The Sew Aware Crew Explores Cherokee Street

This afternoon the Sew Aware crew ventured outside of our Dutchtown Studio to investigate the DIY scene on nearby Cherokee Street. Business first. We dropped  by DIY boutique Peridot first to establish our first account, handmade buttons. 

Over lunch we visited La Vallassana and Black Bear Bakery. Black Bear is a cooperatively owned business that produces organic baked goods. After a tour of the facilities and a briefing on their business model Sew Aware took a group photo in front of the SGC Graffiti Mural. Will, owner of the T-shirt company across the street made a sweet T-shirt for us and shared some of his own experiences as an entrepreneur.

Later at Firecracker Press, Eric gave us a tour of the shop demonstrating their equipment. He astonished everyone by cutting a phone book in half with a 1920s industrial paper cutter. Then we saw an antique letter presses in action, rolling presses and the many products Firecracker creates with old industrial machinery. 

Next was a visit to STL Style House. Randy Vines, an new friend of Sew Aware shared the ins and outs of the T-shirt design business that and his twin brother Jeff started out of their basement 10 years ago. Earlier in the program Randy and STL Style's intern Emily introduced a collaborative design project we'll be doing with them. Gaining inspiration from the shop and STL Style's creative slogans we spent the rest afternoon developing ideas.

-John Maul and Emily Hemeyer