Carhartt Woodsman

Exciting news on the Carhartt front: New Holland Brewing in Michigan created a beer just for us! It’s crafted from locally grown Cascade hops and barrel aged into an American pale ale, with a hint of malty sweetness and toasted oak. The Carhartt team took a road trip all the way from Dearborn, MI to the Great American Beer Festival in Colorado. The photos above are from their pit stop at Subterranean in Chicago for a night of live music, good beer, and beer art. Let’s all raise a frothy glass to the 125 years that Carhartt has gratefully served the hard working men and women across the US; forged by sweat, grit, and sturdy gear.

what I wore: Carhartt Women’s Belton Shirt & Carhartt Women’s Series 1889 Sim-Fit Double Front Denim Dungaree (tune in for tomorrow’s post to see this outfit in action) 

DIY: Wood Chiseling

After watching Aimee Inouye chisel away at the gorgeous bench she was working on last week, I was inspired to give woodworking a try. The first thing I discovered is that the type of wood you use matters. Wood comes in varying hardness and grains. If you’re a beginner looking for the perfect substrate, I’d suggest basswood or butternut. You can find blocks and panels at your local craft store or even larger hardware stores. Now as they say, practice makes perfect. So grab a few scrap blocks to practice with before you attempt the project at hand.
You’ll need a pencil, wood, a chisel set, and a rubber mallet. Take a look at the steps below. I’m drawn to a more handmade aesthetic, so I made my chisel marks pronounced and jagged to give it a personal touch. If that’s not your taste, be a bit tidier with your lines.

Now that you’ve gotten the hang of the basics, you can move on to the real thing. It’s always good to have a plan, so start off with a template of how you’d like the sign to look. Use that template to create a shallowly traced guide into the wood. Once you have your pattern, make deeper cuts. You may want to go over a the letters a few times to make the incisions thicker and deeper into the surface. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. That’s the nature of handmade arts.

My crafting outfit: Carhartt Women’s El Paso Utility Jacket, Clarkston Cami Tank, Sibley Denim Shorts, & Carhartt Legacy 14″ Tool Bag. 

Brooke Weston’s Unconventional Art

Small worlds and fairy tales, vibrant colors and amusement parks. That’s what drives Brooke Weston’s mixed media creations. Brooke works out of her home in Portland making the most unique dioramas I’ve ever laid eyes on. What glorious combinations of dream lands and taxidermy! Check out a few of her other pieces HERE.

shop Brooke’s look: Huron Shirt, Clarkston Cami, Straight-Fit Slim Straight Jean, and Duck Nail Apron.

DIY: Giant Pom Beanie

It’s cold out there! Down vests, and Carhartt hats are the way to go. I personalized one of my hats by adding a giant pom pom. You can do it too, just follow the steps above. It’s a fun twist on a Carhartt classic.

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Carhartt in Dedham

I’m in Boston to do some stories on a few inspiring women in the area. I can’t wait to share them with you in the following weeks. It’s been a great trip so far— my first time in this neck of the woods. I got to spend the day in Dedham, right outside of Boston yesterday. The Carhartt store in Legacy Place is incredibly interesting. Most of the materials that make up the space are reclaimed lumber. Boats and boat frames are suspended from the ceiling, and beautiful boat drawings and plans cover the walls. There’s even a pool table in the middle of the store for the shoppers who want to chill for a bit. Stay tuned for the upcoming posts about Boston women!

Carhartt in Chicago

The Carhartt store, located in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, is one of the coolest stores I’ve been in. Huge murals cover the walls, beautiful built in bookcases span from floor to ceiling, and all sorts of interesting antiques fill the main room. There’s a pool table in the back and a sitting area with some really comfy chairs. I spend a lot of time in there hanging out with the staff and browsing through clothes. If you’re in the area, you should stop by and check it out.