E.A.S.T. Round-Up: Babely Studios You Don't Wanna Miss
To help you navigate all of 534 artists at this year's East Austin Studio Tour, we've created a roundup of our favorite participating female creators. Check it out so you can be sure to support the artists in our community this weekend.
Every year for the past 15, members of Austin's creative arts community have had the opportunity to showcase their work (and oftentimes their work spaces) during the East Austin Studio Tour.
Tis the season again, and for the next two weekends, 534 artists — the most in the tour's history — will exhibit pieces representative of their respective styles.
To help you navigate all of that expression, we've created a roundup of our favorite participating female creators. Check it out so you can be sure to support the artists in our community this weekend.
You can view all participants here or grab a complete tour catalogue and map at any Austin Public Library branch. Finally, let us know which studios you'll be checking out in the comments!
**FOR MORE INFO ON EACH ARTIST'S STOP, PLEASE CLICK THE ARTIST'S NAME. ALL CAPS SO YOU DON'T MISS THIS. XOXO**
1.
We're about to stun you with this craftHER Market Recap!
In case you missed it, #bossbabesATX hosted its first comprehensive vendors and resource marketplace, craftHER Market, on Oct. 23 at Fair Market. We had more than 80 vendors in participation and a slew of panels featuring some of our favorite geniuses around town. More than 2000 people attended to shop, support and learn about women-owned businesses and female-identifying artists, makers and creators in Austin's community...
Yeah. 2,000 people came, y'all.
And to be honest, this turn-out surprised everyone. No, really, even we were stunned. We've hosted large events before, but never have we ever seen the city of Austin rally so hard for the women who live here. It was truly dreamy, if you can't already gather that from our Vendor Coordinator Ashlee Pryor's face:
So, it's safe to say we'll be bringing craftHER Market back in the spring (so stay tuned via the market's Instagram). Of course, there were a few reasons the market went so well.
First off, we had an incredible lineup of panels.
We reserved a corner of the market for speakers and educational talks, featuring some of our own inspirations. See the schedule below:
SIDE HUSTLE: Starting Your Own Subscription Box presented by Cratejoy
Cratejoy hosted a killer discussion on the benefits of starting your own subscription box. From logistics to marketing to additional revenue, the team mapped out what it takes to expand a business with a subscription box method. Learn more about that by clicking here.
BECOMING YOUR BEST VENDOR with Poco A Poco, West Elm (Austin, TX) and #bossbabesATX
Next, we chatted with our own founder, Jane Claire Hervey, Rebecca Ruiz Acosta of Poco A Poco (and many marketplaces around town) and Lisa Nelson of West Elm's Austin location to discuss what to do at pop-up events, how to present one's wares and ways to secure genuine relationships and contacts within the pop-up event/market community. Moderated by Lauren Murray, this talk was a hit!
NICHE: A Branding + Storytelling Talk with Bunkhouse, REVERLY/The Swoon Event and Queen For Dinner
Then, we were joined by Isadora McKeon of Bunkhouse Hotels, Amberly Washington of REVERLY/The Swoon Event and Queen for Dinner to discuss the way growth affects a brand's narrative. Pulling from their own experiences, these panelists shared some of the highs, lows, triumphs and takeaways of their own careers in business storytelling (aka marketing).
SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR: A Talk with Natalie Davis
At 3 PM, Natalie Davis of Canoe and Salt & Time took the stage to chat with our founder about the way she's grown her businesses from start to finish, what she learned about tabling at trade shows and how she manages to master so many skills (leatherworking, design, creative consulting—she's a force!). If you'd like to learn more about Natalie's businesses and the coaching she offers, please visit her website.
WHY I MAKE with Desert Flower Designers, Red Planet Pottery and Ellen Bruxvoort
And last but not least, three of our favorite makers—Erica Alcocer of Desert Flower Designers, Hailey Vick of Red Planet Pottery and Ellen Bruxvoort of FIBROUS—sat down to dish on why they make, what motivates them through "shit work" and how they stay inspired.
On top of badass panels, craftHER Market had a fly installation by @imakegirls (pictured above), resource tables featuring different organizations and groups in the community and drinks and libations from Jo's Coffee.
Oh—we can't forget our vendors! 75 unique, talented maker babes.
Lotions by K
Sunfern Studio
Hola Dear Deer
We couldn't have done it without our sponsor Cratejoy and our dear friends/supporters at Fair Market. Real talk—without the help of Fair Market's staff and partnership, we would have never taken the plunge to launch this marketplace at all. Thanks, y'all, for an incredible inaugural craftHER! See ya in 2017.
In the meantime, stay updated on Instagram and on the web.
A Babe's Guide to Voting
If you haven’t made your way to the ballot box yet, may this guide be the final push you need to go vote already.
It is very likely that you have already driven to your nearest polling station, rotated that plastic dial, performed your civic duty, and taken a selfie with your “I Voted” sticker, as is your American right.
Travis County has already broken records with the number of voters who turned out at the polls Monday for the start of early voting. That’s in addition to the record-breaking number of Texas voters registered this year and the whopping 90% of eligible, registered Travis County voters.
But if you haven’t made your way to the ballot box yet, may this guide be the final push you need to go vote already.
A Primer
Early voting runs from now until November 4 Monday through Friday, anywhere you see a “Vote Here/Aqui” sign. You can find your nearest polling location here, as well as check that location’s hours.
You can also, of course, vote on election day, November 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Just make sure to get there before November 8.
What To Bring
An I.D., if you have one.
You may have heard about the federal appeals court ruling that stated that Texas’ former voter I.D. law discriminated against minority voters.
Under that law, the following forms of identification were accepted:
State drivers license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate (issued by DPS)
Texas personal identification card (issued by DPS)
Texas license to carry a handgun (issued by DPS)
U.S. military ID card that includes a personal photo
U.S. citizenship certificate that includes a personal photo
U.S. passport
Under the new court order, if you don’t have one of those forms of I.D., you may still vote by:
Signing a form that declares your “reasonable impediment to obtaining such identification, and
Providing one of the following as supporting documentation:
Valid voter registration certificate.
Certified birth certificate (must be an original).
Copy of or original current utility bill.
Copy of or original bank statement.
Copy of or original government check.
Copy of or original paycheck.
Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
If you’re missing supporting documentation, you can still vote using a provisional ballot, but you must provide the necessary identification within 6 days of November 8 at the Voter Registrar’s office.
What You Can’t Bring
Any campaign paraphernalia, including shirts, buttons, hats, et. al.
Your cellphone
Guns
Who To Vote For
That’s up to you, obviously. But the Internet abounds with voter guides, like this one by the League of Women Voters of Texas and the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area. Make sure to do the research ahead of time — know what they stand for and vote accordingly.
Also remember that Austin’s Transportation Bond (Prop 1) is on the ballot. You can study up here.
Some Tips
Check wait times before heading out. Visit ivoteearly.com to view a map.
Catch a ride. Cap Metro is offering free bus rides for both early voting and Election Day to help get people to the polls. Learn more and plan your route here.
- Don’t forget your sticker.
The Ladies of Sound on Sound Festival: Win 2 VIP Tickets!
We're big believers in all things fest.
Our founder Jane Claire Hervey's experience at a festival a few years ago inspired her to start this organization, so we feel particularly indebted to our friends in event and experience production.
So, we're stupid happy to welcome Sound on Sound Fest as it gears up for its first year on Nov. 4 through Nov. 6, 2016 at Sherwood Forest. Their sweet ass lineup features some of our favorite women artists, like Big Freedia, Beach House, Courtney Barnett, Empress Of and Phantogram.
Also, surprise! We've got 2 VIP tickets to giveaway, and yup, you can totally win them. Here's how:
1.) Click on the link below to listen to "The Ladies of Sound on Sound Fest" playlist, then select your favorite song.
2.) Comment on our Instagram (link to post below) with your favorite song(s) within the next 72 hours. One winner will be selected at random from those comments; you must comment on the designated Instagram post to win.
Best of luck! In the meantime, you can get Sound on Sound Fest's full lineup at soundonsoundfest.com. Tickets are still available!
A Gifting Guide to the CraftHER Market: Our 49 Favorites
This year, you won't be left scrambling to find a gift last minute. In part, because the inaugural CraftHER Market taking place this weekend features a huge lineup of locally crafted art, clothing, jewelry, good, and more. But also because we've created this perfect gift guide.
Ok, sure, it's only October and the holidays are still a few, short-lived cold fronts away. But remember last year? When you blinked twice and it was suddenly December, leaving you scrambling to find something nice to gift the women you love?
This year, that's not going to happen.
In part, because the inaugural CraftHER Market taking place this weekend features a huge lineup of locally crafted art, clothing, jewelry, good, and more.
But also because, this year, you're headed into the gift-giving season with a handy guide to see you through. We've compiled a list of perfect presents sourced from CraftHER vendors so you can hit the Sunday market prepared (or practice the time-honored holiday tradition of online shopping, if you'd prefer).
Read on to find the perfect presents for all the babes in your life.
Clothing
1. For the babe who keeps it cozy:
2. For the babe who gets stuff done:
3. For the babe who always says what's on her mind:
4. For your "Nena":
5. For the babe that recognizes quality when she sees it:
6. For the chill babe:
7. For the bébé:
8. For the babe with boobies:
9. For your squad:
Jewelry & Accessories
10. For the babe that sparkles:
11. For a queen:
12. For the West Texas Babe:
13. For the supportive babe:
14. For the warrior babe:
15. For the beautiful babe:
16. For the colorful babe:
17. For the babe who cherishes her alone time:
18. For the babe who can't be messed with:
19. For the independent babe:
20. For the babe with a green thumb:
21. For the cheeky babe:
22. For the detailed babe:
23. For the minimal babe:
24. For the babe with a sunny disposition:
25. For the motherf*cking powerful babe:
26. For the daydreaming babe:
27. For the vibrant babe:
Home Goods
28. For the babe who loves to cook:
29. For the flower child:
30. For the shooting star:
31. For the artistic babe:
32. For the natural babe:
33. For the knife-wielding babe:
34. For the baby:
35. For the earthy babe:
Bath Goods
36. For babes with shining skin:
37. For the organic babe:
38. For the babe that always smells delicious:
39. For the self-care practicing babe:
40. For the rosy babe:
41. For the babe that bathes:
42. For the all-natural babe:
Food
43. For for the foodie babe:
44. For the caffeine addicted babe:
Paper Goods
45. For the babe that can't get enough tacos:
46. For the babe that makes you laugh:
47. For the babe that always has something nice to say:
48. For the babe who writes:
49. For the fateful babe:
The Personal Space Tarot Deck by emileehere, $40
All of these items are available online and you can catch more at craftHER Market on Oct. 23 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Click here for more details.
Local Gem: Jack & Lola
Meet local gem Jack & Lola, a shop filled with curated collections of small batch, handmade, and artisanal goods. Started by boss babe Gaby O'Hearn, Jack & Lola was created as a tribute to her grandparents who "instilled the importance of adventure and family" and influenced Gaby to create a business that features products in small batches from local artisans. Read more about Gaby and how she got her start below and check out her online shop here.
Photo by Elkk Photography
Meet local gem Jack & Lola, a shop filled with curated collections of small batch, handmade, and artisanal goods. Started by boss babe Gaby O'Hearn, Jack & Lola was created as a tribute to her grandparents who "instilled [in her] the importance of adventure and family" and influenced Gaby to create a business that features products in small batches from local artisans. Read more about Gaby and how she got her start below and check out her online shop here.
Q: What inspired you to start working in the field/Industry? Did you have any role models or learn from someone, in particular?
A: I’ve always wanted to be a business owner. I guess you can say I got it from my mama. I have a background in architecture and have always loved the idea of curating a collection of beautiful things inspired by my love of design. So the two came together — my love of design and the entrepreneurship that my mom instilled in us.
Q: Do you have any tidbits of advice for people with passions, in general?
A: Cutting ties with the traditional sense of a job is difficult, especially if it’s to dive into the unknown. My brother gave me the best advice when I was first thinking about launching a retail location. He said to start slow — have a strong plan, keep my steady job, run the store nights and weekends, build a solid base, learn my business and then jump. Slow and steady, but always moving forward.
Q: What have been your favorite moments of creativity (possibly a time when a burst of creative energy produced something you could have never expected, etc.)?
A: When I first walked into the space which now houses the store, I wanted to run away. There were holes in the walls, missing bits, holes to the outside — it was scary. The more I stood there and tip-toed around, it started to come to life. I imagined all that it could be with a little blood, sweat and tears — ok, maybe a lot of that. But now it’s like a little treasure box.
Photo by Elkk Photography
Q: What have been your most challenging moments in your career, thus far?
A: Not knowing what I’m doing. Everyday is something I’ve never lived before in retail ownership. I don’t know why some Mondays are good and others aren’t. I just know that I have to make sure we survive that Monday. And the next Monday and the one months later too.
Photo by Elkk Photography
Q: What's your day job (if this business isn't your day job)?
A: I have a full time job in Marketing in the Architecture industry. It’s very corporate and so different from my “night life.” But it keeps me balanced and allows me to keep my passion project.
Q: When you're discouraged, what do you run to or away from?
A: I run to the river and back. I take it very literally and run. It’s hard to be “on” and encouraged 100% of the time. You need to experience those “oh shit” moments to get you through what are sure to be some hard times, but also not really exciting times of “Is this real life?”
Photo by Elkk Photography
Q: Your favorite band at the moment:
A: Jamestown Revival.
Q: Your favorite book at the moment:
A: Well, I’m working my way through the Telegraph’s list of 100 novels to read and I’m currently on #93. I’m looking forward to the next on the list - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Hopefully at the end of the list I’ll have one favorite I can name.
Q: Your local Austin gem (can be a product, place, etc.):
A: The sunsets.
Your social media handles:
Follow us on Instagram for shop happenings and cute puppies.
Instragam: @jackandlola_co
BABE ALERT: In the Company of Women, with Grace Bonney of Design Sponge (ft. some Austin babes!)
DesignSponge and some of our local she-ros?
It's gonna be a good time.
This Friday, Oct. 7, The Texas Book Fest has invited us to join them for a special event with Grace Bonney and a panel of Austin artists and entrepreneurs in celebration of Bonney's new book, In the Company of Women. In this book, she profiles 100 influential women who have forged their own paths in business and work, bridging the worlds of lifestyle and business like never before.
At 7 PM, Bonney will interview a number of our favorites, including: Nikisha Brunson of Urban Bush Babes and Folie Apothecary, Norma Jeanne Maloney of Red Rider Studios, Natalie Davis of Canoe, Ashley and Christina Cheng of SPUN Ice Cream and Kristen Dickerson of Raven + Lily.
Join them as they share their empowering stories of art, work and success.
WHERE: Central Presbyterian Church
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 7 @ 7 PM. Doors at 6 PM
TICKETS: Your $38 ticket includes a copy of In the Company of Women
Safe Spaces: Ashton Guy and Studiomates Kaitlin Merchant Davison and Christine Vanderkaap
Follow Berkman Drive long enough, into the upper creases of North Austin, and you’ll find a nondescript shopping strip center. There, in its furthest corner, past the Beall’s and the Domino’s pizza, are the frosted windows and high ceilings of Cement Loop studios. On any given night, visual artist Ashton Guy is likely inside, resplendent in color and cartoon energy, blaring music (if it’s late enough) and painting in the studio space she shares with fellow artists Kaitlin Merchant Davison and Christine Vanderkaap.
The environments we inhabit and the spaces we create for ourselves inform and shape us just as we go about shaping and decorating them. “Safe Spaces” is a new series meant to explore that relationship, by visiting female and female-identifying creators and doers in the spaces and places nearest and dearest to them.
Follow Berkman Drive long enough, into the upper creases of North Austin, and you’ll find a nondescript shopping strip center. There, in its furthest corner, past the Beall’s and the Domino’s pizza, are the frosted windows and high ceilings of Cement Loop studios. On any given night, visual artist Ashton Guy is likely inside, resplendent in color and cartoon energy, blaring music (if it’s late enough) and painting in the studio space she shares with fellow artists Kaitlin Merchant Davison and Christine Vanderkaap, as well as one-eyed Winky, Christine’s apparent sidekick.
Guy’s corner, on the immediate right of the door, is the launchpad from which her deeply vivid works of art are created. From its center, the space expands outward, like a semi-contained pop-bang of color and texture that feels like a piece of work itself — a kind of exhibit into Guy’s cerebrum that gives off “ancient alien cartoon energy and impoverished but optimistic 1980s school teacher vibes.”
Among the displayed artifacts of what she calls “a tornado of my favorite people, colors, shapes, words, and sounds” are old family photos, artwork by @darbscrash666 and @artbyjet, Father John Misty records, a shark, a rooster, a deer, snakes, antlers, a Chinese wooden mask gifted by her dad, Dr. Seuss books, a map of Rushmore from the Criterion edition DVD, fake sheepskins, her own artwork, and a yellow telephone, gifted from a friend, that she often talks to herself out loud through.
Some of it, like the childhood Six Flags season pass her dad recently sent her or the picture of her grandmother, serve to remind her of where she came from. Other pieces, like her own artwork, are there to prove to herself what she can do. Whatever it is that makes it onto her walls, it’s colorful by design — reds propel her to action while blue calms her down, helping her to “think heavenly thoughts.”
Guy came to set up shop here in December 2015, when she outgrew the desk in her dining room “studio.” Seeking to split the space (and the rent tbh), she made an announcement at a Boss Babes meet and found Merchant Davison. Vanderkaap soon joined.
Guy believes creators can create anywhere (she has), but that having a designated creation space — a lab, as she calls it — is critical for channeling expression into a full-time gig.
“As soon as we got the space that Christine, Kaitlin and I all share at Cement Loop, the way I saw myself as an artist changed,” says Guy. “My distractions are fewer and focus is at an all time high, my work ethic was completely revitalized, I have more workspace, more natural light, other folks to turn to as sounding boards, I feel more understood."
Those other folks include Vanderkaap and Merchant Davison, who occupy the other corners of the Cement Loop space. Despite different working schedules and styles, the three have formed their own community, a little family in which Vanderkaap handles the snacks and Merchant Davison helps with the business side of things.
“We learn from one another’s habits of organization, we all have different professional experiences to relate, we share supplies and end up trying out new colors or mediums we weren’t using before,” says Guy. “We’re all getting stronger together in this space. Everyone’s work has improved since we came together in December, it’s so cool and so obvious.”
The three have even discussed collaborating on a project at some point.
Overall, Guy’s space is an investment in the mission she hopes to accomplish, put forth by a quote she keeps over her desk: “Remember: You are a volunteer. Be a freedom machine.”
“I submit my life’s efforts to the shared pursuit of progressing our conditioned, fractured, man-warped civilization that doesn’t fully love or understand itself to grow a little freer,” she says. “It's heavy and nebulous and it's hard to find collaborators. . .But then you open the door to the studio and notice that your walls are decked out in psychedelic insanity and there are boobs and snakes and roosters and sharks everywhere and you wonder how Texas is letting you get away with this at all. Why is this working?”
And somehow, the clash of color and pattern and texture and medium does work to become a cohesive space that so viscerally evokes the energy of one Ashton Guy.
“It looks like a crazy person’s mind just —” In her studio space, she looks up at the wall and gestures like she’s splatting paint all over it. “But there’s nothing I would take down.”
BABE ALERT: We Released a CraftHER Market Vendors Shortlist!
In case you missed it, we've been booking our first craftHER Market, a space for self-identified women to sell, showcase and share their wares, makes and goods. Get the skinny (and our newly announced vendors shortlist) below:
craftHER Market
Oct. 23 from 11 AM to 5 PM @ Fair Market
Free, family-friendly and open to the public, our first market is here!
Come out on Oct. 23 from 11 AM to 5 PM to check out 75 booths woman-ed by makers, artists and vendors from all over the United States. On top of shopping, we have a day filled with panels, featuring the subscription-based service Cratejoy, Bunkhouse Group, Canoe Goods and more. Full lineup and panel times TBA.
VENDOR SHORTLIST (more vendors and incredible panels TBA):
Abby Lou Pottery — www.abbyloupottery.com
Cirridescence Studios — http://www.cirridescence.com
Crafts & Arts Clothing — craftsandartsclothing.com
Tattoos & Love Letters — www.tattoosloveletters.etsy.com
Olive + M — www.oliveandm.com
Brittany Bernstrom — http://www.brittanybernstrom.com/
Luella — shop-luella.com
C. Muire — cmuire.com
Chloé Jane — chloejanemade.com
Beautifully Bevilled — beautifullybevilled.com
POOR GIRL EMPIRE — poorgirlempire.com
Twolittles + Lou — twolittlesandlou.etsy.com
Personal Space — facebook.com/personalspaceatx
SMEAR Magazine — smearmagazine.com
Moore Soap — Mooresoap.com
Slantt Studio — www.slanttstudio.com
Stick With It Affirmations — stickwithit.co
Merci Bouquet — mercibouquetdesign.com
Wander Life — wanderlifeforme.com
Katie's Design Studio — kajdesign.etsy.com
Dear Valentine Candles — www.etsy.com/dearvalentinecandles
Foxtrot ATX — foxtrotatx.com
Lotions by K — Lotionsbyk.com
Fuquea House — fuqueahouse.com
Leighanne Croft Art — instagram.com/lianc
Bolsa Bonita — bolsabonita.com
Basch Atelier — baschatelier.com
Salud! Bitters — saludbitters.com
Herland Home — herlandhome.com
POMEgranate Magazine — pome-mag.com
Bek's Soap Co. — bekssoap.co
Settle Ceramics — settleceramics.com
Daisy Natives — daisynatives.com
Vida Green — www.vidagreenconsulting.com
Emma and April Clothing & Accessories —https://m.facebook.com/Emmaandapril/
Red Pen Travelers — http://redpentravelers.com/
Rosa Rebelled — www.rosarebelled.com
Get Involved: Austin Events/Organizations Fighting Police Brutality
Photo from The Austin Justice Coalition
We stand in solidarity with our community and our friends, families and loved ones of color. Police brutality must stop, and we must get involved. For us, that means supporting the organizations who do the emotional labor, lobbying and advocacy to dismantle systemic racism in Austin daily.
Upcoming event:
VIGIL FOR TERENCE CRUTCHER + KEITH SCOTT
To commemorate the life of Terence Crutcher and Keith Scott, Black Lives Matter Austin is hosting a vigil at Huston-Tillotson University on Sept. 22 from 8 to 10 PM. Allies are welcome.
Organizations to support:
Black Lives Matter Austin
Black Lives Matter Austin is the Austin affiliate of the National network of Black Lives Matter. This is the official Austin, Texas Chapter of www.BlackLivesMatter.com
For details on BLM's upcoming events in the Austin area, you can "like" the chapter on Facebook or shoot their team an email at blacklivesmatteraustin@gmail.com.
Austin Justice Coalition
Austin Justice Coalition is a grassroots, activist-led organization addressing community needs, increasing political involvement, empowering communities, and criminal justice reform at the local level. The Austin Justice Coalition is a direct and collaborative offspring of the Houston Justice Coalition, founded by Durrell Douglas and Shekira Dennis.
To learn more about Austin Justice Coalition's programming, you can attend the organization's General Body Meeting on Oct. 4 at 6 PM. In the meantime, the AJC is currently fundraising to send support to Baton Rouge. You can find a location to contribute here.
YWCA — AUSTIN
YWCA works every day to eliminate racism and empower women. Through advocacy and local programming, the organization creates real change for women, families and communities.
To learn more about the programs the YWCA offers, to volunteer or to inquire about their services, please visit the YWCA's website. You can keep up with their future events here.
*If you can't attend events, publicly advocate, protest or support these movements financially, please continue to have conversations about police brutality and systemic racism in your community. Dialogue, discussion and healing are important. Be mindful of others; be open-minded. No one has all of the answers, and we must work together to effect change. Engage with explicit content showcasing police brutality responsibly—take care of yourself.*