Back by Popular Demand December 13, 2008

Once again we’re fully stocked on all the great merchandise from Resource Revival, the company that uses old bicycle parts and reworks them into cool things!

We’ve got picture frames, bottle openers, clocks, and bracelets!  These are great gifts, reasonably priced, for any biking enthusiast or just anyone who appreciates bike chains.  

And even if someone isn’t in to biking, these items are so unique that they are sure to please and surprise anyone on your holiday list.  It’s almost a guarantee that they won’t have anything else like it!

So stop in Pastiche soon and grab a clock, a frame, a bracelet or whatever it is that will make the perfect gift.  Last year we ran out of these things fast, so you’d better hurry!  Remember, we’re open 10-10 during the season so you’ve got no reason not to shop at Pastiche.

We’ve Got The Solutions! December 2, 2008

Yes, we at Pastiche have the secret on how to be popular.  We’ll even tell you.  It’s coming to Pastiche this Friday for First Friday Art Walk!  Once again we’re doing an ongoing seminar/demonstration/class on decorating with color.  

This isn’t something you have to show up for at a specific time.  Just stop in anytime this Friday between 6 and 10 and our brilliant staff of incredibly talented designers will guide you through the steps of using color in your spaces.

Speaking of incredibly talented designers, have you seen Carla’s work in the latest 417 Magazine?  

Matt and Stacey Miller’s fantastic home that Carla designed is featured in 417 Magazine this month so you need to check it out.

Get Your Booty Down to Pastiche September 17, 2008

Ahoy Mates!  This Friday, the 19th of September, is National Talk Like a Pirate Day!  We love pirates at Pastiche and we’re going all out for this national holiday.  We’ve got your pirate booty in stock.

We’ve even got pirates you can take with you to work or school to show your pirate spirit!!

And, to celebrate this really fun holiday, we’re giving away pirate eye patches. That’s right!  Come in on Friday to get your very own eye patch for free.

So mark your calendars and make sure you celebrate Nation Talk Like a Pirate Day with Pastiche!

Carla was even going to give a lecture on pirate ethics at an ethics class at MSU, but unfortunately, the instructor decided to give a test instead.  We think he’s not showing the proper pirate spirit.  According to the pirate Code of Ethics (to be posted here on Friday) we need to challenge him to a duel!

Tour of Missouri Tomorrow!! September 8, 2008

Once again, Springfield is a host city of The Tour of Missouri.  Last year’s race was very exciting and we had front row seats at Pastiche.  Again we have front row seats and you’re invited to our Pastiche Watch Party.

The festivities downtown begin at 3:30 and many streets will be closed but there’s two new parking garages downtown on Campbell so there should be lots of room to park. Stop by Pastiche and we’ll have up to the minute race reports, snacks, and our usual fun and games while we wait for the race to coming tearing down Jefferson.

If you need more information on the race, go to www.tourofmissouri.com or just give us a call at 417.831.1300!

10 Things To Do With Wrapping Paper August 5, 2008

It’s pretty obvious what to do with wrapping paper. You wrap gifts and packages. But that’s no the only use for wrapping paper. We’ve come up with some ideas for other uses so here’s Carla’s 10 Things To Do With Wrapping Paper:
1. Chop it up and use if for collage work.
2. Make really neat gift cards and tags.
3. Use it to line boxes and organizers to make your desk look really neat.
4. Frame it for some quick art.
5. Decoupage furniture.
6. Adhere to cardboard for journal and book covers.
7. Scan it for web wallpaper.
8. Use it to cover a lampshade.
9. Wallpaper for dollhouses.
10. Scraps are perfect for arts and crafts with children.

We, of course, have some amazing gift wrap at Pastiche. Here are a few of the patterns available:

Hi Michelle! July 29, 2008

Wow, we are really, really low on Gecko Traders bags.  Carla was shocked to find the inventory so low.  “Didn’t we just get those in?” she pondered.  But thanks to Michelle, Carla is hard at work (kinda) getting a fresh new batch of those wonderful rice bag bags back in stock.  See, Carla is showing concern over the inventory.

Gecko Traders Rice Bags are made from recycled rice bags.  I know, it’s kind of redundant to say rice bag bags, but that’s what these are.  We’re not complete out yet.  We’ve still got some great bags that are perfect for summer.  They’re strong, sturdy and perfect for hauling towels and such to the pool or beach.  They’re also great for eco-friendly shoppers.  These bags will hold a lot of groceries and keeps three or four plastic bags out of circulation.

Thanks to Michelle for reminding Carla that we need to order more bags!  Michelle has an ultra-cool blog that you’ve got to check out here: http://michellesherwood.blogspot.com/

Maybe you’ll recognize who she is once you visit the blog!

Road Trip to Stausborg July 24, 2008

VROOOOOMMMMM.  vrooooooomm.  Squeal.  Squeal. Whooooosh.  Splash.  SSSSSSSSSSSS.  MMMMMMM.  Swerve, squeal.  Vrooooommmm.

Oh, sorry.  I was playing with my bag.  Here I am, flying down the E25 highway on a midnight run from Zurich to Strausborg with Gotthard blaring from the speakers of the truck.  After making the delivery in Strausborg, it’s back in the truck and up the A35 to Frankfurt am Main.

So, ok, it’s all play fantasy but I just can’t help it when I grab my Freitag bag to head out for the day.  These bags have history.  They’re made from truck tarps, you know those sides of a semi-truck’s cargo bed.  Each Freitag bag is carefully cut from one of these used tarps so each bag has a history of blowing down the highway in sun, wind, snow, and rain.  The tarps have covered all kinds of cargo and performed superior service for trucking companies for years.  Now these same tarps can be yours.

All these great people in Zurich cut the tarps then stitch these bags together, lining the edges with bicycle inner tubes.  Each bag is a handcrafted piece of art that is not only functional, but nearly indestructible in the everyday world of carrying the laptop, files, and books.  My Freitag Walter has hauled huge English literature textbooks, cameras, my beloved MacBook, and invaluable papers for class and has never once let me down.  I know this bag can handle whatever I throw in it and in whatever weather is happening, my stuff is protected.

Most of the messenger bags come with handy seat belt snaps that secure the bag to your body, making it perfect for biking, walking, or running to work or school.  And if your life runs at 70 mph (like mine usually does) you know your bag is safely secured with a seat belt and is quick to release once you reach your destination.

There’s a fresh batch of Freitag messenger bags, totes, purses, and wallets at Pastiche.  You’ve got to check them all out.  They’re incredible bags.  We’ve put up a small sampling on the right side bar for your browsing pleasure.  Check them out here, then pop into Pastiche and feel the Zurich flair that goes into every bag.  Then try on one and look how it totally makes you the absolute coolest person in Springfield.

Then go home and pretend you’re driving the huge truck your bag came from in the Swiss Alps on a snowy night in January.  Ah…the excitement!

1 Year Birthday Party January 3, 2008

“Now that the holidays are over, we’re concentrating on our next big part which is this Friday, January 4.  It’s Pastiche’s 1 Year Anniversary Party!  That’s right.  We’ve been here for an entire year.  To celebrate, we’ve got a lot of fun things happening.  Coinciding with Frist Friday Art Walk, we’ll be featuring Damsels in Distress, the musical group that is completely, awesomely cool.  We’ll also feature Polaroids with the Bison.  For that, you just have to come in an check out.  We’ll also be doing lots of fun and games, including chances to win fabulous Pastiche prizes. Be sure to come by, this Friday during 6-10pm and help us celebrate Pastiche’s 1 Year Anniversary!!