The Best Gift

See this??

 

 Yep, it is the motorcycle Reed and I got engaged on, left our wedding on, and then sold 2 years ago. But guess what?! WE GOT IT BACK!

Yep. After years of dreaming, and many failed attempts to save the funds up I was able to purchase this beauty back and surprise him with it on our 3 year wedding anniversary.

After this I had so many people say “you are a keeper”, or “best wife ever” and Reed even said he could never get me something as good as that. But ultimately that wasn’t my goal. I wasn’t trying to win a battle of gift giving, or the best wife award, or have the coolest pictures on social media (even though I do because my super awesome and talented friend Mary, of Mary DeCrescenzio Photography, made sure we captured this moment for all time).

My goal was to love my husband well. Show him that I see those long hours, I see that sometimes he feels like he works all the time and never gets time to just do what he wants. I see that. I see him agonize over being able to put gas in the boat to go fish or go out for a quick bite at the Mexican restaurant. I saw him sacrifice his wants for me and our family for over 2 years. I knew he wanted to give me more, he would tell me constantly that he was sorry he couldn’t just let me go out and get the shoes I wanted. But each month he took me out for a fun dinner, I got to buy fun little pieces for my wardrobe or save funds for a trip with friends. He made sure that even when he wasn’t getting what he wanted all the time that I was feeling loved and supported.

During that time, when he was so selflessly giving to me, I didn’t have a job. I tried, and my pride always got in my way but Reed would remind me not to worry. We would figure it out. He would tell me not to get a job just for the money, he had our needs taken care of. I could do what I felt I needed to do, even if that was wait for my dream.

So when the time finally came that our budget grew, that my dream job came true, I knew I had to let him know I saw all his sacrifice. That is what this was about.

That my husband acted out the love of Christ for me for 2 years. He put me first. He lead our family the way we needed to go, even when it was hard. I wanted to give him something to love him well and let him know that HE gave ME the best gift. So no everyone, I am not the best wife ever; Reed is the best husband ever and I am just saying thank you.  

PS> if you need some awesome photography for your fam and you are in SC go check out Mary and her photography blog! She is so talented and a blessing of a friend :) 

The Studio Fall Opening

Last weekend started the Fall Season at The Studio and I couldn't be more excited to see how much we grow. We are almost at the anniversary of The Studio dream. Well, I guess not the dream but the drive to make the dream a reality! I opened for the first time at the end of October 2014, Summer Fest of 2014 is what gave me the push I needed to sell my art in a shop setting. And once again, Summer Fest was successful this year and I think we will be seeing many more faces come through the doors!

 

To recap for those of you new to The Studio. 
We are a seasonal shop located in York, South Carolina on the Flying King Ranch. Nestled back behind the iconic white farm house we fill our walls with regional artists, including artists from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. (If you are an artist and want to be featured in The Studio, please feel free to email me with examples of your work! langdon.gracie@gmail.com)  As a seasonal shop we are only open at select times of the year. The holiday season (Nov/Dec), Spring (May), Fall (August/Sept) with these openings we change out our inventory to keep things fresh and ready for you to find that perfect gift.

Right now I am featuring 11 artists all who have unique styles and products.

Annie Broom: Fort Mill, SC
Annie Broom makes beautiful, bright and southern, monogrammed products. In The Studio, we feature her Mason Jar Tumblers, Burp Cloths, and little girl Bows.

Anvil Artistry: Columbia, SC
Anvil Artistry is a metal shop the produces hand forged items for the home. Beautiful yard art or a small key chain, you can can find something for any price and any space!

Bangles n' Baubles: Rock Hill, SC
Bangles n' Baubles is a fun jewelry vendor who has many designs to choose from. Stack her baubles or wear a bold pair of her earrings, either way someone is sure to compliment you :)

Clothed In Hope: Columbia, SC
Clothed In Hope is a unique vendor. They are an organization that works with women in Zambia to produce hand sewn products. Each purchase of a Clothed In Hope item provides education and opportunity for a Zambian woman to join a skills training program that will help them provide for their family.

Dave Armistead: Atlanta, GA 
Dave is a custom fabrication wood worker who uses sleek design to create his home decor items. His biggest hit at The Studio are his wine stands that seem to defy gravity!!

Eileen & Emily: Atlanta, GA
This mother daughter team comes up with the most precious little gifts! They have all kinds of stuffed animals for your little one to hold. And that football hat? I mean PERFECT for this time of year!!

Debbie Smith: Columbia, SC
Debbie Smith is a potter that creates pieces with a one of a kind flare. Each of her works have a body and feel of their own. Her bud vases, and french butter bells are some of our favorites.

Grace Langdon Art: York, SC
Grace Langdon Art (thats me!!) is a home decor vendor that produces custom furniture, lighting, and original works of art. The biggest seller from this vendor are the hand painted tin signs. The tin is harvest from York and Columbia South Carolina so many people feel a fun connection with the piece.

Mowgli & Baloo: Charlotte, NC
Mowgli & Baloo is a unique boutique that offers stunning art on wood panels. Not only do they produce art for your walls but they also offer totally one of a kind corn hole sets!! I have never seen a yard game more beautiful  than these :)

NTN Primitive Wood Works: Columbia, SC
Nate at NTN Primitive has a great eye for salvaging history. He turns tattered and old items in to unique pieces for your home. If you are looking for a piece of furniture that tells a story, NTN Primitive is your place!

Penny Pottery: Prosperity, SC
Penny Pottery has a unique term for her work. Clay as canvas is what she uses to describe her bowls, vases, and so much more. Each of the items are handmade by Penny, fired, then painted. Her stunning and whimsical florals make my heart happy!

If you see anything that interests you please feel free to leave a comment below or email me (langdon.gracie@gmail.com). We would all love you to come in and check out The Studio for yourself we are open for the Fall Season  Every Saturday in September  10 am to 2 pm  1546 Chester Hwy York, SC 29745 The Studio is my happy place. Seriously a dream come true and I am so blessed by it's growth and hope I can continue to provide a place for artists to sell their goods!