New York Part 1 - Etsy Holiday Pop Up Shop

 

Annnnnd here I am, finally reporting on important life events, several weeks after the fact. Sorry! As you know, regular blogging is not my forte. I have to break this momentous trip into two, maybe more parts. So many grainy Instagram photos to share, ya know? So, here we go, Etsy! 

I should preface this entry by explaining how this all came about. Etsy contacted me a few weeks back and said they were doing this pop up shop over the holidays and would I like to be a guest artist and come down to NYC. The idea is that they would carry some of my bags in the shop but my main responsibility while there would actually be to be on site, making bags, not actually selling them so people who came by could see more of the connection of the handmade items they were buying and talk to the individual behind the goods.

The day leading up to my arrival was intense and stressful. I tore down from OOAK show and then had 24 hours to get settled and then packed up for NYC. Then, all of my supplies and materials got held up in customs, surprise surprise. US customs has issues with textiles, can't image why. So, the most horrible possibility flashed before my eyes as I was racing in a cab through Queens early Tuesday morning chatting with Mike from Fedex. That is, the possibility that all of my materials might be rejected and sent back to Canada and I would then have to go on a manhunt across Manhattan in search of kimono's to save face and still make the bags I had been invited to come down and make. Luckily it all worked out and my materials arrived at the same time as I did on Wednesday morning. In another stroke of luck, the flu I had been fighting magically disappeared on Wednesday morning and all was suddenly right with the world.

The shop itself was nothing short of amazing, no surprises there. Huge, spacious, right in the heart of Soho, nestled in between Dior and Costume National was this monster of a space (by NYC standards anyways). It took me a few days to really absorb all of the details because it really was just that, a remarkable, beautiful space with every gorgeous detail attended to. There were shopping areas, a barber, seating areas, a large area for workshops, a stage where bands played every day, a giant swing in the middle of the shop, artists in the window creating art and us, the featured Etsy artists making our stuff on site each day. One of my favourite things was seeing Etsy's interpretaion of my company - the little cards with doodles of my bags on them and the big Grace Design sign hanging above my workspace.

Every day was pretty fun, so much going on around us all the time. The first day I met Chad, the CEO of Etsy and was involved with some interviews with MSNBC. I also met the editor of Lucky magazine which was pretty freakin' awesome. Some really great bands - one of my faves was Jem Club. Also, The Letterman Gospel Choir! Reggie Watts was hilarious and there were some great workshops too. (Hello, wreath making with the editor of Design Sponge anyone?) The whole week was intense and a whirlwind and I am still processing it. I can't even believe I was chosen, what an honour and an awesome opportunity. Thanks Etsy!!

Recap + Etsy Holiday Pop-Up Shop

So, The One of a Kind Show wrapped up yesterday. Mon dieu, what a marathon. And, surprise, surprise, I am now sick. I couldn't be happier with everything though - how the show went, the fact that it is over and all of the amazing new cool stuff I traded for on the last day. Pictured above are two beautiful screen prints on wood by Unik. Gorgeous gorgeous solid wood cutting board by my pal Jana at Swaine and a super awesome Hudson's Bay pillow with appropriate monarchy print by Identity. Such talent, these folks. Sorry my photos do not do them full justice. Thank you to everyone that came by, supported me and said hi. I am sincerely touched by all the support and positive feedback.

And now, an exciting announcement which, for some reason, I have neglected to mention until now. I am heading to NYC tomorrow! You may have heard, the word on the street - Etsy is doing a surprise Holiday Pop Up Shop in Soho.  It opened last week and goes on until next Saturday. And yes, yours truly was invited to come down and produce my bags on site for a few days. I am not entirely sure what to expect but I do know that there is a glorious big shop component complete with peeps like me making stuff on site to buy as well as daily workshops and bands playing at night. I am beside myself with excitement. Now if only I could ditch this sore throat routine. In any case, I will be taking photos like crazy and blogging when I can so stay tuned. Can't wait!!