Inspirations
When we moved into our new space in November, one of our greatest discoveries was that THE WINDOWS OPEN!!! We’ve got a grand total of FIVE windows that have been ready and waiting to be thrown open for MONTHS. And this morning, much to our delight, we knew that the time had come. Yes, yes, we know… It’s supposed to snow. And rain. And do all of the things that it’s supposed to do in Iowa in March but, for today, the heat has been turned off and we are bathing in sunlight, basking in light, and breathing in some fresh air. Feels good, doesn’t it.
Yesterday I sat down with my set of watercolors and spent a short while painting yellow dots (if you’re wondering if painting yellow dots on a cloudy day helps change your perspective on things, it does!). The yellow dots reminded me of our fickle friend Little Miss Sunshine and as soon as she made her appearance on my masterpiece, she demanded that I round it out with some sort of affirmation. Ta-Da! This is what I came up with:
I think that in the middle of all of the day-to-day “stuff” that happens around here–the phone calls and the e-mails to return, the bills to pay, the new inventory to price, the customers to chat with, and, of course, our new orders to take and design and print and assemble, it is really, really easy to let the actual CREATION of things lag behind and get lost in the shuffle. And it is the Creating part, the really refreshing make-something-just-for-the-fun-of-it process, that led me to this type of work in the first place. As it turns out, I NEED to play in this way, even if just for a few minutes. When I do, I find myself so much more energized and focused and ready to take on the not-as-much-fun parts of my day (that would be the bill-paying I mentioned earlier!).
Remember when we had things like recess and art class and music class? We actually had time set aside for us to run around and pump our legs until we could get as high as we could and paint self portraits and sing songs complete with clapping and stomping? And then we grew up and all of those things that were a part of the routine just sort of went away for a lot of us? Is it any wonder that so many people trudge around and wonder why their days seems so utterly short and unfulfilling and, well, just not FUN?
As we all climb out of our winter shells, I advocate play time. Whatever that is for you. For me, it has much to do with short little walks and colored pencils. And for you? Well, I guess we’ll find out soon enough, won’t we.
This weekend, I found a perfect little vintage sundress for $.99 at the Salvation Army. I know that it is truly vintage as the waist on this fabulous little number needed to be let out in order to fit my modern-day un-cinched waist. I love swingy little dresses–the kind that should be worn on a summer day while picking roses and sipping cocktails (you know the kind…). Ephemera got her hands on a large-ish collection of super-fancy patterns from which just this type of dress can be made. I like to thumb through them and dream little dreams of spinning around in patterned fabric on sunny days. Sigh….
I have been such a fan of Keri Smith’s work for so long. Every once in awhile, right when I need a good reminder, she seems to put something out into the universe that accomplishes that. I found this the other day and thought that it could be of use to anyone working on their own creative endeavor, whatever that may be!
An Invitation for you:
We’d love to see you!
xoxo,
-karen, arin, and little miss ephemera
It seems people are a little down due to the lack of sunshine. We’ll do our best to brighten your day! If this doesn’t do the trick, then may I suggest eating a giant bowl of ice cream? It’s been scientifically proven to make you feel better. I read that somewhere.
You can find the images’ rightful owners here:
2. breakfast (that’s my kitchen, by the way)
3. boots
4. lemonade
5. cookies
6. flip flops
7. eggs
8. colors
9. phone
10. ducks
I thought we had a good thing going with cupcake day, but this ice cream sundae buffet is the most amazing thing I have ever seen!
created by Amy Moss
created by Amy Moss
created by Amy Moss
created by Amy Moss
This is my dream! I’m ready to make this declaration today, friendly blog readers: ephemera WILL have an ice cream sundae buffet. I don’t know when, but prepare yourself because it will happen, I promise you that.
xoxo,
-karen
My childhood memories are made up of little scraps of tangles thread and torn tracing paper. Garbage bags full of cut calico and a countertop full of cookie dough. Tiny treasure collections hidden everywhere: lost buttons, found rocks, lucky pennies and pressed pansies. And all of those little scraps are stitched together, somehow, by the heavy thickness of melted Crayolas and Elmer’s Glue, made into a whole that is no more significant than all of its intricately simple parts.
I grew up surrounded by Makers-of-Things, Tinkerers, and Inventors; otherwise known as Farmer Guys and The Women who Love Them. All in a place where the word “Handmade” wasn’t used as a trendy marketing tool but, instead, where it described what went on in everyday life. After all, there were broken parts to mend and holes to patch and children to entertain. And in each one of those activities, a window for just a little bit of creativity to come sneaking through and an opportunity to leave a personal mark behind.
Chances are, those things that you treasure and tuck away in special places are things that were made, once, by a real live person with two hands and some quiet time. The new mittens to match the new coat, crocheted every year by an attentive mother. The tea towels embroidered with the days of the week to make a menial task a bit brighter. Tatted lace doilies that made a house a home and a quilt pieced together to keep a favorite person warm at night. Loved and used and kept and handed down.
I believe that every object that comes into a life tells a story. I have found that those things made by hand speak the loudest. If you listen very closely, they’ll tell you all about their maker and the inspiration from which they were born and the event that led to the missed stitch or the mismatched button that added to their personality. A handmade object has a life and a purpose of its own and, when it quiets down just a bit, it will whisper to its owner to take really good care of it: to honor the time and patience and vision of the person who took a little piece of herself and made it into something tangible.
‘Tis the Season for giving. And when you do, underneath the brown paper and string, nestled deep down, what kind of story will wait for the person who receives it? What will be kept? What will be loved?
Sometimes, when I’m feeling overwhelmed and a little to “in it” for my own good, something will stop me if I let it. And I look up and look around and think about how, even in the thick of disarray and hustle and bustle and a big ol’ mess, there is more than likely something to be found underneath it all that is worth paying attention to.
