Happy Holidays!

I am looking forward the the holidays and spending some down time with friends and family.
Enjoy your holidays, too.
(Squint ...that's supposed to be a tree with a star on top.)

Inspiration and a Library Card - Part II

Part two in the series from the NYPL and Design*Sponge.
I grabbed my notebook and started to list my jumping off points for my next trip to the library. Get your blank page and pen ready!

Featured in this series is Rebecca from Moontree Letterpress. I simply love her work and am excited to get a hold of some at this Sunday's 'Gifted', the Brooklyn Flea's indoor market in Fort Greene. Last time we were there it was so busy, by the end of the day when I got over to her table to purchase she had packed up what little she had left. This Sunday I'm going as a shopper not a seller!!

See part I here.

Back to last minute orders!

Just Keep Tuggin'

This was the scene yesterday when it wasn't just snowing - it was snowing GOBS of snow. Absolutely beautiful, those huge wet 2 inch dollops of snow that somehow manage to fall silently.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks making bags, doing markets and sending out orders (thank you for all those orders - keep 'em coming!!) I caught the mother of all sinus colds that did not knock me out flat because I didn't have time to be THAT sick. Actually, I was that sick, I just didn't have time to be knocked out flat.

A new batch of messengers and totes have been cut, sewn, photographed and will be listed today. Custom holiday orders have been finished and sent out with the exception of a few pick ups that are scheduled over the next couple days.

The beauty of the season is coming into focus - the kids are starting to really think and plan about what they can make for everyone on their list. Decorations have been brought up from the basement and are getting dusted and distributed. It's nice after such a long time of focusing on work, work, work to pause, appreciate and celebrate.

And through it all the tugs keep tuggin'.

Clearwater Brooklyn Revival?

Quite a busy day yesterday - filling orders, stuffing and photographing pillows - planned on a big WIP post today but look what docked at the Fairway pier yesterday! I recognized her from afar and when she came in close I grabbed my coat and camera and ran down.
The Clearwater:





The Clearwater is a Hudson River Sloop that:

conducts environmental education, advocacy programs and celebrations to protect the Hudson River, its tributaries and related bodies of water.

Clearwater’s story began in 1966, when a handful of Hudson Valley residents came together believing that by learning to care for one boat on one river, the public could come to care for all our threatened waterways. And what better boat for the job than a replica of the vessels which were once a much more common sight on the Hudson.

The sloop was launched three years later on May 17, 1969 in South Bristol, Maine. In the years since, Clearwater has traveled to towns and cities along the Hudson, New York Harbor, and Long Island Sound.

Clearwater is a work boat. Sailing from town to town, she models her course after the Dutch sloops of the 18th and 19th centuries. These cargo vessels were specially designed for the variable winds, currents and depths of the Hudson. Their cargoes and crews were the main communication link between river-front towns and outlying areas which now house one-tenth of this nation’s population.

Clearwater’s cargo is people. Her work is making them care.

Love that. My daughter went on a 'Classroom of the Waves' educational sail in elementary school. What a great experience. Check out their site for news, sail schedules, volunteering and membership info. Don't forget the Great Hudson River Revival festival held every year in June.

I got to meet Captain Sue (couldn't be nicer) and if the Clearwater can find a suitable place to dock, there might be a Clearwater Brooklyn Revival.

Back to work: here's a little taste from the pillow photo shoot:

Eco Gifts For Him

Thanks Eco Etsy Street Team Blog for featuring Reiter8's Messenger Bag in their Gift Guide for Him.

It's a nice well rounded group o' gifts. My favorites? 2ReVerts skateboard belt buckles and Chakra Pennywhistle's upcycled moneybag wallets.

Find more eco friendly handmade products from this group by searching Etsy's offerings by 'teamecoetsy'.

But wait! There's more! Check out Etsy's Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide.

WIP - Mini Wallets

Just finished a fresh batch of mini wallets!

They make a great wreath:


but really work better as stocking stuffers!


Available here.

Windy City

No not Chicago - Brooklyn. Much of yesterday was spent photographing bags in a glassed in perch full of beautiful natural light. Views of the water all around - a peaceful place to work to the sound of whistling wind.



Everything is going good. I'm getting into the rhythm and groove. After lunch I propped the door open to let in some fresh air.

Wind + Sails. I should have known.





I guess a sails gotta do what a sails gotta do.

These bags and many more will be available in my Etsy shop on Fri.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Gifted

Come on out to the Gifted Holiday Market presented by the Brooklyn Flea and Time Out New York.

We curated the mix of vendors at Gifted to be sort of like the Flea: stuff you can only find there; folks selling beautiful, unique items they made themselves; vintage/antique objects that are distinctive and affordable; snazzy jewelry; cool, quality art; and of course yummy foodstuffs. Our goofy tagline is "Edited + Eclectic for Everyone."

Reiter8 will be there for one Sunday only: 12/7 from 11-6.

The Gifted Holiday Market takes place at the Masonic Temple on 317 Claremont Ave in Fort Greene - right next to the Brooklyn Flea Sundays through Dec 21.

Bustin' Out!

I'm so excited. Reiter8 will be at this years Bust Craftacular! I went last year to check it out and it's definately a one stop shopping handmade extravaganza. 200+ vendors, dj etc. Here are the vitals:

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008
10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street, NYC

Back to making more bags!

Flurries, Inspiration and a Library Card

Been holding out posting about the beautiful Brooklyn holiday cards by moontree letterpress until we were appropriately close to the holidays. My son is adamant that we not speak of Christmas until after Thanksgiving. And we have to have an observe a small pause - no trimming the tree on Thanksgiving night for us. So, yesterdays brief snow flurry was just the excuse I needed to bring Rebecca's work to your attention and still be respectful of the 'other' holiday.

While I was visiting her blog, I saw the first "Design by the Book" video. Its a series of videos by the New York Public Library in collaboration with Design*Sponge which brings a small group of Brooklyn designers to look for creative inspiration at the library.



I remember going to the NYPL branch across the street from the main branch when I was a student a Pratt. They had a image room - thousands (?) of manila folders with images tucked inside, sorted alphabetically by subject ... and a xerox machine. Pre digital, baby. Thankfully they have kept with the digital age and now have digital image collection.

I am looking forward to seeing these artists go through the creative process and to see what hatches.

Word Up .. and down and sideways

Supposed to be working...
Behind schedule....
Distracted by Wordle.

OK, back to work ... after one more.

Strapped

The above picture shows a small portion of the belting materials from a long gone Brooklyn belt manufacturer that my studio mates and I were lucky enough to go into and reclaim what we thought we could reuse. It was packed floor to ceiling of wonderful crazy stuff: neon patent leather perforated woven strapping anyone? Ok, I exaggerate but not by much.



(Yep, that's clear plastic zodiac strapping)

Two van loads and a car full later, piles of vinyl, patent, ribbon, woven strapping supplies are piled in our common work area. I believe the remaining went to Materials for the Arts. (MFTA redistributes materials to artists, non profits, schools and students.)



Oh, the possibilities! Stay tuned for the prototypes...

A Perfect Fit

The original messenger bag pattern has been adjusted in order to accommodate a laptop - hooray!



This is my MacBook Pro - with room to spare. The messenger bags below are now available in my Etsy shop Although they were photographed on a male mannequin, they are a great size for both men and women.

Give your kid your camera*

It's great to see different perspectives - literally.

My daughter picked up my camera in a moment of restlessness and in need of a distraction while writing a paper over the weekend. The above picture are hers - no photoshop, no cropping. The above bad boy brother dogs are ours: Alex and Beau. Don't know what grade she'll get on the paper, but I give her an A in photography.

*But not your laptop - my other child inadvertently deleted all the files off my desktop. Poof. Gone. For good.

Where I'm From Tour - continued..

Check it out: The Where I'm From Tour Music Video!



Tristan from Tough Dumplin and Chenel from JunkPrints are the energetic masterminds behind the music and art event that was held at Supreme Trading in Williamsburg this past Sat. The 'Foundation for Better Music' under Tristans direction is bringing emerging musical artists - plus artists from other disciplines - together two cities at a time with the mission of expanding exposure beyond geographical barriers. This past event was Toronto Meets New York.

Featured in the video are many of my beyond talented studio mates! Be patient, stay with it - reiter8 with stills form the (way) past and present is all the way at the end!

Thanks Tristan and Chanel (and Mike) - I had a great time - great event!

Wahoo for Plyboo!

I love PlyBoo. There. I said it.

I love the warm color and the hint of the bamboo 'joints' that occur in the stem. Plyboo is made from 100% rapidly renewable bamboo. In fact, Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world, with a growth rate of up to 1.5-2" an hour!!

Michael Neil Jacobsen, a studio mate has just introduced PlyBoo cutting boards available here. I love the edge treatment and the craftsmanship is fantastic. A steal at $38-42. Plus - who can resist that eco packaging!!

Love Plyboo even more? Check out his beautifully handcrafted desk.

11/4/08

Find your polling locale online at maps.google.com.
The above treasury can be found on Etsy.com

To do list

Find your polling locale online at maps.google.com.
Above showcase is featured on Trunkt.org

Introductions

Mark your calendar for November 8th. That's the first stop of the ‘Where I’m From Tour' taking place at Supreme Trading in Williamsburg.

This first event is titled 'Toronto meets New York'. The purpose of the tour is to expose and introduce musicians to various audiences from other cities - to spread the word and help break geographic barriers. Various visual artists work from sculpture to fashion will be displayed/projected - including Reiter8!

I'm excited to be a part of this event and to support Tristan from Tough Dumplin and Chanel from Junkprints in their effort to spread the word and open doors.

Thanks, Tristan and Chanel!

More info at Tough Dumplin and RSVP to save $$ off the ticket price.

Calling All Movie Critics

Morning Light Critics Contest

Submit your mini review to Sailing World's Morning Light Critics Contest forums thread for a chance to win prizes like Morning Light polos, a Reiter8 sail tote, and the companion book What the Sea Teaches Us.

Find out more about the movie here.

Bon Voyage - WIP

Still stinging from that $70 round trip ticket to Belize that Travel Zoo got me all hyped up about and I was too slow to grab.

So, new product: luggage tags.

Get 'em here.

Eco Friendly Friends

Recently started an Eco Friendly Group on Trunkt.



Detail from the group featuring (l to r): ShutterKate, Solidio and Stepping Stones
Check 'em out!

Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

This was not my only view as we sped over the Brooklyn Bridge on the 'scooter-cycle' yesterday but I thought it would make a cool picture. Look closely, it's the Brooklyn Bridge reflected in my husbands helmet. I call it a scooter-cycle, because it looks like a scooter but is got 250 cc's and can zip along like a motorcycle. When he hits 60 mph I give him the slowdown squeeze.

Focusing only on the helmet while we rode for a while reminded me the book Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and particularly of the sweet of a moment at the end of book. It's the part when the son stands up a little bit on the foot pegs while he and his father are driving on a motorcycle and he's ohhing and ahhing, because for the first time during his 17 day trip across the States he seeing beyond his father's back.

Have a great weekend and make sure you're taking the opportunity to look beyond.

Counting Sheep

We enjoyed a ridiculously beautiful day yesterday at the NY State Sheep and Wool Festival at the Rhinebeck Fairgrounds. (I forgot my camera - the above photo is by Garret C. Lown.)

We hadn't been in a couple years and we entertained by the recent addition of Punkin Chuckin. Local school teams built giant catapults that hurled pumpkins (and water jugs in a warm up) at targets set up to 300 (?) feet away. They were awarded points for distance and accuracy.

My favorite vendor is Brooks Farm - the colors and quality they products is stunning.


The dog trials are great - amazing how focused those border collies are - make our dogs, 3 yr old rescued cock-a-poo litter mates, seem like toys in comparison because of how untrained and goofy they are.

The sheep competitions are educational - there's an ongoing commentary during the judging followed by a thoughtful explanation of placement by the judge. The paddocks are great for listening to the constant bleating and observing the range of breed in attendance.

That's really the tip of the iceberg - there's so much more - llamas, spinning, cooking, winetasting...check out the site for all the info. The festival is held on the 3rd weekend in October - mark your calendar for next year.

Party on!

Hot off the letterpress! Brooklyn based Acorn Letterpress has created the most stunning limited edition election themed invitations.

"they make a snazzy way to get out the vote before the election, or to congratulate - or commiserate with - your fellow partisans afterwards. They also make a fun gift for your favorite Democrat or Republican."

Simply love 'em.
Buy 'em here

Win a Tote Vancouver!

Check out Talk 1410 AM's Morning Light promo info!

Good Luck!