Treasurypalooza: January!

Each month, the members of the Nutmeg Collective have the option to create a curated collection of items found within our Etsy-based shops in an effort to get to know each others' items and to help show off our beautiful work to others. So much thought and consideration goes into putting these collections together, that we decided to show off some of the top groupings from the past month.

 Back to Basics by The Toy Box by Vinny

All items shown feature Nutmeg Collective members!

 Connecticut Valentines for the Littles by Made by Jane

Another collection that is 100% members!

 For My Valentine by Queenvanna Creations

The top two rows feature NC members!

Icy by Evelyn Pelati

Featuring That Retro Girl, Jenny Fields Fiber, The Tiny Wren, Nutmeg Naturals, Start Talking Vintage, Sea Glass Designs, MSD Design, Designer Dwellings, and LilyPad Prints

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Click the photos to go directly to the treasury on Etsy, where there are clickable links to each item.
Which grouping is your favorite?

Kristen Skelton of Milo and Molly is a self-taught sewist, Kristen who runs her business while staying at home with her two small children.  Fueled by an endless supply of tea, she sews late into the night when the house is quiet, most often accompanied by her faithful poodle, Casey.  Stop by and see her collection of bold modern accessories and home goods.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | miloandmollyshop@gmail.com 

Local Love: EcoWorks

Have you heard of creative reuse? Learn about it from EcoWorks creative reuse center in New Haven, CT.

"I'm one of the founders of a group called EcoWorks, a creative reuse center for the arts. We incorporated in late 2012 and really got off the ground in 2014. Two of the founders had been dabbling in creative reuse for many years and decided it was time to organize a reuse center that would provide materials, teach folks how to use the materials and showcase products and wares from CT artists that upcycle or repurpose. We are currently run completely with all volunteers.

We sell art supplies; scrap from industry, business surplus and donations from individuals, often downsizing their home craft room or perhaps retiring from teaching the arts. We also sell upcycled goods made by local artists and provide workshops. Our customers are very diverse; some visit us just for the yarn, fabric or tiles; others don't know yet what they're looking for until they find it. Our reBoutique store consigns with local artists. If someone is interested in consigning with us, we ask basic questions about their work, website or photographs and the reBoutique committee makes determinations based on a number of issues including: do the items fit in with our other inventory, if we have space for it, if we think it will sell with our customers, etc.

We work by committee! This is a blessing to us, because we all like working with each other, but to the business-as-usual folks, we likely appear to move slow. But we have processes we try to follow including hearing from everyone. It's also definitely a challenge that we're all volunteers. We hope 2016 will be the year we can hire someone to work with us.

The hardest part is that everything needs to happen now, you never have time to do it now and really its about forgiving yourself (and your partners) that you can only do your best. Our best has worked out so far."

EcoWorks

262 State Street

New Haven, CT 06510

Open Thursday 1-7pm

Saturday 10-4pm

203-498-0710

Connect with them on Facebook or Twitter!

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We love local businesses! 

Are you an independently-run Connecticut brick and mortar?

Get a feature by clicking here.

Know a shop that deserves a feature? Contact us at thenutmegcollective@gmail.com.

DIY Welcome Pineapple Stencil

Last year, in early Spring I was inspired to stencil a pineapple on our front step. Why you may ask? Well, there's a house around the corner from us where the owner stenciled (or stamped) the word "Welcome" in a few different languages on her steps leading up to her front door. Charming, innovative, creative don't even begin to describe how cool this looks. Not wanting to lift the idea, plus we live in a registered antique home (circa 1664), I opted for the early American Pineapple graphic that was a symbol colonists used to welcome visitors, to stencil on our brownstone step.

I couldn't find a pineapple stencil to purchase online, but did find a crude silhouette image (free clipart, public domain) that I downloaded and cleaned up by hand. I re-scanned and finished sharpening the image in Photoshop. I printed the pineapple out on card stock, ran it through my laminator, and with a sharp Xacto knife cut the black image out. Laminating the pineapple made the used stencil durable should I need it again, and it stood up to being pressed against a rough stone step.

I used an outdoor acrylic paint purchased at a big box store that can be applied to a variety of surfaces and with a small brush carefully dabbed or “stenciled” the image to the front step facing our street. If you want a go at this project for your home’s front step, simply download the Pineapple art to create your own stencil. This is a great and fairly easy way to update a very old tradition used to welcome visitors to one’s abode.

Pineapple Stencil

Suzanne Urban of Smirking Goddess and Suzanne Urban on Etsy. Illustrator, graphic designer and gag writer, she combines her talents to produce unique products featuring her home-brewed sense of humor. Fervently committed to her witty muse, Suzanne creates from her cozy studio housed in an eclectically furnished antique home where she resides with husband, Malti-Poo and Calico cat.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | suzanneurbandesigns@gmail.com

Connecticut Gift Shop Connection Group

The Nutmeg Collective is all about making connections.  Connections between our makers and curators, makers/curators to shows and venues, and now a specific place for our makers/curators to connect with local brick and mortar shops.

The Connecticut Gift Shop Connection's** purpose is to connect members of The Nutmeg Collective with gift shops and other goods shops in Connecticut who are looking for products to sell. Brick and Mortar shops can apply within Facebook if you own a gift shop/goods shop in Connecticut. Visit the Page here:  Connecticut Gift Shop Connection Facebook Group

All of our members look forward to connecting with local shops and being able to supply a selection of handmade goods for your shelves!


**This is a closed group and we ask that no vendors apply, please. Thank you.

Webinars and other Learning Opportunities

Webinars, Online Courses, Videos and Podcasts are plentiful for entrepreneurs to take part in. However, choosing one can be overwhelming. Our members weighed in on the opportunities that they would recommend.

Skillshare

Ann Marie owner of Sprinkles of Color

Skillshare - "It is $10 a month for unlimited courses, or there is a free level with a small selection of courses. It has a wide range of courses from business, painting, DIY, really anything creative." You can grab a free month using when you sign up using Ann Marie's link: Skillshare Free Month

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Kelly owner of our secret treehouse and Cyn owner of River Dog Prints

Creative Live - "They have a ton of great live and rebroadcast classes." - Kelly

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Brittany owner of Glitter & Bold and Jessica owner of Start Talking Vintage

The Merriweather Council Etsy Training Course - a self guided tour.

Merriweather Council

Michele owner of MSD Design

Smart Creative Style - "It's basically a branding workshop, but a very fun and visual one.
Think: Pinterest boards galore."

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Suzanne owner of Smirking Goddess

Renae Christine - Youtube videos for handmade businesses. 

Launch Grow Joy - Podcasts and blogs for growing your business.

Renae Christine

Matt owner of Mystic Knotwork

Etsy-preneurship - tips and tools for Etsy shops.

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Randi owner of Rayne Home Decor

Marie Forleo's B-School - "I did it this past March (8 week course)
and it's been an amazing experience and still continues to be!"

Written by Alonda Baird-Juhasz, owner of Designer Dwellings, who believes in adding color to life. An avid DIYer, sparkle-loving, all things fabulous addict, her shop features bright and fun home decor accessories and gifts. When not in the shop you can find her interior decorating or visual styling events and photo shoots.

Instagram Vignette: Wintry

Connecticut Made! Bracelet: @thetinywren Garland: @msddesign Photograph: @lilypadprints Card: @cyn_riverdogprints #nutmegcollective #ctmade #madeinct

A photo posted by Queen Vanna (@queenvanna) on Jan 21, 2016 at 2:34pm PST

Nutmeg Collective Call for Applicants

The Nutmeg Collective is a CT-based community of makers, artists, and vintage curators, and we are currently accepting membership applications! Our members work together to provide support to the super-small handmade business owner. What do we look for?

:: All handmade items, no licensed images
:: Exceptional product quality
:: A strong online presence
:: An overall clean, modern aesthetic
:: Cohesion in your product line

To apply or to learn more, click "JOIN" above and you will be sent to our application. We will be reviewing them in the coming weeks!