Crafting at Anthropologie

This past week, I received an email from Anthropologie about their in-store Holiday Display Workshops.  The idea sounded fun, and fortunately, my local store was holding a session while my boys were in school.  So, in the interest of putting myself out there a bit more, I called and reserved a spot right away.

The workshop was last Thursday, and despite my complete lack of craftiness, I’m so glad I decided to attend!  I had trouble finding a parking spot when I arrived right at lunchtime, so I got to the store a few minutes late and found several women, both employees and shoppers like me, already hard at work crafting found object cupcakes for the store’s holiday display.

It took me a few minutes to get my bearings and come up with a game plan, but I was soon constructing a cupcake from a cardboard tube, packing paper, coffee filters, and a smoking hot glue gun.  I snapped a few shots with my phone, and here’s how my first try turned out.  Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

The other women working alongside me were especially talented, and included a wedding photographer and some of the store’s visual merchandisers.  Their cupcakes were adorable, of course, and they graciously let me take a few pictures.

(A gorgeous creation by Anna, a visual merchandiser and jewelry designer.)

(A beehive cupcake by Lauren, a local wedding photographer.)

(My attempt at a mini cupcake. I now realize the bead on top resembles an olive.)

Our cupcakes will be part of the holiday display within my local store, and it’s nice knowing that I contributed to a little handmade decor.  By inviting customers into the store to participate in activities like this workshop, Anthropologie is building a community and encouraging partnerships on a local level.  That’s something I’m thrilled to support.

As I walked back to my car, I passed through Macy’s, and was struck by their shiny, plastic decor, in contrast to the pieces I helped to create.

I’m so glad I was able to attend this workshop and spend a fun hour crafting with talented women in my city, and I’m looking forward to more of Anthropologie’s offerings.