People often ask how I got started/what my inspirations are with my Etsy shops, so here you go!
The story behind FlourishandDebonair:
I used to sell antiques with my Dad, and we would go hunting to auctions, old barns and abandoned buildings (always with permission of course) discovering old treasures to be given new life.
vintage records in flourish and debonair
vintage earrings in flourish and debonairOne day I bought a box of vintage jewelry and found in it a unique necklace I liked so much, I kept it for myself and wore it often. The beads were unusual and I eventually realized they were made of paper!
handmade paper beads in flourish and debonairI dove into making paper bead jewelry myself, and now I collect old encyclopedia sets to turn into wearable art. So my vintage selling and my jewelry making are really very closely intertwined!
vintage creamer in flourish cafeThe story behind FlourishCafe:
Growing up, dinner time was always an important time of day- a time to laugh, share the day’s stories, pray together and, of course, enjoy my Mom’s delicious home cooking! I want to create that same experience for my family each day as well, so I love to cook and experiment in the kitchen, creating delicious meals to enjoy while we spend time together around the table.
tomato cream sauce recipe in flourish cafeI thrive in a kitchen filled with spices, where I can come up with my own recipes, and think of my kitchen as my own cafe. My little daughter requested curry and naan for her 3rd birthday and she can consume hummus at an incredible speed. That gives you a little idea of the bold flavors I like to put on the table! My FlourishCafe shop is all about turning your kitchen’s atmosphere into your own flourishing cafe, a gathering place for the people you really want to be with – your family!
salt and pepper love in flourish cafeSo there’s my backstory :) What’s yours?
I love the story of how you came to start creating your paper bead jewelry! That's really cool that you were inspired by a unique vintage find and it completely ties your F&D shop together.
My 15 month old's favorite food is a Moroccan chickpea dish at the moment (I'm so proud) – I can't wait to hear what her first meal request will be once she's really talking.
Great stories – thanks so much for sharing!
A fifteen month old who loves a Moroccan chickpea dish — wow, that's so great! I'm definitely a firm believer that if you have you kid eat lots of different types of food it wards off being picky!
I LOVE Moroccan food, btw, so that sounds delicious!
That is such a cool story. I love your jewelry. You have inspired me in many way.s
Aww, thanks, Samantha! :)
I enjoyed hearing how you started down the path that led to your two shops.
We had chickpea curry last night and my lunch was hummus and veggies. I'm sure I'd love anything you cooked:)
Your illustrations are lovely.
Oooh, chickpea curry, that sounds delicious! Apparently chickpeas are the thing to eat today. :) I've experimented with them some, but my husband isn't the biggest fan of them.
And thanks for your comment on my illustrations! :)