CRAVE Dallas

Well, I am absolutely tickled pink (or should I say Pantone honeysuckle) to be included in the first edition of CRAVE Dallas – The Urban Girl’s Manifesto. It is a compilation of over 150 female entrepreneurs in Dallas with businesses that cover the spectrum. The CRAVE Company is making their way through US cities in an effort to support and connect local women to local businesses in an effort to save our neighborhood entrepreneurs. I want to share with you my spread as well as some of my local favorites…

My blogging partner-in-crime, Kelley McCarter Copeland, of The Hidden List…

Kelley also has a micro-boutique of vintage goodies called {Stash} located in Julie McCullough Kim‘s IndieGenius

Julie took me on my first trip to Canton Trade Days! What a blast! Anyway, Kelley, Julie and I are hosting a benefit for Dwell with Dignity called {LOVE}LY. We absolutely adore Lisa Robison and Kim Turner and their amazing non-profit…

I was so fortunate to meet the lovely Sabra Girard at a Dwell with Dignity event. The event was hosted by Sabra’s client Serena Cole, owner of Duxiana, who is a DwD sponsor. Sabra’s PR firm is hopping busy with the upcoming Super Bowl and I can’t wait to hear the stories!

So what do you wear to these fun events, you ask? I run over to Indigo1745 last minute and beg Denise Manoy to help! Denise has saved my day on many occasion, including when I was pregnant! I fell in love with her store and her family the first time I went to Bishop Arts…

Then I simply throw on as many Farrah B necklaces as I possibly can and I’m done! I did a post on the fabulous Farrah Brothers a while back. Her jewelry is my favorite and it also inspired me to make my jewelry board…

But when I actually have my act together and can schedule some shopping, I call on my dear friends Amanda and Alicia Barringer of Urban Eve. They bring the boutique to my house so I can throw a party for my girls and we can play while we shop! And if I’m too busy to squeeze in a party (everyone is biting this proverbial apple!), I can call them and have a personal shopping session anytime 😉

When planning my Urban Eve soirée, I’m sure to pull out the GAIA Empowered Women textiles for an extra chic punch! The gorgeous Paula Minnis has created a one-of-a-kind company with an incredible purpose. You can see some of the GAIA products in the post I did on table settings…

And don’t forget the flowers for the party! Debby Jewesson‘s Branching Out is the go-to for the final details… she just finished my friend Teresa’s wedding and is on to Chanda’s! She can decorate your event on any budget, big or small… her creativity is the key! She doesn’t know it, but her use of mint julep cups inspired my post on Simple Floral Arrangements!

Last, but certainly not least, is the amazing Jenn Sprinkle. Jenn was the city leader for the CRAVE Dallas guide. She hand-picked every last CRAVE girl featured and we would not have had this opportunity if it weren’t for her. Jenn has several businesses (multi-talented for sure!)… Waxpaper Design House and Jenn Sprinkle Designs.

I just want to thank Jenn for having the vision and faith and helping me along the way! I can’t wait to meet the other CRAVE girls and to keep it local. And for all of you Austin girls… they’re coming to your town next!!!

xoxo

Amy

 

Farrah Brothers

So my grandfather used to say “It’s not how pretty you are on the outside, but how pretty you are on the inside that matters”. And Farrah Brothers is all of that and more! My sweet friend, Kelley Copeland of The Hidden List, introduced me to Farrah and I could not be more thankful to find such an amazing friend! You may remember my Jewelry Display Board, and how I featured my own Farrah B jewelry. Farrah recently had a trunk show at The Gypsy Wagon and I was able to take a few photos of her amazing creations to share with you. Here are some pictures as well as my Farrah interview…

HoW: So Farrah, how did it all start? I have held my creative passions in for so long, how did you let yours out?

FB: Well, I’ve always been drawn to all things vintage and antique.  I guess it’s their character that intrigues me. Even as a child, I had a knack for collecting random trinkets – keys, jewelry, broken jewelry, buttons… you name it.  I never quite knew what I’d do with these found treasures; I just knew I “needed” them.

After college, I spent a few years working in the advertising industry, then shifted gears and took a corporate sales position. As a hobby and much needed creative outlet, my habit of rescuing old things took on a whole new life when my husband and I bought our 1955 home.  I developed a passion for decorating with old findings, which eventually led me to my true passion of “up-cycling” vintage jewelry.  Long story short… I started selling my creations and things took off!

HoW: What makes your art unique?

FB: My creations are one-of-a-kind treasures. I repurpose old findings and make them fresh.

HoW: I LOVE the idea of up-cycling! It’s very green! I know I have plenty of trinkets in my jewelry stash that need to be revamped.

 

Beads galore!

 

HoW: Do you have a method for your creative process?

FB: I don’t really have a method because my creativity has a mind of it’s own. When I try to structure it, the ideas don’t flow. My best work is late at night…I guess it’s because there are no interruptions.

 

Love these keys...

 

HoW: I thought I’d throw in a few pictures of Kelley’s and my Farrah B pieces!

FB: Love it!

HoW: Where can we follow you and shop Farrah B?

FB: My website is farrahb.com. We are working to launch the “shop online” feature early 2011. Here are several boutiques that carry my line in Texas and Arkansas:

• The Gypsy Wagon (Dallas, TX) – they have a website and you can find them on Facebook.
• Urban Eve (Dallas, TX) – also has a website as well as a Facebook page.
• Tres Chic Boutique (Brenham, TX) – has a Facebook page to find more information.
• Maggies (The Woodlands, TX) – has a website.
• Bungalow Designs (Harrison, AR) – you can find them on Facebook.
• Vesta’s (Little Rock, AR) – has a website for more information.

HoW: Farrah, you are such an inspiration to me! I think it is amazing that you were able to take your passion and turn it into a business. I’m sure you are ecstatic about the turn your life has taken!

FB: With my husband and family telling me to go for it, I resigned from my job to do this full time!  It was a bold move, but turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. After a couple weeks, I got my first wholesale order and it’s taken off from there.  I’m so thankful for the encouragement of my incredible family and friends.  It’s a blessing to have loved ones on your side when you literally “QUIT YOUR DAY JOB”.  I couldn’t have done this without them!

HoW: We are so excited for you!  I’m going to leave it with one final picture…

My Secret Jewelry Display Board…

So I’m a visual person with a bad memory. If I have a chore or a task I need to complete, I leave that paper/pile out so I will remember to take care of it and the clutter will drive me nuts until I get it done! When we were attempting to organize our small closet, I wanted to find a way to display my jewelry so that I could easily accessorize without having to go dig in a jewelry box or a drawer. Taking a cue from my friend and jewelry designer extraordinaire, Farrah Brothers, I decided a framed jewelry display board was the way to go. This project has been on my brain for a while and I was so excited when I finally found the perfect frame in an antique store. I had it painted an awesome turquoise lacquer (Benjamin Moore), purchased a foam display board, some cork tile and beautiful chocolate fabric. Here is the final product:

I was torn on what to use to hang my earrings, but decided on grosgrain ribbon for earrings AND brooches. I don’t mind a little droop from the weight of the earrings. I think it looks better than the wire that most opt for.

Our little closet made it difficult to photograph the frame once we hung it up, but I think you get the idea of how you turn the corner to discover my little secret! You would never know just looking through the closet doors!

Here is an image of my custom Farrah B jewelry grouping. I purchased the fur clip at the Dallas Flea and Farrah designed a set of 3 layers for me. I can wear them all at once or wear each piece on it’s own as they are equally beautiful.  Stay tuned for more on her fabulous custom jewelry!

I also wanted to leave you with a few links I came across while searching for inspiration for my jewelry display board:

* Sweet November – this blog had an adorable DIY for a jewelry board

* TaDa! Creations – turns an IKEA frame into a sweet jewelry board.

* Apartment Therapy – of course this site has some great ideas! Love the creative fabrics on Venishka’s jewelry boards.

I hope you enjoyed this post and please come back soon!

xoxo

A