Etcetera- Welcome to Knack

This week has been all about getting everything in tip top shape for Knack's soft opening on October 5th. There is a lot to do......but I am so thankful for Ann, and my husband who have both been a huge help....not to mention....a blessing to be around.My husband designed the invite for the Grand Opening which I will post next week......I absolutely love it..... especially all of the hand drawn pictures and text that he created! JB decide to add a little bit of that goodness to the chalkboard at Knack as well.It is beautiful....and he is so in trouble now that he has given me this taste. You know what they say..."if you give a mouse a cookie".......I need a tall glass of milk.Wink.xo,Barb  

Etcetera- My rad desk and scrumptious new candles

I am so excited about all of the progress that has been made in the showroom over these past two weeks! I know this is not new news for those of you who follow me on facebook and instagram because I am always sharing sneak peeks....but the new check out desk was made by my dad....and then given a little knackalicious flair by yours truly. I absolutely love it....love it! It is perfect for me. The really cool thing about this desk is that we semi recycled a work table that I already had by just adding a front and sides to close it in, and then shelving inside to hold supplies. Wait....it gets even better....we then used all of the scrap wood pieces that I had from previous projects, and this desk project, to create all of the awesome new shelving for the walls! It could not have worked out more perfectly, and I am thankful my dad is such a mathematician when it comes to planning and measuring out projects!Speaking of new shelving......these shelves were built to house product in the new showroom...and one of the first products to be displayed on these shelves are the new soy based patchouli and amber candles! I was first drawn to these candles because of the wood label {I love wood} but then I picked them up and smelled them and it was game over. I am very picky about smells.....these candles smell really good......like "walk by them and get a happy feeling" good. Very clean. I am really excited to have them available at Knack. You may wonder what the cool little boxes next to the candles are? Those are matchboxes.......full of matches to light your new candle with and look great while doing so.I smell progress in the form of fresh wood, polyurethane, and a little patchouli on the side.......it smells really great around here!I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Mine will be full of Indie Craft Parade, my son's first soccer games of the season, and time with friends and family.xo,Barb

Etcetera- Amazing Knives

photographs via Tidal Tools and Leather

I have been meaning to introduce you all to my cousin Neal.......and his knives. They. Are. Fantastic.Neal is first and foremost an American hero who has served on missions both here and abroad in the U.S. Army, and is a decorated soldier. I am so proud. He is up on a giant pedestal for me.....and I wish there were more men like him today. I could go on ...and on.....but he's already going to kill me!Let's talk knives......Neal and I got to talking at a family wedding recently.... and he started telling me that he was wanting to open an Etsy shop: Tidal Tools and Leather to sell the knives that he hand carves and also the hand stitched leather sheaths.....forget about it.....these knives are just super well done and every detail is perfectly executed.  Can you even believe how beautiful these are?I think they are the best I have ever seen.......cousin or not.Hot to trot.xo,Barb

Etcetera- Paper never felt so good

A couple of weeks ago I asked if I could get a sample of the paper that was ordered for my book. I just wanted to touch it.....just a little touch.....tiny touch. {can you tell I'm getting ants in my pants?!}Well......my sweet editor LL, with Chronicle Books , came through for me and I received a little white square of goodness in the mail yesterday.I never knew paper could make me so giddy. It is going to be perfect! Not shiny....but matte......perfect for Knack.xo,Barb

Etcetera

Here are just a few shots I captured of my week at Knack:> No. 11 installed on the new storefront! It looks fantastic, and I love that my new landlord is all about the details. These numbers were handmade by a local artist and craftsman....Ryan Calloway.> ASADA taco truck serving lunch every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 - 1:30 in the Pendleton Street Arts District is a dream come true, and one that I have been pining away for ever since my first visit to Imogen and Willie where I met the lovely Mas Taco.> I finished up and delivered a custom chest for one of my awesome clients who has a beautiful 1 week old little girl, and this is the sneak peek of the fantastic nursery. I will have more for you on Monday :}> I saw a revised version of my book cover! I am really excited about what we landed on.......it is totally not what I thought it would be, but more than I expected it could be due to the smarty pants at Chronicle books! I am so glad to be working with them! EEEEEE!!Have an awesome weekend!xo,Barb

Etcetera- Knack work space progress

Hello, hello! I know that I am so late getting this up today.....but sometimes you just have to go with the flow and do what you can! I have to admit that when I started photographing the work space for this post, I realized how much I still have to do in this space to get it where I want it...but for now though, I am organized, everything has its place, and I can work smoothly and efficiently on all of the projects I have going on in the studio right now. I had two pieces of furniture leave the studio today to go to their homes......and that just feels so great! Much work and progress has been accomplished in this beautiful new space, and I look forward to looking back at these photos in the months to come just to see how it evolves over time and usage.Remember where we started?Well, here we are now! This first photo is of the left side of the work space where I keep all of my paint, stains, glues, rollers, trays, etc. and also my big old filing cabinet that houses catalogs, business cards, stamps, papers and tidbits. The jury is still out as to what to do with the stairs, but if you go out the door there you find yourself on the little brick garden patio....so I would love to do something really inviting and fun on the stairs......but don't want to rush it. More to come on that!.....now we are moving around the room to the center {ish} part of the studio where my most valuable resources are. My fabulous utility sink {hallelujah!!} and all of my paintbrushes and tools that I use on an hourly basis. I tried to set everything up just like you would your kitchen at home.....everything easily accessible and the best use of the space as possible. I have to say I am absolutely loving the storage system from IKEA for all of my paintbrushes! Woot! I also painted and installed the shelves {which were left by the previous tenant} to house all of my crazy bits and pieces.....and then on the left you can see some of my projects awaiting their transformations....all neatly stacked and ready.....last but not least we move into the back corner of the studio. This is the area that will probably evolve the most over time! All of my knobs are here, and I would like to create a "half skirt" of sorts for the table to hide all of the storage underneath but still keep the little mustard chest readily accessible since it houses everything under the sun like tape, rulers, drills, screws, craft knives, you name it...it's in there! BUT....I love this little area even with it's utility boxes and craziness because there is a window here as well and I can look out as I work and see the train as it thunders by. I re used the curtains from two studios ago as they fit perfectly for now.....until I decide I want something different! {wink!}I love this place, and it is definitely starting to feel like home. I cannot get over the natural light in this space from the skylight and the window! All of these photos were shot with all of the lights off and doors closed......too cool! It is the small things my friends!I hope you all enjoyed this little tour of the work area! Have a great weekend!xo,Barb

Etcetera- Delaware and beyond

Well......after 1,373 "ish" driving miles, a funeral, and a birthday ....here I am. Back at it.

I am so thankful that my whole family was able to travel to my uncle's funeral, and am even more thankful for the sweet time that was spent with extended family while we were there. I am overwhelmed with the sweetness and the comfort of just being surrounded by family.... those you love and are loved by.....just as you are...no questions asked.

It is good to be home...but I will treasure the renewed relationships, and the memories that were made.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

Barb

Etcetera

We have reached the end of another very hot summer week. I wish I had gotten more accomplished at the new studio, but it was so nice to have some time to sit back and relax with friends and family for the fourth. My friend Amy brought over these beautiful flowers for me from her garden! Aren't they fantastic?! The super fun red sandals are an early BIRTHDAY treat to myself......oh and the glittery tank is as well! Yippee....the celebrating started early this year! Oh, and I literally lived off of bowls of freezing cold watermelon balls. They are so refreshing, and my new summer staple.I hope to make a major dent in the studio work today! I spent 2 hours cleaning the bathroom on Tuesday! Seriously...I may have gone a bit mister clean on myself but the sparkly beautiful bathroom with its new rug, and towels is so inviting! Today, I will be sweeping, vacuuming, and sealing  the concrete floor and wall in the work space in order to help with dust, and to help keep the floors as clean and easily maintained as possible. i am going to work hard today so that I can enjoy MY BIRTHDAY tomorrow!! woot, woot! I am going to party like it is 2012! ......and for all of you who I know want to ask......the number is 38.Have a great weekend! xo,BarbP.S. did I mention it was my BIRTHDAY tomorrow?