local craft scene as vendors and a not miss opportunity to get your holiday shopping done. Check out the amazing vendor lineup on their website- I haven’t been this excited to be part of a show in a long time!
Check out my Etsy shop, newly updated with items you’ve just read about!
Flint City Handmade Spring Market is this weekend!
I will be vending, along with all of these lovelies:
beautiful JUNK
Made With Luv
Stick Nymph
Gizmodgery
Amanda’s Creations
Rug Wear
Always the Forest
Lunch Lady Land
Sandra Fielder
International Robot
Jewelry Storm/Radically Random
Aisle 3
Wei’s Open Secret
The Yarntoad Collective
ZAKARANAS
Becklesbobbles
The Living Thread
Ms.Christa’s Accessories
SEEDS Studio
Barrel of Monkeys
Creative Alliance
UGHB
Motown Bound
Whimsical Works by Jen Sikora
art by amandaNsimons.com
Art by Gary Sierdarski
It’s A Scream Productions
FIRED UP!
Cradle of Critters
relishdress
Alexandria’s Soap Garden
Crochet Science
Stone Sheep
fourchamberforge, LLC
CLKcreative
Empress Wears…
Wistful Fancy
Otra Vez
Tilt Creations
Chicaloo Photography & More
Runaway Fashion House
Kenny Corbin
TheHeatherMonsterCreations
Also, there is an awesome raffle table with items donated from all the vendors.
Check this out people! If you don’t want to get in your car, use gas, travel lots of miles (especially in a snow storm), then Cafe Handmade’s Virtual Craft Show is the way to go!
Currently there are 47 booths to shop at, including myself. The booths change every two weeks, so you can get a wide variety of items to choose from. Each image represented in a “booth” has a direct link back to that person’s website or Etsy Shop. Its pretty neato!
I know there are some of you who still have Christmas shopping to do, you have no excuse not to shop in your PJs!
This is not my video, but you can get an idea what it was like!
As you all may know, Sarah Minshall and I were sharing a booth at Renegade Chicago this past weekend. Please read the culmination of events which classified our weekend as, “Murphy’s Weekend”.
Besides the weather report, Saturday morning was a sign of more bad things to come. I lost power in the middle of the night, so my alarm clock did not go off at 4am when I needed to get up. Instead I woke up to my apartment phone ringing (Sarah) at 6:00am when we were supposed to be on the road. So we ended up leaving an hour late. Driving went fine all through Michigan, and we had some great conversations and shared a few laughs.
Once we reached Indiana, traffic was at a stand still. We were sitting at mile marker 61 and found a radio station talking about traffic. The lady stated, ” West bound 1-94 around mile marker 61, the right 2 lanes are closed due to standing water.” So, instead of re-routing traffic, 4 lanes merged into one. We were behind a large semi truck (with a giant tomato on it) and we started moving again. All of a sudden water started rushing around the truck tires and started getting deeper and deeper. I watched the water slosh against the cement barrier and I could do NOTHING but drive though the 3 feet of water in my BRAND NEW vibe. I was freaking out, praying to God, water would not come rushing into my car as we drove through it. We eventually made it through and kept on driving.
Our load in time at Renegade was from 9am to 9:30. Which meant we had a half hour to park our car on Division Street and unload. Currently driving on the Indiana Toll Road, it was 9:45am. The rain continued to pour down. We finally arrived downtown at around 10:30am. We ended up parking on a side street and pushing a cart of our stuff 3 blocks to where out spot was. We set up the canopy first so we could have some relief from the rain. I managed to fit my car inside the gated off street to unload the rest. We unloaded everything around 11:00am. We began to try and set up with very little room to prevent things from getting wet. I had to move the car at noon, when the fair started. I had to park about 5 blocks away and walk back.
Sarah and I were both soaking wet. We were both hesitant to put anything out for fear of it getting damaged by the rain. I think we finally managed to get set up around 1pm. The rain was what seemed like a monsoon at this point. Our stuff was getting wet and our canopy was leaking. We had no side walls, and 1 tarp. We had a couple of ladies stop into our booth that were local and told us about a K-Mart that was not too far away. I decided to go to K-Mart to get some extra tarps and at least an umbrella for Sarah.
We had no breakfast or was able to stop for any bathroom breaks getting to and during the fair. So, my first thought upon entering K-mart was to find a bathroom. Of course, I get there and it says, “Closed for remodeling”. There was not another one in the store. So, I thought, okay, I’ll get the provisions we need and go to a bathroom some place else. I quickly came to the realization that the K-Mart I was at was worthless! They didn’t have umbrellas or ponchos, I was lucky (for once) to find some tarps. I got a shower curtain, some dry towels for us, and a hideous pair of pink croc shoes to wear, as my shoes and socks were completely soaked. I asked the cashier if she knew of anyplace that might sell umbrellas and ponchos as they didnt have any. She looked surprised, and said you could try Jewel-Osco which was right next door, and there was a Wal-Greens down the street. I walked next door to Jewel, and quickly found a bathroom. They didnt have ponchos either, but I did manage to buy Sarah a lovely, wild, leopard print umbrella for 15 bucks! (groan).
I found the Wal-Greens and they had some rain coats. I had everything we needed to survive the rest of the day, except for maybe some sunshine. I could find no parking on the side streets surrounding the fair. I kept driving around and found a small parking lot outside of a pawn shop. The sign said 1 hour parking, however, the pawn shop was closed and I saw no reason why I couldnt park there, as other cars were. So I walked back 5 blocks to our booth with our provisions.
Once I returned to our booth, we quickly put the tarps up and instantly it was warmer and provided some relief from the rain. We both became quickly attached to our dry towels! It down-poured a couple more times, but strangely it let up for about an hour. We had some sales and managed to make our booth fee back. We both had many items that were either wet or water damaged. It started getting dark around 6pm, so we got out our paper and fabric lanterns to light up our booth. It looked like a party tent when we were finished- we just needed some beer!
We decided to tear down early around 8:30 as there were others doing the same and not many shoppers. So we packed up our things as much as we could and I went to go get the car probably close to 9pm. First, I walked 3 blocks the wrong way and then remembered I parked the opposite way. So I walked back to the tent and started over. I finally found the street I parked down. I got to the parking lot where I parked and MY CAR WAS GONE along with my purse and our dry clothing. I was freaking out and had a minor panic attack. I called Sarah and didn’t know what to do- I didn’t know if it had been towed or stolen. I found a sign for a towing company and a phone number. I called the number and they had my car. They told me their location and that it would be $170.00 to get my car out. I called Sarah back and her husband got me directions to the towing company. Unfortunately, this meant I had to walk 3 miles to get my car, while Sarah stayed with our stuff so it didn’t get stolen. I was told I would walk under the highway and over a river twice before I got to the towing place. By this time, I had blisters on my feet from my crocs. I passed by many drunk men, homeless people, and sketchy places. I finally reached the highway and just kept telling myself, “keep going”. I got to the first bridge and crossed over the river. The bridge looked like something out of Huck Finn, where holes were patched over, and there was two-by-fours to walk over weak spots. I walked faster…
I reached the second bridge and passed by a clinic. I could see a major intersection ahead, which had to be where the tow company was. I passed by a large gated lot with razor wire around the top and I spotted my car. I reached the window and some lady was sitting at a desk with her feet up playing a PSP. I tried tapping on the window with my cell phone, but the bars on the window prevented me from doing so. She must have lost a level playing her game or something and finally looked up and saw me standing there. She said, “I need your license.” I said pointing, “its in the car.” She said, “Jimmy will let you in the big gate.” I went and got my purse and came back to a line of 10 people. I paid for my car and got the hell out of there.
I got back to our booth around 10:30. We started packed up and decided we weren’t going back on Sunday. We got everything packed up around 11:30. We started driving to our hotel, which was in Hazel Crest. Our directions were not very good and we ended up driving 45 minutes in the wrong directions. We stopped at a gas station and asked how to get where we were going. Two guys saw our Michigan plate and asked if we were from the Red Cross. We said no, and they gave us great directions and more bad news we had about 1.5 hour drive ahead of us. We got to the hotel around 2am. We got up to our room and our electricity didnt work- by this point, it wasn’t surprising we were still having problems. We waited for the manager to come up with us. He said to us that we must have had reservations because they have been sold out for weeks. He came into our room and said, “Oh the electrician didnt put the outlets back into the wall and half of the bulbs are gone.” He managed to get some lamps working. Even if he didnt fix the power, they didnt have another room to give us! He said, “Good night my little darlings” and was on his way.
We decided on not staying another night in the hotel either, so we packed up and went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel.
Our drive back wasnt much better. We spent 2 hours in backed up traffic. We found another good radio station where people were calling in about flooding, road closures, and alternate routes. i-94/80/90 East was completely closed due to flooding, where the water had gone over the cement barrier in the middle. We ended up having to go way south into Indiana in order to go east. There were reports on the radio that the National Guard was called in to help the stranded motorists that have been stuck for hours on the road we were supposed to take home. Another said that the river would crest at 18ft on Monday morning, and that the clinic I had walked by getting my car was now being evacuated due to flooding. The rainfall total in Chicago was the highest it has been in two decades.
We ended up driving across Indiana on a small back road. We drove through many small towns where people’s yards, driveways, garages and houses were completely surrounded by water. One town had a river running next to it that was over flowing into businesses and people were frantically trying to fill sandbags. IT WAS CRAZY!
After driving for 9 hours, we screamed for joy seeing the Welcome to Michigan sign. Murphy’s Law was no longer a part of our equation to get home.
Next time Sarah and I do a show together, you will see us indoors!
