Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft show was one of the best shows I have had thus far - starting with being able to unload my van right at my booth. Making good use of their walkie talkies, the committee coordinates so that standard size vehicles drive right into the isles.

 My husband created sets of walls that are connected according to how they go up -
he much more organized than me. 

New Redeemed earring display in action complete with new mirror and blurry selfie. 

In retrospect, I should have rented a black curtain for the back instead. Live and learn. 

We stayed just two blocks from the Convention Center and I had help the entire weekend which kept potential stress at bay. As always, making friends with neighbors at the show was awesome and I learned to much from talking to other veterans to the craft show scene. I know there is going to be some jealously (because I myself have been the one who is jealous) but for the most part, there is encouragement and camaraderie.

And thank you so very much - I am humbled and grateful - to every customer ! You made my weekend! I  am buoyed by your interest in and support of my work!

Hope to see you next year Philly!

ACC Baltimore

The American Craft Council show in Baltimore was a success in every way ... except for arriving almost too late to get onto and off of the loading dock and the ensuing stress.  Yes, other than a crazy set  up - a great weekend for sure!

Necklaces on one of my tables. 

The response from customers was overwhelming. This show is LARGE (550 craftspeople this year) and with that much great work to see  I am humbled and appreciative for each person who took the time to visit my booth. You were a great encouragement! And what fun to meet so many people I've only ever known online - I wish we had had more time to talk.

Looking out from my booth and a view of the ACC Welcome booth - I was right at the front door.

Living fairly close to Baltimore meant that I had rotating help all weekend from my husband (who put in a great deal of time and effort) my niece, my son's best friend and my oldest friend in the world.  (Not that she's that old, its just that I've just known her since I was three.) She snapped these shots of my booth later on Sunday when things slowed down a bit.

My booth "glowing" on the right  (maybe I need LESS lights?) and
Beverly Tadeau and I talking at her booth on the left. 

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.

Crafting a booth set up...the dress rehearsal

We spent yesterday packing, setting up, taking photos and critiquing my booth set up. The unload and set-up (including two trips back and forth to home for forgotten bits)  took about 2 1/2 hrs.,  I shot 15 photos in 3 mins. Then... we took the whole thing down and packed it back into the car in all of 15 mins.

I'm pretty sure the janitor at the church who graciously allowed us to use their big, open foyer, with amazing skylights, for this non-event thought we were a little nuts but he didn't let on.

Ignore that wrinkly curtain, we put that up to give us a better
concept of what all this will look like within the pipe and drape. 

I'm happy with about 50% of this but the "run through" was invaluable and now I know what I need to change and do differently WELL in advance of the Craft & Design Show in November.

Clover Market

Not much time to talk today. Down to the home stretch prepping for Clover Market in Bryn Mawr, PA tomorrow, Sunday, April 22. If you can make it, find me in booth #4, just off Morris Ave. Looks like we'll have some proper spring weather too! 

Clover Market

Right now I am half day filling orders and half day prepping for my first craft market - April 22 Clover Market in Bryn Mawr, PA just outside Philadelphia.

Practicing booth set up.

Carved necklace in Verdigris 

I'll have all new pieces for sale and plenty of one of a kind because, well... that's my favorite stuff to make. If you are going to be there definitely stop and say 'hi'.

Statement Hoops

April Show

Although its kind of hard to believe with the 16 inches of snow that fell here this week but my first spring craft show is coming up in just about a month.

I'll be at Clover Market in Bryn Mawr, PA on April 22 from 10am-4pm. My husband and I attended for the first time last year and its a really well run show, very organized with a great variety of vendors - craftsman, artists, vintage and food.

And as I prepare for that show, another is ending. Its hard to believe but this is the last weekend for my gallery show at The Bellefonte Art Museum. If you're in central PA you can still see my work until Sunday afternoon.