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Andrew & Sarah (The McWilsons)

@handinhandcreative

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creative placemaking & community connection
📍rooted in Elkin, NC after 5 years on wheels 🚐
🐿 our small town grocery @squirrelcrossingelkin

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a year ago

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2 years ago

THE QUILTED TRUCK
Falls City, Nebraska

We call it “The Quilted Truck.” Inspired by the many trucks of this nature roaming freely around town, it’s a representation of resourcefulness and care — it takes all the pieces and parts to keep the ride going.

And so we made our own, stitched together from photos we took of trucks we spotted around Falls City.

A nod to farming and family, it’s about the truck, yes, but, it’s also much greater than the truck. It’s a metaphor for life and community — this special community. It’s a story of home and human connection, like it exists here.

For those wondering, it’s a truck that doesn’t exist, a wild Americana unicorn if you will (part Chevy, Ford, and Dodge).

At the same time, it’s always our hope that anyone can find a piece of themselves in the story.

We keep telling people Falls City is a special place and we mean it. A post can’t quite capture it, but we hope this artwork can.

Our words echo the feeling of life we’ve experienced here:

•••

The train passes and the squirrel crosses
The path that leads me home
A robin sings a familiar song
The breath between today and night
Here, I find my way
Quilted together in the wind and light
Different and the same, all at once

•••

We’ll say more soon…

For now, here are some images of our finished mural, from close and far.

Mural created in partnership with @falls_city_chamber

#thequiltedtruck #publicart #mural #muralists #fallscitynebraska #paintbig #communityart #nebraska #nebraskaart #fineart #handinhandcreative #artoutside #bigpainting taken in Falls City, Nebraska by @handinhandcreative

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2 years ago

a collection of recent memories: some things captured complete, some things captured in progress. I guess you will just have to check out this rad store soon 🤎. so proud of these friends of mine. Oct hours Thurs-Sat (8am-8pm(ish)) Sun (11am-7pm(ish)). taken in Downtown Elkin Historic District by @handinhandcreative

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19 days ago

How it started…
versus how it’s transformed.

“Started at the bottom now we’re here.”
How can that not be playing on repeat in our heads?

But really, so much has gone into creating this space. It helps us to go back to the visuals of where things started last summer — all the way down in the dirt — to remember just how far we’ve come.

We started calling ourselves “creative place-makers” during our work as public artists @handinhandcreative. And this journey is just an extension of that. On a different kind of canvas. The biggest mural we’ve ever done (if you will).

This summer we’ve gotten to see glimpses of what’s to come... moments of having you in the space with us. So we know how good it feels! And it’s these glimpses that have kept us going. (Really).

And now, we’re here! Putting on the finishing touches so we can bring you in alongside us as we start a new season together, at @squirrelcrossingelkin

Are you ready? Cause we (just about) are!
(Hold tight).*

*The biggest thing we’ve learned this last year is how to hold it all looser. More on that another time. For now, we’re just grateful we’re here.

Oh yeah… and all good things take time.

-Your Main Street McWilsons 🐿️

#brickandmortar #community #mainstreetusa taken in Downtown Elkin Historic District by @handinhandcreative

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a month ago

Meet the MCWILSONS
(Yer Founding Squirrel Fam 🐿️)

ANDY is a rootin-tootin, problem solvin’ wood workin’ conceptualizing kind of human who is responsible for saying LET’S GOOOO! and keeping things moving forward. He can find solutions to just about everything, and isn’t afraid to commit to the process to get there. His gift is visualizing and painting it out, whether on canvas or in his mind. He gets us from point A to point B. He fixes our breaks. He mends our fences. He believes in accessibility (of art, of food, you name it). He was born to build. And good thing since that’s what he’s been leading the charge on here this past year.

If he’s not at the store you can catch him on drums with @lukemearsband & at Country Blues jam every second TH of the month at our neighbor’s house @reevestheater

SARAH is a rootin’ tootin’ detail-oriented idea (whoa!)man who likes to believe the impossible, then convinces herself she can do it. Back in the day she got a business degree with the thought she might open up a veg-friendly community space one day (and look Ma! here we are). She’s learned to do just about everything to have the life she has. Connection is what she’s made for. Girl can talk! And write ;). She’s mapped out the route to get us here on this road less traveled. She roots for us and picks us up where we’re down. She’s the thread that mends our seams when they start to come unraveled.

If she’s not at the store you can find her at @yoga_om_ teaching an All Level Flow yoga class every WED night at 6:30.

COPPER is a rootin’ tootin’ red Dobie-man turned Shop Dog. Affectionately known as Copper Bopper, or “Cop Bop” for short, this guy lives to greet you. When we adopted him we were told he was a little bit everybody’s dog. And now we know exactly what that means. He truly is a big circle guy! He loves everyone, almost as much as he loves soft things. He takes the invitation “lean on me” very seriously. He’s responsible for ushering us into this season and honestly, he is just the best.

If he’s not at the store you can catch him cruising main, or walking up the steps to get his treat fix from @melissasnaturalpettreats

#squirrelfamily taken in Downtown Elkin Historic District by @handinhandcreative

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2 months ago

See ya tonight! 7-9 (ish) at the Reeves! taken in Elkin, North Carolina by @handinhandcreative

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3 months ago

👋 Hello out there! We’ve been quietly burrowing a bit, and are beginning to surface. It sure feels good to be thawing out, doesn’t it?

This season has shown us a lot — including what a gift it’ll be next winter for us to have everything we need, right downstairs. And for you to burrow in with us.

•••

We’re now just a month out from the Spring equinox — the official start of a new season and the marker of our 10 year marriage-aversary. And we’re hoping not too far beyond that…our store opening. (We can’t wait and we’re working our way there…we promise).

As the rising temps in recent days have meant doors open downstairs while working, we’ve been watching passerbys and welcoming friendly pop-ins. And it’s giving us a taste of what’s to come — screen doors offering a sense of warmth and a cool breeze blowing in. What a feeling! (What a feeling).

As we’re rollin’ some fresh paint on our walls, we’ve also been given another reminder. It’s always been hard to put into words how our mural paintings are different. Why they take longer sometimes. Why we’ve never treated them as “ pictures on a wall.”

We’ve always been after something different. And this creative venture is no different.

We chose something with a lot of moving pieces and parts, because that is the Sarah and Andrew way — but the gift is getting to arrange these pieces in a way that only we can.

Throughout the process we continue to connect with so many people who shape the journey and become a part of the finished piece.

This whole project isn’t just a storefront for us — we’re building something we believe in. And we are reminded daily that it’s what matters most to us in this world — facilitating moments of human connection — hand in hand.

It’s an extension of every part of our story. And we can’t wait to bring you in soon to write the next chapter with us.

Until then, let us know what you’re most looking forward to with Squirrel Crossing. And if you see our doors open, please stick your head in and say hello.

- The McWilsons 🐿️
(Sarah, Andy, & Copper)

[Not AI. Arrangement of words by Sarah.]

#mainstreetusa #community #smalltown #elkinnc #placemaking taken in Elkin, North Carolina by @handinhandcreative

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8 months ago

Two years ago during Light Up Night, we first stepped inside what is now our building. And we had ourselves a glimpse of what could be. Last Friday night, we got to open our doors and invite y’all in for a teaser of what’s to come. A place to gather, a place to see each other. Yeah, maybe we wanted you to come stand on our new (to us) floors that speak of the past, while we speak of the future. “What’s this place gonna be?” Staples and snacks and grab-n-go grub. A healthy fix for the Main Street crowd and surrounding community. A place to know both the “passing throughs” and your neighbors, artfully disguised as a downtown bodega. We got some urns and put together our renditions of hot chocolate and apple cider. You sipped ‘til the urns got tipsy. Thank you for being here. For stopping by and sharing your warmth. Lending an ear to the local old-school talents of Luke ‘n Bert (+ Andy). A festive treat for all.

We felt the warm embrace of this community we love. And you gave us another glimpse…This time, of our dream becoming our reality. We’ll be continuing our work to be here for you by the Spring. In the meantime, go on and visit www.squirrelcrossing.com to support us by taking our survey or making a donation.

And be sure to follow along with @squirrelcrossingelkin if you’re not already.

-Sar & Andy (The McWilsons)

#squirrelcrossingelkin #elkinnc #mainstreet #exploreelkin #lightupelkin #smalltownusa #northcarolina #ncfoothills #discovernc #yadkinvalley #community taken in Downtown Elkin Historic District by @handinhandcreative

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10 months ago

Something you need to know about us: we care a lot about “the feeling.” The ones that inspire, connect to nostalgia, give a sense of welcome, and give off warmth. You could say we love the feeling as much as Sarah likes zinc sunscreen on my face on a sunny day. It’s these feelings that have motivated and enriched our artwork over the years. They connect us to the heart. So, it’s no surprise we aim to bring this heart into our downtown shop from the very first moment you walk in the door. And we know, we know…this is just a floor, but it was important for us to lay the foundation the Sarah and Andrew way. It supports every step we take in this space. I mean, literally. -A

Just curious here… What are some things in your life that may be seemingly simple and mundane that connect you to this heart feeling we’re talking about? We’d love to know what they are. Write yours in the comments.

#smalltownamerica #mainstreet #elkinnc #momandpopshop #diy #reclaimedwood #buildout #exploreelkin #community #rusticcharm #brickandmortar #imperfection taken in Downtown Elkin Historic District by @handinhandcreative

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a year ago

👋 Hey y’all. From our little corner of Main Street USA. And yeah there will be a mural on this corner one day. ;)

Here are some portraits of the arrival of #fallfeelings — life here in the foothills, & in our own version of Mr. Roger’s neighborhood. Oh, and with the comfort of having a couch after years without. (Copper approves).

We’ve been learning lessons left and right lately. Namely, how to keep trusting without having the answers. How to keep stepping without knowing how we will land. How to lighten up! How to be more gentle with each other when we’re unsure of things, or when we’re seeing it all at once.

What does health and being well mean?…in the context of the individual, of partnership, of community, of the collective…humanity. We’re asking ourselves these questions as we prepare to bring to life our own vision of health and well-being into a communal space.

We’re continually reminded how short this all is. How holding it all tightly is the quickest way for it to all break down and crumble. How all we really have are the moments of connection we find along the way. How most things don’t matter and the few that do, really do. How this is what we’re living for.

If there’s anything that almost 5 years on the road in Marshy has taught us, it’s how to roll with things. It also showed us how to push ourselves to (and over) our edge at times of extreme discomfort. And we’re trying not to live in that place in this new chapter (ya feel?). But to move through different kinds of discomfort with greater understanding and gratitude maybe?

Two steps forward. One step back.
Repeat.

The air is shifting and so are we — into the next phase of things. The part where we really bring it all home. The going “all in” that everything up until now has prepared us for.

••• Store update coming soon! (Like real soon, stay tuned).

🦴Alright…now go listen to our favorite upbeat good feelin’ October album — Dead Man’s Bones. (Thank you Ryan Gosling).

-s & a

#fallfeelings #elkinnc #smalltownlife #ncfoothills #yadkinvalley #reallife #dobermanlove #marriage taken in Elkin, North Carolina by @handinhandcreative

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a year ago

SIGNS OF LIFE

This was supposed to be the post showing just how much progress we made this month. The truth is, well, we didn’t… or at least not in the ways we expected to.

We expected to be much further along than we are.

We expected, we expected, we expected…

The reality is, life doesn’t always give us what we expect.

We started the month with the return of a frustrating skin infection for Andrew (not pictured, we spared you).

And we ended things with double teaming, Covid. Oooof.

Being kicked while we were down was how it felt, until we saw it differently. Like maybe, just maybe, it’s part of the shedding, the healing, the process, this sort of rebirth we’re going through.

It’s felt like parts of us still need to die off to make this next phase of life possible. Like we weren’t getting through the resistance any other way.

We always try and see the invitation.
The metaphor. The lesson.

Like working together to discard a pile of wood that’s no longer serving us to make room for the new (to us) material.

Being sick and having to really take the expectations off ourselves puts it in perspective.

That nothing really matters if we’re not alright physically and/or mentally. Ya feel us?

We did a lot to avoid getting sick these last five years….

Our other lesson lately is we can’t avoid life or the unknowns of reality.

We can move through it all a little softer. A lot more patiently. And find our way through, together.

Remembering that the best thing we have is each other. We have not appreciated that truth enough lately. (If we’re being honest).

So here’s to leaving behind the parts that we need to leave behind in August. Including all expectations we should be anywhere different than right here.

If you make it to the end of the last video, there’s a song of life for you to the tune of Ace of Base. (You’re welcome).

Oh yeah, and Copper is the absolute best. You read that part right.

And yes, Andy broke edge and had crab legs for the first time in like fifteen years.

-s

#mcwilsonvibes #reallife #lifelessons #expectationsvsreality #healing #together #smalltownlife #marriage by @handinhandcreative

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a year ago