HARVEST AND HANDMADE ISSUE

THE LOCAL LADY

In This Issue

ā From the Editor’s Desk Harvesting art & my favorite fall finds!

American Made Feature “Making History, Working for Victory” Pictured right: Cameron Cruse, Co-Founder of R.Riveter with Abrams 8.14 clutch

The Spice. “Yes I Am The Muffin Man”

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Throughout the Issue: Local Lady discount codes on products from Southern City Flavors and Glen and Effie Vintage Designs!!

Page 1

From the Editor’s DeskLast weekend, I spent my Sunday afternoon with a visit to historic Leiper’s Fork for a little countryside comfort. Fall is making its’ way to Nashville and I think the seasonal transition is the most beautiful part of it all. The amber scents, smoky bonfires, crisp air and natural colors warm our hearts and remind us of familiar times. We feel a little more free, closer to the ones we love and celebrate with a Saturday tailgate and October sunset. On my drive home I started to think about the concept of “harvesting creativity.” Why do we create and how is creativity most fulfilling? Most artists like myself craft for the purpose of expressing emotion or conveying our thoughts and life experiences that can’t be embodied in any other form than art. This is where the act of sharing our work comes into play. The joy in the aftermath of our art comes from allowing that song, photograph, or blog post to be interpreted by others. When we harvest to make others happy, that’s where the best story comes to life. I have to remind myself of this idea everyday. It’s not about what I can get from making something look beautiful- it’s about refining the best work I can create for another person who may resonate with finished product.

See. Spot. Go.

Serenite Maison Eyeglass Necklace The Copper Fox Gallery Pumpkin Soufflé candle “Intoxicating Aromas”

Pinewood Social Flat Iron Grits

White’s Mercantile “Honey” Coffee Mug and Callie’s Buttermilk Biscuit Mix (made in Charleston, SC)

Let’s harvest- for the season and the people around us! -Libby Oellerich, The Local Lady

Page 2

In this issue, I’m thrilled to be featuring Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse of R. Riveter- a Georgia based company practicing the art of service to the military community. Since 2011, Cruse and Bradley have lead a team of military spouses in producing handbags and ac-cessories made from reclaimed army materials. As military spouses themselves, they found it difficult to find a stable job amidst reloca-tion. R. Riveter honors the true American Made product and provides spouses with flexible jobs. I hope you enjoy this issue as much I have enjoyed putting it together!

www.nytonashville.com

American Made Feature

Combine the history of Rosie Riveter and two modern day military spouses and you get beautiful handbags serving an incredible cause for families across the nation! Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse met in Dahlonega, GA, striking up a friendship and starting their business venture- R. Riveter. They currently operate a flagship store in Southern Pines, NC, where they house hundreds of handbags made from raw army materials made from the hands of military spouses around the country. Whenever I seek out small businesses, I always like to know how much of their products are made from scratch. Each and every accessory from R.Riveter is custom-made with a bright yellow tag to commemorate our troops! Up until October 17th, R. Riveter is collecting funds via Kickstarter to expand their work area and keep up with the demand! Show your support and chose your reward from their Reveille line! Also be sure to cast your vote for R.Riveter in The West Elm Local and Martha Stewart’s American Made contests! Last week I had a conversation with the makers about their beautiful accessories and passion for American Handmade.

#AmericanHandmadeChallenge

@RRiveterBags www.rriveter.com

“Making History, Working for Victory”

Page 4

Support R.Riveter on Kickstarter!

American Made FeatureQ: Talk a little bit about your fall line and what makes it unique.

A: The line is named after the famous call to rise and shine, the call to start the day and raise the flag, “Reveille.” The line is an ode to the everyday tradition rooted deep in military culture ‒ from the uniform details to the modest simplicity of the line.

Q: Explain the mission behind the line for pets.

A: Our pets are part of our family. They help us through the hard times and share in the good times. Before we had children, our dogs were a consistency in the uncertain times inevitable in the military lifestyle. We wanted to make something worthy of their companionship.

American Made Feature

Q: Your products are made with a story to tell because of the spouses who are a part of your team. Tell me about the relationships you’ve made with the military spouses & their families.

A: The lifestyle is specific and completely unique ‒ these dynamics go beyond working relation-ships. The type of friendships that are made in the military are unlike any other, as any military spouse or service member can attest to. The camaraderie is unlike any other work environment and the foundation of R. Riveter is reflected in that.

Q: Explain the process of hiring the spouses: how they learn to design the bags you’ve created and choosing materials?

A: Anyone who is interested can apply via our website. The process is designed to be learned quickly and easily making mobile employment something that can be both accessible and flexible.

Q: In your mission & vision you talk about how pride is the foundation of ownership. How is your business creating ownership for military spouses?

A: When a Riveter stamps their mark onto each part they complete ‒ they are signifying ownership. Not just that they are a part of something larger, but something that they stand behind and take responsibility for. (continued on page 6)

**Sources: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/rosie-the-riveter; http://www.anb.org/articles/20/20-01920.html

Historical Tidbit

Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb write famous tune, “Rose The Riveter” and Norman Rockwell creates

painting of Rosie

Lucille Ball channels Rosie Riveter in film, Meet

the People

1943 19441942Rosie Riveter

character and slogan “We Can Do It!”

featured on Westinghouse poster

Page 5

Q: What is a typical day like for you both?

A: Sunrise to sunset is a balancing act - a balance of family and work. I think that is the safest way to describe the day for both of us.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your business?

A: Transformations. Whether it is the process of giving an old uniform new life or seeing the per-sonal transformation a spouse goes through when they rediscover a sense of pride and accomplish-ment ‒ whether that’s directly from work provided by R. Riveter or just being inspired from the mission in general.

Q: Why do you think it is important to keep the small business community growing?

A: It’s all about community. For R. Riveter it is about people, not money. It would be naïve to claim that profit doesn’t steer decisions, but numbers are not the driving force. This school of thought is at the forefront of the campaign for American made movement and small businesses alike.

Q: Everything from your equipment (the sewing machines) to your materials bond military families and supporters. Why do you think it’s important to be true to your mission in every aspect of your business?

A: Being genuine is something that is really important to us. American Handmade is forged from the fires of hard work, humble materials and big ideas - Being true and honest is exemplified in the product we create and the mission we pursue. When we are true to the mission of empowering mili-tary spouses we can offer a transparency about it, a rare commodity in the world today.

continued from page 5

Page 6

A LOOK INSIDE...

Q: You both are military spouses- how does it feel to be serving your country alongside military family?

A: There are very specific struggles that accompany the military lifestyle ‒ but there is also a tre-mendous amount of pride above all else.

Q: What do you look forward to for the future of R.Riveter?

A: We look forward to helping more military spouses, but most importantly - securing more for the spouses that are already a part of our team. We have realized that it is not about how many spouses we can help ‒ its how well we can help the spouses that are currently on our team.

Southern Pines, North Carolina

Page 7

THE SPICE. Local Lady recipes brought to you by local neighbors & friends.

µ=IW�-�%Q�8LI�1YJÁR�1ER¶ Yes- this IS one of the best spice recipes I’ve every made! While Haulin’ Oats produces completely organic oat blends for breakfast or dessert, the bold flavors can be the key ingredient for baking! Check out the recipe on the next page for how to put together this simple morning snack or fall dessert.

To order Haulin’ Oats, visit their website: www.haulin-oats.com

@HaulinOats1

https://www.facebook.com/HaulinOatz

Page 8

15oz can pure pumpkin 1⁄2 c applesauce 2 lg eggs 1 t vanilla 1⁄2 c brown sugar 1 3⁄4 c flour

1 t baking powder 1⁄2 t baking soda 2 1⁄2 t pumpkin spice 1⁄2 t salt 1pint jar of Haulin’Oats, Chai a Little Tenderness (or any flavor of your choice)

Mix the following ingredients together in a bowl:

Directions:Pour in greased muffin tin or paper muffin/cupcake cups. Bake at 350, for approximately 20-25 minutes. Makes ap-proximately 10-12 muffins. If you want to make a loaf like I did, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Page 9

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