We LOVE Local Artists!!

In fact, we only carry local artisans items in our store! Did you know that our artists also work in our store? It's nice to know when you purchase something that you can speak to and get to know the person that created it. Each of our artists pays special attention to detail and puts a lot of love into their work for you, our customers and friends. We'll be introducing you to our artists and crafters over the next few weeks. Please take a few moments and enjoy a little Q&A with our artisans to learn more about them and what goes into the fabulous works they create!

Debbie Reed of Pink Seven Designs

What do you create?

I create handmade accessories and gifts for babies, children and adults.

What is your bestseller?

Hmmm...right now it's wine glasses!  

What goes into making it?

I hand paint the glasses with a monogram letter or a cute saying! Then paint polka dots, zebra print, etc to give it some pizazz!! Then I bake the glasses to set the paint in! Then add ribbon/tulle and crystals to make them extra cute!

Do you take custom orders? 

Most definitely!! Email me at pinksevendesigns@yahoo.com!

Who are you outside of the business?

I am a personal trainer/fitness instructor!! I teach cardio kickboxing 5 days a week! Been married for over 3 years to one awesome guy and lovin it!! :)

What do you enjoy most about selling your handmade goods? 

I love the fact that I LOVE my job!! I get to work from home and do what I enjoy most - crafting!!

 Why do you buy handmade?

You know when you purchase the item, somebody took time, effort and heart into making it for you!! Totally worth it!!

You can see more of Debbie's work through Facebook, Etsy and in our store:

'Like' Pink Seven Designs on Facebook

Pink Seven Designs on Etsy

Thanks for stopping by! :) Jessi

We LOVE Local Artists!!

In fact, we only carry local artisans items in our store! Did you know that our artists also work in our store? It's nice to know when you purchase something that you can speak to and get to know the person that created it. Each of our artists pays special attention to detail and puts a lot of love into their work for you, our customers and friends. We'll be introducing you to our artists and crafters over the next few weeks. Please take a few moments and enjoy a little Q&A with our artisans to learn more about them and what goes into the fabulous works they create!

Resources for Human Development

(RHD-MO)

RHD-Missouri has been providing services to people with developmental disabilities in the St. Louis area since May 2008. In February of 2009, RHD opened its first arts-based day program, Blank Canvas Studios, in St. Charles. In response to the overwhelming success of this studio, RHD opened Fine Line Studios, located in Bridgeton, in December 2010. Both studios' mission is to provide individuals labeled with developmental disabilities with the tools and materials to create art. Every artist is encouraged to express themselves as they wish. To sum up what the art program is all about, Barb K. says,"I get to do my own thing, be myself.

Individuals who participate in the art program are given the opportunity to show and sell their work in art shows held by RHD-Missouri, in the local community, and through I Am What I Am on Main Street. With each piece of art sold, the artist receives 80% of the sale.

You can follow RHD-MO through their website and in our store:

www.rhd-mo.org

Thanks for stopping by! :) ~Jessi

We LOVE Local Artists!!

In fact, we only carry local artisans items in our store! Did you know that our artists also work in our store? It's nice to know when you purchase something that you can speak to and get to know the person that created it. Each of our artists pays special attention to detail and puts a lot of love into their work for you, our customers and friends. We'll be introducing you to our artists and crafters over the next few weeks. Please take a few moments and enjoy a little Q&A with our artisans to learn more about them and what goes into the fabulous works they create!

Tiffany Albanese of Posh Principessa

What do you create?

We make sweet and trendy children's clothing. We love bold colors and funky styles :)

What is your bestseller?

The Flower Power skirt set has been the best seller this summer.  Although, the Ellen dresses sell well each season because they are so versatile.

What goes into making your clothing line?

When designing a line, I look and look and look some more at all the amazing fabrics (I'm addicted to fabric!).  I piece fabrics together and change my mind a million times.  Once, I have chosen everything (and I usually change my mind one more time, ha), we begin the production.  I used to make everything from my home.  Once our company grew (thanks wonderful customers), I had to reach out for more help.  Right now, everything is still locally made in St. Louis.  We are proud to have everthing made in the U.S.A!!

What do you enjoy most about selling your handmade goods?

I love to see kiddos wearing the Posh Principessa clothes.  It makes me smile because the kids are all so cute :)

Do you take custom orders?

Yes and no...I am not taking custom orders at this time, but am not very good at saying no...so I am always working on custom orders :)

Who are you outside of the business?

I am a mother of two amazing children; Rocco and Ava.  (and one furry daughter, Yogi).  "I am married to my best friend!"...  but truly I am.  My husband encourages me to follow my dreams and I can't thank him enough for that!  I love to run, sew, and spend time with my family.  There is nothing better in the world than seeing my kids smile and laugh.  I live for that :)

Why do you buy handmade?

It is unique :)

You can follow Posh Principessa on Facebook, the website, and in our store:

  Posh Principessa on Facebook

    www.poshprincipessa.com

Thanks for stopping by! :) ~Jessi

We LOVE Local Artists!

In fact, we only carry local artisans items in our store! Did you know that our artists also work in our store? It's nice to know when you purchase something that you can speak to and get to know the person that created it. Each of our artists pays special attention to detail and puts a lot of love into their work for you, our customers and friends. We'll be introducing you to our artists and crafters over the next few weeks. Please take a few moments and enjoy a little Q&A with our artisans to learn more about them and what goes into the fabulous works they create!

Patricia Sims of Mariposa Home

What do you create?

I create home fragrance and personal care products.Otherwise known as... candles, bath & body!

What goes into making your home fragrance and personal care products?

A lot of attention to detail, love and devotion. A lot of what I do is very similar to baking. You have to gather your products together and the ratio of ingredients has to be just right! You have to care about the product because people are going to put it on their bodies. Women are very conscience about their looks and their skin. All the items for bath and body that I create with have to be sterilized. I put down a lot of plastic to protect the area(s) that I am working in. I do not have anyone around while I am creating the product. I wear a hair net and an apron, short sleeves and gloves. sometimes I look like I'm in a HAZMAT suit! LOL! Just me the product and my mp3 player...I use a lot of natural products. shea butter, mango butter, sweet almond oil, olive oil, beeswax...all that good ole' stuff that's good for your skin! I try to put very little preservatives in my line. It is something that you have to be conscience of. A lot of products out there on the market that we buy everyday is full of mostly preservatives. For example, most "soap" that you buy commercially isn't really soap, it's detergent. Next time you purchase a bar of soap, look at the label. If you can't pronounce the ingredients then you shouldn't put it on your skin that goes for lotion too. The preservatives are there so that they can keep it on the shelf 'til infinity. You have no way of knowing when it was created  or how long it's been there.

   With candles, it's different. It's fragrance, wax, wick, color and a little bit of science. Candle wax has to be heated to a certain temperature then cooled and then poured. If you add fragrance too soon, it may not throw correctly when it's re-burned. If you let it cool down to cold then it won't throw either. If you use the wrong wick size the candle won't burnt correctly. All the candles have to be tested first. I'm lucky enough that I can feel the wax and know when it's time to pour. It's a little creepy to my husband that I can do that but it's just because I've been doing it for so long. My body just feels the truth. 

What is your bestseller?

My best sellers are...Pink Sugar, Bartlett Pear, Clean Cotton, Mango Papaya in the candles. With the bath and body side, my lip gloss sells well, body butter..and body frosting, bath bombs.

What do you enjoy most about selling your handmade goods?

I like to make people happy with the merchandise that I make. I love the response, "wow, you made that"? It never gets old!

Do you take custom orders?

Sure! I can always customize a candle color to fit your decor. I can scent any color candle with any fragrance that you would want. Sometimes, I will pour a candle into something that someone wants me to but there are several things to consider so it depends on the vessel. Not all vessels are appropriate for candle wax. Regarding bath and body, if there is a fragrance that you would want that I don't carry, I can always try to get it for you. I love to make favors for showers and weddings. I love to help a bride create a custom look for her wedding...love that!

Who are you outside of the business?

I wish I was someone really cool like Wonder Woman or and X-Men like Storm or Jean Grey! Alas, I am not those things. But what I am though is a wife, a sister, a niece, a cousin, a sister-in-law, a great aunt and a great, great aunt! I am a writer, a survivor and a go getter. I have a very large family. I am the youngest of 10 and one of only two girls in my immediate family. Both parents are deceased. I have 5 brothers (3 deceased) and 1 sister..(that's all you need LOL!) I have lots of friends of various different ages and backgrounds. People fascinate me. I love meeting new people.  My day job is social media and internet marketing. My hobbies run DEEP!!! I love to scrapbook, I sew, I love photography, home decor, painting, shopping on the internet, reading, I'm a huge movie buff, and I love, love music. All types of music. I have a recording studio in my house! So yes, I love music.

Why do you buy handmade?

I buy handmade because I know that somebody loved up on the product that I purchased. I know that someone's unique style and presence is made aware because I chose to honor their work by using it, wearing it, etc. Art is very subjective so if it speaks to you then you probably have something in common with the person who created it and I like that as well. You are buying into a person's dream, a person's passion. That is never a bad thing. 

You can follow Patricia on Facebook, Etsy, online, and in our store:

www.mariposahome.etsy.com

  Mariposa Home on Facebook

    www.mariposahome.net

Thanks for stopping by! :) ~Jessi

You Have A Choice

Supporting handmade, local, small businesses is a choice. It's a choice that we take very seriously here at I Am What I Am. That's why we only carry items from local, independent artisans. Over the next few weeks, we'll be introducing you to our artists and sharing a little bit about who they are and what they do.

Thanks for stopping by :) ~Jessi

Call For Handmade Artisans

Are you interested in becoming a vendor at Fusion, a unique artisan co-op at Chesterfield Mall? Fusion accepts artists on a quarterly basis. Every quarter they hold an Open House to give you the opportunity to talk with other Fusion artists.You must attend the Open House to receive the application to Fusion.



Open House DatesWhen attending the Fusion's Open House, please bring 4-5 samples of your work that you intend to sell at Fusion. You can pick up the application while attending the Open House, and the applications are due one week afterwards. Stop by anytime between 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. on the following dates.

Monday - April 11, 2011
Monday - June 13, 2011
Monday - October 10, 2011
Monday - January 9, 2012


Thanks for stopping by :) ~Jessi

Grand Opening!!!!

3 new businesses! 3 days of celebration! It Boutique and More, Bliss Eleven, and I Am What I Am would like to invite you to our Grand Opening Celebration on Friday, April 15 - Sunday, April 17. Prizes, giveaways, face painting, free food and wine. Come on...who doesn't love free food and wine? Seriously. Many thanks to our amazing neighboring restaurants who will be providing appetizers, coffee, dessert, wine, cookies and more.

Llywelyn's Pub
Quentessential
Ham's Deli
Picasso's Coffee House
Grandma's Cookies
Tony's on Main Street
Frankie Tocco's Pizzeria
Little Hills Winery

Hope you can make it out to the Grand Opening! Thanks for stopping by :) ~Jessi