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People of Kennett Square

November 28, 2023 business, chef, kennettsquare, people, peopleofksq, photography, portrait, project

Meet chefs of Sweet Amelias: Karessa & Zack

1.When did you guys first fall in love with food?

Neither of us grew up in very “foodie” environments. Karessa grew up eating a lot of casseroles and typical 90’s mom meals; Zack grew up eating a lot of TV dinners. Karessa remembers specifically eating out at a Carrabba’s, the italian franchise, and ordering chicken picatta and getting her mind blown. She decided in High school that culinary school might be fun, because people will always have to eat, so that’s where she started to branch out more with cooking and got really excited about food, cooking meals for her family. Zack always knew he loved food; his mom always tells the story of how he ordered the most expensive thing on the adult menu even as a kid. He got his first job at a caterer at a fire house at age 14 so he was introduced to the industry very early on and always knew he wanted to be a chef; the fast paced environment really called to his temperament.

2. Is cooking more of an art or a science for you two?

Cooking is definitely more of an art form for us. We use it to express ourselves creatively and try to push the boundaries of a “normal” dish. We both very much respect the science behind food but are both awful at following a recipe. We very much cook more from the heart and do what feels right in the moment rather than following a structure. Science does go hand in hand with whatever you are cooking however, so the more science you know the more you can predict what the food is going to do. For example, pasta dough is different every day, depending on the humidity in the air, so you can tweak the recipe of the pasta dough slightly based off of the weather.

3. As chefs and restaurant owners, how important is it for you to stay in touch with nature?

We try very much to be in touch with nature, but with regulations it’s much easier to connect with our community and the farmers in it who are able and much more knowledgeable in that field. We don’t have a lot of time to explore and be in nature as much as we like but we did get a little experience in foraging with ramp season this year which got us very excited. We support nature by staying local and seasonal as best to our abilities.

4. So how are you two coming up with your new recipes or ideas these days?

Towards the end of every month we have kitchen meetings where we sit down with our cookbooks and a list of ingredients coming with the farmers and see what inspiration strikes. It really takes a team to bounce ideas off of each other and complete a dish. It helps to keep our menu semi structured; for example the set number of items in each section and we try to have vegetarian options, a dip, a raw vegetable or salad dish and a toast or bread dish. We also try to stay updated with the current trends in the food world. Once we have the menu ideas solidified on paper the rest of the month is about r&d to see what works and what doesn’t.

5. Which ingredient are you most obsessed with at the moment?

Zack has worked with Keisers Pheasantry farm for a while now and we’re getting pheasants from him right now, they’re very fun. We’re utilitizing the whole bird by making a sausage from the legs and wrapping the breast and sausage in the skin into a roulade. We’re also very excited about the baby ginger we’re getting from our farmer Liam from full table farms. The ginger is more delicate than fully grown ginger with edible skin. We’re also utilizing the leaves from the plant by steaming fish in it, so that’s a fun use of the whole plant. Zacks little sister Ashley is our pastry chef, and she brought us back some fresh chamomile from her recent vacation to Lebanon and it’s pretty incredible. We’re using that in our honey custard right now.

You can check their website here: https://sweetameliasksq.com/

People of Kennett Square–David Ferron

Meet David, the owner of Unionville Saddle. David is a fashion designer, after living in New York for a decade he is bring his love of custom garment making back to here.

What sparked your interest in fashion?

Growing up I always had an interest in fashion, I remember reading GQ or sketching what my favorite pop stars’ were wearing but I was always more interested in fine arts. I grew up painting and drawing and didn’t begin to sew until I was a senior in high school. I really got interested in fashion when I went to Parsons School of Design in NYC. While I was studying I realized that fashion was a way to communicate concepts while exploring traditional construction techniques and making people feel amazing.

What is your brand philosophy?

My brand philosophy revolves around the concept of Your Body Infinite Options. Studying and working in the fashion industry for a decade opened my eyes to some major flaws in the current fashion system. From not providing adequate sizing in stores to crippling runway and production costs I have decided to approach the business in a much different way by creating single pieces specifically to a client’s needs. I believe that clients are looking for something that is made just for them, in the past women would have clothes made for them by dressmakers, working one on one to create something completely original and with a perfect fit for them. My goal is to make every client feel at home while working with them to create pieces that will flatter every part of them, last, and look modern for years to come.

How do you describe your fashion and style?

I like when there is a mix of minimal clean lines and rawness, I love when frayed edges contrast the perfect fit. There always needs to be a balance comfort and elegance, weight and lightness, color and texture.

What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?

Currently, I am working with the concept of my transition from a city life in NYC to life in Unionville. I have always used personal experience in life as my inspiration for my collections and this transition has been the most shocking and rewarding process of my life.

Talk us through the process of creating a garment. How long does it normally take to create a dress? what’s the procedure like?

Making a garment can take anywhere up to a year, particularly for bridal gowns. The process always begins with a conversation, what do you need, when do you need it, what will the function be? Then I will show a client some fabrics that may work with what they need and we begin to sketch. Once a design is selected I drape the piece, make a pattern, fit a muslin, and order the final fabric. Once the pattern is corrected I cut the garment in final fabric, sew it, and fit the final piece. Depending on how complicated the garment is it may need more fittings to get the correct the fit.

Check David’s website and instagram for more information.

TAGS: fashion designer

The Artist–Robin Kielkowski

March 16, 2018 art, artist, beauty, business, lifestyle, natural, people, Perfume, perfumer, photography, portrait, project, Story, Style

Meet Robin, the owner of Brandywine Botanicals. ” Robin’s experience in floral design contributes to an appreciation of artistic balance. She has always had an interest in unique fragrances and has spent the last several years researching products and learning about ingredients sourced from around the world. “–http://www.brandywinebotanicals.com

How did you become a perfumer?

I seem to change careers like most people change jobs and a natural fragrance business brings me full circle to my first job as a floral designer. Both floral and fragrance design are creative outlets that are based on design principles; they are a wonderful blend of art and science. One of the shops I worked at had a large garden center where it was easy to learn about plants, their care and their fragrance. I lived in the San Francisco Bay area for a while and the plants are amazing. There were rosemary shrubs and lemon trees growing in the yard and nonstop color all around me. Gardening was, and still is, a joy.

Perfume is a blend of art and science. Years as a critical care respiratory therapist required a background in science to understand our bodies and therapies used to treat injury and illness. This ties into the chemistry aspect of fragrance. We smell essential oils because they evaporate and that rate of evaporation is based on the size of the molecules and how they interact. Fragrance has an effect on our mood and often has therapeutic properties, something I am learning about through aromatherapy training. Experience in the corporate world comes in handy for running a small business. Anyone who is a small business owner understands that you wear multiple hats and often do it all.

So how did I become a perfumer? Blending essential oils and their beautiful scents was a hobby that grew after taking a single aromatherapy workshop. That workshop was followed by training with a very successful natural perfumer in Rhode Island. The last several years have been spent trying different blends, learning about the essential oils and enjoying an olfactory trip around the world.

Do you have a particular style or approach to creating fragrances?

The concept for a fragrance can come from several directions but blending always starts in my mind. I may find a beautiful scent, like orange blossoms, try a new essential oil or simply read about a new ingredient or perfume that starts the creative process. The next step is similar to cooking. Just as you have an idea of what seasoning will work in a recipe, I consider what essential oils or botanicals will work together. For instance, will a blend need the spark of a little citrus? Perhaps a nice sandalwood as the base? Following design principles means using specific fragrance ‘notes’ together so you can smell a top note after applying the fragrance and experience a smooth transition to middle notes and the final base notes that last the longest for what is called the ‘dry down’. Then the fun really begins as I place a drop or two of each ingredient onto a test strip and try different combinations. Because natural fragrance does not contain preservatives or longer-lasting synthetic fragrance chemicals, it rarely lasts as long as a synthetic. The natural perfumer must carefully blend the fragrance notes and use essential oils that have fixative properties that help the overall blend last a bit longer. Creating a beautifully balanced blend is the artistry of natural fragrance.

Tell me about your favorite in the collection?

Almost Summer is a favorite because it was one of my first blends and it is a simple, beautiful orange blossom fragrance. It reminds me of driving along orange groves when the trees are in bloom. Everywhere you look you see the small white blossoms and their sweet, warm fragrance is carried by the breeze. It is a nice warm-weather fragrance and is uplifting during the colder months.

What projects are you currently working on and where do you want to take your business in the future?

This spring is a big turning point for Brandywine Botanicals. I will complete aromatherapy certification training in July and plan to offer an aromatherapy collection. This is likely to include a fragrant oil for massage or moisturizing and an aromatherapy spray that can be used to fragrance the home, linens and the skin. That is the beauty of natural ingredients: they can serve more than one purpose with less concern than something made from petroleum products as many home fragrances are. Certification also opens the door to starting a small practice where custom blends can be offered to those with a specific need. I work from my home studio so sell online and at local events but would like to find a small studio/retail space to offer fragrance, host workshops and support an aromatherapy practice. Location is challenging for a small business but I am always on the lookout for unique opportunities so stay tuned!

People of Kennett Square–Kelly Hockenberry

June 16, 2016 blogger, business, columnist, Fashion, Kennett Square, life, people, photography, portrait, Story, Style

Meet Kelly, she is a Lawyer, Columnist, also a Blogger for Social Stylate.

What was your dream job when you were a kid?

My dream job was to become a pediatrician. However, as a kid, I did not realize the plot twist looming in my future that I affectionately refer to as “Organic Chemistry”. Yikes.

You are a lawyer, blogger, columnist, what’s next?

I am in the midst of changing careers! After many years of practicing family law and custody mediation, I decided to go back to school for a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health. I am excited to help children and families transition through the divorce process from a therapeutic perspective, as opposed to a litigious one.

When and how did you start your career in so many fields?

My family and friends like to tease me that I have as many jobs as there are hours in a day (which, at times, feels like an accurate statement!). However, at this point in my life, I am used to juggling a multitude of tasks. The “counselor” in me likes to help people and the “fashionista” in me loves to be surrounded by beautiful clothes, shoes, handbags, and make-up! I can’t possibly choose a favorite…so, I try to do it all.

What’s your typical day look like?

I rarely have a typical day! It’s possible for me to be facilitating a custody mediation in the morning, taking photos at No.109 Shop or Houppette for social media posts in the afternoon, and counseling in the early evening. In between those jobs, I try my best to be a good wife and mother. Although, if you were to look in my laundry room right now, you can tell that housekeeping is not on my list of daily chores.

What is your 5 tips for time management in a multitasking world?

Ugh, perfecting the art of multitasking is ever-evolving . While I am by NO means an expert, here are my best suggestions:

Write it down -I can’t survive without my Day Planner. I like to physically record my schedule with paper and pencil, as opposed to keeping notes on my phone.
Exercise – This may sound silly, but, making a workout a priority is critical, in my opinion. It is easy to let the drudgery of daily life get in the way of self care. But, a good sweat is as important for your mind as it is for your body.
Sleep – When I take on too much, I have a tendency to stay up really late trying to get everything accomplished. The result? I am cranky and totally unproductive the next day. Forcing myself to get a minimum of seven hours is a worthwhile mission.
Delegate – Sometimes it is difficult to relinquish control to others (especially if you are a perfectionist, like I am). However, learning how to ask and accept help from others is important.
Have FUN – Embrace your busyness! If you are running around like a chicken with your head cut off, you may as well be having a good time doing it. I work with some fabulous people who challenge and energize me and it makes the crazy schedule all worthwhile.

People of Kennett Square–Thomas Macaluso

March 28, 2016 business, life, people, photography, portrait, Story, Style

Meet Tom, the owner of Macaluso bookstore. I was lived near his store four years ago. Every time I passed by it, I was wondering what’s inside. Finally I had chance to meet him.

What did you do before you open your bookstore?

I had been a law book and document editor for a few years after college and law school. When my wife Brenda and I started the book business 42 years ago I had already gone to graduate school and had a thirty-five year career as a law and English professor and dean. I retired from higher education 18 years ago to devote full time to the bookstore.

Why a bookstore?

I started collecting books when I was 14 years old and have always loved them .

What make your bookstore special?

Our books, maps, and prints are special because they are relatively scarce and of lasting interest. Unlike other used bookstores, our store’s books are mostly the original first edition hardbacks in very good condition and some are hundreds of years old though some are relatively recentl though notable publications.

What book is your greatest treasure & why?

Right now, I have first editions signed by the Wyeths, T..S. Eliot, Carl Sandburg, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and many others. And I have first editions by Hemingway, Orwell, Darhl, Dickens, Harper Lee, and thousands more and on every subject from art to zoology They are virtually all my treasures.

What’s the hardest thing about running your shop? What’s the best thing?

It can be difficult to help visitors appreciate the physical beauty of the book, that is the book arts. The best experiences are the talks about books, education, and life itself especially with young people.

People of Kennett Square–Hattie Weselyk

March 2, 2016 art, artist, beauty, business, Fashion, handmade, life, people, photography, portrait, Story, Uncategorized

Meet talented Hattie, from a ballerina to a sculptor. Now she is a self taught hand crafted jewelry designer in Kennett Square.

What did you do before you start jewelry design?

When I was 4 years old I began intensive training in ballet. I was pigeon-toed and the doctor advised my mother that ballet would help straighten my legs. I quickly ended up taking 10 classes a week and when I was 14, I was accepted into The School of American Ballet at Juilliard in New York City. After that, I was a principal ballerina with the Brandywine Ballet Company for 9 years and, later, danced with Opus 1 Contemporary of Philadelphia as well as guest performed with many theatres and other dance companies. I began teaching ballet in 2001 and only recently have had to cut back to one day a week as it’s all my growing jewelry schedule will allow. In my early twenties, I also modeled as a ballerina for a sculpture class and found myself eager to learn how to sculpt. I took a class and began sculpting, later exhibiting my bronze dancers locally in galleries and art exhibits.

What lead you to beginning to work with jewelry?

In 2006, I stopped dancing professionally and began my family. I enjoyed sculpture but it was expensive to have bronzed. But, without dance or sculpture, I found I still needed an artistic outlet. I picked up an instructional book on beading and wirewrapping at a local craft store and that night I think I made 30 pairs of earrings. I was hooked.

Where do you find your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from everything around me. I love to garden and often am inspired by nature and its beauty and movement. I am currently fascinated with ancient Egyptian artifacts and patinas. I typically don’t sketch out or plan my designs. I have a general idea or inspiration, start grabbing materials and get to work.

Who do you envision wearing your work? Do you think about this when you work on designs?

I strive to make jewelry that people want to wear. I try to make a variety that appeals to all ages and styles. I believe it is important to learn as many techniques as you can but that doesn’t mean you need to pull out all the stops in every single creation. I often find that the pieces people find the most appealing are the simplest.

The most meaningful piece of jewelry you own is?

My favorite piece is my ‘Wrapped in Lavender Cuff’. It was the most technically challenging piece I have ever made and, because of that, the most rewarding. It was a lengthy process but when I finished it, I remember feeling proud of myself.

Do you have a favorite jewelry designer that you admire?

I admire so many artists but I guess you could say my idol is jewelry artist, Jeanine Payer. She has recently closed her studio doors but I was fortunate to have been given a couple of her pieces and absolutely fell in love with the simplicity and feminine quality of her work. It remains an inspiration to me.

Check Hattie’s work here: Hattie Weselyk Jewelry

TAGS: designer, handcrafted, jewery, kennettsquare, pa, photography, portrait, story

People Of Kennett Square—Lauren Simko

February 16, 2016 business, handmade, health, herbal medicine, herbs, life, natural, people, photography, portrait, Story, Style

Meet Lauren, she is a Traditional Western Herbalist and founder of Areté herbs. I visited her lovely studio the other day. I really like her natural and healthy life style.

Where does the name Areté come from and what does it mean?

Areté is a Greek word that means “excellence of any kind.” Areté describes the act of living up to one’s fullest potential, finding total fulfillment, and reaching the highest level of health and harmony for our mind, body, and spirit. Areté is a Stoic Philosophy term and I thought it embodied exactly what I was going for.

What did you do before you started Areté Herbs?

I was in school for most of my life up until the launch of my business! I am what they would call a

“professional student.” I love to learn and went from undergraduate school to graduate school to my

intensive herbalist training program, back to back.

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition, and a Master of Public Health

(MPH) Degree concentrating in Integrative Health. In addition, I am certified as an Integrative Health

Coach, and a certified Herbalist. I am also certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as

an Exercise Physiologist (ACSM‐EP), and through the National Commission for Health Education

Credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

I have been employed as a Health Coach for The Chester County Hospital near Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, and as an Exercise Physiologist for the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart

Disease at Jefferson Regional Medical Center located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I was also honored to be a guest speaker at the 2010 annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Public Health

Association (PPHA) held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I presented a lecture entitled, “The Integrative

Health Coach: A New Advocate for Health Promotion.”

Why and how did you start Areté Herbs?

My passion for plants, healing, and nature arose after several years of studying wellness, health and

fitness. Despite my academic studies, I felt that a vital link was absent from the “complete” picture‐‐

there had to be more to health than just exercise and nutrition. Upon studying the ancient healing

tradition of botanical medicine, I had found the piece that was missing.

Our health is deeply connected to nature. Living in harmony with the natural rhythms of the Earth and

reconnecting with our inner wisdom is the essence of living a fulfilling, authentic, and purposeful

life. Our health is so much more than just the absence of disease.

What’s your philosophy about herbal medicine?

Areté Herbs is a company dedicated to helping each individual achieve optimal health with plant‐based

products. At Areté, we believe that personal health is deeply connected to nature. To attain optimal

wellness it is vital to embrace a more natural, earth‐centered approach to living fuller, healthier lives.

Plant medicine is a beautiful way to empower you on this journey.

We are a young, homegrown business that lovingly handcrafts all herbal products in small batches. We

are wholly dedicated to organics, sustainability, and green business practices because of our great

reverence for the environment. We promise to use only organic herbs to create our formulas.

Our herbs are sourced from only the most highly regarded companies that provide certified organically

grown plants. Respectfully wild‐harvested herbs are often hand‐gathered by ourselves from rural

Chester County, or grown in our personal garden that is free of pesticides, chemicals, and genetically

modified organisms (GMOs).

It is our hope that Areté’s herbal products give you the opportunity to infuse yourself in the medicine of

the plants.

Can you recommend one herb that is easy to use and grow?

I’ll name a handful! I had the best luck growing Sage, Catnip, Thyme, and Lemon Balm. These herbs

seem to need hardly any attention at all and grew into huge, beautiful plants all by themselves.

A lot of medicinal plants are considered common weeds and can be found in your own yard or woods

behind your house! There is no need to plant an herbal garden if you learn to identify these common

medicinal weeds. They grow on their own and very plentifully! Some include: Plantain, Chickweed,

Dandelion, and Nettles to name a few! These are all considered tonic herbs.

Dandelion, Chickweed, and Plantain can all be found in your lawn! Dandelion is great for digestion and

liver function and is a key component of ourCardamom & Fennel Digestive Bitters. It is also found in our

Immune Chai Tea, Nourish Tea, and Mommy‐To‐Be Tea.

Plantain can be made into a poultice to draw out a splinter or bee sting—great for summer first aid!

Chickweed is a Nutritive (very nutritious!) and is one of my favorite herbs. It tastes so yummy that you

can add it to salads or even make a pesto from it!

It is also one of the herbs found in our Nourish Tea and our Mommy-To-Be Tea.

Stinging Nettles are found along rivers where the ground is moist. You can find them along the

Brandywine River! The fresh plant is great for seasonal allergies, is a powerhouse of vitamins and

minerals, and supports the adrenals to combat stress. We use it in our Allergy Formula, Nourish Tea,

Stress Free Tea, and Mommy‐To‐Be Tea.

TAGS: herbal medicine, herbs, natural

People of Kennett Square–Mary Williams Veale

December 29, 2015 art, beauty, business, home, interior design, life, people, photography, portrait, Story, Style, Uncategorized

After two years renovating an old farm house, Mary and her family moved to their beautiful new home. Mary also found her calling in home interior design, organization and garden design. The EDIT was born. It is a personal, client-centered service providing home order and organization.

1. What determined your passion for design?

I fell into this. EDIT evolved from my totally control freak nature! As a kid I would re arrange my parents furniture when they went out of town. It didn’t go over well.
As an adult, I’ve lived in a few houses (we seem to move around) and design and order (for me) are a natural part of the move in/move out/nesting and home making process. Creating good and pleasing spaces for life and family is a creative and satisfying endevour for me. But really, I’m a control freak.

2. Can you describe your first Edit project?

My very first EDIT project was a whole house re order, deckutter and staging for sale process. It was a completed over the summer and the home sold shortly thereafter.
I love to bring order. And the backbone and essence of EDIT is just that. Order. Be it in a basement or closet.

3. What inspires you?

I’m a always deeply inspired by my amazing friend family. The people who impact my thoughts and heart are truly exceptionally talented humans. I am very lucky to have them. I’ve watched each one of them take flight in their own distinct efforts and I finally feel as though I’m catching up!

4.Share something you would like the world to know about you or your ideas.

I get my inspiration from a life lived at home. My ideas are influenced by the spaces I have lived in, by the objects and stuff of life I’ve acquired and love and always always always from the natural world. I am certainly no expert on design but I do know what I love. And I do absolutely love what I do with EDIT.

5. if you have no limits( money, resources), what would you create?

The world as my oyster would truly be endless gardening! Endless. There would be no blade of grass unturned! It would be a boisterous messy flowering world in my garden.

People of Kennett Square–Dan Borkoski

August 11, 2015 beekeeper, beekeeping, business, farm, food, honey, life, people, photography, portrait, Story, Uncategorized

Dan was my neighbor, he started beekeeping a few years ago. My daughter and I were fascinated by his honeycombs. When I was doing my photography project, I thought he should be on it. I went a farm where he had his hives. I was scared about the bees at first, but after he used smoke to calm the bees, everything seemed fine. I was taking pictures while the bees were dancing around me. It’s such a cool experience.

When did your interest in beekeeping begin?

I’ve always thought beekeeping was interesting, but didn’t have any experience with it until I found myself working on a small farm, and was asked to help with the hives there. I didn’t actually start beekeeping myself until a couple years later when I took a break from farming and was starting a family. It began as a hobby, and as my family has grown and I’ve found I have a little more time available, it’s taken over.

How did you get your hives?

Like almost all beekeepers, I purchased my first bees. They come shipped in a package, usually from Georgia. Package bees are not always the best quality, and my first hives didn’t survive their first winter (I was a new beekeeper myself then, so I’ll share some of the blame). Since then, I began to try to seek out locally raised bees that are hopefully a little more adapted to our climate. I usually now raise my own queens and bees, catch swarms, and I get some new bees by removing feral colonies from buildings.

How many hives do you have? How much honey do you get from each?

These days, I maintain anywhere from 20-50 colonies. The number fluxuates more than you might think. Every Winter, I lose a few, but throughout the season I’m splitting some hives and combining others. Raising healthy bees has always been my primary reason for keeping bees, not producing honey, so I leave plenty behind. Some hives end up producing a surplus, and I end up feeding some honey back to other smaller colonies.

Are there different type of honey?

Definitely! Honey varies widly depending on what nectar sources the bees are visiting. From dark Buckwheat honey, to light Black Locust and everything in between, all the different varietal honeys have distinct flavors. Around here, our bees (thankfully) enjoy a pretty diverse nectar flow, so we generally produce a “wildflower” honey. I think our local Spring honey has a great floral quality, and it varies a bit year to year, as the season sometimes favors some blossoms more than others. If you haven’t ever set up a honey tasting, you should try it some time.

Do beekeepers get stung by bees? And what your experience so far?

Oh, yes. I get that question a lot. I don’t usually like to wear gloves or too much protective gear, because I think it leads one to be a little clumsy with the bees. Honey bees are not usually aggressive, but I do sometimes get stung when I misplace a hand when I’m grabbing a frame from the hive. These days, I’m working hives most days of the week, so it’s an unusual day when I don’t get a sting or two.

What’s your favorite part of beekeeping?

Tough question. It’s mesmerizing just watching all the activity going in and out of a hive, or just letting myself become surrounded by the hum of life around me when I open a hive. Keeping bees can definitely be a challenge too, and I love that there is always more to learn. I also really enjoy teaching people about honey bees, and I have to say, the beekeeping community is a pretty eccentric crowd. Perhaps I’m most grateful that beekeeping has connected me with so many passionate and interesting people over the years.

People of Kennett Square–Bri-Arden & James

July 22, 2015 art, artist, business, Fashion, handmade, leather, organic, people, photography, portrait, raw, Story, Style

I knew Bri through Instagram. I have been followed her on Instagram long time. She is the designer-maker and owner of Arden and James. I love her beautiful handcrafted bags. Finally I had a chance to do a photo shoot with her. I arrived her house, her younger son was sleeping, and the older boy was tired but won’t take a nap. He stayed with us whole time, during the photo shoot I saw how she balanced her work with kids. Her studio is stylish, bright and organized. She showed me her new work, and also the first bag she made. She is such a talented artist and wonderful mom.

Where did the name Arden & James come from?

Arden is a little utopian arts community in Delaware. It was designed to demonstrate the values of the Arts + Crafts movement at the turn of the century. Many artists, musicians, actors, and craftsmen live there. There are walking paths through the woods connecting all of the homes and shared community facilities. Such a dream. They have an annual Arden Fair, which is in its 108th year. As a kid, my grandparents’ house was closeby, and we would go to the Fair. It’s a magical place, and it has inspired me all my life.

James is my older son. I started the company when he was old enough to sit on his own and I got my hands back :). My husband is also a James. He is an artist as well – a musician.

What is your design process?

The materials themselves drive my process. I only use materials I love: organic woven linen, locally milled waxed canvas, vegetable tanned leather, and pure copper. I see a natural material that inspires me and then decide what I can make that would highlight its best qualities. It’s sort of a backwards design process – not how I was trained in design school! I think that good design allows the materials to be themselves.

I love getting feedback from customers and friends. When designing something as personal as a handbag, I have to know how people will use it. I want my bags to be a reliable wardrobe staple and hopefully an heirloom, so the details need to be just right.

What currently inspires you and which other artists do you admire and why?

Wharton Esherick. He was a sculptor and painter who resided in Paoli. His home and workshop are open to the public, and they are an endless source of inspiration for me. I hope to shoot my Fall lookbook there this year. It’s funny, but when I make something, I ask myself – would this look good at Wharton’s house? It’s a “handcrafted modern” look. His work has no straight lines. It is informed by the materials and has a perfect organic feel. It’s just too good to put into words – you gotta see it.

What would you most like to make that you haven’t made so far?

Clothing. My sister, Britt, is amazing with styling, colors, and patterns – so it would be a collaborative line where I could choose the materials. My dream is to work with her every day (and our dogs and kids).

How did your parents influence your career?

My parents always wanted us to do what made us happy. Just to be our true selves. My Dad was always working with wood, and my mom was a painter. My mom always said that I was an artist, and wanted me to pursue art as my career, but I never believed in myself enough to think that I could pull it off. After getting my degree in Industrial Design, I apprenticed for other artists, worked in food marketing, and organized community events to earn money. It wasn’t until after my mom passed away – five years ago – and I was pregnant with my first son, that I felt the drive to make things. I could feel my mom’s confidence in me pushing me along. Since then I am always inspired and can’t wait to make more. I feel that my mom is sending these things to me so that I can live my dream. Everything falls into place as long as I focus and do my best. People have responded so passionately to my work – and it’s so flattering – because it’s me being completely honest and putting my true self out there. My work is a reflection of me, and the relationships I have built from that are so authentic and rewarding.

You are busy mom for two boys, how do you balance your work and kids?

The balance day-to-day is so hard, but overall, things work out. I am always going from one thing to the next, running around like a crazy person. But that’s how I work best. I am at home with the boys, so my attention has to be on them first. My boys are 2 and 4, so we don’t have any schedule – I just work in my home workshop when I can – mostly in 10 minute bursts throughout the day (on a good day). I use my iPhone for everything. I am never able to sit at the computer. The boys would be jumping all over me! I plan my work so that I can do handwork such as weaving in the car (while James is driving :)) or outside with the kids while they play. When the kids are both in school things will be easier. I had never imagined my business would grow so quickly – but I’m so proud that it has! The challenge keeps growing, but I’m still hanging in there!

To learn more about Bri and her work go to the website:Arden and James