Finally, it is June.
We love this month at the shop because it's filled with sunshine, mini markets, friendship, love, and summer events.
Here are some things to love about summer: putting potato chips in your sandwiches, lemonade (or Arnold Palmers), picnics, leaving the window open at night, the smell of freshly-cut grass, friends, holding someone’s sweaty hand in your sweaty hand, rolling down hills, music festivals, the smell of sunscreen, hot dogs from hot dog stands, barbecues and the smell of propane, camping and campfires, swimming in lakes, waking up to the sound of people mowing their lawns, going on walks at night and it still being warm outside, huge thunderstorms, sitting under the shade of canopy trees, big and puffy clouds - that’s only to name a few.
But the BEST thing about summer, in my opinion, is our annual Mini Markets. Almost every Saturday from June to August, local makers will set up on our patio and front sidewalk from 11-4 to sell their wares. At our markets, you can expect to find handmade jewellery, clothing, plants, crochet plushies, prints, curated vintage items, baked goods, and much, MUCH more.
Mini Markets are a wonderful way to support and spotlight the small businesses we love, connect with our community, make new friends, and have fun in the sun! Also - my favourite thing about coming to work on market days is that I can do some hardcore shopping sprees on my breaks.
Tomorrow, our patio and sidewalk will be packed with an amazing variety of vendors. If you're interested in acrylic paintings and prints, plants, ceramics, patchwork clothing, or curated vintage pieces, then you should come by.
To make things even better, during tomorrow's market and our market on June 15, Lauren will be leading beginner-friendly workshops in our new 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 + 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 room (pictured below).
Now, if this room looks familiar to you, perhaps you've seen it in a dream. Maybe you have déjà vu because you've encountered it in another lifetime - or maybe you've unknowingly entered a wormhole and travelled through time and space to arrive at this moment.
Or maybe it's because the room once housed Fantasy Clubhouse, a joint project between Riley Grae and Austin's comic book store, Fantasy Club Books. Now, the Clubhouse is located at the back of the store where Riley Grae Café used to sit.
After we relocated the Clubhouse, its old room became a desolate, pink and yellow ghost of what once was. We rummaged through the depths of our huge, juicy brains to find the perfect use for the room. After a lot of thinking and bouncing ideas off of each other, we decided to transform it into a rentable, workshop, studio and event space.
Described as a "cute and cozy multipurpose room," our new 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 + 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 space can fit up to 12 people for workshops, private events, one-on-one services, ticketed events or classes, and meetings or teachings related to different causes. We also put in a mini canteen so you can munch on as many Famous Amos cookies as your tummy can handle.
♡ Read more about it here! ♡
The second workshop Lauren will be hosting in June is a ★彡 Still Life Drawing Workshop 彡★:
Lauren will also be hosting a Hand Sewing Workshop on June 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., where folks will learn the basics of hand sewing sewing and how to sew their own mushroom plush from scrap fabric - wowee! Sustainable, fun and educational!
Lauren is the perfect person for the job, in my opinion. Their unmatched creativity, skill, and passion for teaching and sharing their knowledge with others makes their workshops truly special.
Towards the end of the month, on June 22nd, Lora Roberts from Canephora Crafts will be hosting a Polymer Clay Miniatures Workshop in our space. Folks will learn the basics of working with polymer, as well as some different miniature-specific techniques.
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I encourage you all to come to our markets and attend our workshops - but if you don't, that's okay.
You don't even need a special reason to come to the store, you can just swing by for the heck of it. Come sit on our patio with your gelato or come inside to tell us about the yummy latte you got from Bar Italia. You could tell us your favourite things to do in summer and what you'd like to see us get in at the store. No matter what you decide, we will be here. Except on Sundays. Don't come on Sundays.
That's all for this month. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you soon!
Emily
