FYI: The Makers Summit by Indie Craft Parade...and a ticket giveaway!
I am sure some of you have heard about The Makers Summit coming up on February 2 right here in Greenville, SC? The Makers Summit, is being produced and hosted by my friends at Indie Craft Parade. I am really excited about getting to hang out with other makers and independent business owners, listening to panel discussions, learning new things, eating food by local chefs, and lots of making and chatting with friends! What more could you ask for in an event? Here is a little bit more info:"You're invited to join us for The Makers Summit, a one-day business conference for the creative community, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in Greenville, SC. Tickets are $100, and include breakfast, lunch, and private consultations with industry experts.Designed to help artists and creatives found and run successful businesses, attendees will hear practical advice from industry experts, including keynote speakers from Etsy and Spoonflower. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in collective discussions. A variety of topics will be covered throughout the day including marketing, establishing a business identity, and expanding your market. Other speakers who will participate in the event include Grace Kang of Retail Recipes, Justin Gammon of Brains on Fire, Amy Flurry of Recipe for Press, and Amy Ellis of MailChimp.After the conference, you’re invited to join us for the after-party, The Best Craft Party Ever. Enjoy a full gourmet dinner provided by some of our favorite local chefs while you create and mingle with experts and peers alike. Project stations and supplies will be provided. The craft party begins at 7 p.m., and is separate from The Makers Summit conference. Tickets for the party are $50. It's the perfect date or night out with friends!"I am so very excited that my dear friend Grace Kang is one of the key note speakers! Grace is a beautiful, super smart, amazing woman that I had the pleasure of "running into" about 5 years ago.....I talk about it a bit in this post......but, that divine encounter changed the course of my creative endeavors and sparked a bond and a friendship that I am blessed by and super thankful for. Grace is so inspirational.... and with her experience as a buyer, shop owner, and retail coach you will be sure to learn much from her marketing savvy and success in the industry. I am also excited about finally getting to show Grace around our wonderful town! Grace and I have talked about a trip like this since we met....and it is finally happening! Grace will see MY shop....and what she helped inspire and motivate me to do....I am so excited....and just a little bit sweaty at the same time! :}This event is not to be missed, and it may just be that motivational and intentional move you need to take your business to the place you want it to be! I would like to make this event happen for one person....and Indie Craft Parade has generously offered to give away one ticket to the conference! I'm talking conference....AND the craft party!! I'm dead serious.....just leave me a comment here about why you would like to attend this event, and one thing you hope to learn from it. I will pick a winner on Friday!xo,Barb
Introductions: Two cream bed side tables, Marilla and Girvinia
I just finished these two bed side tables for some very sweet and special clients of mine. These clients have a beautiful French/Louisiana style home being built here in Greenville and I am doing multiple pieces for this new home! There will be more introductions to come......yipee!We went with a cream tone on tone look for these two pieces, and I think their subtlety and beauty is perfection! I am not usually a fan of whites and creams.....but I am slowly but surely being won over to the "light side". {I believe in it every now and again....I promise, I do!} I definitely love this warm cream color and much prefer it over a "pure white situation". I absolutely think there is a place for soft neutrals in the home, and the bedding and linens picked to go in this room alongside these pieces, is absolutely stunning. I have never touched anything like it before, and the linens are loomed very near by in Asheville, NC.I love working with others who believe in special details, and who make conscious and intentional choices about what they choose to surround themselves with. It is why I do what I do.I hope you love Marilla and Girvinia.xo,Barb
Found Goodness: Books I just read and am reading
One of my favorite things to do when I have down time....is to read. I am a huge book lover, and a lover of knowledge...{meaning, I love to challenge my brain and learn new things}....so I thought I would share with you a few books I have been reading and am getting ready to read.
1. buy-ology - I read this book over Christmas....and many times my husband was sitting next to me on the couch as I would read interesting tidbits to him out loud. This book is so very interesting, and as a retail shop owner I feel it is a must read. It basically boils down to really interesting studies on the human brain....what stimulates it, why, how......and highlights well known facts about us humans. I especially love the study and writings on mirror neurons......you know, those little things in our brain that at first see the ugliest pair of shoes in the world....but then all of a sudden since everyone else is wearing them...we HAVE to have them? Yeah. I highly recommend this book, it is a really good read and will make you think.... a lot. I will be reading more of Martin Lindstrom's books in the near future.
2. The Year I Almost Drowned- I also read this book over Christmas, and it is a fictional piece written by a local author who I happen to know personally....... Shannon McCrimmon. I am super proud of all that Shannon has accomplished in writing these books. In the words of the author "In this continuation of The Summer I Learned to Dive, nineteen-year old Finley “Finn” Hemmings is living in Graceville, South Carolina with her grandparents. She’s getting to know the family that she was separated from for the last sixteen years. Finn and Jesse’s relationship seems to be going strong until they’re forced to deal with obstacles that throw them off-track. As Finn prepares to leave for college, she has to say goodbye to the town, her friends and family, and the way of life that she has grown to love.At college, Finn tries to acclimate to a new setting, but quickly falls into an old pattern. Just as things start to become normal and Finn begins to fit in, something unexpected happens that takes her back to Graceville where she is forced to deal with one challenge after another. Her world nearly collapses, and she finds herself struggling to keep from drowning. Through it all, Finn discovers the power of love and friendship. She learns what it means to follow her heart and to stay true to what she wants, even if what she wants isn’t what she originally planned"
3. The Life of a Bowerbird- What can I say? Sibella Court books always have me hook line and sinker! My husband bought me this book for Christmas and I devoured every gorgeous page. I love that this book is an autobiography of sorts....with personal tidbits thrown in here and there......and of course every single page is gorgeous and styled to perfection.These next two should be arriving in the mail tomorrow and I am super ready to dig in! I will let you know what I think when I am done!
4. Purple Cow- by Seth Godin.......love his business mind.
5. Boundaries- I am most excited about this last book! I have been wanting to read it for some time now....and I am so excited to finally embark on it. I have trouble saying "no" and setting boundaries.......but with my constant move towards authenticity and truth....I want to grow in this area. I love what the book jacket says: " Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances -- Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions -- Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others -- Spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own and give us renewed awe for our Creator -- Often, Christians focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations. When confronted with their lack of boundaries, they ask: - Can I set limits and still be a loving person? - What are legitimate boundaries? - What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries? - How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money? - Aren't boundaries selfish? - Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I consider setting boundaries? Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer biblically-based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves."Happy Reading!xo,Barb
FYI: If you want that awesome beach hair.....read on.....
I am really skeptical when it comes to hair products.....{this is really funny because hair used to be my industry!}......but even "back in the day" when I was selling product to clients, I always wanted to make sure that the product was really going to deliver results for them at home....not just when I was doing their hair in the shop. So, I really put products to the test and developed my favorites amongst many others that were a bunch of hype, and a waste of money.Today, I want to tell you about a new product that I started using on my hair around Christmas time. I have put it to the test....and it has passed with flying colors! I LOVE it....and it does what it says it does. It is Paul Mitchell wild ginger texturizing sea spray.I know that part of the reason this ginger sea spray works so great for me is the fact that I have a really, really good cut {thanks Melody Carter!} and I also have a lot of natural curl. I use this product a bit unconventionally {imagine that? Me? Bending the rules? Never Always.} and even though the instructions call for using it with damp hair...I actually use it on my hair when it is dry, and then I run my hands through my hair and shake it like crazy....and then I throw in a few scrunches while I'm at it ! I would not say that this product gives volume......but it does give texture.....and it is soft....and smells fantastic.Have I won you over yet? I think you should try it, especially if you have wave in your hair.....a razor cut with lots of texture......and/or short textured bangs.Just fyi.....{I was paid nothing....nada....tostada....... to write this post, and did not receive any compensation by way of advertisement or product for writing this post! This review is based purely on my personal choice and experience.}xo,Barb
Introductions: Another navy desk with beetle knobs
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season and had plenty of time to love on and share good times with family and friends! I enjoyed every minute of my two week break and did lots of hanging out with family, dessert and game nights with friends, lounging all day in my pajamas one day, shopping with my daughter, cooking {I am way into fresh garlic, cilantro, lime and sauteed broccoli, carrots and onions at the moment} and LOTS of reading!I am slowly getting back to work, and am really really excited about this new year! My book is coming out a bit earlier than planned! It looks like it will be a whole month earlier.....like, first week of April.....and I am so excited! WOO HOO!! I will be keeping you all posted on upcoming book plans and parties as the time draws near over these next couple of months! There is so much fun stuff happening, and I look forward to meeting up with some of you, and sharing this journey with you all!Now it is time for the first furniture makeover for this new year! Do you all remember this desk that I did with the beetle knobs? Well, one of my sweet clients fell in love with my design and wanted me to recreate it on a desk that she owned. The beetle knobs that I purchased were no longer available, so my client found some she liked at Anthropologie and we got started on her piece! I think it turned out wonderful and am super happy with it! Love the beetles!Fabulous wall calendar made by my sister Sarah, and it is available in her etsy shop, Cranny.xo,Barb Blair
Etcetera: A look back at 2012, and looking forward to 2013
It is hard to believe that we are standing on the threshold of a brand new year! As I looked back on my photos from this past year, it was so great to see all that has been experienced and accomplished in the months of 2012.I started out the year full steam ahead, with book projects and photo shoots taking up the entire months of January, February, March and April. Then came the editing, proofing, and decision making. I cannot even tell you how much I learned about myself during this project. It was so mentally and physically challenging at times....that it felt overwhelming....and then there were the times of sheer joy and pleasure at the thought of what I was working towards. I can honestly say that I enjoyed all of it....even the stretching and the growing that took place in my life during this entire project. Working with the people at Chronicle Books could not have been any better, and they are the best in the industry. I continue to be humbled by the fact that they chose me to write a book for them.Then there was the new location for Knack that became available in June...and then a move in July! It happened fast, and I was not expecting to move the shop this year, but as you all have seen....11 Lois Ave. could not be more perfect for Knack and I am tickled from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes every time I turn the corner and pull in the parking lot! This location is the space of my dreams.....it is so special......it is Knack's home. Moving is always a challenging task and it took me a bit to get all settled in and caught up......but the timing was so perfect and once again I stand amazed at God's plan. Every single thing I need I have at my fingertips.....and more...and that just can't be explained any other way than extraordinary! There are some very exciting things on the horizon, both known ....in the works....and unknown......and I am excited about all of it. I am also very excited to move Knack forward into more than furniture.The Fall was full of 5 year anniversary parties, grand opening, Open Studios, jumping back into First Fridays, ordering product, setting up the shop and lots of furniture painting! It has been very full my friends....very full indeed.I love a fresh start, and January 1 is always a great day for me. I have already been doing a lot of thinking and reflection on what I want to accomplish this year both with Knack and within myself as well. I am not a big "resolution" girl....but I do sit down and make a list of goals for the year....then I throw in a couple of "pie in the sky" dreams {just for fun!}.....and also where I want to grow and improve as a mother, wife, and friend. I always want to be open to change and learning new things.Personally, as I move into this new year I want to continue to move towards authenticity. There are three words that I have written down and want to have running through my head daily......authenticity, intentionality, and courage. Authenticity in life for me means not holding back truth, being transparent and open in a loving way, keeping the "pleaser" inside me in check, and being okay with the fallout. Intentionality for me means making very purposeful choices, surrounding myself with people who will challenge me, and push me to be better...loving my friends and family hard......waking up every day with purpose.....living life on purpose. Then, there comes the courage word. I need courage to live out the first two words!! I want the courage to be humble when I am wrong, the courage to change directions if needed, the courage to be honest with others even at the risk of being injured myself, the courage to face fear with confidence, the courage to let go, the courage to live out a life of authenticity.I hope that each one of you who reads this will take time over the next couple of weeks to make plans for the new year. Fun plans, maybe plans, and plans to change and be better than you are right now. I hope that you will spend time with those you love, and love them unconditionally. Family and close friends are a gift, and the most important investment in this life.Merry Christmas!{ I will be taking time off for Christmas and will see you back here January 7th!}xo,Barb