Passing the torch….Changes afoot at Makers Connect!

Featured

We sent out this press release just last night.  We hope our customers, vendors, and well-wishers will stop by often before and after the transition.  It’s a very exciting time for us!

An Artful Transition – For Immediate Release

 Makers Connect, a quirky family-run gift shop/gallery at Northwest Highway and Easton, has plans to hand over the reigns to another local East Dallas family in the new year, Lynda Sparks and Caleb Jack.

The shop, which has been open for nearly four years, brings in an eclectic blend of local artisan-made goods from over 80 North TX artisans, plus selected goods from other sources that relate to the whimsical and lighthearted vibe the store projects. 

The new owners have plans to keep the ‘funky’ and ramp up the fine-art side, which only makes sense.  Caleb has spent many years assisting the operation of Artisans Collective, one of Dallas’ most notable local-art galleries.  Recently shuttered due to the gentrification of the Bishop Arts district, it’s his hope that many of those wonderful artists will find new space at “Makers Connect – the Art Annex,” while maintaining many of the current artisans in the mix. 

Makers Connect, the First Edition, will run through Christmas with a number of unique events and classes!  Come shop local and artistically in Dallas.

Location and information at www.makersconnect.org, https://www.facebook.com/MakersConnectDallas/ and on Instagram:  chris_makers_connect.

 

Advertisement

Valentines Day is Coming!

Featured

l-o-v-e

Are you running around like a maniac, trying to find the perfect gift?  Well, please take a breath.  Take two.  Sit down a spell in this comfy chair. Here, have a glass of wine.

Now, let us help you with your shopping!  We have two exciting events coming up this weekend – expertly timed to help you find the tokens of handmade affection for your sweetheart, good friends, and even yourself.

______________________________________________________________

Saturday, Feb 11:   Kim Morris Trunk Show –  Fabulous craftsmanship from start to finish.  Kim is the *real* deal and if you haven’t seen her work, please do yourself a favor and drop in.  We’ll have complimentary snacks and bubblies while you browse!

Kim will be in-house with her jewelry and Japanese silk scarves all day, from 11- 5pm.

kim-morris-three-part-horiz-trunkshow

Sunday, Feb 12:   Valentine Party with Special Guest, the *Mistress of Good Fortunes Foretold and Love Advice,* Miss BAM! 

Because we know our customers enjoy having another day to shop for Valentine goodies, we’ll be open from 12:00 till 4:00 on Sunday to help you find the right gift and to celebrate the season of love with yummy bites, bubbling beverages, handmade greeting card making (free!  Just bring your creativity!  Small children are discouraged from this activity due to sharp scissors.)

And the BEST treat?  All day our talented seer of good news (no doom here, folks) will be onsite, doing 15 minute readings for a mere $10 donation; a portion of which she has earmarked for one of her favorite local animal charities.  We are scheduling readings HERE – so please go to this link and snag your spot!  You don’t want to miss out on this.  She only has 11 spaces.  See you this weekend!

my-flaming-heart

Giving Thanks, Small Business Saturday and Trunk Shows!

Featured

give-thanks-500x415

So much coming up – but first I’d like to wish everyone a very happy thanksgiving.

Enjoy all the wonderful things about this holiday – the food, friends, family, and most of all…. our continued freedom.

This was my father’s favorite holiday because there were no other things to focus on (other than football, which he enjoyed a vague passing interest in) and he really did love the opportunity to exercise his amazing cooking skills for the enjoyment of all those who assembled (including random ‘straglers’ – friends or acquaintances who may not have had a place to go on Thanskgiving.)

Now, Steve and I also enjoy cooking at our house; feeding friends and family and keeping our new and old recipe traditions alive – including my great aunt Al’s cheese ball that employs some weird salted chipped beef that will soon be impossible to buy but tastes AMAZING – so obviously,we’ll be closed on Thanksgiving.  We hope you’ll come see us on Friday, Saturday, and even Sunday.  (If you want my aunt’s cheeseball recipe, I’ll be glad to share it.)  Have a great holiday, ya’ll.

________________________________________________________________

Saturday, November 26 – SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Come in, have a fizzy beverage, and dig your hand deep into our Fish Bowl of treats and Discounts!  Lots of great deals and give-aways, so please make it a point to stop in.

small-biz-rect-banner

_______________________________________________________________

December Trunk Shows:

Sat. December 3 – Cindy Bagwell Trunk Show.  Sophisticated *and* funny dwell together in Cindy’s earring and necklaces designs, realized in mixed metals, wire, fiber, and gemstones.

cindy-long-earrings cindy ear 2cakedeath ears

_____________________________________________________________________

Sat. December 10 – Audrey Legatowicz Trunk Show – Bright, soft, and oh so lovely dyed silk scarves; beaded “Baby Boomer” necklaces; felted pillows and garments, and the most amazing woven scarves, shawls, and handbags.  You will want to treat yourself; one for you, one for your friend/sister/mom/sibling…..one more for you!

audrey-scarf  audrey-handbags

audrey-scarves   Jordan teacher

 

 

 

 

Are You an Independent Consumer?

Featured

shop small

That is great – and THANK YOU!

We’re proud to be a small business in East Dallas.

We also live here and really love this part of town, and we know it to be a special place within our larger city.  Wonderful folks like you often say they you’re pleased we’re here and show interest and desire to support us, but summer is just a slow time for all small businesses.  So we decided to reach out to our fellow mom and pop shops, and do something that will help us all.

We are calling it the *Independents Trail*.  We are literally creating a *trail* of East Dallas businesses on one solid card that will be available for a small fee ($5-$10), with that money going directly to one or more local charities and nonprofits.

All participating businesses will be listed on the card with a space to punch.  The card holder will get a deal of some kind at each of the businesses marked (for example, a certain discount, a freebie, or even a ‘wheel of fortune’ to determine the prize!)  Customers will be able to use the discount only *once* at each business, and are therefore encouraged to go around to all the other locations and sample their wares while enjoying discounts.  The idea is that folks will be motivated to try new places outside the ‘usual stomping grounds!’

We plan to announce this initiative through local all local media.

What we are trying to do is band together, not swim in separate silos… we’re going to prove that East Dallas does things differently because we’re individuals with initiative, drive, and love for each other.  Competition is good for everyone and for the economy at large, but banding together to help each other is even better.

We will be announcing as soon as we know for sure which businesses will be onboard with the ‘Trail.  Stay tuned for info and where to get your cards!

We are HERE:  East Dallas!

east dallas map