The Peach Tree: June 2008

Sunday, June 29

I'm Alive!!!

Hey everyone!!

(ALIVE....fun freakshow magnet for your fridge or locker from SheCountsCrows)

So I've taken a weeks break after feeling in a rut and needing a change or just some time off, I guess. My heart fell about a hundred feet when I saw that not ONE person had come in to visit today. WOW!! It's kicked me in the butt that last little bit to get back on the horse and back into action!

(Gocco Greetingcard from apak)

I'm feeling entirely rejuvenated and full of a zillion things I want to share :) I hope you all haven't given up hope on me and start trickling back in. I have a LOT to talk about!

1. A new book that I'm reading that was recently as award winning movie (what could it be??)

2. My 1st and 2nd trip to the movie theatre in YEARS (what did she see??)

3. A DELICIOUS treasury edition (will I need to hit the gym after checking it out??)

4. And photographs from NYCs 4th of July fireworks from our roof!! (WooHoo)

So my apologies for any feeling of abandonment and know....

I'M BACK!!

(We Are Alive 1 Inch Pin from KidNintendo)

Saturday, June 28

FEATURED ARTIST of the week PurposeDesign

Purpose Design

1. What do you create?

I make gourmet spice kits and magnetic spice racks. Sometimes I make other homewares, like coasters, clocks, pillows, blackboards, etc.

2. What led you to take up your craft?

Advertising. I was sick of working in advertising (I was an art director and worked in branding and packaging design).

I quit my job and started thinking about what I could do. I came up with the idea for the magnetic spice rack (because I had a very small kitchen), so I designed one, and then redesigned it, and started selling them to local design, kitchen and gift shops and also at craft shows around the holidays. My line grew from there. I'm much happier now, truly. I love working for myself.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?

I love having all my containers of spice before me, sometimes there will be a cookbook involved, or a memory of a recent meal- and I will start making combinations and families of spices that work together. I have about 44 or 45 different types of spice in my studio I think. It always smells good.

4. Which part do you find hardest?

Bookeeping. Bleh.
And cutting metal backboards for my spice racks too- it's hard on my hands.
But mostly bookeeping. No creative types really like math, right?

5. Where do you get your inspiration?

I am inspired by food from all over the world. I am a hardcore foodie and I love to try new types of cuisine, eat out and cook at home for unsuspecting victims. That's why I love making spice kits and selling them- it's a way for people to experiment with cooking, the sweet science. I also inspired by good product design, architecture and interior design.
My kids also inspire me, I have a line in the works of children's toys and decor I hope to have created before they are grown. ha ha.

6. Do you participate in any etsy groups, and if so, which ones?

I don't belong to any. I think I need to create one for people who sell food related items on Etsy.

7. What's one material your shop can't live without?

Spice. For some reason I am constantly running out of cardamom.

8. What is your favorite item that you have purchased off of Etsy?

Ooh, that's a tough one.
I think I would have to say the two tops I bought from Angeldamico's shop.

I loooove her clothing, and check her shop about once a week for new additions.

9. If I could sell one item from my shop today, it would be...

Magnetic coasters from my sale section. They are cute and they need a good home.

10. If I had enough money to pick one item on my wish list from any shop on etsy to buy, it would be...

I totally love this cocktail ring, it's so fabulous.

11. What are the top three favorite items currently listed in your store?

Chai tea kits.

Indian spice kits

Mexican spice kits.

12. What undiscovered artisans would you recommend the world to know?

Not all of these sellers are exactly "undiscovered", but I admire their work because it is unique and has a good aesthetic:

by kali

kelly packer

meanie favreau

duffy london

garnish home

13. What is the best advice you have ever received?

You can't prevent birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building nests in your hair. unknown (via my Mom)

Saturday, June 21

FEATURED ARTIST of the week WhitneySmith

Whitney Smith

1. What do you create?

fabulous pottery!

2. What led you to take up your craft?

Obsession with the medium. I dated a few guys in a row who were potters and I couldn't get over the idea that I needed to give it a try.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?

Throwing. Just throwing on the wheel is one of the most satisfying activities in my life.

4. Which part do you find hardest?

The hardest is juggling wholesale and having to pump out the same thing over and over. It can turn my brain to mush. Finding the time and inspiration to develop new work is challenging and even frustrating when you have people standing in line to buy that one popular item.

5. Where do you get your inspiration?

I don't have time to get picky about it, I find inspiration everywhere I go!

6. Do you participate in any etsy groups, and if so, which ones?

no I don't, but I have my pottery posse here in the Bay Area: Christa Assad, Rae Dunn, Sara Paloma, Sara Kagan, Diana Fayt, Joanna Mendicino, and Mary Mar Keenan. We support each other with all the various challenges and problems potters run into.

7. What's one material your shop can't live without?

Clay! and coffee...

8. What is your favorite item that you have purchased off of Etsy?

hmmm... that's a hard question. I love a pair of silo vases I purchased from Up in the Air Somewhere, I love their simplicity.

And I commissioned some lovely kitchen curtains on alchemy from Katesy, I adore those!

9. If I could sell one item from my shop today, it would be...

my pair of porcelain vases. they are a new design and I love them!

10. If I had enough money to pick one item on my wish list from any shop on etsy to buy, it would be...

the papercut shadowbox from fog and thistle.

11. What are the top three favorite items currently listed in your store?

my yellow poppy bowl,

my green mini sprout,

and my white creamer and sugar set

12. What undiscovered artisans would you recommend the world to know?

He's not undiscovered, but I recommend everyone look at the work of Peter Callesen.

He is amazing. He's so amazing it makes me want to give up clay for paper.

13. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Make what you want to make!

Friday, June 20

Adventures in Collage

The wonderful and amazing Jewels over at the Red Otter Shop, has oh-so-graciously written out a step by step tutorial (no, this is not a guide to a bad 90's sitcom) for a photoshop collection of photos. I've been so down in the dumps posting the same old, repeating the done before, doing what I'm used to posts, that NOW I feel like I can really get creative with my bad self!

I hope you all will giggle and awww over how horrible my preambles are but then, I'm just a rookie :) But, I did want to let you all know that I'm working on the bigger and better.

Rebe - Shop

So, stay tuned for our newest featured artist of the week (you're NOT going to want to miss it!!) and get ready for some new and inspiring activity from The Peach Tree Brooklyn!!