Monday, December 21, 2015

Special Hours!

We have special hours running Christmas week!

Tuesday - 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Wednesday - 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Thursday (Christmas Eve) - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (or possibly later. We will update you if times change.)
Stop by and see us for your last minute shopping needs! 

Monday, November 30, 2015

Boutique 208 Artists at Handmade Arcade

 
HANDMADE ARCADE: THE CUTTING EDGE OF CRAFT
DECEMBER 5, 2015
11 a.m. to 7 p.m (Early Birdie shopping starts at 10 a.m.)
David L Lawrence Convention Center
Downtown Pittsburgh
Free Admission
 
 
Boutique 208 is a proud sponsor of  Handmade Arcade 2015!
We'll be well represented by these fabulous Boutique 208 artists:


Stop by to see our artists, as well as all of the other fantastic makers!

Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair returns for its 12th annual event on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Admission is FREE and all ages are welcome
- Early Birdie Passes for exclusive shopping (10 a.m. - 11 a.m.)
- 150+ independent craft vendors
- NEW! Limited-edition Handmade Arcade coloring book
- Raffles featuring handmade products...
- Hands-on Handmade activity area for all ages
- New Handmade Arcade tote bags, posters and buttons

See more at: http://www.handmadearcade.com/

 
Handmade Arcade, Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair, was founded in 2004 to provide grassroots, independent craft-based artists with opportunities to show and sell their wares; to create an alternative to traditional craft and fine art fairs in the region; and to connect the local indie craft community with the national DIY movement.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Women in Hospitality Pittsburgh Networking event - join us!


WOMEN IN HOSPITALITY
SHOPPING & NETWORKING RECEPTION

Join Women in Hospitality Pittsburgh for an afternoon of shopping & networking. Start your holiday shopping with us!

Cash & carry vendors include Arbonne, Chakra Candy by Emunah Reiki, Colorful Creations, Donna Sale, Henne Jewelers, Hi-On-Hats, it works, jbailey, Mary Kay, Park Lane Jewelry, Roden & Fields, Silpada Jewelry, The Pop Cakery, Boutique 208, and Pretzel Crazy


Wednesday, November 11, 2015
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Rivers Club
One Oxford Centre, Pittsburgh

Complimentary admission includes hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
Parking is available on site at $5.

Event is open to the public, but you must register in advance.

register at events@prla.org
or call (800) 345-5353


Heidi Howard, CMP  |  Director of Events & Engagement

Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
100 State Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-963-8365 direct  |  800-345-5353

Monday, November 2, 2015

Meet Your Makers: Nandy Karthik of Painted Elephant

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your handmade business.

Hi, I am Nandhini (Nandy) Karthik,  a stay at home Mom who loves to paint. I was born & raised in a south India. My mom would send me to the local artists to learn Indian art & crafts during my summer vacations. 

I paint glass bottles, trays, vases, stones and anything I get my hand on!

How did you come up with your business name?

My designs are Indian. I love Elephants and India is one of those places where the elephants are highly decorated.


Where do you live?
 In Upper Saint Clair, Pittsburgh

Who’s in your family?
My husband Karthik, and my 4 year old daughter Leela.

If you could sit down and talk to any person, living or dead who would it be, and why?
My Grandmom, she was a great doodler.

What inspires you?
India & its colors

What is your favorite item you make for Boutique 208 and why?
Oil/vinegar dispensers



What is your favorite item at Boutique 208 that’s not one of your own and why?
I like everyone's work. My favorites are Jenn's art works (those tiny canvas paintings & magnets) and Spice studs.

What advice can you offer to someone who would like to start selling their handmade creations?

Be original

Monday, October 26, 2015

Meet Your Makers: Leslie Ann Collier of LArtC


Please introduce yourself and tell us about your handmade business.
Leslie Ann Collier
LArtC: Weekend Artist, Weekday Pharmacist.

How did you come up with your business name?
My initials,  plus art

Where do you live?
Sewickley, Pennsylvania

Who is in your family?
My 22 year old son Colton, and 21 year old daughter Maggie.

If you could sit down and talk to any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Stephen King; I’d ask him how he decides to end several of his novels with Alien forces.

What inspires you?
Sunshine
Seasons

What is your favorite item you make for Boutique 208 and why?
Indigo dyed clothing, because it provides instant gratification of what the end result will be.

What is your favorite item at Boutique 208 that’s not one of your own and why?
Jewelry by Charmed by Jenn.
I love jewelry, but don't make it myself.

What advice can you offer to someone who would like to start selling their handmade creations?
Start now.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Meet Your Makers: Eryn Hughes of Apothecary Muse



Please introduce yourself and tell us about your handmade business:
Howdy, I’m Eryn Hughes, the owner and adventure aromatherapy maker of Apothecary Muse.  My products combine herbalism and aromatherapy for environmentally safe and practical use by outdoor adventurers who bike, hike, run, paddle or ski.


How did you come up with your business name?

In the 90s and early 2000s, I was a professional DJ, with the name DJ Muse.  Not employing the cutthroat competition tactics observed in my colleagues, I considered it most advantageous to always be in a learning state; humble.  This philosophy continued as my obsession with bikes turned into a mission of advocacy, with an organization I founded to create lifelong cyclists, called Velomuse.  And now, I continue my pursuit of expertise through the senses with herbalism and aromatherapy, but am still closely tied to my cycling roots with the Woodsy Warrior, Bike Face Soap and Skin Salves.




Where do you live?
I am fortunate to work out of my Point Breeze home.  My soap studio is mostly confined to an extra bedroom in my Point Breeze apartment, but it often spreads to the kitchen and outside deck.

Who’s in your family?

Our household includes my supportive and equally creative boyfriend, Justin and our two cuddly – yet demanding - black cats, Burrito and Toni.  The cats hang out in a room treated with an air purifier when I’m using essential oils, because they metabolize essential oils (even in airborne state) differently than humans.  Burrito would supervise every step of my work if she could, though!


If you could sit down and talk to any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would really enjoy to sit and have tea in the woods with the Dalai Lama, hear his laughter and experience his calm.

What inspires you?
I listen to music and dance a little bit every day, just to feel more like myself and not get weighed down with bureaucratic policies and the state of economics that can interfere with my creative process.  I don’t feel the need to be the best all the time, but it is more important to make something meaningful in my adventures.  When I’m not making products, I’m usually out in my garden or hiking/riding in the woods, and harvesting herbs for infusion into the products.  The sun also gives me a lot of inspiration, in this way.



What is your favorite item you make for Boutique 208 and why?
Although most of my items are seasonal, the Meditation Mixer soap is a year-round favorite because the traditional cold-process soap is made with base oils that have been solar-infused with organic lavender, for a deep, lasting aroma that makes me close my eyes in bliss every time.


What is your favorite item at Boutique 208 that’s not one of your own and why?
This is very difficult, as I also seek meaningfulness in process which I come to learn through the makers and I want to support all my fellow makers.  I recently bought one of Charmed by Jenn’s bracelets with the “Well-behaved women rarely make history.” quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, it is one of my favorite quotes interpreted by many brave women throughout history.  I’ve spent a lot of time looking at this piece, and coming to my own translation.  In addition to the bracelet being made with strong materials that I expect to withstand many adventures, the quote is engraved on a piece of metal that resembles a military dog tag and I think, makes a subtle statement about how women’s rights is evolving.

What advice can you offer to someone who would like to start selling their handmade creations?
Talk to fellow crafters to get an idea of what is required, but do it your own way.  Always be honest and transparent about your process, that is what gives your craft value.


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Work Week Wind Down @ Boutique 208





On Friday, August 14th, from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Bethany Shea, of Indulgence Bath, Body, & Skincare Products, will be hosting a work week wind down event at Boutique 208.

She will be offering free facials, free hand treatments, and free refreshments, including sangria.


In addition to FREE refreshments & spa services AND free gifts with all Indulgence Purchases, we will be be offering several opportunities to win "Pamper Bucks", which can either be used as CASH toward indulgence purchases OR as tickets for a chance to win one of our prizes! We will be auctioning off an Indulgence gift basket and a FREE Pamper Party for one lucky winner and 4 of her closest friends! Chances to earn tickets include: adding your e-mail to our list, purchasing ANY item from Boutique 208 during the event, and participating in our 4 party games. 


The schedule for the games and drawings will be as follows:  
4:30 pm Kitchen Cabinet Beauty Trivia
5:30 pm Skincare Fact or Fiction
6:30 pm Indulgence Product Demo
7:30 pm Kitchen Cabinet Beauty Trivia Round 2
7:45 pm Drawing for Raffle Prizes

Use our hashtag ‪#‎PamperedinPGH‬ to earn "Pamper Bucks", which can be used as CASH toward any Indulgence Purchases or as Raffle Tickets at our event on Friday Night. Start using the hashtag now, and be presented with "bucks" upon arrival!