Since 2010 I have been co-hosting a fantastic craft show called Handmade Harvest with my friend and former co-worker Colleen Hewitt.

Here we are last Christmas.

We host the show twice a year (three if you could our new Food & Drink Show) here in Almonte and it's flipping awesome.

This year we had more submissions than ever (over 200!) for our Holiday Show and I am so jazzed to see so many new makers in the mix.

The event takes place over two days (50 different vendors each day) and is hosted at the Almonte Old Town Hall NEXT weekend.

Looking for an(other) excuse to come to Almonte?
This is it!

For more details and a list of vendors visit Handmade Harvest online at www.handmadeharvest.com.

The first 50 shoppers always get a free swag bag filled with goodies. Insanity.

We took pity on some of the early risers and let them sit inside.

The place was jumpin' 

Amy Eaton of Winsome and Whimsy Photography hosted our first workshop in the new shop last night  and, man, was it a healthy combo of fun/valuable information.
How have I survived so long without a lightbox?

Amy taught us a ton of great things.

What makes a great photo, how to take great shots whether you're using a pro camera or a stinky smart phone), how to project your brand image through your photography, how to compose an image, how to make a lightbox (which really is the secret folks...and so simple!), how to stand out among the vast (vast!) competition.

 Amy makes a pro lightbox for a total cost of about $0.50 and 10 minutes.

Amy shows us how it's done and explains the importance of using the right light and composition. 

Also she makes us laugh. Something about buttertarts...

Definitely buttertarts. Who needs a studio when we can do THIS at home!?

Some of us tried our hand at taking some great, web-ready pics. I took this using my iPhone!

 Like this cuff? You can buy it across the street at doree's! I also took this with my phone.Who needs a DLSR? Chumps maybe.

I learned a boatload of things I didn't know I didn't know.
Which I love.

The class was so well received we've decided to host a redo for those who missed out.
If you're a maker wanted to get started selling online, I'd say Product Photography 101 with Amy is a MUST ATTEND.

Tuesday November 5th beginning at 6:30 (and ending sometime close to 9pm), join us in the shop for this awesome workshop.

Book before it fills up by sending me a note at shop@hello-yellow.ca

Workshops are back baby!
Hope to see you soon!
Em

I just spent three great days with my uber talented blogger friend Melissa. She's got a fabulous blog called The Sweet Escape that you'll hear me talk about quite a lot (if you haven't already). 

Melissa and I went to college together. She was a 6-foot-tall (in heels), Italian red head with a bitchy resting face and a shock of blonde hair at the front of her head.

She had me at hello.

Melissa and I have always been a great pair when it comes to creative problem solving, brainstorming new ideas and experimenting with projects. 

Spending time with her is one of my favourite things.

This time during her visit we tackled a fun little DIY project for my new creative workspace at the back of the shop, but I'll get to that a little later. The project isn't 100% completed and I know how you like before and afters.

Me too.

Also, I will be one million more times more likely to complete it now that I've written it here.

While she was here we talked a lot about blogging and the importance of social media in promoting, building a brand. I have loads of lofty ideas I want to integrate into the way I currently do business. Blogging more often is one of them, but I've felt that I need a little structure to keep me on track.

And inspired.

Introducing Make it Mondays! 

Each week I'm going to select one of the seventeen thousand and three projects I have pinned onto my Hello DIY board on Pinterest.

Fucking Pinterest.

For my first Make It Monday project, I'm tackling Nail & Thread art.

I need an oversized piece of artwork to cover an electrical box in my soon-to-be-the-best-thing-ever creative workspace.

I've already spent just a smidge too much money on this room so let's take a stab at some affordable DIY art shall we?

I'll be documenting my progress over on Facebook and Twitter, and if all goes well, I'll workshop it.

Got a project you want to see me take on? 

Let me know about it by commenting here.

At the end of each month, all commenters will be put into a draw to win a $25 gift certificate to the shop!

See you soon!

Em

Conversation with my husband:

Can I help you with anything hon? I was going to make dinner.

Sure, you could cut this last red pepper for me.

Really? It's just one pepper. You really need my help?

You asked.

I know. But, I'm like super allergic today. I need to go wash my face.

Something is wrong with you.

I think I'm getting my period tomorrow.

I received a little flack a few weeks ago for something I put on Facebook.

I posted an interaction I had with a customer in the shop.
One of those customers that leaves you feeling like "Hey! Don't talk to me like I'm seven."

I wrote of our baffling conversation and the response of another (totally awesome) customer after this person left the premises (in a huff).

It was pretty tame really.
Like super tame. You should see what I write about my kids.

I didn't use anyone's name, I didn't post a photo, or even the crude (therapeutic) sketch I drew of her from memory once she left. 
And yet, two kind folks were inclined to write me personal emails about how unimpressed they were that I'd use social media as a forum for venting my frustrations.
I suppose they had a right. (Oh don't we allllll).

And I guess I can't assume everyone is going to know where I'm coming from.
I am a complex woman friends.
I am sensitive, I find humour in yucky situations, I don't ever want to hurt anyone.
Never ever. (Unless you're Brad and you just pinched me unexpectedly. A good pinch can ignite a rage/need for revenge in me like no other.)

I love working in customer service and hold myself to a high standard when it comes to what it is I'm doing here. I think many of you could attest that I am darned good at this.
This retail stuff is my calling yo.

I believe strongly in offering great customer service and a friendly environment.
I do not take my customers for granted whatsoever.
I need them!

However, my approach with Hello Yellow is to be myself and to use social media (including this blog) to strengthen my relationships with customers and potential clients.

I realize I risk losing a few along the way by sharing my day to day interactions (you've got to crack a few eggs and all that), but it's been my experience that I have more to gain by exposing my true colours.

Though I would never out anyone by name (or by photo) in a public forum, it's likely I will continue to bring the humour of my day to day in small business to my followers.
It's what my people want.

Customers can rest assured they are safe from public "outings" if they show me the same kindness and respect I show them.

It's all in good fun folks. If you like it, awesome.
If you don't? Not so awesome. But totally ok too.

Hurray for getaways!

Brad and I had a fabulous time in Toronto this weekend.

We went with no agenda except to enjoy our freedom from the barnacles and spend some time with friends.

We flew out on Porter at 5pm on Friday and arrived in TO 45 minutes, one glass of wine and two bags of mixed nuts later.

This, my friends, is the way to travel.

We hit the hotel and zipped right back out to visit our friend Melissa at her place.

Melissa lives in a converted loft in Kensington Market. Incidentally, it's the very same building Brad and I lived in when we first decided cohabitation was for us more than 10 years ago.

Her place is only slightly more fabulous and has a gorgeous rooftop patio.

Melissa writes a great design blog called The Sweet Escape and seizes every opportunity to bring design into her own life.

Stepping onto her patio on Friday night was exactly what it might be like to step into one of her blog posts. I felt like a queen. Also, a little like maybe I shouldn't touch anything.

She had planned a beautiful meal for us and the table was set to perfection.

Not a detail was missed from sweet birdie tumblers to the doily runner to the pineapple pitcher (which I can only assume was vintage because I don't think people design things that "so-ugly-it's-cute" anymore. Maybe Urban Outfitters.) to this...

 ...personalized, handwritten table settings. (I'm like...famous.)

The woman bent those forks herself yo!

It was like a DIY, vintage-inspired, design paradise. Also, it was delicious. That watermelon mint salad is going to be a new staple here at home.

On Saturday, when we were good and done sleeping in, we headed back to the market (old habits die hard) for a little breakfast and some shopping. 

Via

There are several shops in Kensington worthy of my love, but two of my favourites are Good Egg

and Kid Icarus.

I aspire to the coolness that exudes from these lovely shops.

As an anniversary gift to ourselves we decided to purchase this typographical map of our old stomping grounds. I've always wanted an ORK poster, but I haven't been enough worldly places to legitimately be able to call one my own.

Via

And now I'll just put it in the corner of our bedroom for 2 years until I get around to framing the bastard. Or accidentally take it to the Hub like I did with those bridesmaid dresses.

Whichever comes first.

When we were good and done with Kensington, we heel-toed it to Queen Street and just walked our little buns off taking in all the creative window displays and loving our freedom. 

Look how much he's enjoying that coffee. 

Who knew it was so much tastier hot!? 

We must do this again.

Really we must.

The hubs and I are heading on an adventure this weekend.
All the way to Toronto. Exotic!
This weekend marks our 6th wedding anniversary and it's time for a little escape.

I'll be leaving the shop in the ever-capable hands of Kayla and Laura, and returning Sunday with a renewed energy for...well everything hopefully.

No pressure Toronto.
Happy Anniversary indeed!

What better excuse to begin blogging again than a rainy Thursday in August?
I needed a rainy day.

It's been go go go around here since May really.
What with the transition back to self-employment, renovating and opening up the shop and starting this whole shop girl thing all over again.
Also, parenting (time permitting).

Cozy shop on a drizzly day

I'm pumped.
There is nothing I enjoy more than retail.
Everything about it is my bag.
Buying, merchandising, marketing, exercising my social skills, taking your hard-earned money. With a smile.

It's been just over 3 weeks since I opened the doors here at 72 Mill Street.
I couldn't be more pleased to be back here with all of you.

-Em

ps. if you want to learn a little about my history as an Almonte shop owner, you can find my old blog here.

The view from here