Detroit Palmer Park Art Fair: A Joyful Experience and New Beginnings

What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been! The Detroit Palmer Park Art Fair was my first time participating in that amazing event, and I can truly say—it was a great time for me. From setting up my tent (after a few hiccups!) to connecting with so many wonderful people who appreciated my work, I left the fair feeling both grateful and inspired. Now that it’s over, I have a much better understanding of what to do if I’m blessed enough to be chosen again next year. Experience is such a powerful teacher.

And can you believe it’s already July? Time flies! With the art fair behind me, I’m moving right into preparations for another exciting market event happening this month. Every opportunity feels like a step forward in this creative journey.

On top of that, I’m thrilled to share that Angelique Collections will soon be featured in an art gallery! (More details coming soon—so stay tuned!) I’m also working hard on creating fresh, new products for my website, and I’m happy to say that my pattern line is back over at www.AngieBStyle.com. Get ready for some fun, upcoming DIY videos—I’m so excited to create and share with you again.

I do have to share something personal: just a few weeks ago, right in the middle of all this busyness, I developed a sinus infection that slowed me down a bit. I knew something wasn’t right, but I wasn’t exactly sure what it was. Now that I’m on medication, I’m feeling better, and we’re moving forward. That little health detour reminded me to listen to my body, and give myself grace.

Another lesson that’s been front and center for me is about starting with what you have. I’ve dreamed of having a beautiful She Shed / work studio for years—something custom-built onto the back of my garage. But just a month ago, God turned the light on in my head: start where you are. I don’t have to wait for the perfect moment or the perfect structure. I can start inside my garage, and as I grow, so can the space.

And you know what? That’s how so many amazing businesses got their start. I’m in good company!

Famous entrepreneurs who started in their garages or homes:

• Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak (Apple) — Launched Apple in a garage in Los Altos, California.

• Jeff Bezos (Amazon) — Started Amazon as an online bookstore from his garage.

• Mattel — Ruth and Elliot Handler made dollhouse furniture and toys in their garage before Mattel became a toy giant.

• Oprah Winfrey (Harpo Studios) — While not in a garage, Oprah famously began building her empire from a small production office and home base, believing in her vision from the ground up.

• Daymond John (FUBU) — Started sewing hats in his mother’s house in Hollis, Queens, with friends before FUBU became a global fashion brand.

• Larry Page & Sergey Brin (Google) — Founded Google in a friend’s garage in Menlo Park.

• Janice Bryant Howroyd (ACTOne Group) — Started the largest minority woman-owned employment agency with a small office and phone at home.

These stories remind me that beginnings don’t have to be grand. They just have to begin.

I don’t know about you, but I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself to figure things out “my way.” All the while, God had already provided what I needed. I just had to open my eyes to see it.

Right now, my garage is a bit of a mess—full of empty Amazon boxes, T-shirt inventory boxes, and all sorts of things I moved out of the house and plopped there for “later.” (I’m sure some of you can relate—lol!) But that’s okay. The point is, I’ve started.

I’m reminded of these beautiful scriptures as I reflect on this journey:

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” — Zechariah 4:10
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19

So, as I clear out that garage and transform it into my creative space, I’m reminded: we don’t need to have it all figured out. We just need to start. And trust that God will meet us right where we are.

I can’t wait to share more updates with you—about the upcoming market, the art gallery news, new Angelique Collections products, and my DIY videos. Thank you for following along on this journey. Let’s all remember: we already have what we need to take that next step or the first step.

XOXOX!
Angie B

Starting point with ideas, this photo came from Pinterest

AI Ideas: These last two photos were created by AI. Not my brand products, but the layout concept is nice and clean.

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