Introducing Some New #LocallyAustin Artists Featured at Our Shop
Highlighting #locallyAustin!
After a busy Spring and equally busy Summer, we’ve been delighted to take on some new local artists. If you’re not familiar with our Shop & Studio location, we feature many lovely gifts and finds for the home and lifestyle. Over 80% of what we offer is local to our region in Texas— whether locally-sourced vintage or made new from talented artists and makers! We’ve GOT to support our artist and maker community… as creators ourselves, we live and breath the importance of that and hope to pass that appreciation on to you!
Here are some of our newest artists to join our ranks:
Lisa Chow Art
Hailing from Houston, Lisa creates whimsically-geometric prints and originals with pastels, soft shapes, and glitter. Lisa works with watercolor as the main base and then adds on other mediums, for a ‘minimal yet maximal’ effect.
Amanda Love- Love Studio Ceramics
Amanda Love focuses on ‘micro-batch’ handmade goods for whimsy and everyday use, living here in Austin. While Amanda also creates goods like mugs, plates, and serving bowls, she also creates fabulous air-plant holders (pictured above), which we mainly feature right now! Look forward to even more goods from Love Studio soon!
Clif’s Woodworks
Clif Hisel, of San Antonio, takes each piece of salvaged wood that he finds with care— he only works with woods ethically sourced from natural falls or necessary cuts due to damage (ie; he doesn’t cut down trees for his craft). From there he creates one-of-a-kind bowls, from woods such as Black Jack Oak, Pecan, Mesquite, and even Pistachio! Wow, look at that grain…
Audrey Jahanian- Little Green Press
Little Green Press is Audrey Jahanian, located here in Austin! Audrey creates lovely prints from watercolors that are full of depth. She focuses on using only compostable and recyclable materials for her processes, which focus on mainly printmaking but also include bookbinding, mural work, and drawing. We feature a selection of her botanical and constellation prints in-store.
And there you have it. This doesn’t nearly cover the artists we already have been featuring, so please visit us for the full scope! xo
What are the Differences Between the Three Chalk Paint® Whites?
Learn what the differences are between the now three colors of whites in the Chalk Paint® line!
Happy New Year and welcome back everyone. We’re moving into our 2019 with all the best intentions, and are getting some awesome new product additions in-stock. Some are the new Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan colors… which includes a ‘new’ white— the color ‘Original’ which has been included in Annie’s European collection for some time now and is just new to us. We’re thrilled to finally have it though!
Due to the fact that ‘Original’ has some creamy, warm undertones, and that the global ‘Old White’ has thus always been a bit cooler than what we’ve had in the USA, Annie has now adjusted the ‘Old White’ to be consistent with the global coloring as well. So what are the differences between the three Whites now, and what do they look like? For starters, we always have waxed samples at our Shop & Studio for you to view in real life, but here is a fabulous educational diagram:
While there is not much difference in the new colorations versus the old, we definitely suggest you visit us to see samples in-person. If you’re trying to paint a piece to coordinate with some other previous whites, you may find that the ‘Original’ is the most similar to what your old ‘Old White’ used to be and may coordinate best.
Another major plus in ensuring the colors are 100% consistent throughout the globe is that there’s been a small update to the paint’s consistency as well. We find that the paint is even more luscious and creamy. Pop in for a demo with the new paint as well!
Gifting Season Guide: Winter 2018
Peruse our recommendations for gifts that are unique, made by local artists, and/or are eco-friendly! For all budgets.
As far as we’re concerned, ‘gifting season’ generally encompasses Fall-Winter, with many different holidays and other cultural celebrations going on during this time. Another thing about this season… it often means travelling and spending time with loved ones in their homes, and it can be customary to bring a little thoughtful gift along now and then to such gatherings, especially if it’s the first season spent in a new home (truly housewarming).
It’s true that gifting should always be with the recipient in mind and never a selfish act! Focusing on unique, locally made, eco-friendly, and experiential gifts, here’s our Silk and Sage Design 2018 Gift Guide, with various price ranges for all budgets:
$5 and Under
A Thoughtful, Hand-Written Card With Fun Imagery and/or Original Artwork.
This is a classic that never gets old. The act of sending cards has waxed and waned through the years, but it’s definitely on the upswing in our opinion. Even for the smallest budget, sending your loved ones a genuinely thoughtful message (especially if you haven’t seen them in a while) is uplifting. And if they love the artwork they can frame the card!
Check out our locally-made ATX cards in-store from Beth and a Brush, Stationery Bakery, and Sharabella Fini, ranging from $4-$5 each including an envelope for each!
$10-$20
Zinc Heart & Arrow Measuring Spoon Sets.
Practical style in the kitchen is timeless. This set of measuring spoons available in-store has your typical 1/4 tsp - 1 tbsp. increments… but in the shapes of hearts (we just can’t get over them)! And you can untie their little leather strap to separate each spoon out if you’d like. They’re classier than your basic IKEA measuring spoon sets at $18 per set. Bonus idea: write down a favorite recipe and include it with the spoon set, or snag a yummy box of cake or spiced bread mix to give with the spoon set as a gift that you can bake together.
Rifle Paper Notepads and Weekly Calendar Pads.
Who doesn’t love organization that actually works and is low-commitment? Rifle Paper notepads, grocery list pads (with a magnet for your fridge!), and weekly calendar pads can be used whenever someone wants, however they want. Various lovely designs available in-store! Notepad styles range from $10-$13.
$20-$40
Candles Are Always Winners.
Candles are perfect for many reasons. They are consumable and experiential, thus making them loved and used with delight (most people we know almost savor their candles in small doses forever until they’re burnt through). We’re all about sustainable and nontoxic candle making methods too.
Explore scents from our candles-with-a-cause local Hello George Candles that supports Austin Pets Alive!, and candles in hand-thrown reusable ceramic vessels by Hey Moon Ceramics at our Shop & Studio. Both feature soy wax, lead-free wicks, and scents that are natural and/or essential oil derived ranging from $24-$38 a piece.
Design Book(s).
Pinterest is great and all, but what’s even nicer is to have a curated selection of inspiration bound right in front of you. Design books double as coffee table look books and well-loved idea generators. We’ve got great titles in-store, from Bohemian Modern to Creative Family Home, many books with step-by-step DIY painting projects, and price ranges from $20-$38.
Hammered Copper Bowls.
Our XL hammered copper bowls are large enough to be used as tabletop centerpiece vessels, or huge serving bowls for your dinner party gatherings. Each are 14.25” in diameter and $28. They are well loved gifts and are back by popular demand… snag one (or a couple) at our Shop & Studio as giftables while they last!
A Well-Made Mug.
We have a lovely selection of mugs for coffee and tea this season, many of which actually fit into cupholders and of course also fit well in the hand. Visit us for our complete current selection including works by Spako Clay, with price ranges from $24-$36 each. Bonus gift idea: add a tea ball or infuser, and/or a tea or coffee you know your giftee will love!
$50-$85
Captivating Throw Blankets.
For those with boho-chic, relaxed, and traveler vibes, throw blankets are an easy and timeless gift. We opt for ones that have been hand made, upcycled, sustainable, and made with care and compensation for the makers. Use them on the couch, on the bed, or take them to outdoor events (like picnics, concerts). Explore our one-of-a-kind kantha quilts, indigo, and mudcloth textiles in-store, ranging from $70-$80 each.
Image courtesy of Carla Aston’s blog to show the possibilities!
*Limited Edition Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan Charleston Collection Color Boxed Sets.
A brand new arrival! These could be quite perfect for the painters in your life that seem to have just about everything. The new collaboration with Charleston Trust reveals 3 new colors: Firle (a chartreuse-y green yellow), Rodmell (an eggplant-y purple), and Tilton (a rich golden yellow). Each boxed set comes with a Project Pot of one of the new Chalk Paint® colors plus 2 Project Pots of colors that are complementary to it on the color wheel, plus a small pot of Clear Wax and an inspiration booklet! So cute yet sophisticated, for $48.95 per boxed set.
$85-$150
Chalk Paint® Mini Project Pack.
This is a gift that’s perfect for DIY and upcycling beginners. The Project Pack comes with 2 small Pots of Chalk Paint® Decorative Paint (you choose the colors) and Soft Waxes (Clear and Dark Brown), and a small Natural Bristle Brush. Bonus gift idea: add on a Small Wax Brush and/or an Annie Sloan design book that we feature in-store. Ranges $84.95-$149.95 for the different options.
Our Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Starter Kit
We decided to create an unofficial starter kit for MMSMP, to make it easy for those who are just getting started with or trying to gift some Milk Paint. Everything you need is in this kit, and we feature the Basic Kit plus one with a Wax Brush option. Ranges $98-$122 for different options.
$150+
Original Fine Artwork.
Are you close to your giftee and know their taste? Have they been eyeing a certain artist? What about local, original fine artwork? Check out our featured works from Arielle Austin (many of which are still under $150) in-store for mixed and layered abstract paintings and prints.
A Gift Certificate to a DIY Decorative Painting Class.
Set any amount and we will create a cute gift certificate for your giftee. Then they have the freedom to choose the level, date & time, and type of class to learn new DIY painting and technique skills— with Chalk Paint® , Milk Paint, crackle techniques, distressed techniques, metallics, and much more.
>> BONUS: Stocking Stuffers at Various Amounts! <<
FOLK Botanicals Essential Aromatherapy Mists in Coastal, Purify, and Wildwood- $18 ea. (locally made in small batches with dreamy botanical blends)
Spako Clay Turquoise Heart-Shaped Mini Dishes with 24k Gold- $28 ea. (locally hand-crafted, limited edition!)
Pear-Wood Spreaders, Cheese Knives, and Pastry Knives by Cooper & Claire- $17-25 ea. (locally hand-crafted, each is unique from urban salvaged wood)
And these are just the tip of the iceberg. We hope your season is cozy, and full of love with truly memorable experiences. Visit us at the Shop & Studio to explore and contact us to purchase any of our wonderful giftables listed above (ask about our shipping options). #shoplocalaustin <3
Farrow & Ball® Launches Nine New Colors!
Farrow & Ball has nine new gorgeous colors that were just announced! Learn more about them here.
Wow! We’re absolutely thrilled to share Farrow & Ball’s® official announcement of nine new colors yesterday. For the last few weeks since they’d announced there would be new colors coming, we’ve been on our toes with anticipation. What kind of neutrals would there be? What about fun, on-trend colors? Now the wait is over, behold the new nine with a little bit about their inspiration:
Bancha No.298
This mid-century modern green is a darker version of the much loved archive color Olive. Named after Japanese tea leaves, it provides a feeling of security.
De Nimes No.299
An elegant blue that is wonderfully down to earth, it is inspired by the cloth of everyday workwear originally made in the French city of the same name.
Jitney No.293
This relaxed and sandy neutral takes its name from the bus that whisks New Yorkers out of the hot city to the beaches of the Hamptons.
Paean Black No.294
This Georgian inspired red based black is a nod to the colour of old leather hymnals which so often included a song of praise or paean.
Preference Red No.297
Our deepest richest red, this Baroque colour is named in honour of our original trade name. The preferred red of modern homes.
Rangwali No.296
A pink inspired by the powder which is used so enthusiastically at the Holi festival of colours in India.
School House White No.291
The lightest in the group including Shadow White, Shaded White and Drop Cloth, this soft white is reminiscent of the colour used in school houses.
Sulking Room Pink No.295
This muted rose is evocative of the colours used in boudoirs, a room originally named after the French ‘bouder’ - to sulk.
Treron No.292
A grey green version of Farrow & Ball classic Pigeon, it takes its name from a green variety of the species. The perfect accent for our Traditional Neutrals.
There you have it! We officially have new color cards plus sample pots in all of the new colors in-stock at the Shop & Studio. We have sample boards as well— come for a visit to see the new nine! And we’ll be hosting a launch party on Saturday October 6th which we’ll share an event listing for soon. If needed, visit our Shop page for F&B Sample Pots and other paint sheens to place your order from the comfort of home.
Arielle Austin Teaches a Guest-Class- 'Abstract Process Painting'
Arielle Austin, an abstract artist/ painter from ATX, joined us to host a class at our Shop & Studio.
First off, if you’re not familiar with Arielle Austin, please go visit her website! This Saturday 9.15.18, Arielle hosted a guest-class at our Shop & Studio location called Abstract Process Painting. This class stepped away from our more common DIY interior finishing classes, to focus on working with abstract fine art processes on canvas.
Arielle is based out of Austin, continuing her art practice here after moving from LA. She works primarily with paint, paper, and dried flowers. And she had been brainstorming to teach a class for a while. Hence Abstract Process Painting was born! Arielle’s intention with the class was to create a safe space for students to create and share, without judgement, apprehension, or pre-conceived notions.
Students explored their processes while letting their emotions and creativity flow. Arielle’s class was a breath of fresh air, without emphasis on the end result— rather, students focused on the journey of creating and developing their own creative language.
