TorMan – A Unique Store

These are super cool and definitely unique.  Connie Henshaw is the artist who makes these wonderful little pins.  The bugs are crafted using beads.  Need a quick gift?  A thank you?  A just because gift?  These are perfect and the “bug” comes attached to its own gift card!

While visiting Cindy Is Crafty’s blog, I discovered this cool Pay It Forward exchange and decided to participate.  Since I left a comment on her blog,  here is my promise to pay it forward.  If you would like to participate, leave a comment and let the exchange begin!

I will send a unique gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow, or next week, but you will receive it within 90 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment and you’re on, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!

Once you leave your comment, you can consider yourself in the game as long as you  copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog; and then three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work.  Sounds like a lot of fun!

Also, check out my blogroll for The Purple Lady’s Art.  She’s got some sweet items out there for us to enjoy.

Cynthia Lawrence is the owner of Tusnelda Pottery and she is a wonderful artist.  James and I met Cynthia a couple of years ago and we are fortunate to have her show her work at TorMan.  Currently on display are some of Cynthia’s pottery bird houses and bird feeders.  Also, we have a few of her wine bottle face containers.  I have attached a few pictures of her items below.  We look forward to seeing you at TorMan soon!

One of the cool things about owning TorMan is that James and I get to meet some very wonderful and talented artists.  I have said it before and I will say it again, this city is FILLED with some very talented people. 

James is the “resident artist” at TorMan.  I am amazed at his artistic eye and vision.  He will show me an old door hinge that he has rescued from the garbage and the next thing I know, it is being used in one of his creations and is leaving the shoppe with a delighted customer.  He recently rescued a very old door at a downtown construction site.  After cleaning it up and following a few modifications, it was converted into a table that now displays a vintage china table setting in our store.  We have gotten tons of compliments on the table.  And, yes, it is for sale

 I wonder if this artistic inspiration is contagious?  Actually, I know it is.  Since opening TorMan, I have found an artistic side of myself and continue to develop it daily.  I find myself saying, “don’t throw that away!”  It is fun to see just what can be made from the materials that exist around us.  James and I are currently creating some great new items that will be revealed in the coming months - I guess you could call it a part of our Spring Collection.

Our goal is to have TorMan be an artistic voice in Shockoe Bottom.  Currently, about 50% of the items in our shoppe are local artist driven.  We welcome the opportunity to work with other local artists.  If you know of someone who may be interested in having their items at TorMan, please put them in touch with us. 

Hope you are having a great day!  See you tomorrow!  Randall

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Cindy dropped in on us today and restocked the shelves with some of her creative and crafty items.  Cindy has been working with us for over a year now and recently had her CUP COZIES featured in Richmond Magazine.  All of Cindy’s items are very popular.  Today she brought us more of her cup cozies, as well as some very cool brooches and pendants.  Cindy also has other items at TorMan like greeting cards, vintage button push pins, jewelry, market totes and gift tags.  Her creativity amazes us.  I have included some pictures here, but they do not do her items justice.  Pop in and check out her items……who knows, Cindy may be here and you will get to meet her!

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I love it on the days we make candles.  The entire work space is filled with delicious aromas.  We got wiped out of candles over the holidays (thank you to everyone who bought one), so today we needed to replenish the stock.  At TorMan, we make soy wax candles and today I made White Tea and Ginger as well as some unscented container candles.  For those who have not enjoyed soy wax candles;  soy wax is completely natural, it is clean burning and non-toxic, it is made from renewable resources, it produces significantly less soot, it is safe around children and pets, it burns longer than paraffin wax and it helps the American Farmer.  The next time you are heading out to buy a candle, consider a soy wax candle!

Ya just gotta love 1st Fridays in Richmond!  After closing the shoppe, James and I took off to the Arts District in downtown Richmond to see one of my favorite artists showing at Metro Space Gallery.  James and I were fortunate to meet Sarah a couple of years ago and had the opportunity to show her work in our space.  Her show tonight was fantastic.  It was very cool to see some of her newer works — I left feeling inspired to pick up my paintbrush again and see what I could create on a canvas that I have had sitting around for a bit.  We stopped in on a few other galleries along the way.  There is amazing talent in our great city!  So, on the 1st Friday of February, venture out for a night of art gazing….perhaps you will leave inspired as well.

Sarah’s show will run until January 25th.  If you have an opportunity to stop in at Metro Space Gallery, please do!  Their address is 119 W. Broad Street.  You can reach the gallery at 804-643-7125.  If you can’t make it to the gallery, visit Sarah’s website to see her artwork – I have placed a link to her site under blogroll.  Also, we carry Sarah’s painted cigar box purses and a selection of her greeting cards that feature images of her artwork at TorMan.  Have a super night!