Alley of Art, Brattleboro, Vermont

Part one: Alley of Art featuring Jonas Fricke
coming next.... Part two featuring Rachel Brooks!

Alley of Art, (all  photos by Roger Katz unless noted)

I grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where the mainstream is pretty conservative, yet I’ve always been drawn to various sub-cultures – one being the punk rock scene- not so much for the music, but for the unpretentious passion around art and fashion.

I live in Brattleboro, Vermont now- a super cute progressive town known for drawing in artists and other people who want to live a simpler life- close to nature, but also close to super centers of culture – such as the big apple, only 3 hours away. 

It’s amazing how much our town has for its size. With only about 13,000 people, Brattleboro still manages to offer a plethora of creative stuff for both adults and children, as noted in the magazine, AmericanStyle, Brattleboro is listed as one of the top 20 destinations for art lovers. That’s because there’s a crazy abundance of artists in the area.

Every month, we have Gallery Walk- a time when everyone comes out and walks down Main Street and beyond to check out the galleries and socialize. 

My favorite spots are the Brattleboro Museum (free to the public during gallery walk!), and Through the Music Gallery which always has interesting pieces for prices you can actually afford- plus the cookies which my daughter drags me to every time….

Alley of Art, Jonas Fricke Art

Not sure the story behind this one, but sure do love it.
A Facebook find

Jonas Fricke Art, from his website

Part two coming soon: 

Alley of Art featuring Rachel Brooks

Jonas Fricke Art, from his website

But there’s a new spot off Elliot Street that recently caught my eye and brought me right back to those punk days in Little Rock.  I think it’s so cool what these folks are creating right outside their door. It’s called the Alley of Art- and that’s essentially what it is. Created by talented artist/musician Jonas Fricke and artist/photographer Rachel Brooks- it’s the real deal DIY art gallery. Part of the reason I love it, is that Jonas and Rachel use what they have (their alley) and showcase what the love (their art). It just goes to show, you don’t have to wait t for an invitation to show your work in a big fancy gallery, you don’t have to live in a big city- what you DO have to have is a little energy and creativity to put yourself and your STUFF out there- and then see what happens. So cool.

color is in.

Designer Mom Makes It Happen

I am pleased to feature Heather Benes, owner and designer of Beach n Bag, a fantastic product that I use every time I head out for the water. Heather is a friend of mine from years ago, and we continue to share the love of relaxing in the sun- I'm proud she's put her passion and innovative ideas together to make one splendid beach bag- check it out!

Desha: Heather, you are a busy mom with two boys, what made you decide to start your own business?

Desha at her favorite "secret" swim spot with her favorite bag!

Heather: I was encouraged by a friend of mine while we were at the beach with our kids. I was complaining that I disliked my beach bag, I couldn't find anything in it, and it was a big black hole. She said to me, "Why don't you make your own 'beach bag' than?" I thought she was kidding and I said, "Ok, sure, I'll just sew one right up!"She said "Seriously, what are you going to do with your free time when your boys are in all day school?" ... My youngest was starting full day kindergarten, I really thought I might just enjoy my free time and not work!! ha ha, but that didn't happen! So, than I decided why not make my own beach bag and see what happens. That is how it all started! 

Desha: What's been the most challenging and rewarding part about this process? What would you like women with small children to know about this process?

Heather Benes, Designer of Beach N' Bag

Heather: One of the most challenging parts of this process was staying up late at night and working while the kids were in bed. At first, I was so excited that I had tons of adrenaline to work late, no problem, but after the first 6 months it started to take it's toll on me.

It is really hard to balance kids, husband, dogs, house, and work. Oh yea, and have a social life!! One of the most rewarding parts is when a customer just raves about the bag and buys one for all their girlfriends b/c they love it so much! The bag was in InStyle Magazine in June and that success made me feel so proud of myself!

Heather and her family

Desha: Who inspires you in day to day life?

Heather: There are so many people that inspire me in life, but everyday, I would have to say my husband, boys, & girlfriends.

Desha: What are your aspirations for the future around your business/ life goals?

Heather: I started my business in a rough economy, I am very pleased to still be up and running. For the future, I'd love for my bags to be available in shops all over the world!

 Find more of Heather's Designs here:
www.beachnbag.com 

Episode 3: Marshall Jarreau

Untitled from Desha Peacock on Vimeo.


Episode 3 of The Desha Show is here! In this episode, Desha interviews Marshall Jarreau, of Circ de Soleil about his journey from dancer to circus star. Marshall reveals his darker past and how his focus on positive thoughts, acceptance, and love turned his life around in a profound way. Enjoy~


For more information about Marshall, check out his website.

Quinn's Southern Vermont Apartment

One Girl's Love of Design

Quinn Cartelli: age 32

Occupation: Manager/Buyer for VT Boutique

Location: Brattleboro, Vermont

Pottery collection, Quinn's mother's old type tray, and her new birthday chairs.

Quinn Cartelli is a sweetheart who lives in Southern Vermont and manages, Altiplano, one of my favorite boutique's in downtown Brattleboro. Today, we'll get a sneak peak into her apartment and learn about her personal style and influences. Thanks for joining us!

Living room detail with Quinn and Rob's Quaker marriage certificate

Desha: How would you describe what inspires your style?


Quinn: I think it's important to have a sense of humor and whimsy with decorating and in fashion, and to have fun with it. To me, decorating is always evolving, and a process that is sort of never finished.

This Naugahyed Eames Chair is one of Quinn's prized possessions. She got it FREE from a barn!

Quinn: My home is mostly filled with things I've collected from resale shops and tag sales, and pieces we've inherited from our families.

We have a pretty decent art collection, which came from my husband's grandfather, George Cogshall, and our friends from Twin Vixen Press. 

We also have a large amount of pottery, which includes my husband, Rob Cartelli's pieces, and the work of other's he admires. I just enjoy using it, and try not to break it!

Desha: Tell me about how your family has influenced your decorating style?

Quinn: I was very influenced by my grandparents house in Florida, it was over the top decorated with red shag rugs, grass wallpaper, and lots of mid-century furniture. My grandmother even had a matching pink toilet and bidet! 

The whole place was magical to me~

I'm a bit more reserved than that, I like working with a simple background, interesting accents, and always a pop of color somewhere in the room, something a little unexpected. I like to dress the same way. 

The dining set was an amazing thrift store find, only needing a little upholstery. Painting by George
Cogshall.

Desha: What makes you squeal with joy?


Quinn: I'm passionate about patterns. I collect decorative paper and I'm obsessed with stationary. I think that is quite evident in the shop I manage, Altiplano. For example, anyone who knows me knows I love snail-mail.

Craft show print and Orla Kiely postcards decorate the bathroom wall.

Pottery by hubby Rob Cartelli and Laura Zindel, napkin from Anthropologie.

                                                                                                                               

Quinn's husband, Rob Cartelli, makes beautiful porcelain pottery, click here to learn more.

What a man to decorate a kitchen with!

Bedroom, with photos by Quinn's parents circa the 1970's. 

 Simple, but  charming entryway

In the kitchen. Plates by Thomas Paul, tag sale canisters, and postcards by Lotta Jansdotter.

Print by Helen O'Donnell, Tibetan mandala, craft show art and grandma's butterflies.

Porch scene with Ikea pillow and antique jug from Charlestown, MA

For more information, you may contact Quinn at QMaguire@gmail.com

Thanks Quinn for sharing your home and thoughts with us!

Good things are happening with The Desha Show!

Please excuse my recent hiatus from blogging the last couple of weeks, which feels like an eternity. I’ve been super busy and the work/fun is paying off!!!! Here’s a little list of good things happening just this week~

The Desha Show FUN-raiser was a Success!

Just like the Brattleboro HOT Dance Contest, The Desha Show Fun-raiser was SOLD OUT. People dressed up; there were flowers by the amazing Hillary Duggan, tapas by renowned Chef Ayda Robana from Om Sweet Mama’s and the sweeeetest music by Red Heart the Ticker from Marlboro, VT and House of Wolves from Santa Barbara, CA. 

Friends came from as far as Spain! Others drove from Michigan, Boston, and California. It was a backyard garden party complete with candles, lantern lights, and lovely conversation and I can safely say that a good time was had by all. Thank you all for coming and supporting the show!

In the Paper!

On Wednesday July 6, The Desha Show was featured in the Brattleboro Reformer; a great article titled “Oprah’s Heir” appeared! That morning there was an email from Steve West, host of Live and Local on WKVT and so…. I’ll be on the radio today, Monday, July 11^th!

Mariana & Desha

On the Radio (again!)

A few weeks ago, I was honored to be on This Show is so Gay with Ken Schneck. This Monday- TODAY, I’ll be on WKVT 1490, Live and Local with Steve West at 11:00 am. Hum, what will we talk about??

First Commercial!

On the same day the Reformer article came out, I got a call from Luke Stafford with Mondo Media Works, remember him? He made my Marlboro College Career Development Video. And… I’m going to be in my first commercial! Yep, that’s right- a COMMERCIAL! And it’s happening this Thursday! 

Altiplano ladies

The BEST PART is that I get to do it with my daughter! I used to think I couldn't do certain things b/c I'm a parent to a young child, but realized that was just an exuse. I realize now that if I include her in my work (when appropriate) that it's actually setting a good example for her- that women can be mothers and pursue their dreams/desires. It's OKAY to do both! 

Vermont Style

All photos by Liz Jackson, Thanks Liz!

In SUM 


I started this project a few months ago to see what would happen if I put my heart into something that I thought I might love and my biggest fear was that I’d be in the same place I was when I started. But, I’m starting to see that I can let go of that fear because good things are happening and it's pretty darn exciting.

Stay tuned, Episode 3 with Marshall Jareau is coming out July 15th!