Vender Night and Opening Day at New England Fine Living, Middleton was a HUGE SUCCESS! Despite the windy and rainy weather, customers turned out October 1st, for the opening day with lots of positive feedback. There is definately something for everyone at the quaint shoppe. Just to list a few:
* (Obviously) Custom Dishes, by Paintin' Place
* Curtains by Paula, http://www.picturetrail.com/psav21
* First Rugs of Danvers, http://www.firstrugs.com/
* Locatelli-Smith Interior, http://www.locatellismithinteriors.com/
* Simply Cool Stuff, http://www.simplycoolstuff.com/
* Rosanne Palazola Framing, http://www.thefocusondesign.blogspot.com/
* Full Circle Day Spa, http://www.fullcircledayspa.net/
* The Dazzzling Dot, http://www.thedazzlingdot.com/
* Zoe Design, http://www.zoe-design.com/intro.html
Visit New England Fine Living for more vendors....I promise, there's something there for YOU!
In the company of some great Vendors!
I started my own business back in 1998. I got the bug for painting ceramics after taking a few classes right out of high school with my sister-in-law. The year was 1983. Nineteen years old and thinking "I could do this forever". I got married, had a few kids and got right back into taking classes when my kids were small. Wanting to do more with it, I decided to try it on my own. With the help of my husband, we set up shop in our spacious basement. Logo, kiln, tables/chairs and then came the customers (along with countless hours taking extra classes and getting myself certified). When I started I had 2 VERY busy nights of classes, then after a few years, the industry changed. I wasn't able to get items as quickly or at all, and greenware was becoming a thing of the past. I knew I had to change it up after my suppliers started to close. Classes weren't so busy anymore. I went from two very busy nights to maybe one not so busy night. Somehow I have to change what I'm doing, yet still do it.
That's when I decided to take my business on the road as a Mobile shop. I hosted parties for both kids and adults, traveling to houses all around the No. Shore. That was fun too, but still felt I wanted to do more. I was feeling, after many months traveling around that it was time again to change it up.
On the side, while still mobile, I painted a few dishes for friends as well as for local auctions and was getting great feedback. I started thinking, "there's something to this "custom" dish thing". That's when my custom dish business came to be, and I have enjoyed EVERY minute of it. I LOVE working with people and designing, collaboratively, on a dish created just for them or their loved one. A one of a kind keepsake to treasure forever. I love what I do and can't see myself ever stopping it. Then, not intending for it to happen, change came again.
I got an email from a friend who was looking for retail space to open a new boutique. This interior designer friend has had a very successful business in the past, but as we all grow, change soon follows. Instead of opening just a design store to sell her own business, she got the idea to open a store to sell many businesses, one of which was mine. So, come October 1, 2010 I will be selling some unique one of a kind designs at New England Fine Living, opening in Middleton.
While the changes made in my past with my business weren't always what I wanted, but rather what was pretty much decided for me by the industry, this change to "spread my wings" and expand what I really love to do by selling my wares in this quaint store, is a welcomed change.
I guess when you're in the business of always being a season ahead, it's safe to say that Spring (for me) is indeed in the air. I actually smelled "Spring" as I left work today? You know that smell? It's almost like wet dirt, yes as in mud, but more like wet dirt. It's the same smell I experienced as a child, as I left my cement block school with nothing around but black tar, smelled like dirt, but couldn't find any around that school. How and why "wet dirt" came to mind then and now is beyond me. Anyway, back on track....this is also the time of pastel colors, of flowers, bunnies and let's not forget school auctions, teacher appreciation, Easter, first Holy Communions, dance recitals. Such a fun time of year for me!
I look forward to new customers with new ideas, as well as repeat customers with new projects. For those that placed your order (early) I thank you, for those about to.....bring it on. I need a little more spring in my day!
The end of the school year is here. As for me and my studio, the end has come and gone. Wow! What a year end it was too! I have to confess though, I say studio, but I work so much better in my kitchen. Then I can stir what ever is cookin' on the stove, brush in mouth, and get back to the dishes without the paint even drying. I had my whole island covered corner to corner with platters, paint, pallets, contracts, class pictures of kids and lots and lots of coffee. It was a whirlwind and it was GREAT! I loved every moment of it and I thank you all for the opportunity to thank your children's wonderful teachers. Thank you all for keeping me busy and at my creative best.
I also want to give kudos to a few Moms who think their kids are pretty great and having a dish made for their graduation from 8th grade. They let them know just how wonderful they are. It's inspiring to see the love and admiration you have for your kids.
To all of you, I say:
What do you give a woman you've met only once, for Mother's Day? That was the question asked of me by a co-worker & friend. A platter was a great idea, but now what do we put on it? First thing that came to my mind was a poem. There's got to be something out there that fits this situation. As we were discussing the dish, my friend started to tell me the story of how she was trying to find her biological mother, (YOU'RE ADOPTED?? ) and how just a few years ago actually got to meet her for the first time. Sometimes you can know someone and not really "know" them at all. I've worked with Jeanne for six years and never knew her story. It's true what they say, "everyone has a story". And what a story - I won't get into the personal details, but I was so touched by what she was telling me and also touched that she came to ME and asked that I paint this special platter for her biological mothers VERY FIRST Mother's Day, and at 92 years old; she never had another child.
Jeanne found THE most perfect poem, Legacy of an Adopted Child. This poem choked up just about everyone that read it, including me. It's so touching and it honors both her biological mother and the mother that was there to raise her.
This dish has so much meaning and again, Jeanne, I am so honored to be a part of something so special.
I thought I'd add a little more narrative to the site. I post pictures of custom dishes I've done and parties I've had the pleasure of helping host and feel there's so much more to the story than what the pictures show, so Lorna's Blog is born!
I asked some women that didn't jump at the chance to attend a party and asked their thoughts when they were handed the invite. One word I heard over and over was "indimitation". They're thinking "I can't draw a stick figure how on earth am I going to paint pottery?" There are so many ways to have your peice look store bought. Your friends and family will have to see the proof of your signature to know it WAS indeed made by you. We have stamps, stencils and so many other "tricks" that help with creativity, and it takes very little artistic talent! You CAN paint pottery and absolutely LOVE it when you see it fired!!
I had a Paintin' Party the other night at my friend, Lisa's home. She did a great job welcoming her guests to her cozy home. The wine was delicious, the snacks, even better! I knew she had a great sense of humor, but getting her together with her girlfriends; it was non stop story telling and laughing. Exactly what a Paintin' Party is all about. Check out the pictures of this party on my "Parties" page, and when you're asked to attend a "Paintin' Party", don't hesitate....know you can create a masterpeice!
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