Sweet Peach Revival

I'm so happy to announce my first Sweet Peach event. It's something I've been trying to conjure up for over a year now and the stars have finally aligned. I've partnered with Beth Lord of the indie-pendent and John Rich of Oakleaf & Acorn to create a 3 day event we're calling Sweet Peach Revival. (design via the talented Stefanie Carter) 

The event will include an auction, live music, food, drink, a Southern Market and much more. All will take place at Belly General Store in Atlanta. As there is a lot of planning that goes into an event like this, Beth and I have already started getting crafty- making napkins for the Bourbon, Bacon & Biscuit Brunch to be held July 7. 

And we even started making jars of Bourbon Peach Butter with master canner, Lyn Deardorff. (more on this recipe next week) ...and of course we had to finish them with a pretty fabric and piece of twine.

If you follow Sweet Peach, you know that John is a master curator of cool. He, and Beth will be instrumental in securing great Southern items for our weekend market you really won't want to miss. Our July 5th Inaugural event will be FREE but you must register to be on our private guest list. Also, click here if you'd like tickets for our July 7th Bourbon, Bacon & Biscuit Brunch. More to come...just keep checking our website for updates. Feel free to email me if you'd like to play a part in any way. And happy weekend, hope to see y'all very soon...

Photos and Content: Sweet Peach

Squirrel Census

My friend John Rich of Oakleaf & Acorn recently sent me a link to check out. As soon as I caught a glimpse of the url - www.squirrelcensus.com, I had a feeling this was gonna be good.  

In spring of 2012, a gathering of unpaid staff which included 2 writers, 2 designers, 1 web programmer/artist, 1 postdoctoral research associate, 1 Ph.D. candidate, 1 wildlife fighter and some volunteers, decided to perform a statistical count of the Eastern gray squirrel for the Inman Park neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Jamie Allen spearheaded the Squirrel Census- as well as this amazing video that won the team some recognition on Kickstarter. (click on it, it's worth watching) 

They decided on a non invasive approach to their census. With a map of Inman Park, (.59 square miles) the team divided up the land into quadrants using alphabetic and numeric coding. The Census takers then counted the number of squirrels they would see in their quadrant, one hectare at a time. 

They spent 20-30 minutes in each quadrant during peak squirrel time- which in case you're not as squirrel savvy means mid morning, late afternoon and early evening. In the end, two counts were performed per quadrant over the course of several weeks.

After collecting all their data, Graphic Designer, Nat Slaughter created three prints to detail the team's findings. As they state on their site, this map "notes every squirrel sighting during the Census; breaks the sightings down into squirrel 'constellations'; and offers a total 'squirrel abundance' number." 

Of course, numbers would not be reported with 100% accuracy but they were using a well known density estimation equation that dates back to the 50's. That's good enough for me. In fact, them just hanging out at Inman Park with clipboards conducting a squirrel census is good enough for me. 

I think my favorite part of their Census, to which there are many, is the comments section. They've created an audio clip of some of the comment highlights which is genius...just scroll down to 'squirrel audio.' 

What's a Squirrel Census without squirrel swag? Click here to find the t-shirts and the prints, which would be great framed in just about any room. A conversation starter to be sure...nice work team.

Photos: Squirrel Census     Content: Sweet Peach

Honeycomb Studio

Courtney Hamill has a pretty good gig. Working full-time in her backyard studio in Atlanta's West Midtown district, she handcrafts porcelain and stoneware pottery. I particularly love her antler series. Starting from above left is a real springbok antelope antler, Courtney's slip cast mold of it, then the final glaze with her signature gold tip. 

Courtney has found her niche in the market. As she recently shared, "There are very few well done ceramic horns and I don't know of anyone making porcelain antlers like this." Each antler is left hollow and is lightweight, making for a beautifully unique and decorative piece. This one is a small white-tailed deer antler. 

For this past holiday season, Courtney also crafted these decorative Turtle Doves, which have become quite popular. She particularly likes how good the doves look in multiples. Find them in black or white, here. 

Her studio is a work in progress but with the skylights and large windows, it offers incredible natural light. It's a tranquil area for an artist to work- and it's just a few footsteps from her back door. 

Courtney continues to expand her line of wares and has been playing with various sized vessels and holders, all of which I'd love for my own home. With an impressive collection created in just the past year, Courtney is an artist to watch. See her entire collection here.

Photos and Content: Sweet Peach

The Coffee Wizard

When I expressed interest in coffee, my good friend Em, of Emily G's told me I had to talk to Jason Dominy, the Coffee Wizard, to learn how to brew the perfect cup. Turns out Jason is the Director of Outreach and Wholesale Support for the reputable Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters, based in Atlanta and Olympia, Washington. 

The special aspect to Batdorf & Bronson is that all their coffee is certified fair trade, certified organic or bought directly from the farm. Jason, "We roast with 100% renewable energy and recycle 80-90% of everything that comes in. They've become so successful in their methodology, here in Atlanta they roast coffee beans for the entire East coast-  from Chicago to the Virgin Islands. 

Jason favors the Clever Dripper process to make his perfect cup. Jason, "It's a hybrid of a French press and a pour over and allows for a rich, full body with a clean, sweet taste." He recommends a burr grinder for an even extraction and highly recommends buying whole beans to ground just before making your coffee. This will ensure the freshest cup of coffee with the deepest aroma and flavor.  

So here's how to make the perfect cup. First, rinse the coffee filter, then add freshly ground beans. Start a timer at zero and saturate grounds with 200 degree water. The formula is 24 grams of coffee to 340 grams of water, just off boil. (This will make 2 coffee cups worth, or 12 oz.) 

Jason likes to do a quick whisk on the very top to push the grounds into the water. 

When the timer reaches 2:30, set the dripper on a large coffee mug or decanter to fill. Then serve and appreciate. 

And if you see the pretty blue cup at a coffee shop, it means they're offering a high quality coffee roast from Batdorf & Bronson. Here in Atlanta, you can get a fresh cup at Dancing Goats. A perfect cup o' joe...tastes incredible and it's stylish. Thank you Coffee Wizard. 

Photos and Content: Sweet Peach

DIY: Soda Can Flowers

A couple months ago, I was buying a teddy bear for my friend's son Daniel at Blabla Kids, when I noticed these gorgeous flowers just next door at a shop called Faith Flowers. I could tell that whoever owned this store was a highly creative person and one who loved the natural world. This flower arrangement immediately caught my eye -which as it turns out, is made from a recycled soda can. 

Owner Laura Iarocci has been arranging flowers for decades and loves every minute of it. Lucky for us, she's agreed to share some of her secrets. To make your own soda can flowers you'll need to first head outside. Pick up whatever is of interest to you, especially pieces of bark, sticks, moss, funghi, lichen... You'll also need a glue gun and scissors. 

Use a pair of scissors to cut a big hole in the top of your can. Next, add glue to the can and to the bark (or your favorite found objects). Then one by one, cover your can. It's okay if there are little gaps here and there...that's the next step. 

Use the smaller objects you have gathered to fill these gaps, such as funghi or moss. I really love the red pepperberries that Laura used, which you can sometimes find at Michael's or at various garden shops. Plus, it adds a great pop of color. 

Once your creation is complete, use the scissors to trim the bottom so your can will sit flat. Then add water...

Next, add fresh flowers from your backyard or floral shop. You can also use dried flowers (or even better, choose flowers and stems that will look great fresh as well as dried) For this can, Laura used Ranunculus, Brezellia and Strelitizia. The final two flowers will last for months and months...

And voila. Such a pretty way to display flowers and also a great way to involve the kids- not only getting them to explore the outdoors, but to gather items from outside that everyone can talk and learn about...and be reminded to care about. 

*Check out Laura's site to see all the creative classes she teaches including how-to terrariums, hand tied bouquets and wedding flowers. 

Photos and Content: Sweet Peach

Sarah Watts

I saw the work of illustrator Sarah Watts at the recent Indie Craft Experience in Atlanta and was quickly smitten by her offbeat, charming style. 

Sarah works in pen and ink, as well as watercolor. Sarah, "I love the simplicity of black and white and then I go and change my mind 400 times with color in the computer." 

Sarah draws all sorts of animals and quirky, fabulous characters as well as fanciful things like trees, pianos and ornamental lights. Her first illustrated book is The Tilting House by Tom Llewellyn and you may also notice her work in the recent Food Trucks book published by Random House. 

Much of Sarah's work is Southern inspired, including this fun Ritz in Grits print. Perusing her work, I especially like (and want to have!) her ever expanding collection of fabrics that she designs for Blend Fabrics.  

Most of Sarah's prints are 11" x 14" and are just $20. Such an easy way to make a room more inviting and interesting. Learn more about Sarah Watts here. 

Illustrations: Sarah Watts     Content: Sweet Peach

Methane Studios

Manly art is needed for manly spaces. Film and football posters work well enough for college, but then, one must move on in life. I like the work being done over at Methane Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Mark McDevitt and Robert Lee created Methane Studios in 1998. They started their company by designing band posters but have since enhanced their offerings to include artistic prints that cater to the everyday dude. 

There are so many great band posters out there but I really like the vision of Mark and Robert. Many of the prints have a fantastic, vintage feel. In their Etsy shop, you'll find a slew of Dave Matthews prints, as they were commissioned to design posters for the band back in 2005, and still continue to do so.

As they state on their site, "Our goal was always to tell a story, convey a message, and to make someone stop and think a little with our designs." Peruse their catalog of artwork here. With the average print price at $20, that manly room upgrade doesn't have to break the bank...

Cocktails that taste like Christmas...

Mixologist, Jason Kemp from The Family Dog in Atlanta was nice enough to concoct some tasty holiday drinks for Sweet Peach. The amazing thing was how much they tasted like Christmas. That can be attributed to the Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur, an all natural liqueur traditional to the Alps. It gets its pine floral aroma and mildly sweet flavor from freshly picked fruit off the Swiss Pine tree. A bottle of Zirbenz is a great holiday gift because it's unexpected and so so good... 

 

Jason's second creation was a celebratory one, made with Chambord, sparkling wine, Zirbenz and ginger liqueur...

Champagne in a can is just fun. Jason chose this Francis Ford Coppola variation which makes this next holiday cocktail quite tasty, bubbly and festive. Plus, it's an excellent hostess gift. ($20 for a 4/pack) Thanks Jason! 

Rattles, Mobiles, Hats and Booties.... (And a Giveaway!)

Once you touch and see a Blabla Kids creation, your heart can't help but melt a bit. This company began when two friends, Flo Wetterwald and Susan Pritchett, took a trip to Peru. They fell in love with a group of community knitters they just happened to meet and decided to launch their own line of cuddly creations. Their goods are all made with the finest natural fibers and handknit by Peruvian artists. I love this Owl Dream Ring, which makes such a great gift for a new babe. 

Earlier this year, I blogged about their very popular knit dolls. Since then, they've expanded their offerings to include these adorable rattles.

Flo and Susan also expanded their line of clothing. Their hats and booties are just too sweet. They are many creatures and colors to choose from. If you're going to keep 'em warm this winter, may as well make 'em stylish...

Their line also includes blankets and pillows. (Rattles also featured here) What's great about Blabla is they are a no brainer for a kid gift. The quality is high, the design is top notch and the receivers are all too happy to receive...

Pop into their shop if you're in Atlanta or peruse their entire shop online here.

Photos: Blabla Kids    Content: Sweet Peach

Willow & Company

We all love our laptops, iPads and Kindles which is why we need to protect them. Why go for something basic when we can have something unique and handcrafted? 

Christa from Atlanta has found her stride in crafting cases for our most loved gadgets. The above cases are for an iPad mini, in which she offers 19 versions. ($28-$45)

These MacBook Pro cases feature German merino wool felt, a leather handhold, a small pocket for accessories and a chrome snap closure. Christa finds much of her inspiration from architecture, as the above Baroque cases were inspired by the fluid forms and curves of the Italian Baroque period. 

These pretty and practical tote bags safely encase all iPads, the 11" or 13" MacBook Air and Pro. Christa, "The outside pocket is made for fast access to your cell phone and the inside pocket is perfect for small items like pens, glasses and lip gloss."  

These very stylish and affordable ($32) iPhone sleeves are also handy wallets. 

I really like her iPhone cases in wool and leather. As Christa shares, "Wool felt is a biodegradable and renewable material, water resistant and self extinguishing." In their simplicity lies their appeal.

See all of Christa's creations here. And feel free to email her if you have specific dimensions for your favorite gadget. And if you'd like one of her pretty cases for yourself or as a holiday gift, Christa is offering Sweet Peach readers a 15% discount! Just enter Sweetpeach15 upon checkout. Thank you Christa! 

Photos: Willow and Company    Content: Sweet Peach