Sunday, April 10, 2011

I Am What I Am on Main Street Grand Opening

Mrs. Handmade mentioned the other day that she is excited and kind of amazed about all the new friends we have made since starting to work together on Handmade Family. It's like a whole new culture has opened up to her. One of the great things about this community, is that it really IS a community. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but it really seems to me that the sense of belonging to something that's bigger than us (whether that's sports, church, facebook... whatever) is something that we're all looking for.

One of our new friends, Jessi Gisburne from I Am What I Am is celebrating (celebrating? is that the word I'm actually looking for? I just checked her blog, and she says "3 days of celebration", so that's what I'm going to go with too! :) the grand opening of her new shop on Main Street, St Charles. We went in to see her yesterday, and are very excited about the new space she shares with Bliss Eleven, a local photography studio. Stop by and see for yourself, this coming Friday, April 15th - Sunday, April 17 they are kicking off the new storefront with prizes, giveaways, face painting, free food and wine.


Other artists featured in the shop include:
-Bella Due
-The Crafty Geek
-Dana's Creations
-Letters by Landmark
-Pink Seven Design
-RHD Missouri
-Villa Design

So much super-cool, handmade art in one place, and awesome people to share it with! Hope to see you all there!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Crafty Memories

So I'm offering a few art projects for the Fusion Arty Parties.  When working through what and how I wanted to do, it made me think back on lots of crafting memories.  My mom has always been crafty, so it's kinda "in me" i guess.  The only problem was that she really couldn't teach me any of her crafts 'cause we butted heads too much.  Sorry about that, mom, but if you're reading this know that you were my first (and continuing) influence.

If you've ever been to my house and used the restroom you've seen one of my earliest attempts at cross-stitching.  It's a little bear holding a bunch of balloons that says 'love lifted me.'  It's horrible.  Seriously.  I can't even begin to tell you how many things are wrong with it, starting with the fact that there are no strings on the balloons, so he's not even attached to them.  But I don't care about all of that.  I was in 4th grade and I was so proud of it.  Hence, it has lived in every bathroom since I moved out of my parents' house.

We did a lot of crafts in Girl Scouts, which I was a part of from kindergarten until twelfth grade.  I had some awesome troop leaders (again, if you're reading, know that your influence is appreciated, as well) and got to learn some neat stuff and experiment with lots of different media.  I remember making turkey table ornaments for senior citizen homes, organic face masks (I can't believe I put oatmeal on my face!), and my favorite of all time...the latrine buddy.  We did a lot of camping, so we used a bath towel to make an apron that had pockets for all of our bath items.  I loved making it and using it.  Man, now I'm wishing that I still had it.

Another vivid picture that came to my mind revolves around the year my school began a student council.  Stupidly I decided to run for class president, ignoring the fact that I was literally a pariah.  Anyway, bright posters with puffy paint were appearing all over the school.  I don't remember if I wanted to be different or that my parents were already poor from hockey so i didn't want to ask them to buy me supplies, but I found a piece of burlap and proceeded to stitch out "Vote for Amy, She's not Lame-y" or some such stupidness.  I remember stitching a border of some kind and probably a few flowers; in the end I must say that I was pretty darn proud of it.  I recall excitedly posting it on the bulletin board, while at the same time beginning to hear the negative comments.  Those were generally hard times, but I do remember sitting in class and looking up at that sign.  I knew I didn't have a chance of being elected, but I was really proud of it, and I guess I still am.

So anyway, I have decided to offer tie dying t-shirts and a minimal-sew felt jewelry roll (pictured here).  Jeffrey is offering a Japanese-style hand-bound journal.  There are lots of other options offered by other Fusion artists, too.  Can't wait to do the first party!  If you are looking for a cool artsy experience for a birthday party or such, check it out!


Till next time,
Amy