By Hand Boutique 2014

Day after Friday Feature

Happy Saturday to you, we are just a week away from our event! We will be having goods from over 30 local artists. I can't wait to see everything and snap up some Christmas gifts. We will be featuring vendors all week. Here are two more for you.

Meet Virginia Akin. She makes smocked bonnets, ornaments, hair-ribbon and barrette keepers, grapevine wreaths, stitched cards, planters, and other rustic treasures from our homestead.

How long have you been creating your art?

I have been doing handwork since I was a child.  The beaded bookmarks started about 8 years ago, the stitched cards/pinbroidery for about 6 and I started making grapevine wreaths 3 years ago when we moved to our current home and I found grape vines in the woods behind the house.  I'm always looking for new things to try and to do.  Some of those things work, some don't, but I have fun with the process!

What are your favorite colors to work with?

I like pastel shades for some things and bright colors for others. 

How do you find inspiration?

Most of the new stuff I have tried is something that friends have suggested. 

What time of day do your creative juices get going?

In the morning after I finish housework.

Do you listen to anything while you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet?

I often have something in the background.  I have my favorite Pandora station of old hymns, this time of year I'm often listening to Handel's Messiah.  I also enjoy classical and baroque music.  Sometimes a movie.

Is there a special meaning behind your work?

Sometimes!  Some things (especially cross stitch and smocked baby bonnets) are done with prayer.  Instead of listening while I am making those things, I spend the time praying over the baby who will be getting them.

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads?

I have an overview in mind when I start and the details happen as I go along.

Has your work been featured anywhere?

Not yet!

Each morning as soon as I wake up I make a pot of coffee and take care of the family and the outdoor animals and then sit down with my Bible.  I get the essential housework done and then I spend some time writing/blogging before I get to work with crafting. 

I do take regular breaks.  I have 30 chickens and they get rather noisy, so I'm often going outside to make sure that all is well and there are no intruders bothering them.

Now meet Natalie Warren and her family who make handmade coasters, handmade appliqued items, children's clothes, and handmade scarves.

Natalie's answers:

I have been sewing for almost 10 years but really geared up once my daughter was born.  I have been smocking for almost 2 years and machine embroidering for just over a year.

What are you favorite colors to work with?  I love greens, blues, and browns.
What time of day do your creative juices get going?  I am a night owl so most of my work is in the afternoon and evenings.  Most of my creative ideas come late at night.
Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet?  I usually work in peace and quite because my daughter is sleeping when I work but I do listen to contemporary Christian, 70s an 80s like ABBA and the Carpenters, among other things.  I also like Broadway.

Natalie's mom and sister also answered some questions for us:

Emily Jennings: 

How long have you been creating your art? Almost two years now.

What time of day do your creative juices get going? 24/7

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? Ipod: Imagine Dragons, The Carpenters, Kari Jobe, very wide variety. 

Sharon Jennings:

 have been Crocheting scarves and headbands since last fall, but my grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a teenager. My other projects have included, afghans, baby blankets and sweaters, hats and booties.
I prefer to work with with cool colors, purples, blues, and cool browns.
I love the idea of transforming yarn, wool, etc..., into a wearable garment. I like working with wool the best.  My mother and grandmother are from England and they knitted and crocheted with wool in England.
I like the fact that I am carrying on a family tradition of working with my hands to create something useful. In the Bible we are told, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,".
I like to apply this verse to many things I do that involve creativity.
I like to crochet on my lunch break and in the evenings. I also like to create while I'm riding in a car.
I love to listen to Contemporary Christian music, or relaxation music when I crochet. My hobby is relaxing in itself, but after a taxing day at work, the music really helps to soothe me.
I'm a cold natured person, so I like to create things that will keep people warm. I named my personal business after the places my parents are from, Essex County in England, where my mother was born,
and Asbury, Alabama, where my father was brought up.  I am a product of both of my parents. I have learned from both of them over the years. My father was very ill when I decided on
"Essex and Asbury Woolens and Things" for my business name. I wanted to honor him and my mother for all they have contributed to my creativity.
I usually use a pattern when I crochet, but I do have a few original designs. Of those that I have designed I usually just see where my creativity leads.
I have taken my items to the Boaz Harvest Festival craft show, but that was the first time to show them publicly.

We look forward to meeting all our vendors! Check back this week as we feature more vendors.

The Checkout System

We've had some questions about how the checkout system will work at By Hand Boutique. We will be doing the same method we used last year which is a consignment style checkout where there will be just one register. This has many benefits for customers and for vendors. For customers, there will just be one place to checkout and you can pay for items from multiple vendors just once. For vendors, this means you do not have to remain with your booth the entire time and can browse the other booths and mingle with other artists! We are also going to be able to accept credit cards this year using a square reader. There will  be a 3% fee for paying with a card. Vendors will be paid at the close of the event once all the transactions are recorded and appropriately split. We will be backing the card payments with cash so you will receive ALL of your funds that evening. I hope that clears up any questions!

Feature...Whenever

Now I am REALLY late! But the good news is I have four vendors to share with you today.

First up, the one who started this whole thing: Crissy Sharp!

 

(PS when you don't include a photo, I rip one from Facebook, mwahahah)

Questions:

How long have you been creating your art? Several years
What are you favorite colors to work with? black, white and green
How do you find inspiration? the health of my family and good stewardship of the earth inspire me to attempt to live more naturally
What time of day do your creative juices get going? Since I live a busy life, I get creative when the opportunity presents itself. 
Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? What is peace and quiet? I've heard of it but that was a long time ago. haha
Is there a special meaning behind your work? upcycling is a good way to learn more about God's creation
Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads? Create with a product in mind.
Has your work been featured anywhere? Just in my own house

Crissy's RULES FOR CREATING:

1. To get your creative juices flowing try__visiting a garbage dump and realize the huge difference a little upcycling can do!

2. Make sure you take regular breaks to ___read a great book_.
3. You will know you have succeeded when your creation invokes a sense of_accomplishment___. 

Next up, we have returning artist Emma Knapp 

How do you find inspiration? I go about the day and if someone says something, or I see something that sparks an urge for me to create, I write down what it is that sparked this feeling and I incorporate it into my art somehow. The best ideas are the ones that you don't go looking for, they'll find you. 

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads? I always have an idea of what my art will look like in the end, but sometimes I get to that end product in different ways than I had planned originally. 
Has your work been featured anywhere? I have had art booths at art walk 2013, ross bridge 2012 & 2013, Mentone colorfest 2012, Hunstville Annual Craftshow 2013, and I'll have a booth at pepper place December 7th. Some of my cast iron sculptures have been displayed at the Vulcan Museum and the Birmingham Museum of Art 2012 & 2013. 

I'm currently an art major at Birmingham Southern and an intern at Sloss Furnaces. Art is my main source of income and my side job is helping out with iron pours at Sloss Furnace. At Byhand Boutique I will be selling my flower headbands ($5) and my watch/gear necklaces ($20-30). The watch necklaces are really different, I take apart old watches and remove everything on the inside. Then, I arrange gears on the inside in a cool design and fill it with an epoxy.

We are also welcoming back Sarah Goodner! She will have ruffle scarves and coordinating hair bows along with necklaces made from Scrabble pieces and Dominos.

How long have you been creating your art?

Since I was in 6th grade

What are you favorite colors to work with?

It depends on my mood, but blues and green are my favorites.

How do you find inspiration?

God. He shows me things in so many ways!

What time of day do your creative juices get going?

I get my best ideas at night.

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet?

No. I do like background noise, but nothing in particular.

 Is there a special meaning behind your work?

When I crochet, it is special to me because it reminds me of my grandmother.

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads?

Usually I have an end product in mind, but sometimes I just play and see where it leads me.

Has your work been featured anywhere

No

And finally, we are pleased to have Jo Anne Roddam. Jo Anne will have vintage jewelry that has been repaired and re-purposed.

How long have you been creating your work.?  I've loved painting and crafts as long as I can l remember.  I began painting when my children were little, so 40 years.

Frequently, I will create in the den so I can watch old movies on television.  But I confine really messy projects to my studio.

In my early years I showed at hospitals and art shows.  In the 80s I made necklaces for a woman who had a business selling to companies like Parisians.
Each morning as soon as I wake up the first thing you should do is to read the Bible.  It is a hard discipline to make daily Bible reading a habit but will benefit you in everything you do, not just creative endeavors. And to grow all of us need to feed on God's word.
I credit the Holy Spirit with any ideas I have, which sometime comes while I am waiting to fall asleep.  I keep a paper and pen nearby so I won't forget.  I thank God for any abilities and successes I have.  After all our heavenly father created it all and He is sovereign over all areas of our lives.

Feature Friday (on Monday!)

Whoops! We have been busy and neglected to get our blogging done in time! I have two more vendors to share with you today.

Meet Haley & K! This mother-daughter team makes burlap wreaths, rag rugs, recycled wood items with Bible verses, wine wracks from pallets, coasters,book boxes, and hand died scarves.

I first learned how to make burlap flowers as a child and began making them
again several years ago with my friend with dementia. In my quest to keep us
busy, one thing led to another and I began making rag rugs and burlap wreaths. I
don’t think I have stopped since then.
 I generally work with recycled materials, fabric, wood and burlap. I don’t plan too
far ahead. I just get an idea in my head and create as I go. I make rag rugs, burlap
wreaths, pallet wine racks, hand dyed scarves and just a bit more.
My daughter has a special eye and paints recycled wood, frames and jars. She
uses different sayings and verses that are unique and special to her. She agrees
that no two of our items are just alike.
We will also be at the Briarwood Christmas Shop on Nov. 8th
Our shop at Etsy.com is Haley&K and our email address is haleyandk@gmail.com.
 and 9th
See you at By Hand Boutique!

I would also like to introduce you to our very own Tilly!

Questions:

How long have you been creating your art?  I’ve been sewing & crafting 

since I was about 10. My grandmothers and my mom all sewed and did 

various crafts.. My mom tried teaching me to sew and, as so often happens 

with mothers & daughters, it was like trying to mix oil & water. She 

finally gave me the pattern and fabric and turned me loose with the sewing 

machine. I sewed a lot of my own clothing in junior and high school, then I 

sewed for my daughters when they were little. (Yes, much to their chagrin 

all 3 of them had matching outfits for holidays.)

What are you favorite colors to work with? I don’t have a favorite color; I 

usually have a specific project in mind and choose the colors accordingly.

How do you find inspiration?  A lot of my “inspiration” comes from 

someone saying, “Hey, could you _____________?” And, a project is born. 

Oh, and Pinterest, of course!

What time of day do your creative juices get going?   Formerly, I did my 

best work at night after the children were in bed. Now, it’s usually after 

my (any my sweet friend Crissy’s) trip to the gym at 6:45 every morning. 

(Excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and most Bank Holidays)

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet?   

I prefer to have some sort of noise going on. It’s usually the television next 

to my sewing machine that’s providing the background theme.

Is there a special meaning behind your work?  I just like to make things that 

people will like and appreciate. (I’m a people pleaser, in case you didn’t 

know.)

*BONUS!*

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where 

creativity leads?  I usually have a project in mind, but often there are 

alterations along the way to the finished creation. 

Has your work been featured anywhere?  (Only in millions of homes across 

Ohio.) No, it’s not been featured anywhere.

Tilly makes handcrafted home decor items, tote bags, and Christmas ornaments. Here are some pictures that represent her style.

We hope you are as excited about By Hand Boutique as we are! Hope to see you there.

Feature Friday and a Contest!

Welcome to our first Feature Friday! We have two awesome vendors to share with you today.

Meet Lauren Phifer of Mustard Seed Bowtique. Lauren makes adorable infant and child headbands and accessories.

How long have you been creating your art? A few months

What are you favorite colors to work with? I love them all!

How do you find inspiration? Through my daughters. 

What time of day do your creative juices get going? That all depends on my two beautiful girls. 

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? I normally hear the sound of cartoons in the background. 

Is there a special meaning behind your work? I am a stay at home mom and student. I wanted to find something to do while still being able to spend as much time with my girls as possible. 

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads? I like to create holiday and collegiate headbands the most. However, I love being able to make a custom headband! 

Has your work been featured anywhere? No

Here are some examples of her work.

We'd also like to introduce Wendy Russell, who makes decorative hand stitched tea towels and burp clothes.

How long have you been creating your art? 2 months 

What are you favorite colors to work with? orange, red

How do you find inspiration? I love vintage tea towels, and I decided I should make my own!

What time of day do your creative juices get going? In evening after work

Do you listen to anything why you create, or do you prefer peace and quiet? I watch/ listen my favorite TV shows.

Is there a special meaning behind your work? Yes, I had to find something to create to keep my mind off of our first child being so far away from home!

Do you create with an end product in mind, or do you just see where creativity leads? I know what I'm making when I start, and work to make it perfect!

Has your work been featured anywhere?  nope 

Here are some of Wendy's seasonal towels and college football towels. She will also have Christmas themed towels at the boutique!

And now for information about our CONTEST!

We have a post on Facebook that is a picture of our flyer.  Share that photo and comment on the post for a chance to win $20 in Boutique Bucks to spend at the event.  This contest is open to anybody, you must share the photo AND comment on the post to be entered.  One name will be drawn at random of all eligible entries the Friday before the event. The winner will be announced Friday night and the bucks will be waiting for the winner at By Hand Boutique!

Happy Friday!

Boutique Bucks

Boutique Bucks are available for purchase. The bucks work just like cash at the event. These make great gifts for secret pals and friends!  To purchase contact us at byhandboutique@gmail.com

Stay tuned for a contest to win $25 in Boutique Bucks!