The Fairest Ones

“Little by little, one travels far”  ― J.R.R. Tolkien

How utterly perfect that this blog is to be posted on Tolkien's birthday. His writings have been such a source of inspiration to me. I have always been jealous of his participation in The Inklings, an informal group of literary enthusiasts, which is included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien who shared and each other's writings. You see there has always been a sort of magical power which happens when creatives combine their talents to craft and shape the world around them.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

As I sit here writing and listening to Sleeping at Last, I am filled with a quiet sense of excitement and wonder that the artists in Seattle have begun to leave their siloed corners to join together on a journey to give something beautiful to the city and the world. They have individually been working under the radar, quite often thanklessly honing their talents, and cheering each other on, all the while waiting for the day when they will be revealed. Each of us has the ability to recognize that unique essence of a creative, even before they are admired by the press or the masses. We don't have to wait for these artists to gain mainstream recognition, we can support now those who magnify the beauty for the common good. We can support them with our words, and with our financial investment in them + their businesses, showing that we care and we value what they are doing.

“In this hour, I do not believe that any darkness will endure.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

Artists are needed at this time, more than ever before. When people are divided, weary, and lonely this is when the power of art prevails. It allows us to see our life in the perspective of the past and the future. To see we are all interconnected, we do not live unto ourselves. We are empowered with the ability to lift up our fellow man. We can choose to be a hero in the story of our life. How often it is that the hero is not so dear to us because of the love he received, rather because of that which he selflessly gave.

“Oft hope is born when all is forlorn.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

To those who continue to pursue their dreams in spite of the seeming odds, you are not alone. You are important. This is a love letter to who you are now and to who you are becoming. You see something, don't stop, don't give up until you release it into the world.

The BIGGEST of BIG thank you's to the incredibly beautiful and talented people who made this dream a reality. This blog contains the behind the scenes images, another blog post will be coming soon with the select final images from the Yunkin and Daniel:

• Photos: @danieljshapiro @yunkinkeophomma
• Behind The Scenes Photos: @greenteleaf
• Venue: @the_ruins
• Gowns: @belltown_bride @pmndesigner   , Justin Zachary Couture
• Event Design/Floral: @kalebnormanjames
• Makeup: @j0rdanr0ss @melissakornmakeupartist
• Hair: @makahmatt 
• Wardrobe Stylist: @julietandlou
• Jewelry: @shannonkoszyk / @namikoabloom 
• Food/Dessert: @the_ruins
• Champagne/Wine: @preceptwine 
• Stationery Suite: @greyandcake
• Models: @annavina10 @noellejohnsun @diana_jean_o @imsuzijane @rodasfeker @_myfriendhanna

💥Announcing The Launch Of Uncommon Cartography's Partner Program 💥

Hi!

Can you believe that 2017 is only a couple days away? 

In 2016, I had the privilege of partnering with tastemakers and influencers across a variety of industries (interior design, fashion, food, tech) including @danny.owens, @samuelanthony, @acooknamedmatt, @lanadmitruks, and more! Not to mention delicious brands such as Dueminuti, Shannon Koszyk, The Four Seasons, Tame The Beast, and so many others. Let me just say I collaborate with some of the most talented individual creatives and brands, and I have been racking my mind of how to help you all take your businesses to the next level and make more sales 🌟 

The launch of Uncommon Cartography’s Partner Program addresses the need of creatives and brands to be able to keep their prices competitive and retain more profit by selling to their target customers. This program will connect you with influencers and ambassadors for your brand, who we will then empower to sell your products. Ambassadors receive a 10-20% commission (you set the commission) on items that they sell through their networks (social media, blogs, websites). It can be costly and time-consuming to research, launch, and manage a program like this on your own, so we do it for you. Also, because we are spreading the cost amongst several brands we are able to keep the program relatively inexpensive. 

I am looking to curate 5 -10 awesome brands kick-start this program on January 23💥 Initially, the program will focus on outreach and recruiting affiliates, but as it grows I envision hosting curated pop up’s, affiliate happy hours and more! As you all have been working hard on your social media, websites, content creation, and marketing this feels like a strong next step. What do you think😊

Would you be interested in being one of the curated brands that we launch with? If so, please email info@uncommoncartography.com for more details.

Best,

Esther

Ps: If you know anyone else who might be interested in joining this program, please forward the information along.

The Artist Uprising Putting Seattle On The Map

“There’s no protectiveness or competitiveness. We’re all really open with our resources, vendors, press contacts. There’s real camaraderie. The attitude is, ‘let’s get us all on the map.’ We’re all in this together.” - Devin Montgomery 

So much has happened in the last month, that I almost don’t know where to begin! I had the privilege of meeting with Eric Anderson, Chef at Brunswick and Hunt, which was the first of many times that it came to my attention that some Seattle publications are really not giving the type of love they should be to the talented creatives in our region. If you know me, then you know this just won’t do. I am determined to contribute to what I believe is a new artist uprising that is putting Seattle on the map. Just as I believe every industry is open for disruption, I also believe the narrow idea that Seattle is rain, coffee, grunge and technology, is no longer enough to characterize this region. It’s time for businesses to pay attention to what is brewing in their own backyard, and to stop outsourcing what creatives and entrepreneurs in Seattle can do brilliantly.

“The future belongs to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind: artists, inventors, storytellers - creative and holistic right brain thinkers whose abilities mark the fault line between who gets ahead and who doesn’t.” - Daniel Pink

When I first met Aaron Hicks, clothing designer for YaJoe, he gave me the greatest compliment ever “If I ever design a womenswear line you would me my muse”, little did he know that a couple months later I would ask him to collaborate with me to create my dream of a modern artist smock. I love fashion but for quite some time I have contemplated Gertrude Stein’s quote “You can either buy clothes or pictures”. Your clothing and jewelry are a part of your armor for stepping into the world feeling empowered, as though you could seriously kick ass! I mean have you seen Shannon Koszyk's Audaces Fortuna Invat (Fortune Favors The Bold) ring?! Every day I want to be able to costume myself in a way that feels like I am imbued with a magical superpower. This past week I had the privilege of collaborating with Aaron to develop the first uncommon artist smock. I am BUBBLING OVER WITH EXCITEMENT to be wearing the uncommon artist smock in today’s photo shoot which I have produced in collaboration with some brilliant local creatives for The Ruins. Please follow @uncommoncartography and @the_ruins for a sneak peek.

“The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline and effort and being able to truly care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in a myriad of petty little unsexy ways every day.”  - David Foster Wallace

A final note, many of you may have noticed the series of uncommon collaborations I have been producing. The collaborations are an outflow of my desire to take artists and industries to the next level. These artists have been sharing their talents to help each other fill in their gaps and reach the brands they most desire to work with (because none of us can do it all). The collaborators have been developing some serious social capital and momentum. It has taken a couple of months, but we have begun to see new doors opening and paid projects being locked in as a result of our collaborations. If you would be interested in being featured in a future collaboration, please email me at esther@uncommoncartography.com.  

Let's Do This!

Esther

Ps: As part of our brand refresh for The Ruins in Seattle, I am coordinating a series of events (popups, artist showcases, industry events). If you are interested in participating in a pop-up, showcase, etc. or you know an entrepreneur or creative trying to get to the next level in their career, please email me at esther@theruins.net.