Blog - Cotton & Flax

Behind the Scenes

Instagram Staycation

Cotton & Flax hangtags

Are you enjoying your Labor Day weekend? I’m having something of a staycation, as I had a bit of work to finish for a new stockist this weekend (more about that soon). In an attempt to create better work/life balance, I have been trying to avoid working through every weekend, which is tricky if your studio is at home! It’s been a struggle for me to set more reasonable hours for myself, but a choice that I think will ultimately help me to expand my creativity and productivity overall.

I have to say, though, that scrolling through my Instagram feed this weekend has been envy-inducing. You guys are going on amazing vacations, eating some delicious food, and hanging out with some adorable pets. I’ll try to live vicariously, for now. I know that I post a lot of work-in-progress photos on Cotton & Flax’s instagram, but I am hoping to share more moments from my adventures around LA. Is there anything you’d like to see me document over on Instagram this week?

Folding tea towels

Cotton & Flax Tea Towels

I’ve been folding lots of newly printed tea towels lately, many of which are already in the shop. There’s something so satisfying in making stacks or piles, especially if it’s of things you’ve made by hand.

I’ll be spending some time this weekend testing out new products that will debut in the fall – this year is flying by!

Renegade Aftermath

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(Fort Mason in San Francisco, where I spent time a couple weeks ago for Renegade Craft Fair)

I’ve been thinking lately that I haven’t been sharing as much of the dark side of running your own business here on the blog. That might be because it isn’t so much dark as it is boring (who wants to read my thoughts on business bookkeeping, really?!) When I first started the Cotton & Flax blog, I wanted to share the ups and the downs, so I thought today I would share a very honest recap of this week.

Fort Mason

(the foggy view from Fort Mason in San Francisco)

It’s been almost two weeks since I participated as a vendor at Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco, and almost three weeks since I did the same in Los Angeles, so you’d think I’d feel recovered from the (fun!) craziness of craft fair weekends. But I’ll be honest: I’m still feeling exhausted. I’ve been training myself to wake up early all summer – I realized that if I start my workday at 6am, I can get a lot more printing done before it gets too hot (by 2pm, all I ever seem to want to do is drink ice water and take a nap). Between my early-bird alarm clock, catching up on production after two big craft fairs, and the work I’m doing to plan for the Fall/Winter collection, I’m pretty tired.

Kate Miss Joshua TreeI’ve been thinking about wanting to take a little vacation, just a few days to reset my brain. I always find that taking even a little road trip can really boost my creativity and make me feel refreshed. I’m totally inspired by this photo of Joshua Tree, taken by Kate Miss (you can buy a print, too!) I haven’t been to Joshua Tree in 5 years, and I think the desert is calling me… I have been so inspired by the colors of Southern California, it might be just the right time for another research trip.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who offered their opinion on which color I should add to the coaster collection. Aubergine was the clear winner here on the blog, but over on Instagram, Azure was the frontrunner! I’ll post photos once I’ve added the new color coaster!

VOTE – Fall Coaster Colors for Cotton & Flax

current coaster colors

I’m getting things ready for the fall/winter collection for Cotton & Flax, and I can’t seem to decide what new color I’d like to add to the coaster collection. I already use three wonderful colors (shown above): gold, charcoal, and latte. I’m hoping to add a rich, dark color to the collection for fall, perhaps you’d like to help me choose between these four?

potential coaster colors

[polldaddy poll=7293038]

How Cotton & Flax coasters are made

Cotton & Flax coastersWhen I sell my work in person, the felt coasters are always the most fondled item of the whole collection. Everyone seems to want to pick them up and touch them! I can’t say that I blame my customers for being curious, the thick wool felt I use really is appealing. Today, I thought it would be fun to take a peek into how Cotton & Flax coasters are made.

felt millCotton & Flax coasters begin their lives as raw wool, which is milled in Germany. The photo above shows the mill which processes the felt I use. Kind of picturesque, wouldn’t you say?

Felt Mill
Felt MillWool felt is one of the oldest man-made textiles. To produce felt, raw wool undergoes a wet “felting” process, which involves matting, condensing and pressing the fibers. You can see a little of the milling process below, I find those giant machines fascinating.

Felt yardageThe felt I use for Cotton & Flax coasters is high quality, eco-friendly, comes in highly saturated colors which are a perfect canvas for my bold patterns. The high standards for fabric dyeing in Germany make this felt safe for everyday use in your home, and safe for the Earth! I order several yards of this luxuriously thick felt at a time, and then hand silkscreen print my patterns onto the felt before cutting it down to size.

Cotton & Flax printingCotton & Flax coaster assembly

So there you have it, a glimpse into how Cotton & Flax coasters are made. You can find lots of fun patterned coasters in the shop, grab a couple sets for your next cocktail party!

Cotton & Flax coasters

Flashback to Fall/Winter 2012

Cotton & Flax pillows

I spent quite a bit of time over the weekend searching through photos I’ve taken for Cotton & Flax, trying to choose a photo to use on promotional postcards I’ll be bringing to Renegade Craft Fair later this month. I always love rediscovering photos from previous shoots, in this case, the Fall/Winter photoshoot from last year, which I took at the lovely home of Kate Miss. Still love the look of those pillows in her beautiful basket!

Find plus patterned items in the Cotton & Flax shop!