The Makery was created by three sisters as a way for North Carolinians to discover and buy local, handmade goods. We’ve upgraded. Visit our new web home.

Up all night working to get ready for launch tomorrow. Wait, is that the season premiere of the Office?

Yesterday I raced to Lonerider to pick up our little keg of Shotgun Betty before they closed at six. True to form, I pulled up at 6:01. They were still happy to help.

I was on my way from The Wine Feed, a very unique Raleigh wine retailer. They have a beautiful space off of Glenwood Avenue, and wow, I could spend an hour or more on their online shop. They have a ‘Wine Finder‘ that shows the different characteristics and types of wine, price, and displays the stories behind their vino. You can also sort by country or the type of food you plan on pairing it with. I’m in love…

Did I mention we’re having a giveaway? We have these North Carolina mixes from our Kickstarter campaign for two lucky winners:

And a giant cutout of North Carolina. It’s going to be good.

Hope to see you there.

My ‘booth’ for Centerfest

Happy Bull City

More on the  process from Joel, CEO of Bound:

“Each journal is hand-made to order, no mass produced identical journals in a warehouse.  Your journal doesn’t even exist until you create it.  For the Original journal we use linen cloth, wrapped around cardboard to create the exterior cover.  The paper is 100% post-consumer recycled, and acid free.

Every one is made here in Durham, NC.”

 So, you totally want one, right? Great. We’re here for you.

Details:

Get qualified by liking The Makery AND Bound Custom Journals on Facebook  OR follow us both on Twitter.

Want to increase your chances?

Get 2 entries by sharing our giveaway photo on Facebook OR Twitter. Be sure to mention The Makery, so we know you did it! 

Really want that journal? Here’s a simple way to clinch it.

Get 5 entries by getting a friend to request their invitation to The Makery at www.themakeryproject.com  and subscribe to the bound blog at blog.boundforanything.com. Facebook us, tweet at us, or send a carrier pigeon to let us know you’re qualified for 5.

This post is a little late, but we’ve been busy getting ready for launch, and all!

So, after a great trip to Charlotte last Thursday, I headed to downtown Raleigh to check out First Friday. My first stop was an event at Kindred Raleigh Boutique.  I saw some wonderful local food and jewelry (and kick ass bowties) made by NC artisans. And I got a Kindred temporary tattoo…which I begrudgingly had to wash off the next day. It was pretty cool.

Kindred is a shop coming to downtown Raleigh that will incubate emerging North Carolina artisans through mentorship and a boutique. It’s the latest project from craft maven Michelle Smith and Entredot. I love what they’re doing, and I’m always inspired by seeing the projects Michelle takes on. She has a huge amount of knowledge and respect for both the art and business of selling handmade, and wants to help emerging designers and craftsmen perfect their trade.

Pillow envy

Oh, and I spotted Walk [Your City] while I was out, walkin’ the city.

]]> http://kristaanne.com/2012/09/14/visit-to-kindred-on-first-friday-in-raleigh/feed/ 0 makerync Kindred party photo (40) photo (39) themakery_kristaanne http://kristaanne.com/2012/09/13/busy-weekend-handmade-business-around-north-carolina/ http://kristaanne.com/2012/09/13/busy-weekend-handmade-business-around-north-carolina/#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:58:51 +0000 makerync http://makeitnc.wordpress.com/?p=1364 ]]> So, last Thursday I was supposed to attend the DNC by invitation of our excellent lawyer Houston Barnes. But you’ve already heard the story: the location move, no space for most credentials, etc. I had already made quite a few meetings on Friday to round out my time in the Queen City. So I decided to drive down just for the morning. I am so glad that I did!

It seems as though outsiders mostly know Charlotte for banks and business. But Charlotte has a growing and thriving arts scene with exciting initiatives and neat organizations doing great work. The area in and around North Davidson Street, or NoDa, is the historic arts district. I met with Kate and Lauren from NoDaRioty, which runs an all arts market in the area. It also hosts events, studio tours, and mural projects. The ladies were full of advice on how The Makery can best serve artists and reach out the the NC community of art lovers.

I also met with Sarah of Crown Town Handmade and maker/blogger at Stitch Machine. Crown Town Handmade has built an impressive, collaborative community where members share business advice and expertise, promote one another, and throw some pretty awesome handmade events in the city. Their inaugural craft show is now accepting applications, by the way, so check it out.

And to top off the day, I met with one of our jewelry makers, and got to drool over necklaces while relaxing at Amèlies.

Did I miss anything in Charlotte? Always looking for more ways to connect outside of the Triangle. Next stop: Wilmington.

We started The Makery because we think there should be an easier way for people to find and buy the stuff they want, while supporting their local community at the same time. We’re taking the search out of buying handmade, and making it easier than ever to connect with local artisans and craftsmen. And we’re providing a new venue for artists to ‘get their name out there,’ taking away some of the risks and challenges associated with selling their craft.

Launching The Makery means there’s still a lot of work to be done. Over the next few weeks we will be putting our service to the test, making tweaks and improvements, and trying new things. We’re inviting a select number of tastemakers, shoppers, passionate North Carolinians, and handmade lovers to be founding members of our community. If you haven’t already, request your invitation now. 

And, come celebrate with us! We’re having a party at Mercury Studio on September 21st. We’d love to meet you, show off some of the amazing designers we’ve met, and party hardy. RSVP on Facebook here.

I’ve been a few steps removed from the Makery this past month because I have been preparing for the arrival of a very special delivery….

Baby is due to arrive in a matter of days and I’ve been busy nesting- sewing, painting, cleaning etc. This event has required that I take a step back from my Makery responsibilities for a few months as my husband and I prepare and welcome our first little one into the world. Sarah Rose and Krista Anne (and Whitney and Molly) have been fantastic in supporting my need to take a few months away from the Makery- so thank you ladies! And rest assured that I will be back as soon as I can.

DIY Painting Nursery Walls with Lazure Painting Technique 

I want to share one of the fun nesting projects that my mom and I completed in the nursery. There is a lot to say about the technique of Lazure painting, but I am no expert. If you are interested in learning more about it I’d direct you to good ole’ google or Daniel Kerr-Wilsons site has good basic info.

My mom was the one who taught me the technique- and having someone walk you through the steps in person is invaluable. But I will do my best to give you the run down in case you want to give it a try.

The technique gives a soft almost watercolor-like appearance. We kept the colors simple (just using yellow and red) and were able to create a wide range of hues without getting too complicated with colors choices. It is a slow and steady process as the color is applied very thinly in multiple layers, but the results give any room a warmth and liveliness that is not matched by other techniques.

Supplies:

Matte Medium

Acrylic paint

Water

2 Large Natural Bristle Brushes (around 6″ wide and 2″ thick)

Buckets for paint

Rags for clean-up

At least one friend to help

How To:

Disclaimer: Again, I am not an expert! This is a technique that is taken very seriously by some and there are a few different ways to mix the pigments to get the desired effect. The version I will describe here is a simple layman’s version.

1. Mix your pigment. Using 14 parts water, 1 part matte medium and a dime size blob of your acrylic color to begin. Mix very well as the color has a tendency to fall to the bottom of the bucket. The color of the water will be very pale and milky. Below is my mom mixing up the yellow.

2. Paint. Begin with white walls for best results. You’ll keep one brush as your “wet brush” and one as your “dry brush” Begin by using your wet brush to apply the paint solution in large figure-8 motions onto the wall. As the paint tends to drip a bit, it is best to start up high and work down the wall. Wait a minute or so and then follow up with the same motion using the dr brush. This is when it is helpful to have another person working with you so you don’t have to switch from brush to brush and you can continue the “flow” a little easier (although it can be done with one person).

3. After you have completed one layer of paint you begin again once the wall has dried. With proceeding layers you can mix your paint stronger (Round 2- 10 parts water, 1 part matte medium, dime blob of acrylic paint, Round 3- 8 parts water, 1 part matte medium, dime blob acrylic paint etc). It can be a slow process, but the layers are what creates the soft feel and what gives Lazuring it’s unique look. I would guess that my mom and I did around 8-10 layers of paint for the room pictured below.

Our results:

(You can click on the photos for a closer look)

What do you think? It doesn’t work in every room but the technique is great in spaces where you want to create some living color and warmth. I’m pleased with the results and can’t wait to bring our little bundle of joy into this cozy room.

That’s all from me for now.  I’ll be back as soon as this little one arrives and I get a handle on motherhood.

This is the second in a series of posts on artists with a special relationship – sisterhood!

She probably doesn’t know this, but as soon as we got back to North Carolina and started researching designers in the state, we stumbled on Oami Power‘s clothing line, Judah Ross. We fell in love with the lines and patterns and colors and of her work. And when we found the fantastic blog she created with her twin sister, we knew we had found a kindred spirit.

We interviewed Oami to find out more about her inspiration, her craft, and her relationship with her sister, Ruscha.

Rucha, her son Royal and Oami in Oakland, CA

The Makery: Could you tell us a little about your life as an artist? How did you come to create Judah Ross?

Oami: My mom taught me to sew when I was small, and I started making clothes as well as re-working vintage when I was in high school. My dad actually hoped I would become a costume designer. I wanted to be a painter! I took as many fine art classes as I could and even completed a semester at CCA in Oakland. Eventually I gravitated back to making clothing. I get an incredible amount of satisfaction from producing products which will be used everyday, and which make women feel beautiful.The painter in me comes out in the choice of fabrics, and of course my custom & hand dyed textiles. 

I started Judah Ross when I moved with my husband to Raleigh. I’d had a line before with a friend of mine and missed designing and having my own business. 

Oami and models at 2012 Redress Raleigh show

What has it been like for you to be a sister? What was life like growing up together?

My sister and I are fraternal twins. We were born in Berkeley, California about a block away from an area called the Gourmet Ghetto where Alice Waters’ restaurant Chez Panisse & the original Peet’s Coffee are.

Little East Twin, West Twins

Between them it seemed like our parents could make just about anything, and our house was filled with beautiful things they collected: antique textiles, my mom’s collection of weird and wonderful folk dolls, lots of records and books. We didn’t have a t.v. until we were about 7 or 8; our dad read to us every night. Later we moved to New Zealand, where most of our mom’s family lived.

We had a lot of freedom growing up, it was up to us to entertain ourselves. We basically did everything together. I was super shy and my sister was super outgoing so she was the leader during our adventures running around the neighborhood. She was the girly girl and I was the tomboy, so it’s funny that I’m the one who ended up as a designer. In high school our crew of girl friends were at our house all the time, we shared clothes and one of our friends even moved in with us for awhile. Since college we’ve rarely lived in the same city, which has been tough, but we talk on the phone regularly and visit when we can. 

Has your sister had any part in your artistic life – as a collaborator, feedback-giver, or inspiration?  

Rucha has always been super supportive. She’s busy raising three kids but she makes time to talk to me through tricky situations with the business and I really value her savvy. Plus she’s an incredible sales person. She can work a trunk show changing room like no one else!

 Sister Ruscha modeling Inca dress from Spring 2012

If you could work with your sister on a fantasy project, what would it be?

We’ve been working on our first creative collaboration for a couple of years now; a joint blog where she shows off her incredible writing chops and I try to keep up by being funny & posting pretty pictures. If I could have my way she & her family would move out here and she’d come to work with me on the business. But failing that, I’d really love to have her make some needle felted kids toys for my online shop.  

Read our last post with Whitney of Freshly Given, and check back next Wednesday for our interview with Laura Tamea.

So, we’re excited to say Whitney has joined the Makery team. And, guess what? She’s one of three sisters too.

Whitney, Nicole, and Karla

Whitney says, “When I first heard about The Makery, I said to myself ‘I’d love to work with those sisters.’ When asked to come on board, it was a near out-of-body experience. I’ll put it this way, working with the sisters doesn’t feel like work at all.”

We feel the same way!

We interviewed Whitney on her life as an artist and a sister:

1. Could you tell us a little about yourself and your life as an artist? How did you come to create Freshly Given?

I have always been a Math/Science type of girl. I leaned more towards chemistry in school and crafts at home. I really liked repurposing things but just couldn’t figure out how it ‘fit’ in life. So naturally I entered Duke with the idea that I would continue on a technical track with hopes of landing a great paying job. I successfully completed my undergrad with a B.S. (no pun intended) in Computer Science then a year or two of odd jobs, and finally I decided enough was enough. My husband sat me down and challenged me to type out my sincerest interests in under 60 seconds. And WHOA, everything pointed to Art, Design, Fashion, and Creative Problem-solving. I started a blog the same week and named it Freshly Given.

2. We have our own experience, but what has it been like for you to be a sister? What was life like growing up together?

I have many sisters, no boys in my house except for my dad. He WAS ‘The Man’.  We all get along so well it’s probably weird for others. Just watching us, one would think we interact like over-active adults getting back in touch with childhood.

Having sisters has allowed me the freedom to create. My sister Karla always knew she was an artist and stuck with her vision. She is one of the most successful and thriving people I know. Hands down. Though younger than me I look up to her. There’s a lot to be said of a 20 some thing whos purpose and passion go hand in hand PLUS she isn’t afraid to say it. My older sister, Nicole, has big ideas and knows no bounds. I’m like that too, and I love that we can both chat about the places we are going to go in this big world. She’s also so well in touch with people and their needs. So growing up I always knew she’d help me with no questions asked. I admire that in her.

My sisters balance me well; we can always get together and have a good time. Where ever we are there’s a party. No invite necessary.

3. Has your sister had any part in your artistic life – as a collaborator, feedback-giver, or inspiration?

Both of my sisters have played a role, sometimes unsolicited, but that’s what sisters are for. Nicole is the oldest and wiser about making decisions. Her perspective is so valuable in that she helps me to focus. Plus she’ll be the first to tell me when somethings ugly. And I need that. Karla, on the other hand, has been in the creative world for some time, she helps to flush out my inspiration from an idea to reality. We get a bit hyper about good design, often throwing around “that’s dope!.”

4. If you could work with your sister on a fantasy project, what would it be?

To design a line of funky album covers and a collection of high-waisted pencil skirts. My goodness, that would be niiiice!

5. With your sisters help, where do you see Freshly Given going from here?

Freshly Given has the potential to be a breakout line of accessories for the smart woman. I’m a nerd and I like to see other nerdy conscience women dress well. With the help of my sisters I plan to create another collection and presenting it to more buyers along the east coast. This is beyond an arts and crafts project. I am concentrating on making Freshly Given great and sharing my love for creativity with all who will listen.

This is the first in a series of posts on artists and sisters! Check back for interview with Oami Powers.