The Exciting Martha Stewart American Made Awards
Yesterday, I told you about the launch of the inaugural Martha Stewart American Made Awards held in Vanderbilt Hall in the landmark Grand Central Station in New York City. These awards honored and highlighted ten up-and coming entrepreneurs, who have shown innovation and creativity in their respective fields, plus one nominated Audience-Choice Award Winner. This exciting event highlighted those winners, as well as so many others who tried out. As part of the celebration, there were festive cocktails and food, all American-made, presented creatively by the caterer extraordinaire, Peter Callahan, owner of Callahan Catering. Here are some of the highlights of what transpired during the two-day celebration.
1 My day started bright and early with James Murphy from The Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York. We conducted a yoga class together. http://iyengarnyc.org
2 Stretching and twisting is a great way to start any day!
3 A bit later, I interviewed J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler. When I asked him what's in store for his company, he said - "Keep doing what we do, only better."
4 Waiting in the wings were designers Tory Burch, Ralph Rucci, and Calvin Klein.
5 After the interview, I showed Mickey how to perfectly fold a t-shirt.
6 This was taught to me by someone in Japan and it's an amazing technique!
7 I wondered if Mickey might allow me to work at J.Crew?
8 Makié Yahagi, one of our finalists, joined me on stage next to show off some of her lovely fashions that she sells at J.Crew and in Makié, her boutique in New York City's SoHo district featuring her handmade clothes for infants, children, and women, as well.
9 Makié's designs are fashioned from heirloom-quality textiles that she finds from all over the world.
10 Liberty floral prints are some of her favorites.
11 Close attention is paid to each and every seam.
12 Makié starts out with a neutral color scheme and adds touches of color as she sees fit.
13 She is hands-on in all aspects of the design process, making every pattern and working with a team in the city to execute the finished product
14 Makié says, "I think carefully about how many stitches are needed or what type of seam is required. It's tiny but so important." This minute attention to detail keeps her customers and wholesale clients loyal.
15 I then led a fascinating chat with fashion panelists Ralph Rucci, Calvin Klein, and Tory Burch discussing the secrets to their success.
16 Calvin Klein's advice for young designers - "You have to know what you’re good at and how you’re different from the crowd. You have to have drive and work hard, but you have to be special - give them something they don’t have.”
17 I asked Calvin if he ever thought he would become so successful by posting advertisements of Mark Wahlberg, the underpants guy. We had a good laugh with that one!
18 Tory Burch explained that when she started out, she had no budget to work with and really had to be creative. She looked to the internet, social media, and e-commerce to grow her business.
19 For relaxation, Tory likes to paint and engages in sports and fitness activities with her sons. She is also very involved with her foundation and believes in giving back through education.
20 Ralph Rucci, who specializes in the finest hand-made artistry confided that, “I gambled a lot in the beginning of my career, and sometime that was a mistake. But those are also the things that sometimes work out.”
21 After the panel discussion, I invited a volunteer to join me in making a tie-dye effect without using dye. My friend, Jim Klinko from Furniture on Consignment in Westport, CT surprised me by coming on stage. http://www.fine2consign.com/
22 MSLO's Michelle O'Connor, Home Director-Publishing, brought her laptop to get her work done throughout the day.
23 My niece, Sophie Herbert, broadcasted live from the event.
24 Her show is called Life Coaching With Sophie and can be heard on Sirius XM 110 at noon - Monday through Friday. https://www.facebook.com/LifeCoachingWithSophie
25 Another shot of Sophie
26 There were inspiring posters throughout the venue.
27 Guests enjoyed delicious macaroons from Mad Mac. http://madmacnyc.com/
28 Brenda Dillon, Avery Group Mgr, Software & Web Alliances, walked me through the very easy steps to printing on their great labels.
29 Simply place the paper in your inkjet printer.
30 Then go to the avery.com website and enter the paper model number in.
31 You will be able to select the font, size, and color, as well as rearrange the pictures. Then simply press print!
32 Voila! Perfectly printed labels!
33 Avery, one of the sponsors of the American Made Awards, also had a wide variety of easy to print stationery on hand, like these place cards.
34 The UPS store graciously offered free shipping to all American Made attendees! Sidney Huber, the UPS Store Sales Associate, is seen here arranging the shipment of this customer's package.
35 John Barricelli, of The Sono Baking Company, signed copies of his latest book, The Seasonal Baker, as well as The Sono Baking Company Cookbook.
36 Mary MacGill, of Mary MacGill Jewelry, modeled one of her very beautiful hand-crafted necklaces. marymacgill.com
37 Makié Yahagi had a little shop set up at the event. I bought some garments for Jude and Truman.
38 Angela Liguori and her husband, Mohamed from Studio Carta, a bookbinding and bookmaking concern in Brookline, MA - http://angelaliguori.com/
39 These balls of cotton twine are very popular in their shop.
40 There was a nice collection of artfully displayed crafting supplies by Studio Carta in the Our Finds shop.
41 Later in the day, I sat to sign copies of my book, Martha's American Food and there was quite a nice turnout.
42 It's always a pleasure for me to meet the people who buy my books.
43 Following the book signing, I joined a panel discussion called The State of American Food Today, moderated by The Atlantic's renowned food writer, Corby Kummer. Sitting next to me was Mateo Kehler of the Cellars at Japer Hill, Chef Bill Taibe of Le Farm and the Whelk, Tom Philpott of Maverick Farms, and Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Blue Hill NYC.
44 Lucinda Scala Quinn was also there signing copies of her book Mad Hungry.
45 In the lively crafting area, one section was devoted to modeling objects using Martha Stewart Crafts clay and molds. This air-dry clay is great!
46 Sweet Dani B was also there demonstrating cookie decorating. http://sweetdanib.com/
47 With royal icing, you first outline, to create a border or dam. You then fill or flood the outlined area with more icing.
48 You can then decorate further using a contrasting icing color.
49 And also add candy embellishments.
50 Dani is full of talent and clever ideas.
51 The Crafts Department was there teaching how to make cross-stitched people.
52 How adorable!
53 Marc Evan from New York City's Maniac Pumpkins demonstrated his carving prowess. http://www.maniacpumpkincarvers.com/
54 And there was this fantastic display of 50 Nifty United States - A patriotic display of pans made by Wisconsin-based metal sculptor and American Made craft honoree Alisa Toninato. http://felionstudios.com
55 These wooden table tops were made from an old sycamore tree that was hit by lightning at my farm in Bedford several years ago. I think they look great.
56 The logo made with string art
57 A closeup of the detail
58 And the logo made with chalkboard paint
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
I want to thank my good friend Laura for letting me tag along with her to attend this great event. As a small business owner it was great for me to hear that even the major companies have to deal with the same problems and issues that i have to on a day to day basis. I left energized and was determined to make my small business more successful. Thanks Laura had a great time! Jim
Posted by: jim klinko | October 23rd, 2012 at 7:48 am
Martha, thanks for showing us more pictures of the inaugural Martha Stewart American Made Awards honoring such talented and deserving entrepreneurs. I love that you started the day with a yoga class, my favorite! I wish I could have been in attendnce for the panel discussions you conducted with the fashion designers telling their stories of success and I'm sure a few failures and then on the state of american food today, so fascinating!
Posted by: Cindy F | October 23rd, 2012 at 8:01 am
Hi Martha, Thanks again for another awesome blog about Martha Stewart American Made Awards for all 11 of those up and coming entrepreneurs who were so lucky to win their awards! You are an outstanding person who developed this fantastic award winning event and it will be great to see it again next year! These photos are absolutely stunning and the products they are producing to sell are out of this world!! That must have been a wonderful event to be a part of with the yoga, interviews, you showing how to fold a t-shirt, and the entrepreneurs showing their products! Sure would have been fun to be there! Ralph, Calvin, and Tory sure did a great job, also!!! Jim Kinko did a great volunteer job! Sure was fun to see Sophie Herbert doing her Sirius XM110 program there, also! Was also great to see John Barricelli and Lucinda Scala Quinn plus you signing some of your fabulous books!!! Everything also was outstanding! Thanks again for sharing this! Hope you have another great day! Off to see The Daily Wag about "Do You Know a Crow?!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 23rd, 2012 at 9:51 am
Even in Canada, we appreciate the quality workmanship that you highlighted at this wonderful event Martha. Once again, I long to have been in NYC - maybe someday! Having read about the honourees in your magazine, it was lovely to see how they were lauded - well deserved.
Posted by: Angela Kelman | October 23rd, 2012 at 9:56 am
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | October 23rd, 2012 at 10:48 am
That was a nice comment from Jim Klinko who I recognized right off from his picture. You 'took' us to his consignment shop a couple of times on your Martha Stewart Living show and I always wondered if you bought the items he 'saved' for you. I think one was a picnic basket - can't quite remember. I hope he attends next year to let us know what changes he has made to his business and if they made it more successful. It is a good sign that he left 'energized'. Thanks for these additional pictures of an apparently successful event. It certainly looked like a lot of fun. I think Alisa Toninato was in the right place at the right time with her very unique metal display of the 50 states which fits in perfectly with this event. She's a wonderful talent. Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 23rd, 2012 at 11:35 am
how does anything get a patent name,deve[oped, marketed, and in a store to be sold without spending a bazillion dollars? Why do we have to pay soooo much money to get a product on the market?
Posted by: sharon matthews | October 23rd, 2012 at 12:10 pm
I was looking forward to this post. A couple days ago another of my favourite bloggers, Theodora who writes under Losing Weight in the City, featured a post of your yoga demonstration. It was interesting to see the workout from her perspective. She, of course, loved the class!! Thanks for sharing this great event!
Posted by: Andrea | October 23rd, 2012 at 12:14 pm
American Made is the embodiment of Patriotism. Supporting ourselves with American ingenuity is being a thoughtful citizen and steward to our nation, for economy and to our world. Keeping it within our borders is the ultimate "trickle down effect" for our economy. Long live & Bless our Founding Fathers and our American history, especially now during these tense times before the Presidential election. Thank you, Martha Stewart, for being such a shining example of American Patriotism, business savvy and inspiration all these years. I remember exactly where I was when I saw & purchased my first copy of Living Magazine! And it just happened to be the premire issue! It was a defining moment for my life.
Posted by: Bruce Boon | October 23rd, 2012 at 1:14 pm
It is a pleasure to read about the event and the success of the finalists. Your event promoted quality American made products. I do wish you would promote good American made food products on your Cooking School program on PBS. I was disappointed that you strongly suggested using imported tomatoes (to name one item) in the sauce recipe. We have good quality producers here in the U.S. I hope this is changed in the future.
Posted by: Clancey | October 23rd, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I'm so happy to see that Jim Klinko made an appearance at the American Made Awards. I'm a Connecticut resident, and I've been to Jim's store countless times over the years. Thankfully, I never leave feeling disappointed. Furniture on Consignment always boasts an impressive inventory and extremely friendly and helpful staff members. That's why I felt the need to comment on here and say just how much I appreciate you giving his business the attention it deserves. Good for you, Jim!
Posted by: T.S. | October 23rd, 2012 at 6:46 pm
wow. does your niece ever take after Big Martha!
Posted by: Charles | October 25th, 2012 at 12:40 am
Martha, Please share with us how to perfectly fold that t-shirt!
This blog was fascinating and terribly inspiring on so many levels. I had nominated a few very talented craftsmen and women from Etsy for an America made award and wondered if the nominees were ever notified. There are so many creative individuals out there;only wish there were a way to promote and reward more of them. I hope that you will make this a yearly event. By the way, you look great and wonderfully stylish in your silk top, peg pants, and suede shooties!
Posted by: Kate | October 29th, 2012 at 2:11 am