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DIY Wall Calendar | Let's get organized
We’re almost a whole month into 2015. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this fact, but since we aren’t quite into February yet, I think it’s still totally appropriate to a) wish you a very happy new year! and b) chat a little bit about new years resolutions and fresh starts, which, for me, always includes spending a little bit of time thinking about organization.
Running a small business and being a mom is no walk in the park, between you and me. While I absolutely love, love, love what I do (I really love it), it can sometimes be tough to schedule time for everything and everyone. I am not sure if it comes with the (creative, hands on) territory but I am a post-it note makin', ink on the calendar kind of a gal. While I still use an online calendar, I need to be abel to physically write down my lists and events to make them stick and I believe this is how my ideas flow best too. I’m sure (I hope?) I’m not the only person who feels this way, so in the spirit of a brand new year, I want to share a little DIY that’s helped me stay organized (and sane) at the studio – and it doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty to look at. So with no further ado, I present to you my trusty wall calendar!
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The Materials
Here's what you need:
- Dry Erase Paint
- Foam Roller
- Paint Tray
- Stir Stick
- Painter's Tape
- Artist Tape (1/4")
- Pencil
- Dry Erase Markers
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The Process
If there's a will, there's a way
My mom always told me, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” This holds true for so much of what life throws at us, but in building Wind and Willow Home, this was my JAM.As you may or may not know, I was a kitchen and bath designer for twelve years. I was laid off during the recession (did I mention I was 7 months pregnant with my 2nd when this happened)? After some (honestly scary) soul-searching, hopeless interviewing and unemployment insurance about to run out, I decided my last resort was to jump right in and create a job for myself, my own business, Wind and Willow Home.
I started at our kitchen table – dreaming up products, brainstorming names, and refining colors. My husband and two kids were patient with me as Wind and Willow Home slowly began to spread to the rest of the house, but as the business grew, we knew it was time that I had my own space – so it was down to the basement for me!
I graduated from the kitchen table to a basement corner, and then from the basement corner, to half the basement, and before we knew it, the basement was Wind and Willow Home central. Working from home gave me amazing flexibility – I could put the kids to bed and then run back down and finish dipping the order I had received during dinner for 17 mini bowls. But with the launch of the soft goods line, the basement was bursting at the seams, and we knew it was time for the next step: my very own studio.
While it had always been a dream of mine to own my own brick and mortar store, I never thought that would actually be a reality. When we first started looking at spaces for lease, I was just focusing on warehouse space – a place I could set up production and inventory. And then one day, I was driving home with my two kids through the Tangletown neighborhood. As we rolled down 38th street, a “for rent” sign caught my eye – and there it was: the most perfect space with the most beautiful, bright storefront in the most perfect location. I was absolutely terrified of calling to inquire: what if it was too much? What if someone had already claimed it? But it was fate – and I had keys to the building after hounding the landlord weekly for about 2 months.
Now, what I saw as my perfect space was actually a disaster. There was extensive water damage, the electrical needed to be totally redone, and I can’t even tell you how many gallons of white paint we used. But if there’s a will, there’s a way (on repeat). For two months over the summer, when we were both done with work for the day, my husband and I would drive over to the studio. We schemed, we built, we painted, we sawed, we designed, we sweated, we renovated, we DIYed, and we, ultimately, created my dream studio.
We officially opened the studio in November 2014 and it’s been a whirlwind of a holiday season (thank you, my most wonderful and lovely customers! You’re amazing). Now that it’s 2015, I think it’s time we do a tour and share the “before” and “after” of the Wind and Willow Home studio (sneak peak below) – along with a walk-through of all the DIYs (and let me tell you, there are a BUNCH). So stay tuned! We promise that you don’t want to miss it.
Also, extra, extra! Regular showroom hours are starting on Monday, February 2nd (is it wrong for this Minnesota girl to cheer for the groundhog to bring us an early end to winter?). We’ll be open from 10am-4pm on Monday through Thursdays, as well as the third Saturday of each month from 11am-5pm. So come and join us! As always, we’d love to see you.
A Quick Guide to Wood Care
We’re just going to go ahead and put it out there: we just don’t think there’s a better material than wood. Sure, metal may be stronger, but a metal spoon just might scrape the bottom of your beloved sauté pan (the noise alone… eeek!). You could use a plastic bowl to serve up that beautiful meal you’re sharing with your friends and family, but plastic just feels cold…and plastic-y. Wood has a warmth, a texture, and it wears its history, sharing all of your cooking highlights (and some mishaps too!).
Wooden spoons have been around as long as the ancient Egyptians (crazy, right?), and while we can’t promise that your Wind & Willow Home bowls and spoons will last THAT long, we do want to give you all the tricks of the trade to make sure you keep and use your kitchen utensils for as long as possible – so maybe you can pass down some of your own cooking history to your daughters and sons and theirs.
We’ve put together a quick guide to wood care (which you can also find here):
- Cleaning: Wash your utensils with mild soap, and then rinse and dry immediately with a soft cloth. Do not use an abrasive material for cleaning!
BEFORE
2. Seasoning: Seasoning penetrates wooden products and prevents them from drying and cracking in addition to adding a soft luster finish. Here’s how to season in three easy steps:
a. Rub a thin layer of food-safe wood preserver (we prefer our very own, made by Minnesota bees, but any will do!) onto the entire wood surface with a clean cloth, in a circular motion. Let it sit for 15 minutes (up to 24 hours), then buff off any excess with a dry cloth.
b. On new pieces, use wood preserver once a week for the first month to ensure penetration. Apply two to three coats on new untreated wood. After that, use once a month or whenever wood seems dull and dry.
c. Do not use food-based oils (like olive oil or sunflower oil) as they can become rancid (which is no fun).
(Side note: bee’s oil also does wonders for your hands and nails, so it’s like you’re giving yourself a restorative hand treatment while you’re seasoning!)
AFTER
Most importantly, never put your wooden utensils in the dishwasher, in the oven or the microwave, in the sink for soaking, or leave them in direct sunlight. Avoiding these four things will help prevent your tools from cracking and warping.
If you’d rather have the info in print, we will (as always) include a care card in your next order. And this goes without saying, but if you pop into the studio, we’ll gladly talk shop and share tips!
Happy seasoning, and let us know if you have any questions about wood care in the comments!
LUNA Is Here
Happy New Year! I love January, not for it's brisk temps or short days, but for the refreshing feeling a new year brings. A chance to start anew and that feeling that anything is possible. I also love this time of year because change is expected. Sometimes I feel like a drastic change any other time of the year would be cause for concern but at the beginning of a new year, indulge in change.
Just as the new year is refreshing, so is a new Moon. All that being said, let me introduce you to our new limited line, LUNA. As in past limited lines (see here) LUNA is limited to 6 styles of bowls (and a few coordinating softgoods), made in a small batch, limited production. This pieces will only be available until they are gone so don't delay.
Inspired by the Moon, the LUNA line has a bright and dark side. A mysterious mix of mystical metallics and glowing natural materials.
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New Moon: 12" Walnut: This rich bowl has been made with the dark side of the moon as inspiration. A solid chalky grey adorned with a shimmering silver sheen all upon rich Walnut wood.
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Moon Shine: 7" Walnut: This glowing bowl has been adorned with a gold, hand gilded circle crossed halfway across the rich Walnut wood bowl, then dipped in a clear rubber to seal in the beauty.
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Winter Moon: 10" Beech: This soft Beech wood bowl has been dipped in a beautiful Mist Grey then sprinkled with shimmering mirror like mica flakes. This bowl really shines.
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Eclipse: 15" Cherry: A grand bowl half crossed with a solid, iridescent golden leaf which is being eclipsed by an opaque midnight black.
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Meridian: 7" Cherry: Like the a meridian crossing an ocean, this bowl has been made with an iridescent line of golden leaf then half crossed with a beautiful solid Blue.
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Orbit: Mini Bowls set of 3: These three tiny bowls are set to represent the 3 most common phases of the moon as seen from Earth.
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About our Limited Lines: In-between our seasonal lines we like to freshen things up with a special line of products inspired by a theme, sold exclusively on our website in limited production.
#WWHLUNA
What do you think? Do you have a favorite phase of the moon?
Fall Color Inspiration: Beet
Fall is officially here and so is our Fall | Winter line of colors, yipee! Fall is a glorious time of year because of the beautiful, sunny, yet crisp weather. It's truly the perfect time to take a hike in the woods and enjoy all the amazing colors that nature has to offer. In addition, farmers markets are filled with root vegetables and colorful squash as the final harvests take place.
This year we added an extra raised bet to our back yard garden and included beets in our, from garden to table line up. I have to say, this was one of the best garden decisions we have made to date. My only regret is not growing more. The rich, earthy yet sweet taste was a proven winner for our whole family, when simply sauteed with butter. I am sorry to say that this was the extent of my creativity in the kitchen but I was so inspired by the color that I had to add BEET to this years, Wind & Willow Home Fall | Winter line. So far it's been a complete hit. Here are a couple pieces featuring our new Beet color.
Let me also introduce you to our Fall hues, Color Inspiration Pinterest board where I have been collecting an amazing array of Beet recipes and color inspiration. Who knew you could have Beets for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner. Desert and even Happy Hour.
Welcome!
Hello Friends,
Welcome to our new site. I have been working hard to update our site with our new Fall | Winter 2014 line of goods. We also are happy to introduce our new line of hand inked Soft Goods.
I hope to share the first peeks at out new studio space and all of our exciting events to come. Right here, so stay tuned.
-Araya
