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Martha Stewart at a book signing in Manhattan. Photo: Laura Fenton
Alas, it was not to be. When I arrived at Michaels, two extremely friendly employees of the new craft store, Rocio Guzman and Marlene Caro, were calling out to passersby, "Martha's downstairs!" (I loved it, "Martha," not "Martha Stewart"; she is known by one name - just like Madonna!) As I reached the bottom of the escalator at Michaels, I was dismayed to discover that the line to get Martha to sign a book stretched for aisle after aisle. Luckily, as a journalist, I was shuffled in to the photographers' corral, where I had a good view of Martha.
Rocio Guzman and Marlene Caro, two employees at the new Manhattan Michaels. Photo: Laura Fenton
Martha arrived and posed for a few gallery in front of the photographers. A voice called out from the crowd, "Martha Stewart, I love your boots," to which Martha gave a genuine smile and said, "Aren't they great?" See photo below of Martha smiling about her boots, which were in fact, awesome.
Martha jokes with the crowd! Photo: Laura Fenton
Next, mothers with children were ushered in to have Martha sign their books. Martha was gracious, friendly - and even funny. I got a real kick out of watching the Queen of Crafts accept compliments from a small child about a skeleton sock puppet. However, my eye was on the two men at the front of the line to get books signed. I would have thought that Martha's biggest fans were middle-aged women, but no, they were cute, hip, young New York men!
Martha's biggest fans: Steven Kalinowski and Olivier Gaag. Photo: Laura Fenton
I caught up with the two fellows who had waited all afternoon to have Martha sign their books. Steven Kalinowski, a visual manager for the Gap, and Olivier Gaag, an actor, had both arrived at 2pm to get the first spots in line (the signing started at 5). I wrongly assumed the two were old friends, having seen Olivier take gallery of Steven while Martha signed his book. In fact, the two had never met before, but swore they would be friends forever after waiting for 3+ hours together at the head of the line. Don't they look cute with their Martha books?
Meanwhile, over near the scrap booking section, Martha Stewart's craft department had set up a table with glitter crafts, including this amazing glitter portrait of Martha! I shamelessly elbowed some elementary school kids out of the way to get closer to snap this shot.
A glitter painting of Martha! Photo: Laura Fenton
A quick survey of the store revealed a very well stocked Michaels. I have made countless trips to both of the Michaels in Queens over the years, and this new shop on Columbus seems like it will be my favorite. Dear Michaels, please keep your Manhattan store full of Martha Stewart Crafts supplies!
Wish you'd been there to get Martha to sign her two latest books, Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home and Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts? You're in luck: Next week we'll be giving away two signed books to one lucky ShelterPop reader. Stay tuned for details.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
hi! love your picture of martha! i was wondering if you do this for others? i would like to have someone to do some holiday cards for me.please contact me if interested.thanks!
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