It's always great fun when Ruth Rae and Kristen Robinson stop by the office.
But during their recent visit, the fun multiplied as we added The Accidental Crafter into the mix.
So much fun we had goofing around together.
And after the shots, we were able to get deep into the mind of The Accidental Crafter as he revealed how he creates with resin, how his words resonate, and how he wishes his editor would leave his words alone.
Hmmm ... I wonder why Beth is wearing her pink tiara again ... because BethDay isn't until December. (You might remember last year's BethDay from here.)
Actually, BethDay seems to have arrived a tad bit early this year, as Beth and one of the magazines that she manages — Altered Couture — have caught the eye of Alison Feldmann and all the good people at Etsy. It's no surprise ... because everyone at Stampington headquarters {hearts} Etsy.
Beth Livesay, Managing Editor of Altered Couture, has been invited to be Guest Curator for Etsy's official blog. As Guest Curator, Beth will write a post that includes her 12 picks of her favorite items on Etsy ... which I'm sure will reflect the totally hot style that Altered Couture is known for. Check out Beth's official blog post on Wednesday, November 11th by clicking here. (That's the day after tomorrow.)
Major props to Beth for working hard, and for always working with great style.
EDIT: This just in. Beth would like everyone to remember her upcoming submission deadline for Altered Couture, which is December 15th. If you want to join in on the Altered Couture fun, you gotta get your altered items here by the deadline. If you have any questions or want to bounce ideas, Beth welcomes your e-mails at blivesay@stampington.com.
We came (and became fast friends) ...
We shopped (with great-looking carts) ...
We conquered (the Rose Bowl flea market) ...
... and had a whole lot of fun in the process. More details to come but I wanted to send a quick thank-you to everyone who came out and also a special shout-out to Heather, Pam, and Amy to say: "Yipee, we did it!"
Stay tuned as we think up ideas for more fun in the future. :)
Here's how they look individually packaged with a little touch of Doohdles stamped on a shipping tag.
So fun, don't you think? If you want the full tutorial on how to make these necklaces, you'll want to tune into our new publication titled All Things String.
Earlier tonight, I had great fun working with Pam, Amy, and Heather as we assembled the goody bags and surprises in anticipation for our Sunday event. After coming home tonight, I dug up this fun photo (one of my favorites) of me and Amy and Pam from a few years back when we took a road trip together.
And here's a photo of me and my Monica when we attended Heather's lovely holiday event.
Road trips, special events, flea markets, crocheted necklaces. Surely and undoubtedly, these are the best days of our lives. Hope to see you on Sunday as we create memories from what will most certainly be remembered as one of the best days of our lives.
When I went to Squam Art Workshops this past September, I took with me this totally cool, totally hot journal designed by Sabrina Ward Harrison for Anahata Katkin's Papaya! line of products. It's hard to explain how fabulous the journal is. The paper is super thick, the outer and inner covers are drenched with the colors and designs of Sabrina's amazing work.
The book is what I used to gather memories and warm regards from new friends that I met at Squam.
Including of course the creative genius behind the event: Elizabeth MacCrellish.
Here's a page that was marked up by the talented hands of Karen Cole.
And here's a page by the lovely Christine Mason Miller.
And some gorgeous leaves that I keep tucked in one spread, to remind me of the beauty of Squam.
The final page has this photo that Elizabeth attached — of a scene that seems so far from me ... but it was a scene that I enjoyed just weeks ago ... a scene where I met lots of friends, shared my story, laughed out loud, and made so many new discoveries.
The image is juxtaposed with a deceptively simple message ... one that suggests that the incredible elements that created this magical experience could possibly convene again. But I do believe that if there's anywhere on earth that such magic could happen again and again, it would be at this wondrous place called Squam.
I love it when people are clever. Just love it. Today, we had a huge dose of cleverness in the Art Department.
Because in our office, it was the day to dress up in costumes to enjoy our annual Halloween potluck. And my design staff came dressed as different typefaces. Clockwise from lower left (excluding me) are as follows: Yayoi as Hobo, Joy as University, Nadine as Avante Garde, Jennifer as Franklin Gothic, Jessica as Futura, and Cyd as Courier. I dare any other office group to top this clever collaborative costume attire. SO CLEVER.
I'm not sure what typeface I'd choose if I had to dress up like one. Certainly NOT Comic Sans. (I have this thing against Comic Sans.) Maybe I'll have to think about it in time for next Halloween. But for this Halloween, my costume involved two ingredients: a necklace with the word "Freud" on it, along with my way-cool and totally hot dyed vintage slip by the fabulous Sherry. Put them together and what do you get?
A Freudian Slip
Clever. (Actually, I have to attribute the cleverness to Kelly Snelling, who gave me the idea.)
Ah Halloween. How I loathe it. I mean love it. How much fat I will gain, I mean fun I will gain, from all the treats and festivities. Sorry for the Freudian slips. Just part of my costume, I guess. Happy Halloween! ;)
What is it about a secondhand market, also known in French as “brocante,” that stirs our souls? It is where we search for weathered chairs, vintage books, and antique linens. It is where we find objects that sing to us as we invite the power of potential to unleash our imaginations as we seek to elevate how we live, what we create.
If the hunt for flea market treasures is something you’d like to discover for the first time, or enjoy in the company of like-minded friends, it is our hope that you’ll join us for a special outing as outlined below:
Heather Bullard, Pam Garrison, Amy Hanna & Jenny Doh
Cordially invite you to
Brocante Carnival
Date: Sunday, November 8th
Place: Pasadena Rose Bowl
Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
A limited number of goody bags will be dispensed at 9:00 a.m. at the front entrance gates. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. After the goody bags, we will enjoy quick introductions, followed by a review of friendly flea marketing tips, and some fun surprises. And then, we will all enter the grounds to shop. You are free to roam the aisles alone, or with other guests, or alongside Heather, Pam, Amy, or Jenny.Lunch Time: 12:00 p.m.
At noon, you are invited to join us at the green picnic
tables with a lunch that you have packed for the day, or purchased at one of
the food stands. During lunch, we will enjoy the best part of flea marketing,
which is a “show & tell” of what you’ve found with others. After we have
re-fueled, Heather, Pam, Amy, and Jenny will award very special handmade prizes
to those with the best flea market “tote-ables” as follows:
· Best
flea market apron
· Best
flea market cart
· Best flea market totebag
NOTE: Brocante Carnival — in terms of the activities planned by Heather, Pam, Amy and Jenny — is a free event that will officially conclude with the best tote-able awards, but of course everyone will be welcome to continue shopping until the flea market closes at 3:00 p.m. Please note that in order to enter the flea market, regular admission of $8.00 per person will need to be paid at the gate. For details regarding admission, please visit here.
NOTE: You are encouraged to visit Heather’s blog post containing her best flea marketing tips to help you prepare for the event here.
NOTE: Throughout the day, photographs will be taken as we aim to cover the adventures of Brocante Carnival in a future issue of Somerset Life magazine.
Will you be there? Let us know. We are looking forward to meeting local flea market loving people from the blogosphere!
{Ed: No need to RSVP, just show up if you feel so inclined that day}
There is no person who has a harder working, better skilled, and more dedicated staff than me.
I was acutely reminded of this truth today .. Boss' Day ... as my staff came into my office to deliver flowers, treats, and a song sung in chorus.
During this special time, we had some laughs as I read to everyone this quote transcribed by Beth ... a reminder of the type of non-sensical droning (made famous by Steve Carrell from The Office) that we all strive to refrain from.
I also had the opportunity to point out that one of the best compliments that I could ever hope to collect in the workplace is to be described as a person who doesn't waste the time of another ... which is accomplished, in my opinion, by focusing on my work, empowering others to work, and then not meddling with others while they work.
I also had the opportunity to share my thoughts about the downfall of too much whining, and the importance of engaging properly in difficult dialogues.
Difficult dialogues of course must be engaged in with courage and poise when there is a challenge that needs resolution. It requires the turning down of whining, refraining from the wa-wa-wa-ing, and resisting the urge to run quickly to "the boss" to tattle on someone rather than going directly to that someone to iron matters out.
Time and time again, staff who emerge as leaders with stellar reputations are the ones who know how to put friendships aside, disdain aside, stop running to "the boss" for every little thing, and learn to engage in difficult dialogues directly with colleagues, by using strong, clear, and focused communication skills. It also requires humbly pulling your heels out of the dirt when you realize that you've been wrong, asking for and dispensing forgiveness, being open to change, and above all, being professional and classy, even when professionalism and classiness aren't reciprocated.
All of this is SO hard to do. It really is. And for me, the greatest reward of being "the boss" is helping facilitate opportunities for staff to experience THE THRILL of mastering these skills.
"You are deeply loved," says Suzi.
These four simple words come to me etched with permanence into a work that I can tell was made with love. For a second, I look behind me to see if per chance I've accidentally intercepted a message that was actually meant for someone else ... you know ... the feeling you get when you wonder, "Are you waving at me or at someone behind me?"
But then I am reassured that the words are for me.
Deeply.
For real.
For me.
And I pause, and I breathe, and I smile, and I think to myself, "How lucky am I? How deeply lucky am I?"
Gerardo and I had great fun recently getting all gussied up to attend a special event for UCI.
As I was admiring the photos we took from the event, I also came across this one (below) from a few years ago that we took during a New Year's Eve when we didn't go out but actually stayed home with the kids as we popped the champagne and sparkling cider and sang auld lang syne together at midnight.
Time sure flies, doesn't it? Over the years, Gerardo and I have been to plenty of events ... and we've also created events by just staying home and raising a glass. To me, whether I'm in a ball gown or a jean skirt, it's not the venue that makes an event special. Rather, it's the people. Being with family and friends. There's nothing better.
