FREE SHIPPING

Avoid the crowds and shop small! Enjoy Free Domestic Shipping in both my Etsy and main web shop November 23 through 26.

Richmond show

Other than the stress of our trip south starting out in heavy snow, the weekend at Craft+Design in Richmond was fantastic! The Visual Arts Center took good care of us in every way from the opening night cocktail party, to Saturday night artists dinner to offers of help during tear down. If you've heard good things about Richmond...believe them. I'm looking forward to going back for a long weekend when we can explore more of this beautiful, historic, artsy city.

I got a little weepy seeing one of those signs with my name for the first time. 

This makes it look like my husband did all the work. That would be because he did. The tricky bits anyway. 

We really enjoyed getting to know our "neighbor" vendors at the show too, one of whom, Jenny Jen 42, as it turns out, was my Dad's student teacher in 1986! What a small world! I'll be doing Holiday Heap with her in just 3 weeks. The others I'll see again in a few short months at ACC  Baltimore. So happy for that.  

And now for a bit of down time. Wishing all those in the US a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Craft and Design 2018

The big week has arrived! In just a few days I leave for Richmond, VA and the Visual Arts Center's Craft + Design show. It is all systems go around here and I'm very thankful for the help and encouragement of my friends and family.

I have so much new work to show and it will be great to get feedback in real time. Many pieces are variations on a theme or one of a kind because that's my favorite way to work.

You can buy tickets online including for the Patron's Preview party 6pm - 9pm Friday night which I believe includes drinks and hors d'oeuvres and the and Rise + Shine breakfast Saturday 9:30am - 11:30am which includes, as you'd imagine, a lovely catered breakfast. General admission runs 11am-6pm Saturday and Sunday.

Hope to see you there!

Upcoming shows

I've had my nose to the grindstone preparing for two fast approaching holiday craft shows.

First up is Craft + Design in downtown Richmond Nov. 16-19. This museum quality fine craft show is sponsored by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and takes place on the second floor of the newly refurbished train station. There are demonstrations throughout the three day event and delicious food and drinks on site. You'll find me in booth #305. Tickets are now on sale.

Next up is Holiday Heap on December 15 in the city of my birth, Charm City a.k.a. Baltimore, MD. This is a bustling show in another great setting -  St. John's church on St. Paul Street.  With 51 vendors, light refreshments inside and food trucks outside this is a fun place to Christmas shop.

For those of you not in the Mid-Atlantic area, my online shops will stay open throughout the holidays.

The cat

So thankful that this little lady recently came into our lives.

She showed up, terribly under weight, covered in fleas and with tapeworms at my daughter and son-in-law's backdoor a little over a month ago. She was begging for attention as much as food. They cared for her and had her to the vet and a week later brought her here for a "test drive" because...allergies.

We've followed a non-allergen protocol (brushing, cleaning, grain free diet) and - surprise - one month later and no one is reacting. Millie is here to stay!

Spindleworks

I was so thrilled to visit Spindleworks Studio for a second time while we were in Brunswick, Maine in July - it was the first visit for my husband.

Spindleworks shop

If you're not familiar, Spindleworks is a progressive arts studio, that is, a "fine art studio environment where adults with developmental disabilities can pursue and maintain lives/careers as artists" according to the website Disparate Minds.

Weaving and fiber arts room

We got there early enough in the day to get an artist guided, very thorough, tour and a chance to visit the ceramic studio which is only open during the warmer months. I even got to meet Caroline who's work I collect.
                                                 

A few days later we headed inland to Gardiner, ME to stop in at Spindlework's sibling studio, Spin Off. This studio space is smaller and not as well supplied yet but its a beginning and the artist working there were prolific and confident in their work which was wonderful to see.

Stacks of artist trading cards.

If progressive art interests you please be sure to check out the website Disparate Minds. In addition to topic related articles and gallery opening announcements they have a listing of progressive studios organized by state so maybe you can find a studio near you to visit. If you do, please be sure to let me know - I'd love to hear about it! 

New recycled earrings

I'm heavy into a new batch of recycled earrings right now. How I love this creative challenge, laying out pieces of cured, leftover clay and looking for earring designs "hidden" there within the scrap. I cut larger pieces down, pair up shapes and then set about altering surface with carving or color.

Many of the finished pairs will be headed to my November show, Craft + Design in Richmond, but I will post a selection in my online shop Oct. 6 as well...and I'm offering free shipping for folks on my email list ($7 off international shipping) that weekend too so sign up here if you're interested.