incredible aran!

We are so very excited to welcome back Aran Goyoaga to the Makerie in 2013! We are still mesmerized by the gorgeous images that came out of her classes last year. Aran is the author of the beautiful blog, Canelle et Vanille, where she showcases her inspirational take on recipes (that happen to be gluten free ~ which you'd never guess!) along with stunning, styled images that leave us wishing we could jump in and take a bite. This year Aran will be teaching two courses ~ Fabulous Food & Prop Styling and Food Photography on a Farm. Yes, on an actual farm and a rather special one at that ~ the Lyons Farmette. Whole Foods Boulder is sponsoring both of Aran's workshops and we're working on some pretty exciting things behind the scenes over here. We couldn't be more proud and excited for Aran's official book release yesterday: Small Plates and Sweet Treats: My Family's Journey to Gluten-Free Cooking. We just ordered our copy and can't wait to add it to our cookbook shelf. Get to know the adorable Aran below! 

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What is your favorite food obsession right now? 

I have to say that probably Michel Cluizel chocolate. I have a little bit nearly everyday after lunch.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

I have no idea honestly. I remember when I was 14 standing up in class answering the same question and I think I said I wanted to be a telecom engineer. It came out of the blue as I had never even thought about it. Of course that never realized nor did the thought cross my mind.

What's for breakfast? 

Usually porridge with fruit and an egg.

A wish that came true. 

To work in food.

A favorite gift you’ve received. 

The clothes my great-aunt knitted for my children when they were born. I still have them neatly wrapped in blue paper and stored for when they have children.

A condiment you love. 

I’m not much of a condiment person. Does sea salt count?

What you love most about what you do. 

The creativity, the freedom when I get to experiment with food and colors ... Also that I get to travel.

The most challenging or difficult part about what you do. 

To feel stuck – when creativity doesn’t flow and I feel saturated. It’s not always easy to keep things fresh maintaining your own perspective and style.

_________ is at the top of my inspiration library.

Donna Hay.

Any tricks for finding life balance? 

I am not sure there is such a thing. When one side thrives in my life, the others usually suffer. It’s about being able to juggle both sides without going insane or neglecting the important things. Not easy for sure. For me, it’s been about dedicating time to work when I had an important project and having my husband step into a supporting role. Then I have periods of time that I am not working and I am with my children at home. I also try to take my children as much as possible when I travel so that helps.

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Thanks Aran!

the very first makerie man

*image by my beautiful mom

We were thrilled to say the least to have our first Makerie Man ~ Ivan Balbuena ~ as a participant this year. And what a wonderful one he was! I could go on and on about how much we adored him, but I'll let you judge for yourself below. Ivan was kind enough to write about his experience so you could read about it through his sweet eyes. Men have an abundance of creative gifts to share with the world and I would love to see more of them nurture their creativity too. One thing I know for sure is that we'd welcome them to the Makerie with wide open arms. 

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A Weekend at the Makerie – A Man’s Perspective

by Ivan Balbuena

My first impression was of affirmation. The setting was perfect ~ Chautauqua Park just outside of Boulder, Colorado up against the Flatiron Mountains. The cabin itself, cozy, inviting, with a front porch and a small back deck where Magpies would come looking for food. We were greeted by volunteers and asked to grab a name tag and a bag of goodies. At the end of the hallway, Ali made the first comment of many more that made me feel very special during our stay. She welcomed me and my wife as the first couple to attend The Makerie and me, the first man, to come to this event. I have to say, if I had known about this distinction, I would have made a big deal on Facebook and in any other place so friends and family would start feeling jealous.

I will remember many things about this weekend forever and the first one I’d like to share is Ali’s speech to officially welcome us to the Makerie. I’ll never forget how genuinely happy she looked and how excited she was. Being the only man was not such a big deal to me, at least at first, it was being the only man and feeling so welcomed and cared for was what was such a big deal. 

We had signed up for two classes, the first one chosen by me since I have some background in screen and press printing. The class was called Lovely Letters Pressed. To be honest, I referred to it as something I could go back to my male friends and tell about without having to give a long explanation, and without making it sound like it was geared to women only. So I worked on a printing press, very manly right?

The experience was both new and familiar. I have been so close to machines similar to the ones I used but never had the opportunity to touch them, let along use them. Allison shared her babies (her antique presses and letters) as if we were old friends that knew to respect them and love them as much as she does. Allison’s studio, BirdDog Press, was well organized and not surprisingly, full of little details everywhere; the shapes on the floor, the tin ceiling that let rust colors come out, and her samples of work.  

Details were so prevalent during my experience it was hard to miss them. Or maybe once I saw one I became obsessed with finding more. It was just like a seductive but delicate perfume. An example of details were the boxed lunches we got. The sandwich was delicious but that was just the icing on the cake. The sauce came in a little container with a small wooden spoon with the word ‘eat’ stamped on it (which is the name of Katie’s catering business), handmade potato chips, the cookie in a small cloth bag, and the lemonade came in a mason jar with a country style print cloth. As I said, details were everywhere.

I could go on and on about the class itself, and all the information about the business that Allison shared with us, but the class would have been dull without the warmth and smiles she printed, so to speak, on the experience, not to mention on the cards we took home with us.

Our second day was no less than the first one. Our class was held by Aran, an inspiring photographer that showed us her mastery in food styling. The creative juices combined with the sweet juices of the fruit we played with, though the creative ones were depleted way before the sweet ones, at least in my case. We watched Aran make a childhood memory through a picture of cookies and milk, while I enjoyed her props with some coffee.

I have already made some comments on my Facebook page and told several people about the Makerie, but I truly believe I need to do more to help Ali and everybody at the Makerie spread the word about this homage to creativity and beauty that women have. All these women, including my beautiful wife, deserve a huge thank you.

I also had the opportunity to explore my own creativity and I happily invite other men to explore theirs too. I warrantee it they won’t be disappointed.

Thank you again Ali, Aran, Allison, Ali’s mom and all the beautiful women that made the Makerie such a wonderful experience!

Ivan Balbuena

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Thank YOU Ivan so very much for sharing your beautiful words!

p.s. If you didn't love him enough already, did you know he sought me out for a florist recommendation so he could send flowers to the Makerie for his wife's birthday? I know... He's a keeper! 

absolutely adorable aran!

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!