Chandler

June 18, 2015June 29, 2022

Summer of the Waffle

I don’t remember how we got on the subject, but somehow I ended up speculating on what would be the next food trend to follow fancified cupcakes and ostentatious donuts.

“Maybe waffles. Do you think waffles could be gourmet? Like will there be food trucks selling artisan waffles?”

Yes and yes, as it turns out.

There are now waffle trucks. And, here in Phoenix, there’s a waffle trailer that serves traditional Belgian liege waffles with the recipe, technique, and even sugar imported from Belgium.

The trailer is the latest venture of Chocolade van Brugge, the chocolate shop I was introduced to during the Chocolate Tour of Scottsdale. So there are all kinds of tempting topping options, including, of course, really good chocolate.

They’ve declared this The Summer of the Waffle and threw a party to kick it off, parking the trailer in Scottsdale’s Eldorado Park on a lovely May evening. Peixoto Coffee Roasters was there with big jars of iced coffee and cascara (coffee cherry tea) and their pour-over coffee setup. Hoot and Holler had organized the event and set the tables with beautiful flower arrangements.

We tried a mini waffle topped with Nutella, strawberries, and whipped cream. Yep, that’s as awesome as it sounds. Our other mini waffle came with delicious dark chocolate, caramel, and more sea salt than I personally would’ve prefered – but I’m sure they’d lighten that up on request. I’d definitely order it again.

Peixoto did a decaf pour over for me, since it was late in the day. Ridiculously good. Did not taste like decaf. Phillip got an iced coffee, which he enjoyed (even though it kept him up). I like their iced coffee too. It’s my pre-CraftHack beverage of choice.

We got to meet and chat with the owners of both shops. Both are passionate about their craft and their ingredients. Both have come from other continents, bringing along their heritage and sharing a part of it with the Phoenix community.

Besides the waffle truck that’s a trailer, you can find Chocolade van Brugge waffles at their main location in Old Town Scottsdale, and they frequently do pop up shops in Downtown Chandler at Peixoto.

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Thank you to Peixoto, Chocolade Van Brugge, and Hoot and Holler for allowing us to be your guests at this event!

November 12, 2013May 23, 2023

Why startup teams need craft time

They stood around the edges of the room, unsure what to expect. They were developers or visionaries or businesspeople. They all wanted to be part of launching a successful startup. They would have only about 2 days to make that dream come true.

But first, I had something important to share with them: instructions for a craft project.

During Startup Weekend, participants create a business within just 54 hours (forming teams, honing a business model, pitching their idea to judges). Chandler’s Startup Weekend 2012 included a pre-event mixer that the organizers had asked me to put together. They wanted a craft project that would also serve as an ice breaker to help potential teammates get to know each other. I didn’t know of any activity like that, so I invented one.

Stephanie Liebold, BoldAvenue.com, leads Chandler Startup Weekend participants in a creative mashup pre-event mixer. — Photo by Gangplank HQ.

The participants who showed up to the optional mixer had no idea it would involve pipe cleaners, scrapbook paper, glue and scissors. But I tasked them with creating several pieces of “wearable art” (left up to their interpretation) within a time limit (of course) and then trading their creations with the other aspiring-entrepreneurs-turned-crafters in the room.

I encouraged them to be creative and make awesome stuff – both during the crafting mixer and throughout their startup-building weekend. It was interesting to see how different people approached their task: waffling or diving in, chatting or isolating themselves, overthinking their first piece or remembering the big picture, panicking about the deadline or taking it all in stride.

I was impressed with their creativity. They created pipe cleaner eyeglasses, paper necklaces, ties, tiaras, aprons, bracelets, rings.

It was an unorthodox way to break the ice, but it got people making things and talking to each other. It also revealed how they approach the creative process, time pressure, instruction, and collaboration.

Are you thinking about launching a startup?

You should definitely do a craft project with your potential team first.

You also might like to consider taking part in a Startup Weekend where you are. The next Startup Weekend Chandler is this weekend (11/15-17), and there is still time to register. Just sayin’.

Update: I totally forgot I had a discount for you guys! Use promo code BURN for 25% off when you register for Startup Weekend Chandler 2013 .

September 10, 2013

Paper craft demonstration

Remember I told you about Craft Hack? (Yeah, I know you’re nodding while surreptitiously checking the link. I’ll refresh your memory.) It’s a monthly artist and crafter gathering. We chat and work on whatever craft projects we have in progress. Plus, each time there’s a different craft demo for anyone who wants to try something new.

Well, this time, I’m the demo-er. Demo-ista? Demotante?

Anyway. I’ll be demonstrating a few paper crafting techniques, while we pimp out paper sacks into holiday-worthy gift bags.

Should be fun times! Stop on by Gangplank Chandler for tomorrow’s Craft Hack, if you’re in town. Otherwise, I’ll be posting about it here later on.

July 8, 2013May 23, 2023

Craft Hack and mini envelopes

We stayed in town for the Fourth of July, which was a good thing for us, because our friends Bryan and Joanna made us a wonderful brunch. And it’s a good thing for you, because this blog has been a little heavy on the travel and light on the craft, and it’s time to balance things out a bit more.

So the first craft-related thing I wanted to tell you about is Craft Hack. I mentioned going to Craft Hack when I had my journal fail (I do want to follow up on that, since I ended up finding a journal-making solution that I think turned out pretty well.) Basically, Craft Hack is a time for people to get together, work on and show off their art and craft projects. If you aren’t working on anything currently, every month there’s a demonstration, and you can try that out.

It will be this Wednesday (and the second Wednesday of every month) at Gangplank Chandler at 6pm. You can get more details on the Craft Hack East Valley Facebook page.

I also created a flyer, using this envelope template and modifying it a little. You can print off the flyer, get the info, and then fold it into a little envelope for your business cards or to tuck into a scrapbook for small mementos of your summer travels (a presssed blossom? coins? ticket stubs?).

We handed these out last month when Craft Hack had a booth at the Chandler Art Walk (which has moved to different indoor locations to avoid the summer heat). I wish I could have stuck around longer and explored the other booths a bit more. It looks like there was some great stuff there! I’ll have to go another time, when I’m not getting ready for a camping trip the next day.

If you want to make your own envelopes, here is the envelope template I used for the flyer. I scaled it down quite a bit from the original 3″ x 6″ size, so that we could fit 2 on a standard 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper. And also because the mini-envelopes are so stinkin’ cute!

I also came across this page with a ton of other envelope templates and tutorials. That could keep us all busy for awhile!