Archive for the ‘Inspiring’ Category

Mireio: the early years

Mireio is 2! I so appreciate all my lovely customers! Many of you have become friends and your support means the world to me. I thought to celebrate my 2nd year of business I would post a photo of Mireio’s early years. Well, really just me at 13 months with my beloved “Po Po”.

This was my comfort object until it was tragically lost under suspicious circumstances (I still suspect parental foul-play). And while it is long gone, my memories of it’s cool surface and lovely fabric remain. It was a “gift” of sorts, since I fell asleep on it at my Aunt’s house and then refused to relinquish it. Even at 13 months old, I knew a good thing when I  found it. I named it “Po Po” for Pillow (perhaps an early indicator that I would always find titles and  descriptions difficult?) and it’s a part of who I am.

It’s no wonder to me that I’ve grown up to recreate my long lost friend. And it’s been an utter joy to discover that Mireio Pillows have become  YOUR friends. Mireio customers are creative and ingenious and often find uses for their pillow that I could never imagine. I get regular emails telling me the new and creative ways to use these amazing buckwheat wonders. Here are just a few of my favorites:

• Several customers have written to tell me that their dogs took their pillow. Can they please have another!
• One customer wrote to say, “I put these in the freezer for my own personal summer issues.” Personal Summer! Um, yeah, I’m taking notes on that.
• As a Kindle prop in bed.
• As a laptop pillow in front of the TV.
• Many of you have ordered Mireio pillows as gifts only to email me, “Um, I’m keeping this. Can you make another for my mom and send it directly to her?” Yes, yes I can!

And of course, there are those of you who are collectors, keeping a whole stash. And some of you travel with yours and some of you sleep, and some of you prop them into hammocks for an afternoon siesta. But however you use your Mireio Pillow, I’m completely touched that you DO! It  makes my heart beat to know that a bit of Mireio is out there in the world making people happy. Just like the little girl in the photo.

Thank you! For being such amazing friends and customers. Mireio wouldn’t be turning 2 without YOU. And of course… don’t miss out on the SALE!

My beautiful friend Kerri (Her inspiring blog is Ten Things)  is hosting an amazing series this month about Ten Inspiring Women. She’s asked ten artists a wide array of questions — from our best  mantra to our favorite beauty product — and is featuring our answers over the next few weeks. It’s a great way to get to know the woman behind the art! And I’m certainly looking forward to learning more about all the great artists she’s featuring! So, go have a look and get inspired! (And consider signing up for the next round in late Summer/early Fall!)

I’m totally in love with Dana Davis’ new line for Spring-Summer 2010. I’m ready for skirts and sandals and not needing a sweater. Now, how do I get the weather to cooperate?

A sweet surprise! Sunshine in my mail.

I was a bit absent from Mireio last week. It was my 40th birthday and I spent the week hanging out with my little family and soaking in all the love  coming my way. But I’m back and I excited to start working and blogging about all the Spring in store for Mireio.

I’ll start by sharing these fabulous earrings that arrived in the mail last week.  (And I’ll just add, what a way to celebrate your 40th birthday!) My lovely friend, Kerri, sent me these handcrafted bits of Spring. I so admire Kerri’s work and have been meaning to buy something for ages. But, I’ll confess, I have a hard time buying for myself. Do you have that problem too? I’m happy to indulge friends and family, but splurging on me is much, much harder to do!

So, you can imagine my delight to receive these stunning earrings, so beautifully wrapped,  and a birthday note wishing me all the best at I enter this next decade. Such a thoughtful, generous, and lovely gesture—just like Kerri!

Thank you, thank you dear friend!

You can find more of Kerri’s work in her Etsy store Ten Things. Go treat yourself!

I’m inspired by Spontaneous Generosity! What inspires you?

Recently, while drooling over someone’s link to very yummy yarn I tweeted, “Ok, somebody needs to buy that and make me scarf already.” I don’t knit or crochet, but I admire those who do—and all that gorgeous fiber they get to use in their creations. It’s all so utterly gorgeous.

I had NO idea at the time, that my little joke would actually inspire a bit of Spontaneous Generosity embodied by the lovely, lovely Rachel Ballard. Having seen my tweet (boy am I going to be more careful about what I say!) she set to work on making me this amazing skinny scarf in the most luxurious fiber: bamboo. And while it’s so wonderful and lovely (there’s a photo of me wearing it below the fold),  what inspires me most is her act of generosity. We are “Twitter friends” but have not known each other all that long, and it’s such a risk to make something in those circumstances. She completely nailed it—both in color and intent!

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