I was part of a panel at Velocity Art and Design’s Lab series last night, and whoo, boy — who knew you had so many questions about blogging? I started to get a bit worried as a few people trickled out the door (no one threw things, though — you break it, you bought it) but most of you stayed and we just kept talking. So much for the theory of writers not being big talkers!
I completely love John Tusher, Velocity’s owner. I had a predetermined idea before I met him that he’d be, you know, snooty, design snob, a jerk. (Or as he put it, what’s common in the industry: “dicks and pricks.”) But he could not be nicer nor more friendly, making Velocity that much better of a place to shop. The staff there is really friendly, too. I love a place with style but without attitude. In fact, attitude generally completely cancels out “style” for me.
(Case in point: Friends recently bought a very nice and not-cheap piece of artwork from a semi-well-known artist. They met the artist at a later show, and the first thing he did was sniff to them how they got SUCH a good deal on his art and how it should have sold for SO much more. Now she has to try not to think about that each time she looks at the art, which was already home. And chances are she won’t buy anything from him again.)
I thought we had such a nice mixed bag of bloggers. Shelterrific is “serious” and “nice” (that was my own assessment) — we’re not doing hard-hitting investigative pieces of course, but all the writers come from journalism backgrounds so it’s structured a little more like a magazine. MirrorMirror is the friendly face of the store by the same name, and by sharing a bit of her personal life and keeping things updated, Paola generates that much more interest in her shop. Not Martha is the long-term, online domestic goddess site that’s run as a personal blog by Megan (and has a HUGE following). And Decorno is the friend you love to hang out with who has great style, sharp observations, and makes you laugh your ass off.
Anyway, it was a great time. I was delighted to meet Tula of Whorange (On the right above — could she be cuter?) my new favorite blog, and I was disappointed to find out later that Julia of Dozen Flours was in attendance, but we never managed to meet. Next time?
The evening was highlighted for me when they drew the door prizes. I didn’t get a photo (drat) but the woman who won the Cynthia Rowley hose that I contributed squealed, “I dreamt that I won this hose!!!” Ha. Pink hoses for all! And I mean that in the best way possible.
See my write-up with actual useful information on Shelterrific.
Of all the dreams to have come true, the pink hose dream is easily one of the most awesome. Here’s a terribly unflattering photo of me and the hose.
[...] be discussing the new Plush trend at tomorrow’s Lab at Velocity Art and Design. Now, you know I love the Lab, so I really encourage you to make it out. It starts at 6 and there’s always a lot of great [...]