Friday, March 29, 2013

recipe for press


We are getting quite excited for both creative retreats (right around the corner!) and wanted to share a fabulous new addition to our Makerie Sewing weekend. Amy Flurry, author of the DIY PR blueprint for entrepreneurs Recipe for Press, will be leading two inspiring and informational Lunch & Learn sessions, providing incredible insight and ideas for pitching your handmade products to the press. Amy is a contributor to some of the biggest publications on the newsstand including InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, Country Living, Daily Candy and Design Sponge, and served as a contributing editor to Lucky magazine for five years. Amy is quite a creative force herself, as one of the co-founders of the Paper-Cut-Project, a company that conceives a highly crafted installations with clients including Kate Spade, Hermes, Cartier, RED Valentino and the Victoria & Albert museum. Paper-Cut-Project’s work has been featured in the NYT, Italian Vogue, and Marie Claire Taiwan. They are absolutely stunning!

Here's a peek at what Amy will be offering at each session so bring along your notepads and a pencil. Her advice will be plentiful and you'll certainly want to jot some things down. She'll also have some her books with her in case you want your own autographed copy!

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Friday Lunch & Learn
DIY PR 101: Turn up the volume on your publicity efforts!
What makes your product or story irresistible to media? How can you create relationships with editors and writes that keep them coming back to you for ideas and content? We will demystify what bloggers and writers are really looking and defines the steps you need to take to get press ready. 

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Saturday Lunch & Learn

Pitch Perfect: craft a pitch that gets results

In this lunch-and-learn session, Amy will share what editors want to see in a pitch and what they don’t need, as well as tackle common pitch conundrums like identifying the right editor and finding their contact. Amy will finish this session by teaching you how to anticipate exactly what editors are looking for!

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We can't wait!


Thursday, March 28, 2013

we heart whole foods


I just can't say enough about Whole Foods Boulder and the incredible support they have given us, and to so many other local businesses and organizations too! I have been a huge fan of Whole Foods ever since I discovered their experiential grocery stores umpteen years ago and have been a dedicated customer ever since, in every city I've lived. I could seriously wander the aisles for hours, discovering new healthy food choices and products each time I visit and getting lost in dreams of what to cook next. When it comes to large corporations, many are generally viewed as intimidating and impersonal, but I can whole heartedly tell you that Whole Foods is quite the opposite ~ as I have seen first hand through the tremendous support they continue to show for local small businesses and our community as a whole, especially the creative one! They have been a beautiful believer in the Makerie from the very beginning, and that I will never forget. It has been really special and fun to work with their team to find new ways to partner this year and are thrilled to have them as a sponsor of Aran's food styling and photography workshops at the Lyons Farmette in a few weeks. Fresh, delicious, healthy food combined with unique ingredients is so much a part of what Aran is about and a perfect match with what Whole Foods stands for.

It all started back in the fall with a fabulous facebook photo contest to win a spot in her classes. Our winner was Dorian O'Connell & I've been meaning to share her story, in her own words below. This girl has heart!

My all time favorite blogger is Aran Goyoaga, of Cannelle et Vanille, who writes about her own food styling with her ellaborate plates and dishes. When I saw her food photography class was being offered at the Makerie, I was really excited and even more so when I stumbled  across the Whole Foods Photography Contest held in November, the winner to receive both days of Aran's workshops. I entered my photo of Pear Frangipan Tart on Thanksgiving. There were only four days until the contest ended and I was behind 75 votes. My mother said there was no way to get that many votes in such a short time! I was determined to win, but it was based on a popularity contest and I only had 25 friends on Facebook. The other contestants started a week before I decided to enter so I racked my brain to figure out the best approach to get as many votes as possible. So I decided to hit the town ~ going to coffee shops, bars, street walkers, and talking to everyone I came across. I would sit next to someone and try to come up with the best approach to have them vote for my Pear Frangipan Tart. They would either sign into facebook on my iPad or I would email them the link to vote. I only had four days to get people to vote! I spent a lot of mornings at coffee shops and late nights at the bars and was burning the campaign candle at both ends. Everyday I would send out emails asking people to vote again since they could vote every 24 hours and it seemed my plan was working! On the last day, I couldn't believe it but I was actually tied with the other leader. Now I was getting nervous. Maybe my mother was right, but despite my fears and doubts, I just kept at it, pushing and pushing right up to the last minute. It kind of took on a life of its own, as strangers told their friends and they told their friends and in four days, I managed to squeak out the most votes and won first place. Now what I learn at Aran's class I can use for my own Bakery Shop and web site ~ 101sweetpastry.com ~ and make my pastries look even prettier. Thank you Whole Foods, Aran Goyoaga, and the Makerie. And of course, to everyone that voted and supported me. 


We're excited for Dorian too! 

If that fantastic contest wasn't enough, Whole Foods is helping to kick off Makerie weekend by hosting a special cookbook signing at the Pearl Street store on Wednesday, April 10 from 5 to 6:30 pm. So for those not taking her classes, you'll have the chance to meet Aran in person and even taste a treat or two from her book. Whole Foods will also be providing the fresh ingredients for Aran's workshops, which include a homemade lunch for her Friday class. Oh those students are in for one special treat! 

It's an honor to have the chance to work with a company I have admired for so long and will share more about their presenting sponsorship of the Makerie Summer Series in the weeks to come. Many fabulous things are being planned for that too so don't let this late, lingering winter stop you from thinking about crafting on the farm with some fabulous food to go with it come summertime! :)

Friday, March 22, 2013

bernina & the sewing slumber party!




We are totally thrilled to have BERNINA as such a special part of our Makerie Sewing event! Not only will they be providing sewing machines for each student in Heather's Improv Patchwork class and several for Tamar's Soft Sculpture workshop, but their beautiful machines will be available for open studio time on Friday night of the retreat. And if that wasn't wonderful enough, BERNINA will also be hosting a Sewing Slumber Party the Saturday night of Makerie Sewing weekend ~ complete with DIY projects, goodies, refreshments and drum roll please... a chance to win your very own BERNINA 215 sewing machine! It's quite an incredible offering! Once you get it home, you can even customize it with your own skin. Isn't that fun? We are grateful for BERNINA's support and are honored to have them as such an essential and marvelous part of the retreat. So pack your favorite pair of PJ's and we'll see you there!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

meet the beautiful amy butler

image via Apartment Therapy

What a special gift and honor it's been working with Amy Butler and her fabulous team. She inspires us beyond measure not only with her eye for design, pattern and color, but also by the heart centered way in which she lives her life and runs her design studio. We couldn't agree more with her philosophy on creativity, which she shares in her own words:

"One of my core beliefs is that through who we are and what we do, we can inspire great change in ourselves, each other, and in the world. I believe that we can inspire those around us to become happier & more confident through finding their own creativity. That's the wonderful thing about making art! Finding creative fire, love, passion, excitement, and pure joy in the little everyday things... taking note and loving and appreciating every moment. I feel fortunate to be on my path nurturing my creative spark, and I love hearing about other like-minded folks who are finding theirs! It's a beautiful process, we're all in it together... growing, learning and becoming."

If that's not near and dear to our heart, I don't know what is? Wow. We are SO thrilled that Amy will be our opening speaker at the Makerie Sewing retreat, as she has abundant wisdom and love for all things creative and we are incredibly excited she'll be sharing it with all of us. Students taking her Creating YOUR Unique Color Story workshop will surely come away with new ways to incorporate color into their lives and are truly in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are just a few wee spots available in her workshops so grab 'em if you're thinking about joining in! So without further ado, get the to know the beautiful Amy Butler below. 

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What is your favorite food obsession right now?
Frozen grapes! This is so fun, I’m eating them as I write this. They have become my favorite new snack and dessert. They’re like eating mini Italian ices and are very satisfying. I buy big bunches of organic seedless grapes and place them on a plate or in a bowl and throw them right into the freezer.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Always an artist. However there were a few stints in the 70’s when I used to want to be on the Donny & Marie Show or maybe a professional ice skater. I loved Dorothy Hamil’s haircut.

What's for breakfast?
I like to mix it up. I listen to my body and see what it’s hungry for. Some days I go for straight up oatmeal with Chia seeds, stevia, cinnamon, dried fruit & nuts. Or if I’ve had a big weight work out I’ll hard boil 2 eggs and have a slice of Ezekiel raisin bread with light Laughing Cow swiss cheese. Always coffee and lots of water.

A wish that came true.
Marrying David Butler.

What risk are you glad you took?
Every one. I’m grateful for every experience. I know I’m not going to grow unless I take chances, succeed, fail, and make mistakes, it’s all so good! My life is much richer when I try new things and walk with the knowing that I’m designing my experience and I always have the power to choose what I think, how I feel and what I do. Life is happening through me not to me. I am continually in the game of honing my risk taking skills. Right now my mantras are “don’t do what fear tells me to do” and “what can I fail at today?"

If you could learn a creative skill other than your profession, what would it be?
Latin Dance.

A favorite gift you’ve received.
Molecule 01 fragrance from David. I wear it every day and mix it with other scents from my collection. I just love it! The clean, soft fragrance stays with me and brings me a lot of comfort.

A condiment you love.
Brown, grainy mustard. I use it in many of my homemade salad dressings.

What book do you keep on your coffee table?
“Bringing Nature Home” by Ngoc Minh Ngo.

What you love most about what you do.
I love making things, creating art, storytelling, connecting with folks  & with what they love, encouraging people to follow their hearts, and getting to show up every day and work alongside my soul mate.

The most challenging or difficult part about what you do.
Really not much anymore. What used to be hard has now become easier. I’ve changed my views in many areas of my life. My focus now is about staying in the game of designing my time around my passions and family first. The rest I let go and allow, delegate, empower others with, and trust. I know what I focus on grows, so my goal is to stay in my heart center, create my life from there, and enjoy where I am in the moment!

_________ is at the top of your inspiration library.
The book "Spirit Junkie" by Gabrielle Bernstein is at the top of my inspiration library along with loads of books on cultures and art from around the world.

Any tricks for finding life balance?
Define life on your own terms.

Any trade secrets/words of wisdom you’d like to divulge?
Always create anything in your life from the inside out, seeking only your own approval. Take action on your passions and the rest will fall into place.

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Thank you so much Amy!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

announcing day packages!


Craving a creative day away? We just may have the answer for you. We are excited to offer a limited number of Day Packages for those few special spots for Makerie and Makerie Sewing weekends!

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Makerie Day Packages include:

(1) all day workshop
(1) lunch
(1) goodie bag
(1) invitation to the Opening Ceremony
(1) invitation to the book making party with Janine of UPPERCASE
*new this year!

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Makerie Sewing Day Packages include:


(2) 4-hour workshops
(1) lunch
(1) goodie bag
(1) invitation to the Opening Ceremony
(1) invitation to the Bernina Sewing Slumber Party
(which includes a chance to win your very own Bernina Sewing Machine!)
*new this year!

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Hope you can join us for one magical day! 

~xo



Tuesday, March 5, 2013

meet letterpress love allison bozeman


If you're a paper lover like me, holding a hand printed letterpressed 'anything' is sure to strike your fancy. There is something magical about the ancient art of letterpress, knowing the care and love that goes into each unique piece, printed one at a time. I took a letterpress class from Allison of BirdDog Press several years ago and was completely enamored with the whole process. From designing the type on the paper to mixing a custom color to actually printing the piece, it was a treasured experience and made me easily realize why Allison fell in love with this type of art with its endless design possibilities and meditative qualities. We are so excited to be offering Allison's letterpress workshops at the Makerie again this year ~ Lovely Letters Pressed ~ and have a feeling her students will fall in love with the time honored method of letterpress too! 

Allison is quite a creative master of many things. She is currently a lead designer at Whole Foods Boulder so if you happen to go into their flagship store, the gorgeous graphics you see everywhere are likely hers. She's very dear to the Makerie and we're honored to have her teaching for us once again. If you're thinking about taking this workshop, please don't delay in grabbing your spot, as there are only a few left!

Without further ado, meet the adorable Allison below.

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What is your favorite food obsession right now? 
salty date & almond crisps with brie
        
What did you want to be when you grew up? 
an environmentalist

What's for breakfast? 
green smoothies

A condiment you love. 
fig spread or pesto 

What you love most about what you do. 
collaboration!

The most challenging or difficult part about what you do. 
too many ideas, too little time

_________ is at the top of my inspiration library. 
the Black Apple!

Any tricks for finding life balance? 
A weekly rhythm routine to maximize efficiency & organization, there are never enough hours in the day but it is something to strive and work towards

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Thank you Allison!