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Hot Shop

3/5/2014



We had the most amazing day in the hot shop with John Hogan and Lydia Boss yesterday. After years of talking about working with glass locally (the Northwest is know for its strong glass community), we ended the day feeling very lucky have the jobs we do and to be able to collaborate with such talent.

Above and below are a few pics from the day. For more on what we are working on, you'll have to wait until our May launch at ICFF in New York. It's coming up quick!

In Process

2/28/2014



It definitely feels like the beginning of spring on the island today. The quiet post-holiday period has ended here at Grain and we are ramping up each week with final details for the textiles, ceramics, lighting, and furniture that we will be launching in May at ICFF. Above and below is a sneak peak into our in-process studio world.

Pillow Talk

2/20/2014



With a new shipment just in from Guatemala, we are officially stocked up in both sizes of our Comalapa, Jaspé, and Laguna pillows ($118.00 - $198.00). Handwoven of naturally dyed cotton in the Guatemalan Highlands, each one of these beauties is totally unique. 

All our pillows are responsibly made by textile artisans using traditional Mayan weaving techniques such as jaspé and falseria. See more process images on our Facebook page here. See all of our Guatemalan made textiles here. 

Spotted on Lonny

2/19/2014



We so love the work of local interior designer Brian Paquette and just had to post these photos of his recently completed family home in Seattle. They were on Lonny yesterday and include an appearance of our Jaspé and Laguna pillows. Best piece of advice from Brian: "buy good textiles, lighting and upholstery and take time to build your art collection." We couldn't agree more. Learn more about Brian here or follow his beautiful Instagram feed here. Photos by Belathée Photography.

Made with Love

2/6/2014



Grain partners, Chelsea and James Minola, often get asked what it is like to run a business as a couple. In honor of the month of love, Vanessa interviews Chelsea (see below) on just that subject.

Jewelry Sale

1/31/2014



Just in time for Valentine's Day, we're having our first ever jewelry sale. Use the discount code BEMINE for 35% off all jewelry including our popular Electric Love Rings and Bangles (shown above) and Chi-Chi Necklaces. Sale is good until February 14, but stock is limited, so get your orders in now! Shop jewelry here.

Super Bowl 101

1/30/2014



If you are like us, you are getting excited for Super Bowl Sunday because (a) you live in the city that might win and/or (b) you like snacks and day drinking. If you feel a little clueless otherwise, we are here to help. Our Design and Production Assistant and resident sports expert, Ryland Quillen, will give you what you need (see below) to be a more knowledgeable Super Bowl party guest this weekend. 

I Think I Love You

1/29/2014



Above and below are a few ideas for how to use your Utility Cards this coming Valentine's Day. Suggestions include: "You are my Valentine," " I think I love you," "I love you so much," "I think I love you," "Smitten in love," and "Hello Valentine. I love you."

Island Life

1/29/2014



Occupational hazard of Northwest island life: Fog horn wake up calls. Above and below are a few shots from this past weekend when the ferry forced us to start our day a little earlier than planned.

Totem Candles

1/22/2014



Launched a few weeks ago, our Totem Candles were our best selling gift this past holiday. We have one part play and one part Instagram to thank.

Originally made while experimenting with materials on our new lathe, we posted the first results on Instagram. The response encouraged us to make a few more for our Bainbridge pop-up. When they sold out, we worked out a few cut patterns and officially add them to our line. Above and below are the results along with those early Instagram photos.

Windstorm = Power Outage

1/16/2014




Living and working on Bainbridge Island means dealing with the occasional power outage. When the lights went out this past weekend, we took the opportunity to cook lunch fireside. James' homemade terracotta fish dish makes a cameo along with some of our new Totem Candles.

Road Trip: Olympic National Park

1/10/2014



On the last day of our holiday break, we took a spontaneous road trip to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park for our first snowshoe of the season. Only an hour and a half drive from our front door, we may be taking this trek again before the season is out...

'Til 2014

12/23/2013



After a very busy holiday season, we are shutting down Santa's workshop and taking a couple weeks off for ourselves. We're back in the studio January 6th and will be shipping all orders received between now and then on January 8th unless otherwise notified.

Thanks again for another exciting year. Here's to 2014!

Road Trip: Samish Island

12/19/2013



Above and below are a few pics from last months Friendsgiving getaway to Samish Island, WA. The trip included some hiking (a view from Oyster Dome above) and a lot of feasting. Dungeness crabs, manillas from Samish Bay, and scallops cooked on a salt block all made the weekend rotation.

Our Holiday Wish Lists

12/11/2013

In case you didn't know what to get us, we've put together our very own holiday wish list. Above are Ryland's wishes. Below are compilations by James, Chelsea and Vanessa. Fingers crossed!

Ryland's wishes (top to bottom, left to right): Enzo Mari Sedia 1 Chair - $310.00, Etudes Midnight Hat - $285.00, Grain Bound V1 Hand Mirror - $395.00, Patricia Urquiola Book - $85.00, Acne Studios Leather Jacket - $1,450.00, Saskia Diez Black Paper Bag - $114.78, Eric Trine Cosmic Prism - $100.00, Fort Standard Standing Bowl - $110.00, Nathaniel Russell Print - $30.00

Welcome Vanessa and Ryland!

12/10/2013



We are a few weeks late on the announcement, but excited nonetheless to introduce our two newest staff members: Ryland Quillen and Vanessa Lang.

We first met Vanessa when she worked at the Frye Art Museum store. She comes to us (like both Willis and Claire) from Evergreen where she studied printmaking. She will be taking over as our new Studio Manager as Willis takes over New York.

Ryland is our first ever Design and Production Assistant. He studied furniture at Savannah College of Art and Design and originally moved west to intern for our friends at Iacoli & McAllister. 

To learn more about this two (i.e. cats, Kauai, Bhutan, Dolly Parton), below is the result of their interview of each other from the ferry this morning.

Sneak Peak: Destination Pop-Up

11/7/2013



For all of you who can't make it out to Bainbridge Island this November, above and below is a little sneak peak of Destination Pop-Up. We've been having a lot of fun in the space and are enjoying the chance to introduce our work to our neighbors.

If you are on Bainbridge before November 24, we're open in the Charrette space at 130 Winslow Way East, Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 - 6:00 pm. Come visit!

New West Coast Design

10/28/2013



If you are in San Francisco between now and January 5, 2014, don't miss New West Coast Design 2 at The Museum of Craft and Design.

The exhibition, curated by Kathleen Hanna and Ted Cohen, features 60 works (including our Dish tables and Stitch mirrors) "chosen for the significant contribution they make to the world of design by expanding on the idea of function, exploiting materials, innovative techniques, or pioneering applications of new technology."

Selected designers, including independents like Carlo Aiello and ReCheng Tsang as well as firms like Frog and Emerging Objects, all practice in California, Oregon or Washington.
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