Spring Cleaning

I've been doing some spring cleaning in the studio lately. I'm in the 'use it' or 'get rid of it' mode.

I came across a piece of great upholstery fabric from my fabric stash and gave it the ultimatum. Then grabbed a pair of leather topped handles that had been hanging around, too.

The result?





It's the latest addition to Reiter8's recycled sail BIG tote collection. It's so roomy and has the capacity to hold everything for a day at the beach ... and then some!

Available here.

Introducing ...

Say hello to our newest studio mate: Frances Bean. S/he was a little grungy and certainly a love child and until she is tame enough to handle and figure out if she is a she or a he, her androgynous name is perfect. S/he was a stray kitten who kept showing up at our studio door. S/he is VERY scared and very wild but is coming around slowly.

Update: Its a boy!

Blogcation

Well, I seemed to have fallen off the blog-wagon for a while there. I guess I took a little 'blogcation'. Not all that time was spent on the beach or eating lobster, but I'm lucky enough that some of my time was spent that way.

So, back to blogging. I'm looking forward to telling you about a new studio mate. Stay tuned ...

Special Delivery

Yeah! It's here! And much quicker than I expected.

Dan from S. Rimmon & Co. aka 'Dan, Dan the Fabric Man' came by the studio to show his be-a-utiful fabrics. His visit was coordinated by Layla of Ledthreads and he filled a huge work table with swatches and then patiently waited while 5 of us ohhed and ahhed and made piles of top choices then edited and re-edited until the piles were manageable - or not.

What's especially great about Dan is not only will he come to you by appointment (he's based on the West Coast but travels East), all his fabrics are from end rolls (left overs!) and offered at low minimums - great for small businesses to get wholesale pricing with out having to buy 500 yards. His collection is geared towards dress fabrics and leathers but there's usually something for everyone.

I found the most wonderful soft cotton canvas with a print that reminded me of wistful seaweed - in two color ways! And some eco friendly bamboo denim, too!




Stay tuned for limited edition lined sail bags and cosmetic cases.

Say Cheese!

Had the pleasure of being photographed by Pascal Perich today for a something that I will introduce a little later. Ok so it's a little uncomfortable for me to have my picture taken - I know few who really love it - but was also looking forward to it after I saw his beautiful portfolio. I'm talking jaw droppingly beautiful.

He was so much fun and right off the bat framed the light and the sails just so. Magic.

He's has a sense of humor and is a good sport because he granted my wish to take his photo (with my point and shoot little camera that plays a tune when you turn it on and makes fake shutter sounds when you take pictures) for this post.



Thanks Pascal! Can't wait to see the photos!!

Back in the Studio

It's a chilly 55 degrees in the studio this morning. That's what the thermostat says - I think that the real temp is even colder. The heat was 'adjusted' after our first gas bill was received. I'm one of the early birds here and it's too big a space to heat just for one or two people. So we reprogrammed the heat to come on in the middle and later part of the day when the bulk of the people are here making. So, for now, gone are the days of working without a coat ... and hat and gloves. Let's hope for an early, warm Spring.

In the meantime, I'm catching up on emails and snuggling with the space heater. Although it's always hard to return to work after such a nice long break (the longest I think I have taken since I started Reiter8) coming back to this studio and the opportunities that are ahead makes it easy(er).

Onward!