Get the 4-1-1

Retail is Change. I say it all the time.

And oh MY is change upon us, my friends...

Check out what the NY Times is reporting now, 

and get yourselves dialed in.

Bonaparte, Iowa

This home belonged to one of the mill owners in the town, one of the original founders. I loved it so I took a picture of it. We were coming up the street and there it was atop the hill, like it was overlooking the city. There are many lovely homes in this city, some of which were built by early Saints who Brigham Young left behind to help others along their way. I think that's one of the most incredible things about the exodus west is how the people coming behind them were planned and cared for.

This is one of many churches in Bonaparte. This one is unique because it is the "unified" church, which has about three different groups meeting in it. I loved the picture of the Savior as the good shepherd. The picture does not do the stained glass justice, but you can at least get a glimpse of the beauty of the church.

This is the Old Mill in Bonaparte. It has been converted into a resturaunt now. We were too late for lunch but we've been told it's very good food. Right next to this store is a great antique store. They have about anything you could possibly imagine, including some of the best fudge I have ever eaten. Their best seller is "Elephant Fudge". No, it's not made out of elephants like the elephant stew in the cookbook I gave the family members, but out of peanuts, marshmellows, carmel and other very fattening, but very tasty stuff.

This is the DesMoines River crossing. Obviously, the Saints made many river crossings. This is about an hour out of Nauvoo by car, but checking the date, it was a month out of Nauvoo for the early Saints who traveled by wagon on freezing cold ground that had an early thaw that year and every footstep truly took faith. I can't even imagine what it would have felt like to travel and struggle all day long only to turn around and see the fire still burning from your campsite the night before, because you had made less than a mile's progress from the day before.

Hub Grub Bike Ride in Seminole Heights this Saturday

This weekend, the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club is hosting a biking tour in our neighborhood to visit the budding restaurant and pub scene. There are some old faves and new haunts, and the weather should be awesome for a ride. Here's the plan and what do you know - it looks like it will pass by a little known shop called Tampa Street Market!

Here's the post from Alan Snel at Bicycle Stories:

"The inaugural Hub Grub Bike Ride -- the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club's bike tour of 8 Seminole Heights restaurants -- is set for Saturday. Please start gathering around 2:30-2:45 PM as the ride leaves promptly at 3 PM from the Garden Center, 5800 Central Avenue.

The St. Petersburg Times did a nice story to preview the Hub Grub Ride.

The eight restaurants are not too far from each other. But I tried to design a bike route that includes several miles of biking while also keeping off Hillsborough Avenue, which can be dicey for a bicyclist in the I-275 entrance and exit ramps area. Here is the line-up of restaurants and our bike tour:

START: Garden Center, 5800 Central Avenue.
Central Avenue south to Osborne, make a left
Osborne to Nebraska Avenue

MILE 1: Reservations Gourmet-To-Go, Nebraska/Osborne corner
Nebraska north to Giddens, make a right, then a quick left into Taco Bus back parking lot

MILE 1.5: Taco Bus, 913 E. Hillsborough
Walk bike through crosswalk across Nebraska and head south
Right on Frierson, left on Taliaferro, right on Osborne, right on Central Avenue

MILE 2.9: Starbucks, Central/Hillsborough
north on Central to Hanna, make a left, go through Florida Ave. intersection, left on Tampa Street, left on Idlewild, make a right into Front Porch side parking lot

MILE 3.9: Front Porch, 5924 N. Florida Ave.
south on Florida Avenue to Bungalow Bistro/The Refinery

MILE 4.4: Bungalow Bistro/The Refinery, 5137 N. Florida Avenue
You can bike right through the side door of the restaurant and out the other side doors! Cross the street and bike south on Florida Avenue for only a minute or two.

MILE 4.6: The Independent, 5015 N. Florida Avenue
Go next door to Cappy's

MILE 4.6: Cappy's, 4910 N. Florida Avenue
south on Florida into Highland, make a left on Osborne and go through Florida and Central intersections to Nebraska Avenue, make a left and go 1/2 mile

MILE 5.9: Ella's, 5119 N. Nebraska Avenue
reverse route and head back to Garden Center. Nebraska, south to Osborne, right turn and go to Central Avenue; right turn and back to Garden Center.

MILE 7.4: Return at Garden Center.

Preservation...

Photo lifted from ninebullets.net
I'm sure I would write about music more if I had time, but I do read quite a few blogs about music. So if you believe in music then you probably don't need to be told about why you should check out the new CD from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. I have had the amazing pleasure of seeing them a few times in their hometown and I can assure you it is worth the long wait in line and the crowds. I put them on my list of "Essential things to do in New Orleans even if they seem touristy".

Anyhow, another blog that I read is the local blog ninebullets.net which is a pretty solid americana, roots rock, and alt country type blog. Every once in a while they branch out and review something off their normal tack and I will leave it to the guys over there to talk about this album because a) they've listened to the whole thing and b) I couldn't have said it better myself.

-Charles

"I’m going to keep this relatively brief because if you know anything at all about the Preservation Hall Jazz band, you know it’s a brilliant record.

So, if you enjoy jazz, swing, blues or anything at all about American Roots music, and you enjoy hearing your favorite songs performed by an incredibly eclectic and talented collection of artists, backed by the best jazz ensemble in America, then this is a record you need to own. You’ll probably also want to buy several additional copies so you can distribute them to any friends who may have been physically incapacitated and, thus, incapable of purchasing this Essential Listening album.

If you’re not interested in the history and tradition of American music, or in contributing your money to the preservation of an American institution, then you’ll probably want to continue listening to whatever Starbucks tells you would best complement your double tall, nonfat Grande Caramel Latte.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Tom Waits – “Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing” (from Preservation)

Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Jason Isbell – “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (from Preservation)"

Head to their site for the music links - http://ninebullets.net/archives/preservation-hall-jazz-band-preservation "

StoryTelling

Just shy of a year ago, I wrote a guest post for design*sponge. 

As part of their BizWomen series, my article offered advice on building your brand image to maximize your visual impact. Since I am preparing to speak about this subject in a few short weeks, I thought I'd share the information again. Here's a taste {and you can read the whole post on design*sponge here}

‘Tell Your Own Story’ in all visual communications.

Make your brand an expression of your business’ individual mission, purpose, style, and products or services – and then leverage that brand by using it in every visual medium at your disposal. This is the main opportunity for you to show your potential customers why YOU are different than others - be proud of your individuality and build on it.

1. Be Consistent

Plan the components of your design and utilize them across all mediums. From your business card to your web site to your store or office, the same visual elements should appear - color, logos, fonts, taglines, etc. should all flow seamlessly. There should be no question that they all reflect the best things about your business.

Think of it this way: When a potential customer sees your ad, finds your blog online, or is handed your business card, what is the next step for them? Probably to check out your web site and get more info on you. Then they’ll come to your place of business. Will they see the same business image in all of those mediums? Does your image engender confidence?

When I work with clients to build their brand image visually, I help them choose elements that can be used in many mediums and materials to express a consistent image. We create a ‘brand palette’ that incorporates all of those elements to use in their brand expression. From the paint on the walls to the fixtures holding merchandise to the sign outside, it all plays off of their logo and business attributes. It’s experiential marketing because it immerses the customer into the brand – quite literally: When they walk into your place of business, your brand image surrounds them.

To read the other four things you can do, go here...

content of this post copyright DWK 2009; all rights reserved

no reproduction permitted - used by permision on design*sponge March 2009

{'Tell Your Own Story' is a DWK tagline}

image credit: www.bmpl.lib.me.us

Saturday Social March 13th at Tampa Street Market

March 13th – Mark your calendars! Loko Cuisine has graciously returned to help us fuel our spring revival and celebrate the new look of the shop. The mouth-watering menu is inspired by the St. Paddy’s Day fare of Ireland and is sure to get Green on your mind.

RSVP at www.lokocuisine.com

In the Pink

Are you new to blogging or have you been at it for awhile? 
Are you a blogger, a reader, or a lurker?
Are you just about ready to dip a toe into the water and try it yourself?
Or, are you still wondering why anyone has one?

No matter where you are with blogging, you'll find some great advice about using blogs to help promote your business in this article, from little pink book and pink magazine. {Make sure you sign up for their daily email newsletter - TONS of great advice, tips, & offers for women in business.}

Image Credit: little pink book

The Nauvoo Temple in a storm

This picture hangs in Lands and Records. It was taken a top the old Joseph Smith Academy, the place I stayed my first two years here. Notice the lightning all around it. I have seen that lightning surrond the pageant, but it did not come over the pageant site until the show was over and the boys were down out of the light towers. It also reminds me of the peace that comes with the temple and that it stands as a refuge from the storm, not just the physical, but the emotional spiritual storms. I think this is about the fifth or sixth picture of the temple I have posted, but I've decided each view of the Nauvoo Temple has its own magnificence. I'm still amazed that it stands outside my window as a reminder that we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ, led by living prophets.

Lands and Records

These are the files that need updated. I have had the opportunity to update about 10 files so far. Some of them are my own family. It's been tough finding information on some of them. I have concluded that I need to be more diligent in the work of Elijah. My heart hurts when I can't find anything, especially birth, death, marriage, or information that would allow the temple work to be completed for these dear people. I have come to love them, even those who aren't family members. They have become a part of me.

Membership records 1839-1846 of Nauvoo. These were compiled by Susan Easton Black.

To the left is the Miller File, which records things like people who worked on the temple, people who paid tithing, or other donations to the work of the Lord. It also has hand done geneology records, some of which are just on notebook paper. This is a room about the size of my bedroom at home and it's full of information about people who lived here.

These filing cabinets are full of records that have been scanned into the computer, and a person coming to Nauvoo can ask for a cd of the information contained herein concerning their family members. On top are records of those buried in the Nauvoo Cemetery, membership records of those who joined the RLDS faith (now Community of Christ), and indexes to books in the back room where many stories are found.

Urban Charette Open Mic at Tre Amici Tonight

From our friends at the Urban Charette:

"The Urban Charrette Open Mic – Community Building Through the Arts – TONIGHT 7pm-9pm!!!

Act I: Defining Success
Wed, Feb 17, 7-9pm
Tre Amici (1907 N 19th St)

Community Building through the Arts: Conversations on the Future of the Arts in Tampa Bay Hosted by the Urban Charrette and the Artists and Writers Group

"The Artists and Writers Group is partnering with the Urban Charrette to host a series of conversations called Community Building Through the Arts.

These discussions will hopefully yield some good direction on how we can focus our energies to help strengthen and develop the Tampa Bay arts community.

Come join in the discussion about how we define AUTHENTIC ART in our community. What does that mean? What does it look like? How does it Feel? Come offer your perspective. This discussion will continue and go interactive during ECO.lution.

Come down and learn from local arts organizations how art is being used to create a stronger, more livable community here in Tampa. More information can be found at www.sdattampa.com.

Tampa Street Market - Who, What, Where, When, How, and Why?

On "Big Blue" also know as the Unofficial Official Seminole Heights Blog there was a call out to us to do a basic info story on what we do and what we offer the hood. I thought it might be fun to try to fit it into a basic question and answer from our grade school days, so here goes:


Who: Tampa Street Market - Amy and Charles Haynie along with our dog Baci, daughter Ella, and any and all friends and relatives we can convince to cover the store when we are not there. We live in the hood - within earshot of the Front Porch.

What: A furniture and gift store that specializes in eco-friendly, fair trade, and local products for people that want something unique and one of a kind for their home but don't want to get a second mortgage to afford it. We build furniture from scratch but also include a fair amount of refinished and repainted antique furniture with new low VOC finishes. Saving good furniture from the landfill is an important part of our green philosophy.

Expect to find:
-unique and one of a kind furniture of our own design
-cool antique and re-invented lamps
-local art from artists like Anika Easter and Ron Pieniak
-recycled gifts from Resource Revival, Alchemy Goods, Green Toys, Green Guru and Sugarpost
-green gifts from Envirosax, Chico Bags, and Dynomighty
-eco printed cards from Tweeprints, 9SpotMonk, and Modern Printed Matter
-local jewelry from Nested Yellow
-fair trade goods from Indika, Made by Survivors, and Spiral Foundation
-upcycled clothing from Guatemala by Chi Chi Amor (and operated by local residents of SH)

What we are not (because you asked): an antique store, a thrift shop, or the Friday Downtown Market

Where: 4715 N. Florida Ave at the corner of Florida and Osborne next to Seminole Heights Antiques and Karen's Place (technically in the same historical building). Our first location was next to Cappy's Pizza in the old Covivant Gallery space which we outgrew within the first year and a half.

When: We've been open for 3 years last December with a brief hiatus in 2008 when we moved locations. The hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 11-6 and Sunday 12-5. That being said, we don't have paid help (see earlier comment about friends and relatives) so if we have to be somewhere else, say a wedding, funeral, or the like then the shop is closed. The hours are a known source of frustration for the owners and customers alike and so we try to be accomodating and have the shop covered within reason. We wish we could be open more and of course that comes from how much demand we receive. As the economy has made it harder for us little guys to stay in business we have to be creative. If you are coming from far away and are concerned or need us to stay open late, then just email Amy@tampastreetmarket.com. She has a fancy new Iphone just for answering questions like - "How late will you be open today?" or "Do you still have those blue pineapple shaped lamps I saw on the website?"

How: The business grew out of our love for antique furniture re-invention and our continual search for cool products and designs. The "street market" name comes from the idea that street markets can have just about anything but most of the time are a source of unexpected and interesting finds. We often seek out markets in cities that we visit and incorporate these new styles and ideas into our work. As our design aesthetic evolved, which Amy calls "Industrial Cottage", custom work was requested more often and now we have a unique line of our own furniture that is built custom from steel and salvaged wood.  For examples go to places like Ella's restaurant or Groovy Cats and Dogs. Trips to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York were key to increasing our interest in designing our own furniture.

Another part of the business besides the furniture is probably best described as gifts and home goods. This grew from the need for a diverse product line (not everybody needs a new dining table) and from meeting crafters and designers working with recycled materials on a smaller scale than furniture. That philosophy grew to include books about green design, cards from recycled materials, clothes from recycled materials, and fair trade items that pay good wages to artisans around the world. If it's eco-friendly, fair trade, or local then it might find a home in our shop.

Why: Some pinch-me moments have been:
-seeing a piece of our furniture in the Tampa Museum of Art on display
-getting awesome press for us and the neighborhood
-building a desk for City Council's Mary Mulhern and delivering it to a crowded City Hall
-chatting with Josh Dorfman in Brooklyn about green furniture before he was a famous Discovery Channel celebrity

One quote that is pretty over-used these days is Gandhi's "Be the change you want to see in the world." However, as residents of this often blighted and misunderstood neighborhood, we decided that instead of just complaining about how no cool shops are open here, we should "Be the change we want to see in our neighborhood." It has been the hardest thing we've ever done, we feel like we are always working, and we don't sleep much. When you see how happy people are with their homes or how much they love buying a gift that is going to help worthy organizations around the world it definitely feels worth it. We are happy to be part of a growing trend of businesses that wear their ideals on their sleeve and do what they because they love it. Thanks for supporting us and if you haven't been in yet, then let me be the first to ask "What are you waiting for?"

Charles Haynie -02/2010

For more info try our website http://www.tampastreetmarket.com/
or the blog http://www.tampastreetmarket.blogspot.com/

Sunday Morning Market in Seminole Heights a Success

Photo from Alan Snel at Bicycle Stories



The sun was shining on Seminole Heights yesterday as arts, crafts, food, and community organizations met hundreds of residents on the lawn of Hillsborough High School on Central Ave.  The cold didn't scare people away and as soon as the sun came out, it was packed!  We saw so many friends and customers that it was a little overwhelming at times, but the show of support from our neighbors was very inspiring.  Artists that we invited to the event were blown away by the neighborhood support and that will allow the market to grow with each new date.  The next market will be March 14th and we can hardly wait!
Personal highlights for me were seeing groups like the Urban Charette, Seminole Heights Bicycle Club (with biking blogger Alan Snel, BGOSH, and the Seminole Heights Community Garden in full force meeting neighbors and getting the word out about their respective missions.  Future blog posts will cover each of these with events such as the Pub Grub Ride and Paint the Town Green.  Other highlights were the awesome vegan Crimson Velveteen (red velvet on steroids) cupcakes from the Organic Juice Co-op, sampling our new Gluten Free Bakey Viitals awesome cookies,  and Joe's Oat Patties for lunch.  Apparently Viitals has organic coffee so I'll happily be diverting some of my Java cash from the green giant down the street. 
There were lots of great artists including jewelry, clothing, and a really awesome woodworker that we chatted with early on in the morning whose name escapes me (I suck at names BTW).  Thanks for everyone that came out and feel free to drop a comment and link to other artists or groups that you enjoyed at the show.
CharlesH

Valentine's Dance

Last year the Single sisters did a dance for the couples of the mission for Valentine's Day. We decided we couldn't be outdone by last year's sisters, so we dug in and made it happen. The only place big enough is the Visitor's Center, so we moved the furniture out of the way, aside from the statue of Christ and of Joseph Smith, brough in some folding chairs, used the sound system from the visitor's center, set up some tables and used all sorts of creative things to make this work.

One of the couples here belongs to a square dance group, so we asked them to put some music together, and the rest of the evening, we put together. We baked over 600 cookies, decorated 12 cakes for door prizes, put together a floor show, and I was mistress of ceremonies. So many of the couples have come up today with sincere gratitude. It was a nice service project.

Deb's Video Series

 

Are you a retailer who sells product at home shows?

A wholesaler who sells products at gift shows? 

A dealer of handmade, vintage, or antique goods 

who sells at antique & vintage barn shows? 

Are you a first-time Farm Chicks Show vendor, 

wondering what you've signed on for?!

I have a great resource to share with you:

In 2008, I filmed six videos at the Farm Chicks show, 

to be broadcast on the Gift & Home Channel for retailers.

The videos contain information about successful visual merchandising, 

combined with interviews of some creative women 

who are very experienced & successful in this area of business:

Serena Thompson & Teri Edwards, The Farm Chicks

Heather Bullard, of Present Past Collection

Bari J. Ackerman, of BariJ Designs

Tammy Gilley, of Tammy Gilley Studios

and me!

You can view all six of my videos on my web site

www.DebiWardKennedy.com

{scroll to the bottom of the page to see the six embedded video players}

Oh, and I wasn't a brunette until December of last year... ;0)

Image Credit: DWK images 2008; 
Thank you to the Emmy-award winning video crew from Peak Video Productions in Spokane, Wa.

Scovil Bakery

This is where I spend three days of the week mostly. It's the busiest place in Nauvoo, except for the public restrooms just up the street. People stop by to get a cookie. Lucius and his wife, Lury Snow (cousin to Lorenzo and Eliza R), joined the church in Kirtland Ohio, with the prophet Joseph Smith being the one who baptized them. They traveled with the Saints to Far West, to Quincy, to Nauvoo, and then he traveled on with the Saints to the Great Salt Lake. She, and three of their children are buried here in the cemetery at the top of Parley Street.

The plate at the top is his legacy to all of us. This is an original of the 150 dozen that he commissioned to be made while serving on a mission to Great Britain. We only know of about 20 in existence now, but there are some replicas available.

The thing that I love most about Lucius and Lury is that they followed the prophet in all his callings to them, and they helped others to follow, as well. They were remarkable people.

Old Jack Frost

This is the Nauvoo Grove. In the summer it is full of leaves, and shade, and even a friendly little mole who weaves in and out. But today, it is full of frost. In a grove such as this, the Saints would have met to have the prophet, Joseph, preach to them. It was in a grove like this that he gave the King Follett Sermon, given in honor of his good friend, King (not to be confused with a title). He shared with us many important doctrines in that sermon. In the grove you can also read many people's diary entries of experiences they had hearing the prophet speak. My personal favorite comes from Eliza R. Snow, who recorded the thought that if we want others to be tolerant of our weaknesses, we need to be tolerant of theirs. I can't begin to count how many trips around this grove I've made strolling babies to sleep, or comforting a toddler who wanted their mom, or playing with ten year old boys who were bored stiff during rehearsal. It's a magical place, and holds many fond memories for me in the summer time. Right now, it just looks cold.

New design trends for cold nights.

 'Malle a Feu' by Atria is a hot fireplace design that disguises the traditional fireplace within a contemporary white trunk.--Ultra cool and casual! http://www.lefeunomade.com/cheminee-ethanol/malle-a-feu.htm

How about concrete and fire--tell me more!

http://www.solusdecor.com/

Or how about this outdoor patio from Apartment Therapy--Oppulence meets casual California style. I love it and want it in my yard!

Hands Across the Sand on Saturday

This came over from the well connected folks at Tomorrow Matters Tampa Bay.
-CharlesH

"For Immediate Release Contact: Cathy Harrelson, 727-415-8805
February 9, 2010 Phil Compton , 813-841-3601

Hands Across the Sands Saturday
Pinellas Legislators, Coastal Businesses and Residents Join Together &
Speak Out Against Threat of Big Oil to Way of Life on Gulf Beaches

Florida ’s beaches today face an unprecedented threat from Big Oil’s determined drive to drill in the eastern Gulf of Mexico . Saturday February 13th thousands of Floridians from every walk of life and political persuasion will join hands at 1:30pm on more than 80 Florida beaches to defend those beaches from the threat of offshore & nearshore drilling to our coastal environment and economy.

Prior to the Hands event, Pinellas County elected officials will join with local businesses at noon to explain why Florida ’s coastal economy must now be protected in both Tallahassee and Washington

WHEN: Saturday February 13, 2010, 12:00 noon
WHO: Pinellas County Elected Officials
WHAT: Hands Across the Sand press conference with Pinellas elected officials
WHERE: Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach , FL 33706
Scheduled to speak at the noon press conference at the Sirata Beach Resort are:
Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch , District 7
Senator Dennis Jones, D.C., Florida District 13 (R-Seminole)
Senator Charlie Justice , Florida District 16 (D-St. Petersburg )
Rep. James C. “Jim” Frishe, Florida District 54 (R-St. Petersburg )
Rep. Rick Kriseman, Florida District 53 (D-St. Petersburg )
Shahra Anderson, Regional Director, office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
St. Petersburg City Councilman Karl Nurse
Rep. C.W. “Bill” Young, Florida 10th Congressional District (R-St. Petersburg), has also been invited.

Drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico has been considered for years, but never more seriously than today, with debate in both the US Senate and Florida State Legislature to occur in the next few weeks. Floridians are sounding the alarm statewide and joining hands in an outpouring of support to protect America ’s best beaches and the $65 billion tourist industry sustained by our coastal environment.

Directions to press conference at Sirata’s beachfront North Deck: Enter Sirata Beach Resort entrance, turn right, driving under registration portico. Right, then left past Avis building, another left to park near yellow wall with sign for “north deck” on left (beach access is on the right).

Visuals: Bi-partisan unity among local elected officials, joined by business leaders and owners from Gulf Blvd.’s beach resorts, on issue of defending Pinellas beaches from oil drilling, standing together on world famous St. Pete Beach at Sirata resort, with view of Tradewinds resort next door.

Note: Hundreds of participants in nearby Hands Across the Sands events will begin gathering at 1:00 pm to join hands from 1:30 – 1:45. Separate advisory will highlight local events.

-Sounds like a worthwhile event and should probably get some media coverage.
-CharlesH

Give Market this Sunday in Sem Heights a Chance...

Photo - "Mary and the Rabbits"
Personal Collection - shot in Brooklyn
CharlesH

Some readers might know that the reason we call our shop "Tampa Street Market" is because three years ago when we started it, Tampa didn't have a street market. We needed a place that could house a little bit of everything and still retain a cohesive identity. I would guess that most Seminole Heights residents have never visited our little shop for some confusion over what it might contain. Now with a second market in Tampa on the way this Sunday, I'm sure the confused phone calls will continue.

Seminole Heights is having an open air market on the front lawn of Hillsborough High School from 9-1 this Sunday the 14th. There will be music, food, produce, art, and all kinds of stuff. For us, a street market is a place to find just about everything - produce, plants, food, flowers, art, crafts, and cool antiques. Without some of these , a market lacks the allure of the urban treasure hunt that it is. We love visiting markets in NYC that could easily fit a new folk artist between a flower booth and a pile of antique cameras. I bought a silver cigarette case at the Portobello Road market in London while I was munching on some locally produced gourmet soup and that remains a fantastic memory of urban exploration.

I am glad that we are being included in this market, even though we are being encouraged to only bring our handmade crafts and furniture and no old funky stuff. I don't know why it is so hard to explain to people what our shop can offer them and I have no idea why we get so many "spinners" (our term for people who spin on their heels and exit our store as quickly as they came with a look of intense fear or confusion).

I have told everyone we know about the market and hope that it gets people out of their houses on what might be a chilly Sunday morning this weekend. There were something like 25,000 people in Seminole Heights in the 2000 census and that doesn't include the neighboring areas. A blog post on "Big Blue" this week asked what people can do to keep our neighborhood moving forward.

I say "Go to the market. Give it a chance. Give every business in the 'hood multiple chances. If you have a bad experience, see what you can do to remedy it. Offer constructive suggestions to business owners. We are people. We are neighbors. We aren't huge corporations that with big ole cash reserves. Most of us don't have a backup plan! We are doing all we can to make you happy so all we ask is that you give us all a second chance and... So your food was slow at the restaurant once? So you had to sit at the counter at a diner once? So a shop was closed early and you missed them? We are people with families and homes and dreams and failures, just like you. Don't give up on your own neighborhood, we locate our businesses here because we love the 'hood as much as you do.

For info on the market try http://seminoleheightsmarket.com/


-CharlesH

Giveaway Winners!

... and the winners are:

Heidi of HiHo   and    Robin King

Girls, send me an email with your shipping address in it

and I'll get your book sent off to you this week.

By the way, I said THREE best answers in my original post about this giveaway.
The third winner is Linda Olsen of Portland. I didn't want her to know that she was chosen until she received her copy of the book in the mail. ;0)

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Q&A: Color

 Margaret from the blog Eclectic Design Source commented on my "Q & A: Color" post with her question:

"I'm curious what you think about deep, rich tones for retail? I love dark, dramatic walls -like black, eggplant, deep navy, espresso- but I'm not sure how it would translate into selling space.
Thoughts?"

To be honest, Margaret, it's not about what I think. ;0)
It's about the science of selling.

In his groundbreaking book 'Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping', self-titled 'Retail Anthropologist' Paco Underhill discusses his research and findings on what creates the greatest impetus for a shopper to to enter, browse, choose, and purchase from a store. {click on the link in my right sidebar to read more about the book and purchase it on Amazon}. Many factors are presented, and color is one of them. It is not a choice to be taken lightly or made simply by personal preference, as it is a tool used to project an image, a brand, a mood, and tell a story to the customer. As an interior designer, I'm sure you practice a similar philosophy when helping your residential clients choose colors for their rooms. However, while a personal preference tends to weigh heavily in a residential color decision, it is a very different situation with retail spaces.

Generally speaking, dark colors depress people and they suck up all of the light in a space. {Meaning it takes more light fixtures, bulbs, and electricity costs to recapture the light that you lose}. Using them in large quantity can defeat your purpose of selling. Light colors are not only uplifting to mood & spirit, affecting your customers in a positive way, but they also allow the colors & details of products to be shown more effectively. Obviously this is of importance when selling: Pink t shirts need to look pink, not peuse because they are surrounded by eggplant walls.

Dark, dramatic colors are excellent when used as 'punctuation marks' in retail settings - whether as part of the permanent decor or in product displays. A very neutral store setting benefits from judicious use of black accents, and a crisp clean modern all-white space would be energized by the use of navy blue. We've all seen the fresh contemporary pairing of espresso with pale robins-egg blue grow in popularity over the past few years - a perfect example of how dark and light compliment one another and create a mood. And eggplant is a wonderful accent to a palette of warm old world hues in a winery or gourmet food store. Much as in fashion, jolts of dramatic color like this add vitality and personality to a palette. The point is to use them thoughtfully and deliberately. 

We have all seen the 'chalkboard wall' done to great effect. Ditto the 'focal wall' of color in many design shows. If you are going to use a dark or very vibrant color on a large wall in your retail space, you have to do two things:

1. Make sure it is a high quality paint and an excellent paint job. 
Nothing ruins the effect like a shoddy thin streaky wall. Use a primer, then two coats of color - and apply the paint in both up/down and left/right roller applications to cover every area completely.

2. Use the same color in other locations in your space, on a smaller scale. 
If a dark color is on the rear wall of your shop {the best place for it}, then paint the base of your cash wrap {located elsewhere} the same color. And paint a chair or table that color, to use in your entry zone or window display. Make it a 'signature color' as part of your brand palette, and use it purposefully.

I've only seen two stores in my lifetime that have broken the rules of color use and succeeded: one is the chain store 'Illuminations'. This purveyor of high-end candles and all related accessories painted their stores deep charcoal, and lit them only with burning candles and narrow-beam spotlights  on displays. You literally gasped when you walked past, and were inexplicably drawn into the store to investigate this anomaly of mall shops.  Yes, MALL shops. They outperformed every other store when it came to visual presentation of their brand and concept. {Illuminations is no longer in business, but I don't think it's due to the colors on their walls.}

The other store that breaks just about every rule in visual merchandising SUCCESSFULLY is 'Victoria Company' in Orange, California. This tiny, narrow shop competes with many other antique, vintage, and home decor stores on the famous 'Circle'. You are met with a riot of color before ever entering the store, because the sidewalk outside is loaded with a plethora of bright, happy vintage-style furniture & accessories. Cars literally screech to a stop!

Once you walk in, you feel like a kid in a candy store with brightly-colored merchandise piled ceiling-high. The walls are bright sunny yellow, the trim is white, and everything else is kaleidescopic overload. Dona, the owner, is just as bright and colorful in spirit. She's had this darling shop for years and is a very knowledgeable retailer. No one else - possibly not even Disney - could pull this look off successfully. Even Mary Engelbreit didn't do it this well in her colorful stores.

SO, though rules of design and selling psychology apply to color, there is always room to break them. It's just harder to succeed when you go out on that limb. 

Image Credit: Color Guides - see them for help with color choices for your business environment. {Speaking of color, I'm still accepting products & props in white, orange, magenta, and aqua for my seminar stage displays. See this post for info.}

Broken Down

On my way home, I saw this wagon, and I had to take the picture. It said so many things to me. It reminded me of the talk, To them of the Last Wagon. The Rank and file of the church who faithfully follow a prophet of God don't always lead out, don't always get the recognition, but they are they there. I love the Lord and pray to be found worthy to be called his servant, his daughter, his friend.

Wagons lined up on Parley Street

Just as the early Saints, our wagons lined up on Parley Street. The early Saints would have been waiting to load their wagons onto the ferry, or when the river froze completely over, to drive their teams across the river. It gave me a great sense of awe. I started whistling, "Hope of Israel rise in might" because the words caught in my throat and I couldn't sing, but I rejoiced in great love for these beloved Saints. We knew, as the Nauvoo Pageant line says, "When you're here, we're here." They were here this morning.

And should we die...

These are our family members who did not make it across the plains, but died as they traveled.

Farewell to our beloved temple

I can only imagine what the saints would have felt as they turned to look back at their beloved temple--one for which they had sacrificed so dearly to build, and now they had to leave it behind. But they knew that they had been endowed with Power from on High, so they were determined to make that journey knowing that they had received the necessary ordinances to enter the Celestial Kingdom. Many of the couples were sealed eternally in that early temple, so their children born along the trail belonged to them under the new and everlasting covenant. It wasn't until much later that children who were not born under the convenant were sealed to their parents. I still look up that beautiful temple and marvel that it's there. I get to attend a session in it tonight. WOW! Am I blessed!!!

Oxen in Waiting

Like the morning that the Saints left, there were those who were left behind, because they were not yet ready, or they had not enough provisions, or they had been asked to stay and help others prepare, or there were also those who chose not to go. These are the oxen that give rides during the summer. They turned and watched us walk down Parley Street, just like those who were left behind would have done so many years ago.

The line up to walk out

I thought how appropriate that we stood behind the flag! Although the Saints were leaving the United States (or what was then the United States), they still maintained a love of Country. Carrying the flag, although you can't see them, are representatives of the Nauvoo Legion. Their charter was revolked by the country they loved. Their guns were removed by a government that was intended to protect the very freedoms that were denied the early Saints, yet they stepped up in her defense when the call came for them to serve.

Brigham and Mary Ann

If I haven't made it clear before, I love Mary Ann Young! What a faithful devoted daughter of God she was and continues to be. Mary Ann raised Brigham's children from his first marriage after his wife had died. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with full intentions of keeping her covenants. She married Brigham and followed him where ever he was called to go. When he served missions, she stayed at home in a swampy half built cabin, making trips across the Mississippi in freezing temperatures to obtain food for her children. She planted gardens, built things and supported Brigham in all that he did. She was an amazing woman.

This is much like the carriage Chancey Webb, Wainwright made for the Prophet, Brigham Young. Sitting in the carriage are great grandchildren of his who would lead our exodus to the Mississippi River.

Our experience with the exodus

Unlike the early Saints, we met this morning in a nice warm building, the Family Living Center, where we feasted on breads, muffins, cinnamon rolls, orange juice and hot chocolate. We each put on the name of a relative or someone who made the walk (notice the pink card on the sister behind the table). I represented my third great grandmother Hannah Workman Chadwick. We sang "Come Come Ye Saints" although it hadn't been written yet when the Saints left their beautiful Nauvoo and then we put on our coats, gloves, hats, boots and headed out to make the "long walk down Parley Street". It was once called the Trail of Tears, but President Hinckley, being the man of optimism and vision that he was, called it the Trail of Hope. As I started to leave, I thought of the great anticipation they must have felt. Yes, they were sad to leave their beautiful homes and especially the temple for which they had sacrificed, but they must have felt some joy knowing that Heavenly Father had selected a place for them, where they could worship in peace and build another temple. (I'm sure they had no idea how many temples would be built)
And we stepped off into the cold (albeit, not as cold as they did--it was 30 degrees this morning).

Memorial to the Saints

Although not the greatest picture, it depicts the long journey across the plains and the map of their journey as they traveled. Obviously, this is from Winter Quarters west and not from Nauvoo west becasue they left in midst of bitter cold from here.

Memorial on Parley Street

In this memorial are listed the names of those who did not make it all the way across to Utah. They had lived here in Nauvoo, and they died somewhere along the way. This morning, I had the opportunity to stand in behalf of our family members and read their names, and remember the faith and heritage from which I have come.

Joseph and Brigham

At the end of Parley Street facing west, stands Joseph and Brigham. Joseph was giving Brigham as much instruction as he could. I placed a picture earlier of the map Joseph drew on the floor of the cultural hall, which Levi Hancock copied. In Brigham's hand is a representation of that map. I met a man once at Winter Quarters who had made the 1997 re-enactment trek. I asked him why the pioneers would have done that. (He was not a member of our faith). His response was, "They were persecuted." I asked him about all that followed later, and then I told him, "They came because they were called by a prophet of God."

Preparing for the Exodus

This may say like a dumb picture, but it was a very necessary part of the Exodus. When word came from Brigham Young that the Saints must prepare to leave, these shops were among the most important in Nauvoo. They prepared the wagons to leave. But there were other spots that were turned into wagon shops--the Cultural Hall for example. Even homes became wagon shops. George A. Smith and his wife, Bathsheba, used their living room as a place where wagons wheels were made. The 6000 sq. ft. tarp that was to be used as a tabernacle soon became covers for wagons. When a prophet said go, these people not only listened, they hearkened.

Back in the saddle again

First things first... we are open, the shop looks awesome, and we are ready to rock! We've done plenty of late nights, running around with the voice of Tim Gunn at the door shouting "Make it work!"

We did get it done finally and we are really happy with the results. Ella has a larger and more secure play area. Baci has more room to stretch out and nap. Amy has the space to organize the office and dig out of our mess of paperwork that was 2009.

We got the chandelier hanging dividers up to help section the shop better and we also set up some moveable dividers for artwork. We hope to hear from more artists that are interested in renting space so we can continue encouraging the local artist community in our neighborhood.

We also learned that one of our favorite locals - Ana of "Nested Yellow" was selected as an emerging artist in the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts! Congratulations to her and to all of the people that got her jewelry for Christmas this year! She does amazing and beautiful work in natural themes with a good mix of metal and salvaged materials like antique buttons or stones.

We are working to get a booth at the Sunday Morning Market in Seminole Heights that is coming up in two weeks. If you are interested, let us know as we are putting together a group of artists to band together and show how creative this community is.

Thanks for your patience with our closing this month. Come by the shop and see all of the new stuff - you will be amazed!

-Charles

By the Book - a Giveaway!

Have you read this book, 'The Martha Rules'? 

I'll admit I don't watch the Martha show much, but I do have a few of her holiday decorating books. I highly recommend THIS one, which is geared specifically toward women entrepreneurs.  In it, 'The Queen of Domesticity' sheds that crown and puts on her business suit to share insights, plans, guidance, and perspective on being a business owner. This is the book that Martha wrote while serving time in a womens' prison a few years back... and that experience is referenced in the book. {I actually like the fact that she's included it, too.} If you have a business already, you will find some helpful practices in this book that will help you grow & expand.

I have several brand new hardback copies of this book, and would love to share them with a few of you...so let's have a giveaway, shall we? Call it an early Valentine. ;0)

Leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd like to receive a copy and you may get lucky! I'll choose the three best answers next Monday, February 8th, and post them here.

**And don't forget that I am still looking for props & fixtures for my seminar in March - read the post below this one for more into!**