Pickled Tink Studio & Boutique: We're Clever!

If you haven't read the August issue of Clever Magazine yet here is the artical that Danielle (from www.mylilmonsteres.net) wrote for us.

Tell us about the name Pickled Tink and why you chose it?

(Meg) Emily’s grandpa had a boat when she was growing up named Pickled Tink. When she told me about the boat, it just seemed to fit. Now when we think of the name Pickled Tink, it brings to mind fun, creativity, and a playfulness that we all have stashed somewhere inside of us. This is what our store represents to us, and hopefully to anyone who decides to drop in.

What was the motivation to found Pickled Tink?

(Emily) It all began with Meg’s birdhouses. She taught me how to make them, and each one seemed to represent our own individual personality. We began to express our creativity together through the birdhouses, scrapbooking, and furniture re-doing. That’s when we realized that so many women (including ourselves) suppress this desire in their lives, and replace it with jobs that pay the bills. We want to offer a place for women to go where they can get completely submerged in a project, leave the mess, and go back to their lives. Come in by yourself or with some girlfriends, use our tools and supplies, and go home with something original, and made by you.

I’m curious as to how such a talented and creative group of women find each other.

(Meg) Well, it’s actually quite a romantic story. Emily and I met when Emily was in second grade. Emily and my son, Chuck, were friends all through school, and stayed in touch through college. When Emily and Chuck came back to Reno from college they began dating, and are now engaged. This truly makes Pickled Tink a family business. Obviously fate wanted our paths to be connected!

With the store side and class side, which portion is the main one, or do both areas work harmoniously?

(Emily) They definitely work in harmony because anyone can come in and create, or they can just do a little shopping. At Pickled Tink there is something for everyone! This way, you can come in and create, shop, teach a class, or even sell your handmade items. Our boutique gives local artists an opportunity to sell their items on consignment. We hold classes everyday of the week except Sundays, and the boutique section is open Thursday through Saturday.

Speaking of local artists, what are some of the handmade items you sell in your store?

(Meg) We have so many different items from so many different personalities! My daughter, Danielle Sindlinger, makes adorable children’s clothing with monsters sewn on each one. Every monster is unique and comes with its own personalized tag with its name and a description of its personality. Sandra makes precious hair bows for little girls. They come in every color and size, and fit any personality. She also makes a wide variety of baby accessories, including wipe dispensers, and burp cloths. You can find just about anything in our shop whether you’re looking for a gift, or something for yourself.

What are all the kinds of classes that you teach at Pickled Tink?

(Emily) We have teachers in so many different types of artistry. We have over nine teachers who are instructing various types of classes. Our artists are trained in sewing, painting, making jewelry, knitting and crocheting, paper crafting, photography, and so much more. This month we are featuring classes where you can learn to decorate a children’s table set, decoupage a home décor piece, crochet a throw rug, sew a flower pin cushion, embellish a birdhouse, sew a spa wrap, sew a clutch, make a set of cards, make a piece of jewelry, furniture painting techniques, make a “summer fun” memory book, make a vintage memory book, sew a tote, make a vintage candle, and make “mommy and me” pajamas.

What kinds of events do you host at your shop?

(Meg) We will host birthday parties, girls night out parties, bunco night with the girls, baby showers, or any kind of get together you can conger up. If you want to come in and create something with a group, we can do that. We can also just provide a cute space for you to gather with friends, chat, and have a good time. Pickled Tink recently hosted a young girl’s birthday party, and each girl was able to sew her very own pair of pajama pants. We brought in pizza, played music, and had a great time!

OK, so the Clever staff is always out looking for that special find, whether it be clothing, jewelry or a potholder. But, Pickled Tink brings forth the idea of creating that find from scratch. Tell us about that and how you guys contribute on a whole other level to the fashion savvy community.

(Emily) For us at Pickled Tink, being fashion savvy has more to do with expressing your true self than it does with following a trend that someone else tells you is right. We provide a template and the tools, and you come in and add your own personal flair to any piece. We want people to view our classes as a “safe place” where you are free to create and truly be yourself.