Celebrate Fathers Day (a day early) at Et Cetera, Saturday, June 16, from 6-7:30 PM:
- FREE tie to everyone of the male persuasion (while supplies last)
- LIVE MUSIC by the Ne’erdowells
- FREE Mojo’s Italian Soda with Et Cetera Shop receipt (must be from that evening’s purchase)
Starting Friday, June 15, we’ll be keeping our doors open ’til 7:30.
Hope we see you!
Marla Sawatzky Rowe – Newton native – makes old things new.
And makes really cute new things. Check out this stuff:
We love to see Marla’s happy face in the store.
You might see her looking for her supplies – fabrics that have previously been used as clothing or linens – and other crafty stuff. Et Cetera is a jackpot for people looking for unique things for upcycling projects.
Marla’s got a great and fun business going on.
Where: she sells online at prairiepathwool.etsy.com as well as at indie craft fairs like the urban Street Bazaar in Dallas, TX. Also, has items for sale at Healthy Baby Boutique in Wichita and Kauffman Museum in North Newton.
We thought it would be fun to highlight Marla – some of you might recognize her. She used to work here.
Maybe we can dig up an old photo of her somewhere.
Since we like to visit, we thought we would talk specifics about her business.
She answered all our questions…wasn’t even chicken. (although she makes some cute ones.)
How would you describe your work?
-My work evolves out of existing fabrics. It is a somewhat whimsical twist on the traditional. I use thrifted wool and cashmere sweaters to make plush toys, blankets, scarves and hats, Christmas stockings and the list goes on… My Etsy shop is very colorful! (Etsy is a social commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies.)
Your artwork involves fabric. What draws you to textile art?
-I have always loved fabrics. The multitude of textures and colors is what I love most. At college (Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg VA) I would incorporate fabrics into my other “traditional” art classes.
What kinds of fabric are you attracted to?
-I love all natural fabrics, cotton, linen, silk, wool. Currently wool is my fabric of choice. I adore vintage patterned cottons and linens.
-Thrift stores have always been my main source for materials. The Newton Et Cetera Shop (facebook – Newton Et Cetera Shop) has wonderful vintage items and sewing supplies that are not commonly found at other thrift stores. And at a reasonable price!
You’ve mentioned you have many memories of of thrifting – did it influence your interest in textile art?
-My mother shopped at Newton Et Cetera Shop when I was a child for clothing and whatever. I remember getting Et Cetera Shop gifts for birthdays and that big back room that was lined with denim jeans. When I was in highschool I shopped at Et Cetera as well as Salvation Army and Goodwill. My friends were jealous of the cool things I would find.
How do you decide what to create? What inspires you?
-The natural world is a constant source of inspiration, especially through the eyes of my 3 children. Much of what I create are plush toys for children, generally representing animals.
-When I begin to design I first look at my thrifted wool sweater and imagine what might come out of that particular piece of fabric. Maybe a green argyle sweater would make a beautiful turtle shell, or a red fair isle pattern naturally draws out a Christmas stocking. I try to use as much of the fabric as possible so sometimes it is a puzzle to get all my pieces to fit the piece.
-I like vintage patterns and designs.
When you start do you know how it will look when you are finished?
-I generally have a pretty good vision of my end result. Of course, there are always adjustments to make to designs and patterns.
Do you revise your project once you have started?
-sometimes
What is a typical day like for you?
-my sewing schedule varies from day to day. I am the most productive during the mornings and afternoons. Once the kids are home from school and supper has been made I’m ready to relax with my family. During the Christmas buying season I make many custom Christmas Stockings. That has kept me working into the night a time or two.
-my creativity is up and down. When it’s up, I could work on my projects all the time. When I’m not feeling it, I just lay off for awhile.
Where did you learn to sew?
-My mother taught me to sew.
What are your first memories of sewing?
-My mother sewed many of my clothes as a young child. My grandmother sewed basically all of her own clothing as well as many stuffed animals for her grandchildren. I used to spend hours in grandma’s sewing “closet” digging through boxes full of scraps and jars full of buttons to make clothes for my Barbie dolls.
You have a collection of owls. Do you have a particular fondness of owls?
-I do have a fondness for birds in general. The owl has a wonderful shape that is easily reproduced and recognized. I also love turtles. Turtles were one of my first plush animal designs for sale in my Etsy shop.
Do any of your pieces express your personal experiences or memories and have particular meaning to you?
-I like to make blankets because of the rich Mennonite history of quilting (Marla shares this heritage with other German and Swiss Mennonites in the Newton area.) I like to think of my blankets as a modern twist on a traditional concept.
-I was brought up in a way that made me value the natural world and the idea of reusing what was available was a way of life.
-Recently I purchased (on Etsy) the 1976 pattern just like my grandma used to make many of the toys I still have today. I was so excited to find it and am working on recreating some of my favorites.
Thanks, Marla, for sharing your story. You have a gift of creating happiness!
Today is quite the day.
We are getting ready for Art and Music on Main – tomorrow night (come hear live music – our very own Jaime and his amigos from 6:00pm – 9:00pm) http://www.thenewtonchamber.org/page.php?id=65
and for College Night (tomorrow 11pm – 1am for college students ONLY!) https://www.facebook.com/events/347891795248220/
and
WE JUST LAUNCHED AN ETSY SITE. newtonetceterashop
Ok, so we only have 2 things up for sale now, but they are some super fab vintage swimsuits.
Be cool this summer. Shop Et Cetera: 619 North Main Newton Kansas and newtonetceterashop on Etsy!
trendy. unique. euro chic. california casual. mod. posh eclectic. rock and roll. gamine. arty slick.
the “new” section at et cetera where the “Jr. Department” used to be. (because trendy is for YOU regardless of your age.)
Its the essential stuff you need to look uniquely YOU!
and that is what shopping thrift is all about…
Et Cetera Essentials …putting it all together
Geodesic Dome made from hangers donated to Et Cetera Shop
Saturday night, Jason Miller worked on some mathematical artwork in Et Cetera’s window. The completed piece is on display. Don’t miss it!
What is that ball hanging in our window?
What is it made of?
Who invented it?
About the Artist
Jason A. Miller lives in Newton with his wife and two children. He grew up in many places, including eastern Pennsylvania, eastern Kentucky, southern and northern Indiana, southern Michigan, and the Hopi reservation in Arizona. He is still growing up in Kansas, where he moved in 2001.
His creative constructions started with Legos, Tinkertoys, Erector Sets, and simple wooden blocks. He now builds things as a carpenter, when he needs more money, but would still rather be playing. His art “stuff” often uses found objects or discarded materials, and tends to be large. It often features bright colors, rarely exists for any length of time, and is usually difficult to describe.
He also enjoys growing and making food, Passive House construction, making local connections, permaculture design, bicycles, foster care, playing Bridge, research and learning, and random trivia.
He did in fact own the Zimmerdale elevator, between Newton and Hesston, before it was torn down.
He is still working on the first certified Passive House located in Kansas, which might finally be completed this year. When finished, it should be the most energy efficient house in the state. He will live there with his family, on the banks of Sand Creek, for a very long time.
If you have questions or comments, or would like some of your junk turned into a large piece of art, please email him at: jasonamiller@gmail.com.
Grand Re-Opening Monday Feb 13
