Tuesday, March 31, 2009

As It Turns Out...

Success is full of promise till one gets it, and then
it seems like a nest from which the bird has flown.
-Henry Ward Beecher


I had a very particular look in mind for henrybella's. Very particular. But as the time came to open my Sweet Shop (in a quick two weeks, to be sure), I found I was too poor to decorate the place. Which was frustrating for me. I'd dreamed of my bakery looking a certain way and it simply wasn't going to happen.


But what has happened - the look of the place - is alright with me. Not my first pick... or maybe even my seventeenth... but charming nonetheless. And the bird's nest seems to be the theme. Sticks and nests and even egg shells were free. They were things I could, and literally did, pull out of my yard and kitchen. Fitting for spring, too, I reasoned. And so that's the look of henrybella's: sky blue and bird nesty.


Did I mention...? No. I think I've failed to mention. As it turns out, henrybella's shares a building with a pottery shop. The artist's name is Lori Ellyn, and she cuts dishes and pottery from clay, then paints, glazes, and fires her creations in huge kilns in the back of the building. Anyhow, Lori Ellyn came up to the front of the building one morning and, as she poured herself a cup of coffee, announced that she was designing custom dishes for henrybella's.

I gulped. I use white plates in the bakery... clean, white, sturdy plates, and like them. Besides, my style is completely opposite from Lori Ellyn's, and I was happy with what I already had. But then she brought these up front:

These are the dishes she designed for the Sweet Shop. They're each completely handmade and painted. No two are exactly alike. I have platters to serve and deliver sweets. I have plates to portion out pie. I have tea saucers and butter pat dishes and chargers. And I love them. Each and every one.


Trouble is, everyone wants to buy them off the tables. Which turns out to be no trouble at all, especially since it's helping Lori Ellyn, who's depended on her pottery income since her husband died of cancer three years ago. And it's giving me a little money to put back in the business, which is priceless right now...

So. Not coming to henrybella's Sweet Shop anytime soon? No problem. We'll ship a plate and a cookie to you if you'd like. Visit the Etsy Shop here for more information....

27 comments:

Unknown said...

Two talents in the same building, watch out Texas! Love the dishes, perfect! Off to check out your Etsy store. Bless Lori!

Sue said...

Are you SURE you are closing your blog?? Maybe start a new one, a Henry Bella blog about the comings and goings of a bakery business. I am off to check out the plates!

Faye said...

THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL.YOU ARE SO TALENTED GIRL.I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANYTHING YOU COULD NOT DO! BLESSINGS, FAYE

Tracy said...

The plates are lovely!

Vee said...

They're great! Fantastic. I've got to see if I can scrounge up some pennies...

April@MySacredSojourn said...

Wow! Those are gorgeous! I cannot wait to visit Henrybella personally and meet both of you up close! A baker and a potter? My two favorite things! I will have to visit the etsy shop and dream of owning some of those gorgeous plates until I can actually afford to purchase some. :)

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

What a SWEET PLATE! I am off to check it out but I wanted to say, how dear is this? A plate to match your pennywise decor...clever and smart and trend-setting! I am going to think of you everytime I use my little bird nest plate! Tell your buddy we'd love to meet her (on your blog!) and see her little shoppe, too!
XOXO
Joni
PS: Please don't take your blog away!

Becky K. said...

The good news just keeps on coming! Love the plates and love how they are making a difference for both of you!

April@MySacredSojourn said...

Brin, I had to come back and say that while I understand completely the reason for closing the blog, I wanted you to know how much I'm going to miss it. It's a daily stop. EVERY time I get online, I come here. It's such a peaceful oasis in the middle of my own messy life. You have been such a huge blessing with your words of wisdom, sharing your roller coaster adventure life.

That said, do you other readers know of any blogs like this one? There are blogs I read for the fun, for decorating, etc. but none of them are Christian women, so I am missing that connection with them.

Harbor Hon said...

I think you should also sell some note cards with that great picture on this post. I wouldn't mind having some of those myself. Just a thought. xxoo

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Brin,
I can't believe it! When I saw those beautiful dishes, I gasped! You see, my lovely 33 yr. old daughter (mother of 3) was recently remarried. She was in Hobby Lobby a week or so before the wedding and bought this picture which she displayed leaned against the wall on the table with the groom's cake. It is a taupe background with a branch with a nest with blue speckled eggs in it. The calligraphy inscription: Hope is the thing with feather that perches in the soul. Emily Dickinson - My daughter said when she saw the picture she felt it described perfectly the hope she has for new happiness after a painful marriage when she was so young. It now hangs on the wall in their breakfast bay where they can see it everyday. Best wishes for Henrybellas! You are open again, right? V.

Shelley in SC said...

These are precious. And I Love H.W. Beecher's quote at the beginning. Ain't that the truth!

Bev said...

I love how every day just unfolds like a beautiful story book that you hate to set down. But then you eagerly set it aside because you can't wait to pick it up again and see the beautiful journey continues to unfold with treasures at every turn...how perfectly wonderful this new adventure you are on!

Patsy from Illinois said...

Areyou not absolutely amazed as to what has happened to you in the last couple of months? I think your messy, thrilling life is like mine. God lets me get right down to what I think will be the last struggle I could ever manage and then does something outstandingly wonderful for me. Unexpected, and something only He could have planned out.

Good luck Brin. And God bless.

tara said...

those are some divine dishes girlie! God is so cool like that!

Susan said...

I agree with Joni how great would it be of you to do a little feature here at Messy Thrilling Life all about Lori Ellyn, her pottery and her little shop. Excellent idea !! Could be one of your Terrific Tuesday Treasures.

Anonymous said...

My Mom would love two butter pats, but she didn't see them on Etsy!!!! Are they for sale at all?

BTW, I really, really, REALLY hope that you'll continue writing on your blog! I've been encouraged to see God at work in your life, and in reading your blog have been so blessed. I've seen God's Hand at work, and I know He is working in my life too.

Please leave a comment on my blog and let me know about the butter pats!

God Bless,
~Kate~

Betty said...

It's all coming together and I am so happy for you!
God bless you in your life's journey! He is good..

margaret said...

You will be missed. Please add me to your newsleter list. Thank you

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

The plates are wonderful. What a huge blessing! I feel like this is going to grow into something so so special. The nests and the eggs are such a sweet theme. New life.

Cheryl said...

You know I am just sooo pleased at how you can see the fingerprints of God all over your life right now girl! Wish I had some spare $ to order a plate and a cookie right now, or a plane ticket to Texas to visit in person!
Keep the updates coming!!

Kimberly said...

This is Kimberly who is turning 40 the day you are turning 30. I am actually thinking of a road trip to Texas from upstate New York for this momentus occasion of leaving my 30's behind in style. When people ask me how I celebrated turning 40 I can casually say "Oh, I went to a sweet little bakery......in TEXAS!!" So I have the obvious question of will you be open if I drive all that way??? The other is more of a thought about this blog world. Why stop? I think you are underestimating the power of God to use this as an avenue for prosperity. Look at the beautiful plates. This woman makes them for you, you show us, we love it...we buy. There are so many ways you can help others as well as yourself. I know you have this ideal of wanting this blog to be ad free and you don't have to do that, but it sure seems to me like you have built such a following and you have put so much energy into it. Abundance is not something we get, it is something we allow. God has worked wonders for you and it is not his plan for you to struggle. Have you considering "allowing" this blog to help you prosper financially. You have given your followers so much, maybe it time for receiving. Please send me an email at kimberlyannholmes@gmail.com or put a post on your blog regarding when henrybella's will reopen and what the hours will be. I would hate to drive 22 hours and not get to eat my cookies on those beautiful plates!!!
I wish you every blessing and happiness your heart can hold.
By the way, not only are we birthday "sisters" we also are crazy over Patty Griffin!!!
Kimberly

Ruth said...

Can I get cookies shipped on the plate?

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