It's raining, it's pouring, your Uncle's blog is boring.

Good morning, Kids. Well, I gotta say I'm still a bit down for the count though it would appear that the fever is almost done with me (but who knows?). But your Uncle still feels pretty less than bad and the 4 cold sores (!?!?!) aren't helping. It's been a sickly winter around here but I've made it through so much with nary a scratch...until now. So I am still here. Thank you so much for all your "get well wishes".

Under the weather....

Hi Kids....well your Uncle is now under the weather and currently at a 102F temperature. So I think I'm going to have to bow out for today on posting. Sorry. (I know...can you believe this?!)

Tum Pluckered

Hello, Kids. So you're witnessing the beginning stages of my return. That's a good thing, yes? Well, I am "plum tuckered" after marathon art-making sessions along with the day job! Oy vey! But even in the fog of sleep-deprivation (twice I was hauling myself off to bed at 4:30am and up again at 7 or 8 - not to throw a pity party, just to explain away any lazy toyps.) I had a great time getting back into the swing of my artistic groove. And, of course, thanks for your never-ending patience and support. (You know I'd love to spill my guts out about my project but I gotta keep it zipped up tight until September!)

Patience IS a virtue.

And Kids....y'all are seriously "virtuous"!!! Love your hearts, I know I have absolutely pushed you to the limits but I am now in the home stretch of my magazine project. Only a couple days left to wrap things up and then it gets shipped off to NYC!

After that, I'll get caught up on rest and posts and you'll have your Uncle Beefy back in business! Maybe it'll be time to do a giveaway? Hmmm? Have you earned it though? Uh, yeah...I think that's been settled.

And I THANK YOU so muchly for all your support! XOXO

Designers...make it work!

I posted about this a short little while ago and now it's happening! All you Seattle-area designer/crafter/artist/entrepreneurs are invited tomorrow night (Wednesday April 16th) to the Seattle creative meet up from 6pm- 8pm at Velocity's South Lake Union showroom on Yale Avenue, featuring special guest artist Matte Stephens.

"The events will go by the name of The Lab - we are hoping that they will become a place to experiment with new ideas, foster creative thinking and provide us all with plenty of opportunities for networking and inspiration. Please feel free to invite anyone you think would like to come and remember that The Lab is open to both men and women."

And many, many thanks to Paola for helping to organize all of this. As well as thanks to John Tusher and the fine folks at Velocity for hosting and sponsoring and, of course, Matte Stephens, guest speaker extraordinaire! Thanks, Kids!

Also... it's supposed to be raining tomorrow so there are no more excuses for not attending! As if rain would ever be allowed as an excuse in Seattle! See you there! Designers, make it work!

Waiting for you...just waiting.

Hey Kids! Look who's here! It's your Uncle Beefy! I told you I'd be back and here I am...well, sort of. I'm still workin' my tuckus off all over the place so this isn't much of a post but more of a "thanks for being patient!" Perhaps I'm pushing my luck or coming across like a bit of a prima donna (or is that primo donno in my case?)...but I'll get some posts to you this week. Anyway, this made me think of what you may be thinking with all of my "me" projects! (You're laughing with me not at me...right?!)

Hi Kids! Your Uncle here with a wee update. I'm going to be taking a little blogging break for the next week. I am currently working on a project for a magazine (!!!) (sorry mum's the word for the moment) and have a deadline looming with much to accomplish. Between flushing out those ideas and paying the rent I'm gonna need all the extra time I can get. But I hope and trust that you'll join me again soon...won't you? I'll let you know when the tea is back on! (Thanks for your patience and understanding.)

(In the meantime, a little inspiration thanks to Krissy. It's a video of Mike Long, a self-described "social rocktivist" (awesome!), dancing all over the place - 6 months in 6 minutes. This is a serious testament to having the courage to be oneself. Party on, Mike! Party on, Kids!)

See you all again soon!

This may also help keep you smiling until my return
...too flippin' cute!

Ooh!!! And check out Housemartin's posts on my town Seattle! Pam did features on some o' my personal favorites and a fine, fine job she did indeed.

Seattle Design Meet-up

Many of you may already be well aware of Grace's ingenious Biz-Lady Meet-ups that take place all over the country. Well, after her recent visits to Portland & Seattle, Paola from MirrorMirror took hold of the reins to put together a local Seattle group. And Grace kindly filled me in that this would allow boys in too (hooray!). The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16th at Velocity Art & Design's new South Lake Union location with the fantastic Matte Stephens presiding as first guest speaker!

If you are a Puget Sound artist, designer, creative, /entrepreneur this should be the perfect means to take hold of your own reins and help guide your career. Let Paola know if you'd like to be added to the address list! (You can click the "email" link below or visit Mirror Mirror.) Hope to see you there!

(This is from Paola's first announcement....)

"After the Biz Lady meet up in Seattle, I left my email addy on Design*Sponge to see if anyone wanted to continue meeting up.

And lo and behold, one of the people who responded was John Tusher of Velocity, who wanted to keep the inspiration going and was offering the new Velocity store as a location!

So on Monday I had tea with John to have a chat about the format such meetings could take.

We thought that it would be good to aim for monthly meetings and we would get a guest speaker or panel of speakers for each one (John's obviously got some great contacts he can tap). We also wanted to set aside a bit more time for socializing and networking afterwards.

We thought it would have more of a general design focus rather than just a business focus, though we might touch on small business-related topics at some point. Oh and given John's involvement, and the general design focus, we thought it would be odd if it were exclusively for women, though it would probably have a preponderance of women attending given what it has sprung from.

So I really just wanted to open this up to get people's thoughts and ideas on the above. I've sort of ended up doing this by default and am keen to create something that everyone feels a part of and will enjoy.

All ideas, comments and suggestions are hugely welcome - either via email or in the comments below. We'd particularly love to hear from you if you've got good ideas for a great name; know someone who would be a good guest speaker; can point us in the direction of wine/cheese/bakery sponsors; or want to get involved in any way. If you're a Seattle-based blogger and think your readers might be interested it would be immensely helpful if you could point them in this direction.

Most importantly, email me if you would like to attend the first meet-up, which we're aiming to have organised for mid-April."

B is for Brilliant.

Honey you can hold! From Honibe on Prince Edward Island (Canadian Maritimes shout out!)...all natural, no additives, dried honey drops ready for your teatime! And so cute too...eh?

Le chapeau d'oiseau

(Click on the photo to enlarge.)

This is a petite party hat that I made inspired by Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. While the movie left something to be desired, the styling of the film was spectacular. It's quite small and has a similar little jaunty heir like the hats below.

Kristine loved it, and it loved Kristine. (I know Kristine...I need to let you have your hat now.)

My profound apologies if my French is atrocious.

Saddle up for a Pony ride!

So today, the 29th of February, and to cap off "Eco Week," I'm hitching up with Carrie Siegel and Laurie Mee of Two Trick Pony for my very first interview! Now, I am no "Beefy Walters" (but I'm as chatty as a liquored up June Bug 'round a campfire as you will see) so a little understanding is in order. (And a HUGE "thanks" to Carrie & Laurie for obliging me in all my journalistic naivete and nosiness!) Nevertheless, I hope you'll saddle up and come along for the ride, Kids! Giddy'up!

Now, on to greener pastures...

UB: So tell us, what do you do/make?
CS/LM: Two Trick Pony makes hand screen printed, eco-friendly cards and invitations.

UB: How long have you been doing what you do?
CS/LM: We founded Two Trick Pony about 2 years ago.

UB: Did you get any formal training in learning your art/craft or was it self-taught?
CS: I double majored in Graphic Design and Fine Art at Flagler College in St. Augustine, but earned most of my screen printing chops while working at Urban Outfitters over a decade ago. We had to screen print the logos onto the windows each season...after printing in those conditions, printing on horizontal paper feels like a real treat.
LM: I earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. My major was photography, although I incorporated everything from fabric to stained glass to vanilla wafers into my artwork! I've been developing other skills since then such as graphic design, screen-printing and bookbinding.

UB: How did you start your own business or what made you decide to take the plunge? You have a partner, what created the meeting of the minds to team up?
CS: These two questions kind of go together, since I never would have done this without Laurie at my side. I had been thinking about starting a business, but was too scared to get it off the ground on my own. Laurie and I worked together at the time, and one night over Chinese food, she told me she had been thinking about leaving the company. I was crushed, but immediately blurted out, "Oh...well, then you and I should start a line of paper goods." Much to my surprise, she had been thinking about the same thing and took my proposal seriously!
LM: The process of decision making is kind of organic for me, so I can't really pinpoint what made me take the plunge. However, finding a kindred spirit in Carrie definitely helped a lot! You kind of just know when you are on the same wavelength with someone, which is invaluable when owning a business together.

UB: What's a typical day for you?
CS: My days are pretty varied because I do a lot of free-lance work as my "day job." On Two Trick Pony days, I'll drive to Laurie's, play with her dog, Wally, and go to our basement studio to prep some screens or do some printing. Sometimes we'll have a sleep-over, and stay up talking about plans for the business, new color trends, and boys (of course)
LM: I have a day job as a graphic designer 4 days a week. On those days, I'll typically come home from work, walk my pooch and then work on Two Trick Pony tasks. The rest of my week will usually include a meeting of the pony minds to brainstorm new designs, discuss marketing opportunities and just dish about cool stuff we've seen that inspires us.

UB: So you have an eco-minded business.... Did you know that's what you wanted to do from the beginning of Two Trick Pony or is that something that has evolved over time?
CS/LM: Two Trick Pony has been green from the first "Giddyup!" We both felt that part of the benefit of owning your own company is that you can make big decisions, like insisting on eco-friendly production, so it was a natural (ha!) choice for us. We also recently enrolled in the "GreenUp" program offered by National Grid; now our studio is powered with renewable energy sources!

UB: Has it been hard to incorporate from an artistic or production perspective?

CS: For me, the hardest part was falling in love with some of the more luscious paper colors and then realizing they didn't meet our standards for PCW content (100%, 100% of the time). It was hard to give up those colors! It particularly affects the production, though. Screen printing is a good fit for our aesthetic and is inherently a relatively green process: limited use of chemicals, wide variety of water-based inks, easy clean up, and minimal energy consumption (except a lot of elbow grease).
LM: From an artistic perspective, I find it actually helps me to have some set perimeters to work within. Of course there were a few papers we had to tear ourselves away from, but we are very happy with the eco-friendly ones we chose. From a production standpoint, being eco-friendly is healthy for the environment and healthy for us, so that's no problem at all. I think having begun the business this way helped a lot, rather than trying to convert from conventional practices to green ones.

UB: Financially (is it more expensive for you to do things this way)?

CS/LM: With a company our size, the financial impact seems to be pretty minimal...and in many cases, reusing materials and being cautious of our consumption has turned out to be more cost effective!

UB: Assuming that eco-friendly is also a part of your personal lives, which influenced which first? (i.e., did business influence personal or vice versa, or both at the same time?)

CS: I only became more environmentally focused in the last couple of years, and I've found that business and personal practices definitely feed off of each other. A light-bulb went on at some point, and I realized that many of the things I LIKE to do anyway (shop vintage/thrift, rework old clothes and furniture, shop local, etc) are also "green." This encouraged me to simply start being more aware of my actions both at home and in the studio, and make an effort to consciously choose the greener option. I am capital-L-Lazy, so if I can convert to a greener lifestyle, anyone can!
LM: At first, it was my personal views that influenced the eco-friendly path I wanted to take with the business. However, it is also a smart business move as there is a growing market for green goods. Consumers are much more aware now that they can make a difference by choosing eco-friendly goods and it is surprising how few paper goods are made from 100% PCW paper.

UB: Any advice for adding a more eco-friendly perspective to a business?

CS: Remember that even small changes can have a big impact. I think a lot of companies are reluctant to make sweeping changes, but one change at a time is much more manageable.
LM: Do some research about the effect we as humans are having on the environment. The more you learn, the more compelled you will be to become part of the solution rather than the problem.

UB: One easy thing to make an eco-impact?

CS: I switched the waste basket by my desk to a recycling bin instead of having both. This way, the influence of my Lazy-itis makes me pause and consider whether or not my piece of trash could be recycled instead.
LM: Don't buy bottled water unless you absolutely have to. Buy a water bottle that can be refilled from the tap, which is often just as safe as bottled water. Just make sure the one you choose doesn't leach any nasty chemicals into your water!

UB: Any advice for budding artists/entrepreneurs in general? To do or not to do? Books? Websites?
CS: Stop watching television; you'll get so much more done. Heh. Seriously, it's not as scary or hard as it seems. We've both been working day jobs while getting this off the ground, but if you're doing something you really love, it's not as hard to stay up late and work through the weekend. The rewards are WAY more satisfying than getting enough sleep!
LM: My advice to other aspiring business owners is to embrace the fact that you will always be learning. When you work for yourself, you are undoubtedly wearing many hats, some of which don't fit quite right! There are so many resources out there to help you learn the ropes, make sure you take advantage of them. I'm a huge fan of the "For Dummies" series of books, which have book keeping and accounting versions. You can also find seminars, sometimes for free, at local business organizations. In Boston, there is the Center for Women and Enterprise which offers some great programs.

UB: Looking back is there anything you wished you'd done differently?
CS: I wish we had reached out a little more to the press; neither one of us are big on tooting our own horn, but we're getting better about that. :)
LM: Probably yes, but nothing comes to mind which is a good thing.

UB: Who inspires you "entrepreneurially"?
CS: I'm inspired by anyone who manages to be successful in a creative industry without losing touch with their own creative side in the process. Lotta Jansdotter comes to mind as a shining example.
LM: My Dad, he started his own company in 1982, working 2 jobs for a couple years before it really got going. He's the type of person who doesn't let anything stop him. If he doesn't know how to do something, he will do the research and figure it out.

UB: Who inspires you artistically/creatively?
CS: Oh, gosh...so many people. I find a lot of inspiration in vintage illustrators, like Olle Eksell, Charley Harper, etc. as well as 60s/70s graphic design, particularly Saul Bass. I also have a real soft spot for vintage textiles and wallpaper - so good!
LM: I can't say any specific people inspire me. There are so many things I am influenced by, from nature and books to fine art and music. Yup, that's a cop out.

UB: What are you most proud of with your business? With yourself?
CS: I'm so proud that we had the guts to go to the National Stationery Show within our first year in business. As we're prepping for #2, I feel more and more proud that we were able to pull it off!
LM: I would say the proudest moment for me was when we realized how many stores had placed orders with us at the Stationery Show. It's one thing to love your own products, but as a business owner it is so rewarding (and vital) to have other professionals appreciate and purchase your work!

UB: Where are you based out of?
CS/LM: Boston Area

UB: Are you from the area originally? If not, how did you arrive where you are?
CS: I moved here from Florida two weeks after finishing college. I had visited a friend here and loved the city.
LM: I grew up in Massachusetts, went to college in Providence, jumped around the Boston area for 10 years and then moved back to my hometown 2 years ago.

UB: What's your favorite thing about living where you do?
CS: Boston still feels like a small town in a lot of ways, but it has all the glories of a larger city; decent food, great music scene, fabulous museums.
LM: I moved to the 'burbs from the city 2 years ago and much to my surprise there are lots of things I like about it. Long quiet walks with my dog, plentiful parking and starry skies to name a few.
CS: Oh, I'm TOTALLY jealous of your starry skies!

UB: When you're not pluggin' away at business...where's your favorite local spot to hang out and why?
CS: My husband and I like to meet up with friends at shows, so you'll find us at various music venues. If it's a quiet night, we love this little restaurant down the street called St. Alphonzo's Kitchen. Tiny and cozy with the best calamari I've ever had.
LM: Hmm, honestly I'd have to say home, that's local right?! A perfect evening for me is cooking a delicious dinner and watching a movie with my man and my dog.

UB: What personal qualities do you admire in others or yourself? What qualities do you not like?
CS: Honesty, forthrightness and a good sense of humor. I can't stand condescension and snobbery.
LM: I admire compassion, patience and definitely a sense of humor. Ignorance and stubbornness are big turn-offs.

UB: Coffee or Tea?
CS: Coffee!
LM: vanilla honey camomile tea... lately.

UB: Bake or cook?
CS: Neither!
LM: Both!

UB: Favorite comfort food as a kid?
CS: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. From the box, with the orange powdered cheese.
LM: strawberry ice cream, with mac and cheese coming in a close second.

UB: Cat person or dog person?
CS: I get the best of both worlds - I have a cat, Delia, at home, and a dog at the studio.
LM: Dog, but I've known some really great cats too.

UB: If you could be anywhere else in the world and/or time...where and when?
CS: Scandinavia in the 1960s. All that gorgeous pattern...drool...
LM: I'd take anywhere warm... it's winter in New England right now.

UB: You've just been asked to conduct an impromptu lip-syncing performance in your living room...what song do you choose to perform? Why?
CS: "Lips Like Sugar" by Echo and the Bunnymen, because I've loved them for years and have hair like Ian McCulloch. And I already know all the words.
LM: "South Tacoma Way" by Neko Case, so I could pretend I have her beautiful voice.

UB: If you could have picked your own name, what would it have been?
CS: Caroline. Or maybe Emma.
LM: Frances.
CS: I love the name Frances!

UB: Who is your favorite super hero?
CS: Does Abba count? They're Super Troupers...
LM: Jake

Who are Uncle Beefy's heros? Well, Carrie & Laurie for answering ALL of these questions...and you, gentle reader, for reading ALL of them! Thanks SO much for being a part of this!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

P-Patch...and not the good kind.

I promise that this is as close to "preachy" as I'll get during this week's posting but there is a reason why "environmentalism" is more than just a marketing strategy. This is a brief story touching on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch...an area in the Pacific Ocean twice the size of Texas...made of plastic debris. It's not entirely pleasant but it is entirely important.

Reduce, reuse, recycle....really.

Join me for Eco Week!

This week I'll be bringing you posts about products and resources designed for living a more eco-friendly life. Also, Uncle Beefy's first interview with...(you'll have to wait!) Lots to come in the days ahead so I hope you'll join me!

Blogs o' my heart...

Since beginning to delve further and further into the world of blogging a number of things have happened. I realize that I really enjoy the process of searching, scouring and writing (some mornings that part goes better than others). I better understand that the process is also comprised of a fair amount of work a good deal of the time. And, I have also found some amazing sources of inspiration and connection among other bloggers.

Knowing how much time I can put in makes me appreciate even more how much the following people add to my day in ways they may not even know. Each one (including others in the sidebar) presents a little unique viewpoint on the world and all it has to offer...some beautiful, some resourceful, some sweet, some sentimental, but all amazing in their own way. (Thanks to you all!)

So as we head into the weekend I invite you to some additional weekend reading. Some you may know, others you may not...but soon will. Enjoy.

Have a wonderful weekend, Everyone!

I love Paris...anytime.

The previous post got me to musing over my trip last March to Paris. It was my first time to Paris (the best Christmas present EVER from Kendall!), and it did not disappoint. This is one of my favorite images from the trip, a courtyard off the Rue Mouffetard. We were sitting at, what else, a sidewalk cafe watching the world go by. And what a lovely world it was (is).

Valentine's Day...a good time to talk about the bird and the bee.

(Perhaps, my favorite song...La, La, La. No, seriously...that's what it's called.)

Rachel over at Black*Eiffel practically gave me a Valentine when she first introduced me to The Bird and The Bee because I seriously heart them! And today I got another Valentine as they are releasing their new EP today!!! A tiny new album of, what else, love songs....swoon! So this 411 tip is my way of saying "I heart you too."

"HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY,
Gentle Reader!"

Your Honor...I object!

I know they always say what goes around comes around and that past decades of style resurface and influence new decades of style. I know things have flirted dangerously close to the "return of the 80's" in recent years. Really? Well, all I can say is that the day that case is presented in the High Courts of Style I will be there with this as my evidence against such a move.

(This was a really popular video in my early years of college in Canada and it was a hilarious flashback when I found it. I mean the cowhide mini is difficult enough...but that HAIR?!)

Studio Update

Good day, Everyone! Well, today marks what was to be the deadline for finishing up the studio. Typical of most renovation projects I'm past due and over budget. Eh, what are you gonna do? Keep on movin'! So past the myriad of physical issues that seemed to come up over the last few weeks (tweaked knee, cold (still sniffling), tweaked knee...again!) that inhibited my progress, I've carefully gotten back in the saddle.

So, once again, I give to you our last leave-off point....



And what followed....

The beginnings of "wallage." Actual drywall simply wasn't an option for me as I was working by myself (that stuff is heavy!) and if you could see behind the photos you'd realize that I'd have had no place to put it anyway. So I went with what I was able to work with on my own. And, sometimes "good enough" is just that.

So that's where I am at the moment...literally. If you walked out there right now this is exactly what you'd find. Well, that and a shabbily dressed "handyman" with just a bit of a smile on his face.

As always....stay tuned.

Seattle Sunday

Went into the city (Seattle) on Sunday to meet up with my friend Jenna. Just a leisurely day...cold but sunny...perfect for a cup of coffee and a sit down. I thought I'd take you along.

Overlooking Eagle Harbor from the ferry which travels between Bainbridge Island & Seattle.


Leaving Bainbridge Island and heading out into Puget Sound.




Seattle skyline in the distance. I love this view.


That's West Seattle to the left. Small children and seagulls ride the ferry for free.


The Space Needle


Coming into downtown Seattle.


Waiting to get off the boat.


This is at the north end of Pioneer Square. The only part of the city not to suffer under the general malaise of "tear it down and build a beige box" answer to older architecture. Oh well, history is totally overrated anyway. Don't you think? (Um, kidding.)

The Pergola in Pioneer Square. This always felt to me like a little bit of Paris. That is, until I went to Paris. But I still love it. The structure was original up until several years ago when a truck driver didn't make the turn and brought the whole thing down. I bet that was a really bad day for him.

Looking south into Pioneer Square.


My FAVORITE bookstore! Elliott Bay Book Co. Old creaky wood floors, miles of books, abuzz with people, coffee and noshes downstairs in the basement...albeit along with some rather unsavory restrooms. But what are ya' gonna do? You can't always have everything.


Just a pretty building.


Ornamo. An amazingly cool shop with lots of goodies that I can't really afford.


Occidental Square. Home to a number of art galleries including favorite Davidson Galleries.


Zeitgeist. A wonderful respite. I love all the warm woods and ironwork. Large street-side windows are perfect for people watching and getting whatever light might happen to appear. And the coffee ain't too bad either.


A Seattle-style fika (for a wannabe Swede). Okay, okay, okay...the sandwich & salad was Jenna's! I had a Top Pot doughnut off to the side. But if you can't see it I cannot be held responsible.


Smith Tower. An historical building that I imagine will likely house yet another branch of the Starbuck's world headquarters someday.


Walking up 1st Avenue toward the ferry terminal. The sign advertising "rooms .75" is old. And if it wasn't...would you really want to stay there?


The beginning of nighttime lights on the city.


Heading back home to Bainbridge.

(And now into the studio.......)