sweetpeas & snapshots

Sit Down, Grab a Cup of Tea...

Or champagne depending on what time zone you are in...you know it's midnight somewhere!

As always Sweetpeas is full of surprises and positive changes...today is no different.

Sweetpeas opened it's doors 5 years ago and pioneered the elegant paper crafting industry. The second day we opened Sweetpeas in 2004 we threw a Baby Shower complete with place settings of crystal glasses and personalized party favors....gorgeous floral creations and vintage baby toys draped with original paper pennants. That day put Sweetpeas on the map.

WE set the standard of attention to detail...no more balloons, diet coke cans and pizzas being thrown at you during a crop, party or class - always champagne and cupcakes...but mostly friendships being made.

Everyone that knows me, knows I am first and foremost an artist...that is how I created this magical world of Sweetpeas.

I am blessed with a business that has always blossomed especially with our move to Abbott Kinney in Venice.

I am also blessed with a beautiful family...both children in Elementary School when I started Sweetpeas...now one entering Junior High and one entering High School.

Our move to Venice made me step back and realize what direction I want Sweetpeas and my life to go...

Any artist will tell you four walls and an accounting book, payroll, inventory, security..etc. is not exactly their "dream"....

Sweetpeas and Snapshots will open it's online store August 1st with only one of a kind products.

I actually will be able to create kits...and find the artist in me again. I have secured wonderful venues and artists to produce events that only Sweetpeas can...the original.

I also will be able to answer and build relationships with all all my wonderful cyber friends and share my creativity as an event planner and store consultant (one of everyone's fave) while having Sweetpeas online and searching for a space that no longer has those four walls to hold me in. 

Keep reading our blog everyday to see what's new and to hear all the exciting events we have planned for you this year...Details are being worked out with the release of Lilia's and my "Home Companion" project due out in November...I am thrilled to work with my friends who I adore.

Pauline, Erin, Tanja, Lilia, Robert, Norman, Kelsey, Erin and Alice (the Sweetpeas family) - we have a lot of fun and surprises in store for you.

XoXo Mary

Sweetpeas has a new number!

Our new telephone number is finally in place, so please make a note 310/664-3678.

And for those of you that have called and left a message to participate in the Vintage Baby Shower class this Saturday - would you please call us again at the new number 310/664-3678 to confirm your attendance. So sorry for the inconvenience, but we've had a few wrinkles with the phone lines and want to make certain that everyone that wants to attend the class is accounted for. Thank you!!

Everyone you know expecting?

Soon to be hosting a shower for your favorite infanticipating parents?

Throw an event as special as your guests of honor! Join our instructor Robert Mahar on Saturday, June 28th and learn how to create spectacular vintage-style decorations: sewn crepe ruffled garlands, hanging vintage wrapping paper globes and a crepe paper stork centerpiece that will steal the show. A hands-on tutorial with gorgeous take-home kits will arm you with everything you need to recreate these crafts to fit your baby shower's colors and theme. And making the deal even sweeter, we'll be crafting in the dining room classroom of Sweetpeas' new arts and crafts bungalow on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Call the shop to reserve your space! 310/664-3678.

Saturday, June 28, 2008
11am-2pm, $65. or $110. when registering two
Vintage Baby Shower: Decorations for a Spectacular Event

Photo from the laundry...

Thank you to all of the lovely ladies who attended Robert's Little Laundress Workshop this afternoon! We had a wonderful time initiating our new bunglow classrooom with cupcakes and crafting.

You'll see from the photos below the beautiful class kits that came packaged in little hatboxes tied with ribbon and topped with a flowering clothespin. Each kit was filled with all of the clothespin doll basics and then Robert prepared a special materials tree loaded with new and vintage goodies - millinery flowers, miniscule flower pots and baskets, old cake toppers, tiny birds... And everything was put to good use - look at the amazing dolls! Such a creative bunch!

Merci, Merci ,Merci.....

Thank you to Mr. Robert Mahar for totally giving some much needed muscle on our rush to open Sweetpeas' doors on Friday.

I can't tell you how creative, talented, funny but most of all a kind gentle soul  Robert is ... I am sooooo excited to kick off our workshop schedule with the " Little Laundress " class this Saturday. Remember, children can take the class as well...I know my Liza -Lou will be there with her buddy.

You have to visit and see all the new goodies packed into our lovely new home...I just couldn't be more happy...It's my dream come true.

XoXo Mary   

Little Laundress Workshop - This Saturday!

A reminder for our friends in the Los Angeles area, this Saturday, June 14th is the 'Little Laundress Workshop' - our new instructor Robert Mahar's hands-on tutorial reworking the vintage craft of clothespin dolls. The take-home class kits are gorgeous as is the location in Sweetpeas' new Venice home.

There are a few remaining spots available, so if you'd like to join in from 11 - 2 for crafting and cupcakes, please call the store at 310/490-0434 to register. Open to adults and kids ages 8+!

Below are examples of clothespin dolls that Robert created and are the type of dolls that attendees will learn how to make.

And we're especially excited because this class marks the first craft class in our new shop location. The bungalow dining room has been designated the official official classroom and is the perfect scale for family style crafting around a big table.

Class fees are $65. per person or save by bringing a friend  - only $110. when you register two people.  Call us at the shop 310/490-0434 to sign up.

Fabulous Flocking Follies...

Frolick in our "Fabulous Flocking Follies" class instructed by the amazingly talented (and happens to be one of my best friends) Lilia Meredith...

Sweetpeas will be the first to share the secret of flocking paper and creating a gorgeous journal all from lovely Lilia's imagination. 

Saturday June 21st, 11am-3pm

Cost $65 includes all materials...there's only one catch, you must wear your most fabulous follies hat. There will be a Sweetpeas giveaway for the most creative hat adorned.

Cupcakes and champagne served during a cocktail break, peruse all of our new sparkly merchandise, including tons of marvelous vintage flocked wallpaper.

Please reserve your spot today, the class is selling out quickly. Our temporary number at 1507 Abbott Kinney is 310.490.0434

You can fly if you want to....

Sweetpeas soared through the grand opening last night with all of our family and friends...I wanted to post the pics from last night but wait until you hear the stories...I promise to post them tomorrow morning...Abbott Kinney is buzzing with exciting shops and restaurants..

.I want to say a special"I love you" to my wonderful husband, Michael who makes all my dreams come true...

Erin,Pauline, Alice, Joey ,Kelsey and Rueben...Thank you for all your hard work...We did it

.Please come by and see me today...I'm soooo excited.....Oh, Pico Blvd. location has moved it's creative spirit to Abbott Kinney...We are no longer open on Pico...and what a magical 5 years we had...

XoXo Mary 

Sweetpea's Sea Siren Soiree....

 Four hours and counting to the opening of our most magnificently magical place in the world...Sweetpeas and Snapshots will open our doors at 1:00 pm this Friday, June 6th at 1507 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291 (cross street is Palms, next to our favorite watering hole, The Brig).

The racks are packed, the candies stocked, the cupcakes are waiting, and the "Mystical Mermaid Martinis" are overflowing. All we need are the mermaids to set the mood.

"Sweetpeas' Sea Siren Soiree" will begin at 6:00pm. The world famous Abbott Kinney Blvd shops are open until 10:00pm the first Friday of every month. Not only will we be partying, everyone else on the street will be too. Free parking is located behind Sweetpeas in the public lot.

We will be using this gorgeous image for a fabulous FREE make-and-take led by Alice Del Rosario...wait till you see what you swim away with. Also attending will be two of Sweetpeas favorite instructors, Mr. Norman Dixon and Mr. Robert Mahar.

A glimmering Sea Siren will be arriving at 6:30pm to get the party started. Don't forget your mermaid skirts to dance the night away. Bring the whole family including the young ones to experience movie night underneath the fig trees at Sweetpeas and Snapshots new home.

I am soooo excited and can't wait to see you all there. I'll be the one wearing the fish tail.

XOXO

Mary

Remember ME?

Sorry I have not posted in a few days...things are a little hectic...but exciting!

This picture is from our 2 year anniversary. It's hard to believe we will be going on 5 years now with a new store opening in 2 days.

Sweetpeas has been through alot of changes and growth.

We have once again rediscovered and reinvented our little place in this world.

Our new store will be filled with not only memory keeping but wonderful whimsical creations from artists we all know and love.

A parlor of the store will be devoted only to classes and will be named " Papercuts and Posies", we have a full summer schedule that will be revealed at the opening on Friday.

Another positive change will be that I will be merging my  blog (marysmilove.typepad.com) with my Sweetpeas blog. I want the personal story of this amazing journey as an artist to reflect in my shop and communication with my dear cyber friends.

Thursday morning I will post all the delightful details of our grand opening this Friday believe me...You don't want to miss this party.

XoXo Mary