Stash Studios

Weekend Outtakes

 

So after a week of intense bag building, my photographer and friend, Gary Griffin and I set out to shoot Stash Co bags all across the Houston area. This began at midtown and led us from Monica Pope's market, to Tacos a Go-Go, to West Alabama Ice House, to Catalina Coffee, to lesser known alleys off Washington Ave then the brilliantly colorful and intense farmer's market off Airline Drive and finally El Rey Taqueria.

Then on Sunday the Stash family needed to get far away from sewing machines and the smell of leather. So we headed to the coast. Here I've shared some of our outtakes. I've taken all photos unless I'm in them and those were taken by Mr. G.

I was thinking I should be exhausted today but I feel rather recharged.

Have a great week,

 

The Closer

 

A lesson my other grandfather left me with was this - never count your chickens before they hatch. 

This lesson in mind, I always lean on the side of caution when making announcements be they personal or professional. This probably minimizes some of my marketing opportunity but I can't in good conscience lead you to believe something before I know, with great certainty, it is going to happen. This is how I will always lead my life and my business.

So, though I am deeply engaged in three large-scale projects near and dear to my heart, I am going to continue to keep those close to the vest until some of the contractual details are worked out.

However, what I can tell you is this. I am thrilled to have a full-time commitment to Stash Co projects from someone I can best describe as "The Closer" because he always manages to close the deal. He is able to keep pace with my visions and make them a reality. I've been working with this guy through life and various businesses for more than 18 years and I see some great things in our Stash Co future. Welcome, Mr. Forde.

 

Get Your Stash On

Made to order and coming soon to the Stash Co store. Sign up for our mail list and/or follow on Facebook for the official item listing. If you really can't wait, email me your size.

Peace out,

 

Connections

Several weeks ago I was searching the net for inspiration. I was seeking a photo that captured a woman warrior spirit. Something of the moment. What I found were tintype photos from Surfland taken by artist/photographer Joni Sternbach. This serendipitous discovery opened a line of communication with Joni and now she is carrying one of my favorite Stash Co bags. Thanks for the postcard Joni. You made my day, again. 

Collaboration and community have been a theme running through the studio in 2010. It is a topic I will visit more in upcoming posts. Today we are often so focused on immediate results that we do not take the time to connect and savor and take in those intangible benefits of just being together and communicating with one another. 

In the last week, I've put 1,000 miles on the car and spent about 6 days in the fields of Central Texas visiting old friends and making new ones. One evening as we rested our weary bones under the starlit sky, a wise friend noted that we are all pieces of a puzzle and gathering like this helps us figure out how we fit together. I love that sentiment.

On a final note, I have to share something that came across the desktop this week from Seth Godin.

The best thing to say to an artist of any kind might be, "someday, people will think what you did is really important." 

If it's popular with everyone right away, it might not be art, it might just be good marketing. But if it earns attention and respect over time, if it wins over the skeptical, then you've really created something.

Good food for thought,

Fast Friends

Luck and fate allowed me to cross paths and become fast friends with photographer, Gary Griffin. Having built custom cycles, he really understands my dedication to carving out bags for Stash Co. And I knew I was in good hands when I found out that he has the dedication and daring to deftly wield a camera even while hanging from a moving vehicle to get that killer shot.

Today was our first day in studio shooting and some of the results can be seen to the left with the new profile photo and Stash Co link photo. I am looking forward to an ongoing partnership to produce a fresh look at my product and a peek behind the scenes in my studio workshop.

[all photo credits: Gary Griffin Photography]

Cheers,

 

Behind the Scenes

Stumbled across this photo shot with my phone during our last shoot for Stash Couture. One of the reasons there has been less blogging is that I've been working behind the scenes filling orders, rebranding, designing for several new projects and doing what Kelly Cutrone likes to call "tribe building". Essentially this is seeking and connecting with people who support your soul calling. I highly recommend this. In fact, I am off to meet with some of my tribe today. Thanks for your patience and continued interest!

Have a great week,

 

She Likes a Good Bourbon

photo credit: Stash Studios

So a little bird told me that one of my virtues is that I know my way around a good bourbon. And that I do. Kentucky is calling for a good road trip to really explore bourbon country and to get my hands on one of those 141 proof handcrafted delights. I've always said it is the most efficient drink. You get a lot of bang for your buck and it keeps you warm on a cold winter night or any other night for that matter. I'm nothing if not practical. And if you haven't met my drink list, find it here. You will find that tequila runs a close second to the bourbon.

Love,

 

Snow Stoned

 
 

Here is one of the latest bags I've added to the Stash Couture website. It is a bucket style crafted from a sumptuous snow white longhair pelt contrasted with stoned oil leather. This leather has a rich patina that will only get better with age. If you sign up for our mail list (in the upper right corner of this page), you will receive discount codes on your next purchase.

Have a great week,

 

Behind the Curtain

If you are a regular here, you know I keep on task of sharing things I love. Things that inspire me. However, if you are in the least bit curious of what goes on behind the curtain, your best bet is to join my Stash Studio group on Facebook. There I convey a more personal side of handcrafting in studio and hitting the road for various Stash-related adventures through spontaneous photography and random thoughts.

Cheers to a peaceful and prosperous new year,

 
 

That Girl

via gatekeeper.tumblr.com

I'm imagining myself curled up here with a good book.
Have a great weekend,