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!

Emily Hoffman of The Crafty Geek

What do you create?

I specialize in personalized tiles, wine glasses, car decals, picture frames, and many other things.

What is your bestseller?

Some of my best sellers are my Sippy Cup Wine Glasses, my "families are like fudge" and "Mad Hatter" tiles, and mustache items.

What do you enjoy most about selling your handmade goods?

Meeting new people and seeing how they react when they receive their order, especially if it's a custom order.

Do you take custom orders?

Yes, just about every item can be customized.

Who are you outside of the business?

By day I am a Legal Administrative Assistant for a Bioenergy Company in Chesterfield, MO. I also enjoy scrapbooking, movies, and reading.

You can follow The Crafty Geek on Facebook, on Etsy, and in our store:

The Crafty Geek on Facebook

The Crafty Geek 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!

Stacy Knop & Jamie Moore of Letters by Landmark

What do you create?

Letters by Landmark is a unique gift for yourself, family, or friend. We work with you to design a frame with a word/name using landmarks that are memorable to you.

What is your bestseller?

Last names keep us busy. Sometimes our customers order their own last/family name and others choose to order for a special gift.  Our MIZZOU and STL (Rams, Cardinals, Blues) frames are very popular, too.

What goes into making your Letters by Landmark creations?

Photography, photo editing, matting, and framing.

What do you enjoy most about selling your handmade goods?

When creating a frame, we are able to make each one very personal to each customer. We love getting to know our customers, like where they went on their first date or their favorite activities.

Do you take custom orders?

Of course! That's what we do best!

Who are you outside of the business?

We are friends from high school. We both are married with children. We have similar friends and love to shop, decorate and do family stuff together. Jamie is a Progress Monitoring Coach for Parkway School District and Stacy is a stay-at-home mom.

Why do you buy handmade?

We love the uniqueness and that it is one of a kind.

You can follow Letters by Landmark on Facebook, through their website and in our store:

www.lettersbylandmark.com

Letters by Landmark on Facebook

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!

 

Beqi Brinqhorst of Beqi Clothing

 

What do you create?

Handmade clothing, silkscreened tees, hair accessories, and jewelry from vintage and commercial supplies.

 

 

 

What is your bestseller?

Most of what I make is one of a kind, but my asymmetrical necklaces made from recycled vintage jewelry parts tend to go quickly.

 

 

 

What goes into making your jewelry?

I find used vintage jewelry and beads from all over; Upcycle Exchange, estate sales, even customers sometimes bring me pieces.  I dissemble them and use them in new combinations.

 

 

 

What do you enjoy most about selling your handmade goods?

That I am lucky enough to do what I love for a living.

 

 

Do you take custom orders?

I generally don't, but I'm always open to discussion.

 

 

 

Who are you outside of the business?

Mother, wife, former rock singer, painter, lover of Mad Men and Tim Gunn.  I have many friends, but no day job.  Beqi Clothing is my life.

 

 

 

Why do you buy handmade?

Because it doesn't fall apart the minute I take it home, I won't see everyone and their mother wearing one, and I don't have to feel guilty for contributing to sweatshops.

 

 

 

You can follow Beqi Clothing on Facebook, the website, Etsy and in our store:

www.beqiclothing.com

www.beqi.etsy.com

Beqi Clothing on Facebook

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

Classes, Parties, Events, Ladies Night Out!

We have added a ton of events to our store calendar! Looking for something to do with the kids? In desperate need of a night out with all your girlfriends? Want to make new friends? Learn a new skill? We have something for everyone! Be sure to check out our calendar of events on the I Am What I Am Facebook page and sign up today!

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