Craft Show - May 30

We'll be at the Festival of the Arts this Saturday, May 30, 2009.

If you happen to be in the Ajax area, please drop by, introduce yourself and say Hi. And while you're there, pick up a little something for your mom, your sister, your friend and, of course, yourself! We'll be selling home decor items plus totes, bookmarks and toothfairy pillows.

Hope to see you there!

The Outer Fringe

Robi was telling me about some beaded fringe that she had bought for her lampshades. She was intending to trim the shades and add a little bling to the room.

Then she changed her mind.

She said she'd bring in the beads.
Maybe I could make some jewellery with it.
Sure.
Why not.
I never say no to craft supplies!

But this is what she brought in:


Three strings of pretty, beaded fringe.

Are you kidding, Robi?
All this for me?
I'm very excited!!
Thank God Robi changed her mind.

Forget taking them apart, though.
I'm leaving them intact and going shopping for some coordinating fabric.
These puppies are just screaming "table runner".
Oh baybee!!
Fabricland, here I come!

And thanks, again, Robi!

First Juried Show

I've just been accepted for my first juried craft show! The Ajax Festival of the Arts will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009.

For those of you who don't know, a juried craft show is one in which a panel of judges determines whether your craft is acceptable for selling and/or displaying at their craft show. You can't just show up and sell your wares. You must first submit an application with a description and photographs of your products. The judges will review your application and, depending on their criteria, accept or reject your submission.

This particular show is not very large, but it still looks good on my portfolio that I have participated in a juried craft show.

I'm hoping this is just the beginning. There are some fabulous juried shows. In particular, the One of a Kind show. I can always dream big, right?

Craft Show - Hungarian Culture Club

I was at a craft show on Saturday. Not a big one, but it was well-attended. It was a fundraiser for the Hungarian Culture Club in Oshawa. They're raising money for a new roof. It was successful enough that I'll participate in future craft shows with them.

I thought I'd share pictures of some of the participants and, with their permission, have given contact information in case you see something that strikes your fancy.

Dellzines

Shandell Conboy is the owner of Dellzines. She makes one-of-a-kind jewellery. Her favourites are bracelets and you can see it in her work. I have several of her bracelets, which says something since I can make them myself.



Erika Takacs

Erika was displaying the most incredible artwork. She was wearing a goblin pendant that was absolutely wonderful. I asked if she sold them and she said she was wearing the only one she made. Shandell and I think we've convinced her to make them for sale. I hope so, because I really want one. Visit her site here.



Marg's Knitting - Sewing - Quilting

Marg is a one-woman show. She quilts. She knits. She sews. She does it all. And there's no doubt there's a lot of love that goes into each piece. You can see that, even at the show, she was passing the time knitting. Her quilts are to die for and sooo cute! She can be reached at 905.725.9105.



Home Creations

John and Orlene Fost are the owners of Home Creations. I met Orlene at the show, who gave me some great tips, being a veteran craft show exhibitor. She had cute stained glass window decorations. I bought a yellow bird for my mom and a pink angel for my aunt. She also had glass blocks that you feed small Christmas tree lights into (see them on the left?). The bows are interchangeable so you can mix and match for your decor and for the season. Very clever! You can reach Orlene at 705.429.9479.



Urban Contessa

And last, but not least, my table. It was the first time I'd displayed on a round table, so that was a bit of challenge. I think my pieces were well-received and everyone oohed and awwed over the colours and fabrics.




All the crafters at this show were wonderfully creative and I hope to see them at the next show. I have applied to exhibit at a show in May. I'll let you know if I'm accepted. It will be my first juried show, so I'm a little anxious.

Cross your fingers!

Three's a Charm

She likes it! Hey Mikey!!
Phew! Cuz if she said she didn't, I had nothing.
She sent a thank you gift too:

Isn't that sweet?
My skin already feels awesome!

DNA Bracelet - Take 2

*sigh*
She didn't like.
Well, I suppose that's not entirely fair.
She wasn't thrilled with it.

So I took it apart, yet again, and reworked it.

This is the end result:




And, I have to admit, this will have to be the last time I rework it. I simply don't know what else to do. If she's not happy with it, I'm at a loss.

I've tried finding this bracelet on line. Similar pieces retail for $80 - $150. Stupidly, I quoted her WAAAAY less than that to string it all together (she did provide the beads).

Don't get me wrong. My frustration lies with myself. On several levels. But it all boils down to the fact that I shouldn't have said I could do it. I have this "how hard can it be?" mentality and I really need to stop thinking that way. I want to please everyone and the fact is, I simply cannot.

Hopefully she'll like it. If she doesn't ... I dunno ...

DNA Bracelet

You'll recall I made some necklaces for the Bride. Well, the Bride's sister (also the maid of honour) contacted me and wanted a bracelet. Had found a picture in a magazine and asked if I could recreate it.

I'm always asking "How Hard Can It Be?" So I said sure, why not.

Apparently, it's pretty damn hard!

After several tries, disassembles and re-tries, I think I've managed to create something that she'll like. She picked the colours ... I think they're fabulous!