Friday, April 11, 2014

Announcing: The Rowan Tree!

Spring greetings & happy Friday, friends!

I'm very excited to publish this post but nervous too, I've been dawdling forever, in fact this post has been sitting in my drafts for two weeks, clogging up the works. Fear and feelings of  "am I good enough?" are powerful forces, but I won't let my silly fears keep me from pursuing what I love and share it, so here I go!

Recently couple of my girlfriends opened a new store in the downtown area of my home town, Lodi, California called The Rowan Tree, and it's a great little place you guys! The stars aligned the store came together very quickly, quicker than one might imagine! It's getting better every day as it fills with art and handmade goodness by local artists and makers and I am honored to say that they've asked me along in this journey as a contributing maker & artist!

So exciting! A rare and fabulous opportunity for someone like me. I mean real talk - I've never sold a thing, I've never tried. I don't have an Esty shop and although I take what I do seriously and always put my best effort into everything I make, it's been a passion and my need to create, but never a commercial endeavor.

So!
What to make? What's my style? What do I dooooooo?

I've given this a lot of thought, and came back to where I started - the things I've always loved. Flowers, embroidery, felt. This is my starting place and where I am most comfortable, things I never tire of, which have a lot of room for exploration, interpretation and room to make my own. I've got lots and lots of ideas in a rapidly filling notebook stuffed with little bits of this and that, doodles and drawings, lists of suppliers and bigger grander things as one idea tends to lead to another. I am excited!

I had to start somewhere, so I started with pretty things to wear, broaches in soft, springy colors! 100% Merino wool felt, embroidered touches and just a tiny bit of sparkle. Here are my first contributions to The Rowan Tree!

Yellow Spring Felt Broach by Lisa Leggett


Green Spring Felt Broach by Lisa Leggett

Blue Spring Felt Broach by Lisa Leggett

Floral Leaf Embroidered Broach by Lisa Leggett

Light Blue Embroidered Felt Broach by Lisa Leggett

Bunny Broach by Lisa Leggett

Hello Easter Bunny

White Floral Embroidered Felt Broach by Lisa Leggett

Floral Leaf Embroidered Broach by Lisa Leggett

Strawberry Felt Broach by Lisa Leggett

Here is the display I made to showcase my pins in the store. I've had this mannequin for some time, but it's not usually this cute.{wink!}Normally it sits in our living room and displays one of my husbands collection of ice hockey jerseys. He's graciously let me borrow it for the time being. I gave the pedestal & top piece a coat of spray paint and covered the body in a yard of this (the only link I can find) gorgeous Pam Kitty Morning fabric I picked up on a recent trip to The Nimble Thimble

Broach Display by Lisa Leggett

I also made a few little needle books, these in a wonderfully soft wool blend felt with embroidered touches.

Felt & Embroidered Needle Books by Lisa Leggett

Oh, and a big, cheery pin cushion and some hand made greeting cards embellished with fabric & small touches of embroidery. Fun little extras that I was playing with. Looking forward to expanding on the idea of embellished cards.
Pin Cushion & Cards by Lisa Leggett

Looking forward to A LOT. I wish I had more time to make all the things that I'm dreaming of! I've always wanted more time (who doesn't?), but lately the urge is fierce! Now, if only I could make this into a full time job with bennies! 

Well... whew! That was a long post. I've already made several other things for the store and there's more on the way, and now that I've gotten this ball rolling, perhaps it won't be so long til we can chat again, and I can share a little more about what I've been up to and what I'm planning in the coming months. I'm pretty stoked about it!

Can't wait to chat about this with my blogging peeps, so lay it on me! Advice, pointers, critiques (but please be gentle ♥ ) I'm all ears.

Big love!
Lisa

p.s. Go check out the The Rowan Tree! Give us a "like" if you're pickin' up what we're laying down. Pretty please with sugar on top!

p.p.s. Hey look, The Rowan Tree has a write up in our local paper today! The shop is open all weekend, if you're local, pop in and say hi! Tell 'em Lisa sent you. ♥

15 comments:

Jo Ashcroft said...

This is awesome. Well done you. Your brooches are beautiful and I love the needle cases. Wishing you good luck and lots of sales xxxx

Unknown said...

Oh Lisa how fantastic! What a great opportunity for you. I think your felt pieces are so pretty and your craftspersonship is impeccable. It's obvious you take pride in your work. Best of luck to you in this endeavour! So exciting.

Beedeebabee said...

How exciting Lisa! :D Your stitched goodies are just BEAUTIFUL!!! ... and I love how you displayed them on that cute mannequin too! They'll catch the eye of all who walk into the store I'm sure, so you'd better get those talented stitching fingers of yours busy making lots more!!!...Along with your stitched pieces, maybe think about adding a few fairy gardens to the shop. You know how I love yours! You've got tons of talent Lisa and your ideas are always wonderful. You SHOULD be selling your lovely things! Best of luck to you and your friends! xoxo

Pat said...

Well done Lisa, your makes are winners! Best of luck Pat xx :)
(sunshineandasewingbasket,blogspot.com)

DH said...

I love your brooches! You do lovely work. I am happy for you and excited that you get to sell your beautiful items! Dawn

DH said...

I forgot to mention: I love the mannequin. It looks terrific!

Becky said...

Everything is so adorable! Way to go Lisa!

Bits of Stitching! said...

Wishing you success!!! The pins are lovely, you can't go wrong with flowers :-).

Kim said...

Your items are gorgeous!! So creative and beautiful colors too. I especially love the green and pink needle book! Congratulations - wishing you all the best with this new endeavor :)

Egléa Senna said...

Lindas peças! Elas farão sucesso na loja da sua amiga!
Um abraço e bom fim de semana!
Beautiful pieces! They will succeed in your friend's store!
Hugs and good weekend!

my cup of tea said...

Awwwww Lisa! They are beautiful! Just like YOU! This will be a great adventure for you! Have FUN!
Donna

Chris said...

Congratulations to your friends on their sweet store and to you for making such beautiful things for them to sell!

beadgirl said...

What a wonderful opportunity -- you make such beautiful things!

TheMistressT said...

You know how I love these and how I admire your skills and attention to detail, so I won't gush about that (again). But what I will say is, "I know her. Lisa's a personal friend of mine."

Unknown said...

I love embroidered felt and you do an amazing job with it! Your brooches are beautiful! Congratulations on your work being in a store, that's so so exciting!