FYI: Love is in the air

love totes by annie koelle

" I got lucky" and "I want you" banners by mollie greene

heart matchboxes

vases for fresh flowers

February is the month where much time is focused on hearts, flowers, chocolate, and .......LOVE.These are just a few gifts that Knack thinks will be perfect for loving and giving!xo,Barb

FYI: Valentine banners about being lucky in love

I spent the whole day yesterday shifting the studio around.... and one of my interns this semester, Emily......was a champ and such a huge help to me. I found out that she has a great eye for color and display...and we had a ball! We completely turned the shop on its ear and ended up with some really cool displays!One of my favorite new things in the shop are these super sweet banners made by my friend Mollie Greene of Royal Buffet. There are only 5 in the shop so you better act fast if you want one!xo,Barb

FYI: The Makers Summit by Indie Craft Parade...and a ticket giveaway!

I am sure some of you have heard about The Makers Summit coming up on February 2 right here in Greenville, SC? The Makers Summit, is being produced and hosted by my friends at Indie Craft Parade. I am really excited about getting to hang out with other makers and independent business owners, listening to panel discussions, learning new things, eating food by local chefs, and lots of making and chatting with friends! What more could you ask for in an event? Here is a little bit more info:"You're invited to join us for The Makers Summit, a one-day business conference for the creative community, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in Greenville, SC. Tickets are $100, and include breakfast, lunch, and private consultations with industry experts.Designed to help artists and creatives found and run successful businesses, attendees will hear practical advice from industry experts, including keynote speakers from Etsy and Spoonflower. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in collective discussions. A variety of topics will be covered throughout the day including marketing, establishing a business identity, and expanding your market. Other speakers who will participate in the event include Grace Kang of Retail Recipes, Justin Gammon of Brains on Fire, Amy Flurry of Recipe for Press, and Amy Ellis of MailChimp.After the conference, you’re invited to join us for the after-party, The Best Craft Party Ever. Enjoy a full gourmet dinner provided by some of our favorite local chefs while you create and mingle with experts and peers alike. Project stations and supplies will be provided. The craft party begins at 7 p.m., and is separate from The Makers Summit conference. Tickets for the party are $50. It's the perfect date or night out with friends!"I am so very excited that my dear friend Grace Kang is one of the key note speakers! Grace is a beautiful, super smart, amazing woman that I had the pleasure of "running into" about 5 years ago.....I talk about it a bit in this post......but, that divine encounter changed the course of my creative endeavors and sparked a bond and a friendship that I am blessed by and super thankful for. Grace is so inspirational.... and with her experience as a buyer, shop owner, and retail coach  you will be sure to learn much from her marketing savvy and success in the industry. I am also excited about finally getting to show Grace around our wonderful town! Grace and I have talked about a trip like this since we met....and it is finally happening! Grace will see MY shop....and what she helped inspire and motivate me to do....I am so excited....and just a little bit sweaty at the same time! :}This event is not to be missed, and it may just be that motivational and intentional move you need to take your business to the place you want it to be! I would like to make this event happen for one person....and Indie Craft Parade has generously offered to give away one ticket to the conference! I'm talking conference....AND the craft party!! I'm dead serious.....just leave me a comment here about why you would like to attend this event, and one thing you hope to learn from it. I will pick a winner on Friday!xo,Barb

FYI: If you want that awesome beach hair.....read on.....

I am really skeptical when it comes to hair products.....{this is really funny because hair used to be my industry!}......but even "back in the day" when I was selling product to clients, I always wanted to make sure that the product was really going to deliver results for them at home....not just when I was doing their hair in the shop. So, I really put products to the test and developed my favorites amongst many others that were a bunch of hype, and a waste of money.Today, I want to tell you about a new product that I started using on my hair around Christmas time. I have put it to the test....and it has passed with flying colors! I LOVE it....and it does what it says it does. It is Paul Mitchell wild ginger texturizing sea spray.I know that part of the reason this ginger sea spray works so great for me is the fact that I have a really, really good cut {thanks Melody Carter!} and I also have a lot of natural curl. I use this product a bit unconventionally {imagine that? Me? Bending the rules? Never Always.} and even though the instructions call for using it with damp hair...I actually use it on my hair when it is dry, and then I run my hands through my hair and shake it like crazy....and then I throw in a few scrunches while I'm at it ! I would not say that this product gives volume......but it does give texture.....and it is soft....and smells fantastic.Have I won you over yet? I think you should try it, especially if you have wave in your hair.....a razor cut with lots of texture......and/or short textured bangs.Just fyi.....{I was paid nothing....nada....tostada....... to write this post, and did not receive any compensation by way of advertisement or product for writing this post! This review is based purely on my personal choice and experience.}xo,Barb  

FYI: Two of my favorite girls were born on this day.......

Today is a super special day because it is the birthday of two very special people in my life.....my daughter, Brynn....and my sister, Sarah. I remember when it came time to schedule the C-section for my daughter to be born, and I had a couple dates to choose from.....one being my sisters birthday....and my sister graciously agreed to share her birthday with Brynn.I can't believe that my youngest child turns 14 today....where has the time gone? She is so beautiful it hurts.....her heart is so big.....her singing starts at the crack of dawn every day and never stops, her joy is infectious, her love of animals is precious, her spirit is strong, she never meets a stranger, and she never holds back. I was so touched when I picked her up from her school trip last week, and she came running off the bus yelling "MOMMY!" and ran over to me for the biggest hug. I am so glad that she is not "to cool" to show affection in front of her peers....and the fact that in that moment she just loved with reckless abandon......like she always does. I love this kid.....forever. Happiest of birthdays to you my child.......can't wait to celebrate you today!......and then there is my baby sister, Sarah. I talk about her here sometimes because she has a wonderful little shop called Cranny, where she makes the prettiest things.......but more importantly because I love her so much and am so proud of her. If you do not read her blog you should start.....her photography and words are so achingly beautiful it will make you want to be a better person. The way she captures her precious boys {my fantastic nephews}, the way she chooses to live her life more abundantly, the love for her husband, the love of being a mom, being completely devoted to her children and family, her gorgeous handwriting.....my sister is an inspiration to me. I love you "Sakes" and hope you have a super special day! I wish we could be together today........xo,Barb

FYI: Shop News

I took this picture of the shop a couple weeks ago....and I just love the way it looks with the greenery! I had to share......Also......for those of you who haven't already seen "IT" on Facebook or Instagram......the personal copies of my book "Furniture Makeovers" arrived...and...... I took the liberty to snap "a couple" shots of them on every surface imaginable in the shop! :} I can't wait for promotion and all of the fun stuff  that will start very soon now in the new year! I am so excited!....and speaking of the shop........we will have regular hours starting in the new year! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday Knack will be open from 9 am - 2 pm! Knack will also be open the first Friday night and Saturday of every month. Friday night hours will be 6-9 pm and then Saturday 11-3!Just a little fyi.....heads up.xo,Barb

FYI: New Pillows in the shop

I just got a brand new shipment of pillows in at Knack! I am so excited about the prints and designs on these fantastic pillows.....and they are handmade here in the USA by a mother and son design team! I really love that!Knack will be open this Friday night December 7th from 6-9 pm .....stop by if you would like to scoop up a couple pillows.....or revolver bottle openers.....or coasters, furniture, tea towels, ornaments, candles......you get the picture!If you are not local and can not visit the shop, please email me barb@knackstudios.com for shipping information!{Pillows are 15 x 15 burlap, zipper closure, removable poly insert and are 49.00 ea}xo,Barb 

FYI: The Knack shop

I have had to set up and style my work and product for specific events in the past, and for my booth at Antiques on Augusta.....but this is my very first time to have an actual showroom and shop that stays set up all the time. If I am being honest.....it was a bit overwhelming for me in the beginning because it was such a large space and I struggled with how to make it look full without making it look cluttered. This is my constant vice...I love things cleanI spent yesterday in the shop taking everything off the shelves and completely rearranging everything. It felt so good to change everything up and even though these photos are not finished yet......it is a great start to the goodness!These sets are a work in progress as I am getting geared up for this weekend!  Indie Craft Parade is hosting their Holiday Fair right here in West Greenville and I can't wait!xo,Barb