Category Archives: More on Us

ID to NC: Adapt or Die Trying


Posted by tlcinspirations

Hibiscus at the Raleigh Farmer's Market (NC)

Hibiscus Flowers (aren't they gorgeous?)

If you haven’t already heard, my family and I have recently (3 weeks ago) moved from Idaho to North Carolina. You must understand that I have NEVER been to the East Coast…ever. I’m a Pacific Northwest girl…Washington, Oregon, Idaho. Those are my digs. I didn’t even get the opportunity to visit NC to check the place out before packing up everything and and having to move quickly, due to a job opportunity offered to my husband. To say that I’m a “fish out of water” would be an understatement, and a cruel irony, considering the extreme heat we’re currently experiencing.

Sandpoint, ID

View of Sandpoint, ID from Schweitzer

Not only is the climate a polar opposite from what I’m used to, but we’re from the small, artsy fartsy (in a good way) town of Sandpoint, ID. The very same Sandpoint that just got named the “most beautiful small town in the US” by Rand-McNally today. This, I already know, as I lived there for over 9 years. I have to tell you, moving from a town of around 8,000 people to a town of 35,000 is very strange. We chose to live in Apex, North Carolina, a town that is both large and small…as in, the town is very spread out, but it has a small historic downtown that gives it a certain small town “feel” to the locals. And, at first, all the highways scared me, but I’m slowly learning how they connect and I am VERY grateful to Honda for incorporating GPS into my car :)

Raleigh Farmer's Market

Raleigh Farmer's Market

Today, we ventured out to not just ANY farmer’s market, but a NC State Farmer’s Market in Raleigh, NC (about 15 min. from home). This is, by far, the largest farmer’s market I’ve ever seen! The flowers were absolutely gorgeous…did you know you can grow Hibiscus flowers here?! And they’re HUGE (see first photo). The market was quite an experience and, although I loved all the fresh produce and beautiful plants (who knew there were so many different colors of peppers?), a part of me missed the tiny farmer’s market in Sandpoint that everyone biked or walked to, where the local musicians sang, and where the people would just buy their baked goods and plop down in the grass with the kids to enjoy the shade and music.

I admit it. I miss Sandpoint. I miss my friends. I miss the hippie atmosphere.

I also admit that a potential exists to also enjoy Apex, NC. I like the sun. I like the people. I like the convenience. I’ll get there…everyone “adapts” and who knows where adaptation can take you :)

Rachel @ TLC Inspirations


Forward Motion


Posted by tlcinspirations

It has been a little over a month since we set up shop at Happy Delusions, in Renton, WA, sharing this unique venue with many other talented artisans.  Mary Clymer is the very charming owner and operator of this thriving little gift shop in downtown Renton, which features many “one of a kind”, handmade designs from an array of arts and crafts.  We would like to share with you a few of our items, along with some artisan favorites, although there are too many to show here.  We hope that if you visit downtown Renton that you stop in, and check it out for yourself.  Our local festival, Renton River Days is coming soon!

And here’s a little preview of our items…TLC Inspirations

We are experiencing many changes this year, most of them positive.  Rachel has moved to North Carolina (due to hubby’s job) which has brought a slew of challenges for her and her family.  It was an 8 day journey with a moving truck trying to avoid floods and tornados, but they made it!  They are currently getting settled in their new home, and new community.  Since they have never been anywhere on the east coast, there should be a lot to learn and explore.  I miss them, but sometimes moms just need to let go, and let live.  We have many ways to stay connected, and continue our TLC Inspirations partnership, thanks to technology.

Since we closed down our online shops temporarily, we have been expanding our crafting into new directions.  Rachel has been learning how to machine and needle felt, and she has created some adorable and unique handbags.  I, on the other hand, have become more interested in machine embroidery, and trying to implement that beautiful craft into some of my bag designs.  We hope to have some of these new creations available to our customers online soon.  We will keep you posted.

On another note, we started a YouTube channel a couple of months ago, and will be creating tutorials, so that we can share our experiences, ideas, and knowledge.  We hope that you will watch for upcoming tutorials, and visit our YouTube Channel, and subscribe as we add more content.

Find us on FB, Twitter, YouTube, and of course, here on our blog.

Bonnie & Rachel


Creative Evolution


Posted by tlcinspirations

Much needed evolution has arrived for us, here at TLC Inspirations!  We are going through some “growing pains” and, after much brainstorming and chaos, we have reached some major decisions regarding our creative process, our desired product lines, and the venues in which we sell our unique handmade gifts and accessories. We needed change.

 

A New Venue!

A couple of months ago, we were fortunate to make contact with Mary, of Happy Delusions gift shop, in Renton, WA (which happens to be where I live), and given the opportunity to be part of this amazing little gift shop.  We will be setting up a small space within her shop with our newly created felted bags, fabric wallet purses, string art earrings, among other creative products.  We decided to temporarily close our online Etsy and Artfire shops, while we feverishly work on inventory for our new venture, and our online shops.  We are thrilled with the new changes we are making!  Our product lines are becoming more defined as we gear up for this new experience.  Our products will be available in Happy Delusions beginning June 1st.  We will post photos of our new digs, once we’re set up.  If you live in the area, or visit, we hope you will stop by Happy Delusions, and explore the creations of many local artisans. It’s an adorable, unique gift shop where you can find that one little item that’s just what you’re looking for.

 

Evolving to Meet Our Customers’ Needs

Subscribe to TLCI's NEW YouTube Channel!W’ve also made some changes to this blog, making it more user-friendly, and deciding to focus more on tutorials and topics relating to Handmade that are both informative and interesting, such as product tutorials, reviews, sewing, crocheting, maching embroidery, felting, and crafts in general.  We have just recently set up our YouTube Channel, and will be posting more video tutorials in the coming weeks.  Subscribe and you’ll be notified when our next one is up and running.