Art2Heart

Several months ago, my hair stylist – Kelli at Urban Eve and I were chatting about the occasional stores in our area.  Kelli’s salon had just moved to a new location so she asked if I had ever gone “up the hill” to Hamel, MN to visit their boutiques. 

 

Just like that……a love affair was born!

 

After my appointment, I drove up the hill and found the sweetest little boutique called Art2Heart.  It just so happens that it was open late this night (the only night of the week!) so I went in to look around.  Terri – the gal at the front desk – showed me around and filled me in on the store’s history.

 

Art2Heart is a nonprofit organization run completely by volunteers that helps fund charities in Minnesota as well as Haiti, Peru and other third world countries.  

As Terri told me the history behind each of the items for sale, I found myself completely in awe!  It took exactly .23 seconds for me to decide that this was something I needed to be a part of.  It felt like God had led me directly to this place.

 

Here are a few of the inspiring stories behind Art2Heart’s gift shop…..

 

 

These metal signs are made by an outreach program in Haiti.  They are cut (by hand!) from old oil drums.  Then a team of 4-5 young men hammer (by hand!) the raised/embossed letters.  They work barefoot in an unpaved parking lot without chairs/tables/desks.  The signs are sent back to Art2Heart to sell.  The profits go straight back into housing and education for the group of Haitians. 

  

The women in this photo live in Peru and are part of the Mostacillas De Fe organization.  They embroider/sew/knit/crochet everything from dolls to tote bags to scarves and sell them in the store. 

 

 

This is only a few of the outreach programs that Art2Heart leads to spread the love of Jesus Christ. 

 

 

The third Thursday of the month, Art2Heart hosts a Creative Night.  Jen Swift – one of the most talented, outgoing and beautiful women I’ve ever met – runs the program.  She is a true artist!  Her creative vision is simply amazing. 

  

The first Creative Night was in April and we made string art.   Jen leads the group in making the projects, then the items go onto the showroom floor for sale. 

 

It was so much fun! 

 

I’ve been looking for a place to be creative and meet new friends.  God knew that and took me straight to Art2Heart!

 

 

When I say that Jen Swift (Art2Heart’s creative go-to artist) is talented, I mean she is REALLY TALENTED!!  Like there’s nothing she can’t do.  I said those exact words to her last night.  Her sweet response was, “There are a few things I don’t know how to do but I’m going to figure out how to do them!”.

 

 

Last night at Creative Night, we made wind chimes with hand-me-down silverware, rusty fish hooks, beads, metal cupcake tins, etc. 

 

 

I wish the photo did the wind chime justice.  It is gorgeous!  J

 

I had a great time visiting with this wonderful group of women and was honored to have my creation put on display and the profits used for helping others. 

 

 

Speaking of my creations, the store asked if they could carry my signs on consignment!  Eeks!!! 

 

They loved the signs I had on Etsy and wanted 10-15 displayed in the store. 

 

Awesome, right?!  J 

 

 

A few weeks ago, I dropped off the first batch of signs. 

 

I have to admit……when I walked into the store last night and saw my signs on display, I started crying! 

 

I felt like I was right where I needed to be.

 

The consignment is a standard 60/40 structure.  Sixty percent of the proceeds to go MS and forty percent go to Art2Heart’s outreach missions. 

 

Win/win!!

 

I wish I could plug all of the inspiring stories into this post.  Check out the gorgeous things in the gift shop…..

 

 

Women make these bird cages by hand-bending industrial wire. 

 

 

Jen’s dad made the pallet signs above.  He used reclaimed barn wood and paints “For He so loved the world” on them.  He uses the profits to help fund an orphanage in India.

 

I could go on and on and on!  I’m just so excited to have found this special place and look forward to be a part of their mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Etsy update

The  Etsy store has been keeping me super busy lately!

 

After this post back in February about pulling out of Mama’s Happy, it took quite a while to get back into the craft room.  I had no motivation and my pride was still store from what I viewed as rejection. 

 

Since then, I’ve really tried giving it to God.  I know He has a plan for me and I want my actions to align with that plan.

 

Scrolling through Pinterest one night, I saw this….

 

 

Several things hit me:  1) that perfectly described my “fear” of rejection, and 2) that lettering is GORGEOUS!

 

Pretty soon I was practicing my brush lettering every chance I got…… in front of the TV, on my lunch break……

 

A few weeks ago, I came across an advertisement for the Minneapolis Craft Market.  It is held every Sunday afternoon at a brewery in either Minneapolis or Saint Paul. 

 

 

Jim and I had a few hours to kill one Sunday so we headed downtown to check it out. 

 

It was pretty awesome! 

 

After praying about it, it felt like the right thing to apply to be a vendor.

 

And…….my first showing is May 22^nd!!  Eeks!

 

P.S.  I’ve decided to go in a different direction with my designs……using my newfound brush lettering skills!

 

 

Since Jim has been traveling quite a bit for work, I’ve been painting my little heart out. 

 

Step One:  Base coat

 

Step Two:  Lettering

 

 

Step Three:  Framing

 

 

I’m slowly but surely building up my inventory with the new “look”. 

 

The goal this week is to get these suckers painted & ready for framing….

 

 

So, if you need me I’ll be in my jammies……watching Netflix…..eating Hot Tamales (required for sign painting!)…..paint brush in hand…….trying not to think about how nervous I am to do the show.   

 

Show & Tell Tuesday

It’s time for Show & Tell Tuesday again! 

 

This time it’s all about my personal style. 

 

Now that I’m 40-something, I’ve decided that life should be all about comfort.  I mean seriously…..who wants to walk around in high heels or snug-fitting clothes?? 

 

For some reason, I tend to buy clothes a bit bigger than they should be.  The last thing I want is to feel like a sausage about to burst in a tight shirt or pair of pants. 

 

 

Since I’m not a morning person, it’s crucial for me to have my work outfits planned before I go to bed on Sunday.

 

I always put together 7-8 outfits so I’ll have choices throughout the week.  When I say plan, I mean PLAN!  Jewelry, scarves, jackets, shoes…..everything is laid out so there is no thinking required on a sleepy morning.

 

 

I’m more than a little embarrassed to admit this but I keep photos of my favorite outfits.  There…..I said it!

 

They aren’t flattering pictures and they’re always from a bad angle but I don’t care.  It’s all about remembering what pieces go together and feel/look good. 

 

 

I would consider my style preppy.  I wear cardigans year-round…..mostly layered on top of button-up shirts.  And loafers.  I love loafers!  Or Converse (you’re never too old to wear Chucks). 

 

 

And I hate hate hate long pants!  That’s the only thing about the winter that I dread.  I wish I could live in capris all year but that’s not possible.  Long pants just fit weird…..I can’t explain it. 

 

 

Apparently I love scarves……and denim…..and leopard flats!

 

 

When it comes to bedtime, you can find me in a Jim-sized Polo shirt and capri pajama bottoms.  Every.  Single.  Night.  I’m in my pajamas by 5:15pm and sometimes I stay in them all weekend.  My neighbors can vouch for this.  I wear them outside all the time.  (Sorry Jim!)  In the cooler months, I’ll add a huge sweatshirt.  HUGE!

 

 

It has to be a Polo shirt because the use the softest cotton known to man.  And it has to be at least Jim’s size or bigger. 

 

Once or twice a year, Jim & I will visit the Polo outlet mall and I will get every single color they have.  I swear by these things!  They get softer every time you wash them.  So soft, in fact, that Delanie used them as her wubby blanket when she was little.  (Sorry for the embarrassing tidbit, Delanie!)

  

Life lately: Delanie edition

Today’s post is all about this chickadee…..

 

 

Delanie & I spent the day together last weekend.  She ALWAYS has something going on……band, school, friends, etc……so it’s rare that I can get a few hours with her solo.  I took full advantage of it. 

 

The first thing on the agenda was the antique/flea market in downtown Minneapolis.  We left with a truck bed loaded down with an old rusty gate (I’m going to paint it!) and an old wooden ladder that I’m going to hang blankets on in the living room.  I’ll post about that later.

 

 

Since it was National Record Store Day, we stopped by the Electric Fetus.  Oh my goodness!  I could not have been more out of my element here.  Seriously.  Delanie, on the other hand, was in hog heaven (except for being aggravated that I was taking pictures of her)!

 

 

That night was her high school prom.   She and her friends decided to skip the prom and have a slumber party instead.  This was her leaving for the evening…….with her prom shoes on.

 

 

As soon as winter drum line was done, she started her Marching Band season.  They are practicing several days each week getting ready for the summer parades.

 

 

And…..as if Marching Band didn’t keep her busy enough, she’s also doing all the auxiliary percussion for the Center Stage musical again this year. 

 

 

I can’t wait to see her performing next week!  Here’s her view from the stage….

 

 

When she has some down time, she’s clicking away on the camera she got for her birthday.  In fact, most of the shots in this post are ones she’s taken.  She’s gotten really good!

 

 

That’s life lately for this goofball!

 

Life lately: Garrett edition

Today’s post is all about this cutie………

 

Garrett’s plate is pretty full lately!

 

He’s finishing up his junior year at UT Arlington and loves living the solo life in his own apartment.  I met his roommate – Hutch – last month and he’s just as goofy as Garrett. 

 

He & Hutch recently went to a job fair at the American Airlines Center.  Here they are looking pretty dapper!!

 

 

He was just named Employee of the Month at PetSmart……..woot woot!!

 

 

When I was in Texas last month, I went to visit him at work.  Any other kid would be mortified but not this one!  I met his manager and he gushed about what a great employee Garrett was. 

 

 

He’s still playing softball in the men’s league on the Sigma Pi 5 team.  They are pretty good!  Lots of laughter and goofing around in those games but they still seem to whip everyone’s behind. 

 

Sophie – Garrett and Maci’s adorable puppy - turned one on April 23nd!

 

 

A few days later, Maci was bending down to love on her when Sophie accidentally head-butted her!  It broke Maci’s nose!! 

 

 

They went to the ER but the doctor said there was really nothing they could do.  It’s still pretty sore but getting better.  Maci is one tough cookie. 

 

Mr. Serious.....

 

Even in the midst of school, work, trips to the ER, joy rides and softball……Garrett & Maci always have time to enjoy life!

 

 

That’s life lately for my sweet baby boy.  I can’t wait to see him this summer!!

 

Thank you, Maci, for all the pictures!!