I’ve been wanting to do a vlog (video log for the uninitiated!) for a while and today I’m posting my first one. Yay!
Hope you enjoy. Please post your comments after the video! 🙂
The Grand Opening of The Baker’s Daughter is Saturday, October 30, 2010 on the Southeast corner of 7th Avenue and Dunlap. If the lot is full, you should be able to park at the lot cat-corner – on the northwest corner.
See you there!!!
After a brief commercial interlude that included some bean cooking and hummus making, we are back to the remaining artists I met this weekend at the Sunnyslope Art Walk. If you missed part one – you can click here to read it.
Strangely enough, while both my husband and I are musicians, we didn’t really get the 411 on all the bands that were playing there – mainly because they were playing (not talking). But there was a wide variety of music from artists like Full Moon Jazz, Desert Gumbo, The Beaded Lizards, T-Bone Daily and many more. Now back to THE LIST…
I must begin by apologizing to Madison Hallock because I promised to go in alphabetical order, thus proving my impartiality to the artists introduced. Alas, unbeknownst to me, my nearly-two year old rearranged my notes as I was distracted by my day job (mothering) and dear Madison moved to part two. Of course, now she’s received even more blog space than she would have before, so it’s better for her. Wait. Madison, did you bribe my daughter with yogurt balls or something?
As usual, I digress…
And now…Drumroll please!
Artist No. 5 – Madison Hallock of merMadison.
If you’re thinking, “Hmmm, that kinda looks like a pumpkin.” Well, you’d almost be right. It is a gourd, which is related to the pumpkin but has a lot harder shell. If you shake it, you’ll actually hear seeds inside rattle. Madison dries the gourds, then carves and burns these intricate designs all over them. I was simply taken by their shape and beauty. Of course, at my house, they’d probably briefly become a musical instrument. Right before being smacked on the ground to remove the seeds. by crazy-little-people.
In the background, you can see there’s a gourd decorated with intricate feather designs. It’s amazing that anyone could draw something this detailed on paper, let alone convey their vision to a round object. Madison has a few more incredible looking creations like her apple and cameo gourds and the Koi designs. You can find them on Etsy or become a Facebook fan. There, Madison. Hope I made up for the alphabetical error.
And – on to –
Artist No. 6 – Cathy Manthey of Sophia Maria Designs
These little bits of fabric and color just filled the girlie side of me with joy. Yes. Apparently, I do have a girlie side hidden behind the hiking boots, books filled with big words and gardening gloves. This might explain my recent penchant for pink. Which is fully. Indulged. Here. Check out these DARLING designs.
Regardless… Girls – you know how standing in the kitchen, cooking your life away can just be soooo exhausting, especially when you’ve been going all day and your feet feel like they simply won’t hold you another minute? I’m totally convinced that wearing one of Cathy’s aprons would immediately lighten the load.
Rob – are you listening? Honey?
And, that’s not all. Sophia Marie Designs doesn’t just do aprons, they have the most adorable little magnets you’ve ever seen – with a vintage look. Anyone need some FLAIR?
We all have been given gifts in life. I have been blessed with my share – for which I am truly grateful. But as those of you who know me would doubtless agree, none of those talents are in any way related to handmade art or even simple crafts. My mother was and my four sisters are, actually quite incredible in this area. Somehow, the art gene (non-singing one) skipped me. BooHoo. Here’s the last attempt I made at doing something handmade with my 4 year old. According to the websites I visited, like this one, a very simple project (what-EVER Martha Stewart!). Here’s how ours turned out…
Since I met too many to introduce in a day, this will be a “to be continued” post. I have no financial connection to these artists – they’re just people whose stuff I enjoyed! ***Also, for those of you who are new to blogging and links, you can contact these artists by clicking the underlined titles of their businesses or the underlined items they create. Help contribute to the local economy and spend your money locally!***
So here, without further ado, is the art of some people who are incredibly gifted! Let me introduce – (alphabetically, no favoritism).
Artist No. 1 – Christine Boerner – Genius creator of Chocolate Art, A.K.A. The Baker’s Daughter
Christine grew up under the tutelage of her parents, Karl and Stefanie Boerner, owners of Karl’s bakery. Then she spent several years in Europe becoming a master of her craft. Chocolate lovers everywhere know that good chocolate is, in itself, a work of art. Not only is Christine’s art edible, she uses only the finest quality ingredients to make it. For those of you who are not lovers of chocolate (read: CRAZY people), you can still see the beauty of her work below. She was also recently featured on Channel 10. Currently, you can find her chocolate at Karl’s bakery on 7th Street and Dunlap and she’ll be celebrating the opening of her own store – next door – on October 30.
Artist No. 2 –Kate Rowan Carey, owner of A Blissful Life. In her own words, “purveyor of lovely little treasures for your home and body”. And her creations, which range from darling little cloth flower barrettes to trivets to (my favorite) cloth coffee cuffs, are perfect for adding a bright spot of color to your home. One of the best things about Kate’s work is that it is sustainable in the sense that it is reusable. Having a party and need decoration? Check out one of her cloth banners. Does your daughter (granddaughter?) love playing princess? Do your part to save the planet and buy one of these little cloth crowns instead of the plastic ones.
Artist No. 3 – Purvi Desai, the beauty behind Zaaina Skincare, found at Central Slope, herbal infusions and reclaimed studio
Ms. Desai spent 10 years utilizing her finance degree by working for Fortune 500 companies before taking a decidedly different path. Zaaina Skincare makes products specifically balanced for different skin types, free of nasty stuff like parabens, artificial fragrances, dyes or chemical preservatives. In fact, Zaaina products are made from my favorite things – herbs. Purvi uses essential oils like tea tree and lavender to preserve the products safely and naturally. This also means they smell amazing. The product ingredients are available both on the packages and on the website and there’s not a weird chemical among them. Check out the label on the skincare you’re using and consider a switch to something natural (and locally made!).
Zaaina carries products for men, women and babies. You can visit them on their website www.zaaina.com or become a fan on their facebook page under Zaaina Skincare. You can also find out more about Central Slope at their website or by becoming a fan on their Facebook page.
Artist No. 4 – Robert Lievens of Fallen Wood Turnings
Mr. Lievens does exactly what his business name suggests – finds fallen wood and turns it into works of art. He’s become so known for his work that people often bring wood to him from locales around the nation. We used to frequent the Downtown Phoenix Public Market instead of the Roadrunner Park Farmer’s Market, and Robert would often be there. So fascinated was I by his knack for highlighting the most beautiful aspects of the wood he uses, I would stand and stare at the incredible things he’d crafted out of trees lost to our crazy Arizona storms.
When my younger sister bought her first house, I knew I wanted my gift to her to be something of beauty. I chose a sun catchercreated from wood and pink agate from Robert’s collection. He is also a knowledgeable and friendly person and spent some time showing me some of his photography (multi-talented guy!) on a camera he recommended to me. (As you can tell, I’m in the market for one!)
Robert Lieven’s work includes jewelry, bowls, ornaments, bells and windcatchers. If you are interested in adding a beautiful, touchable piece of art for your home or garden, this is the place to get it.
Stay tuned for more artists tomorrow!
Here’s the video from my visit to ABC’s new show Smart Families. I’ll be posting a list of the snacks I took to the show as well as the recipe for the homemade hummus and almond butter sometime in the next week.
