Sunday morning I was so happy to be notified that Ashes & Milk was nominated as your “Favorite Handmade Artist’s Blog” for Poppytalk’s Handmade Awards event, The Poppies. I am totally flattered to be part of this fun event and hope that you will vote for Ashes & Milk. You can vote right here and there is no registration required.

{ Update }

Thanks everyone who voted for Ashes & Milk last week! Though I did not win under as the People’s Choice “Favorite Handmade Artist’s Blog,” I was delighted to participate and be amongst so many talented artists + designers.

Also, the First Annual “Jury’s Choice” Poppies results were released today. And guess what?! Ashes & Milk came in as 3rd place under the category “Favorite Housewares!” Congratulations to Bookhou and BrooklynREHAB, who came in 1st and second. You can check out the rest of the results right here.

I have two wonderful announcements. The first is the arrival of the 2010 Collection of Pierres Graphiques by Yoran Morvant. Secondly, Ashes & Milk is happily featured in the December issue of Sunset Magazine.

A few months ago Miranda Jones, stye editor of Sunset Magazine contacted me about including Ashes & Milk in the publication’s Holiday issue. This was my first experience of sending work to a magazine to be professionally photographed and I think they did a gorgeous job showcasing Yoran Morvant’s Pierres Graphiques. Also, it’s pretty exciting to be featured right on the editor’s page.

Thank you Katie, Miranda and Sunset Magazine!

It goes without saying that blogs are an amazing method to network, promote ourselves and spread the word about fellow businesses we identify with.

On a macroeconomic plane, blogs reach out to a global market allowing small businesses to sustain a viable living through the internet as demonstrated in the DIY movement, etsy.com and the rise in e-commerce only boutiques.

At the same time, on a micro-cosmic level, the way things are bought and sold has become more personal. Through blogs an enormous amount of content and substance suddenly arises out of a simple transaction. From buying a handmade porcelain cup to a one of kind lithograph print, the information posted in blogs about the artists who design and create the things we buy bring a new level of connection between us.

On this note, I’d like to give a very big thank you to all the wonderful people who have mentioned Ashes & Milk in their blogs. I tried to credit everyone, but may have missed a few of you. -Don’t hesitate to let me know. Also, for those of you interested in blogging about Ashes & Milk, shoot me an email at info[at]ashesandmilk.com.

This spring I wrote a short article called At the Heart of Value is Desire: A Gallerists Take on Value as part of the Chicago Artist Coalition monthly publication, Chicago Artists’ News. Each issue is a resource for visual artists including information about gallery openings, calls for entry, grant opportunities and job postings. To inquire more about Chicago Artists’ News – contact the editor, Alyson Koblas at editor@caconline.org.

Also, I want to thank artist Lynn Basa, and CAC editor Alyson Klobas for the opportunity to contribute to the Chicago Artists’ News, May 2009 Issue. The experience of writing this article has not only given me a deeper understanding of how I value art, but has also provided a platform for conversation. I’ve received some really wonderful responses. One of my favorite things said was by the artist, Charlie Spear:

“Inspiration, for me, is the most vital aspect of value. When I look at a work of art I must be inspired to create also. I must be drawn into the process (of art-making) for art to have lasting power…and immediately charged as if I was in a conversation with the artist and (thus) it is my turn to respond.”

[ To read the full article above, click on the image or download a PDF version of it right here. ]

I was so exhilarated when Elaine Matsushita, editor of the Chicago Tribune’s House & Homes section contacted me about Ashes & Milk. She wanted to include Ashes & Milk in a special products feature involving birds. Above is the article in the Sunday newspaper called “Finds of a Feather.” Showcased is the Needle Nose Bird from Helen Beard’s Porcelain Cup Collection.

For those of you on facebook.com who are interested in all things surrounding the home, decorating, crafts and gardening be sure sure to check out Henrietta @ Home, the virtual face of the Chicago Tribune’s House & Homes section.

I am happy to announce a few honorable mentions from two amazing Chicago publications: Timeout Chicago and The Daily Candy Chicago.

Thank you Jessica Herman for a beautifully written article in the special Holiday Gift Guide issue of Time Out Chicago. When Jessica contacted me to tell me that she loved our website and that she wanted do a little feature in the magazine, I was absolutely delighted and honestly a bit nervous given that this was my first interview regarding Ashes & Milk. As it turns out Jessica is really likable (wink) and I really enjoyed talking to her about my background and how Ashes & Milk got started. You can read the write up right here and here.

Many thank you’s to Lauren Berger for the fabulous post in The Daily Candy!

I have to share some great news that made my Monday morning shimmer. Senior editor Megan Lane Patrick wrote me, “I just wanted to let you know that we at HOW Magazine were so taken with your site that we have listed it as one of our Top 10 sites to see this month.” Considering that I worshiped this publication throughout my college years, I am pretty ecstatic to have caught their eye. -Of course this is all the doing of Also-Design who created our website and have actually been featured in HOW Magazine for their animation talents.

Ashes & Milk is happily mentioned here for all of November. Also, I must mention Megan’s fantastic caption about us, “I’m not sure which I love more, the design of the products sold here or the site itself.”

Thank you Heather for the honorable mention at Elle Decoration.

When Heather emailed me to say that she loved our new website and that she was going to write up an article on Elle Decoration, I was extremely flattered. Especially because I immediately recognized her as Skinny Laminx, and she remembered that last year I had purchased two of her graphically stunning tea towels. It’s neat how that happens: when a circle is completed between people.

Thank you Grace for writing a beautiful article about Ashes & Milk.

Last year when I was looking for a website designer for Ashes & Milk, I worked up the courage to ask Grace for a recommendation in which she was awesome enough to refer me to the design team who created her blog. Also-Design is a three person company split between New York City and my own lovely Chicago. When I first met the husband and wife team of Matt and Jenny, I instantly liked them. I thought, “They remind me of friends of mine” and “we’ve probably been in the same places before and happen not to meet.” As it turns out we are neighbors, literally located within a few blocks of each other. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them in addition to working with them to create Ashes & Milk. I look forward to the many West Logan Square gatherings to come, especially the 4th of July (wink).

I also wanted to acknowledge that I learned something invaluable from being featured on blogs like Design*Sponge and Decor8 that reach a wide audience. People have expressed various perspectives mostly positive and some challenging, equally rich in content and satisfying to hear. For those of you who shared your thoughts, I thank you for being so open and giving me more insight about what we are aiming to do at Ashes & Milk.

Thank you Holly for the sweet post!