teaching at the kent bellows institute

Posted on 22. Jan, 2012 by Princess Lasertron.

A few months ago, my friend Thomas Sibbitt asked me if I would be willing to come to the Kent Bellows Institute in Omaha to teach a class to high schoolers on a Saturday afternoon. I thought for a long time about what to do, and failing a brilliant new idea, I decided to teach basic embroidery and the felt flower project. For the high school students, I made it about boutonnieres and corsages but let them explore their own creativity as far as the final project. We talked about the straight stitch, backstitch, stem stitch, and chain stitch.

I’m a huge believe in the mission of the Kent Bellows Institute, a space for wonder, learning, and artistic development that works to serve the community and nurture self-expression.

With a dynamic vision for Omaha’s future and a unique and versatile curriculum model, The Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts is proud to encourage the development of inspired, engaged citizens dedicated to their community.

At the Kent Bellows Institute, high school students of all backgrounds take classroom techniques to the next level. They develop their own intensive course of study, setting personal goals and overcoming creative obstacles. While working hands-on up to 20 hours a month with the finest professional artists in the metro, our students build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, tenacity, and a lifelong drive for innovation.

-The Kent Bellows Institute

Kent Bellows, recognized as one of America’s greatest masters of realism, was born in my hometown of Blair, Nebraska. He began his career as an illustrator for publications like Rolling Stone, and moved into figurative realism in the 1980s. Mr. Bellows achieved international acclaim for his art after he exhibited in the New york Tatistcheff Gallery with the support of my uncle, Hugh Hunt, and later the Forum Gallery.

I grew up loving and admiring the work of Mr. Bellows, and I was exposed to his art in the homes of all of my relatives. We had his painting “Rachel in White” in my house, and my great-grandfather and uncle had their portraits sketched by him. All my life, from when I first understood the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I wanted to be an artist. I know that the discussions I heard in my home, how I saw my relatives engaged with art and how I was encouraged to inspect and consider sculpture, photography, portraits, drawings and paintings like the ones created by Kent Bellows had an immeasurable impact on the trajectory of my life and the person I am today.

So I was overjoyed to mentor the students at the Kent Bellows Institute for a day.
I look forward to doing it again soon.

xo
meg

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outtakes from our shoot for Omahype’s 2012 cat calendar

Posted on 07. Jan, 2012 by Princess Lasertron.

Posing in a cat calendar was never on my bucket list, but maybe it should have been! Omahype, a local website that promotes all the cool stuff going on in the arts scene here in Omaha (their office is in my building!), recently put out their first annual cat calendar with photographer Daniel Muller. The calendar features photos of Omaha artists, business owners and musicians as well as, of course, their cats.

I love the picture that ended up in the calendar–it’s in our bedroom shot through my vintage mirror, and shows my racks of dresses behind me. But here are a few outtakes from the shoot Dave and I did with Daniel Muller along with our cat, Turbo. He’s a four-year-old tabby cat.

The calendar also features tons of other cool people with their cats, like Rachel Jacobson, founder of Film Streams, vegan chef and author Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Nate Welker from Saddle Creek Records, and more. If you want to purchase a calendar, they are available online for $20!

Me: Nanette Lapore dress, Odille blouse, FCUK sweater, Target socks
Dave: Kitty jammies

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radvent day 14: pride

Posted on 14. Dec, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.

What are your favorite things about your city?
Why do you live where you live?
If someone was considering moving to your town, what would you tell them?

 

What is unique about YOU? How has the person you are influenced those around you? How will you make your mark on your community and leave something you are proud of?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I love to talk about how much I love Omaha, why everyone should live here, and why I am never moving away–it’s a topic I return to over and over because there are just so many good things to say. If you’ve been reading this blog or if you follow me on Twitter, I’m sure this isn’t a new topic to you either! I try to keep the Oma-Hype low because I know not all of you live here or care, but read on today–I feel like there is a lesson in the love of Omaha.

Omaha is a magic place that I almost left. In college, I began the process of transferring to a larger school to study Linguistics and get on track for a PhD program, but a combination of things–my full ride to the institution I was at, the low cost of living here, the abundance of jobs, the amazing arts/music/cultural scene, and the irreplaceable relationships I had with my friends and family–kept me here. And I do believe that even then, almost ten years ago, I felt the electricity in the air. I could feel the potential that we were on the brink of. In the years since I decided to settle down here, the city has gotten even better. The cool hipster teenagers in bands and community groups, the kids in youth orchestra and theater, and the people who competed in quiz bowls and debate have grown up into 20- and 30-somethings who moved on to make a real difference in this city. Look at Omahype.com, pick up one of the free weekly magazines in any coffee shop, or eavesdrop on any conversation downtown and you will understand the magical energy that courses through this city and just makes things happen.

Recent Omaha transplant Isa Chandra Moskowitz (yes, the worlds foremost vegan chef and author) asked me yesterday about my favorite local sources for Christmas gifts. Who’s making good stuff? I present below the list of my favorite local sellers, shops, and makers of great things for your holiday gifting. Many of them also have online stores, and I encourage you to click through!

1. Artifact Bag Co.
Chris Hughes, owner and designer at Artifact Bags, is one of my greatest inspirations in design and business and was just this week named the winner of the Midlands Business Journal’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. His waxed canvas and leather bags are made in a midtown Omaha shop entirely of American-sourced materials on American-made equipment. Chris himself looks like he stepped straight out of a Steinbeck novel with his hornrimmed glasses and faded denim button-ups, and his classic bags are made to become heirlooms. I own one myself–the black garden tote–and it holds everything from my laptop and sack lunch to Alice’s many stuffed companions. It’s also probably the most well-made thing I own. Artifact Bag Co. is definitely one to watch. Click the link above to shop online!

2. Inez Gill
One of the hardest working new craftspeople in Omaha is Courtney Gill Zurcher, owner and designer at Inez Gill. Named for Courtney’s grandmother, Inez Gill specializes in handknit goods for more fashion-forward clients including bows, scarves, cardigans, and vintage-inspired hats. She has a great price point and I love her bows for clipping in your hair or pinning to a bag of lapel. Courtney is also offering free gift wrap for the month of December, so click above to shop on Etsy.

my favorite scoutfit

3. Scout Dry Goods & Trade
When Scout opened in my neighborhood a few years ago, it was one of the few local boutiques that I returned to again and again for hard-to-find and vintage pieces at amazing prices. So many of my favorite pieces are from Scout–a gold and black metallic belt, a marigold yellow crocheted dress, sparkly gold mary janes, a vintage “Alice” keychain pulled from a jewelry box of treasures and baubles near the front counter. As Omaha’s first green boutique, Scout is also also the winner of Nebraska’s 2012 Small Business of the Year award. Click on the link above to shop online, or visit their store at 51st & Underwood in Dundee! (And stop by across the street at the Bread Oven for a homemade chocolate croissant afterward! I might see you there.)

4. Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records blew up in the 90s as the archetypical “Omaha Sound,” with well-known acts Bright Eyes, The Faint, Azure Ray, Rilo Kiley, The Mynabirds, and an impressive roster of indie musicians that continues to grow. Saddle Creek recently opened a brick-and-mortar store just outside of The Slowdown in North Downtown Omaha where you can buy CDs, LPs, t-shirts, and other awesome goods from Omaha’s amazing record label. You can also click the link above to buy music and merch from all of Saddle Creek’s artists!

5. Measure Cut Cut
Peter Cales, owner of Measure Cut Cut, makes beautiful and affordable artisan furniture, sculpture, and woodcrafted art that is both functional and beautiful. I have a hot air balloon and rattle he made for Alice, and I’ve also ordered a few tables from him. He’s working on one for me right now for CAMP and I can’t wait to see it and share the progress with all of you. Nothing is cooler than owning a functional piece of furniture–something you use every day–from someone you know and were able to work with one-on-one. Start with a chair or an end table, or a custom bookcase for your LPs. It’s AWESOME to own handmade wood furniture.

Other Favorites
eCreamery, Stash Bags, Birdhouse Interiors, Paper Doll, Rdqlus Goods and Cloth, Make Believe Clothing Co., Inclosed Studio for paper goods and letterpressed cards, Sarah White jewelry, Katie Blair screenprinted stationery.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Are you writing your own radvent responses in your journal or blog? Feel free to share the link–they are awesome sources of inspiration for everyone!

xo
meg

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new pins in the shop!

Posted on 22. Oct, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.

I’m getting tired early today for some reason so this post will be  a little short.  Today I’m doing one of the Omaha area’s real “society events”–the Aksarben Coronation Ball. It’s a scholarship fundraiser for deserving students from the region as well as a bit of a cheeky way for philanthropic families to get public recognition for their work and civic services through an old-fashioned and grandiose “court of honor.” The children of recognized families parade onstage, and the night concludes with the coronation of a new Aksarben king and queen. I think it’s fun. I always dress to the nines, enjoy the night, and watch the society ladies do their thing!

Anyway, until I share photos from that night (I can’t decide if I’m going to wear our Jamie dress or this more dramatic polka-dot number from Jovani) I will show you what we have new in the shop!

All of these little beauties are available at shop.princesslasertron.com now! Our embroidered pins always go super fast–I can’t keep them in the store usually so if you want one, jump on it.

Lulu Felt Flower Pin - $25

Suzanne Felt Flower Pin - $20

Jane Felt Flower Pin - $25

Lisette Felt Flower Pin (my favorite!) - $23

Agnes Felt Flower Pin - $22

You have until tonight to enter our giveaway from ONA Bags for a Roma camera insert for your purse–it’s amazing, I love mine. It converts your favorite bag into a safe, secure camera case that will keep your precious SLRs from getting jostled around among your lipsticks and pens! Next week I’m excited to share some more professional photos from a few of our brides and a few business-related posts about starting out on your own venture, and some things I have learned so far. Thanks for reading. I love you guys. You make my life so fun.

Going out the door today: Our Kalena romper in ivory and a felt flower bouquet kit for an amazing bridal customer, and a custom felt flower pin for a friend. On the table for tomorrow: A hand-embroidered label for a bride with her wedding date, a few baby headbands (that I HAVE to finish!), and another custom pin for a sweet friend.

xo
meg

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We’ll post as much as we can within the confines of the law: Successful video blog no. 2

Posted on 12. Sep, 2011 by Princess Lasertron.

Okay, last time’s video blog didn’t work so well. Trying it one more time. Things to watch for:

• My shellac’d nails from the new VuVu Nail Spa, owned by my pretty friend An. I’m wearing Good Gossip with Grand Jewels layered on top. This stuff will grow out before it chips!
• Emma giving our Creative Connection Event projects (and everything else on our table) the Vanna White treatment
• The rambling beginning at 5:00
• Emma’s lone vintage earring (we got them from a customer and she tried one on and forgot about it)
• A really good story about pancakes and french toast
• That’s it. It’s actually not that interesting.

video blog 2: getting ready for the creative connection, late night in camp coworking from princess lasertron on Vimeo.

Here’s a few other things up in my life…

Work on our table

stacy's bouquet

claire's boutonnieres

Barcamp Omaha last Friday & Saturday

the barcamp omaha organizers

…and a video of all the photobooth pictures put together

Sunscreen baby

alice's first boat ride on our long weekday trip to the lake

At the Reverse Trade Mission last Friday

team lasertron at the trade mission

Watch our video from the Trade Mission on Facebook

See you all in St. Paul this week for the Creative Connection Event and BlogHer Handmade….will you be there? Tell me so I can make you a present.
xo
meg

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