table decor competition
Bright and early this morning, we were at Ambient Studios getting ready for the Indie Craft Experience’s Wedding Day Hooray…”A wedding show in Atlanta focused on handmade, eco-friendly and local vendors…an indiewedding marketplace”. We gladly sponsored the show this year and were also accepted to enter the Wedding Table Decor competition, which we had a blast putting together. The attendees of the show will vote for their favorite table (there are 12 of them) and they will announce the winner at the end of the day. Of course, we think ours is beautiful and want to win, but I can honestly say that just being a part of the day was fun and rewarding enough…no, seriously :-). Here are a few photos taken during set-up…yes that is my coffee cup…we will share more later. Oh, and if you are a bride (or groom)-to-be or have a friend or family member who is getting hitched, send them over to check the vendors out. The show runs until 6:00PM tonight. If you can’t make it today, come by the shop. We want you to register with us! That’s right, you do not have to have Crate & Barrel, Macy’s or (insert any other big box retailer) dishes, glassware, home decor. We have it all and every bit is either hand-made or vintage pieces we have picked up along the way. And we even have staff that can help you put it all together (your home or your wedding)…just give us a buzz or pop into our little shop in the alley!
Hope to see you soon!
xoxo,
beth
karen & suzanne
I want to introduce you to the two wonderful ladies that have recently joined me here…and I am sooooo lucky to have them. Both a bit by chance, or maybe not. I’ll let them tell you a bit more about themselves.
Karen Koprowski
A job transfer for my partner Ben from Louisiana was an opportunity for us to have a new adventure together. With a house full of stuff, two dogs and two cats in tow, we made our way here the week before Christmas 2011 knowing no one in a new city. Though tough at times, it was still a positive move for us both.
Being new to Atlanta has brought with it many curiosities and a need-to-know mentality. I am interested in so many facets of this area from the beautiful Appalachians, to the great shops and restaurants throughout. I love to explore and meet new wonderful people and moving here has allowed me new friends, which I am so grateful for. I am very lucky to have met Beth at the indie-pendent and to be involved with such an exciting business and a great person. Our paths are similar in that we both have a great love of design and finely made goods, friends and family. In addition we have both been intimately involved with cancer and share what that means to life and our perceptions as such.
Living positively, exploring and creating are my necessities for a happy Karen (in addition to Ben, my pets and coffee). My constant goals are to be good at my job, great as a friend and best as Ben’s life partner. “Shoot for the moon; even if you miss you land among the stars!”
I look forward to a fantastic adventure at my dream job with wonderful people! Lucky me.
Best wishes,
Karen E. Koprowski
***Karen is working with me full time and so far, I’ve not found a single thing she cannot do…and do well. She comes from a family full of artists and is one herself. Karen will be heading up the Pastels to Painting for adults, Imagination Station classes for the kids as well as the Paw Painting for the “other kids”. She has so much to offer that I am certain we can convince her to teach us a thing or two more.
Suzanne Igoe
On occasion you will see me around the shop, I help out when I can! Most of the time I am immersed in my passion for skin care. I own an esthetic studio in downtown Decatur, PURE face and body care. I have a loving family of two parents who live happily in Saluda, NC and two wonderful sisters who live here in Atlanta. The rest of my downtime is dedicated to my wonderful partner (soon to be wife) Laureen, and my adorable dogs Samuel and Phineas… We spend our days off on the trails or on the water!
***Suzanne and her partner Laureen are good friends of ours (mine and Susan). In December, just before the store opened, they dropped by to see the space. I happened to mention that I needed to find someone, fast, to help out in the store so that I could at least leave long enough to grab a coffee or something. As it turns out, Suzanne has way more retail experience than I and she was looking for a few hours a week to supplement her income from her growing studio. I secretly hope it doesn’t grow too fast or I’ll have a lot to learn!
now registering
To register call 404.313.0004
This week we will begin offering our very first classes! Canning and Preserving, Flower School 101, Pastels to Painting, Imagination Station (for the kids) and Paw Painting next Saturday…weather pending. Friday will be OPEN STUDIO where member artists can bring in their supplies and spend the day in our fabulous work space…the natural light is amazing and the space has great energy. Maybe you do not have the space in your loft/tiny studio apartment or maybe you just enjoy being in the company of other creative folks. There is still availability in most workshops, so if you or anyone you know are interested, please give us a call. We are excited about the classes and will continuously be adding more, so keep checking back. Info on classes, workshops and OPEN STUDIO can be found in the sidebar labeled workshops. Oh…and this great space can be rented for private parties. Get those creative juices flowing!
amy flurry
We are so excited to have Amy Flurry here for the Grand Opening! Amy is holding both a workshop and a book signing on Feb. 3rd and the first 8 to register for the workshop will receive some one-on-one time with her…so register NOW! Call us at 404-313-0004.
About the author…
Amy Flurry is a freelance writer, editor and stylist of fifteen years with work featured in InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, O @ Home, Four Seasons, House Beautiful, Country Living and Refinery 29. She served as a regional editor for Lucky magazine for six years and as a style correspondent for eBay’s online magazine, The Inside Source. In addition to her editorial work, Flurry has provided brand consulting and copy-writing for a mix of fashion and lifestyle clients.
Flurry has been identified as an industry authority, serving as a regular commentator for Saks 5th Avenue’s “Want It” presentation and a frequent guest speaker on trends at AmericasMart Atlanta, Fashion Group International and the Savannah College of Art and Design.
In January 2010, Flurry co-founded Paper-Cut-Project, a company that conceives art direction and highly crafted installations in paper for window installations, runway, catalog and advertising campaigns. Their work has been featured in the New York Times, Italian Vogue, Nylon, Marie Claire Taiwan and on influential blogs including Diane Pernet’s, A Shaded View on Fashion and Paper-Cut-Project has been commissioned exclusive collections for global brands including Cartier, Hermes, Kate Spade and The Bay. September marked Paper-Cut-Project’s debut runway accessories collection with designer Jen Kao for fashion week New York.
Recipe for Press, pitch your story like the pros and create a buzz! is published by PC Press and is Flurry’s first book.
photo by Mali Azima
About the book…
Recipe for Press, pitch your story like the pros & create a buzz represents my irrepressible desire to share with small business owners, budding designers, musicians, chefs, and family brands how to get press and create fruitful relationships with editors and media influencers. In a nutshell, Recipe for Press is like getting to spend the weekend with a seasoned editor talking about your brand and learning what it takes to reach a larger audience through constant press coverage. You can also expect to find lush illustrations and photography and Q&A’s featuring successful entrepreneurs who keep their marketing in-house including designer Amy Butler, chef Hugh Acheson, potter and blogger Rebecca Wood and indie market juggernaut and UNIQUE LA founder, Sonja Rasula. This isn’t just good medicine, it’s a book that you’ll want to fall in to.I’ve seen plenty of great products with passionate people behind them fail, whereas others with so-so services receive the bulk of the attention. The difference isn’t in luck; the difference is what you will find in this book and I couldn’t be more excited about getting it into the hands of the people who need it most.Please take a minute to visit the website and my blog and join me on Twitter (@Recipeforpress). The information I post on each is really companion material to the book, news your brand needs to know!www.recipeforpress.com
feb. 3-5, 2012
Please join us for our Grand Opening Weekend…a weekend full of learning, crafting, eating, drinking, meeting and being entertained by bright, creative and talented artists. Look forward to seeing you there!
GRAND OPENING…FEBRUARY 3-5, 2012
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD
Recipe for Press, pitch your story like the pros and create a buzz! by Amy Flurry, writer, editor, stylist and industry authority
2-5PM Recipe for Press Workshop – $65 (the first 8 to register get some one-on-one time with Amy. Call to register 404-313-0004)
***FREE TO ENJOY***
5-7PM Recipe for Press Book Signing and Grand Opening Party (we’ll be celebrating indie-pendent style with tasty treats, drinks and live music)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH
Meet the Artists11-8PM Local Love – Meet local independent artists and view their works
5-8PM Rock, Paper, Scissors – Marty Maxwell, photographer exhibits her most recent work. An exhibit of slot canyons, antique barns and corrugated metal.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH
Craft-a-Bowl Sunday benefitting the “New Highland Park”
NOON-5PM Join us in our studio to craft a bowl! Using any method you would like (knit, paper mache, weave, tape or glue) create a unique bowl that we will sell throughout the month of Februaruy with all proceeds benefitting the “New Highland Park”. All materials will be supplied.
**Throughout the weekend the ATLANTA INSTITUTE OF STITCHES & CRAFTS (along with other independent instructors) will provide hands-on activities showcasing some of the many workshops being taught at the indie-pendent.
***Food and beverages throughout the weekend provided by local independent food artisans.
Over the next two weeks we will be blogging about all the wonderful folks involved in the Grand Opening (and there are lots of them), so be on the lookout. Also, please do not forget to help us spread the word. We are located in an alley so we need all the help we can get! Tell your family, friends, colleagues, acquiantences and even strangers. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, link to us on LinkedIn, write about us on Yelp, Google Places…I think you get the picture. Thank you for supporting local independent businesses. We hope to see you soon!
xoxo,
beth
for him / for her
February 14th is right around the corner! Have you gotten your someone special, something special? The majority of our artists are not represented anywhere else in Atlanta, so you can rest assured that you will not see the same things on every corner. We carry some truly unique pieces of jewelry, beautiful leather bags by Scabby Robot, SCARFSHOP scarves and a wide variety of home goods for the ladies. Afraid the men would feel neglected, I paid special attention when selecting the items we would carry…Otis James Nashville ties, Moonshine cologne, Peg and Awl waxed canvas totes and some great Kindle and iPad cases. If you simply can’t make up your mind, gift certificates are available in any denomination and can be used for either product or workshop purchases. We look forward to helping you make this Valentine’s Day a special occasion!
gifts for him
Still hunting for that perfect gift? Men can be so difficult to shop for..sorry guys, but it is true. Here are some things, in various price ranges that might be just what you are looking for!
Sam’s Natural Knuckle Wax and Walnut Scrub for those hard working hands ($8.25-$16.50), and Pinecone Fire-starters ($26) for those seemingly random, cold evenings.
Pocket and Cover Wallets by Scabby Robot ($20-$30) would be perfect to house a gift card or a little spending $ for those who are just impossible to buy for.
For the young men in your life, perhaps a keychain or flask (or a combination of the two, no really) with hand-stamped quotes such as, “not all who wander are lost” ($27-$40) by artist Michelle Verbeeck.
Culinarium makes these beautiful concrete trays that would make a great catch-all for the home or office, or maybe a set of concrete coasters he can put to good use after a hard days work ($29-$59).
Techies would love the plaid Kindle cases by Stash Bags ($47) or the soft leather of Scabby Robot’s I-Pad case ($80).
For those who have been really good boys this year…Rough South Home’s (a local company) pallet chairs ($150-$200) and super cool industrial lighting ($80-$500) add a little something special to his favorite room. And then there are the most unique log racks ($300) and the Manta Fire Pit ($985) made by Fire Pit Art out of Lebanon, TN.
Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!
xo,
beth
a quick dip…
From coast to coast, across the seas and back, artists and designers are dipping a little bit of everything. I just love the perfect imperfection of it all…a simple hint…an unexpected pop. What a fun way to tie things together or set them apart.
ink dipped cards via oh happy day
dipped spoons via Fired Earth
paint dipped baskets via martha stewart
dipped pillows via sweet paul magazine
dipped furniture via hudson furniture
dipped via judith seng
paint dipped furniture via poppytalk
After quite a bit of sanding, waxing, priming, painting, poly, steel wool and more poly, I have finally finished the paint dipped chairs for the shop’s craft table…YAY! What have you guys been working on? Any fun projects you’d like to share?
xo,
beth
red, white and the blues
fourth of july in new england via tiny white daisies
First of all…Happy Fourth! I hope that everyone has an exciting weekend planned and is looking forward to a long weekend with family and friends. Each year, Susan and I struggle with our plans as my father’s family holds an annual holiday party. Instead of spending our weekend on the road, we usually choose to remain at home, quietly enjoying the time together and making sure that our little Oliver is securely tucked into his thundershirt before the fireworks begin. To say he has a bit of anxiety would be a huge understatement. This year we are really going all out (for us)…an IMAX movie, hosting friends for dinner and then hitting the lake on Monday for a day of sun and fun with the crew. Better not forget the sunscreen!
Red…not one of my favorite colors. Don’t get me wrong, I am a color fanatic and I have tried and tried to embrace this color but for some reason, it just doesn’t make me feel good. I’m a Georgia Bulldog through and through but for the most part, I prefer to wear solid black (or a shade thereof) with a hint of red either in my accessories or even with a “G” tattooed to my cheek. (They are so fun and it always reminds me of the ones that my brother and I would fight for in the cereal boxes.) I once wore a red prom dress…does that count? It is not a horrible color on me but it just takes such effort to wear. I have come to terms with my opposition to the color, so for now I will stick to the red things I do love…
yummy strawberries via tartelette
White…clean, crisp, calming beautiful white. I am pretty much in love with all things white right now. I am not sure exactly what meaning the color holds for me but it makes me smile. I am not necessarily saying that I’ll don white pants, having gained almost ten pounds in the last two years, but for the most part, it is one of the colors that adds a spring to my step…
calming white via the house that kate and fred built
And the blues…another of my current favorite colors. Navy, royal, turquoise, pale blue…I love them all!
blues via elephant ceramics
While the color blue itself invokes welcoming feelings, the Fourth of July is surrounded by sad times for me and my family. My grandmother passed away on the 2nd and we laid her to rest on the 4th. It has been just over a decade and I still miss her deeply. July 9th was the day the doctor unsuccessfully attempted to extend my brother’s life by removing a portion of his brain tumor. We lost Charles on the 24th of August, 2007. It was not until I began writing this post today that it occurred to me that this time of year just holds icky, sad and sick to my stomach feelings for me. It just puts me in a funk…I am sure many of you can relate.
It makes me feel better just being able to say that…to get it off my chest. Acknowledging that those days bring about sad memories allows me to place them where they belong and to focus on the good times. I am so grateful for all my family and friends who tolerate me during these times and who make my blue days brighter. Thank you. Off to enjoy a wonderful weekend!
xo,
beth
it’s that time of year again…Decatur Arts Festival!
2011 Decatur Arts Festival poster by Decatur artist, Mary Pousner
Where else would you be this weekend? And don’t forget about the Decatur Business Association’s Concerts on the Square…Saturday night the Bind Five O’s (Oldies and Classic Rock) will close out this season’s series, so I hope to see you there!
Here’s to a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend!
xo,
Beth
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