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May 16, 2008
I’m pleased as punch to share that I will be teaching a series of craft workshops this summer with a great shop in Venice, CA (as of June 1st) called Sweetpeas & Snapshots, a vintage inspired crafting emporium run by the incomparable Mary Smilove. You’re invited to join me on June 14th from 11am to 2pm for the ‘Little Laundress Workshop’, a hands-on tutorial reworking the vintage craft of clothespin dolls. I’ve designed this workshop along with a beautiful class kit containing all of the materials you’ll need to create four dolls - from their wooden frames to their painted features, including new and vintage materials & notions for the perfect outfits.
This class is open to participants ages eight and up - so if you have an older crafty kid with the attention span for a three hour project, this could be a great way to enjoy a Saturday together. Now don’t let this scare you grown-ups off - I promise this is not daycare disguised as a craft class! You’ll be surrounded by gorgeous materials in a fun atmosphere and encouraged to create a quartet of dollies as simple or elaborate as you please.
The workshop is limited to fourteen so you’re encouraged to register quickly! Class fees are $65. per person or save by bringing a friend (or a kid or a grandkid!) - only $110. when you register two people. Call the Sweetpeas & Snapshots shop at 310-479-2444 to register.
Please note that the images above are examples of clothespin dolls shown to spark your imagination. However we want to note that they were created by artists who are not affiliated with Sweetpeas & Snapshots or this workshop. The first two photographs depict dolls created by the amazing Lolliop Workshop where you can purchase completed dolls and the bottom photograph depicts dolls created by Alicia Paulson of Posie where she sells her own clothespin dollmaking kits.
May 1, 2008
An invitation to Southern California readers to join us this Sunday at Patchwork, the premier indie arts & crafts festival in the OC! Please see details below the image.
SHOP: Over 60 local vendors featuring handmade goods for you, your family & your home
EAT & DRINK: Memphis, the Gypsy Den and the Crosby will be serving up barbeque, veggie delights and libations
LISTEN: Evocal, Kuci and Crew DJ will dish out live music
CHECK OUT THE MAP: It’s right off the 5 and it’s a Sunday so if you’re headed down from LA (only 30 miles!) or up from San Diego there should be very little traffic! If you’re coming in from out of town it’ll be a fun all day event and there’s lot’s to do around the area including: the Bowers Museum, the beach, the Discovery Science Center, the best antique stores in downtown orange, art galleries bars & restaurants in downtown Santa Ana
PATCHWORK SHOW
www.patchworkshow.com
2202 1/2 North Main Street
Santa Ana, Ca 92706
714.836.8727
May 4th - 11-5pm
hello@patchworkshow.com
April 25, 2008
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a kid in a cape!
We’re thrilled to welcome Little Hero Capes to Mahar Drygoods. These gorgeous capes have been masterminded by Philadelphia based designer and super-mom Allison Faunce. What began as a simple project to upgrade her three-year-old from a dishtowel cape to something more befitting a superhero has developed into the creation of a tool empowering kids around the globe to tap into their imaginations.
Each Little Hero Cape is meticulously handcrafted in aerodynamic satin, features a snap closure for quick take-offs and boasts a flip-up collar guaranteed to create intrigue. Choose from two sizes and three symbols to adorn the back of your cape which is available in five saturated color combinations. You’ll find all of capes in our clothing department. Once you’ve selected your custom options Allison will make your cape to order and ship it directly to you, so please allow approximately two weeks for delivery. USPS Express shipping is not available for this item.
March 23, 2008
March 20, 2008
We heart Cookie Magazine for many reasons. It really is a beautiful periodical with smart features and we always benefit from the research they invest in products. And we heart Cookie for being SO supportive of Mahar Drygoods and our artists. This month our Alphabet Magnets by MyMimi are included in their shopping feature Cookie Dough offering readers a 20% discount on this item. To obtain the promotional code either pick up a copy of Cookie at your newsstand or register on their site, click on the Gear & Shopping button beneath the masthead and look for the Cookie Dough link in the left-hand column.
March 17, 2008
The sun is shining over at our favorite indie online quartley Small with their most recent issue decked out in it’s spring finest. We look forward to each new edition as editors Christine Visneau and Olivia Pintos-Lopez curate stunning independent children’s design with beautifully photographed fashion spreads, book reviews, commissioned artwork and smart selections of clothing, toys and decor in an aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly (paper-free) way. And subscriptions are free! Sign up here.
March 1, 2008
We’re very pleased to introduce you to a new online quarterly kid’s magazine envisioned and realized by Australian mother and editor Jenny Lacey. The magazine had a soft release right before the 2008 winter holidays, but the second issue has just been published and, in our minds, should be heralded with trumpets and fireworks. Featuring a gorgeous product selection, parent profiles, book reviews and holiday spreads LMNOP exhibits, dare we say, some of the design savvy we loved (and now miss) in defunct Martha Stewart Kids. And given that subscriptions are free, there is no excuse for not going directly to the LMNOP site to sign-up and download the current issue.
February 16, 2008
We adore the mother-daughter team of Tere and Bethany Jensen whose products are a tribute to their Nanny and her apron booth at the O.L.S.H. Church Bazaar. From their home base in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California (sounds lovely, doesn’t it?), they create their line of clothing, toys and decor from new and vintage fabrics, rick-rack and buttons. The craftsmanship is beautiful and thoughtful, right down to the “you are smart” message label sewn inside the front of each pinafore style apron. You’ll find their one-of-a-kind aprons in our Clothing Department and their fabulous pennant garlands amongst our Party Decorations. Read more about the inner workings of m.o.m. on their blog 42nd and Orange. Thank you to both Tere and Bethany for taking the time to share a little of their lives and work!
1. Were you interested in arts and crafts as a kid? What’s the first thing you remember creating?
Tere - Yes. My first memories of creativity were embroidery and sewing clothes for my dolls.
Bethany - Sure. I don’t remember any one thing I made, but I recall drawing and embroidery.
2. Tell us about your home life.
Tere - I’ve lived in various parts of San Diego my whole life. I come from a family of five kids; before my mother married she was a nun. My kids are Bethany and Jessica.
Bethany - My sister is 12 years younger than me. My dog is named Stella. I have lived in Los Angeles, Oakland and now I’m back in San Diego, Cardiff-by-the-Sea specifically.
3. When and where do you craft/create/design?
Tere - My living room is our studio, two worktables and lots of fabric.
Bethany - My mother’s home is m.o.m headquarters (how appropriate). We have learned to be pretty organized in such a small space. Both my mother and I also work for my uncle 4 days a week (yep, she and I cannot get a way from each other) at his physical therapy equipment company. Mom deals with logistics and I work the tradeshows.
4. Did you collect anything as a kid? Do you collect anything now as an adult?
Tere - I didn’t as a kid, so I am making up for it now…Fiesta ware, jelly-jar glasses, paint-by-numbers to name a few.
Bethany - My memory of this kind of stuff begins around 12; that’s when I started collecting old black and white photos of family. That’s probably when the photography bug bit me.
5. What were your favorite toy and your favorite book when you were a kid?
Tere - I had a homemade skateboard that I really liked - I think I made it with my dad; and a Golden Book, I believe it was called Santa’s Workshop.
Bethany - Two favorite toys, a big bear called Nertchal (no one knows where I got the name) and a small koala bear called Harriet. These two went everywhere with me.
6. Who encourages you in your artistic pursuits? Who or what inspires you to continue creating?
Tere - My daughters, on both counts and I am also inspired by the original Spike Jones, the amazing John Galliano and the endearing Julia Child.
Bethany - I am encouraged by my partner and mother Tere, as well as my sister and close friends who know how much making m.o.m a success means to me. So many people inspire me - family for sure and I am continuously blown away by what is out there in the art/craft/design blog world.
Below are a few images from m.o.m’s Flickr sets showing snapshots of their studio, collections and craft shows. The largest image depicts a studio wall covered in print-outs of the 350 or so one-of-a-kind nanny’s aprons Tere has crafted over the years.
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