The Family That Fixes Cars Together

There has been a lot of talk lately concerning the typical gender codes for children’s toys. Boys usually play with water guns and model cars. Girls commonly play with dolls and tea sets. When kids deviate from the gender driven stereotypes, it can cause a bit of a stir. It’s about time we learn to let kids do what they love. Don’t stifle passions and interests. They can lead to great things.
For Diane Fallstone, that mentality rings true. She grew up tagging along with her brother: building forts, climbing trees, and playing with Hot Wheels. As time passed, her interests continued along the automotive path. She became the owner of her own mobile restoration company in the San Francisco area. Diane learned that in the automotive world, women have to work harder to prove they have what it takes. In the long run, that extra effort makes you more adept and skilled at your craft.
Now Diane and her family live in Portland. Her whole family is in love with the business and lends a hand. Her daughters Madi and Brooklyn are following in their mother’s footsteps. Working together draws them closer as a family and allows knowledge to pass down from one generation to the next. It’s encouraging to see the nurturing side of the mother-daughter relationship break down stereotypes.
Let those power tools roar!

Check out these featured looks:
Diane’s outfit: Carhartt Women’s El Paso Utility Vest, Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt, Kenmare Henley, & Women’s Series 1889 Slim Double-Front Denim Dungaree. Madi’s Outfit: Carhartt Women’s Tucker Jean Jacket, Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt, Calumet V-Neck Shirt, & Relaxed-Fit Weathered Duck Straughn Pant. Brooklyn’s Outfit: Carhartt Women’s Force Equator Jacket, Minto Shirt, Denim Bib Overall, & Osmore Conductor Hat.

Faina of Popps Packing in Detroit

If you know of vacant meatpacking plant in your neighborhood, you might consider converting it into a home and workspace. At least it worked out really well for the Detroit-based artists Faina Lerman and Graem Whyte. In 2007, the painter and performance artist, and her husband (a sculptor and architectural dabbler) seized the opportunity to buy the former Popps plant (later known as a cookie factory) built in the 1930s and rebirthed it into a bustling art center in the city’s Hamtramck neighborhood. Hamtramck is a culturally diverse city within a city. It was originally settled by German farmers, followed by a flood of Polish immigrants in the early part of the 20th century. Over the past thirty years a large number of immigrants (Yemenis, Bengali, Macedonian, Turkish, and Russian) to name just a few have taken up residence in Hamtramck along with a growing tide of young creative entrepreneurs. Since 2009, Graem and Faina have hosted seasonal indoor/outdoor installations, exhibitions and performances in the building where they also live in with their two young children. Popps Packing is not only a home and studio, it’s also an experimental arts venue aimed at promoting dialog and cultural exchange between the local, national and international communities through exhibitions, performances, workshops and artist residencies. In 2011, the duo purchased a house (Poppa Joe’s Guest House) and a house/storefront (Popps Emporium) across the street, further activating neglected spaces on the border of Detroit and Hamtramck, while providing additional housing and exhibition space for visiting artists. In 2012, they started a residency program that includes studio practice, research, architectural interventions and alternative systems projects. Popps Packing has been a self funded enterprise since it’s inception, relying on the resourceful handiness of Faina and Graem, lots of time/labor/material donations from their friends, odd jobs from clients, and small scale fundraising to keep things moving.

See what Faina’s wearing here: Carhartt Women’s Coleharbor Hoodie, Clarksburg Zip-Front Sweatshirt, Original-Fit Jasper Jeans, Sandstone Kenai Parka, C-Grip Knuckler Gloves, and Carhartt Women’s Rapid City Utility Work Apron

Carhartt Force Technology

 

Remember Detroit artist, Kate Silvio? Along her path to becoming a craftsperson, she’s picked up many useful trades and skills. Metal fabrication being one of them. Working in the metal shop can be extremely physical labor. After all the welding, cutting, bending, and hammering it’s easy to work up quite a sweat. That’s why Carhartt Force is perfect for a rigorous day on the job. It’s made with FastDry® technology for quick wicking, Stain Breaker™ technology that releases stains, and the fabric fights odors to boot.

Take a look at some of Kate’s work here. 
Check out what she’s wearing: Carhartt Women’s Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, Original-Fit Canvas Crawford Dungaree, Billing Safety Glasses, and Women’s Soft Hands Gloves.

The Perfect Rainwear

If you’re headed to Seattle, don’t forget your rain gear. With an average of only 71 sunny days a year, you have to be prepared at all times. The Carhartt Women’s Cascade Jacket is perfect for the region’s weather. Storm Defender™ waterproof breathable coating, a detachable hood, and fully taped waterproof seams protect you from the elements. Trust me, that’s the only outerwear I took with me on my trip to Seattle last week– and I stayed nice and dry.  Grab one for yourself so you can keep your mind on your job and the view instead of the weather.