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!!

My Street

Autumn finally hit Toronto. The leaves didn't change colour until about a week ago, now they are falling fast. But what a magnificent week it has been! We have had a few bright sunny and mild days, gorgeous early sunsets and colour on the trees that is unbelievable. When I open my curtains in the morning I just marvel at the beauty of it. The above photo is my street, outside my apartment. I wish my photo did the trees more justice.


It has been a magnificent week in other ways too! I have been floored with the response I've been getting on Etsy lately so if you are a new reader - hi! A few Etsy emails, a homepage cut and a bit of blog exposure and kapow - its busy again. These are exciting times.


A few shameless self promotional things:
• I am going to be having another last minute photo shoot next week as many of the bags have been selling fast. I would really like to hear if there are any specific things you would like to see. For example, if you loved the naturally dyed bags but wish they came in a foldover clutch style or you love a certain fabric but wish it came in a shoulder bag etc then let me know! I have a few days to pull it all together and I am open to your feedback.

• Tomorrow I am going to announce a giveaway on my Facebook page. This is the first of several I will be having over the next few weeks I think so stay tuned.

• In two weeks my busy Christmas craft show roster begins. I would be amiss if I didn't mention that I am a little freaked out by this. I will post a listing of the shows in a week or so.

• If you haven't yet joined my mailing list then come onboard! I am offering a 15% discount until Nov 20th for new subscribers. Also, you will be the first to hear the details of the upcoming sale. You can join by entering your email over here ----------------------------->


That's about it in my world for now. I guess the official day to start marketing for Christmas is Nov 1st now? I walked into a Starbucks next to my place and everything was red. Geez. Though I must admit, I am kind of excited to have my first eggnog latte of the season. Yum. Let's hold onto Autumn a bit longer shall we?


X

Sale!

A little pre announcement: starting Nov 23rd and running until Nov 28th, I will be having a big sale in my Etsy shop. I have so much older inventory in boxes here in my studio and it just needs to go. So, that being said, I will be selling off many cute things and mostly everything will be under $30. Cute little obi pouch's and cosmetic bags, clutch handbags and purse's. Also some one off experiments, samples and prototypes. I really want to clear space so I will be pricing it all to sell. I will post more info closer to the date but just wanted to give my readers a pre-heads up!


I hope you have all had a fantastic and festive Halloween weekend! Mine was great, I dressed up as Kali, the Hindu goddess and I do believe it was a hit. I will post pictures later in the week. Much much work to be done now as Christmas is around the corner so entries may be a bit sparse but I will keep you posted on events coming up and such. Enjoy your week! XO

Source: lilblueboo.blogspot.com via Alison on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

Source: scoutandcatalogue.blogspot.com via Alison on Pinterest

Source: custom-doors.org via Alison on Pinterest

Hello Friends!


Sorry I haven't been as regular with my blogging as I would like. Last week was a busy one, preparing for The Beaches Arts Sale which wrapped up on Sunday. I don't have any more shows for a few months which will hopefully allow me to enjoy summer a little bit. I just bought a ticket home to the west coast for a nice long visit so very much looking forward to some solitary ocean therapy and good times with dear friends and family.


I am really enamoured with tree houses, who wouldn't be really? These photos are so amazing to me that I cannot even imagine a life where I could get to live in such a place. The first one is particulary intriguing to me, it is like a nest! How incredible.


Going to be posting many new items on Etsy this week, both obi bags to Grace and my new shop, The Animal Network, which will hold all of my silk screened bags and pillows with the animal prints. I will let you know when all of those new items are up and ready for viewing.


Off now to enjoy some sun and photograph some pillows and bags. Bye for now! XO,A