The Luckiest of Them All

Who are the luckiest? WE are!! And anyone else who has been lucky enough to grow up with a fabulous Momma. We love our moms, and since it's almost Mother's Day, what a great time to show off some of our Mother's Day cards and sweet talk our mommas!

You can tell momma how sweet she is with words...

Or you can tell her with signs.

You can get her attention with bright colors...

And subtle ones too.

Maybe she speaks another language (meow? woof?)...

Or maybe she speaks Southern just fine.

Whatever she sees, hears, understands, or makes - She's amazing. She's a mother.

Or better yet - Mom.

We love you, momma! You mean so much to us!

Pass on all the love you can this Sunday, and celebrate those who nuture your world.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

(Cards by: Meghan McCrary , L2 Designs Collective, Quill and Fox, Hammerpress, and 1Canoe2 )

First Friday at Rala with Rinjuel

This First Friday at Rala, we are proud to present designer jewelry from Rinjuel. Erin Proctor Herb is a long time friend and alumni of our sister store, Reruns Boutique. We asked Erin and her husband and creative partner Matt to tell us about their work.

“We enjoy designing and fabricating contemporary architectural jewelry that draws from mid-century modern influences. Our approach for this collection primarily focuses on three design elements; contrast, color and the juxtaposition of texture. By incorporating these elements we have created an innovative collection that celebrates a pure and minimal approach to adornment.

Matt and I have a love of Architecture and Interior Design. It’s what brought us together and continues to be a driving force in our inspiration and passion to create beautiful contemporary jewelry. While East Nashville has been our home for over a decade, Knoxville holds a very special place in our hearts. We are thrilled to be Rala’s First Friday Artist for May!”
Come join us for this exciting new collection, we look forward to seeing you!

FRIDAY, MAY 3 from 5-9pm 

at
Rala
323 Union Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37902

Safety in Numbers

We have so many great new items here at Rala that the easiest way to show them all is to make composite photos of everything! There's a lot here, folks. Take your time.

 

 

Kitty things are abundant here right now. We're cat ladies. What can we say?

(Cat's Print by The Black Apple, Cat Pillow by Laura Designs, Cats Shirt by Will Bryant, and Cat Book by Nikki McClure)

 

These postcards are perfect, plain and simple.

(Postcards by The Frantic Meerkat)

 

Suzanne Cunningham of For You By Q has whipped up some new earring designs for spring, and our ears are screaming, "Thank you!"

(Earrings by For You By Q)

 

Our very own store manager, Alaina Smith, is sewin' up a storm! These purses and iPhone wallets are handmade with recycled leather.

(Leather Goods by Alaina Smith Designs)

 

Emily Martin of The Black Apple has made a book of paper doll clothing, accessories, dolls, and all sorts of things to make your 6 year-old senses go wild.

(Paper Doll Book by Emily Martin)

 

 

Come in and check out even more new items we have on our shelves. You'll be glad ya did.

 

Happy April, friends!

 

Dream Like We Dream

Artist, Julie Armbruster, who’s eerie works have been displayed throughout the East Coast and abroad makes her Rala debut for our April First Friday. We are so excited to have Julie here displaying her wildly playful and eccentric collection of prints, cards, buttons and large scale paintings. 

 

Julie has been hard at work in her studio in the River Arts District of Asheville. We're excited to claim a little piece of her work for our walls to share with Knoxville.

 

 

Come visit us on Friday, April 5th from 6pm to 9pm. Sink your teeth into a colorful and eerie Julie Armbruster sandwich. We'll be waiting with toothy smiles and warm how-ya-doin's.

 

Happy Spring! See you soon!

Awesome Can Be Measured in Picas

And although a pica is mighty small, it is definitely mighty.
(Not know exactly what a pica is? Here ya go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pica_(typography)

Let's welcome letterpress artist extraordinaire Kevin Bradley back to Knoxville for a short while with a fancy-pants First Friday show!

Did we mention that Kevin will be here on First Friday? Wanna ask about his new letterpress endeavor Church Of Type or how he always looks so dapper? Come ask him!

We hope you are as excited as we are, because it's gonna be a hootin', hollerin', whiskey-drankin' kinda First Friday!

Why Are You Lucky?

St. Patrick's Day is this weekend, and while that might mean lots of pinching and green beer for others, I'm treating it like Thanksgiving. Why am I lucky? I'll tell you why I am lucky...

 

 

 

I have great friends and a fantastic boyfriend. Who could ask for more?

(Cards by Red Cap and Ghost Academy)

 

 

I am lucky to be blessed with a loving family that is goofy and supportive.

(Mugs By Nelson Studios)

 

 

Not to mention a band family that has a blast ALL the time!

(Take On The Silence by Marina Orchestra)

 

 

And when I'm not singing my heart out on the stage, I'm lucky to have great music surrounding me.

(Posters by Kevin Bradley of Church of Type)

 

 

Anyone who knows me knows I would not be Alaina without saying I'm lucky to have my furry love, Kiki.

(Cat Pillow by Laura Designs)

 

 

 

And let's not forget my brain! I'm so very lucky to be University of Tennessee educated.  Go Vols!

(Brainstorm Journal by L2 Designs)

 

 

I know that I am a lucky girl. Living in Knoxville, working at a fun store, and be surrounded by my favorite people, sounds, and foods is enough to keep me happy.

 

Why are you lucky? I bet you have a reason or two. Share them with me, and maybe I'll tweet them out for you!

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends!

3'' x 3'' Love

Open forums are our culture's perfect gauge of how people feel. That's why a post-it forum in downtown Knoxville around Valentine's Day is the perfect gauge for how our city feels about love.

 

I have to admit, I was a little nervous leaving sharpies, post its, and a giant blank wall right outside our door, but I am pleasantly surprised at its success! People were respectful, silly, clever, loving, and excited. Check out some of our favorite post its from our downtown-famous "I Love You" wall:

 

 

 

I like chocolate milk too, man.

 

#ImaHappster = the best hashtag

 

Just so you know, the bottom left post-it says, "Summer thinks 2 day old popcorn is okay, but I still love her."

 

Nothing to say? Express your love through...origami?

 

 

We had the best time putting this together, reading responses, and watching people laugh and scream over it. Look for another post-it board VERY soon.

 

We're feeling LUCKY this St. Patrick's Day.... Are you? hint hint

 

 

The Simple Math of Love

Everyone knows that 1+1=2, and 1+0=1, but did you know that 1x0=0?

 

Let me explain. You can be with someone, you can be alone, but if you only focus on being with another person, you'll never be anything!

 

Don't multiply yourself by zero!

This Valentine's Day, make sure the focus is on being an awesome YOU. Not just being with someone.

 

That in mind, check out these great gifts for a special someone OR a special you:

 

 

This triple quartz necklace by local jewelry designer Megan Craig of New Eve would look dainty and polished with anything. Spice up your scent with Tokyo Milk's Bulletproof parfum. It smells fancy on a man or woman!

 

 

Journals and iphone wallets are always useful, thoughtful, and are even better when they are handmade locally! Amanda McCall of Salt and Spirit and Alaina of Alaina Smith Designs coulda told ya that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have a card for everyone. Whether you love, like, or hate someone - get your USPS on and let them know!

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite things we did for the big V this year is create an "I Love You" board. We were able to watch Knoxville folk express their undying love, unadulterated hatred, or complete indifference for each other.

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

We love you more than ice cream and puppies and chocolate and diamonds and putt putt golf!