[MAKE]R and a Creative & Colorful Home Tour

Last weekend I returned to St Augustine to attend a creativity and prayer retreat my dear friend Mandy hosts at her home, called [MAKE]R. Mandy is a talented artist known mostly for her handmade ceramic creations, although I am a pretty big fan of her illustrations as well. Today I thought I would share a few glimpses of the weekend, along with Mandy’s creative and colorful home.

This was my second year being a part of [MAKE]R and the third year since its inception. Just like last year, it was a cup-filling, chicken-soup-for-the-soul experience. For three days, we laughed, prayed and crafted together. On Saturday evening, we also walked to the St Augustine Art Association to see a fellow [MAKE]R exhibiting her stellar painting she created for the 450th anniversary of St Augustine last month. We capped that night off with a delicious meal at The Floridian, my favorite St Augustine restaurant.

We had the opportunity to make our own Love Cups at this year’s [MAKE]R. The Love Cups Movement was founded by Mandy in response to Ann Voskamp’s blog post about the horrible things happening to young Yazidi girls in Iraq at the hands of ISIS. Mandy sells handmade ceramic cups and work from other artists on the Love Cups Shop, with all proceeds going to help these girls. We each had the opportunity to make our own cups which will go up on the Love Cups Shop once they are fired. In addition to working with ceramics, we also learned how to use a gel pad for making cards, gift tags, etc., as well cross-stitching for fun and relaxation 😉

Below are some of the photos from our weekend activities.

The original style of Love Cups. This is the second batch, as the first batch sold out in less than two months.

Mandy’s studio space.

Mandy showing us how to form cups as we all watched.

Fellow maker, Brooke forming her first cup.

Jeannine adding glaze to her dried clay.

A few of Mandy’s finished handmade creations. I bought that wooden cutting board with the birds.

The gel pad we used for designing notecards and gift tags.

Another talented maker, Peggy, showing us how you use the layered gel pad approach to make colorful paper designs.

Voila!

Mandy’s home is so special and one-of-a-kind, that I wanted to share it with you. Not only does her family of four live here, but it’s also where she homeschools her children and works on her ceramics. The first time I walked in, I was mesmerized with it. It is filled with so many special pieces and collections that you cannot help but feel like you are in a special place. This is a perfect example of someone who has an eye for editing. She only brings things into her home which have meaning and that speak to her. So for this reason, everything has character and purpose. I absolutely love the way that the creativity, color and soulfulness found in her ceramic creations is also translated into her home. She has made some fearless moves when it comes to painting furniture, cabinets and walls that have definitely paid off. Below are some glimpses into their creative and colorful home and a few words from Mandy.

What brought you to St Augustine and how did you find your current home? We found ourselves in St. Augustine because it was a magical and beloved spot. With two small kids we were looking for a new place to call home but still with some familiarity.

What do you like most about living in the historic Lincolnville District? This Lincolnville community is so rich and diverse. It is a true community in every sense. I respect the history of these streets at my core and could not possibly speak of its significance without going on for days.

You’re home has so much character. What do you think it says about you?  I guess it suggest I am quite a character. It would be right. It just feels like an extension of myself… colorful, made up of many different parts, with lots of florals and not much that isn’t significant.

Where do you find the treasures and works of art you have in your home? Some of my favorite pieces are from the side of the road and I give them hew life through repair and paint. Many are handed down from family and others. My most beloved are from the hands of my children. I do have a few artist whose work I have been able to save up for and collect. They all hold similar value no matter the cost.

How would you describe your aesthetic/style? Grandmomesqe with a little Mandy thrown in. Technically “collected” might be best. I really don’t think about it much it just seems to suggest who I am. It truly is intuitive, not planned.

Which room/space in your home do you enjoy the most? My studio for the sanctuary and freedom that I find there. My dining room table for the fact that all my favorite people are there. We use it for school and being creative. We also use it to pray and give thanks for one another.

What is your approach to making your space functional for living, schooling and working? With only 1200 square feet we need maximum functionality. We continue to try and tap into the potential for each room. When we moved here we got very interested in downsizing and being mindful about our space. We continue to learn, it is a process.

How do you hope your kids will remember their home when they are older? I would like for my kids to know that home is where ever we are together. That all we truly need is one another and we are home.

In your opinion, what is the one easy thing most people can do to make their home feel more personal and collected? Give it a sense of who lives there. Pick your favorite things and colors. Don’t worry about trends because the things you love will never grow old. Express your style and personality throughout your home. True beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Mandy’s home has inspired me in so many ways. To be more bold. More selective. More thoughtful. And although the homes I admire are all so different in style, I truly think what they all have in common is that I see the family who lives there clearly reflected in the space. And this is no exception.

Posted by Ale & filed under Creativity, Home Tours. This post has 2 comments.