Thursday, August 28, 2008

Windjammer Weekend


Former Harbor Master and Scooner 'bum', Annie Higbee has organized the Windjammer Weekend in Camden Maine for 14 years. The event is being held this weekend Aug 29-31st and promises activities and entertainment for all ages . Check out their website for a full list of events which include talent shows, lobster crate races, a harbor dog show, lots of demos and a build a boat contest. And of course a gorgeous fleet of windjammers will fill the harbor including the Stephen Taber (pictured above) - the oldest registered sailing vessel in the US which still operates cruises.

We were fortunate enough to stumble upon the event last year - the talent show is a hoot! It's a really great hometown, relaxed atmosphere and if you are in the area or can be, I highly recommend it.

Here's a short video covering last years event:

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Park It Here



Another beautiful day here. A great excuse to get out and take some product photos at nearby Ikea Park in Brooklyn.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

WIP for MAD



No anger issues here. Just churning out some wonderful '2' bags for the Museum of Art and Design. The museum has moved to 2 Columbus Circle and will re-open in September. I'm lovin' the statement these bags will make when displayed in multiples.

A must see is the upcoming exhibit: Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary - on display from September 27, 2008 - February 15, 2009
The exhibition features work by 50 international established and emerging artists from all five continents who create objects and installations comprised of ordinary and everyday manufactured articles, most originally made for another functional purpose.

Right up my alley.

More about the exhibit here
More about 2 Columbus Circle in a NYT interactive slide presentation here

Monday, August 25, 2008

Let's Talk



Poppytalk Handmade is an online marketplace that changes over monthly according to theme. This months the market is 'School Days' runs from Aug 11th - Sept 5. (OK, so mark me as tardy, but I have a good excuse!)

Anyway - check 'em out - lots of great vintage finds and paper goods. I'm a sucker for globes and here's one from White Elephant with a great stand.



And another from katie runnels:

And here's one more from deadbird finds:


While you're there sign up for their magazine style newsletter here (scroll down a bit and look on the left to sign up). It's a treat in your inbox with lovely finds and a manageable 'craft' project.
Mondays are a little tough but receiving the newsletter gets me off to a great start. Thanks Poppytalk!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hanging Out


Been admiring these ceramic boat cleats from fellow Brooklynite Debbie Delong from DeLong Ceramics for some time now. They are simply lovely and of course I am partial to the nautical theme. She also creates a beautiful series of Flora and Fauna tiles. Nice.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Grin and Bear It


Enjoy these Brooklyn boys aka Grizzly Bear and their lovely little sunset sea song for today.
More about the group here.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Between the Cracks


Seem to have slipped between the cracks and gone off grid last week - somewhat unintentionally and definitely uncomfortably.

It was our vacation, but I thought a little work (ok, maybe a lot) wouldn't hurt. The kids are older and won't need my attention as much which will equal a little more free time. I saw it as a good opportunity to install and learn quick books (I know - what a geek!) and enter a bursting folders worth of receipts. Seemed harmless enough. I also brought a rubbermaid container full of stock and mailing materials so I wouldn't have to close shop completely.

Enter the vacation gods - limited internet access and no cell phone service and fog and rain in the forecast for days on end. When I did get cell phone service, it was only to discover that in the haste of switching carriers, my account was wiped out before I had a chance to listen to waiting voice mails or sync up all my stored numbers. The gods tried, but I persisted - I'll check emails only once a day. But doing it that way gave me no time to actually respond/react to emails as quickly and thoroughly as I usually do because rain + kids = mommy time.

Quick books got installed but not before 4 or 5 days of procrastinating - or was that vacationing? - I don't know because there was a nagging feeling of not being productive (isn't that one of the goals of a relaxing vacation?) I was officially caught in no mans land - somewhere between working and vacationing but not doing either with any flair or success.

I (kind of) got it towards the middle of last week when I let go of my own work expectations and the guilt that closely follows for under performing and actually had fun with the family spontaneously running to the beach when the clouds temporarily parted to let the sun peek down and burn off the ever present fog. That's it really: taking advantage of an opportunity and dropping everything to run away into the sunshine for a brief moment. In this age of 24/7 access and being the sole proprietor, it's hard to turn if off - but it's also a necessity. At least to press the pause button on it all.

I'm back at home now. Kicking myself for lost opportunities to spend time with family and friends and hike the beautiful Maine coast. Forgiving myself and most importantly vowing to NEVER take a work on vacation again.

Friday, August 8, 2008

8, eight, VIII



8/8/08 : It's a pretty special day around here.
Wrote about the significance of the number 8 here.
Recap: Eight - The word for "eight" in Chinese sounds similar to the word which means "prosper" or "wealth." In regional dialects the words for "eight" and "fortune" are also similar. It represents good luck.

Reiter8 (re-it-er-ate), my company's name was chosen to reflect the recycling element and I loved it because I could incorporate the number 8 into it - which I felt was catchy. At my first outdoor market, someone informed me about how lucky they number 8 was in Asian cultures. After that, I knew the name was a keeper.

Recently listed two 8 totes on Etsy. Check 'em out here and here.
Enjoy the day. Enjoy the possibilities.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Reassurance


The new space is amazing.
People are fantastic.
A few major mishaps (small fire and burglary) but everyone is fine.
Saw this the other day.
Love it.