Pies & Pigs on June 14th

Pies & Pigs

Colleen Sommers is a friend, artist, baker, and all-around amazing person. She is the brains and heart behind Pie Fixes Everything and a staple at the HOPE farmer’s market, our home away from home. Recently Colleen was diagnosed with breast cancer and, like many in the creative and culinary community, does not have heath insurance. To help share the insane burden of medical bills, her friends are putting on an all-out-full-blown-epic-fundraiser party to bring down the farmhouse. Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 14 at Springdale Farm.

There will be a no-holds barred pig cook-off contest between Salt & Time vs. Three Little Pigs–my money is on the butchers. Music will be provided by the amazing Greyhounds and classic Whiskey Shivers, with lots of local booze, and, of course, a pie eating contest! You won’t want to miss this special night, so get your tickets (only $25/pop) here before they sell out.

Colleen Sommers

There will also be a killer auction, with goods provided by Schatzelein, Son of a Sailor, Canoe, and others. Did I mention the celebrity chef pies? Featuring Uchi, Lenoir, Addie Broyles, Buenos Aires Cafe, Farmhouse Delivery, La Condesa, La Patisserie, Noble Pig and Trace.

Snag your tickets today here and RSVP on the Facebook to stay up to date on all the new donors and celebrity chefs–more added all the time. I can’t think of any other event as fun as this where you’ll get to eat such amazing food (for only $25!!) and support such an amazing woman like Colleen. Hope to see you there!

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Big plans

AP Photo/Lindlar
AP Photo/Lindlar

May has been an important month for us, as we’ve announced some big big news and are embarking on new journeys. I’ll be talking about some details here over the next few months, but I wanted to kick off this new stage with a beautiful image from 1962 in a West Germany slaughterhouse. This room is the last stop before the cows meet their maker, and what a glorious final look at life. A nearby lighting factory did not have the room to assemble the huge 532-bulb chandelier, so they put it together here instead.

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Dinner at Lenoir

Dinner at Lenoir

A few weeks ago we spent an amazing evening at Lenoir on S. 1st. Thanks to some brilliant serendipity, we managed to sample every plate on the menu, and each course outshone the other. We had impeccable service and shared a great bottle of wine.

Dinner at Lenoir

Adjusting to the food scene in Austin has taken some time after living in California, but Lenoir hit all the right notes. I am so happy to see (and taste) how much Austin has grown as a culinary city in the past few years.

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Crowned Bird

Crowned Bird is a truly unique clothing line by the dynamic Priscilla Barrosso. I met Priscilla when I first moved to Austin and was blown away by her talent. Only later did I find out that she also had moved from the Bay Area and worked for Levi’s and the famous Al’s Attire. Her looks are sharp & this lady’s precision level is spot on. Priscilla is currently raising some capital to launch her clothing line and bring it to market this summer.

Crowned Bird

There are some great rewards for backing her kickstarter, and she has a clear plan for putting that money to use. You can follow her progress on the Crowned Bird facebook page and find out more about the kickstarter rewards here.

Crowned Bird

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Feliz Sale Makers

Feliz Sale Kate Miss
photography by Kate Miss

If you’ve been following along on the Feliz blog, you’ll notice we’ve started to announce some of the wonderful artists that will be joining us in November. For me, For You (Kate Miss) and In Haus Press are two of my favorites, although it’s so hard to choose. Not to brag, but we’ve got such a stellar roster of artists and makers, and I’m so very thankful to them all for coming out for what will be a killer weekend of epic radness.
Why, yes, I did go to college in California; how did you know?

Feliz Sale: In Haus Press
photography by In Haus Press

Head over to the Feliz blog every Thursday for the next artist reveal. We’re currently accepting applications until June 15th, so if you want to see your name in lights, apply here!

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Studio Visit: Barrett Alley

Barrett Alley

Barrett Alley is a designer and leather craftsman working in Dallas, Texas. He focuses on hand sewn leather goods, using traditional saddle stitching to create durable and beautiful products. We sat down with Barrett to chat about his process and get a peak inside his studio.

Barrett Alley

Natalie Davis: What are your prized tools, i.e. objects that carry emotional significance in the studio or prove to be the most useful in your work?

Barrett Alley: I have more attachment to the materials than the tools. The most important tools in handcrafting a wallet are sewing needles and a knife (I just use razor blades) – which I go through rather quickly. I have all these beautiful materials that I acquired years ago though. I’m still trying to talk myself into cutting them up for products!

Barrett Alley

ND: How did you get started working in leather?

BA: I’ve always been in the design industry – mainly corporate branding and marketing. In my free time I would experiment with different types of materials and media to create art. I liked leather because of its rigidity and predictability, unlike cloth, which I always found harder to sew. So after a few years of self-study I launched the Barrett Alley line of handmade leather accessories in 2010.

ND: How do you get started/approach the early stages of an idea or problem?

BA: Usually there is an idea at first. I suppose that step is both the important part and the easy part. The hard part is research and development – converting that idea into something beautiful that works (and sells!). That is where you have to stop being an artist and become an engineer.

Barrett Alley
all studio photography by Ben Briggs

ND: What advice would you give your younger self?

BA: Advice to my younger self: failure is a statistical necessity for success.

ND: Who do you look to for inspiration?

BA: The entire universe is inspiring in itself. I hold that a truly original concept most likely wasn’t inspired by another artist’s work. I do admire a lot of designers. The people at Kapital and Henry Cuir are some of the best right now.

Many thanks to Barrett for taking some time to chat with us! Also, check out his latest collaboration with Levi’s Made Here, a limited edition run of striking antique textile bracelets. Made with veg-tanned leather and over 100-yrs old deadstock fabric, the bracelets close with an unique antique bone button.

LEVIS bracelet: Barrett Alley

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Barbara Shaum


Video by Helen Zhang

Working in New York for over 50 years, Barbara Shaum is an icon of American leather work. Her sandals have graced the runways of New York and the fields of Woodstock, and at 83 years old she’s still making shoes. She has a cult status in the East Village, with customers returning year after year.

I have been day dreaming of an apprenticeship for the past 6 months and would love to sneak away to New York to work with Ms. Shaum. Hear that, Universe? Please help me find some cheap airfare to JFK.

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Louesa Roebuck

Louesa Robuck

Louesa Robuck is a forager and designer who I’d like to invite over for dinner. I’ve only met Louesa once and I will never forget it. I was selling my Miss Natalie line at a craft show in San Francisco and it was the last few hours of a long weekend. Just as my spirits were starting to crash down, I caught a glimpse of a lush fur vest, cut roughly and hangingĀ  just so off a beautiful woman. Immediately I straightened up my posture and a slight smile crept across my face. She introduced herself as the owner of one of my favorite shops, August, and I may have held my breath the entire time she stood in front of me. She selected several of my pieces for the store and was gone in a flash, clearly a lady on the move. I remember her quick eye darting across my table, editing it down to find a vision that would fit within her store, and her kind smile. It was a brief encounter, but the highlight of that show.

Nowadays, Louesa is bringing her sharp eye to floral design, creating arrangements for some of the best restaurants in the Bay Area, along with private clients. She forages her flowers in Oakland and around the Bay Area. Below is a short video of Louesa arranging magnolia branches, shot for Remodelista.

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Beam & Anchor

Beam + Anchor, photography by Currie Person

We’ve been following the progress of Beam & Anchor for a while, and are excited to share that they are opening their doors this weekend! Robert, Jocelyn, and Currie have put together a beautiful space and we’re honored to have Canoe goods in their shop.

Beam & Anchor will be open Tuesday-Saturday, 11-6pm, and Sunday 12-5pm at 2710 N Interstate Ave. Portland, OR. I can’t wait to get out there for a visit.

Beam + Anchor, photography by Currie Person

All photography by Currie Person.

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