New Year and New Skills Along Old Town’s Maker’s Mile

Happy (almost!) New Year, everyone! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to 2019 with hope and excitement. Last month a woman came into the store lamenting about January. She doesn’t like it because, in her eyes, it’s dreary and disappointing compared to all the excitement of December. That was a take on January that I haven’t considered in years. Maybe it’s the shopkeeper in me, but December 31 is the proverbial exclamation mark at the end of the year and January is the beginning of a new chapter full of endless possibilities.

I’m not one for resolutions because I think they are usually based on shame and the litany of short comings we think we have. To avoid that negative self-talk, I don’t make them. Instead, I look for new ways to enrich my life by setting new goals and pushing myself in new directions. So, when Danielle Romanetti of fibre space asked if we wanted to participate in a fun event that highlights all the new skills folks can learn at some of Old Town’s finest stores, I jumped at the chance. This might be the most excited I have been for January in a long time.

Inspired by an event held during the New York Sheep and Wool Festival, both Penny Post and Red Barn Mercantile are partnering with fibre space, Stitch Sew Shop, and AR Workshop to introduce you to Old Town’s Maker’s Mile. From January 18 to 21 we will bring you a weekend of fun in-store “make and take” projects and enamel pin collecting. Register by buying our Maker’s Mile tote bag, stop in all of our stores over the weekend to try out a new skill, and then collect your flair when you make a purchase of $25 or more (or you can purchase them for $10 per store, while supplies last).

“Make and take” projects include pom-pom keychains made from a beautiful selection of wool at fibre space, custom mini notebooks created with our wide collection of washi tape and writing tools at Penny Post, a signature necklace designed by you with materials from Conflicted Pixie at Red Barn Mercantile, your very own 2019 “Word of the Year” mini wood block at AR Workshop, and a lovely embroidered masterpiece created with the amazing array of colored threads at Stitch Sew Shop. See our Eventbrite page for times and details.

I simply love this event because it’s setting all of us off in a new, positive direction for 2019. This is the beginning of boundless opportunity and I hope you are as excited as we are. Here’s to new chapters and new skills this new year!

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Amy Rutherford

Red Barn Mercantile

https://redbarnmercantile.com

amy@redbarnmercantile.com

703.838.0355

Owner Amy Rutherford started Red Barn because she wanted to deliver a service — to provide both old and new in one place. No longer will busy shoppers be limited to reproductions or forced to shop multiple flea markets for the look or gifts they want. The trick in blending old and new, vintage and modern, classic and quirky, is balance. And Amy’s knack for mixing rustic antiques with urban chic has created a look that is both fresh and familiar.

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Red Barn Mercantile opened its doors in September 2007 with a single vision in mind: providing old and new to offer our customers signature whole-room designs at great prices.

We’re more than a furniture boutique and provide more personalized service than a big box retailer. We work hard to bring you the highest quality furniture and gifts, the most unique conversation starters, wall hangings and accent pieces, whether they come from off-the-beaten-track flea markets, or the latest designers.

www.redbarnmercantile.com

1117 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

703.838.0355