Tag: handmade

Updates

Silently Celebrating!

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Oh… heeeeyyy there! I know it’s been a minute since I’ve written a blog post. I’ve been running around like a crazy farmer working my tail off between growing veggies, slinging plants, making jams, and taking care of cows. I’ve been a busy girl. All while prepping for the holiday season that is rapidly approaching. (Insert exhausted emoji here.)

I’m not complaining. You know me… I live for the thrill of working, creating, playing in the dirt, and cooking up a storm in the kitchen. So much so that I have to remind myself to stop and take a minute to just breathe.

That being said, I thought maybe you could take a moment to enjoy a special moment with me. A couple weeks ago, (yes, that’s how far behind I am on website updating, blogging, and shameless self-promotion), I was featured in an amazing online publication! Handmade Seller Magazine reached out to me because they loved my blog so much! This subscription-based publication features a variety of articles from handmade sellers and their process to blogging, advertising, and plenty of other topics for the small, women-owned business. I’m just delighted to be apart of it! You can check out snippets in the link here or sneak peak down below.

I’m excited and feel like this is a pretty solid article. I hope you enjoy. I look forward to getting back on track and sharing fresh recipes with you as well as new creative creations. Thank you for your continued support!

xoxo,

Laura Lee

Embroidery, Mixed Media, Uncategorized

Embroidery with PRIDE

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It’s JUNE! HAPPY PRIDE! I just wanted to give a big shout out to all of my amazing LBGQT friends. I will be celebrating and posting in support this month with several handmade and refinished pieces of furniture. Y’all be prepared for an explosion of color and inclusion!

I admit I’m kicking off my creative Pride designs with an item that I made a couple of years ago. I had stitched this PRIDE embroidered wall art for a friend and never shared it with y’all. So here it is, my embroidery for pride. Simple and understated, but I am still pretty excited about the ombre colored thread in rainbow order! 

A Little History

I always like knowing the actual history behind comparative months and days. While I’ve always celebrated my amazing friends during this time, I admittedly never knew the month’s history. Per the Library of Congress: 

“…Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.”

This is just a little snippet, but I’m glad I am able to support and celebrate my LBGQT friends. Although, it’s heartbreaking that these riots were going on in 1969 and LBGQT people are still struggling for equality today. I highly recommend doing some more reading on the history of Pride Month and all of the other things Pride Month stands for. Raise up your rainbows in solidarity and do your part to support the LBGQT community. 

HAPPY PRIDE, Y’ALL!

Embroidery, Updates

Embroidery Festivities

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I realized it’s been some time since I’ve posted anything from the Embroidery Department.  I didn’t want you think I had been neglecting it, as that certainly has not been the case.  In fact, I’ve been quite busy in preparation for the Annual Starving Artist Fair in San Antonio hosted by the Little Church of La Villita.

I start preparing for this two-day event the first of the year.  I have restocked my inventory of “I Heart Texas” Towels from the Christmas rush (thanks to the Austin 360 article) I am beginning to stock “Yellow Rose of Texas” Towels as well.  This year, I am excited to announce a new design of “Our Lady Guadalupe.” I’m envisioning this towel will come to life with vibrant colors.

It’s funny… I don’t think the majority of people realize all the work that goes into just one towel. People only think about the time it takes to stitch the design, which can sometimes take hours on its’ own.  I wash and dry all my towels before I embroider them, then there is time to create the patterns, transfer the design to the towel, stitching them, then washing, drying, and ironing again… It takes hours, even days to make just one towel. That is why hand embroidery is considered a lost art.

I, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoy the time it takes to produce one of these works of art.  Enjoyment through every stitch.  I will have the “Our Lady of Guadalupe” will be in the shop soon! Keep a look out… of course, I’ll probably post a blog when she’s ready.

Canning, Food, Uncategorized

Pump Up the Jams!

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Oh, how I love a good food pun.

Yes, PUMP up the jams!  Last weekend at the ABGB Austin Flea Market, I had a record breaking sales weekend, outside of the holiday season.  This week, I am a jam making fool!  I cannot believe that I am wiped out of stock.

Now, I would have been standing over the stove sooner, but I certainly didn’t foresee blowing out my back, which had me laid up for a few days.  Still a little tender, I got to it this weekend!

I’m kicking off the fall with blackberry rosemary jam.  This one is slowly becoming a silent favorite amongst regulars. It’s got the sweetness from the fruit (obviously), I leave the seeds in for a little bit of tooth and texture, the rosemary adds a touch of savory and is quite aromatic.  I’ve heard folks tell me they put it on an english muffin with butter, others use it as a last minute touch on grilled pork chops, etc.  I, myself, love it with brie! Whether it’s on grilled cheese or a condiment on a burger with arugula and more brie, of course.

Check out the upcoming craft fair schedule over the coming weeks to pick up some Blackberry Rosemary Jam to add to your cupboard.

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custom, Embroidery, Uncategorized

Custom Embroidery? Coming Right Up!

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Every wonder what I’m up to when I’m not posting awesome things on Instagram, writing my blog, sanding in the studio, or at Barton Springs…. This is it.  I have been stitching up a storm on custom embroidery wall art.

I’m so grateful to have all these custom orders coming in. They continue to help me survive as an “old lady” embroidery artist.  It’s great.  My favorite part about custom orders is that they challenge me to think differently and keep working to create the perfect piece for a client.  Ok, the second best thing, is making someone happy.

Take a look at some of the things I’ve been working on.  If you need a custom piece of your own, let me know.  I’d be delighted to get working on one.

Contact me at lauralee@madebylauralee.com

 

Embroidery, furniture

Spring is in Full Bloom

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With Spring comes glorious blue skies, the occasional rainstorms, blossoming flowers, bustling farmers markets, and of course, allergies, like woah.  I’ve spent the last few days laid up in bed wishing I had the slightest urge to, at the very least, to work on some embroidery, but with a few attempts, I found it not possible.  I’m starting to come around thanks to truckloads of Zyrtec.

Ok, now that my “wah” fest is over, I wanted to share some new items that I’ve completed since the last blog post.  Most have been shared on instagram, but I’ve got a few that haven’t been yet. I’ve got new Easter themed embroidered wall art that I’m particularly pumped about.  I haven’t done anything for Easter since my Grandmother passed away.  She always had these gorgeous Easter baskets for us, we had egg hunts, and dying eggs!  I guess I have been feeling slightly reminiscent.  Below that, I’ve got a new veggie embroidered towel, a refinished chair, and my personal favorite, “I will resist.” wall art.

Stay crafty, ya’ll!

Embroidery, Uncategorized

Back to Embroidery

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FullSizeRenderIt’s February 1st!  January flew by and it’s been since December I’ve posted anything about embroidery!  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been doing plenty in preparation for the big craft fair in April.  I’ve designed a couple new napkin sets for the occasion based on feedback I had received during the holiday season.  Many people loved the idea of having a themed napkin set, but for the most part, people didn’t seem dedicated to the concept of having all four match or two pairs in a set.  IMG_3594

What could I do for a theme?  I started thinking about seasonal produce.  Citrus and root veggies immediately came to mind.

Citrus: lime, lemon, orange, and my favorite, grapefruit.

Root veggies: red beets, golden beets, radish, and turnips.

I’m in love with them, but what do you think?!

 

DIY, furniture, Story, Uncategorized

One, Six, The Year of Legit

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IMG_3459Yes, this year, 2016, is going to be my year of becoming just a little bit more legit. I really don’t care that it sounds corny.  I’m making things happen.

I have high hopes for the next twelve months.  Some of these dreams I’m hesitant to share, mainly because I’m afraid that someone will try and talk me out of them or, if they don’t happen by December 31st at midnight, that I will feel like a complete and utter failure.

So… Let’s talk about what has happened since the ringing in of the New Year.

  1. I have moved my work into an artist studio so that I have a place to start refinishing furniture.
  2. I have met with a graphic designer who is going to help me with a logo, branding, and advertisements.
  3. I have received an overwhelming amount of support, interest, new clients, and donated or inexpensive, high quality furniture to start building an inventory.
  4. I have sent in an application to the biggest craft fair in my craft fair attending history for April 2-3 in San Antonio.
  5. I am in the works of landing my first whole sale account for my handmade wares.

12495224_10208666719885058_7315349647363472479_nNot bad for only being 18 days into the New Year, right? I’m so excited.  So excited.  I’m proud of what I am doing too.  I have a lot to learn… like bookkeeping, accounting, writing a business plan. All that fun stuff… It’s a little overwhelming too, but in a healthy way.  It’s comforting knowing I’m getting closer to something I really, really want. It’s going to be an adventure and I hope you’ll enjoy my updates: good, bad, and the crafty.

 

 

12 Day of Crafting, Canning, Embroidery, Uncategorized

A Partidge & A Pear Tree

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Today is the final day before the Handmade Holiday Show at OPA! I thought I would take a moment to share one more post with you before the big day! As promised in my last post on Wednesday, I have something a little on the matchy-matchy side.  To stick with the “what’s in season” category, I thought it only appropriate that pears should be included.  I will have pear embroidered tea towels as well as a pear canned good.  I’m feeling somewhat mysterious this morning and thinking that I might not actually reveal what the pear canned good is… just to leave you hanging, curious, and inquisitive.  Maybe you’ll feel so inspired as to come out tomorrow afternoon?

Hope to see you there, lovelies.

Cards, Mixed Media, Uncategorized

Cards for a Cause

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The time has come and Valentine’s Day is around the corner.  I typically dread Valentine’s Day… Not in the “I’m single and a tragic spinster” kind of way, but really more for the overload of bad chocolate and the misuse of pink, Pink, PINK EVERYWHERE! I’m always surrounded by loved ones and have so many dear friends to love.  This year is a little different though…

A few weeks ago, Lindsey (I feel as if she needs no introduction at this point) shared a link on my Facebook timeline that Brit & Co. was teaming up with DoSomething to help Meals on Wheals get handmade cards to folks all over the country for Valentine’s Day.

I will be donating the following cards to Meals on Wheels this week!

YOU CAN HELP TOO!

I have updated my ETSY shop with the following cards that I have created over the last few weeks.  For every card that is sold, I will donate $1 to Meals on Wheels!

You can give the cutest cards to your friends, family, and loved ones and know that it’s going to a couple of good causes: Meals on Wheels as well as supporting local artists.