Periscope

The Nutmeg Collective recently joined Periscope, an app developed by good folks at Twitter that allows you to live-broadcast from your location, allowing you to share information and experiences in real time.

We decided to join to allow you to see what goes on when The Collective is at a market, and to allow you to meet the makers of the group.  We did our first live broadcast at the Love Local Market over the weekend (which, if you go sign up, you can still see it for about another hour!).  Live broadcasts, or Scopes, as they have come to be known online, can be replayed for 24 hours after and then they disappear.  You get a sound notification when someone you follow is going live, or when someone you follow recommends a Scope.

You can download the app in the App Store or by Google Play, and we'd love to connect with you.  We are @NutmegCollective and we're hoping to go live again soon!

Love Local Presents: Shamrock Shop Market at Get Baked

artwork by Woodward Paper Co.

Another great market is coming this weekend!  The Love Local Market is back at Get Baked in Windsor, CT, with thirty vendors on both Saturday and Sunday starting at 10:00 am.

Connecticut-made goods will include teas, jewelry, pottery, handcrafted bath and body goods, knit and crochet goods, leather goods, photography, glassware, reclaimed wood pieces, and more.

Remember to stock up on Get Baked treats, breads, and coffee.  And grab a special, local ingredient Shamrock Shake! 

For more information, visit the Market Facebook Event here. We hope to see you there!

Nutmeg Collective Gift Shop Field Trip: Glastonbury

The Sow's Ear

Denise of The Burnt Shop came up with the idea for a member field trip to several gift shops in Connecticut.  Over ten members participated and each shop received a basket of Nutmeg Collective samples.  This is a look at the first stop in Glastonbury.

The Sow's Ear

First stop on the trip was The Sow's Ear, an eclectic mix of beautiful home furnishings, antiques, gifts and jewelry, run by Monica and Sarah.

The Sow's Ear

From their site:  "We joyfully present to you new, antique and repurposed items to make your life more beautiful! You CAN make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and we can't wait to share ours with you!"  A lovely shop filled with wonderful things from every view.

Artisan's Boutique

Our next stop was Artisan's Boutique, a place filled with hand-painted, one of a kind items and home decor, run by Carol and Laura Still, a mother daughter duo.  

Artisan's Boutique

From their site: "Upon Laura’s graduation, and Carol’s decision to make a bold career change, the two decided it was time to bring all of those creative ideas to life in a shop.  The first priority was to become trained Stockists for Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan. Both Carol and Laura love the process of taking a cherished antique and giving it a new life. From estate sales to tag sales, from basements to attics, the two bring luster and life back to homes, offices and outdoor décor."  A beautiful space that is also setup for workshops and demonstrations to unleash customer's creativity.

Artisan's Boutique

The next stop on the field trip took the members to Wethersfield. Stay tuned for those trip details!

Please support the lovely shops that hosted the Nutmeg Collective on the first leg of the field trip.

The Sow's Ear, 2400 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT
sowsear.glast@gmail.com
Phone: 860-633-0311

Artisan's Boutique, 30 C Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT
Phone: (860) 633-3555

Nutmeg Collective Critters: Mary Chicken

The famous Mary Chicken from Hickster Tees. Her bio: She’s the most popular chicken around! Loved by humans and foxes alike, Mary Chicken is Hickster’s mascot, and a more daring chicken has yet to walk the earth. She fights for social justice and makes artisanal free-range boar sausage in a tiny kitchen in Brooklyn. She spends weekends in Connecticut with her adopted family.

You can find her screenprinted on many things here.

Work Life Balance: Your Business Defined

Do you find yourself trying to do too many things because you are supposed to do them? Or writing things on your almighty To Do List that you think you should?

As you run your creative businesses, whether it be a maker, vintage curator, or retail shop, the pressure to mirror other successful businesses is huge.  But, do these actions or steps really suit you and your business?

Comparison is inevitable, especially if you are trying to grow the business you have.  You can easily fall down the rabbit hole of feeling inadequate or defensive about how you have developed your business and that someone else must know something you do not. It's simply not the case.

Yes, there are methods and strategies that work.  The way to find what will work for you is to give yourself exclusive permission to define your business as a reflection of you and what you make. You make the rules. You know your instincts are correct. You define your business and will succeed by staying true to what makes it distinctly you.

In the quest for balance in your busy life, defining your business as only you can, will give you the confidence and freedom to feel successful and ready to move forward in your way.

***

Cyn Thomas is the illustrator, designer and pattern maker of RiverDog Prints. Her paper goods and gifts are guided by earth, animals, function, food and cocktails. You can also find Cyn canning in her kitchen, walking her dog, being outnumbered by her boys and husband or reading herself to sleep.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | woof@riverdogprints.com

Introducing: Nutmeg News

Introducing: Nutmeg News!

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 Each month we will be making your inbox a little brighter by bringing you maker happenings, events, workshops, sales and more through the Nutmeg News!

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Nutmeg Collective Instagram: ArtSmith

We have some great photos in our #nutmegcollective Instagram feed.
On a regular basis, we'll feature some of our favorite photos here! 

A platter featuring the hand drawn image of Connecticut with a heart on the town of Somers. Get your own custom state platter at artsmithshop.com #ctmade #artsmithshop #artsmith #state #iloveconnecticut #home #etsy #maker #nutmegcollective #nutmegstate #handmade #maker #makermovement #somers #ctartist #pottery #nutmegger

A photo posted by Ruthie at ArtSmith (@artsmithshop) on Feb 29, 2016 at 7:36pm PST