Ch-ch-ch-changes . . . and a rather long post!

I know, I know, I said the scoop was coming a few days ago, but I had the most opportune moment, one of those take the offer now because you never know when it will present itself again moments.  So, I did just that!  Christian Chapman(watch for the link to Christian's site), who is a fantastic artist and a giant master at Photo Emulsion screen printing, was in his studio burning screens and invited me to come look-see.  I've been messing around with the idea of screen printing for a few years now and did in fact venture out this past fall and silk screened some wonderful pillow covers and seasonal tea towels for our Christmas season here in the shop. But, I've been sitting on some wonderful ideas that would really work only with the photo emulsion screen printing process and have been bugging Christian (through Jean Marshall - thank you Jean) for a look see at the real thing.  I'm very much a visual learner and although I saw a million tutorials on You-Tube and read about it over and over it wasn't until I was able to observe the process first hand that I truly felt I had a  grasp on the concept.  Sooo, I went, I observed, I learned and now I can hardly wait to try it out for real.  I'll let you know how it goes.  

In the meantime, in an earlier post I alluded to some changes around here.  Those of you who know us well know that's not unusual - so here we go again.  If you are like me, a creative artful soul running a creatively artful business,  primarily from your home, you will appreciate the clutter which accumulates and permeates your living space.  Piles and tubs of fabric, wood, paint, wire, you name it, here there and everywhere even though you try and dedicate specific spaces for the production of those creative, artful projects.  I have two gorgeous cats, Baxter & Sam, and my fabric and sewing projects are always a danger to them.  Just one small thread goes astray and it could be a very serious trip to the veterinarian with painfully sad consequences.  I'm extremely careful about cleaning up during and after those projects in particular because of that reality but it's not hard to miss a thread or two.  


So, for that and a whole number of other little reasons, I've made the decision to turn the shop space into my almost full-time workshop space.  I can make and create my stuff there and if need be walk away without worry at the end of the day.  It's a fabulous space and many of you know it very well.  This space will not be open to the public except for the occasional arranged "pick up" or invite.  We will ABSOLUTELY continue to host our annual Winter Open House here in all it's seasonal glory (after cleaning up of course) and then turn it back to workshop space each January.  So, what does that really mean.  Well, the short of it - we will have special event sales but will no longer have regular studio hours except for Christmas.  


You will find the details of our special events and Winter Open House posted here on our blog under the EVENTS tag. Right now you will find us preparing for our Greenhouse sales which will take place in May/June depending upon the weather and mother nature.  It will, of course, be more than just plant sales and we will as always have wonderful handcrafted Home & Garden Goods for you inspiringly arranged just right in and around the garden house - an outdoor shop!


What does that mean right now?  How about a HUGE SPRING CLEAN SHOP SALE! Yup, that's right.  I have been busy cleaning out the barn loft, the garage and every other nook and cranny to prepare my new workshop space and it's all yours for great deals - really great deals.  You will find everything from really great junk to seasonal goodies to fabric to furniture.  What fun!  Put on your scavenging clothes, you might just get a bit grubby from digging through.  For all of the details of the sale check here.


You will also begin to see a page on the blog dedicated to items for sale.  Some for local pick up or delivery and others for shipping.  And, yup, an ETSY shop is in the works.  


We will also continue to be a regular vendor at the Thunder Bay Country Market and the gardens are a huge part of that adventure.  Flowers, flowers and more flowers coming your way.  We hope to have special events that involve the gardens like fresh wreath making that involves you picking your own flowers, grasses and the like and fashioning them into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind wreath or arrangement.  We are always open to suggestions and welcome special requests. 

We're excited about re-exploring our roots and will very much continue to offer you a fix or two from time to time in a special event format.  The one thing that has become really clear over the years is that quality handcrafted goods and growing cut flowers for production requires quality time and lots of it.  This change will allow us to wholeheartedly spend the time we need producing wonderful, unique, quality collectibles for your home, garden & soul.  


I have been and will always be happy to encourage others to explore their creative souls in an authentic, genuine and real way and make choices both in business and in life that are inspired but real - not false or copied and to give credit where credit is due.  All of the photographs, thoughts and ideas posted here are mine unless otherwise noted.  When they aren't, I'll link you up to the original author, photographer or artisan.  You are welcome to share what you find within these walls but please, link back to this blog or give credit, that's the authentic way!