Bradley Mountain

I felt dirt and leaves between my toes as my feet sank into three years’ worth of caked pine needles. I was under attack and disaster boomed in every direction. Diving back behind the tree that resembled a giant slingshot, I screamed, “Jeremiah, DUCK! The Storm Troopers! They're right above you!” 

That's a typical scene from my summers as a pre-teen in Ventura. One of those summers I crafted my first trap using braided vines, a young birch tree (which I used as the fulcrum), and a large hacked off log for the counter-weight. This trap effectively stopped Dark Vader many a time.

Our zeal at the Bradley Mountain workshop originates from two places: a love for adventure and a love for craft.  As I work on the development of a new leather piece my subconscious flows in and out with memories of the days I spent running through the pine needles.

There is something so special about the mediums of leather and waxed canvas. They bring a certain heritage with them. Although the products we manufactured are new, the materials themselves have a nostalgic, reminiscent quality. I think it’s the unrelenting durability that makes it feel this way. You could take a brand new Biographer bag to the mountains and throw it down a ravine. You would then come to find it with new scratches and bruises. However, it wouldn’t be ruined in the slightest. The oils and wax that treat the surface will merely adopt these new entities into the fabric. The blemishes will seem to have been there all along as if your father handed the bag down to you from his adventures in Alaska.  

This is what I love most about working with leather: it reminds you of adventure, and inspires adventure even as it undergoes its own transformation.

The work I do day in and day out is satisfying. But it never ends in the workshop. Because people have a bag or journal that they can trust, I get to be a part of their adventures. They come home and tell me stories, or send me photos. It doesn't take long before I myself am itching to close up shop and take off on my own adventure, knowing I'll return more inspired in the craft. Craft and Adventure are so intertwined for me.

I recently made a travel pack specifically for a trip I was taking to Switzerland. In constructing the pack I had to think through exactly what I would be carrying with me and the most comfortable fit. I tailored it specifically for my adventure. I then tested it for durability and practicality during my long hikes in the Swiss Alps. After only a few days of use a man on a train between Interlaken and Bern asked me where the bag was from. Before I could answer he said “that looks like it has a lot of stories”.

I proceeded to tell him about my business and how I love to make durable goods that have a heritage feel to them. He was surprised that the bag was in fact new because it already looked warn in with long days of travel. At that point I had a choice: to end the conversation or to ask the man about his travels. This might seem like an incidental or simple concept, but I truly believe these moments of decision are what distinguish an Adventurer from a Sitter. A Sitter, in my mind is someone who has the potential to be living adventurously, but, for any number of reasons, is not. 

Adventure is not just about physically traveling to the unknown. I think that the underlying truth of all adventure is that it draws a boundary, a line in the sand. We get to choose whether to cross it. I think that adventurous living can take place in locations other than mountains or the woods or overseas (although these adventures are highly encouraged). I believe it is a lifestyle choice, just as much as it is for someone who only purchases ethical, organic, handmade goods.  So too the life of adventure can be chosen.

I think fear is what stops most people from stepping over the boundary into the adventurous life. Asking a stranger about his life can be difficult when fear reminds you of past rejections. Whatever you are faced with, I believe that adventure comes with a sort of sacrifice.

On the other hand, I believe some people are just waiting to be told that they can go on an adventure. We at Bradley Mountain want to help people tap into the full measure of life that comes from doing something new. That is what our brand represents, and you don't have to purchase one of our products to benefit from the inspiration we seek to share. We want to be a group of craftsmen that can lovingly nudge others into a state of adventure.

We strive to implement this element of adventure into all aspects of our business from donating panniers to a pair of daring cyclists (oregontopatagonia.com) to holding adventure giveaway contests through our Instagram #liveadventurously. These are small gestures, but through them we strive to help some of the Sitters become Adventurers, while pushing ourselves to become truer Adventurers as well.

I hope that the stories you make with our gear are imprinted on the fabric and leather fibers so that you can hand it down to your son or daughter and inspire their adventure.

Tyler Axtell

Founder of Bradley Mountain

www.bradleymountain.com

@bradleymountain (instagram and tumblr).

Iced Tea & Cookies

BY RIKKI SNYDER

Have you ever had ginger and orange together? It is a magnificent combination that I don't think I use often enough at all. When I found this recipe I knew it was going to be good as soon as I saw the fresh ginger and "garnish with orange slices".  And sure enough, I was right. 

I’m turning into a tea lover and nothing can beat this refreshing ginger sun tea. The ginger adds just a light hint of flavor which makes this tea ten times more refreshing. And when you put those orange slices in... oh is it delicious! I put a lot in my tea and let it sit there for a little to really let the flavors combine until the citrus perfectly compliments the ginger.

I think a lot of tea drinkers can agree that a nice glass of iced tea wouldn't be the same without cookies to go along with it. My cookie of choice to accompany my tea drinking are these chocolate chip bars. They're so simple and it's the perfect snack that reminds me of picnic baskets, plaid blankets and sitting outside in the green grass with blue skies above. 

What is your favorite tea & sweets combination?

Ginger Sun Tea

4 1/2 cups cold water

8 teabags

1-2 inch slice of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

2-4 Tablespoons of sugar

2 12-oz bottles ginger ale, chilled

Garnish: orange slices

Combine water, teabags and ginger in a 2-quart glass container; cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Let stand in full sun or at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Remove teabags; stir in sugar. Cover and chill. At serving time, strain into a 2-quart pitcher. Stir in ginger ale, pour over ice and garnish with orange slices. Makes 8 servings.

Chocolate Chip Bars

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread into a greased 15x10-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. 

Greeta's Geese

By: Linda Reid

"Aren’t those geese beautiful?”

The geese belonged to my grandparents, Herman and Lola Render of the Walton Creek area near Centertown, Ky. Summer arrived and with it came more time at our grandparents’ home. It also meant molting season for the geese. Since geese typically molt (lose some of their feathers) during the summer, Mammie took advantage of Mother Nature’s help in harvesting feathers for new pillows. Their feathers sure made neat pillows! 

My sister, Jo Carolyn Patton, and I, Greta Whitehead, lived in that neighborhood and were always at our grandparents’ home as much as possible. We had grown up around the geese but we were afraid of them. We knew that geese were sometimes used for security animals because they are so easily excited and alert you to impending danger by flapping their wings wildly and honking loudly to scare off suspected intruders. Still, we loved to find their big eggs! It was always special on Easter to have a big colored goose egg in our basket. 

We were daring kids...especially me. I would make one of the geese mad just so it would chase us. The only time we were pinched by one was when we helped our grandmother hold the big geese while she plucked the feathers for her pillows. She would turn one at a time upside down and hold it with her legs and start to work. Jo and I, as little girls, would try and hold their heads so they wouldn’t pinch her legs. We would get tired and let go a few times. Mammie would end up with black and blue legs but good, soft, fluffy pillows. 

Herman Render and Lola Bennett Render, beloved Christian grandparents of our 13 brothers and sisters were near 80 when our family moved on in to Centertown. I have many good memories of Walton Creek people and the good life we had there.Though saddened by our move to town, many new adventures and memories awaited us there. 

My dad, the local barber, felt it necessary to move to town so he could be close to his barbershop. Sometime in the 40’s, Dad bought an old Greyhound bus. He converted the old bus into a nice café that sat on Main St. It was quite beautiful, inside and out, with a fireplace, juke box, booth and stools at the counter. The “Blue Bus Café” became the hangout for teens...a safe place that was supervised by good honest folks who believed in their community and its future. Our parents, Raymond “Dick” Render and his loving wife, Lou, ran the café until they moved to Jeffersonville to work in the shipyards.

Times were hard and work was scarce so many families of our hometown had to move where they could find steady work. The Blue Bus closed but the stories of good times there live to this day. Other small cafés have come and gone in Centertown. Each one had its regular customers who would enjoy a good cup of coffee and the stories shared around the table. More often than not, someone would bring up the Blue Bus Café and fond memories began to flow. Although we missed our days at our grandparents’ farm, the Blue Bus Café occupied our time and life moved forward. Lessons and values learned on that farm and in the Blue Bus Café never left us.

Whenever I see geese I recall the fun we had helping Mammie make pillows. In reflection I can see that we were learning work and care for the family, but we just thought we were having fun. As I drive down Main St. in Centertown, my mind’s eye still sees that old Greyhound Bus that transformed to a wonderful hangout known affectionately as The Blue Bus Café...a safe place for youngsters to spend supervised time together knowing that Daddy and Momma kept a keen eye on each and every one of us.

Basil Lemonade

When you need a sweet, little, afternoon pick me up grabbing a cold glass of lemonade can really hit the spot. Now you might think that basil and lemons sounds a little weird together because I did too, at first. But I assure you, it is a most magnificent combination when it comes to lemonade.

If you only want a small hint of the basil use something close to 13 leaves, but if you love it like I do, use 20 or even more leaves. Lemonade is one of my favorite drinks to prepare, especially in the summertime. Squeezing the fresh juice out of the lemons makes your house smell incredible, especially combined with the basil.

I always have to sneak a taste when making the syrup because it’s so good! Add lemon slices to your pitcher or glasses and garnish with extra basil and lemon zest. You could even try substituting the basil for mint for a different flavor!

Basil Lemonade

1 1/4 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 5 large lemons)

1 Tablespoon lemon zest

6 cups cold water

15-20 basil leaves

1 extra lemon for garnishing

Bring the 1 1/4 cup of water to a boil in a small pot and remove from heat. Add the sugar and stir until well dissolved. Crumble and roll the basil leaves in your hands to release their oils. Add them to the water/sugar mixture along with the lemon zest.

Let it sit until cool. Pour the cold water and lemon juice in a pitcher. Strain the contents of the pot, discard the basil and lemon zest and add the liquid to the pitcher. Stir well, pour over ice and garnish with lemon zest and basil leaves.

Basil Lemonade photography, styling, and recipe by Rikki Snyder. Find more from Rikki on her website and on Instagram—@RikkiSnyder.

Everyday Special Brownies

Cake-y or fudge-y? When it comes to brownies, that is the ultimate question. I’m always on the lookout for a solid brownie recipe that I can go to anytime I need a quick snack. After much searching I’ve discovered these everyday special brownies and just like their name they really are something special.

They’re somehow a delicious combination of fudge-y and cake-y all in one. There are only 5 ingredients needed to make these brownies and the batter is whipped up in minutes. That simple. And with how crazy life can get these days I’m always looking for ways to make each day simply special.

Everyday Special Brownies

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups dark chocolate pieces

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 cup flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter and chocolate in double boiler over low heat. Cool to room temperature. Beat eggs in medium bowl until foamy. Stir in sugar and beat at medium speed for 2-3 minutes.

Reduce speed and slowly pour in chocolate-butter mixture. Slowly beat in flour in several additions. Pour into sprayed, floured 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until brownies are done in middle. Cool and cut into squares. Makes 12-18 brownies.

Everday Special Brownies photography, styling, and recipe by Rikki Snyder. Find more from Rikki on her website and on Instagram—@RikkiSnyder.

Asparagus Ribbon Salad

BY RIKKI SNYDER

With spring coming up quickly this salad is a breath of fresh air! The vibrant veggies,fresh herbs and pops of color that the radishes add are perfect. There are so many different ways you can prepare asparagus and peeling them into ribbons for a nice, healthy salad is one of my favorites!

If you can find purple and white asparagus at your grocery store mix in some ribbons of those colors for even more vibrance. For the best ribbon-making-asparagus, try to pick the thickest pieces you can find. They’re so easy to make, all you have to do is remove the scales of the asparagus, and using a sharp vegetable peeler, peel the asparagus from the tip to the end. After you peel it you can break off the remaining tips and throw them in your salad if you’d like.

The dressing is by far my favorite part of the salad. It’s creamy and so full of flavor from the garlic, fresh parsley and chives. Absolutely divine! What are your favorite spring veggies?

Asparagus Ribbon Salad

1 lb. thick asparagus spears (about 14 pieces)

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1/3 cup olive oil

3-4 Tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

1 Tablespoon milk (optional)

1 head Bibb lettuce, torn

1/2 cup seedless cucumber, thinly sliced

3 radishes, very thinly sliced

Remove scales from asparagus spears. Using a vegetable peeler, peel thin ribbons from spears. Place ribbons in medium bowl of ice water. 

For dressing, first make a garlic paste. Finely chop the garlic, then sprinkle with coarse salt. Smash and rub the salt into the garlic using a mortar and pestle or a flat chef’s knife at a slight angle. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic paste, sour cream, olive oil and lemon juice. Stir in parsley and chives. If desired, thin with milk. Season to taste with black pepper.

Drain asparagus ribbons and pat dry. On a platter arrange lettuce, asparagus ribbons, cucumber slices and radish slices. Drizzle with dressing. Cover and refrigerate any remaining dressing up to 3 days. Makes 6 servings.

Asparagus Ribbon Salad photography, styling, and recipe by Rikki Snyder. Find more from Rikki on her website and on Instagram—@RikkiSnyder.

Maker | Greenwich Vintage

He's just a small-town man from the Midwest, Minnesota that is. He was raised in farm country and his dad worked hard to make a way for his family. Like his dad, he provides for family and is a husband to his wife and a father to his children. He's a cobbler by trade, working with his hands every day to mend the timeworn boots and shoes of his customers. He tries to teach his children the importance of shopping smarter, buying American-made products that support local and national jobs. He dresses each day like a man should, oxfords laced, collared shirt tucked into his chinos, and he makes sure his hair is coiffed neatly in place before leaving the house. This man isn't living in the 1950s, he's very much a modern man. His name isn't Ward Cleaver, it's Tomas "Zen" Pomazi and he is helping America redefine what it means to be a postmodern man.

Zen is the owner of Greenwich Vintage Co., a company devoted to rehabilitating old worn out shoes to create a shoe that is as comfortable and colorful as it is classy. Zen grew up an artistic kid, after high school he went to an art institute and worked as a professional graffiti artist for many years while working in retail. "I've always loved art," says Zen, "I have always been someone who has to create art. I worked in professional graffiti for years, painting murals for companies and stores. It was the creative outlet to my job in retail for skate shops and sneaker companies."

It was when he started to feel unfulfilled in that career that he started a pursuing a new passion. Bringing his knowledge of footwear through retail to the table he started to make customized shoes for himself and then other clients. "I grew up in the skate community where it was natural to graffiti your clothes, boards, and shoes. I thought it would be a lot of fun to see my own art on shoes. I'm a shoe freak - you can ask my wife, it kills her - and I couldn't think of a better piece of wearable art than a pair of customized sneakers," Zen laughs. 

Zen says he reached the pinnacle of his customized sneaker venture in 2008 when he and a few friends attended the release of the Nike Bordeaux 7 Jordan in shoes the he had designed for himself and his friends. "I had studied the shoes before their release and I thought it would be neat to take the color scheme they used on the unreleased Jordans and adapt it to several pairs of Nike Air Max sneakers." People went crazy over the concept and Zen made a name for himself in the customized sneaker industry, getting several requests from professional athletes after that for their own customized sneakers.

After that, Zen says he felt like doing someone different, "Until then, I was still goofing around. I was very much a late bloomer and I realized at about 42 or 43 that it was time I traded in the sneakers for a pair of grown-up shoes." With that in mind, Zen started a men's shop with a couple of his friends, including his Greenwich Vintage partner Max, to create a men's brand that still allowed grown men to add a little excitement to their closets.

However, he didn't discover his calling until one very uncomfortable pair of Florsheim lace-up oxfords led him to the shop of a cobblesmith nearby. "I went to work one day in a new pair of Florsheim oxfords and by lunch time I was miserable. They were the most painful shoes I had ever owned, but I didn't know how to fix them." Zen had worked with shoes for years, customizing the upper, but he had never experimented with the soles until that day. Shoes in tow, Zen asked the cobbler if he had any secrets for fixing shoes with uncomfortably hard soles. The cobbler took him to the back room and showed him a black Vibram crepe sole and asked if he wanted to replace the stiff wooden sole with it. Zen studied under the cobbler, learning the proper way to replace and repair soles. With his newfound knowledge, Zen started making shoes for himself and his coworker Max, honing his new skills as a cobbler. Both he and Max saw the potential of the shoes on the market, catering to a man who wanted a mix of unique street style and classic menswear. Putting together a small investment of his own savings and Max's, Zen contacted Vibram about the option of buying their crepe soles in colors other than the standard white or black, but after learning that he couldn't buy the colors he desired, he bought the right to mold the existing soles and make his own.

Now Greenwich Vintage Co. is known for those self-poured and designed soles, ranging in color from blaze orange, turquoise, and camouflage. Taking custom orders from customers, Zen is able to transform any old, tired shoe into a one-of-a-kind piece of art for his clients. Zen has also worked with General Knot & Co. To start redesigning the uppers of his clients shoe. Using vintage and vintage inspired fabrics from Andrew Payne, Zen can cover the leather to give his customers footwear that they can personalize with vintage floral, plaid, and other textiles.

His latest ventures have allowed him to add a few new accessories to the postmodern American man's wardrobe. Partnering with Kent and Lee Begnaud and Nathan O' Malley of Leatherworks Minnesota, Zen created a signature pair of reversible leather braces for the Fall/Winter season featuring a camouflage design on one side. This is just the beginning of several collaborative efforts that Zen is working on to outfit his customers from head to toe. Zen says that, "Being able to partner with talented designers and artisans is allowing Greenwich Vintage Co. to let men dress like men." When men were men, that is the ideal that Zen pursues through Greenwich Vintage Co. each and every day. Like Ward Cleaver, Zen is teaching us the principles and life lessons concerning menswear that the American public has forgotten in the last 30 years. This isn't to say that he envisions a world without tshirts and jeans, in fact he wears them also, instead he sees a world where men can recapture that age old style of our forefathers of the early 20th century with a little added flair.

For more information about Zen and Greenwich Vintage Co. and to see their resole options, check out their website at www.greenwichvintage.us or follow them on Instagram—@grnwchvntgco.

Almond Lavender Cake

Have you ever cooked with lavender? It’s a very unique scent and flavor. It can be used in many things like lemonade and ice cream... I’ve even seen lavender cupcakes! I like trying new things and before this cake I had never actually tasted something with lavender in it. 

It’s almost hard to describe because there’s nothing else like it. The lavender adds a slightly floral taste that you feel when you breathe in after biting into this cake. Same with the glaze, it adds the softest, sweetest floral taste that’s unexpected but very delicious. 

This cake is absolutely beautiful and makes for a perfect springtime dessert. Garnish the slices with some dried lavender for an extra splash of purple! You can use your own lavender if you grow it in your garden or look for dried lavender in spice shops. 

Almond Lavender Cake

1/4 cup half-and-half cream

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons boiling water

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Additional dried lavender flowers, optional

2 cups sugar, divided

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers, divided

1 cup butter, softened

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

Grease a 10-in. fluted tube pan and sprinkle with sugar; set aside. Place 1/2 cup sugar, almonds and 1 tablespoon lavender in a food processor; cover and process until finely ground.

In a large bowl, cream butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy; beat in almond mixture until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

In a small bowl, combine sour cream and half-and-half. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream mixture, beating well after each
addition.

Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

For drizzle, in a small bowl, combine water and remaining lavender. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, discarding lavender. In another small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and enough infused water to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over cake. Garnish with additional lavender if desired. Yield: 12 servings.

Almond Lavender Cake photography, styling, and recipe by Rikki Snyder. Find more from Rikki on her website and on Instagram—@RikkiSnyder.

Maker | Free Chant

 Normally here at FOLK, brands we are lucky enough to get to know and work with are American made and owned. However, the maker movement is a global phenomenon, and people from all over the globe are learning to start their own businesses and to buy from other small makers. We sat down with Alice Peretti & Alida Merlin, of Italian company Free Chant to learn more.

WHO ARE YOU /BRAND /HOW MANY

We are two girls (Alice Peretti / Alida Merlini) born in the north of Italy, where we launched a clothing brand called Free Chant. 

WHAT DO YOU DO 

Our mission is to design pieces that combine the colorful vibrancy of Indian textiles with the high quality of Italian production. Our lines are simple; they call to women who want to wear something comfortable, produced at slow pace and in full respect of the environment and the local communities of artisans. In each garment, we mix fabrics hand-printed with natural dyes and wooden blocks in Bagru to fabrics hand-loomed by the precious hands of the women of Maheshwar. We design clothes and scarves that we would wear every day, simple, but with a twist. Sometimes we dare a little, too. We combine colors and textures (cotton and silk are an exciting mix in some of our pieces), we work closely with our fantastic team in Italy and follow each step. We have been lucky. During our journey, we’ve met very talented people who appreciate what we do and are doing their best to help us realize what we had in mind. Now we hope that our pieces will be part of other women’s journey, too. Each garment carries a story that has deep roots in ancient crafts and that we want you to continue. Somehow, each dress is like a book… It’s a vessel of magic worlds to which you can give a new meaning and existence. 

WHY BE A MAKER/SUPPORT MAKERS/MAIN STREET

Being a maker not only means to make “things”, it also means to make your dreams (big or small) come true. It takes effort, but somehow it all comes natural. It’s like if you were born to do exactly what you are doing. Both Alida and I worked in big corporations, and it was great. Without the skills developed during those experiences, we probably wouldn’t be here now. But working for ourselves is adventurous! And how exciting! 

In my life, I’ve met dozens of people with brilliant ideas about new products, better services, etc. However, for different reasons, it happens very often that these remain only ideas. A maker is a special person; she’s the bridge between individual ideas and tangible products that can make a difference to other people’s lives. 

We come from a country where there are lots of small and independent businesses/boutiques/makers that are struggling due to globalization. Sadly, our city centers have all started to look like one another. When we find an independent boutique that sells something unique, our hearts burst! Preserving small businesses is vital to creativity. Each maker can be inspirational for another. 

We take pride in being a small company and having put together a group of extremely talented people who keep the dream alive. 

Alice Peretti

www.freechant.com

Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook: @freechant

Authentic Lives | Chef Angie Mar and the Beatrice Inn

I love food people. I come from a family of food people, and I admire people who have a passion for cooking. Food and dining is one the most commonly shared communal activities and interests that every culture shares. We all have to eat after all, so why not together? Often, when we're traveling, we love to ask for recommendations of places we should check out. Recently while traveling in New York we were asked to come by and check out some of the offerings at the Beatrice Inn, a restaurant managed by Executive Chef Angie Mar. The food and environment was so welcoming and delicious so we asked Chef Angie a few questions about the Beatrice and how she started her culinary adventures.

How did Beatrice Inn begin?

The Beatrice Inn has quite a storied history. It was built in 1841 and at some point, became a speakeasy. It was then an Italian restaurant for years, followed by a nightclub. It was always a fabulous mess of models and one of the grittier clubs on the New York scene until it was shuttered. Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair then took it over and re-concepted the location into what it is today. I’m actually the third chef to take the helm of the kitchen here, and it’s been my baby for the past year and a half to revamp the culinary focus. My team and I have put a lot of time and love into this place to bring it back to life and we are so proud of where it is now.  

What is the biggest theme that carries through your food?

There are so many! I always cook what I love to eat, so the basis of my food is meat, fruit and herbs. I like to play with masculine and feminine qualities and ideas- Whole lamb shanks are balanced with cherries and hearty herbs; pork shoulders that are beautiful and rustic are lightened with aromas of jasmine and browned butter. Basically I always want food to be incredibly sexy. Food should be sensual and thought provoking- It should mess with your mind because there are so many harmonious flavors, textures and temperatures to indulge in.

How did you first start your journey in cooking? Did you go to a traditional culinary institute?

I actually had a career in the corporate world prior to this. I was incredibly bored and unfulfilled. My family is in the restaurant industry, so perhaps it’s in my blood and I just fought it for too long. I finally quit my job and after travelling for a few months, decided to move to New York and follow my passion.

How did some of the specialties come about? Family recipes from Seattle?

Honestly, I cook what I love to eat… And that would be a lot of meat. Beef, lamb, and game meats, like venison and wild boar are all flavors from my childhood. There are certain dishes like the chicken liver pate or the pork shoulder that I’ve been cooking since I was about 15, but the majority of the menu is inspired by my travels, or what my parents cooked when I was growing up. Its food that will remind you of your grandparents, just a bit elevated and reimagined.

What do you hope people take away from their dining experience at Beatrice Inn?

I believe that most great relationships, friendships and memories begin around the dinner table - Or at least that has been my experience. My goal is that our guests will not only enjoy our food, but will also leave here with the experience of great relationships, friendships and memories over the meal that they’ve shared… Feeding people is such a privilege for us. 

How do you get ideas for new recipes and specialties?

That’s a question that people have been asking a lot lately. Where do I go to eat when I’m off that I can draw inspiration from? It may sound a bit odd, but I actually don’t go out to eat very much. I love to be in my own head, and I’ve found that when I go out to eat other people’s food, I tend to be the least creative- I hate having outside influencers. Instead I love to explore the farmer’s markets and look for incredibly beautiful ingredients. Right now I’m incredibly smitten with strawberries and cherries. I also just really cook for my menu, the foods that I happen to be craving. 

What is your biggest inspiration?

The energy in New York is unlike anything else in the world. Being surrounded by so many tenacious and talented people on a daily basis really pushes your boundaries. I’ve always been of the mindset that failure is not an option and that we create our own luck. Having the ability to create and shape my future is really what drives me.

How does your history influence what you make?

Our history always shapes who we are and who we will become, doesn’t it? For me, the fact that my mother is Taiwanese, but spent time in England, and my father was born in America, I am sure has shaped my palate. Meat pies, beef and of course the staple of jasmine rice is always what I crave as its what I ate growing up.   

What has been your biggest lesson in the culinary industry?

Trusting my instinct. I’ve never been one to listen to others, and anyone that has spent time with me can tell you that I rarely color in between the lines. The facets of the kitchen require you to just say “Yes Chef”, and my kitchen is definitely run in the same manner. However, there came a point in my career where I had to stop saying “Yes Chef” to someone and build my own future. The move I made was crazy, but it felt right, and taking over the Beatrice, baggage and all, has proved to be the best instinctual decision I could have ever made. 

What's your favorite thing about working in the culinary industry?

That’s a tough question since there are so many facets to our industry. I love the rush that I get when we are in the middle of service. I love waking up early in the morning to go to the markets for the best produce. Watching my guys cook is something that will never get old for me - they move with incredible speed and grace, and it’s often like watching a ballet. But the ability to be able to translate ideas, from my brain, onto a plate, and have people experience it, every day… That is something that I will always find to be an incredible privilege.

What's been your best advice you've been given?

The best advice that someone gave me was to not listen to the noise. To keep my head down and work harder and faster and smarter than anyone else, but most importantly, to not be afraid to be different or take risks. 

What's been your biggest challenge?

I’ve actually only been cooking for about 5 years, so in the big scope of things, many people would say that I came up very fast. I think my biggest challenge is maintaining my personal life. Part of the reason I think I’ve advanced this fast is that I’ve not stopped to come up for air. There has been very little play time in the past five years, but I’m also incredibly okay with that. 

Maker | Ssek Jewelry

Q&A:

How did you get started with jewelry making?

Jewelry making began in my head, every time I walked into a fast fashion retail store (e.g. Zara, Accessorize and the works.) Eventually I bought so many accessories, I figured perhaps I could start making them! The beginning pieces started off as gifts— then eventually my partner suggested selling these, and it's only been progress since.

Were you always interested in fashion? Jewelry design?

I've always been interested in fashion, but timeless fashion, and fashion that works. I don't like following trends just for the sake of it. If I think it looks good in another 10 years, then that's really good fashion. Also, given living in Singapore where it's 30 deg celsius every day, tees and shorts work fine. The only thing that's variable to me is the accessorising, and that's what I wanted to make a difference in.

Why jewelry? When did you first fall in love with it?

You can wear a simple white tee and shorts, but the kind of jewellery you wear decides what kind of look you're going for. Laying my eyes on a beautiful piece of jewellery is like listening to an exquisite harmony, to me. The different textures, lengths, colour combinations, and how they contribute to the flow of the jewellery when you move— is like a little piece of magic.

Jewelry to me isn't just something material, nor is it a status symbol. It is a man made reminder of what wonderful things our brain and heart can do when we see anything beautiful in the world.

How do you get ideas for new designs?

Ideas come from anywhere and everywhere, but I seem to draw most of my ideas from nature, as cliché as it sounds. What greater designer and artist than Mother Nature? The colour gradients in petals, the colour combination and contrasts in butterflies, how leaves float on their branches, the textures of wood. 

What are your inspirations?

Initially I was greatly inspired by JewelRocks, a Balinese brand that wove tradition and modernity into their jewellery design. They are classy yet playful, and it struck a note with me. Right now my inspirations include potters Shino Takeda and Red Raven Studios because of their unique colour palettes, as well as illustrators like Leah Goren.

How do your hobbies influence what you make?

My hobbies include small scale pottery and making music. Theory and rules create the basic backbone for these activities, but the true beauty is when you feel it in your heart. A silhouette of a vessel may be imperfect to others but to you it looks unique and refreshing. In music, jazz is always full of improvisation and weird keys but they work like magic! These "perfect imperfections" have influenced my jewellery a great deal. I don't conform to standard colour palettes and if one colour should go with another— I'm always challenging myself to have different contrasts in my jewellery, be it in colours or in textures.

What has been your biggest lesson?

To be proud of my business. I'm still learning. Up till now whenever I talk about what I do, I'm always adding a disclaimer: "I know it's an idealistic thing to do…" but I should really stop that.

I'm still learning to be more confident and to truly believe from my insides. Slowly but surely I'm becoming a better salesperson and a more positive businesswoman— although I may be treading water in the deep sea. 

What's your favorite thing about sharing your styling and photography?

My favourite thing about sharing my photography is providing my customers (and potential customers) an experience. To show that handcrafted jewellery have personalities, have homes where they come from, have stories, and have been created with meaning and purpose. 

What's been your best advice you've been given?

To be shameless. My mantra used to be "Good things to come". It's a pleasant thing to hear, but the world isn't that nice. I want something, I have to go get it. So in the words of Ruby Anemic's neon light exhibit in 2013, "No Guts No Glory".

What's been your biggest challenge?

Financing this business. I've yet to have investors, and I am challenging myself to be as self sustainable as possible. I'm inching closer to reach my goals— not just for me, but to improve my customer experience and quality of my goods. If I could reach my goals in half the time that might be great, but I'm not sure if I'd learn as much if I did. We'll see!

Maker | J.Stark Carry Goods

We are big fans of leatherworkers and totes here at FOLK. Constantly being on the road and carrying a lot of equipment, it's essential for us to have sturdy and able everyday bags. We look to brands like J.Stark for those necessities. Created by Erik Holmberg it is a beautiful line of handcrafted bags out of Charleston, SC. We asked him to tell us more about the brand and gave a couple of the bags a test run.

How was J. Stark created?

J. Stark was created in the night hours and weekends while I had a full time job creating websites. I was looking for a physical and tactile outlet for my creativity that would allow me to connect with people.

I made my first wallet and gave it to a friend. When I saw his reaction once he had it in his hands the feelings I had were visceral. I was immediately hooked.

Were most of the products in the beginning carry goods?

Yes. Most of the goods start with serving a purpose. I think this gives them the best chance of being useful and finding a home. If you chase trends and fashion, I think that model isn't as sustainable as a business.

Who designs your products? Who sews the bags and how do you find able leather workers?

Currently I design all the products, but I'm looking to bring on someone with a fresh eye for women's goods.

I create all the goods first, and then sit down with team members to create it with them their first time. That way I can tell the story of the design and why I chose to create the good in the manner I did. This fosters additional conversations about the craft and how to improve or do something in a different way.

How do you get ideas for new products?

Since almost all J. Stark goods set out to serve a purpose, I think of what people are going to need to go out and live their day to day lives. Or I think about an area that hasn't been innovated on or made as simply as it can be.

What inspires the J. Stark brand?

Utility. Military. Classicness. Timelessness. Minimal pieces to minimize failure points that leads to durability.

How do your hobbies influence what you make?

I developed software for a long time, and to become a great software developer you need to pay attention to all details, even the infinitely small. You have to put yourself in the shoes of the person using your site as well to develop something truly useful.

I bring this same attention to detail to design and creation of products. I make them as simple as possible and as clean as possible.

I also think about how they are going to be used in the real world and try to infuse them with that knowledge.

What has been your biggest lesson?

Running your own business is one of the most difficult things to do, which is the reason not many people do. However, I've always felt that hard work can always match or outweigh talent, so I'm never afraid to put in the hours.

What's your favorite thing about making carry goods?

Seeing people use them and how it makes their lives easier. Getting up every morning and making things with my hands.

What's been your best advice you've been given?

To think about the future of your company before it happens so you can plan for it. Similarly, I'm really big into visualizing the future and what things you want to accomplish. I think it gets implanted in the subconscious then and your actions will start to bend to make it happen.

What's been your biggest challenge?

Scaling. It's hard to find people with the skills and patience to work with their hands. Many people want instant gratification and aren't willing to work on something for 30-40 hrs to get it right.

To learn more about Erik and J.Stark, as well as their amazing bags, visit his website at www.starkmade.com.

Maker | Crateful

The art of giving, that's what Keira Guez and Brit Woodward of Crateful are redefining. Carefully crafting special, meaningful gift for your someone special. We all suffer from the 'busy bug' and these two are helping people rediscover the art of thoughtful gifting. We recently were gifted a beautifully created package from them so we asked them to tell us more about Crateful, read more in their Q&A below.

How did you get started with Crateful? 

With strong generous spirits and an appreciation for delicious food, we had been toying with different ideas when we agreed on crateful. It was the perfect combination of our individual talents/passions. The name encompassed our desire to send the message that gratitude is vital in gift giving/receiving. We believe in the heart of a giver – we know how busy life can get, so we wanted to create a way for people to show their gratitude amidst their busy lives, without compromising the quality of the gift. Every order is custom made!

What inspired you to start making the packaged crates? 

We both love the IDEA of giving a package full of small gifts, body products, baked goods etc, but the standardized gift basket options are far from original or thoughtful, in our opinion. We wanted to fill the gap where we saw a need and make it desirable. We knew we wanted to use wooden crates because they are environmentally friendly, reusable, recyclable,useful & gender neutral.

How did you start finding products that you loved and paired? 

I have a background in baking / skincare / cosmetology – all of our handmade recipes were specifically designed utilizing that background knowledge. Keira’s business background in fashion is key in being knowledgeable on what people want, trend and longevity. 

Were you always interested in food and lifestyle products? 

I have been working as a private chef for almost 9 years and Keira has an extensive background in fashion/lifestyle design – before we started crateful we were just really good friends. We love the same things but have unique tastes to bring forth. What Keira didn’t know about the food world, I was able to educate her on and what I didn’t know about the branding/business world, Keira taught me about. Keira has great taste, it’s refreshing to be able to try something new and bring it to her and know I’m going to get an honest, sophisticated opinion on whether it makes the crateful cut or not! 

How do you get ideas for each crate?

We pay attention to our environments. We both love to travel and are fortunate to do quite a bit of it. By maintaining this sponge-like mentality when we travel, we really get to absorb our surroundings and take what we love and think others will love also. Being from Los Angeles, we both really enjoy being outdoors. The beach, the mountains, the desert… such different ecosystems so close to our own backyards- these places we’ve visited our entire lives have a scent or flavor and we incorporate that nostalgia into our products. My passion for camping around California inspired our signature S’Moreskewers. Keira’s North African heritage led us to use Moroccan blue chamomile in our body products… we take pieces of what make our lives richer and pour them into the brand.

What are you inspired by?

Again, our environment is really inspiring. I think my affinity for salty/sweet flavors comes from a life spent on the Pacific. The textures of the Southern Californian landscape inspire a lot of our palettes. The industrial feel of Downtown LA inspired raw wood for our crates. We are also inspired by humanity. After all, we are a gift company… whether you’re gifting yourself, or someone else, it’s special and we want it to feel special because giving is a special ritual; for the giver and the receiver. That transaction itself is inspiration enough to really put love into each crate. 

How do your hobbies influence what you do?

Hobbies are personal & inspire pretty much our entire brand. My love of art and the outdoors both equally inspire me to come up with new recipes and combinations for body products- whether it’s Monet’s Water Lillies or a campfire in Big Sur, something crateful will come from it. I think the fact that everything about crateful can be customized is an opportunity for both of us to draw endless inspiration for from all areas of our lives. Keira is probably the most giving friend you may ever meet, I think that intense selfless nature has really inspired her to take customization to another level. To make the crates really special for the recipients, that’s what we’re about.

What has been your biggest lesson?

Always check the weather when shipping long distance with a deadline and never let the customer doubt how much they’re appreciated.

What's your favorite thing about sharing your packages?

The joy we get to offer someone’s day! It’s a blessing to US to be able to be the cause for someone’s smile. 

What's been your best advice you've been given?

Don’t be afraid to fail a few times. 

What's been your biggest challenge?

Sorting out how to maintain freshness with baked goods without any preservatives… while SHIPPING! WOW! We failed a few times there… we sent a LOT of mock cratefuls to family members to taste test for freshness. 

To learn more about Crateful or to buy your own specially crafted package, visit their website at www.crateful.com, or follow their adventures on Instagram at @getcrateful.

Maker | Duluth Pack

Every adventurer needs a great, dependable backpack. For Minnesotans, there is a town where all of those thrill-seekers and nature-lovers find their own, Duluth. Duluth Pack has continuously handcrafted hunting, shooting and outdoor gear in MN since 1882. The quality, time-tested craftsmanship & hardware are guaranteed for life. We recently were able to test out a limited edition bag they will soon debut and were able to sit down with them to learn more about the brand in a short Q&A.

How was Duluth Pack created?

Duluth Pack was created by Camille Poirier to fill a need for the timber cruisers that were working in the logging industry and cutting timber to open up rail lines for the mining field.. The industry was requiring a customized pack that would carry all of the supplies needed by the timber cruising profession. It was known as the original #2 Duluth Pack.  

We're most of the products in the beginning carry goods?

Yes, being originally a pack manufacture for utilitarian and rugged use in industry and leisure.

Who designs your products?

The concepts for new products come from our customer base. We then take their request in house and sit with our internal design team and design and build prototypes to meet the need.

How do you find or do you train people to stitch bags and other products?

In the past, the sewing trade was strong in the United States. As the sewing trades went overseas, we had the need to create our own internal training programs. Currently, we hire many people that have no sewing experience and through our internal training program become proficient at the trade of industrial sewing.

How do you get ideas for new products and photo shoots?

The majority of the ideas come from our loyal customer following. Many of our photos come from our customers as they are proud to share their stories and adventures with their coveted Duluth Packs.

What inspires the Duluth Pack brand?

1)      Our loyal customers and our exceptional and dedicated employees are the most valued assets to Duluth Pack.

2)      Quality. The Duluth Pack brand begins and ends with quality.

3)      Premium products for a premium market.

4)      Made in the USA.

5)      Lifetime Guarantee.

How do your hobbies influence what you make?

Many of us are outdoors people that influence many of our outdoor products. Being that we all live busy days during the week, our lifestyle product offering is fitting the need of what we do daily with our purses, handbags, business gear and luggage.

What has been your biggest lesson?

You can survive and grow through difficult economic times, if you stick to your convictions and principles of quality first and continuously manufacturing in the USA.

What's your favorite thing about making carry goods?

It is to see our customers happy and proud of their bags and packs from Duluth Pack, that are still handcrafted in Duluth, Minnesota, USA and carry the lifetime guarantee.  We know this, because they share their stories with us.

What's been your best advice you've been given?

Never compromise on quality and handcrafting our products in America.

What's been your biggest challenge?

To keep up with the demand of our growing brand as we continue to be the must have bags and packs. Duluth Pack is the oldest canvas and leather pack and bag manufacturer in the USA.

You can learn more about Duluth Pack at www.duluthpack.com and follow their adventures and the adventures of Duluth Pack owners on Instagram–@duluthpack.

Maker | Swenyo

It's difficult to find modern, clean home designs on an afforadable budget. Recently, we moved apartments, not a huge move only across town, but it warranted finding something new to make the new adult space special and exciting. That's when we found SWENYO. Their designs and patterns are a modern but classic approach to home decor that we have fallen for.

SWENYO is a new online retailer that launched in January. Wanting to empower young people to design their rooms without sacrificing their own personal style, they make turning your space into a cool young adult home. Creativity serves as the foundation for SWENYO’s philosophy which asserts that a personal space should be an expression of individuality rather than uniformity. Starting this June, SWENYO will offer a curated collection of new products including lighting, bedding, wall art and storage that have been handpicked with the design-centric consumer in mind. Offerings will be selected from around the globe and will also include exclusive SWENYO products designed in Encinitas, CA embodying the youth culture lifestyle that makes our brand unique. 

SWENYO specializes in unique, premium quality products that allow the customer creative freedom in their bedrooms. The products are only part of SWENYO, culture and community also plays a large part in their brand. Their duvet covers were designed by local artists in their home base of Encinitas, CA and they're currently forming a community of like-minded people that drives the inspiration for our brand .

SWENYO founder, Ricardo Camargo, has decades of design, product, and branding experience under his belt. He and his wife had long been modernist-design fanatics – they’d even bought a plot of land in Encinitas and built a customized prefab house on it. When it was time to outfit their kids’ rooms, they couldn’t find anything. “It was teddy bears and all that bullshit,” Camargo says. “What started as a mission to get cool things for our kids’ spaces ended up being the inspiration for a new style of home goods for a younger audience.”

Supporting makers really speaks to the team at SWENYO because that serves as the foundation of all of their values. SWENYO values creativity, independence, and building a community of makers and supporting them as much as they support them. 'We want our customers to be makers, we want to inspire them to make their room their own,' they say. 'In order to be a maker you have to be bold enough to stand out and be different and you have to be willing to take risks. It doesn’t come easy so that’s why we believe you, and everyone for that matter, should support makers.'

To learn more about SWENYO , their products, and their community, visit their website at https://swenyo.com and on Instagram—@swenyobrand.

 

Maker | Once Again Sam

Sarah Mandell makes the loveliest jewelry. Recently we sat down with the designer behind Once Again Sam to learn more...

Who are you:

I’m Sarah Mandell, the brains and busy hands behind Once Again Sam. Creating with my hands is what I look forward to each and every day. Although I’m a professionally trained artist and designer, I’m completely self taught when it comes to jewelry. I love to learn, and the best way I can describe myself is this: It’s not that I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up, it’s that I want to do so many things. 

What do you make: 

Handmade jewelry intended for everyday-wear. My collection ranges from lightweight leather earrings made from repurposed thrift store clothing, to exotic wooden pendants turned on a lathe, to funky rings featuring tiny engraved pictures of everything under the sun. Some of my work is created with basic hand tools, while others require some pretty high tech stuff. I dream in texture, color, and pattern.

Where are you:

My home is Greenville, SC. I’m convinced it’s one of the most creative cities in the country! 

What is your brand:

It’s important to me to repurpose. There’s no such thing as a scrap in my studio. A great deal of the leather used in my jewelry collection is recycled. I buy upholstery shop off cuts by the pound, and search thrift stores for damaged, or lets face it, extremely ugly articles of clothing, and I give the material new life, once again, in a whole new way. Every piece of material has a backstory.

The main goal of my business is to have interesting, affordable jewelry available to everyone who wants it. There’s so much to choose from within my line, and almost everything is under $30, which means buying one-of-a-kind handmade pieces doesn’t always have to be a major investment. I want to make it easy for people to start their handmade jewelry collection, whatever their age, budget, or personal style. 

Why support makers:

Buying right from the source is an incredible thing. There’s a personal connection you can’t get any other way. As a maker who supports other makers on a regular basis, I can say from personal experience that meeting the actual person who designed, created, and poured themselves into an item I find beautiful or can’t live without, makes me treasure those items all the more. There’s always a story and a face that goes along with each maker-made piece. 

Why keep Main Street alive:

We need to remember our roots. The whole concept of the very first Main Streets was to bring together makers, specialists, and businessmen as a community so they could better serve their customers, improve their techniques, and eventually prosper. They succeeded together, in part because of each other. We still need that. We probably need it now more than ever. The Main Streets of America are part of a very special economy, and they matter. There’s certainly a time and place for manufacturing and mass production, but there should also be a place for people with a passion and specialized skills. 

To connect with her she has provided these links:  

My Etsy shop is here: www.onceagainsam.com

My personal website & blog are here: www.sarahmandell.com

Instagram: @onceagainsam

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OnceAgainSam

Twitter: @onceagainsam

Maker | Swark

We recently fell in love with the brand Swark. They are shirt designers from Europe. We asked if they'd share a bit of their story and their brand....

We are two girls from Tallinn, Estonia, a hidden gem of Northern Europe. We are in a constant search for adventures, challenges and the awesome little things that make the day. Based on our philosophy that every day can be a fun day, we created a lifestyle brand SWÄRK – men’s button-up shirts with a twist. The name SWÄRK comes from an Estonian word “särk”, which means “a shirt” - as it’s more than just a shirt it’s a swärk. 

We believe in the secret power of colorful socks. And just as the right pair of socks can lift the mood, a right shirt can too. That’s the kind of shirt we wanted to create – a nicely fitting button-up that feels great to wear and lasts plus has this ”secret power”.  We want guys to always feel the “It’s my day!” vibe when wearing one of our shirts.

And why would two girls make shirts for guys? We had made so many clothes for ourselves before and it just seemed natural to follow a new direction for a change. Plus digging into a whole new world of “shirtology” seemed challenging and exciting.

Finding a manufacturer that shared our values was quite a journey, but we were lucky to find our ”jackpot” – a local company who is easy to work with and pays as much attention to quality as we do. And most importantly: we can be close to the whole process and work with real people. It’s a lot about supporting our local community too, especially being from such a small place.

Working with loads of different people is the best part of our job. It’s awesome to discover an inspiring print by a young designer and next see it on one of our shirts. There’s a lot of that kind of excitement created by the people around us. Not only by the ones we work together with, but also the ones sharing the SWÄRK spirit. And the excitement is what keeps us going. It really does feel more like a community than a brand. 

FOR MORE VISIT THERE WEBSITE

Authentic Lives | Dusty St. Amand

Fifty NYC Hotel, NYC.

Meet Dusty, a model and photographer currently living in NYC but who is moving to LA soon. He's been an instagram friend for over a year and this weekend I—Heath (@afieldguy)—was finally able to meet and shoot him while in NYC.

This shoot is a mix of fashion images I shot of Dusty for FOLK, and a few skin portraits for my new series, Brief Explorations, as well as a quick interview with Dusty.

Interview with Dusty:

Question: When/how did you first start modeling?

Dusty: I started modeling so that I could be around artists. I’d spent a long period of time without something to say and without a medium to say it, even if I did. A few years ago, as I was coming out a relationship, I realized that sharing my image was a way of participating in global conversations about sex, queerness, hair, and modern digital expression. 

Q: What is your favorite adventure you've ever been on?

D: My recent trip to Los Angeles is still buzzing in my mind. I went alone, functioned at my own pace, and got to know incredible people.

Q: What is your best fitness tip?

D: Diet. When you cut the amount of effort you put into knowingly toxifying your body, you in turn cut the amount of time spent ridding the body of those effects. This allows the body to rest, restore, and continue thriving into old age.

Q: What is your biggest vice?

D: Social Media can be a tool and vice. There are times when I have to get my phone away from my hand because it’s taking too much of my energy.

Q: What does 'home' mean to you?

D: Home is where I feel I can be vulnerable or flawed, while being supported and loved. That can exist in bonds between lovers, in moments of camaraderie at work, or in physical places that hold my things.

Q: How will your moving to LA change that?

D: Moving to LA is a reminder for me to always remain focused on personal happiness and creative work. I’m placing myself in a new circumstances so that I feel ascendant and, in turn, feel much happier (and “at home” just with myself, my actions, and dreams).

To see more of my work, including an upcoming blog post of this series' images, visit my website at www.afieldguy.com or my Instagram—@afieldguy.

Special thanks to Dusty for being an amazing and inspiring model. You can find more of his work on his Instagram—@dusterz—and order prints of his own amazing photography on his website www.suchdustyphotos.com.

Maker | R. Riveter

The founders of R. Riveter have firsthand experienced the same difficulty that so many other military spouses of today deal with on a daily basis - finding flexible and mobile employment while attached to the military. Military families are relocated every 2.9 years, making it difficult for the spouse to pursue a single career or gain work experience. Many spouses of service members need flexibility in their employment opportunities as they are independently managing their households while their partners are deployed or on long training missions. It was these unique challenges that inspired Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse in 2011.

Dahlonega, GA—home of the Appalachian Trail, moonshine, and the 5th Ranger Training Battalion. A cozy small town, and unique assignment for most Soldiers and families. Like many small towns, Dahlonega posed yet another challenge for military spouse seeking employment. Lisa and Cameron met in Dahlonega while enjoying an assignment in the North Georgia mountains. Cameron’s Master of Architecture degree and Lisa’s MBA were slowly seeming more and more irrelevant, especially with fragmented resumes from the multiple military moves. Enter R. Riveter. The one of a kind handbag company was born out of a mix of passion, creativity and determination, designed to help chip away at the heart of military spouse employment woes. In a converted attic the two women laid the groundwork for the still rapidly expanding company with a 45 year old, 75 pound, Consew industrial sewing machine, some old tents, refined with a bit of real leather.

​R. Riveter exists to provide mobile and flexible income to military spouses. Our company is run by military spouses; from the making of the smallest purse part to the models on our advertisements.  The larger R. Riveter story has been created chapter by chapter by each individual military spouse involved in the company.  Purse parts come from all over the country, making each R. Riveter bag a symbol of the American way of life and our connection as a military community.  It is our mission at R. Riveter to inspire pride and patriotism into the hearts of each customer.  We delight in the fact that we are completely homegrown and produce high quality, well-crafted items.   Our R. Riveter collection of handbags is the foundation of a company dedicated to serving the spouses of our service members. 

We are inspired by the challenges of our day and innovations that evolve as a result. Old military materials like duffle bags, wool blankets, and shelter halves are up-cycled, and combined with real, hand dyed leather to make each R. riveter bag-- producing a kind of character that is totally unique and full of history. Each bag is handmade by a military spouse; starting from the dying of the leather and canvas, to the assembly of the bag.  On the interior of the bag an edition tab displays the name & number of the individual bag, where it was made and when. 

At R. Riveter, we are inspired by the women who have come before us and truly exemplify the ‘We Can Do It’ attitude. Military spouses are a special group of women who take on the challenges of daily life and have a heart to serve in their community. As a special way to honor these women, all of our bags are named after famous military spouses. Made by hand to a strict quality standard, R. Riveter hand bags are a statement of pride and support for all military spouses and families.

To learn more about R. Riveter, their team, and their mission check out their website at www.riveter.com.