Small business' is boomin'

I was thinking last night, after yet another one of my wonderful friends posted on Facebook about my jewelry, how great it is to have a large circle of friends that are independent business owners and working artists. Small business' make up such a large part of our economy today; very different from even 5-10 years ago.

In this blog post I want to celebrate and tell you about some of the small business' that my friends are a part of and own!

Sam and Mikes Munchies: 
I met Sam and Mike (seriously one of the cutest couples I know) at a Greenville business event and learned about their delicious organic, raw food delivery business.  It's very rare here in Greenville (and the eastern NC area) to find healthy and tasty food but Sam and Mike are savvy at making vegetables taste yummy as well as easy to order.  

Out of the Box Bakery: 
If I lived closer, this would be my go to snack, operated out of the DC metro area;  Jennifer Brooks Lassiter bakes delicious goods that are grain free and dairy free.  Jennifer and I used to work together at the Human Rights Campaign and have had great times laughing and being silly on our lunch breaks.  It's so wonderful to see her doing something she loves!

Leslie Tharp Designs: 
Leslie is one badass sculptor/blacksmith/business woman! We met two years ago at Penland and I was struck by how she is fearless in working with iron, steel and all other sorts of hard metal.  She also has a range of skill in business, ranging from community sculpture projects to creating one of a kind wedding gifts such as candle holders and place settings.

Superstition Vintage:
Another awesome Penland friend, Adrian Lesoing has an excellent eye for thrift finds.  She pulls off A-line skirts and plaid like no one's business! Adrian is also a talented photographer.  Her style is eery and dreamy.  Check out her online boutique, you are bound to find a treasure you will love forever.

The Closet Consignment Boutique:
Paula has the best taste in clothing and an uncanny radar for where to score the best clothing and accessories in a Goodwill! I met Paula through our mutual friend Susan Chesson (a ridiculously talented hairstylist), we have already become fast friends and do lunch more than several times a week.  I'm ADDICTED to her boutique and it helps that I sell my jewelry there too!

This is just a short list of the friends I know that are running a small business.  I think I'll have to do a second post soon.  But for now, I urge you, shop local and support small business' - it really does come full circle when you support your community.

Thank you for reading!

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Penland Update Part 2

Leslie with her Giving Tree model.

The Giving Tree model - be careful it's hot!

Adrian Lesoing, Leslie Tharp and my dorky self.
We had fun being silly.

Leslie Tharp (aka badass sculptor)

One of the things I really loved about being at Penland was visiting the other workshops and meeting artists in different mediums and from diverse backgrounds.

It's no surprise that there were more women than men at Penland - we dominate the craft field! And I met so many amazing, talented and driven women. Leslie Tharp is one of them. She is a sculptor from Gainesville, Florida (an alumni of University of Florida - a fellow Gator!). Leslie has this infectious and happy spirit, I really enjoyed hanging out with her - especially watching her in sculptor action.

Leslie has a commission for the city of Gainesville to create a sculpture for the Senior Recreation Center. Her sculpture is called the Giving Tree. It is quite beautiful and elegant. I was really excited to see her model and designs for the bench.

Not only is Leslie busy working on her commissions she also has a brilliant side project called The After School Project. It's a group of emerging artists, recently graduated from fine art schools, from all kinds of mediums that meet to help each other develop in the field, share practices and create a community that fosters growth and knowledge. The concept and idea is wonderful because when you graduate you lose a bit of that community that art school provides. Hopefully I can find a group like hers when I graduate - or maybe even form my own!

I have a feeling I'll be seeing Leslie soon, the group of women I bonded with at Penland made a pack to have a reunion, at Penland or inbetween states.

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for reading!
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