Love on the Run–San Mateo, California • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

It all started with twitter...isn't that odd? Christopher owner of Porridge Papers, tweeted one day, "Who wants some swag?" Well that's just a silly question. Shouldn't he be asking who doesn't want some swag? It would obviously be a much shorter list. Well I took Christopher up on his offer and one awesome snail mail delivery later we became fast friends.

Truth be told, I had always known about Porridge Papers. They make beautiful paper and Christopher had created an amazing retail space where he delighted his local followers with a wide variety of stationery and gifts. But there was something else Christopher did that had caught my eye, and it is called Love on the Run.

For the last four years Christopher has teamed up with several local businesses to put on a free event centered around the idea of spreading a little love in his town of Lincoln, Nebraska. He appropriately named the event Love on the Run. Porridge Papers invites the community to come into their shop, type a love note on one of their antique typewriters, enjoy some good food, music, or even snap a photo and then roll up their note, stick it in a bottle and have it hand delivered to a lucky recipient on Valentine's Day. I wanted in!

I grew up in a town where traditions like Christopher's Love on the Run were a big part of life. It is these types of events that make a town, or a city, a community. It is something, as an adult, I missed. So here I was a small business owner living in a slightly larger city with the chance to start a tradition that would take my city one step closer to being that close knit community I want for my children. Love on the Run-San Mateo had to happen.

Lucky for us, Christopher is as amazing as his handmade paper. After our first phone conversation it was easy to see we shared the same enthusiasm for our communities, small businesses, and giving back. It was decided, seemingly easily, that world domination for Love on the Run was a given and the first step was to expand from Lincoln, Nebraska to San Mateo, California.

And so on February 11th and 12th, at Flywheel Press, we had our first annual Love on the Run-San Mateo. In a word it was spectacular. BUT to really be honest one word just isn't enough. The overwhelming generosity from Sibby's Cupcakery, The Ravioli House, Kathy's Kreative Kakes,
San Mateo Firefighter's Association not only made the event possible, it made it a weekend to remember for Flywheel Press as the new kid downtown, and for our entire community! We can't thank them enough. On both days the shop was buzzing with activity. We had well over 100 Valentines typed on our four antique typewriters. There were over 75 limited edition posters printed by curious patrons, along with countless coasters. Everyone's jubilation for the event and all of its activities was contagious. We had people of all ages printing, typing and playing on the fire engine!

Again we want to say thank you! Thank you to all the sponsors, the valenteers who helped deliver the notes of love (Rose Ashdown, Katie Beckheyer, Danielle Petty, and Rich Seguine).

We are so excited to see how we can top it next year. So don't worry if you weren't able to join us this year, make sure you pencil us in next for next year because Love on the Run-San Mateo is here to stay!

x O x O x

Flywheel Press

Can we be in the "tree of trust" ? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

"This is a safe place. A place where we can feel free sharing our feelings. Think of my office blog as a nest in a tree of trust and understanding. We can say anything here..."

Okay so let's be honest, I am not the best at this blogging thing. It isn't as if there is a lack of things to write about. Shoot, those of you who have the pleasure to know me personally, know that it will be a cold day in hell when I don't have something to say about, well, about darn near anything. I have never been known to keep my thoughts to myself...ever.

So with that being said, here is the quintessential year in review. A late New Year's resolution for 2012, a recap and a promise (no fingers crossed) to be a far better blogger in 2012!

Now without further ado, our Flywheel Press 2011 year in review. Thank you all for making 2011 so amazing. I am not sure how you all plan on topping your love and support for 2012 but I am sure looking forward to seeing it all unfold! Cheers!

Movin' & Shakin' • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

We got the keys on January 15th. We wasted no time getting in to the space and making a mess. In our last post you could see that we had a bit of demo to do. In the following days we moved in all of our things...a LOT of things. Why is it that every time you move you never realize how much "stuff" you have? As you can see below we fall between having a lot and full-out "hoarders". I promise everything has a home!

The next series of posts are going to break down what we did in the months leading up to the "Ain't Life Grand Opening". I hope you enjoy watching our journey unfold. As hard as it was and as many tears that were shed (of course by Rich and not me), we are very proud of what we have done and we can look back on it fondly. Sort of.

EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY

1. The demo is done...for now, and the building begins.
2. Floors are in upstairs and the office/production area start to come together.
3. Framing is done. Plywood is put down for the floors, beam and columns are in.
4. The "shop" after everything is moved in, a.k.a. our reenactment of "hoarders".
5. The garage door is gone and the new "wo"man door is in! We are finally able to come and go via a key and not a 1980's garage door opener. (never quite fit on my key chain)
6. We begin to work on the details, our gorgeous sofa gets a face lift.

Down & Dirty • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Of course before the shop can be beautiful it's gonna get ugly. Here are some pictures of the demo and our delusions of grandeur plans for the space. Enjoy!

1. This view is from the front window: The wall has been torn down to the studs. Although we wanted an open floor plan, that wall supports the 400 square foot mezzanine above. The solution is going to be beautiful. We will install an exposed support beam along with two columns adorned with crown molding.

The window on the existing wall will be removed and patched. We toyed with the idea of leaving it for customers to be able to see the press room, but ultimately we decided it was better to have the wall space!

The large opening from the retail space to the shop space will be framed, sheet rocked, and finished. Ultimately this will then "create" an actual separate retail space. . . yay!

The far that wall houses all of the electrical panels, is uneven and made of wood slats. The slats are cool but because of the uneven condition of the wall we will have to fur the entire wall out. Since we are going to have to do this we (I) decided we will just finish the wall off with built-ins and a salvaged antique fireplace.

2. This view is from the shop looking into the retail space: From here you can see where the wall will be put up, creating the two separate spaces. You can also see the garage door. Although I LOVE vintage industrial (and will pull that theme through the space) this is a little too industrial and not enough vintage. ;)

3. This view is from where the cash wrap area will be: From here you see the gorgeous barred window and garage door. Luckily the bars come off with a screw driver and a little elbow grease, reviling a stunning LARGE window. An easy fix, Rich was grateful for easy fixes considering they were far and few between. . . of course.

You can also see the floors. They were partially finished concrete (think gray garage floor) and the other was cement covered in carpet adhesive. We went through many many options for the floor. Ultimately we found an amazing product that was totally cost effective, environmentally friendly, and easy to install.

Pictured above, Gianna: cute, helpful, works for paper dolls, custom notebooks, & frozen yogurt.
(Loves to be mentioned on any & all forms of social media..her father’s trait).

4. Handmade bow by mom, working dirty but lookin’ good. . . always! His & Hers drills are pictured along side one of our wonderful daughters. In all sincerity the entire family pitched in. The kids were eager to help in anyway they could, whether it was drilling in the sub floor, organizing envelopes, cleaning up small messes or just being really great on those long long nights at the shop. We couldn't ask for better kids!

5. & 6. And last but certainly not least I have to give credit where credit is due. We had help from near and far. Even my dear friend Lisa of Sapling Press was there to lend a helping hand (or tote) all the way from PA!

Moving the heavy stuff is stressful because you have to plan it just right. After all, you have to shut down production during this time and if you don't plan accordingly you can really fall behind. Hicks Brother's Printing Equipment have never let me down. In fact, over the last 7 years they have saved me more than once. I feel lucky to call them friends. They moved my equipment flawlessly, and always offered an extra hand. If you are looking for equipment, movers, or expert advice, they are the people to turn to.

To John of Celtic Custom Cabinets, a dear friend who is always around to help (and lend his truck) John creates incredible custom cabinets, desk (the one in my office that everyone loves, pics coming soon), fireplaces...okay too many great things to list! He's the best! Everyone should check out his work.

To my friends & family (both extended and immediate) for watching kids, feeding us on late nights and above all things believing in Flywheel Press. Much like raising a child, it takes a village to run a small business. No one could ask for a better cheering section. Thank you so much for all your help not only for the last 6 months but the last 7 years of Flywheel Press adventures!

Next up: The Build. Stay tuned. . . .

Words to live by. . . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Growing up I had many people that told me to be practical and to not be such a dreamer. Sometimes in life it is just as important not to listen....

My mom was a single mom struggling to raise three young kids and to this day I have no idea how she did such an outstanding job. She is, without a doubt, my hero. Thanks to her, I had a fantastic childhood filled with wonderful memories. Although we didn't have much in the way of money we were never short on love and support.

Judy Mac was born an entertainer, starting her professional career at the age of 15. She struggled through high school receiving her diploma, all the while barely being able to read. Later in life she married and divorced, raising four children without any family around to help. My mom accomplished a lot of impressive things in her life (she would never see it that way), including performing with a varity of famous people, raising four children, and returning to school at the age of 56 to learn to read. While all of those things are impressive, in my mind the most amazing thing she ever did was convincing me that I could do anything I set my mind to. She knew the power of that lesson. And here I am, proving her right every day.

Mom doing HER dance...the swim

I always thought of this poem, when it came to my life. It is embodies not only the naysayers I have encountered along the way, but also my mom and that little thing she told me over and over and over again..."you can do anything you set your mind to".

Listen to the mustn'ts, child.

Listen to the don'ts.

Listen to the shouldn'ts,

the impossibles, the won'ts.

Listen to the never haves,

then listen close to me...

Anything can happen, child.

Anything can be."— Shel Silverstein

I have been so flattered by the outpouring of support from my peers for my latest adventure of opening a retail store front. So many people have said they "admire" what I am doing. Honestly I don't think of myself as anything special. I don't mean that in a self-deprecating way. I only mean that I think anyone can accomplish extraordinary things if they just believe in themselves. If you think you can't then you will consider all of the reasons why something is bound to fail. If you believe in yourself you can see all the ways in which you will succeed. So you too can be crazy, throwing caution to the wind, just live by my mantra "what's the worse thing that could happen"? I truly believe it can be that simple, of course it also takes a lot of dedication and hard work. Thanks Mom, and with that being said...it's time to get back to work!

"I have an idea" • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I have always been known to have "an idea". This a great quality in a lot of respects, but every time my husband hears that phrase pass my lips a little piece of him dies. To Rich these four little words are trouble as he is often the brawn to my brains...

So of course it was no surprise, knowing me, that in January I wanted to move my shop. It was a fantastic new location with space for my presses, an office, retail, and after school art classes for kids. Of course it wasn't quite turn key...but I had an idea....

shop pic. no. 1 view from what will be the cash wrap area

shop pic. no. 2 view from what will be the front door

shop pic. no. 3 view from what will be the back wall of the retail store front

For those of you unfamiliar with letterpress equipment, that means moving thousands of pounds of very very heavy metal. Not to mention, paper, envelopes and a bazillion other small things. But let's be honest, a good idea is a good idea.

Fortunately Rich believes in me, wacky ideas and all. So on January 15th 2011 we signed the lease and got our keys. Shortly after the insanity began.

Greetings & Salutations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

My name is Amber Ellis Seguine and among many other things, I am Flywheel Press. I am starting this blog to share my journey with friends, family, paper enthusiasts, working mothers, dreamers, artists, and anyone interested in knowing what goes into this crazy life I am so lucky to live.

In the coming days I will be sharing my latest project of turning a garage/shop into a beautiful retail store front. Complete with before and after pictures, you will feel like you are there, minus the dust and paint in your hair!

So pull up your computer and together we will watch as this madness unfolds. . .