shanna murray

a week of Second Storie: day one

Good morning! 

I want to focus this week on talking a little bit about some of the talented people involved with Second Storie this year. I can't believe that it's happening next weekend. Now that I'm feeling better, I am getting pretty excited! My favorite moment during Second Storie is when so many amazing people walk in on Saturday morning and begin to set up shop, laying out amazing tables full of work - the result of so many different paths, stories, sources of inspiration and reasons for making. It's a magical site to see the room come to life, and I can't wait!

These are some shots I took for my good friend Amber Mahler. I've been working on a re-design for her website and some photography and styling too. Styling her pieces into little stories has been such fun, and so easy to do, as Amber has some of the coolest treasures around her apartment. She also has a great eye for side of the road castaways and thrift shop scores that end up being the perfect compliment to her antique shop pieces, collected art, and treasures from her fascinating journey. 

I love listening to her stories while we work. That typewriter you see there was actually the one she used while she lived and worked in India for five years. On her plane ride back to the states it was her version of a laptop, she said, and I laughed so hard imagining her typing away as she flew through the sky. 

Her site is set to launch in early December and will surely delight anyone who loves long walks in the woods, specimen charts, and the delicacy and uniqueness of a single bloom. Amber takes collected bits of nature and turns them into the most stunningly elegant, breathtaking treasures I have ever come across. You can see her work in person this weekend at the event. She'll have some gorgeous winter specimen pieces that are just perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday dress this year!

See you tomorrow, more amazing treasures to come!

re-entry

Good grief, I don't think I've ever been so sick. Though I'm not really operating at full speed (nor anywhere near), I am trying to enjoy easing back in to daily life and am feeling a renewed appreciation for good health after being overcome with flu and delirium for days. 

It has been a humbling week. Having to essentially give up any and all efforts to make the new things I had on my list for Second Storie next week was a terrific bummer. I am hopeful though that perhaps tomorrow I'll be up for a bit of embroidery. 

This year my table will be mostly about collaboration, which makes me smile. Some Hello Handmade things of course, an exciting little collaboration I've been working on with my sweet friend Vicki (tumblers!), and a little collaboration with my sister that's so dear to my heart (more on that in a couple days). I'm hoping to work on a little pile of ornaments as well, but the little dolls I've been working on will sadly not be ready for the show. I'm feeling sad about this, but looking forward to having the strength to get back up in the studio and work on them after the show.

I'm also looking forward to catching up with all of you, I haven't read what any of you have been up to in forever. As usual, I'm sure you've cooked up something amazing!

So happy to be back! xxoo

A little bit of harvest love. I'm sad the farmers' market season is over here. It was a memorable one, and such great fun being a part of it all. The end of the season yields the most gorgeous, bountiful stands, and I already miss them. That and knowing I could count on hanging with some of my favorite people on Thursday afternoons. I'm really going to miss that. Not all is lost, I do have a few beautiful squash to bring to life in the oven.

I'm excited. Some subtle but important changes happening around here next week. Stay tuned!

Warmth and good cheer to you! S

for you.

I woke up thinking about how you made so many things throughout your life. I wondered about what you made before I was born, or before I was old enough to make a mental record of the stained glass, the paintings on glass, those crazy pine cone and dried flower arrangements on a fabric backdrop that hung in the living room, those terrible wreaths with geese - one for you and one for grandma, the cross stitch samplers, the countless re-upholstery projects.

Did you sew before me? Before all the little dresses with matching diaper covers, summer dresses and tops covered in early 70's illustrations. Did you sew before all of the Easter dresses, the Christmas dresses usually in tartan or velvet - one for every year until I was 10 (some with matching handmade shoes)? Did you sew before all of the doll clothes and soft toys you made me? Before the countless costumes for plays I was in or directed? Before all of the Halloween costumes?

I wish I knew.

Did you know that through those years when life was rough for you, for our family, that your insistence to spend hours upon hours making presents and costumes, prom dresses and pillows would be the way you showed best that you did love beyond measure, that I was worth those late nights and tired mornings. Without words something from you, from your hands would come along and say to me yes, I am loved. I am worth it. Those handmade things meant more to me than anything else in my world then. 

I wouldn't know for years and years that a larger, more permanent gift was that I'd find such joy in expressing love and care through making, too. And I'm sure when the time comes to make things for one of my own that joy will be infinitely multiplied. That means more to me than anything now.

I hope you know. 

Happy Birthday, Mom. I'm going to make you something today.