WIW vol 32 - Birders: The Central Park Effect

2012 - NR - Documentary

Streaming Netflix

Storyline

Birders: The Central Park Effect reveals the extraordinary array of wild birds who grace Manhattan's celebrated patch of green and the equally colorful, full-of-attitude New Yorkers who schedule their lives around the rhythms of migration. Acclaimed author Jonathan Franzen, an idiosyncratic trombone technician, a charming fashion-averse teenager, and a bird-tour leader who's recorded every sighting she's made since the 1940s are among the film's cast of characters. Featuring spectacular wildlife footage capturing the changing seasons, this lyrical documentary transports the viewer to a dazzling world that goes all but unnoticed by the 38 million people who visit America's most famous park each year.

Such a great movie, it made me laugh because the entire time all I could think of was Steve Martin in 'The Big Year' and that he was going to pop out at any moment. (another great movie to watch - how I love Steve Martin) But if you like birds..or nature..and want to see lots of birds you may never have seen before, or maybe never paid any attention to before..watch this film!

Weekend market and Roller Derby Madness

The haul: Green beans, butter, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, orange pepper, potatoes, onion, jam, eggs, corn on the cob, gouda cheese, bratwurst, minute steaks, pork chops, hamburg. Gonna be a yummy week!

Roller Derby was a success!

While we didn't win. Our first bout is behind us and we are all feeling great and more confident for the next one. Hoping to maybe get one more in during the fall, if not it will be in the spring. 

Lots of fun, but a real long day. Was at the market all morning, early afternoon then came home for about an hour and back out the door to the bout and there throughout the night. Hoping the next bout isn't on a day I have market! 

How was everyone's weekends? I have to get caught up with my shop and making lots of soaps. Our markets have been great on sales so I'm way behind on getting more inventory. Time to focus more on me and the shop again. Derby on the back burner!

Sorry for the mini leave of absence! 

Buy Handmade vol 71

This week we travel to Scotland..

Name: Emily Raemaekers

Age: 27

Occupation:Designer

Etsy Shop: Talented Apple

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm Emily and I run my fabric printing and accessories business, Talented Apple, from my home studio in Edinburgh. It's a great place to live during the festivals in the summer, and the mountains are only an hour or so away when I need some space. 

When did you start creating and how long have you been on Etsy?
As I child I was always drawing and rummaging about in the dressing up box. I studied at Performance Costume Design at Edinburgh College of Art and spent a few years working as a freelance Costume Designer before I began teaching myself to print on fabric. I loved making pieces with my own prints on them, and Talented Apple was born! I opened my Etsy shop in October 2011 and I've been nurturing it ever since. 

How did you come up with your business name, is there any special meaning behind it?
Yes! It's from an odd family saying. Before I was born, my parents lived in a forest in Thailand, in a hut they built themselves, and some they still use some Thai words. They say "Talented Apple" when they mean to say "me too". Because "me too" in Thai is "pom doo-ay" which sounds a bit like the French "pomme douée", meaning "Talented Apple". It's a bit obscure but I wanted a name that was personal to me as well as unique, and it makes me laugh to try and explain it!  

Has your Etsy shop become your full time job? If not, would you like it to be?

At the moment I run my Etsy shop part-time and work elsewhere part-time, and I feel that gives me a good life balance just now. To be involved in creative pursuits all the time would be wonderful and I'd love to be involved in more craft events and markets. 

How would you describe your creative process?

I use my own hand carved lino cuts and screen printing to create my fabric designs and my ideas usually start with a new print design that I evolve in a sketchbook. I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to organising things and I really enjoy working out a germ of an idea through all of my planned stages, and sewing it into something beautiful and practical that's all packaged up and ready to ship. I still get that excited feeling I used to get as a child using potato stamps at school when I try out a new print design for the first time. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I'm constantly inspired by the nature and wildlife of Scotland which is a strong theme in my print designs. My love of whimsy and colour influences my designs, too, and I'm forever on the look-out for images and fabrics that catch my eye.

Do you also sell your work at craft shows?

Yes.

• What shows have you taken part of, and do you have a favorite? 

I attend a few local arts and craft markets in Scotland including the regular Out of the Blue Arts Market in Edinburgh. In April 2013 Edinburgh's first Mini Makers Faire came to town and I had a brilliant time at my stall, selling Talented Apple products and running free lino printing workshops for adults and kids. I have just come back from a my favourite craft show so far: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Arts and Craft Market where I had a stall for a week. The city was buzzing with festival-goers and the atmosphere was just fantastic. 

• How long does it take you to prepare for a show? Do you have any special methods of getting ready?

If it's just a day-long show then I usually have what I need in stock and I keep everything stored ready to pack up in the car, so an hour or so the night before to sort out last minute things is all I need. A show that lasts several days or weeks means that I do a lot more planning ahead, gradually making stock a month or so ahead of time and working out all the logistics in the week before I leave. I like to be prepared! You never know when that dream customer will pop up and want two of everything.

• Describe an experience from a show (good or bad) and why that pushes you to continue with your work 
There's just nothing better than having a customer tell you they love your work and handing over their hard-earned cash so they can treasure something you have worked so hard on. I've had so many lovely comments standing behind my stall and if I'm having a bad day, or a bad month, those comments help me to remember that it's all worth it and go out and do it all again.

What is your most cherished handmade item?

My apron. It was the first garment I ever made when I was at school and I was so proud of it. It's not very fancy or even very pretty but it started me on my creative journey and it's lasted me all this time. I wear it almost every day, whenever I'm printing, so it's streaked with hundreds of colours of ink and I have a badge pinned to it that I made at the Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire. 

Apart from creating things, what do you like to do?

Outdoor pursuits are what keep me sane when things all get a bit hectic. My parents used to take me hillwalking every weekend and holiday (and still do!) so getting out into the countryside has always been a passion of mine. I love camping, climbing, cycling, wild swimming, all of it! I also love to travel and explore new places. 

Was there ever any other job you dreamed of having growing up?

When I was little I wanted to be an explorer, not exactly a real job but I like to think I use some of the same skills in my current work: persevering, being hands-on, having an enquiring mind, nature-loving.

Five years from now you will be…
In my studio, finishing off a large order of bespoke purses, drinking a cup of tea out of my favourite mug. 

Describe yourself in five words:
Imaginative, organised, active, eager, a trier

Carrying on with the five theme, if I were to turn on your <MP3 player>, what five artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?

Paolo Nutini, The Chair, The Vaccines, Billy Joel, Basement Jaxx

Lastly, do you have any advice for anyone thinking about opening their own shop or participating in craft shows?

Start small and build your way up, learning from your experiences. It can be hard to know what advice to listen to, so try to take a step back now and again to get perspective on what you're doing and you will usually see what the right way to go is. Immerse yourself in your field, go to local craft shows and shops to gain practical ideas. Enjoy yourself! 

TALENTED APPLE

Market Mondays

We now actually get two fills of market tastiness. The mister goes out to the Clinton market to vend on Thursdays and brings home some yumminess, then of course we both go on Saturdays and bring home even more goodness.

Here is the loot from this past week

Cinnamon raisin bread, garlic, peppers, onions, basil, cucumber, zucchini, squash, and minute steaks. (some of this was bartered for!)

Then the weekend loot: Corn, pork chops, hamburg, gouda cheese, red potatoes, peaches, squash, zucchini, bread, croissants, and (bartered) cookies.

So yummy. The mister has been making up little red potatoes that are to die for. Next time he makes them I'll have to watch closely and maybe post the recipe because they are AMAZING. Nothing like eating all fresh, all local ingredients on a daily basis. So, so tasty.

In other news, derby news that is..our bout is this weekend.

Sooooo much left to do - so there will be a little mini hiatus here until after the bout. I'm really excited, but super anxious and nervous at the same time! Wish us luck. If you are local we are still looking for sponsorships and NSO volunteers for the bout. 

fff vol 79

Favorite finds from the past week:


Etsy find of the week:

source

How cute is this little guy?!

Please can I move in?

source

Gorgeous...

Get in my belly!

source

grilled potato, lemon + zucchini salad with romesco - Yum!

Tee shirt of the week:

source

Dine-Oh-Mite!

This week has been insanity - derby is starting to consume my life right now - our first bout is next Saturday the 24th. So excited!

This weekend is farmers market as well as the yearly antique show..should be a fun weekend

what is everyone else have going on?!

PETA and The Hive

PETA has always been one of those organizations that I admired and stood behind regarding their stance on no animal testing (among some of their other stances). I remember being in high school and having the pocket sized, cruelty-free pocket guide in my wallet. Taking it out and looking up everything I purchased. Never did I expect that I would someday own a company that would grace the pages of that little pint sized travel guide, as well as listed on their website!

Yes! You heard me right!! I have gone through the certification to get all my products, and company certified and licensed by PETA. I am now a proud member in the "Beauty Without Bunnies" program!!!!

Over the next few weeks you will start seeing a change to some of our packaging and also in our Etsy shop to share and spread the word that our products are cruelty free, and many also vegan. 

Some packaging won't change immediately because of large investments that have already been in the current labels. But you can be assured that once they have run out, new labels proudly displaying our new certification will be ordered.

 

This is a really big deal for us over here at The Hive and I just wanted to share with all of you this awesome news. 

Buy Handmade vol 70

We head to Alabama for this week's installment..

Name: Anna Kerley

Age: 48

Occupation: Wife, Mom, and Mini Maker

Etsy Shop: Little Things by Anna

Tell us a little about yourself.

 

I have 4 children and 2 beautiful granddaughters. We adopted our youngest daughter from China. We took our whole family to China to get her when she was 8 months old. She is 10 years old now and she is the best thing that ever happened to us. I stay busy between taking care of my family, and right now planning a wedding for my 25 year old daughter, and trying to use every spare moment doing the thing I love - making miniatures from polymer clay.

 

 When did you start creating and how long have you been on Etsy?

 

I have been interested in minis for a few years. I started making miniature cakes from clay just for fun and it turned into a passion. I then decided I needed to build a bakery for all of my goodies. I played with clay and created sweets everyday. I posted a few on facebook and all my friends couldn't believe I had made these tiny creations. They all said, "You should sell these!" So I opened my Etsy shop March 21, 2011 with one little cake and to my surprise it sold! I have been going strong ever since.

 

How did you come up with your business name, is there any special meaning behind it?

 

I already had a blog called, "It's The Little Things." I loved that name because most of the time it is the little things in life that make us smile. So when I started my Etsy shop I wanted to call it "Little Things by Anna."

 

Has your Etsy shop become your full time job? If not, would you like it to be?

 

My Etsy shop is my only job along with caring for my children and 3 cute Chihuahuas. I use every spare moment to go to my craft room and create miniatures. Sometimes I am there into the late hours making cakes and cupcakes.

 How would you describe your creative process?

 

I have found that I create best when I wake up and say, "What do I feel like making today?" If I see a picture in my head, a picture on pinterest, or a picture in a magazine I want to try to recreate it in miniature scale. I love to try new things and I am determined to figure it out until I perfect it.

 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

 

I get my inspiration from magazines, pinterest, other artists, and a lot of time from things I do in my own home.

 

Do you also sell your work at craft shows?

 

I have sold my minis only one time at a craft show.

 

What is your most cherished handmade item?

 

My very first bakery filled with my first handmade cakes and sweets. Someone asked if they could buy it from me, but I could never part with it.

 

Apart from creating things, what do you like to do?

 

I like to spend time with my family, I like my little Chihuahuas...they make me happy, I like to watch television, go shopping at craft stores, growing African Violets, and the list could go on. But I do have to say that creating miniatures is something that I will never get tired of and look forward to every moment I have to spend in my craft room. 

 

Was there ever any other job you dreamed of having growing up?

 

No, just being a wife and mom was all I ever dreamed of. Now that I have an Etsy shop creating miniature things I love - that's my dream job.

Five years from now you will be…

making miniatures and selling dollhouses. I want to eventually have a website to sell dollhouses that I make and decorate.

Describe yourself in five words:

 

Perfectionist, creative, organized, giving, having good people skills

 

 Carrying on with the five theme, if I were to turn on your <insert whatever type of music player you use here>, what five artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?

 

If you were to turn on my Ipod right now you would hear Colbie Calliat and The Zac Brown Band.

 

 

Lastly, do you have any advice for anyone thinking about opening their own shop or participating in craft shows?

 

My advice to someone thinking about opening a shop would be to just go for it. Spend time perfecting your product and always remember to be nice to people and do right by everyone. Don't allow yourself to feel pressure to fill your shop. Take your time and only sell the things that are your best work. You want your customers to open that box and think,"This is even better than I thought it would be."

LITTLETHINGSBYANNA