Warrenton, Round Top, Marburger

I'meading east early tommorow morning. I have visions of old and crusty, aged and rusty, well loved and dusty. Can't wait to get to "The Greatest Show on Earth"!!! I'll let you know what I find!!!

Carol Hicks Bolton is going to be at Marburger!!! I got a glimpse of some of the things she is taking to her booth there, and it will be fabulous!!! Imagine, Carol Bolton and Robin Brown both  showing their wares in one place!!!!

And Carol is doing a Bloger's Lucheon at Royer's Cafe on April 2, if you're anywhere near Round Top, Texas on that day, make sure to attend. I tried to attach a copy of the invite, but couldn't do it. You can email mwebb@mcmcmail.com. for more info. or call Royer's Cafe.

Since the Magnolia Pearl Fashion Imaginarium, we have done a photo shoot of a darling home here in Llano, with Anne Lorys of Fionaandtwig.blogspot.com. Watch my blog for news of which magazine will publish it.

We designed and built display pieces for Mary Rose Monroe's accecories line, Johnny loves Rosie, for her New York show room.

We are working on the Llano Spring Fashion Show, a fundraising event for the Llano Main Street Program.

We have fluffed and redone the store, found some great new stuff for the store, but most importantly we have done what we love the most and that is to be with FAMILY.  We took a little trip to Cloudcroft New Mexico with Jesika, Mike and the Boys to play in  the snow, went to the Boy's talent show at school, caught minnows at the river, played hide and seek, put legos together, ect. ect.

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!!!

A BEAUTIFUL MIND, AN INTIMATE CHAT WITH ROBIN BROWN OF MAGNOLIA PEARL

A little over eight years ago Ron and I were struggling to make ends meet. I had acquired a lot of vintage velvet fabrics and trim and seen Robin Brown's famous purses, sooo.....I "borrowed" from her ideas (only slightly and not even like hers really). But the six or eight purses I made helped us get through a difficult Fall of 2003. We still had a few that Ron had not sold to certain attorney's wives in Austin, and then we found ourselves set-up in Fredericksburg for Trade Days.
    We put the remaining few purses on a seperate table with some other (more original) creations of mine and tried to sell what we could.
    And so it was on a cold, windy, late fall day in Fredericksburg that Ron and I met Robin and John - Magnolia Pearl. I was MORTIFIED!!!! Imagine as I saw those two strolling around the corner, headed straight to our tent. I looked at Ron and said, " Oh my God that's Robin Brown from Magnolia Pearl"!!!
Ron said, "Magnolia who"? "I've never heard of it".
    I almost made Ron pull the table, but they were already upon us and I was just going to have to see it through. They came up and looked around, talked with us and made their way to the table of purses. Robin was wonderful!!!! She actually complimented me on my "rendition" of some of her work and explained that she had been copied so much it no longer concerned her (she was being gracious, but that is Robin).
    Since then we have been friends, Ron and I have been blessed by their talent, generosity and the occasional odd job ( book and magazine photo shoots, setting up at Marburger, .....A FASHION SHOW).
So I wanted to give all of you a small look at the beautiful personality behind the wonder that is MAGNOLIA PEARL.                                                                                                                                                                   As the incredible event approaches, that being the Magnolia Pearl Fashion Imaginarium in conjunction with the Grand Opening of Carol Hicks Bolton's Labratoire de Design; all of which will be featured in Jo Pacham's fabulous magazine, Where Women Create, I invite you to enjoy yet another one-of-a-kind interview with an incredibly creative mind.

BLF: There has been much said about the things that inspire one to create. It seems that you draw your inspiration from your life experience. What have been some of the most profound influences on you as an artist and a person?


MP: Growing up in Hollywood and Northern California in the 60's and 70's definitely altered my perspective about life and being raised mostly by my father who was passionate about art, music, nature, poetry and God was my biggest influence. His mother, my grandmother, Brown, from Poland made everything by hand. She grew up working in sewing factories as a child in New York and was a master seamstress. Between her and my father, I always had a needle and thread or a paint brush in my hand. My mother, Anna, was a bigger influence than I ever realized until lately. Sometimes having a hurtful past causes us the reject the blessings in that past and until we are healed by the awareness of the enormous gift life is and the pain as a teacher of humility. My mother was a creative genius and to her I am so grateful. Her spirit will be ever present at the fashion show. 

BLF: Your parents, Anna and Preston, both artists in their
own rite, who sadly left us far before their time were obviously a huge influence on you.How does their memory affect and encourage you still today? 


MP:I'm just starting to realize how powerful genetics are…. My parents were the most creatively driven people I have known --Everything they did in their lives was art, almost to a fault. I find that same artistic madness comes over me to the point I have to remind myself to breathe and sleep --neither of which I am good at. Even if I lived to be 300, I would never be able to complete all the creations in my head!   

                                                                                                                                                              BLF: You have a huge cult following. There are thousands who would love to see you open a brick and mortar store. Humor us with a word picture of what that would look like.



MP: The Whistle Stop Cafe meets Nanny McFee stocked with Queen Victoria's monogramed underwear on a farm in the south of France with acres of flowers, fruit trees, and organic vegetables; and Idgie and Sipsey would be my sales girls of course. Maybe I'll have this store in Fredericksburg someday.

BLF:  If you had to enter a contest with three of your favorite designers and you all had to use polyester animal print fabric, how would you incorporate that into your design?

 MP: Oh that's easy. I would build an over-sized, GIGANTIC, patchwork crazy-quilt coat all hand stitched. And Carol, if you're reading this, you'd get the first one!.


BLF: In the years that i have known you, your clothing has gone from brightly colored velvets and brocades to a more earthy sort of linen and lace look. Will you give us a suggestion as to what lies ahead... behind the metaphorical Magnolia Pearl Curtain?


MP:  That's a secret. But I can tell you I am very excited, more than ever, about what's to come. Think plantation, prairie, peasant with a hint of Victorian orphans!


BLF:  Imitation is considered to be the most sincere form of flattery. Many have attempted to imitate your style, but you seem to be always one step ahead of not only the imitators, but perhaps the fashion design world in general. How do you continue to come up with new and unique ideas every season, year after year?

MP: We all have a purpose and I feel like mine is to design and create, but I haven't quite figured out why yet…. How does my work fit into the master plan???  Until God shows me what I'm to do next, I'll be making clothes in the beautiful Hills of Texas. "All" of us have a creative genius inside. For me, to be alive is to create. It's really all I've known since I was a child.


BLF:  You have expressed your admiration of Carol Hicks Bolton many times. How has it been collaborating with her on the Magnolia Pearl Fashion Imaginarium and the Grand Opening of Carol Hicks Bolton's Labratoire de Design?


MP: It's a gift. Carol is so gracious and generous that it can only be a gift from the heavens. Thanks, God.


BLF:  Magnolia Pearl is not simply a brand name; it represents both a philosophy and a lifestyle. Those of us who have been exposed to the Magnolia Pearl lifestyle know that everything from the sugar-rock and sea shell encrusted bird baths to the faux bois arbor to the lushly embellished roll royce and airstream, even your.... well all the "things" in your life you make unique, magical, and wonderful. What propels you to surround yourself with such art and beauty and enchantment?

MP: My parents were extremely dysfunctional but highly creative, so our home was like creativity boot camp. My father, Preston, was spiritual above anything else and he taught me that God was the "master" artist and to create beauty was the ultimate reflection to show Him we are paying attention. So, beauty to me. . . it's a God thing.

BLF: Your style is reminiscent of of by-gone eras.... what are the feelings and emotions that you weave into your creations and that you hope to somehow magically transfer to the wearer?


MP: I hope Magnolia Pearl Beautiful Wear evokes passion in women reminiscent of a time when quality, beauty, and passion were valued above all else. A time when beauty was done for beauty-sake. A flower blooms whether we see it or not. Maybe we should take our queue from Mother Earth and bloom "just" because we can.

BLF:  If given the opportunity to give a message to every single inhabitant of this beautiful planet Earth, what would your message be?


MP: We are here to love and be loved.



It is no surprise that Robin has such a huge and faithful following. Few people I have known are able to create such incredible beauty that also instills in the owner, at least some, of the rich history, creative passion and deep spirit that is our very special friend Robin Brown.
      SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!!!!

THE DOORS ARE OPEN

The whole extended family was gathered to pull the last remnants from the shell of what had been, for more than twenty years, the golden and glorious HOMESTEAD. Almost before the door was closed for the last time on that grand old building, the doors at Carol Hicks Bolton Antiquities, Laboratoire de Design were open, as anyone who knows Tim Bolton understands that the welcome mat is always out and the door is always open.And as for Carol, we all know that  her creations do not know the boundaries of such things as hours of operations and official openings and closings. True to it's name, the Laboratoire de Design, is an experiment in fluid creativity,complete if only for a moment,  until called upon to become something completely different: an experiment in  ever changing creativity So as the light dimmed on a former incredible endeavor a twinkle began to ignite; imagination and creativity joined together........

Somehow retaining the reflection of what once was, yet allowing it to find it's own life, it's own existance, it's own beauty as a new creation unto it's self!!! And all of that takes place before the magical thought that becomes a word that leads to creation... 

unfolding like the spring blossom - at no difinable point perfect in it's beauty, but it's perfection is shown in every stage of it's progression.

So, before the secret trail from Main Street to South Lincoln Street becomes a well trodden pathway, take the opportunity to slip in through the side door and behold the wonders that are taking place in preparation for the most wonderous Grand Opening imaginable.

 The grand opening with the Fashion Imaginarium by Magnolia Pearl. It is sure to be an evening that will not soon be forgotten. Mark your calendar for Saturday February the 18th at 6pm.

 And be sure to follow the blog of the generous and beautiful Anne Lorys (Fionaandtwig.blogspot.com) as she is going to be posting new photos every week of the progress at Carol Hicks Bolton.

MAGNOLIA PEARL'S FASHION IMAGINARIUM

I've been keeping a secret.... a big, juicy, luscious secret. This secret has been keeping Ron and I very busy of late. But we are now ready to reveal this wonderful suprise!!!
      Many of you know and love my dear friend and kindrid spirit Robin Brown and her husband John of Magnolia Pearl. Their completely unique fashion designs reflect their one of a kind philosophy on life, always changing yet somehow always sweetly familiar. BUT WHAT IF.....I were to tell you that Ron and I are teaming up with Magnolia Pearl AND Carol Hicks Bolton to produce.....well I'll just let the invitation speak for itself....


    

We fully expect  that between such creative minds as Robin and John and Tim and Carol we are about to present you with a show the likes of which  have never  been seen. The amazing Jo Packham of Where Women Create Magazine will be there to immortalize the event. So save the date, dust off your tails, your coat tails that is, and prepare to be enchanted!!!!

CAROL HICKS BOLTON and her LABORATOIRE de DESIGN

                                                        
                                                          Homestead in the old days




Throughout my life there have been a handful of people outside my family who have had a profound influence on me, and Carol Hicks Bolton is one. A great part of Carol's magic seems to be her ability to recognize potential ( in people and in objects) that others can't see. She recognized and nurtured that unseen raw talent in me.

My relationship with Carol has seen everything from the two of us sleeping on a pile of packing blankets in the back of a U-Haul truck at 3am on the way to buy antiques in Brimfield to her being the first person at the E.R. after my teenage daughter was seriously injured in an automobile accident, to giving into folly at numerous Homestead parties dressed in everything from pajamas to 18th century French gowns.

Through  the years Carol has always shown her great depth of compassion, creativity and love which have always outshone even her most glorious material works. And I wonder if it is because of those attributes that she is so easily able to create those glorious material things.

One of Carol's many gifts, as I think you will see in this interview,  is to be an artful storyteller whether she is using words or objects. So it is with great pleasure that I present a preview (the inside jacket cover?) of Carol's newest and wonderful story which she is preparing to tell the world.

So cozy up - brew a cup of hot tea and enjoy the one time, one-of-a-kind glimpse into the genius that is Carol Hicks Bolton.



BLF: In the more than twenty years that I have known you and Tim, you have both proven yourselves to be innovators and trendsetters, always on the cutting edge of design, morphing and sometimes changing entirely the business concept while aspects of the Carol Hicks Bolton signature style have remained relatively unchanged. Can you give us a glimpse behind the scenes of your latest endeavor?

CHB: Picture a space with million foot ceilings, concrete floors, tobacco stained, chickenfeed smelling concrete walls, and beautiful light--right next door to your favorite place to buy sod seed and fodder..... and there you are--a peek into our next adventure on Lincoln Street.

We loved being in the midst of the craziness of Main Street for 20+ years. (Wow, I don't even know how long we were there.) With the birth of our children, we began trying to simplify our lives so that we could enjoy the family that we had prayed for for 15 years. Mac is 16 now, and Augusta 12!!! Moving to Lincoln Street gives Tim a lot more flexibility of schedule. It will be a much more laid-back venue. The folks that head our direction will understand more about what we are doing and will appreciate the art of our aesthetic. Our clients will be our friends again. There will be time for relationship and fellowship--something we have missed with the busy footfall of Main Street.

BLF: So will we see the same Carol Hicks Bolton style that has been so successful in the past or are you taking things in a whole new direction?

CHB: It feels like a whole new direction for me--I have been at home with my children and out of the design world for awhile but I am still a storyteller. I continue to love interiors and objects that tell a tale--either make-believe or true. The CHB style is alive and well, perhaps a bit more spare but with a healthy dose of detail and wonder. We have bought a mountain--ok, a hill- of ancient cushy chairs from France that we are redressing into little jewel box pieces for boudoir and parlor-envision the diminutive antiquities clothed in a patchwork of sari's, paint and velvet, industrial bits of--wait, I can't tell you everything. there will be no surprise.

BLF: How has your style evolved over the years and what has driven that evolution?

CHB:I would say that my style has evolved from moreismorealiceinwonderlandmeetsbohemianbotanist to a littlelessmoreismorealiceinwonderlandmeetsbohemianbotanist. I have become much more simple in my own personal style. There's no time to dabble in things that aren't important.

BLF: What color could you not live without?

CHB: I've never met a sea-green, blue-green, mineral, greenish-blue, or aquamarine that I didn't like.

BLF:Words like Victorian, Old World and Nostalgic have be used to describe your look. How would you describe it?

CHB: hmmmmm..... I think that my look is a mash-up of Bollywood/Peasant Clothes/ Oliver Twist/laundered lace set out to dry/ National Geographic/French Modern

BLF: Tell me what your vision is for this newest pursuit?

CHB:Love God, Follow the Savior, Serve Others, Be Content, Inspire, Encourage,Have Fun.

BLF:What shapes do you find yourself drawn to?

CHB: Anything that was once chubby, but has now lost it's shape because of love---you know, Velveteen Rabbit-ish chairs and such.............

BLF: A key element to the Carol Hicks Bolton look seems to be taking a common object and using it in an unexpected way.
Can you elaborate on that?

CHB: We are calling this shop Carol Hicks Bolton: Antiquities & Laboratoire de Design. Tim has always been a "thing-finder"--you know those fascinating objects from the past ages that cause you to stop, gasp, and wonder. This time, instead of just displaying them as they are, they will be made into things-- old things made into new things.......we want the look to be always inventive--the space acting as more of a laboratory--something always in the works--a place for a changing assemblage of objects and antiquities. Tim is designing AMAZING beds out of these collected parts-so delicious. I'm putting together linens--pieces of my authentic style mixed with my new fascinations:---really pretty and kinda simple with a fewfewfew pillows instead of a pile.

BLF: How would you express the philosophy behind your designs and what feelings or emotions do you wish to create
through your designs?

CHB: I hope that you know that I cannot bear pretension in any way. Someone slap me if I ever act that way or attempt to create something that pretends pretension. It is what we all wish to create--it is what you and Ron do so beautifully---something that delights the eye and awakens the emotion. Life is messy. I believe that home should be safe haven. Home is "base" in the game. I want our designs to reek of a peaceful but exuberant place.

BLF: Your style has been a huge inspiration to many over the years, but what has been your greatest inspiration?

CHB:  Creation-The miraculous,mysterious, indescribably beautiful universe--spoken into reality by a word from the Master Creator

I hope you all enjoyed this peek into the person who is Carol Hicks Bolton as much as I enjoyed interviewing her. It is amazing that after all the years I have known her she still suprises me with her depth of inspiration like an old time magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat------ an old ,well loved, - velveteen - rabbit of course!!!

Carol Hicks Bolton: Antiquities & Laboratoire de Design will be opening in mid January at 301 South Lincoln Street. You may call 830- 997-5551 or go to Carolhicksbolton.com for more information.

A NEW TRADITION and CHRISTMAS VIGNETTES IN OUR HOME

Well he's done it again. Dream man outdid me last year, and he's outdone himself this year. The present he wrapped for me last year was absolutely beautiful. {You can see it on my post titled "OUTDONE"} And this year it's just as beautiful, if not more so. I think he has started a new tradition!!!
I will be expecting my gift to be wrapped in some creative and elaborate way every year now. Usually, I can't wait to open my present, but I don't mind waiting to open this one because the wrapping is a gift in itself.
He used an old player piano roll, an old porcelain insulator, a 60's gold plastic bird ornament, a vintage millinery flower. and other bits of vintage goodness sprinkled with mica snow. His creativity really astounds me. I love him!!!

And I thought I would show you a few vignettes of our home as we get ready for our Christmas eve gathering of family and friends tonight. Hope you enjoy, and Hope your Christmas is Merry and Bright!!!