Sneek Peek and links...

This is just getting too exciting. Everyday I get to come home and there is a package on my doorstep. I am like a little kid. I even get excited over the shopping bags and sales books.

I have nine new sisters that will be going to Convenzione on Sunday. Here is a sneek peek.

It is almost Tangerine time!!!

Here are some web addresses to remember:

elevenmorning.com (My studio website, where it all started)

elevenmorningstangerine (Tangerines new website!)

tangerine.blogspot.com (this lovely blog)

elevenmorning.blogspot.com (another lovely blog)

pinkskyproject.com ( the book and a great way to make a difference in someones life)

Have a blue sky day,
Gabriell

The Doors

These are the doors I picked up at the salvage yard that I am turning into tables for Tangerine. Believe it or not they are freshly painted. It seems that the original, wonderful, old, chipped, groovy paint might not have been safe, who knows. So to be on the safe side I power washed the doors, sanded them and repainted them with several layers of old exterior paint I had here at the studio.

It took all day in the sun but I put the Ipod on and let it shuffle. I danced, sang badly and painted, sanded and painted some more.

Yesterday I ordered a bright pink mannequin for the table that will have the coolest T's. Dead Worry sent the shirts to me this week...I was blissed out when I opened the box, they are too sweet. There is a pink puff sleeve with a big red anatomical heart on it that I am stealing for myself.

I also ordered a vintage hat mannequin, she was just begging to come sit on our counter. I love her because she has a soft oval face that is hand painted and serene. She'll fit right in.

I sent a request to Fat Daddy for Cupcakes. I LOVE these cupcakes and fingers crossed we will get some delivered fresh to our shop.

The new window signs came in and they are really "Orange" traffic cone orange! Once they are up I think they will be perfect.

Tomorrow is a big sewing day. I have a table full of paper clay dollies that need bodies. To all of you who have been waiting patiently, they are coming, they are coming.




Do something to day that makes you feel good...

Everything is moving along...

I just received a case of the most wonderful soap and candles that smell like heaven, earrings that are so cute you could eat them, and funky wallets that are going to fly out of the shop.

Gum balls, Party hats, vintage baby quilts...

This is feels more and more like the best idea ever and I am so glad I am taking a leap and making it happen, it seems a nice big net is appearing.

The big wooden table for classes just arrived, it is about 40 years old and sits on a fat pedestal so we can all sit around it without bumping into table legs. I am bringing the chairs over today and then we are going out to idea to look for comfy chair pads and some fun lighting.

I love that this shop is going to be full of things made by people and not machines, that we are recycling, upcycling, and being as environmentally aware as we know how to be.

The idea of supporting artists, and small business is so exciting. There are so many talented people in the country who make the most amazing products. The attention to detail, design and the use of materials is really refreshing.

The website is still being built, by me, so it is taking some time, but it will be lovely, and very simple. The banner was just created and I can't wait to use them.

Next week is Convenzione and that will require some energy moved in a different direction but I might actually be able to teach the workshop at Tangerine if I work really hard this week.

I hope your day is full of creativity and laughter, I will continue to keep everyone posted on our progress.

Gabriell

What it 's all about...

I got up very early this morning, I feel like a kid before Christmas, too excited to sleep and wondering what is underneath all that shiny paper.

There are a few orders that are in and the artists are all wonderful and talented. I can't wait to display work. I believe the artists are just as important if not more so than the actual work. I love opening a shop where everything is made by hand by people who love to make art and have creative spirits.

This is going to be a very special place, I can feel it. I also feel some fear and anxiety but those feelings are small compared to how wonderful I know the shop will be.

There are plenty of big stores to shop at in town with shelves full of shiny things in plastic safety packaging. Tangerine will be the only place for many, many miles where you can touch everything, most things being one of a kind, all things made with great care and attention and one at a time.

I can see hand thrown mugs, fat bars of soap and a stack of organic T's on my big antique doors.
The smell of cookies, gum balls and lavender, the sound of old vinyl playing in the background, and color, lot's of color.

There are two old fashioned park benches waiting to be painted, two big topiary waiting to be potted, and an old mint colored sink waiting to be scoured and brought to life.

It feels like there isn't enough time to get it all done and it seems like time can not move fast enough so that we can be in and making it happen.

Some one pinch me.

Pulling it together...

I went out today to the salvage yard in Berkeley to pick up some old doors, a mint green sink, two windows, and some rusty metal things. It seems this is the beginning of Tangerine. I know it sounds odd but I think it is going to be beautiful.

The space is industrial. I laid a faux wood floor and painted the walls but the rest of the space needs a little character. I could have gone over to Ikea and bought some new things but they just seemed so slick and plastic.

I want texture, color and curiosity. The trick is to not make it look like a yard sale or make it too shabby-chic cute.

The sink is an antique pedestal with original hardware. I am going to clean it up and display handmade soaps and bath salts in it.


The old doors will become tables. I love them they are all different sizes and colors and worn perfectly. Steve will have to build legs for them that I will paint a terrible blue. I will wash and seal them tomorrow.

I can not wait to see beautiful things arranged on these big solid tables. I love the idea of pretty glass and ceramic mixed with chipped paint and rusty hinges.

I have the most beautiful drawings that Stevie did several years ago that I am going to burn into a screen and print onto kids t-shirts, they are called "Pick Me" I know they will fly out of the store.

There are many artists that keep sending me work to look at, I wish I had the budget to buy it all, and there will be a time when I can.

So far we have hand blown glass earrings, the sweetest t-shirts, hand-made soap, vintage baby quilts, vinyl bracelets, toys, paper crowns, big jars of bubble gum, paper clay figurines, pins, buttons, cards and cupcakes.

I love this job, I can't wait to open!!!

G