I Have Some Talented Friends

Living in Nashville, it can pretty much go without saying that I am surrounded by ridiculously talented people on a daily basis. The amount of musicians, writers, artists, designers and the like that call Nashville home is one of the reasons why I love this city so much. There is newfound inspiration around every corner, and I love how creative people tend to form a community, supporting and encouraging each other.

I also have a pretty large group of family and friends all across the country who have begun letting their creative sides out to play, opening their own businesses and following that little voice inside their heads that has been telling them to try something new or to take a risk.

So, I'd like to showcase a few of these friends and family members here today, with more to come! Check out their sites, and please patronize their businesses. We need to support these amazing entrepreneurs!

Muck A Duck

Muck A Duck is made up of my sister-in-law Janis and her best friend/ practically her sister, Megan. These sassy ladies hand make everything from pillows to jewelry to wall art in their hometown of Valparaiso, Indiana. Their creations are fun, funky and on trend, yet uniquely their own. I especially love the names they come up with to name their designs. I recently bought a red jeweled bracelet that was perfect for wearing on stage.

Here is their Etsy page.

You can also find them on Facebook and "Like" their page.

The Remodeled Life

The Remodeled Life is a popular blog run by my sister-in-law Megan in North Carolina. She writes about her adorable little family, the youth group that she and my brother minister to and mostly, the amazing DIY remodeling projects that she does around her home. And she also designs jewelry. Geez. Overachiever, maybe? I absolutely love her whimsical, colorful necklaces and earrings. These are statement pieces that can be worn again and again. I was wearing one of her Dragonfly necklaces like the one pictured above on the night that Nate proposed to me. So obviously I will keep it forever. 

Here is her Etsy page.

Also check out her amazing blog!

http://www.theremodeledlife.com/

Christie Silverstein

Integrative Health and Lifestyle Coach

If my dear friend Christie was not in my life then I never would have met my husband, Nate. So, she's already golden in my book. Add that fact to an amazing, warm personality and a love for people and she is pretty much set in the good karma department. She has such an amazing talent for connecting with people, which is perfect for the line of work she is in. Not only will she help you organize and declutter your life, but she will make sure you are making the most of your body by eating well and engaging in a pure lifestyle.

Find her at her website. 

Fun In Nashville: Porter Flea

When people think of Nashville, probably the first thing that comes to mind is country music. This, of course, is not a bad thing. Many, many people and businesses make their living from that kind of music. But Nashville is so much more than that. 

There is a massive, creative community here, and events like the Porter Flea are helping to spread the word that we have some pretty amazingly talented people in this town.

I can't wait until Saturday! Will I see you there?

Some of the cool vendors who will be there:

Rachel Gresham Designs 

I'm loving this iPhone skin. Or this one . I can't decide.

People Like Art 

Hands off people. This dress is going home with me!

Pine Street Makery 

Ah, here we go. Linocut cowboy boot greeting card . YeeHaw!

Data Modern Furnishings 

Wow .

Sloe Gin Fizz 

Bicycle Print . So perfect.

Patch Design Studio 

Organic pillows ? You read my mind. 

Acorn + Archer 

Gorgeous wood pendants . Would look pretty with the dress above, no?

There are so many more incredible vendors. Too many to include on this blog. So come in person to check them out!

Etsy Find: Judy Kaufmann

Judy is a Barcelona-based illustrator whose colorful drawings bring a huge smile to my face. Check out her Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/judykaufmann

Home Tour: Valparaiso, Indiana

Janis is one of the coolest, most creative girls I know. This mother of two, wife and marathon runner is also a dedicated craft whiz. You can find some of her terrific ideas on the blog that she hosts with her friend Kristy.

I fell in love with her house the first time I stepped foot into it. Built in 1912, it is filled with vintage finds, handmade craft projects and original artwork.

Janis kindly allowed me to take pictures and ask her a few questions, which you can find after the photos.

        

 The girls' downstairs playroom.

 Chalkboard painted wall in the front hallway.

 1920's chandelier in Anni's room.

 Anni's room

 Anni's original artwork in her room.

 Upstairs bath

 Upstairs bath

 Rosie's bedroom

 Artwork in Rosie's room.

 A tent in the dining room? Yes, please!

 Table decals by Luvloo Designs. 

 Front sunroom

1. What is your favorite room in your house?
                    My favorite room is [my daughter] Anni's room because when I first walked through the house it seemed like everything I would have wanted in a room as a little girl. The window overlooked a two hundred year old elm tree in our backyard and it was small and quaint and had nooks and crannies.


2. Where do you find your design inspiration?
                    From anything and everything. Music, colors outside, Anni's paintings, The Art Institute of Chicago and design blogs like 'Oh Happy Day .'


3. Do you have a favorite place to shop?
                    My favorite place to shop is Etsy. I like finding original designers like 'Muck Duck' and 'Collective Revolution.' Some of the most creative people I know are the ones who take risks, put their hands in rusty junk and think outside of the box.


4. Where did you find the amazing chandeliers in the girls' rooms?
                    I got the chandeliers from Ebay. Anni's is French from the 1920's and Rosie's is mid-century. Totally Eames looking. Funky and fun like Bud (Janis' nickname for Rosie).


Thanks so much, Janis! Be sure to check out Janis' blog, Loosygoosey.wordpress.com. 

Etsy Find: For Such A Time Designs

As the daughter of an avid antique hunter and collector, I grew up surrounded by other people's things. I remember going to estate sales and thrift stores as a child, and running my fingers over the lace fabric of a gown, wondering who had worn it. Did they have it on when they had their first kiss, or when they had their heart broken for the first time? I loved imagining up stories for the former owners. I was also drawn to the old serving dishes and tarnished silver, wondering how many Thanksgiving meals they had been used for.

It is for this reason that I love Aly Nickerson's repurposed flatware. She peruses flea markets and sales and finds gorgeous old forks, spoons, knives and the like, then hand-stamps them. Her designs run the gamut from whimsical ("Make A Wish") to funny ("Coffee Is My Drug") to sweet ("You Are Loved").

She also does custom projects, so I am thinking of ordering a flatware set for Maddux with his initials. 

So sweet and simple.

Etsy Find: Xocolatl Chocolates

Too cute. She's also got a ton of other amazing looking treats. Yum!

Etsy Find: Shyama

As some of you may know, the Brooklyn Bridge holds a special place in my heart. I was looking for some original artwork to put up in our home, so of course I turned to Etsy, which has never let me down.

A quick search using "Brooklyn Bridge" turned up many items, but Shyama's art stood out to me.

I love the vintage feel and the sweet sentiments of her prints. They are mounted on a two inch thick wood block and are a "combination of collage, painting and transfer techniques."

Check out her Etsy site if you have a spare moment. But be warned, you may end up with a print of your own!

Etsy Find: Alexandra Grecco

I'm certainly not the first blogger to showcase the talents of Alexandra Grecco, and I won't be the last. This Brooklyn based designer already has quite a following, and with dresses like her best-selling  'If I Only Had A Heart' dress, it's not hard to see why. You can find her on Etsy as well as her main website.