Cool Combo: Prairie Hive and Owl & Drum

Owl & Drum is proud to be a new advertiser in a popular, cutting-edge Oklahoma online style magazine and blog.

Prairie Hive – which recently published its latest edition and describes itself as “collecting style for the sweet life” – seeks to share its news and views on fashion, fun and the finer things in local life.

The pioneering quarterly publication, which is a collaboration of photographers, writers, craft-makers, interior and graphic designers and creative people based in Tulsa, provides readers with insight into the homes and lifestyles of a host of iconoclasts – from entrepreneurs to artists, designers to globetrotters.

Prairie Hive’s stated aim is to share with readers a wide variety of stories about interesting people, places and products in Tulsa and surrounding areas.

“We show readers how they live, work and play, then take inspiration from what we see and demonstrate how to incorporate a bit of that style into home, entertaining, crafting endeavors and elsewhere,” the collaborators write on their website, prairiehive.com.

“We hope you find some inspiration along the way . . . Each of us has a unique perspective on design, lifestyle, travel and entertaining – and we want to collectively give you something to buzz about!”

And there’s plenty to buzz about in T-Town at the moment.

Prairie Hive’s internet issue No. 7 for Fall 2012 is cover titled “Pop Mod Partnership.”

The colorful, well-designed edition – which debuted in cyberspace on Monday, Sept. 10 – features newly-married couple Nick Rhoades and Jinger Howell, their love of distinctive designs and their stylish, eclectic midtown Tulsa home.

Dozens of photos showcase their love of modern style, classic design, sense of fun and mixing and matching furniture and décor in an open-plan living space. Quality pieces of furniture are nicely juxtaposed with pop art, family heirlooms and fabulous flea market finds.

The happy couple – Jinger is an interior designer; Nick is an intern architect  – call their unique, spacious home in the Wedgwood neighborhood “The Futurama.” Hence, the title of the story about the funky duo and their cool abode:  “A Bright Futur(ama)”  

The innovative magazine features a Q&A with the couple as they describe all the planning and work that went into revamping the rundown former rental property to turn it into their one-of-a-kind dream home.

Other stories in the bumper 56-page latest edition of Prairie Hive are called “Get the Look,” “Stargazing Supper” for a romantic picnic in the park, “Celebrate the Style,” “Fashion Favorites” and “PH Travels,” which details and photographs a road trip to Wichita, Kansas.

Members of Prairie Hive’s six-member editorial team enthusiastically inform readers of the must-have clothes, housewares, jewelry, furniture, interior items, gifts, gadgets  and products they are currently “buzzing” about. There are helpful DIY projects, party planning tips and entertainment advice, too.

And, for food lovers, there are quick and easy recipes for tasty pepper jelly pork tenderloin sandwiches,  appealing apple hand pies and sweet potato chips, a guilty pleasure to be sure. All beautifully photographed and with a clever page layout, of course.

Click here to see their latest issue.

Prairie Hive launched in June/July 2011 with its debut issue cover titled “Atomic Age Archaeology.”

Previous articles and photos can be found on do-it-yourself drip art, Tulsa’s Fashion Night Out, Tulsa Restaurant Week, Goods & Goodies, Labor Day punch, Pinterest Beauty Party, special s’mores, Tulsa’s new downtown park called Guthrie Green, and a Pantone Round-up.

Prairie Hive's issue No. 8 comes out in December and will celebrate winter, the season of sweaters,  short days, hot drinks, log fires, classic dishes and (maybe, just maybe) snowfall.

For more information about Tulsa’s online style guide, visit prairiehive.com.

For more details about Owl & Drum – which carries more than 100 fabrics made by seven designers, crafts supplies and tools – plus numerous unique gifts, jewelry and baby clothing, visit www.owlanddrum.com.

The 2810 E. 15th St. store also sells many other items made by Tulsans, Oklahomans and artisans from Portland, Oregon, plus a variety of craft, sewing and knitting books.

Owl & Drum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and from 12-4 p.m. Sundays. The store is closed on Mondays, but it's open every day online.

For more information, call Bianca at 918-742-1404, send an email to owlanddrum@gmail.com, or follow us on Facebook, Blogger.com, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Q&A with Jackie from Amity Treasures

    Jackie Porter has been making jewelry under the name Amity Treasures since 2005. She attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, where she majored in art history. 

    Porter recently started teaching art at an Oklahoma City metro area public school. "I'm super stoked" to be teaching, she said. "I really love how every aspect of history can can relate with art, artists or artistic movements. My favorite period is prehistoric art. I love the uncertainty, the unknown, and the hypotheses formed around art of that time. 

    "I like fossils and dinosaurs, too. When I have free time, I really like to spend time with my wonderful boyfriend, ride bikes, discover new eateries, go on road trips, and play with my lomography cameras."  

When were you first inspired to create/develop Amity Treasures?

In early high school, I began making jewelry with seed beads and stretchy string. It was a hobby that i just picked up. I had a lot of fun. One day I realized I could incorporate old or vintage pieces into these pieces to make them super cool. Ever since then, I have been selling in stores in the USA and Australia. I've participated in shows in Oklahoma and California, and have had pieces worn by celebrities - thanks to social networks.
Oh, and the name Amity Treasures has a hidden meaning: "Amity" means friendship, according to the dictionary, and it is also the name of the town in the movie "Jaws". I chose "Treasures" because, well, I use only the finest baubles and treasures in my pieces.

What are your favorite materials to work with?

Anything old! Anything owned by grandmothers and, especially, anything super kitschy and quirky - the crazier the better. Sometimes my customers aren't always on the same page as me, so I often have to tame it down. But it's all so much fun to make.

What is your favorite craft besides jewelry-making?
I really don't think I have a favorite other craft, which I'm kind of ashamed to say. Jewelry may be my only niche, but I enjoy supporting local crafters by shopping at their booths at local events and in local boutiques.

Recommend one craft tool that you cannot live without

Pliers - any type/kind. I've used anything from fishing pliers to heavy-duty wire pliers, and they all get the job done. I actually didn't own my first pair of "jewelry" pliers until last Christmas.

What do you like best about living in Oklahoma?

Route 66! It is so close to where I live, and there are so many spectacular sights to see on the "Mother Road." I may just be a sucker for cobblestone, peeling paint, and over-proportioned whales, but the nostalgia and the history are so intriguing to me.

Come and see Amity Treasures' jewelry and other artisans at Owl & Drum, now open in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 2810 E. 15th St. For more details, visit www.owlanddrum.com or call 918-742-1404.