In our family, people were always making things and selling them. All the time. It was just what our People did. Our dad was very entreprenurial. He was a musician by night and a commercial artist by day (I don't even know if there is such a thing anymore), but in his spare time he was always inventing something and selling it through mail order. The one I remember best was the light that you put on the top of your car antenna that went on whenever you were talking on your CB radio. That was an awesome one. My mom, too, always had businesses while we were growing up — she made and decorated cakes to order for friends and neighbors (our little sister, Susie, is now a professional pastry chef and wedding cake designer), she sold bread-dough baskets and wreathes, she made jewelry. I had my first business at age 13, when I sold model horse accesories (blankets, saddle pads) that I made out of felt and embroidery floss through a classified ad in a model horse magazine. My sister Julie is one of the most amazingly creative people I know. For many years she has designed a line of greeting cards; they are now sold at Target, Whole Foods, and Cost Plus. (But don't ask her about them because she will get all twitchy and modest about it; I know this because I just this very moment tried.) She recently opened an Etsy shop with her own very Julieish style, which I love.
I swear, I didn't plan this metaphor yesterday, but you know what they say about apples. Not falling far. My most excellent and exquisite niece Arden, Julie's daughter, has likely inherited more creative talent from both of her parents than anyone in the universe (says her proud auntie). But she is her own girl, and she has very specific interests and a unique style, and now her very own Etsy shop, too.
Remember this post, when we were learning to make a granny square? Four years ago. Sigh. That went way too fast. Way too fast.
I love my family. They are awesome.
I bought a pair of Julie's earrings and LOVE LOVE them! And what's this about cards at Target?! I didn't know about that! And I was just there today, too. Harumph.
Posted by: Kathy | October 20, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Oh my. Just bought Duncan the dachshund. SO cute!
Posted by: Robin | October 20, 2011 at 11:39 AM
How lovely, i have just been on and Favorited both of their beautiful shops. what a creative lot you are x
love jooles x
Posted by: jooles | October 20, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Alicia, I just read that line about teaching your niece to crochet granny squares and nodded my head when you asked if we remembered... and then read the part about it being 4 years ago. that is amazing. i have been reading your blog longer than that and it is beautiful and inspiring and wonderful. thank you thank you thank you.
Posted by: teresa | October 20, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I feel so stupid! Your sister and niece? I've been following your sister's blog for years and love it so. Never realizing you were related. Such a beautiful blog - such a beautiful family - and talent galore. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Posted by: seashoreknits | October 20, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Peas in a pod... a fresh, bright pod, that's what you all are! And what a treat for the rest of us that you all are creating and sharing.
Posted by: Natalie VV | October 20, 2011 at 12:28 PM
It is great that you have such a creative family. My mom was super creative and I would like to think it rubbed off on me, though I have a lot of ideas and not quite as much follow through.
Posted by: Seanna Lea | October 20, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Wow! I have actually been to Fish - I lived in Charleston for 4 years. I'm thinking we didn't get dessert when we went, though. I'll have to get some next time I go there.
Posted by: Aubrey | October 20, 2011 at 01:15 PM
I love how close your family is and how creative you all are. Arden's shop is amazing. My 8 yr old son is thinking about opening an Etsy shop, I showed him Arden's drawings and he was in awe :)
Posted by: Amanda | October 20, 2011 at 01:21 PM
My family was very creative also - on my father's side, all the women did tons of needlecrafts, and my mother was very talented in these, too. My dad made many wood projects in his shop, which I still miss the smell of - ahhh, sawdust!
My next door neighbors were 3 girls, all a bit older than me, who did all the "groovy" crafts of the 60's and I was so inspired.
It's rather sad as an adult to have no friends who are into projects, so thanks for the online comraderie!
Posted by: patty | October 20, 2011 at 01:26 PM
i love that! your family looks creative and wonderful...how nice to have sisters. i have always had little "selling" businesses that involved making things...my first were "net balls" made of pretty colored netting and used as scrubbies for pots and pans and sold for $.25 door to door....my grandmother helped me.....good times...i've been selling ever since!
Posted by: sharon from farm and fru fru | October 20, 2011 at 02:01 PM
I recently picked up two birthday cards at Target without really having a specific birthday to buy for. The cards were just too adorable to pass up. And I later discovered they were designed by Julie!
Posted by: debbie @ happy little cottage | October 20, 2011 at 02:14 PM
Arden's etsy shop is lovely!! I'm so proud of her! I'd love to know what Julie did to foster that creativity or if it just "happened".
Posted by: Sarah | October 20, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Julie's creations always delight me. Talent and creativity, no doubt, runs deep in this family.
Posted by: Jodi Anderson | October 20, 2011 at 03:37 PM
In addition to the family creativity, what I love about this post is the closeness and love that just oozes from your words, Alicia.
My maternal grandparents were both crazy creative, and my mom and one of her sisters got the gene, the knack, the bug or whatever it was. Grandpa was a SeaBee, and he made all sorts of metal sculptures out of empty artillery shells (that's what he had to work with onboard ship during WWII), and much more. He also was an amateur photographer who took his own pics, printed and enlarged them, sometimes adding special effects. Gram sewed clothes for all 4 girls, knitted, crocheted and tatted. She taught me those skills, and was still passing them on just before she died at 86.
Mom had extraordinary patience, and taught my best friend and me to hand sew (we made doll clothes to begin with), machine sew and cook. Now I'm passing these skills on to nieces and great-nieces, along with stories about Gram, Grandpa and Mom. They're priceless family heirlooms.
Posted by: Lynda | October 20, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Oh, my goodness - Larry the Lemon! How cute is that! I wish them both well.
Posted by: Lisa G. | October 20, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Ha! I just bought one of your sister's cards at Whole Foods and I didn't even know it was her. I've been reading your blog for years. I'm glad your sister had a part in my wishing my husband a very happy First Year Wedding Anniversary.
Posted by: jennifer | October 20, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Your posts these days are sooooo sweet Alicia, they show such calm and peace, yet I just KNOW that so many other emotions must be going on behind the scenes as we edge towards November. Sweet how you are also re-connecting with family memories too, I have SO been there in these precious thoughtful days before a new babe catapults life into orbit. Take it slow and steady my lovely friend ♥
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Posted by: Lucy @ Attic24 | October 21, 2011 at 12:13 AM
I am amazed that it's four years since you were showing your niece how to make granny squares, where does the time go!!? X
Posted by: Hazel | October 21, 2011 at 12:38 AM
gosh your niece is such a talented artist for her age! and your family is full of talent!
Posted by: amy | October 21, 2011 at 03:52 AM
Awesome. I was just thinking of the "apples don't fall far from the tree" thing when I was pruning (or hacking to death, more like) my lilac tree last night. I take after my Dad in that talent - their property is filled with interestingly shaped, pretty sparse trees.
Posted by: Amy Kortuem | October 21, 2011 at 07:07 AM
You are so right! You are ALL awesome; and I love you, every single one! Gotta visit these Itsy sites.......you'll show me when you get here, right?
Posted by: Suzan | October 21, 2011 at 01:12 PM
oooh what a lovely little sugar and creamer. and what a sweet post, so much familia talent and love. such a blessing.
Posted by: lori | October 21, 2011 at 10:25 PM
And don't forget to mention your sister's wonderful blog too! I started reading that ages ago after following a link from your page and I love both blogs for their examples of living a life filled with love and creativity.
PS I bought a belt from your sister and love it.
Posted by: T. Crockett | October 22, 2011 at 07:10 AM
I read this post two days ago and realized I didn't comment yet-- it sparked a whole discussion of the possibilities for an etsy shop here with my kids and then for my nieces... Ardin is quite the inspiration! She is really very talented- she draws and creates things way above her age level. It does help to be in a creative family and I'm sure she'll be doing something wonderful as an adult, as she already is right now! Your whole family is impressive, and it must be a good feeling to know you're part of a large group of people who give so much back to this world!
Posted by: Bethany Hissong | October 22, 2011 at 09:00 AM