This past Saturday was magic. After a few months of organizing, coordinating and wrangling, Stash Co hosted a very special event that celebrated a select group of very special Texas Makers.
When I first started working with Stash Co, we both had a vision of bringing together other creative custom makers in Texas and forming a community and platform for collaboration. Our first jaunt at this took place this past weekend at The Stash Factory, in Sealy, Tx where Stash does their production ( I showed you this place when I first met Cheryl here.)
We decided on a Catfish Blues Jam as the theme and pulled in three custom brands from Austin for our inaugural Texas Makers series: Traveller Denim, Ft Lonesome and Bearded Lady. Stash Co. hosted a lineup of great musicians including The Mighty Orq, The Wandering Bufaleros and Sara Van Buskirk while guests enjoyed delicious refreshments by Aracan Roaming Kitchen, Wahaka Mezcal, Karbach Brewing and Texas Tea. The music was special, the food was delicious, and the creative energy of the community pulled together can best be described as SOULFUL.
Sam Roberts LA hats on display
The main idea of the day was:
COMMUNITY + COLLABORATION + CUSTOMIZATION.
For the day of the event, we launched a series of 6 one of a kind bags that were created in a unique form of collaboration. Using Traveller denim scraps, Stash Co created unique panels of bags that were then passed over to Kathie Sever of Ft Lonesome who created a one of a kind chainstitch design on each of them. The bags were then sent back to Stash who sewed them together and put the finishing touches on. I was lucky enough to acquire one of these very special bags and I will cherish it forever. How often can you find something that was conceptualized and made by three different talented artists? And that nobody else owns? Pretty cool.
This is my bag!!!
Since the day was all about custom makers, we thought it would be fun for our guests to be able to spend the day customizing and creating their own bag on the spot. Stash created customizable tote bags with the help of Bearded Lady and Ft Lonesome that customers could purchase and pick out chainstitching designs that Ft Lonesome would create on the spot. We also offered customizable patches, initial medallions, key chains and bag accessories. Each customer went through a line and picked out their customizable options and the bags were then brought from station to station to create the final one of a kind tote designed by each customer.
Cheryl chats with Chris Franks of Fortuna Monsoon as he puts finishing touches on a tote bag design.
While all of this was happening, guests were milling about learning about each of our different makers and enjoying the music and refreshments.
Traveller Denim was set up taking measurements for bespoke denim as well as selling a killer handkerchief designed in collaboration with Bearded Lady ( I got one of those too, of course).
Eric of Traveller measuring our chef for the day, Chef Ara
Selenia of Traveller chats with Abi Daniel of Bearded Lady and Cheryl of Stash Co in front of the Traveller Denim station.
Kathie Sever of Ft Lonesome, was on hand doing customized chain stitch designs on bags and patches and selling some of her one of a kind wares.
Bearded Lady Screenprinting was on hand selling some of their collection of products including poster art, tshirts, and paper goods.
And all day long….the music played.
The Wandering Bufaleros
Sara Van Buskirk and her #1 fan
The Mighty Orq and his guitars
This was by far one of my favorite projects to work on to date. Since my move to Texas, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to showcase some of the amazing Texas makers that I have found and I feel so lucky to have been able to work with the Stash Co family on this amazing venture. This is only the beginning of what will be many more unique and soulful community gatherings brought together by Stash Co (with some help from me, hopefully!).
Who knows…we might just take it on the road…doesn’t everybody need a little bit of TEXAS in their life?
Photos provided by Stash Co and John Shellington Photography