the Makerie

marvelous marisa

2012-02-23T05:20:00.000-08:00

You can certainly say that everything Marisa makes is adorable. In fact, I have one of her paintings that I gaze at every single day. It says 'Be Yourself' and I just love it. Marisa is the founder of Creative Thursday. If you're wondering what it is, you're not alone as it is a question Marisa hears often. Here's how she describes it: "I realized that I am happy when I am being creative. When I was working my 9 to 5 job in Colorado and hardly getting any creative time in, I decided that at least one day a week, Thursdays, had to be set aside for fun and creativity! And this is how CREATIVE THURSDAY was born." When you visit her site, Marisa hopes 'you feel inspired to be more creative in your own life, and to surround yourself with color as you can't help but feel happy and alive in its presence. Just remember there is no limit to what we can do when we live to be FREE, Happy and TRUE and be CREATIVE every day, especially THURSDAYS.' We are honored to have Marisa and her passion for living a creative life leading two workshops this year. Both will be filled to the brim with inspiration ~ that we know for sure!

Here's a peek into Marisa!

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The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

A hot shower and then coffee time with Sean. At the moment I’m actually trying out life with out my usual latte, so technically I’m having tea time and Sean is having coffee time. Visiting with a hot beverage in hand, this is always our chance to chat and connect before the rest of the day begins. In regards to the shower it’s like a brand new, fresh, clean start to every morning, and I always like to be ready and dressed for the day even if my plan is to work from my home studio. This way if something spontaneous comes up, I’m ready for that too!

A fun tidbit people would never know about you?

I have been known to eat Pistachio nuts at breakfast time

Some favorite ways to relax?

Yoga, being creative, a walk and watching an episode {or 2 in a row} of Breaking Bad {Yes. This is true. The relief we feel that we don’t lead the lives of criminals combined with the appreciation we have for the life that we are already living leaves us feeling completely relaxed after each episode}

What's for dinner?

Wild Rice Casserole from one of my new favorite cookbooks “Super Natural Every Day” by Heidi Swanson

What are you most excited about lately?

Everything! It's so exciting when you finally start hitting your stride because you made the decision to commit to really, truly stepping into the fullness of your life.

A favorite spot you’ve traveled to?

The picnic area in front of the Eiffel Tower is just a magical as it seems.

What makes you laugh?

When Conan O’Brien does his puppet strings dance

Any tricks for finding life balance?

Get enough sleep. I recently heard Gretchen Rubin, the author of “The Happiness Project” talk about how we are living in a sleep deprived society. She proceeded to tell us the first step to finding more happiness in your life is to get enough sleep. Something about hearing her say those words, gave me permission to start making more sleep a priority and on the days when I do I feel so much better. I can’t help but spread that message everywhere I go, to everyone I know now.

Favorite books from your personal library?

Right this moment, Dottie Angel by Uppercase, and my second favorite cookbook La Tartine Gourmande by Beatrice Peltre. Love, love, love them!

Thank you Marisa!

we heart uppercase!

2012-02-21T14:23:00.000-08:00

What an absolute delight and surprise to be contacted by the much admired Uppercase Magazine out of the blue a few months ago. They requested just one photo that represented the Makerie (a tall order indeed!) as part of a creative retreat feature in Issue #12. To be included alongside a plethora of incredible retreats across the world was another 'pinch me please' moment and to actually see it in print was quite exciting and humbling to say the least.

And if that wasn't wonderful enough, the fabulous Janine Vangool (Uppercase's founder) is giving every participant a copy of their inspiration-filled magazine. Can you believe how generous and thoughtful they are? I'm quite excited for our Makerie peeps to see first hand what an amazing publication this is. I am now a proud subscriber and think you might be too after seeing the abundance of creativity they share.

We heart Uppercase!

a brand new offering at the makerie

2012-02-15T04:33:00.000-08:00

We are pretty excited about a brand new offering at the Makerie, as we're always searching for ways to tie together the mind, body and spirit. There is certainly a connection between food and creativity and we are thrilled to announce that we will be incorporating a Mindful Eating Breakfast into the retreat, open to everyone who would like to take part. I tried this for myself several months ago and knew within five minutes into the session we had to find a way to make this part of the Makerie experience. Luckily we live in Boulder, a town of very food conscious folks, and found an amazing woman to lead us through this playful and insightful way to eat. Jenny Epstein Kessem, MA, LPC, BC-DMT, a Boulder psychotherapist, uses mindful eating in groups and with individuals to access mind and body integration. Here's a sneak peek of how she'll be sharing her personal passion with all of you through this meaningful meal.

A breakfast for your senses...
Start your day off with a refreshingly new way to eat breakfast ~ mindfully! We will be guided to be awake and present for this most important meal of the day by slowing down and really noticing what we're doing as we do it. The Mindful Eating Breakfast will help awaken the senses, increase the ability to feel pleasure, and open pathways to feeling satisfaction. These are skills that are invaluable for creative people! Who knew you could eat your way to feeling more creative?

Won't this be cool? Even the New York Times thinks so!

in honor of valentine's day...

2012-02-14T06:02:00.001-08:00

Plant a kiss!

xo

it's here ~ creative pilgrimage!

2012-02-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

We shared a few months ago that we were featured in a book (yes, a real book called Creative Pilgrimage!). Well it just arrived in the mail and to see it actually in print was quite a fantastic feeling. Never in a million years did I think our new little event would be part of a book, let alone a totally gorgeous one! To be in the same publication alongside amazing retreats across the county and incredibly inspiring artists and their projects has left me over the moon with excitement and quite frankly, disbelief!

The book not only shares many wonderful opportunities for creative retreating, but also features a plethora of fantastic projects and tutorials by the very special souls who teach at these events ~ Flora, Maya & Sarah just to name a few. It's really a remarkable combination that Jenny Doh has put together and I highly recommend checking it out! Of the many things I love about Creative Pilgrimage, one of the things I cherish the most is that my mom's photographs appear in our feature and her name ~ Linda Winski ~ is even in the credits! We have always talked about how neat it would be do a project together and low and behold, here were are. (For those of you coming to the retreat this spring, keep an eye out for her. She'll be the beautiful little ball of energy wandering around with a camera strapped on her shoulder.)

What really says it best is the most lovely dedication by author Jenny Doh. I've shared it below.

"I dedicate this book to the courageous spirit of discovery within us all ~ the spirit that helps us put aside our insecurities and imperfections as we take a leap of faith in our quest to learn, to teach, to grow. May this book remind us that the time will never be perfect, but the time will always be now, to embark on pilgrimages both big and small."

With enormous gratitude to Jenny for believing in the Makerie enough to include us in Creative Pilgrimage. It's certainly a dream come true.

the lovely liesl

2012-02-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

I've been a huge admirer of Oliver + S since its inception. Their modern, stylish sewing patterns combined with darling paper doll images have always caught my eye! Liesl Gibson, founder and chief designer, worked for several top fashion brands, including Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, before launching her own company. She has created such an inviting, successful boutique brand and has certainly filled a need for fresh children's sewing patterns! Lisette, her newest venture, feautres a fabulous new line of women's designs. With a beautiful book ~ Little Things to Sew ~ under her belt and a wealth of sewing knowledge, Liesl is certainly one to watch! Just take a peek at their pinterest boards ~ Oliver + S here and Lisette here ~ to see what I mean. With her warm, wonderful and stylish ways, we are so thrilled to have Liesl teaching two workshops this year ~ Oliver + S Sleepover Pajamas & Lisette A-line dress. Students are in for quite a fun-filled day learning lots of her special tricks of the trade. Each student will have their own dedicated sewing machine, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Janome and even some extra treats from Fiskars (details to come!). Lucky girls!

Get to know the lovely Liesl below! We loved the best advice she's received.

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The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

My daughter, S, usually crawls into bed with me for a few minutes of cuddling before we head to the kitchen to make breakfast. That cozy time together helps us both face the morning because, much as I would like to be one, I’m just not a morning person. Neither is she.

What's for dinner?

Tonight it’s one of our favorite dishes: pasta with sweet Italian sausage & broccoli rabe. S has been learning about vegetable in first grade, so I’m hoping she’ll try a little of the broccoli rabe for a change. Here is the recipe.

The best advice you’ve received?

Definitely to be yourself & don’t compare yourself to other people. Sometimes it’s hard to do, but I know from experience that it’s true.

What is the best meal you ever had?
My husband, Todd, & I once took a trip to Japan and found ourselves in a little side alley during lunchtime. I ate the best noodles of my life at what I think was the Japanese equivalent of a greasy spoon-style diner, with all the locals. It was probably a combination of the great food & the adventure of it all—neither of us speak a word of Japanese, & we loved finding our way around the city by ourselves, despite the language barrier—that made it all taste so good.

What are you most excited about lately?

I’m looking forward to doing more teaching again this year. For the past several years I’ve had to cut back because we’ve been so busy, but I’ve really been missing it & have decided make time for it again. I love to teach because I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with other people, and I get a lot of inspiration from my students at the same time.

A favorite spot you’ve traveled to?

The highlands of Scotland really resonated with me. I often think of it & could probably live there very happily. There’s something about the hills, the climate, the traditions, & the dark pubs where the locals congregate in the evenings that I just love. It felt such a strong community, & I can imagine that the lifestyle is a bit more laid-back than my usual frenetic New York pace, too!

What makes you laugh?

I’m pretty easily amused, I admit. I laugh very easily. But I’ll never understand the tv show, The Office. My husband loves it, but it hits a little too close to home for me—I’ve worked there.

Your favorite way to make someone smile?

With a heart-felt compliment.

What, in your mind, is a recipe for disaster?

Not enough sleep and a looming deadline. Oh, wait, I think I just had one of those!

Any tricks for finding life balance?

Is there such a thing? I think it all ebbs & flows. There are various stages in our lives, & each stage has its own tenuous balance. But women always seem to find a way to feel guilty for not getting it “right,” don’t we? I’m skeptical that there is such a thing as right.

If the world ended tomorrow, what would upset you most about the person you didn’t get to become?

Oh, there are so many things I’d like to improve about myself & so many ways I’d like to grow. Mostly I want to see my daughter become the amazing woman I know she’s going to be. And I want to be her proud mom. I’d be really sad if I missed that.

Favorite books from your personal library?

The one book I seem to turn to over and over again is Bird by Bird by Anne LaMott. She gets it right every time, but that particular book keeps me inspired and encourages me to keep working.

Thank you so much Liesl!

our 2012 scholarship winner!

2012-02-01T08:46:00.000-08:00

Every single time I sat down to read and re-read our scholarship applications, I cried. There were nominations from mothers, husbands, best friends, sisters and amazing people who beautifully nominated themsleves. Each incredible story made this choice impossible really, as every single person is SO deserving of a creative weekend away. I wish we could give everyone a scholarship and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Reading the words about what attending the Makerie would do for peoples' lives gave me chills ~ the kind that turn into goosebumps and stay for awhile.

To those who submitted applications, if I were to meet you in person I'd give you each a giant hug to thank you for sharing your heart-warming stories with us about the heroes in your lives. They are all extremely lucky to have you, recognizing and honoring what they give to others and this world. What a gift that is in and of itself.

With all that said, it's now time to celebrate the winner of our 2012 Makerie Scholarship!

We are THRILLED to announce

** Karisa Cerullo **

as this year's scholarship recipient!

Karisa's story is one full of heart, courageous spirit and a genuine, deep love for creativity ~ much of what the Makerie is all about. A huge, heartfelt congratulations to Karisa and enormous love and gratitude to Old Glory Antiques and Prince Street Dry Goods for making this scholarship possible! We're honored to have Karisa as a participant at the 2012 event and now a very special part of our Makerie family. What an exciting day!

With love...

meet allison of beautiful birddog press!

2012-01-31T10:02:00.000-08:00

I have been a letterpress lover ever since the day I held my first beautiful piece of letter pressed paper. The way it felt in my hand, how soft the ink appeared on the paper and the sacredness of knowing that each piece was printed by hand. I took my first letterpress class from Ms Allison of BirdDog Press last winter. It was completely incredible and I knew we had to add it to our Makerie offerings. Allison is quite a master ~ of many things! It goes without saying that her paper designs are out of this world, but the shear amount of creativity this darling girl has across the board continues to blow me away. Her letterpress workshop offerings are the first of it's kind at the Makerie. We are giddy with excitement for those of you who will be taking a field trip to her inspiring studio to take learn this timeless printing method!

Meet Allison below, one of the most creative souls I know!

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The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Make sure it is really time to get up because I wish I could go back to sleep. I am a night owl.

A fun tidbit people would never know about you?

I'm not sure you would never know, but I have wacky “triple-jointed” elbows.

Some favorite ways to relax?

A week on a river trip, wine with girlfriends & maybe some yarn, giving in to my magazine addiction

What's for dinner?

Probably pasta... with simple crushed tomatoes and fresh mozzarella & maybe some homemade pesto

The best advice you’ve received?

Learn something new every day!

What is the best meal you ever had?

Farm to table dinner

What are you most excited about lately?

A vintage travel trailer decked out with a feedsack fabric interior

A favorite spot you’ve traveled to?

Amalfi coast, Italy

What makes you laugh?

Life’s comedy of errors

Your favorite way to make someone smile?

Handing a client their new freshly pressed business cards or stationery

What, in your mind, is a recipe for disaster?

A three year old with no nap & cupcakes for dinner.

Any tricks for finding life balance?

Have the birds eye view but make an achievable list for each day.

{Oh & sleep when you’re dead. There really aren’t enough hours in the day, that’s a fact.}

Favorite books from your personal library?

zines: UPPERCASE, Anthology, Selvedge, boho, Kinfolk

fiction: Still Life with Woodpecker, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Help,

books: Home As Sanctuary, Creative Family, Dottie Angel

I love books and magazines, period. The power of the printed word. Love.

Thanks for the great Q&A Allison!

a treasued quiet weekend

2012-01-30T16:17:00.000-08:00

I treasure the rare weekends with no agenda, plans or pressure. This past weekend was one of those. We slowed down, enjoyed lazy mornings, made a few spontaneous trips to the park and even created a hot chocolate stand. One thing I've made a commitment to is spending Sundays unplugged and offline. I've been calling it 'Simple Sunday' where we turn off the computers, phones and incessant influx of information and instead, spend time in nature, play games, make yummy meals, snuggle and just enjoy being with each other in a present way. It is quite refreshing for the soul. Try it sometime! I love weekends like this and hope yours was a wonderful one too!

xo

absolutely adorable aran!

2012-01-25T08:01:00.000-08:00

Aran is the author of the gorgeous blog ~ Cannelle et Vanille ~ her "blank canvas for creating anything and everything sweet that comes out of her heart." If that didn't have you at hello, the sensational images and mouth-watering recipes she shares certainly will! Her unique, organic aesthetic is attracting worldwide attention and she's authoring her first cookbook. She has quite an incredible eye for food styling and photography and her recipes are just full of creativity and interesting ingredients. You would never know it's all gluten-free! We are absolutely thrilled that Aran is teaching two food styling workshops, the first of its kind at the Makerie, and she is simply as sweet as she can be.

Without further ado, get to know the adorable Aran below!

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The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Kiss my babies good morning and make some tea.

A fun tidbit people would never know about you?
That I often times get reprimanded by my family because I eat too fast.

Some favorite ways to relax?
I love it when we spend time as a family on the weekends without an agenda. Not having a set schedule and knowing I can devote all of my time to my family is very rewarding. But I do like to be alone as well and in the rare occasions I do get to be by myself, I love taking walks in nature, soaking my feet in seawater, baking and listening to music.

What's for dinner?
Tonight it will simple. Roasted red snapper with potatoes and onions, green salad with fennel, strawberries, and avocado, and for dessert, a piece of leftover chocolate cake. A thin sliver or else I won’t be able to sleep – I can’t sleep if I eat too much or too late at night.

The best advice you’ve received?
Facing problems is like exercising, you just have to get up and do it or you will never learn. My aunt said it to me when I was 20. I think about it every single day.

What is the best meal you ever had?
I have had very many good meals in my life, most of them very simple, but one of my most recent memorable meals was at 3-star Michelin chef Martin Berasategui’s restaurant outside of San Sebastian in the Basque Country. It was unbelievable.

What are you most excited about lately?
The release of my first cookbook later this year. It has been a long time in the making and I cannot wait to share it.

A favorite spot you’ve traveled to?
I was 14 years old the first time I traveled to Oregon and Northern California. I lived with a family as an exchange student for a month and we traveled all along Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Since then, Redwood National Park holds a special place in my heart.

Your favorite way to make someone smile?
With a good meal.

Any tricks for finding life balance?
I don’t believe there is such a thing or at least I have not found it. When my personal life is going very well, I neglect my work and when my work is thriving my home can be chaotic. I feel that is life though and we just have to learn along the way. When we bounce from one end to the other, somewhere in the middle, we feel balanced, but I don’t think it’s a permanent state.

If the world ended tomorrow, what would upset you most about the person you didn’t get to become? That I still have not learned to be more patient in this life.

Favorite books from your personal library?
I am a cookbook addict. Currently I am reading through NOMA and catching up with Tessa Kiros’ books.

Thanks so much Aran!

we can change the world with our own two hands

2012-01-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to show you why we've been busy little bees behind the scenes over here. Several months ago in yoga class, the teacher played the most beautiful song during shavasna (the peaceful resting pose at the end) and it's pure loveliness made me cry. It was exactly what creating things with my hands meant to me, woven into every wonderful word they sang, and epitomized what the Makerie was all about. Fast forward and here we are!

We had so much fun creating this piece and have some very special people to thank for making it happen. First of all, Dan Knudson & Michael Anderson, of Dan Knudson Productions, who brought their bright spirits, fancy cameras and amazing eyes. What an absolute treat to work with such great guys! Allison Bozeman not only let us take over her darling BirdDog Press studio, but also starred in the show and had every perfect prop at arm's reach. This mulit-talented woman was in the middle of eight branding and printing projects, but still managed to clean up her studio and spend an entire day helping us. Yes. She's a rock star ~ and then some! Laura Kuhn, our marvelous intern, lent a hand (literally at times!) and pitched in whenever and wherever she was needed. We are quite lucky to find someone like her who's willing to help with anything! Some of the fabulous footage is what it is because of Elke Bergeron and Kristin FitzGerrell, who provided many of the fantastic handmade props and accents. I highly recommend taking a peek at both of their endlessly inspiring sites, here and here. In the beginning of the piece, there is a drawer being pulled out from a wooden sewing box. This was my grandma's, passed down to me by my sweet Aunt Sarah. I couldn't think of a better way to begin the Makerie story and it warms my heart to no end that my grandma can be part of this in such a special way. If she were here today, I have a feeling she might have been first in line at the Makerie. :) She was a creative soul beyond belief! And lastly, gratitude goes to the Cup Espresso Cafe and Thai Patton, the gifted espresso artist who created our logo in a latte with flair. Adam, the Cup's manager, embraced the idea from our very first phone call and I'm so appreciative for their time and trust in us. This certainly took a team to pull this all together and I am immensely grateful for the amazing one we had!

Thank you Ben Harper & Jack Johnson for creating this exquisite song. Oh I do hope it will inspire you to go out and use your own two hands as much as it does me! If it speaks to you, even a little, I encourage you to add it to your own playlist by purchasing it here, here or here.

I feel this video does not need a lot of explaining so I invite you to sit down on a comfy couch, with your favorite cup of tea and a cozy blanket to watch it. It's just that kind of piece.

With love....

p.s. To view our video on a mobile phone, please click here.

creative freedom

2012-01-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about the importance of play and wanted to share some personal thoughts around creativity. A few months ago I was describing my little boy's birthday cake making adventure to my mom and used the words 'complete creative freedom.' From the flavors to the toppings to the extra special decorations, they get to choose it all. What a blessing (& great lesson to learn!) to watch children create with no boundaries or limits. We gather all of our toppings and just let the kids have at it. It inspires me to no end and once again, reminds me of the essential nature of freedom and play in all our lives. I loved watching both my kiddos come up with idea after idea of how the cake should be decorated and the delight in their eyes as they stuck 'just one more picture' in. Oh how I want to preserve their uninhibited imagination where anything and everything is possible! I'm convinced that children are spiritual masters. Yes. I'm sure of it. Homemade birthday cake making has become such a fun tradition in our family and one of my very favorite and cherished ways to celebrate their special day. Here is the 7th birthday cake masterpiece. I hope it makes you smile as much as it does me!

xo

two new fantastic lunch forums!

2012-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

We are quite thrilled to announce the addition of two brand new business-focused lunch seminars for Makerie weekend lead by the darling Jessica Hernandez of Joyfolie and the adorable Andreea Ayers of Launch Grow Joy. Jessica taught our wonderful shoe-making workshops last year & we love that she's coming back in a different capacity. Andreea, founder of Tees for Change, will be such an awesome addition to the weekend too, as both these successful entrepreneurs will be sharing their experiences and successes of how they turned their craft into a booming business. Not only will they have wonderful stories to tell, but a wealth of knowledge to pass along to all of you!

Turning Your Craft Into a Business

by Jessica Hernandez

Jessica will be sharing the journey of Joyfolie, from a single mom crafter on Etsy to a business of handmade products in the US, to eventually large-scale manufacturing. Joyfolie products have been available via Anthropologie, Gap, Inc. and others. It's her hope to tell the story of Joyfolie to share strategies with those who desire to expand their creative passion on a vocational level, or to simply inspire those who want to be intentional about pursuing their own creative aspirations, whatever they may be.

Becoming a Media Maverick: How to Get Publicity for Your Handmade Products

by Andreea Ayers

Do you want to see your handmade products in national magazines, on celebrities and in the media? If so, this lunch seminar is for you! Andreea Ayers, a mom entrepreneur who has successfully placed her inspirational t-shirts in over 200 media outlets, including Self, Shape, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, ABC, CBS, NBC and more, will share with you proven publicity strategies that get results. You'll learn about how to make the most of media opportunities, how to find and contact the press to pitch your products and how to leverage your publicity efforts. Andreea currently blogs at www.LaunchGrowJoy.com and her most popular blog post is "Why I ditched the press release - and what I do instead."

Huge heartfelt thank you to Jessica & Andreea for putting together these terrific lunchtime talks!

fabulous flora

2012-01-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

image by Tara Morris

Flora is an international painting sensation, teaching her Bloom True workshops all over the world. Her unique approach to teaching combines her wealth of painting experience with yoga and massage therapy, which infuses her workshops with a deep connection to the mind, body and spirit. I love how she describes that by 'honoring intuition and celebrating the present moment, she helps her students overcome fear and welcome joyful spontaneous expression back into the creative process.' How incredible does that sound? She continues to inspire thousands of people and we feel quite lucky and honored that once again, Flora will be sharing her magic with us in April. Her class is currently sold out, but be sure to check out her new e-course and the brand new book ~ Brave Intuitive You ~ she just wrote. This woman continues to amaze me in countless ways!

Get to know the fantastic Flora below.

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The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Try to remember where I am! With so much traveling these days, I often waking up wondering what country I am in. After that is settled, I splash water on my face.

A fun tidbit people would never know about you?

I pretty much grew up at the YMCA because both my parents worked there. I got to go to as much camp as I wanted!

Some favorite ways to relax?

Yoga, lots of yoga and walks in the woods. OH, and sitting in my little hand built sauna in my backyard…a favorite winter activity.

What's for dinner?

Ideally, something that someone else cooks for me. I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’m just not much of a cook, at least not recently.

The best advice you’ve received?

Louise Hay’s belief that the most important thing is to love yourself. Everything else works itself out if you are loving yourself first.

What is the best meal you ever had?

I’m sure it was probably sushi somewhere along the way.

What are you most excited about lately?

Collaboration in all sorts of ways. Sharing is caring.

A favorite spot you’ve traveled to?

The Gili Islands in Lombok, Bali’s neighbor to the east.

What makes you laugh?

My friends---I seem to attract the funny ones.

Your favorite way to make someone smile?

Random acts of kindness.

What, in your mind, is a recipe for disaster?

PMS, a thrown out back and Mercury in Retrograde…I only say this because it just happened!

Any tricks for finding life balance?

I prefer to seek harmony since balance seems pretty elusive these days (even for a Libra girl like myself). Lately, I‘ve been trying to find harmony in every 24 hour period, one day at a time. I try to incorporate a bit of self care, a bit of creativity, a bit of worky work and a bit of fun. That’s the goal anyways.

If the world ended tomorrow, what would upset you most about the person you didn’t get to become?

I would probably be bummed that I never had a child.

Favorite books from your personal library?

100 years of solitude, Time travelers Wife, The Creative Habit, Sally Mann’s Immediate Family, The Essential Rumi, The Gift by Hafiz, Light on Yoga

Thank you Flora!

goodie bag contest design winner!

2012-01-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to announce Katy Clemmans as our goodie bag designer for 2012! We ran a contest in The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design e-course I took (& loved!) and were totally impressed with all of the thoughtful and fantastic entires. I wish we could have used all the designs! We loved the way Katy described her winning design:

"I have created sheafs of 'corn' from the Makerie logo by adding long stems. The vertical presentation creates a pleasing stripe pattern and the random upside down sheafs give a quirky feel. I think the corn theme compliments the retreat's nature element, going hand in hand with organic foods, health, and the great outdoors! It's a really positive, happy and nurturing design for the goodie bag."

Katy was so kind to share her story with us and we wanted you to get her know her too.

"I studied graphic design at Salford University in the North West of England, and from there kind of fell into a career in design for television after getting a fantastic graduate job at the design department of the BBC in London in 2000. I have worked in TV ever since, and thoroughly enjoyed my career to date, but have always held onto my passion for print and all things 'pattern'.

Recently I have been designing wedding stationery for friends and family and dipping my toe into the world of surface pattern design, and discovered a total love for it. I had been trying to find a way of making money from my designs when I heard of the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course. The course sounded like an absolutely perfect foundation for me to make a proper go of establishing myself as a surface pattern designer and help me achieve my goal of working for myself, loosening my ties with the city and moving out to the countryside with my husband. I feel this is such a brilliant opportunity to put my love of creating patterns to great use, and one day hopefully it will pay the bills.

I'm brimming with ideas and can't wait to complete the course and get on my way to being a fully fledged surface pattern designer. I would love to see my designs on all sorts of paper goods, homewares, fashion accessories - in fact everywhere! I still hope to launch my own range of wedding stationery in 2012. To see my design on the Makerie goodie bag is (hopefully) just the beginning!"

We have a feeling she's on her way. Congratulations Katy! We absolutely love it.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the contest and to Beth and Rachael for supporting such a fun design challenge in the class.

Happy Wednesday!

~xo

thoughts for 2012

2012-01-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

When a new year arrives, I find myself pondering and wondering about a lot of questions. What will this year bring? Where will our favorite memories be had? Do new journeys and directions await? How will I change and what lessons will I learn? I'm not one to make a bunch of resolutions, but I love thinking about a new year as a fresh start. What I do know for sure is that this year so far I've been:

~ adopting the word 'simplify' as a word of focus for 2012 (I'm forever on a quest for ways to make life more simple) ~

~ reveling in the quiet time our little family had right after the new year in the majestic mountains of Colorado (I'm convinced the fresh mountain air does wonders for the soul!) ~

~ dreaming of getting a feather bed ~

~ putting the final touches on our Makerie promo video (we can't wait to share it with you!) ~

~ feeling super excited to be working with such an amazing group of artists & teachers! ~

~ getting some beautiful advice from this book ~

~ becoming more & more addicted to Pinterest, especially my cozy board ~

~ wishing I lived in a home tucked in the trees (like this) ~

~ really looking forward to the new elements we'll be bringing into this year's retreat (more soon!) ~

~ thinking about how grateful I am that I have such a hard working, supportive, sweet husband that encourages me to follow my dreams ~

~ putting this advice to use: approach everything with a beginners mind ~

~ trying to find the courage to cut my hair short (I always chicken out) ~

~ going to my new favorite exercise class yoga sculpt ~

~ jotting down a gazillion ideas ~

~ inpsired to draw again, thanks to the wonderful the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design e-course ~

~ adding more things to my 'must make' list (does your list keep growing too?) ~

~ listening to crickets all night ~ yes this mama gave in & we added a pet gecko to the family, whose name is Cinnamon (after the homemade cinnamon rolls I make on Christmas morning) ~

~ marveling in the genuine love both my little ones have for our new pet ~

~ trying to meditate for 5 minutes a day (there ~ I said it! :) ~

~ worried about how our children's generation is going to manage and navigate not only the online world, but this fast-paced, harried speed of life we all seem to be going in (everyone seems busier than ever these days) ~

~ making a commitment to bring 'Slow Down Sundays' back into our family (we unplug from everything & just spend quality, slow paced time with each other. It feels amazing for everyone!) ~

~ feeling incredibly grateful, honored and overwhelmed by all of the enthusiasm around the Makerie (can someone pinch me please?) ~

I hope your year is off to a really wonderful start!

the amazing jenny doh

2012-01-04T05:28:00.000-08:00

Jenny is the mastermind behind the ever-inspiring CRESCENDOh, whose mission is to "ignite creative passion, authentic community, and focused compassion." Her site is a wonderful gathering spot where like-minded creatives gather to showcase the best projects and ideas from the online world. In addition to the lovely links, CRESCENDOh helps tell unique and heartfelt ART SAVES stories from successful artists who serve as Guest Curators throughout the year. If this wasn't fabulous enough, Jenny was the former Editor-in-Chief of Somerset Studio and has authored four books, including her most recent one which we are so thrilled to be a part of ~ Creative Pilgrimage.

The two terrific Crochetologie workshops will be taught by Jenny and what a treat her students are in for! Her classes will not only leave you completely inspired to crochet away, but you'll also come home with multiple fantastic finished projects in hand. It was so much fun getting to know Jenny through the interview below. We love that her hubby cooks for her!

...........................................................................

The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Coffee. These days, I make it with my French press. Makes two perfectly delicious cups for me that I add with whole milk. I drink this while checking emails and such, while the kids get ready for school.

Some favorite ways to relax?

Love to knit, crochet, and er … um … watch The Housewives of (fill in the blank). They are terrible shows but for some reason, very relaxing for me to watch.

What's for dinner?

Usually, The Mister cooks. He’s a total foodie and very experimental so we eat very well and very diverse types of food.

What is the best meal you ever had?

Whole steamed lobster and steamed clams on the side … in a great restaurant in Maine.

What are you most excited about lately?

My new art studio: Studio CRESCENDOh.

A favorite spot you’ve traveled to?

Love New York. In the summer, in the winter … I love New York.

What makes you laugh?

My daughter. She and I crack each other up regularly with all of our funny impersonations and different voices that we come up with.

What, in your mind, is a recipe for disaster?

Not paying your bills, eating too much, mismanaging your time and therefore missing your deadlines. I can spot these types of folks from a mile away and I usually stay clear of them. Disasters I’ve seen happen.

Any tricks for finding life balance?

What’s balance?

If the world ended tomorrow, what would upset you most about the person you didn’t get to become?

Singer/songwriter … and a Professor of art.

Favorite books from your personal library?

White Oleander (Janet Fitch)

The Outliers (Malcom Gladwell)

Predictably Irrational (Dan Ariely)

Thank you Jenny!

spectacular surface pattern design

2011-12-26T15:24:00.000-08:00

I have been taking this amazing Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course online ~ created by the dynamic duo of Beth Nicholls and Rachael Taylor ~ and wanted to share a bit about what's it been like. From a student standpoint, it's been amazing on every single level. From the impeccable organization to the thoughtful exercises to the amazing interviews with prominent people in the pattern design industry, from the jam-packed information that has been so beautifully designed into each week to the supportive, inspiring community, I just can't say enough! I realized that since starting the Makerie, I haven't made much time for any making myself, which is a little bit funny because it was the making I loved so much that was the whole reason I started the Makerie and remains at the heart of what it's all about. I still struggle with finding balance and giving all the things I love in my life the right amount of time and energy ~ raising children, making time to spend with my husband, working on the Makerie, making meaningful, healthy homemade meals and goodies for my family, exercising, spending quality time with friends, being creative with my two kiddos, getting proper rest, and finding time for a little of my own creativity too. It's this last piece that always seems to fall to the bottom of my priorities at this time in my life, yet it's one of the things that brings me so much happiness!

A big part of Module 1 of the pattern design class is drawing. What I have adored so very much has been rediscovering how much I truly love to draw and it has brought back many memories of my love for this as a child. I have been thinking about how I won a drawing contest at Zoo School camp way back when. I drew a giraffe and being the shy person I am, was so embarrassed to walk up to the front of the auditorium to accept my prize. (I wish I could find that drawing!) No wonder I find myself happily lost in illustrating lunch notes for my little ones! I often regret never applying to art or design school. Oh why didn't I listen to those little voices that have been nagging me all along? I could have spent weeks just working on the drawing prompts in the course, and plan to do the wonderfully creative exercises presented many times over. Just this short spurt of creative instruction has helped to see the world already in new ways. I'm creating patterns in my mind out of everything I see! The class assignments were broken down into wonderfully simple exercises, which made it easy for an untrained artist like me to follow and feel inspired by. I even did some of them with my 5 year old, which was one of my favorite afternoons we've spent together. There is nothing like witnessing the uninhibited artistic nature of children!

As much as I have loved making a little time again for my own creativity, it was not nearly as much as I would have liked to dedicate to the course. Due to various circumstances, I was not able to put the amount of time and energy I had wanted and hoped to. I like to give everything my all so this was hard for me! Oh how I would have loved to duck away to a cozy cabin for an uninterrupted week to play with drawing and patterns and color ~ and while we're at it, let's add in a wood burning fireplace, my favorite warm tea and anything from the bread group right out of the oven. My time is often not my own with two young children, work responsibilities, a husband that travels a lot, and just the general busyness of family life. We all try to do it all, don't we?

The pattern design class has been awesome in many ways and made me realize once again, not only how important creativity is in all our lives, but also how hard it can be to make it a priority. The beauty of this e-course allowed me to wiggle in the time at my own pace and yes, sometimes even in my pj's! It also made me think about the reason I started the Makerie ~ an uninterupted weekend dedicated to giving the gift of time and space to play and create ~ away from the demands of everyday life.

I am so grateful to Beth and Rachael for pouring their hearts into this e-course and for all I've learned so far. I can't wait to explore my own style of pattern design over time and I'm super inspired by the amazingly talented community ~ hence the over 2600 photos in our class flickr pool and a super fun contest we launched to design our 2012 Makerie goodie bag (more on that later!). My goal is to repeat Module 1 when it's offered again this spring, and then carry through to Modules 2 & 3. There is so much more I'm craving to learn! So if you have the chance and you are interested in any type of pattern design ~ fabric, stationery, greeting cards, home decor, etc... ~ I highly recommend giving this a go. And the beauty of it? You really don't even have to be an 'artist' at all. Just ask me!

~xo

sunset magazine!

2011-12-20T07:59:00.000-08:00

We are absolutely thrilled to share that we are featured in the January issue of Sunset Magazine. I have been a long time subscriber of this wonderful publication and am constantly inspired by everything they highlight ~ from fabulous destinations to delicious recipes to the hottest happenings in town to amazing artisans making magical things in the the west and more. We are grateful and honored to be included alongside the Teahouse Studio and Ace Camps as part of the 'West at its Best.' Thank you Sunset Magazine. It's truly a wild dream come true!

little gifts from the heart

2011-12-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Do you need a few sweet, simple, handmade gift ideas to slip into those stockings? Well take a peek at some of these fantastic, fun ideas curated by the wonderful Sarah Bryden-Brown on Kirsty. We were so thrilled to be asked to contribute a project! Learn how to make these felt ponytail holders right here.

Happy making!

xo

the 2012 makerie scholarship!

2011-12-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

We are absolutely elated to announce our second Makerie Scholarship! Old Glory Antiques and their adorable new boutique Prince Street Dry Goods will be generously offering one full Makerie package (excluding travel costs) for the 2012 event. Starting on January 2nd, we are inviting nominations for a very special someone who would embrace the spirit of the Makerie. Do you know someone who is deserving of a creative weekend away, but maybe is unable to make the financial commitment at this time? The eligibility requirements to enter are simple for each nomination:

:: become our facebook friends ~ Old Glory Antiques & the Makerie

:: follow us on twitter ~ @OldGloryAntique & @theMakerie

:: write us a letter under 500 words via email to play@themakerie.com telling us why this person would be a beautiful fit for the scholarship and what attending the Makerie would mean to them. And YES, feel free to nominate yourself! Be sure to include your contact information. Please know that all entries will be kept confidential.

:: financial need (we will work off the honor system here!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scholarship Application Process

Mon, Jan 2 Email your nomination to play@themakerie.com (please use 'makerie scholarship' in the subject line)

Mon, Jan 16 LAST DAY for nominations!

Weds, Feb 1 Scholarship winner notified! Yippee!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Awarding a Makerie scholarship means the world to us and one of my personally most cherished parts of our event. I just can’t thank Old Glory Antiques and Prince Street Dry Goods enough for their incredibly kind generosity in making this all possible.

We would be grateful if you could pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested in applying!

~xo

brave intuitive you

2011-12-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

photo by Flora Bowley

I wanted to share some pretty exciting news about one of our amazing teachers ~ Flora Bowley ~ who has swiftly become a painting phenom. Those of you who will be taking Flora's Bloom True workshop with us in April are in for a treat ~ and quite a magical one at that. Flora has this incredible way of empowering everyone and has such a gift for bringing out a person's true, unique spirit through the painting process. I've seen it in action and it is just amazing to witness what happens to the students in her workshops. I feel so incredibly grateful she will be giving her Makerie students this gift once again this spring.

One of the many wonderful things I adore about Flora is how she openly shares her inspirational painting techniques with others and now she will be putting this offering into the world through her brand new e-course! If it wasn't so close to the Makerie, I'd be jumping at the chance to join in. It starts February 6th and runs for five weeks. She has partnered with the amazing Beth of Do What You Love and I can tell you that this is one powerful, professional team that will deliver an e-course beyond your dreams. I can say this from first-hand experience, as I am currently taking Beth and Rachel's Surface Pattern Design Course (more on that later!) and it is fabulous on every level. I love how Flora describes why you should take her class:

"Because I believe making art should be a joyful process ~ not a struggle. I believe creating should be a time for letting go of fear, embracing the magical unknown, following intuition and existing in a universe where there are no mistakes. Right?"

Huge congratulations to Flora and Beth for the launch of this amazing offering and for sharing more creativity with the world. You go girls!

xo

p.s. The first 100 people to sign up for Flora's e-course will receive her book for free. What a cool bonus!

we beckoned the lovely

2011-11-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

I am a huge fan of Amy Krouse Rosenthal (as many of you know!). Not only do I love her messages about humanity, connection and making things, but I love how she embraces life to the fullest. Her movie ~ the Beckoning of Lovely ~ captured my heart. From the moment I started planning the Makerie, I found myself bound and determined to somehow incorporate Amy into our inaugural event. I had no idea how it would work, but I put her picture up on my Makerie vision board. She turned out to be our opening speaker, which frankly I still can't quite believe. She joined us via Skype from her own personal vacation! Her inspirational ideas and thoughts and clever ways with words left quite an impression with everyone and like many things she does, her talk was interactive and had our participants doing a variety of activities. I loved them all, but in particular the very last one where she had everyone write a 'Dear John' letter (a take on my last name DeJohn) about what being at the Makerie meant to them. It was such an unexpected surprise and I will cherish those letters forever.

The culmination of the Beckoning of Lovely was released on 11/11/11 at 11:11 am ~ as a full length feature film. I wish I could have been there in person in Chicago at the Bean, but the gathering we had in Boulder was simple and wonderful. Participants from last year's event were there, along with a few new friends too. We watched it on a laptop, and thank goodness for the kind, generous coffee shop manager who let us borrow his since my computer decided it didn't like the wireless connection that day. Then the volume was too soft and dear Esther offered up a pair of speakers she happened to have in her car. All I could think about was this is exactly what Amy is trying to teach us. The power of human connection. These might seem like such simple acts, but to me it was an example of how wonderful 'simple' can be. If Adam didn't lend us his computer, there would not have been a movie viewing... If we didn't have Esther's speakers, no one could have heard it. I'm realizing more and more how delightful 'simple' can be and our gathering was exactly that ~ just some lovely soles all together in one space watching a meaningful movie. If you have the chance, I highly recommend watching this film. I can almost guarantee it will make you want to go out into the world and do really good things ~ it certainly does me!

I'd like to end with my very favorite take away message from Amy that I hope you will love to. It's simple.

Make the most of your time here.

xo

** post amendment **

Since I wrote this post, Amy has since taken down the movie from YouTube. Please read her explanation below. I love her bravery, how she listens to her heart and the trust she has in the universe!

Dear Universe,

I wanted to let you know that I've just pulled the The Beckoning of Lovely film from YouTube. It seems that if I truly want this to be the best thing ever, then I'm not done. I can't quite believe it myself because I've never worked harder on anything in my life...so for any of you who are frustrated/disappointed that you can't access the film, please know that this was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it was the right one. I owe it to everyone involved in this project and to the diaphanous entity that is The Beckoning of Lovely itself to stay with this just a bit longer and bring it to you in its most perfect, shiny form.

This is not the way I thought it would all shake down post 11/11/11, but so be it. Such is the life of a person who makes stuff.

peace sign, red heart, yellow umbrella,
Amy

finding creative time

2011-11-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

Maybe similar to you, I'm always searching for the best ways to find life balance. I go through phases where I make a list of my priorities and plop it in a place where I can glance at it (a lot!), sometimes I create daily to do lists (and openly admit to adding really easy things so I can just check something off!) and most recently I made a chart for what my 'ideal week' would look like from the time I wake up to the time I say goodnight, and even including the eight hours of sleep I've learned I need to function properly. Some days I think I've found it ~ that ever elusive feeling of meeting everyone's needs and a few of mine too ~ and other days everything seems lopsided.

I try to be mindful of where I spend my time and energy, and one of my goals this year is to bring back more creativity into my little world again. Starting the Makerie has been a dream come true in countless ways and the planning of it is a magical experience full of very hard work. I often think about the reason I started the Makerie and the heart of it all ~ the power, joy, peace, calm, inspiration and playfulness creativity brings to your life. I love to make things ~ so so many things that it would take more than a lifetime to finish the projects I have on my list.

Although I haven't made much time for any making or creating myself this last year, I have an insatiable appetite for learning anything new creatively and I'm ready for a new challenge. I'm thrilled to be taking an amazing e-course on Surface Pattern Design with the uber talented duo of Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls that starts next week. I'm psyched to be a student again! It's such a great growing experience to try something out of your comfort zone and stretch yourself creatively. I'm a wee bit intimidated but it's such a good exercise in remembering firsthand how our retreat participants often feel. I want to experience that over and over again so I can always look at our event with fresh eyes and an open heart, knowing exactly how it feels to be in your shoes. So here we go! Wish me luck and know that I will be practicing what I preach!

xo

training her early

2011-10-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

I love discovering ways to be creative with kiddos, and projects that are 'travel-able' have extra added value for me. We did some finger knitting this week and wanted to share it in action. One of my most favorite moments of teaching my girl was to watch her little light bulb go on when she figured it out herself. Don't we all love that feelng? Have a wonderful weekend! xx

whole partnership

2011-10-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

I'm truly honored to announce our new partnership with Whole Foods Boulder! They were such a wonderful, supportive sponsor of our inaugural event and I am so excited they wanted to take that relationship a bit further this year. I love partnering with companies I admire and I've been a huge fan of Whole Foods for quite a long time (at least as early as I started grocery shopping by myself!). Living a conscious, healthy lifestyle is incredibly important to me and Whole Foods embodies what I stand for. They have asked us to lead a kids creative activity each month at their Pearl Street location in Boulder, and as you know, we'd love for the adults to jump in as well! We'll be doing all sorts of fun crafts ~ inspired by some of our very favorite kid craft bloggers. Stay tuned for more details each month. We can't wait to get creative with the kiddos and hopefully the adults too. Everyone deserves a little time to play! :)

P.S. A little sneak peek at one of the crafts ~ natural stamping. Can you guess where this came from?

our newest supporters!

2011-10-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce Janome & Sew Vac of Boulder as our newest Makerie sponsors! They are generously donating machines for every student in the Oliver + S Sleepover Pajamas and Lisette A-line Dress workshops, as well as several for the Creative Character class. As a super fun added bonus, the machines will be for sale at a discounted rate following the Makerie so if you've had your eye on one of their wonderful machines, April might be the perfect chance to take one home. Thank you dearly to Janome & Sew Vac of Boulder for their unbelievable support!

pinch me please

2011-10-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

We have some pretty exciting news to share over here. The Makerie is going to be featured in a book! Creative Pilgrimage is Jenny Doh's latest title ~ featuring superb art projects with stunning photography by 14 incredible artists and inspiring behind-the-scenes look into some of the most celebrated art gatherings across the nation. Pinch me please! It is SUCH an honor to be in the company of these outstanding artists and events I admire so very much. One of my favorite ways that Jenny describes the book is this.... "to help all of us realize that the time will never be perfect, but the time will always be now to embark on creative pilgrimages big and small." The book will be released on January 1, 2012 and is now available for pre-order at Amazon or you can reserve a signed copy directly from Crescendoh here (that comes with a sweet little free gift!).

Speaking of Jenny, I had the absolute honor of guest curating at Crescendoh last week and was asked to write an Art Saves story to go along with that. I have been an avid reader of the wonderful words other Art Saves authors have shared over the past year and have been incredibly inspired and touched by their countless, powerful stories. So you can imagine that when Jenny asked me to be a part of her special series, I couldn't wait to share the gifts that creativity has brought to my life too. Writing the words to my story validated the essential nature of honoring my passions, especially in and amongst the busy, beautiful life of motherhood. If you are interested, you are welcome to read my words and thoughts here.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Jenny and her team for believing in our creative gathering enough to be part of this beautiful book and for inviting me to become part of the awesome creative world she has created at Crescendoh. If you want to meet this fabulous woman in person, you should really come take her Crochetologie class at the Makerie this coming spring. It's bound to be a day filled to the brim with inspiration, laughter and love.

meetup in denver!

2011-09-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! We are super excited to be part of the last fantastic Horseshoe Market of the season. I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know the founders, Amy and Doug, over the past year and have loved being inspired by what they have created in their neighborhood. The market is always full of such fabulous energy and they add the most special ideas (not to mention great food vendors!) to an already amazing market. We are teaming up with an outstanding organization, the Denver Handmade Alliance, to host our first Denver meetup. So bring a craft to work on, get expert knitting advice by the uber-talented Kate or just come by to say hello. We'd love to meet you there! xo

here we go!

2011-09-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

It is such an honor to be able to present our 2012 Makerie! We are incredibly thrilled to be back for our second year and I can't tell you how excited I am with the workshops our amazing teachers have put together for you. With the return of the fabulous Flora Bowley (who will be teaching a two-day in-depth workshop and is writing her first book!) and the amazing Alessandra Cave (leading phenomenal photography workshops and is an absolute inspiration to simply spend the day with), combined with the addition of five brand new inspiring classes and teachers ~ you are really in for a treat this year!

The lovely Liesl Gibson, founder of Oliver + S, brings a world of sewing and teaching experience into the classroom with two wonderful workshops. Liesl delivers a fresh, modern approach to pattern design ~ just take a look at her darling new sewing book! You could spend a day on a creative crochet journey with the sensational Jenny Doh of Crescendoh, whose mission is to connect the creative passion of the individual and build an authentic community of like-minded souls. Don't we love that? Creative Thursday founder Marisa Anne will be teaching students the art of making a creative character and how to use embroidery to design a 'stitched painting.' Marisa is a passionate advocate of living your creative dreams and I can assure you her wonderful words of wisdom will be woven into her workshops. And if you're anything like me and share a love for beautiful paper and a handwritten note, you will have the chance to spend a delightful day learning the historical art of letterpress. You will create your own stationery in the charming BirdDog Press studio with the ever-inspiring Allison Bozeman leading you through her printing process (and boy, does she have an eye for design!). Rounding out our final class offerings, the adorable Aran Goyoaga of the award-winning food blog Cannelle et Vanille, will be teaching her unique (and gorgeous!) food styling tips and food photography techniques. Her first cookbook is in the works!

But wait... that's not all! We have some brand new ideas we'll be incorporating into the retreat weekend we think you'll love, and those wonderful little details will unfold as we get closer to April.

And to top it all off, Fancy Tiger will be back with their cozy cabin pop-up shop and Firefly Handmade will culminate the weekend with another splendid market, celebrating the love of creativity and the world of handmade.

So here we go! We can't wait and believe more and more how good creativity is for the soul. Well go on now... take a peek at what we have in store for 2012. We think you just might find some things that make your heart sing!

xo

p.s. If you would like to read a bit about last year's event, you can find some very kind words here.

kinfolk

2011-08-11T09:54:00.000-07:00


image via the Kinfolk web site

I had to share this new online magazine discovery ~ Kinfolk Magazine. I'm completely smitten with absolutely everything about it. Go on now... see for yourself!

creative coffee with the movable letterpress truck!

2011-07-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

Save the Date for Thursday, August 9! Boulder, Inspired will be kicking off the Creative Coffee series, designed to bring our creative community together by sharing ideas, inspiration and conversation. The Movable Type Truck is on a cross-country adventure, bringing mobile letterpress to our town! Come check out the delivery truck, turned letterpress workshop, and learn to print the old fashioned way. This FREE event will be held at the Common Threads parking lot and is open to anyone interested in being part of our creative community. Come spend the morning celebrating the timeless art of letterpress, along with tasty treats and coffee by Tee & Cakes for purchase from our beloved local bakery Tee & Cakes. You can RSVP right here. Can’t wait to see you there!

a not so big life

2011-07-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing over here and I've been spending a lot less time online. I miss the constant inspiration and feeling like I'm up-to-date on things, but honestly ~ it's been quite refreshing to just shut off the computer and slow down! It also has me thinking a lot (& frankly struggling!) about how to find the balance of being in the online world and the value of turning it off. I am the first to admit, I love what the internet offers ~ it's ability to connect like-minded people, the instantaneous resources available, the beautiful blogs, a source of new inspiration, the sharing of ideas and favorite finds, etc... But at the same time, hours go by in a flash. In an era where time is a most precious commodity, the internet can be quite a culprit in taking it away. It worries me how fast paced all of our lives seem to be these days and the enormous amount of information we are constantly being fed. How does one stay present with the never-ending flood of communication we both send and receive ~ emails, text messages, facebook, twitter, blog posts, etc...? Does anyone write a handwritten letter anymore, just because? Are our children going to know how to have a conversation in person or make a friend not on facebook? This is what I've been contemplating ~ a lot ~ and I think a huge part of why I love making anything with my own two hands. It slows me down and always brings me back to the present moment.

It feels serendipitous that I stumbled upon this little book this summer, as finding the balance of the online and real world is constantly on my mind. I've only read the first few chapters ~ finding myself hanging onto practically every word Sarah Susanka says and wholeheartedly agreeing with the profound (yet simple) wisdom she has to share. I do confess, it had me at the cover and tagline ~ The Not So Big Life ~ Making Room for What Matters Most. Sarah's philosophy is "that anyone can wake up from an overstuffed life to make room for what we long to have time for. It's possible to start living a life of full, rich, vivid moments where everything that happens to us is experienced fully, and where spirit and connection have room to thrive." If this is what living a Not So Big Life means, well then sign me up because I couldn't think of a more beautiful way to be in this world.

we heart tee & cakes

2011-07-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous first Makerie Meetup we had at Tee & Cakes! Our venue couldn't have been more perfect and it was really wonderful to see some familiar faces and meet some fantastic new people too. There was some completely adorable crafting going on ~ lots of cute little flag garland, fabric flowers & even a bow tie cake by Alli (above) ~ all reusable (which we love). Tee & Cakes ~ the most generous host ~ made such delectable cupcakes and mini cakes to send home with everyone (which are SO yummy!) to go with their handmade treat toppers. On top of that, they gifted us their donation jar to go towards a Makerie scholarship for next year. How awesome is that? There was such a happy energy in the air & it was great fun to witness the lovely creativity in one room. I loved getting to talk to people in person. With much of our lives online, it always feels so nice to have a face to face conversation and give someone a real hug. We did get quite a few questions about next year and who the teachers will be. We're working on that & will be super excited to announce this in September. Stay tuned! : )

Thanks so much to everyone who came out last night to our meetup and to Tee & Cakes for being the most fabulous host! If you missed it, don't worry, we'll be planning more. Make sure you are signed up for our mailing list (here) so you can keep up with the latest happenings at the Makerie.

Have a happy weekend!

our first makerie meetup

2011-07-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

We are having our first Makerie Meetup ~ a Sweets Styling Summer Eve ~ in a few weeks! I am so grateful to Tee & Cakes, the most adorable cupcake shop in town, for partnering with us to host our first event. There will be cupcake decorating, crafting of special little treat toppers from fabric scraps (bring your favorites!), good music & mingling. What more do we need really for a fantastic, fun night out? It's wonderful connecting with everyone online, but at the end of the day, nothing beats spending time together. So if you are in the area, come to Tee & Cakes on Thursday, July 14th from 6 - 9 pm. The event is free, but please RSVP (here) so we have an idea of how many people to expect. Really hope you can make it!

these days you can find me...

2011-06-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

~ thinking about new ideas for the Makerie ~

~ having as many picnics as possible! ~

~ loving our CSA ~

~ riding bikes everywhere (& getting a good workout pulling my two little ones in the chariot!) ~

~ wishing we had a charming bedroom in an attic ~

~ reading through amazing Makerie workshop proposals for 2012 ~

~ planning hiking date nights with my handsome hubby ~

~ trying to slow down the pace of our life ~

~ madly making recipes from Super Natural Everyday ~

~ searching every day for that sweet spot of life balance & realizing it's a constant state of adjustment ~

~ working on a Blurb book full of my little guy's kindergarten stories ~

~ getting excited about an upcoming book we're going to be in (still pinching myself!) ~

~ making some headway on a sweet Debbie Bliss sweater pattern for my soon-to-be-born niece ~

~ feeling so lucky for the dearest friends in my life ~

~ cooking homemade meals with love ~

~ realizing the power, possibilities & limitations of just being one person ~

~ creating a summer music playlist ~

~ spending every Monday evening we can at the Meadow Music concerts at Chautauqua ~

~ happy to be here posting ~

~ wishing you lots of happy sunshine this summer! ~

summer is here!

2011-05-27T07:30:00.001-07:00

And this is where you will find us all summer long! Happy Sunshine!

xo

goodie bag gratefulness

2011-05-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

photo by Linda Winski

I wanted to give a huge shout out to all of the amazing companies that participated in our wonderful goodie bags this year, and another special thank you to Kate & Mo for their wonderful work on this project! What a terrific treat you all gave to our participants.

Thank you SO much!!

.....................................

BMoCA
Chocolove
Cloud Nine
Colorado Chautauqua
Cool Mom Picks
Dandy Social Club
Dish Gourmet
Edible Front Range
Fancy Tiger
Fiona's Granola
Firefly Handmade
Flora Bowley
Gypsy Wools
Hellimae's Caramels
Interweave Publications
Izze
Julia Vandenover
MM Local
The Nugget Denver
Open Studios
Petite Purls
Savory Spice Shop
Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins
Stefanie Japel
Sunset Magazine
Sunshine Yarns
Whole Foods

a leap of faith

2011-04-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

photo by Linda Winski

Well I’ve had over two weeks to think about this post and I’m still having a hard time figuring out where to begin! The Makerie was truly one of the most special weekends I’ve ever had. It was filled with so much goodness from every corner and I still can’t get over the absolutely incredible group of people that gathered in Boulder for our very first event. I’m still pinching myself. Just one amazing person after another showed up and truly brought their best, beautiful selves. The Makerie was really what I had imagined and hoped it would be ~ a beautiful setting, inspiring, loving teachers, absolutely amazing sponsors, wonderful workshops, healthy food, amy krouse rosenthal, our very own craft boutique, and an incredible handmade market to top off the weekend. I just don’t know how to thank everyone enough for the magnificent moments you all created.

In thinking about this post, I wanted to back up a little and share a bit more of how the Makerie came to be. It was truly wonderful work, but certainly no easy feat. It was a roller coaster ride of excitement, fear, faith, joy, disappointment, trust, self-doubt, etc., and lots and lots of dreaming along the way. I have always been a dreamer, and I can’t tell you how many ideas I’ve had that I never followed through on, only to leave me guessing, 'What might have happened if I would have tried that?’ I’ll never know! Nothing excites me more than witnessing someone following their dreams. For so long, I have always been the one on the sidelines wishing I could follow my dreams too, but was never sure how to find the courage to do so. With each idea I had, it was always so much easier to come up with a million excuses for why not to do it. It wasn’t the right time, or it wouldn’t work because of ‘this’ or ‘that.' Somehow the Makerie was different. I had this nagging little voice that wouldn’t go away with this one. I had created the Makerie in my mind already (hundreds of times), and I just needed that little push to finally try. I can’t explain it, and there was not an ‘aha’ moment the pushed me forward, but merely a tug at my heart that could not be ignored. Somewhere I found a little fire to give this whole thing a go. Sure, I got the green light from many people I love and respect telling me I should do it, and the affirmations were lovely and felt really good, but at the end of day, I could not have done this unless I truly was the one making the ultimate decision to move forward. Was this an ideal time in our family for me to do this? Not really (but is it ever?). Did I have every piece in place when we announced the event date? Not even close. When we opened up registration, did my heart skip a beat when someone signed up? Every single time.

The reason I am sharing all of this with you is to tell you it's possible! So many things are possible when you listen to your heart and maybe by sharing a little part of my story, you will be inspired to try something you’ve always wanted to do too! I’m an everyday person just like you, who decided to take a leap of faith. Maybe this will encourage you to do the same? I have grown in so many ways through the process of planning the Makerie, and I know this event and the people I meet through it will continue to teach me lesson after lesson. I appreciate personal growth so much and am truly grateful to the Makerie for being a platfrom to help me learn invaluable things about life.

Your letters and emails and beautiful words have meant the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for each and every one of them. Knowing that the Makerie experience was a gift to you is the greatest gift of all to me. That's the heart behind why I started it and the motivation to continue to grow it so we can give more people the precious gift of time and play.

It is my belief that if we can all find something we love, and actually do what we love, we will have a world filled with happy people. I love the sound of that.

With Love,
Ali

p.s. If you’d like more details about the 2011 Makerie, there have been beautiful blog posts written about the event that you can peek at right here under 'kind words.'

getting my thoughts together...

2011-04-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

photo by my wonderful mom

I have so much I want to share about Makerie weekend and our inaugural event, but it's taking me some time to get my thoughts together and the words on paper. Thank you for your patience ~ a post is coming soon!

a grateful day!

2011-04-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

What an amazing day of making we had on Saturday! We made all kinds of things for Makerie weekend with the loveliest group of people. I'm still in awe of how lucky I am to have such awesome peeps willing to lend a hand ~ & a creative one to boot! I just could not be more grateful to the fantastic folks who generously gave their time & talents to Makerie projects this weekend. Wait 'til you see the love they all put into them! From the very beginning stages of planning the Makerie, I've always said the most magical part was the wonderful creative community it seemed to be bringing together. And what another perfect example of this.

Is this really all happening this coming weekend?!? Pinch me please.

we were inspired

2011-03-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

I love Kristin's wood assemblage work!

Wednesday night kicked off our brand new series of creative conversations in Boulder. An awesome speaker, a fabulous new home at Design within Reach for our Apartment Therapy Design Evenings, super silly icebreaker nametags (i.e. if you build ________, it will come) and a gathering of over 35 creative souls ~ I have to say it was a pretty exciting night! Kristin's talk centered around living a creative life ~ taking risks, building your creative community, remembering to be a kid again and play (which really hit home from me with the Makerie being right around the corner!), and the fun and power of collaboration. She is living her creative dream and inspired us all to do the same.

The whole idea behind this series is to build a community of creatives that can share their passions, ideas and inspiration. We are really excited for Boulder to embrace this idea and can't wait to continue the creative conversations!

life is like a basketball game...

2011-03-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

grip it!

Please read these beautiful words of wisdom by Ms. Paris Anne Rosenthal (Amy's daughter), age 13. How does she know all of this at her sweet, young age?

Grip it

Life is a basketball game. You cannot go through it without other people. The time gradually runs out, so take as many chances as you can and take advantage of the precious minutes. Do not rush or wish away the time. Sometimes you hit the right spot, and sometimes you don’t. Not every shot or every day is the best. A coach is someone you look up to in life. There is always someone to guide you and teach you new things. Always try your best. Work with others and share the ball. Share your glory, share your generosity, share your wisdom, share your humor, share. But also be greedy sometimes. Take shots; don’t constantly pass. Alone time and individuality is essential and vital. Use the losses, the air balls, the complete misses, and failures as ways to learn and be better next time. Bond. Take time to stop and simply reflect. Love, travel, laugh, study, learn, think. Compliment someone. Wear a uniform. Literally? No. But have your own number that stands out in the crowd. Be yourself. Have your own personality and build an identity. Face it, you can’t have someone else’s title or jersey number, so cherish your own. Grip the basketball firmly, and do the same with your life. Make sure you know what you want and how to ask for it. Jump high for the ball, jump and go over the top. Assist. Make passes, and help other people in life. Give more than you receive. Do at least one active un-bargaining service or duty each week. If others don’t recognize your deeds or humane actions, keep doing them anyway. Continue giving without receiving. Watching others’ glory can be hard, but the best thing to do is just cheer for them. Treat them how you would want to be treated; support. As the time diminishes, kick the switch up a notch, give in the fuel, and go for your dreams and goals before you regret anything.

boulder, inpsired.

2011-03-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

I wanted to introduce you to a brand new Boulder initiative a trio of us are starting. Meet Boulder, Inpsired ~ a series of creative conversations we will be hosting once a month to bring community to creatives. We will alternate months with Creative Coffees (inspired by Swiss Miss and her Creative Mornings) and Apartment Therapy Design Evenings (so excited to be working with them!), and can't wait to get started!

Each event will feature a creative speaker and hopefully spark conversation around the featured topic. These meet ups are designed for anyone (yes, that means you!) who is interested in creativity at any level, and did we mention they will be free?

We have a great list of speaker ideas brewing, but are always open to and welcome your suggestions. So mark your calendars for the very first Apartment Therapy Design Evening in Boulder! (rsvp here)

Date: Wednesday, March 16 (6 pm)
Place: Design within Reach
Speaker: the incredible local assemblage artist Kristin FitzGerrell of Studio 22
Topic: the process & passion of living creative lives

Join us, won't you?

P.S. While we are on the topic of conversation, have you seen what TED just launched? Brilliant.

P.S.S. Don't forget to become a Boulder, Inspired fan on facebook too!

day packages!

2011-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

you could learn how to make cute shoes!

We are so excited to announce a brand new Day Package option for Makerie weekend for those special spots we still have open in our classes! First come, first serve so please don't delay.

The Day Package will include:

(1) all day workshop
(1) lunch
(1) goodie bag
(1) invitation to the Opening Ceremony

We do hope you can join us!

xo

beckoning the lovely....

2011-03-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

I am really (REALLY!) honored to share with you that the abundantly inspiring Amy Krouse Rosenthal is going to be part of the inaugural Makerie (and a big wonderful thank you to Old Glory Antiques for their help in supporting this!). Several years ago, I watched the Beckoning of Lovely for the very first time. It warmed my heart to no end, and yes, even brought tears to my eyes. I loved Amy's vision so much ~ her inclusiveness ~ her incredibly kind spirit ~ and the thoughtfulness that went into this entire project. It spoke so beautifully to the everyday person and left me thinking... why can't our world be just like the Beckoning of Lovely? Is it so difficult to be kind to each other? Does it really take that much to go out of your way to make someone's day? Why can't we make do with what we already have? Although this video featured the community that gathered in Millennium Park, it spoke volumes to me about our entire universe and the power we all have to simply make it a better place.

I have watched the Beckoning of Lovely countless times, shared it with everyone I know, and even almost sent in some 'things I made' for the chance to be part of the film.

This is what happened on 9/9/09...

and latest evolution of the film on 10/10/10....

Every lovely message in Amy's films leaves quite an impression on me, and always has me asking myself, "How can I be a better participant in our world?" To be frankly honest, when I began envisioning the Makerie, I had this tiny wish of her somehow being a part of it. I had no idea how, but our visions seemed so aligned with how I pictured the Makerie ~ celebrating the everyday person, inspiring people to be the best they can be and the ultimate takeaway...

"make the most of your time here"

Amy is a person who likes to make things.

Some things she likes to make:
Children's books.
Grown-up books.
Short films.
TED Talks.
Salads.
Connections with the universe.
Something out of nothing.
Wishes.

And one more thing to add is that she will be making the coolest, live Skype presentation around just for us! In keeping with the messages in the Beckoning of Lovely, her talk will be called:

MAKE SOMETHING PRETTY
MAKE DUE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
THE MAKERIE 2011

I just couldn't think of a better person to help kick-off the Makerie than Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I am humbled, honored & seriously still pinching myself that this little dream I had has actually come true. I just know you will treasure everything she has to share.

Thank you Amy, from the bottom of my heart, for truly believing in what we are creating here and for your thoughtful, innovative idea of how to be part of our inaugural event. It means more to me than you will ever know!

P.S. Amy is leading the most incredible PUBLIC heART project at TEDActive this week. You must go & see!

the kind-hearted katherine sanz

2011-02-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

We are so proud to have one of very own local jewelry designer gems teaching at the Makerie! Katherine Sanz is a second generation artist who earned her Fine Art degree from the University of Colorado. What I love about her jewelry is that it is meant to be worn, and each Moonspun piece is lovingly handcrafted in Boulder. Ethically sourced, recycled, and recklessly beautiful materials are used in every one-of-a-kind piece. (I love that!) It is important to her that the beauty of the jewelry accentuate the beauty of the wearer and reflects a harmony between meaning and design. What I love equally as much as her jewelry pieces is Katherine's kind-hearted spirit. What a treat for those of you that will be taking her workshops! Come get to know her a bit more below.

..............................................

What do you value most in other people?

Honesty. And the creativity, love and humor that naturally pours from their beautiful honest hearts.

If you could start your own restaurant, what would it be?

Breakfast for dinner

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast.

Sunday morning pancakes with my sweet. He makes the best blueberry!

What color shoes are you wearing right now?

Tall brown boots.

If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

I love lots of circus tricks and practice fire poi, hula hoop and aerial fabrics.

Do you like to sing in the shower?

Yes. In my mind, I sound like Gillian Welch mixed with Sarah Siskind, with a dash of Bjork. In real life, it's probably a good thing I keep it to the shower!

Your true indulgence.

Chocolate or red wine... or both!

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

Love with your whole heart.

open knitting lab!

2011-02-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

Knitting is a wonderful, healing, calming craft, and we are so excited to share with you that we are now offering a workshop called Open Knitting Lab! This class has taken the place of Shape It, as we wanted to offer a knitting day that was open to all levels of experience. All you need is a pair of knitting needles and some yarn, or you could even just wait until Makerie weekend to get your supplies at Fancy Tiger's pop-up shop on site (won't that be cool?). Whether you've always wanted to learn how to knit or you are a more experienced knitter wanting to give a brand new technique a whirl, this would be the perfect opportunity to try it out under the loving guidance of this phenomenal teacher!

a little note from sweet sara

2011-02-18T12:57:00.000-08:00

Our super sweet scholarship winner ~ Sara Guiffre

Throughout my childhood, my parents brought me to many Grateful Dead and Phish concerts and I would watch all of these beautiful women walking around in patchwork skirts. When I was in high school, I realized I couldn’t afford to buy one of those skirts, so I started learning how to sew.

More recently I found the fabulous Fancy Tiger and my love for sewing was reignited. With all of those fabulous fabrics, how could I not be inspired?! I took a class at Fancy Tiger and a few months later, came home to a brand new sewing machine my boyfriend bought me for my birthday! Luckily I had great friendships that have supported my habit and hobby all along the way.

When I found out about The Makerie I was more than excited, but I absolutely knew I couldn’t make the financial commitment at this time. I loved the idea of spending a week with others that shared the same interest and passion for creating and learning. I was blown away when my roommate came home on Valentine’s Day (when I happened to be fairly sick) and told me I had won the scholarship to the retreat! I half didn’t believe him, since I was feverish and all.

Being able to express myself through sewing and make something with my own two hands is an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to hear this same passion from others while I attend the retreat. Not only am I blown away by the classes I’ll be able to take, but I am eager to meet new people, hear new ideas and share my passion with others.

Much Thanks!

Sara Guiffre

our schloarship winner!

2011-02-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

We are SO proud and excited to announce the (very first ever)

2011 Makerie scholarship winner!

***********

Sara Guiffre

***********

Sara's third party nomination spoke so clearly about her incredible generous spirit, and how she has dedicated her personal life to serving others less fortunate. She has endured much more than the average person and her love for creativity has helped her persevere. In just one conversation with Sara, her genuineness and positive attitude simply shined. The quote at the bottom of her emails epitomizes what she is all about:

"Just make yourself lovely, there is nothing you can do about the storm."

What a beautiful way to approach life! A most heartfelt congratulations to Sara. We are so happy to have you at the Makerie this year and can't wait to meet you in person!

Thank you so much to every single person who applied for the scholarship and for sharing your heart-warming stories. I am already trying to think of ways to add more scholarships for next year! Here's to Old Glory Antiques & Common Threads for making the scholarship possible this year. Your support means the world.

xo

sweet candy boxes

2011-02-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

What a fantastic evening we had making these Valentine candy boxes! I came across this super sweet project last year & tagged it in my special tutorial folder. I was so glad I found it again because it was a lovely little project, perfect for little hands! I absolutely love spending creative time with my kiddos. Not only do I love creating side by side together, but I adore watching them light up with their own ideas and how proud they are of what they make. We used a combination of our own paper patterns we created in illustrator & some of these wonderful ones in red & pink shades (which if you are into cool patterns it's a must for your bookshelf!). Here they are! Are you working on any fun Valentine's Day projects? I'd love to hear about them! ~xo

letterpress class

2011-02-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

I was so lucky to attend the letterpress workshop at Birddog Press last Sunday. I love paper ~ beautiful thick paper that feels like velvet in your hands. When I saw that Alli was offering a workshop on creating your own letterpress stationery, well how could a girl with a longtime love affair with letterpress say no? It was a fantastic day of playing with wood type letters, learning a brand new creative skill, and a wonderful place to share ideas and inspiration with like-minded people.

Not only did I leave the workshop with a set of stationery I designed myself, but ended the day with a huge reaffirmation of why I wanted to create the Makerie. Spending the day with this wonderful little community, getting lost in creativity, just filled me to the brim. It's one of the best things you can do for yourself. Period. Creativity helps people find balance in their lives. It fills them up in magical ways. And although it may be a bit disguised, it's one of the most beautiful forms of self care there is.

first friday at fancy tiger!

2011-02-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to be part of First Friday tonight at our very favorite local crafting boutique. Fancy Tiger is at the forefront of the modern handmade movement in Colorado, and we are super thrilled (& quite honored as well!) to be partnering with them on the Makerie. (more details on that later!)

But for now, won't you come join us at this adorable, 'makes you want to make everything' shop in Denver this evening? Stefanie will be there with a sneak peek of her knitting embellishment class she is offering at the Makerie. Did we mention wine & treats too?

Come join us ~ won't you?

love mae

2011-02-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

(photo credit love mae)

I completely adore this sweet, sweet Australian company. I have been eyeing their reusable fabric (yes, fabric!) wall stickers for quite some time now, and just wanted to share this cuteness with you. I have a feeling these (or these) may end up on my kiddo's walls soon! : )

old glory antique love

2011-02-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

We wanted to introduce our newest, sweetest supporter ~ Old Glory Antiques - urban home and design for Denver. Holly's boutique is always warm and inviting, where you will find a fresh mix of old and new combined in unexpected ways. I am just thrilled that Holly and I have the chance to collaborate together, as she is filled with such fabulous ideas and we have some pretty fun things up our sleeves! I really loved reading about how she started her creative journey, and you could too right here.

If you like cupcakes (or your loved ones do!) and love a sweet sale, then do come by Old Glory Antiques on Saturday, February 12 from 2 -4 pm. We will have DIY cupcake decorating and everything in the store will be 15% off. How lucky are we that it just happens to be customer appreciation weekend too!

We are incredibly grateful for Holly's generous sponsorship of the Makerie, including supporting our very first scholarship, and can't thank her enough for her sincere belief in this whole idea. SO happy to have Old Glory Antiques on board! Yippee!!

the inspiration behind the makerie

2011-01-31T12:05:00.000-08:00

a family hike at Chautauqua Park (photo by my mom)

In June 2009, I attended my first creative retreat and it was seriously, one of the best experiences I have ever had. I went by myself ~ didn't know a soul ~ and had the time of my life. Not only did I take the most amazing creative classes designed for anyone, but came home with the most genuine friends, a huge amount of inspiration and a renewed spirit. This was the first thing I had truly done for myself since having my two little ones. At first I felt guilty and selfish for taking a few days out of our busy lives to go, but then I realized how terribly important it was to have a little time and space to just be me again ~ something I had lost a bit along the way with the intensity and beauty of being a full-time mom (which please read ~ I love more than anything in the world!). I learned so many things that weekend ~ so many things:

* how important it is to honor who you are and what you love to do

* the power of being in a like-minded community

* that you can have your own thing and still be a great mom (in fact, I found I was a better mom because of that!)

* how honoring and exploring your creative side brings out the best in everyone

* to listen to your heart

When I came home, I shared this magical experience with all my friends and family, and they all wanted to go. So I told them I would find a place in Colorado a little closer to home and we would all go. I searched and searched for something similar and couldn't believe that there was nothing like this in our majestic Rocky Mountains. How could that be? There must be a place like this here! And maybe I should start one? In my heart, I knew that I wanted to create a place to give people the opportunity to experience what I did, but in my own backyard that I love so much. I wanted to provide a place where people could step out of their fast-paced, everyday lives, leave technology behind for a few days and reconnect with themselves ~ a space to simply play and feel like a kid again. It does wonders, let me tell you! I still carry the magic I felt from this first retreat, and am eternally grateful to Elizabeth and the courage she had to create Squam Art Workshops. It truly changed my life.

As I approach the endeavor, I am doing so with an open mind and heart, and trust it will evolve as it should. I have cherished the input and support from so many amazing people and feel the greatest power in creating this is the warm and wonderful community it already seems to be bringing together. My greatest hope for the Makerie is that it provides a beautiful energy to all it touches, and that it might inspire someone to follow their dreams too. The Makerie is most certainly a dream come true for me and something I do believe we will all create together. So here we go! Hold on... it's going to be one wonderful, wild ride!

the makerie scholarship!

2011-01-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

photo by my beautiful mom!

We are elated to announce the very first ever Makerie Scholarship! Old Glory Antiques and Common Threads are generously teaming up to offer one full Makerie package (excluding any travel costs) for the 2011 event. For the next two weeks, we are inviting nominations for a very special someone who would embrace the spirit of the Makerie! Do you know someone who is deserving of a creative weekend away, but maybe is unable to make the financial commitment at this time? The eligibility requirements to enter are simple (read none!), as we will work off the honor system here! All we ask is that you write us a letter via email detailing why this person would be a beautiful fit for the scholarship and what attending the Makerie would mean to them. (And YES, feel free to nominate yourself!) Please know that all entries will be kept confidential, and be sure to include your contact information.

...............................

Scholarship Application Process:

Thurs, Jan 27   Email all nominations to ali@themakerie.com
                   (please use 'makerie scholarship' in the subject line)

Thurs, Feb 10   LAST DAY for nominations!

Mon, Feb 14     Scholarship winner notified! Yippee!!

...............................

We would be grateful if you could pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested in applying!

A HUGE heartfelt thanks to Old Glory Antiques and Common Threads for making this all possible.

guest blog post :: the first stroke

2011-01-26T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well we could not be more excited to introduce the very first Makerie guest blog post! We are incredibly honored to present THE Jenny Doh, who we admire in absolutely every way.

..........................

Not so long ago, when I had my daughter in my studio, I gave her a stretched canvas for her to try her hand at painting. She sat there staring at that canvas, transfixed, and unable to move. After a few minutes, I asked her what was happening and she said “I’m scared I’ll mess it up.”

“So what?” I asked Monica. "Who cares? So what if you mess it up? You don’t think I can get anther stretched canvas? You don’t think there will be any more paint left? Even if you mess up this canvas and the next one and the one after that, trust me, there will be more canvases and there will always be more paint. It’s OK. Go ahead and paint."

So my cautious little Monica started. One stroke. Then another. In the end, it wasn’t a masterpiece but it was her first piece. And the thing is, no matter who you are, you’ll never get to the 100th piece unless you complete your first.

I think the blank canvas can symbolize other things in our lives that can cause us to be gripped with fear. Fear of meeting new people, fear of pursuing a new project, of making changes in our personal and professional lives.

There's a saying that I love. It goes like this: "Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's conquering it."

Whether it's fear of the blank canvas or the strange noise in the middle of the night, fear is fear. And if courage isn't the absence of it but rather the conquering of it, the question of course is how do we conquer it? How do we get out from under the covers to get to the bottom of the strange noise? How do we transition dreams into tangible plans to make changes that we know we need to make in our lives?

I think the answer is as easy and complex as taking that first stroke ... that first canvas ... that first step. And how once the first is taken, the second, third, and more are just around the corner.

alt glow

2011-01-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

I just returned from Alt Summit, and boy, was it one inspiring trip! Well it certainly started out on a great note when my dear friend from college (who happened to be in Salt Lake City for work) picked me up from the airport, even though my plane was over an hour late! I didn't expect that at all so that made for the warmest welcome to a new city, especially since I was coming to the conference by myself (a little scary!).

Gosh, it's hard to know where to start because those Alt days were filled (to the brim!) with incredible inspiration all around. I could go on for days... so I think it might be fun to share some of my favorite quotes and takeaways from a few of the many inspirational speakers. (I know, I know! I need to find another word for 'inspiration' but I just don't know one that captures what I'm trying to say. Do you?)

........................

"Celebrate the everyday & make the everyday special." Sarah Bryden-Brown (Babble)

"Art is the most renewable resource." DJ Spooky

"Grow organically & authentically." Molly Peterson (DwellStudio)

"Nobody can tell you what's best for you." Tina Roth Eisenberg (Swiss Miss)

"Everyone needs an inspiring aunt." Tina Roth Eisenberg (Swiss Miss)

........................

Thank you so much Alt Summit and all of the wonderful sponsors for making the event SO fabulous in every sweet way!

the makerie

2011-01-17T17:38:00.000-08:00

click here to play the video!

So here it is! Our very first Makerie video. I do have to say we had a blast creating it! I owe a big, big thank you to both Alli & Kristin for helping bring this to life. Alli with her awesome ideas, cute hands (yes those are her's with the adorable ring in our video!) and incredibly generous time... and Kristin for letting us use her insanely inspiring home for our production studio. So that wood background you see, that is a counter in her house she made... yes I know... it's SO very cool and only the tip of the iceberg! And if she wasn't generous enough to let us take over her house for the afternoon, she handed us a plate of warm, homemade chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven, smack in the middle of our work. Was that not the sweetest treat? It was truly an awesome collaboration, and I could not have done it without the help of these two beautiful friends.

I hope this video, along with the song, helps to capture the spirit of this event. The great creative workshops are, of course, a super special part of the weekend, but it's oh so much more than that. It's about providing a space to really play with your creativity (at whatever level that means for you!) and disconnect from our fast-paced, high tech world. It will be a place to connect with like-minded people in person ~ which can be inspiring and healing on so many levels. And it will be a weekend to simply honor who you are and what you need at that very moment. I love this verse in the song we chose for our video, as it speaks so much to how we hope to inspire others.

I've got to show the world
All that I wanna be
And all my 'bilities
There's so much more to me...

What we are creating here is open to anyone ~ yes, even those that claim they are not creative at all! ~ and in fact, believe the Makerie is something we will all create together. I sincerely hope our little video is relaying this message ~ loud and clear. I do hope you like it!

meet the darling Jessica!

2011-01-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

Jessica was one of the first people I contacted about teaching at the Makerie! I had been following her sweet blog for quite some time, and after some back and forth emails regarding an adorable barrette order I had placed with her, I added a p.s. at the end of one of them and asked, "Would you ever be interested in teaching at a creative retreat?" And her response was, "Sounds sumptuous. I'd love to hear more!"

So here we are and couldn't be more excited to have her teaching debut with us this spring in Boulder! As you can oh so clearly see, Jessica's sense of style and originality is second to none. Her shoes are so sought after that they literally sell out in seconds when she lists them on her blog! Jessica built her company, which started as a hobby, as insatiable demand grew for her tiny peep toes, flowered ballet flats, and velvet spat boots. She creates many of her products by hand, but is also working with several manufacturers to transition her designs to firm-soled shoes. Joyfolie shoes have been featured by well-known magazines such as Cookie, Brides, and Pregnancy & newborn and rumor also has it that they may be offered by a large, well-known retailer in Fall 2011. We're so excited to hear who that lucky retailer will be!

But without further ado, get to know the darling Jessica a little more below.

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If you could start your own restaurant, what would it be?
I worked as a personal chef and had my own small company in my 20's so this is a good question for me! I would love to have a small cafe that has fresh, tasty breakfast... rich french press coffee, omelet stuffed crepes, homemade sesame granola, fresh berries. And fabulous lunches with homemade soups, salads with berries and gourmet cheeses, and interesting wraps and sandwiches.

Do you have any phobias?
Not really!

Your true indulgence.
Time to be creative for myself. I almost never do that... or time to repaint a piece of furniture or some other crafty house project.

Hidden talents.
I know how to use a chop saw, wire a chandelier and work a power drill. I also went to seminary and studied Greek and Hebrew.

What color shoes are you wearing right now?
Cream knit boots (they are like a glorified wedge flipflop with a sock glued on). I just bought them at Claire's for $10. Don't judge, but I really love that how comfy they are!

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?
Break your goals up into manageable steps. The life of your dreams in more feasible than you know!

What do you value most in other people?
Vulnerability. I like to connect with people on a real level. I would rather get into an honest debate with someone, than have someone be pleasant but never say how they really think and feel.

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?
To be honest, I seldom consider failure an option. Failure is never a dead end, it just means, get up, dust yourself off, and try again... or maybe go about it in a slightly different way.

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p.s. This is my little flower girl sporting the sweetest pair of Joyfolie shoes. :)

Chautauqua!

2011-01-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

Colorado Chautauqua in January!

The coziest of cottages!

A gorgeous snow!

I wanted to share a bit more about where the Makerie will be held. The Colorado Chautauqua is simply a magnificent place. I mean the setting alone is breathtaking & add to that the cozy cottages that have all been restored (some even to LEED certification standards), hiking trails practically out your front door and well... I just couldn't imagine a better place to host our retreat. And if that weren't enough, Chautauqua's goal is to become the greenest national historic landmark in the entire country! I just love that. There is recycling in all the cottages, you'll find eco-based soaps & shampoos, they use green cleaning products, recycle & compost leftovers from events & really, everything they do is with thoughtfulness for our environment. It's such a wonderful synergy for us, as we are trying to plan the Makerie in the same thoughtful way. Have we shared yet that we will be donating all possible extra food from Makerie weekend to a local food bank? And that we will be gathering and donating extra materials leftover from the classes as well?

Chautauqua is honestly a place near & dear to my heart, a place our family frequents regularly for hiking & picnics. In the summer time, the Meadow Music Monday night kids concerts with Jeff Kagan & Paige are an absolute family favorite. (If you are local, you simply MUST put it on your list to do this summer!) Even being locals, my husband & I stayed in one of the cozy cottages for our 10th anniversary!

In addition to all of this, what's even neater to me is how the Makerie ties in so beautifully with what the original vision of what the Chautauqua movement really was ~ a place to gather, learn & play. (You can read more about it here.) Oh if you are at all thinking about staying in those cottages Makerie weekend, it would be one super comfy, cozy magical choice!

follow your heart!

2011-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

the simple things...

2010-12-31T16:21:00.000-08:00

As new year's eve draws near, I have my 2011 list ready for what I want to do & how I want to be better... (& it's a long one!) But after I wrote it I realized that above all else, my hopes & dreams for this year are merely the simplest little things in life that bring the most happiness ~ spending time with those I love & doing the things that make me happy (the Makerie is such a HUGE part of this for me!). When life becomes more simple, time is freed up to do more of the above. So there you have it... I've answered my own question:

This is my year to SIMPLIFY!

Wishing all of you a year filled with everything that makes you happy!

XoXo

amazing alessandra!

2010-12-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

We couldn't be more thrilled that Alessandra, creator of the Gypsy Girls Guide and beautiful photography site alessandracave.com, will be teaching at our inaugural event! All she thought she needed was a camera and a backpack, until her round the world travels revealed a fierce love for texture, light and design, as old as the stories she once called home. One and a half careers later, she's finally traded in her passport for photo studios and locations where her eye for sun-drenched color and vintage beauty takes commercial photography to a whole new world. Whether she's shooting starlets or musing on her beloved moon, Alessandra is serious about living life to the fullest and inspiring others to do the same. We love that she will be in Boulder to share her wealth of photography knowledge & inspire you in ways you never knew possible.

It was so much fun reading her answers to our questions so come get to know the amazing Alessandra below!

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If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

Oh I love this question, because I have always been fascinated with the circus, and I have always secretly wished to take trapeze and aerial ribbon classes. It's on my life's list for sure!

If you could start your own restaurant, what would it be?

If I could start a restaurant, it would most definitely have a vegetarian inspired menu, adhering to a seasonal calendar and using ingredients from either the restaurant's garden or from local organic farmers. The place would also have a amazing wines, "green" bohemian design featuring recycled products throughout the spaces, an outdoor dining area, and Brazilian bossa nova as the ambient music choice! One can dream, no?

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast.

I subscribe to the typical french petit dejeuner which is also the most common way to have breakfast in my home country (Brazil): a croissant with butter and jam, some fruit and the perfect cappucino!

Your true indulgence.

I have several, but here are just a few of my favorite ways to treat myself:

*dark chocolate always handy ~ i have some every single day!

*polaroid film ~ i'm a new mom and it just so happens that my sx70 camera fits perfectly in the diaper bag ! So what can I do? :P Must indulge on some pola film even though the prices are ridiculous right now.

*massages ~ i try to have swedish massages as often as possible

*long dates with myself ~ window shopping, shooting pictures, a delicious healthy meal, ice cream or cupcake, laying out in the sunshine at the park, watching the sunset on the beach, etc.

Hidden talents.

I have a very very strong intuition ~ to the point I can predict the future sometimes!

Favorite actor or actress.

There are so many! But right now the one that comes to mind is Kate Winslet. I have a major girl crush on her! She is not only a fabulous actress, but also strikes me as an intelligent, kind and beautiful woman inside and out.

What color shoes are you wearing right now?

I am only wearing cozy socks at the moment.

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

I generally don't like the word advice because it sounds too pretentious and because ultimately, we each need to find our own way... But if I could share with you something that works for me, it would be my life's {manifesto}. I keep all these intentions close by, so I can remind myself of what nurtures my soul and my well-being.

And if I could share something with the world it would be:

We are better together. When we are together, there is no war, no separation. There is mutual understanding. Together we can join forces towards ending poverty and hunger. Together we can create bigger, better and more beautiful things. If we are together it means there is kindness, compassion and love between us, and as a friend once told me: "love always always wins."

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

Family, friends and kindred spirits. Gatherings like weddings, birthdays, holidays, art events and creative retreats, make me very happy. The energy that is created by the people I love or the people that love the same things I do, lingers with me for a long while after our moment together has passed, leaving me replenished and inspired. {I'm so looking forward to our time together at the Makerie!}

What do you value most in other people?

Pure heart, pure intention.

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

I attempt new things every single day and I believe there is no such thing as failure. Everything that we do or attempt to do leads to another chapter in our journey. We create our lives out of the little tiny steps we take towards our dreams. Sometimes our dreams change or morph into unimaginable new dreams, sometimes we are the ones who change, but we simply cannot fail! We just can't. Not even if we try...

What is the best advice you've ever given and received?

When it comes to advice, make sure you also listen to your own gut. Only you can say what is really best for you.

Do you like to sing in the shower?

Nope. But these days I sing to my baby daughter practically all day long!

A wish not fulfilled.

Oh I prefer to look at it as wishes yet to be fulfilled! I have many and the list just keeps on growing... Here are a few wishes: travel to Morocco, live in Brooklyn (NY), own a sailboat, shoot an Anthropologie catalogue, have my own photographer's studio, etc etc etc.

If you have to choose a movie title for your life story, what would that be?

Life is Beautiful ~

stories...

2010-12-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

Natalie Chanin - Fashion Designer from Alabama Chanin on Vimeo.

... are gifts meant to be shared. And since it's gift-giving season, I wanted to share this beautiful one from the ever-inspiring Alabama Chanin. I just love it.

on traditions...

2010-12-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

Well it's no secret I love to make things ~ many things, including food! I'm realizing more & more how smitten I am with anything from the bread group that is hot & fresh out of the oven, & a tradition we have come to love is having homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Yes, the kind that are warm, doughy & eaten fresh out of the oven with oodles of frosting. I rarely make the same recipe twice, as I love to experiment, and just came across this fabulous one that I will try this year. I am so excited that I can make them ahead of time & just pop them in the oven Christmas morning. Not only do I adore Heidi, but I'm pretty in love with her healthy food blog too. I'll let you know how they turn out!

What are your special holiday traditions?

flora!

2010-12-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

What an amazing life Flora has ~ traveling, teaching workshops and painting in colorful locations around the world! She considers her work to be a celebration of the present moment; chaotic, subtle, mystical and ever-changing, and we are so incredibly thrilled she is coming to Boulder to share her inspiration, and love her latest idea of a Chillaxathon! :)

Get to know this incredible artist and teacher a little bit more below!

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If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

Acrobatics. (I used to be a gymnast and I still love to tumble, cartwheel, stand on my hands and swing from things :)

Do you have any phobias?

Rats.

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast.

Eggs, kale, smoothies, oatmeal.

Your true indulgence.

Baths, walks without destinations, travel and creamy chocolaty things.

Hidden talents.

I can spin fire.

What color shoes are you wearing right now?

Orange boots.

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

Live your passion.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

Friends, if humans count as "things." Otherwise, trampolines or puppies. Hard choice!

What do you value most in other people?

Presence and humor.

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Putting an end to hunger, war, suffering...

What is the best advice you've ever given and received?

Do what you love and the money will follow.

Do you like to sing in the shower?

Yes. Definitely.

A wish not fulfilled.

Travel to India.

the fireflies!

2010-12-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

The very first Firefly Handmade market was last weekend, and what a weekend it was! Boulder has been starving for an indie craft market, and it has finally arrived. With over 2,500 people coming through the doors in just three days, it was buzzing with fun and festive energy, not to mention incredible vendors making fabulous things. I'm so proud of the Firefly girls (Kristin FitzGerrell, Alli Bozeman, & Denise Chaudhari) for putting on such a fantastic market and finally, literally bringing to market the art of local and handmade! And to think this is only the beginning...

We are so excited to be partnering with this terrific trio to bring another Firefly Market to the Makerie this spring. Go Handmade!!!

Here are a few of the goodies I picked up at the market this weekend!

adorable dandy social club upcycled shirt

letterpress matted french frame from bird dog press

sweet crocheted basket by haute nature

hello lizzy!

2010-12-06T12:32:00.000-08:00

Meet the darling Lizzy House! A printmaker, textile designer, and illustrator, she travels the world in search of inspiration. When she isn't printing or designing fabric, or sleeping on an airplane, she is probably planning a party or writing a list. If neither of those is underway, she is probably tying a bow on something and/or someone. Her aesthetic is one to be reckoned with and we are thrilled to have her as a teacher for our inaugural year! Not only will you love her pattern design & block printing classes, but you will love HER just as much. I can vouch for what a fabulous teacher she is because I have taken her incredible classes myself!

Lizzy answered all of our silly questions so come get to know her a little more!

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If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

I'd be one of the lions.

If you could start your own restaurant, what would it be?

It would probably be a raw vegan restaurant, or the complete opposite, a French Patisserie.

Do you have any phobias?

I have a real problem with deep water and deep space... it seems so infinite in a terrifying way.

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast.

Fruit! and sometimes muesli

Your true indulgence.

Netflix

Hidden talents.

I can detect left handed geminis. I can also tell you about yourself just from talking to you for a couple of minutes.

Favorite actor or actress.

I'm really digging Paul Schneider, and Ben Whishaw.

What color shoes are you wearing right now?

Currently all of my shoes are metallic gold, and that's the way I like it.

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

Know thyself! But beyond that, be generous. Generous with your time, your gifts, and your heart.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

Ribbon or dishes

What do you value most in other people?

Honesty, generosity, and good humor

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Becoming an Olympian. I don't play sports, of any kind, BUT IT KILLS ME! to know that I will never be in the Olympics!

What is the best advice you've ever given and received?

There was a point in my life, where I was at a real low, and a dear friend gave me the advice to "not waste my energy on things that were out of my control". It literally changed my life. I still sometimes find myself in a tizzy about ridiculous things, but I can shake myself out of it, look at the good, look at the possibilities, and truly decide what kind of time and energy I am going to give any given situation. When you give yourself the power to release yourself from things just happening to you, and step back and review your situation, you realize that very little is actually worth fretting over.

Do you like to sing in the shower?

If I am not singing, it is only because I am deep in thought working out the problems of the universe.

A wish not fulfilled.

No, I have pretty much my whole life ahead of me to work out my wishes. Plus, 2 years ago when I went to Disney World, all of my fairytale childhood wishes and dreams came true, so I'm in a good place.

If you have to choose a movie title for your life story, what would that be?

Glitter. Just kidding.

beckoning of lovely 10/10/10 ~ LOVE!

2010-12-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

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the gift of an experience

2010-12-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

gift certificates with fabric pouches

The holiday season is in full swing & we've been thinking a lot about holiday gifts. More & more we are loving gifts of experiences. Won't you consider giving someone you love (or maybe even yourself?) the gift of time & creativity? The Makerie experience would make such a special gift for the holidays and we are happy to offer gift certificates (with handmade touches of course!) for any amount.

meet angie!

2010-11-29T08:34:00.000-08:00

We want you to get to know your teachers a bit more so we will be featuring each one in the coming weeks here on our blog! Without further ado, come get to know the darling Angie who will be teaching both of the spectacular jewelry classes at the Makerie.

Angie Olsgard, the creative maven behind Angie Star Jewelry, is influenced by the simple forms in nature, funky vintage items that time forgot, and by the study of ‘play therapy’ which encourages creativity. Her impeccable taste and sense of style is evident in every piece of jewelry found in her fabulous store. No wonder Angie Star Jewelry has been voted Best of Boulder 8 times (so far!).

We asked Angie a series of fun questions and here’s what she had to say. (We loved her answers!)

If you could start your own restaurant, what would it be?
Definitely cinnamon rolls & coffee shop! Only the best cinnamon rolls & homemade icing that made people crazy for them.... We'd all be silly happy on coffee and sugar!

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast.
Chicken noodle soup, but only in the winter. A lovely warm homespun way to start the day, then a full day of art!

Your true indulgence.
Is it silly to say chocolate? Hmm..... chocolate, and caramels, and coffee, oh my! Did someone say sweet tooth?

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be kind to others. So much would be solved, if we all practiced unbending kindness to others.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?
My daughter. She is the most precious happy entity to me. I would want a room full of her, laughing.

If you have to choose a movie title for your life story, what would that be?
"Sing a Little"

thankfulness

2010-11-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

Wishing you & yours a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family & friends, plates piled high with homemade goodies, a little time to create & even some quiet moments in between. We are headed to the woods for Thanksgiving & we can't wait to simply slow down!

Look for some fun Makerie musings next week!

we heart...

2010-11-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

Amy Krause Rosenthal & all of her inspirational everything's! Just take a peek at this...

welcome!

2010-11-10T23:15:00.001-08:00

Thank you so much for coming to visit! We're glad you're here & quite excited to be here ourselves (okay... maybe even a bit giddy)! We can't wait to share with you what the Makerie is all about and can promise you this...

We want to create such a wonderful experience for you all & we will always do our very best to do so.