I hope some of you will be able to join us in New York City the end of November for Crafts at the Cathedral - Nov 29 - Dec 2. It is being held in the Cathedral of St. John the Devine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave, at 112th Street. Like last year, the booths are in the center of the Cathedral Sanctuary itself, making for a beautiful holiday setting. Refreshments and light food are available for purchase. It was so fun to see my customers from around the mid-Atlantic region show up for that event last year. It is a tradition for many folks around the east coast to make a trip to NYC at the holidays. So come to the event at the Cathedral and then go to the holiday village at Bryant Park, Union Square Holiday Market & Grand Central Holiday Fair. 

We had such a fun weekend at the New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival. The weather was picture perfect, and everyone was in a great mood because of it after the long, hot, wet, nasty summer we've had. We received some totally unexpected recognition for our work, for which we are so appreciative. Now its back to work to get ready for Occasion for the Arts in Williamsburg, Virginia next weekend. 

Show this at the gate for $2.00 off admission. One of my favorite shows on the shady grounds of the "old Chautauqua" in PA. Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 9-5. Find us in space #11. 

Dodge the heat and thunderstorms at this weekend's Fine Craft Fair at the Chase Center on the Wilmington, DE riverfront. No sales tax in Delaware. Print  this pass for $3 off to the regular $8 admission. Free self-parking and some fun restaurants right there. Hope to see you this weekend! 

Wow, I didn't realize its been about 3 months since my last entry. Bad me. We carved out some time this summer away from shows to do some exterior work on our house, but then a death in the family and a resulting few cross-country trips curbed some of the time to get that all done. So we will continue with more of that next year. Tending to family was more important.
I'm looking forward to our next show at the Riverfront Chase Center in Wilmington, DE July 28-29. The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Fine Craft Show. I love being in all the guild's shows, but in the heat of July, being inside the air-conditioned convention center is especially sweet. 

We have been having a lot of fun with hollow blown glass beads made on the tippy tip end of hollow stainless steel mandrels. The round pancake shaped ones are great alone on a neck wire and the long ones are part of assemblages with other shapes. It's a contemporary style of lampwork popular in Europe. If you like statement jewelry try some of these on this summer. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Art Festivals start this weekend! Our spring line-up is as follows: 

Art on the Square, Williamsburg, VA Sunday, April 29 10-5. We are in booth 45 on the corner of Duke of Gloucester & North Boundary Streets (across from William Sonoma).

A-Arts Rockville, downtown Rockville, MD May 5-6. Sat. 11-6, Sun 11-5. Booth 383 on Maryland Avenue south of E. Middle Lane. 

PAG Rittenhouse Fine Craft Fair, May 11-13. Philadelphia. PA Fri-Sat 11-7. Sunday 11-5. The show rings lovely, leafy Rittenhouse Square Park. Space 48 on West Rittenhouse Square Street.

Decatur Arts Festival, Decatur GA, Downtown Decatur. May 26-27 Memorial Day Weekend. Space & further details TBA.

I admit it. I'm a cat lady.... After our last senior cat passed away last fall it's just been too empty around the house, especially working from home. I've always raised my cats from kittens, and have been patiently waiting for kitten season to start. At last, a rescue group I've been working with texted me that some kittens were available. So many older cats need good homes too, but I just can't resist the babies. So meet Bella & Beau. Absolutely adorable litter mates. I have to discipline myself not to play with them all day and get my work done! Show season starts in two weeks! I'm excited for that too. 

While in Cincinnati for Astrid Riedel's classes at Brazee Studios, she mentioned in passing having visited Thompson Enamels across the river in Kentucky. Astrid raved about a little enamel museum next-door to Thompson and enjoyed a tour of the enamel plant. Intrigued, we stopped on our way out of town to Thompson, to buy some enamel and got a little tour. Very interesting to see what they do, how they do it, and appreciated the institutional knowledge among a relatively small staff. Then we went next door to the W.W. Carpenter Enamel Foundation, which houses an amazing and unique collection of enamel art and more. We were so taken with this facility we had never heard of. The work on display is collected from all over the world and included fine art as well as craft. Really amazing. My photos below aren't great, but I hope they illustrate the variety and entice you to visit sometime.  

In addition to the enamel collection, the W.W. Carpenter Foundation includes a store for Thompson enamels and enameling supplies, classrooms and workspace for workshops and a metals working studio. Tom Ellis, resident instuctor, with a 30-year career as enameling expert and educator, juggles many hats to keep the facility going. The foundation is named after its founder, the late Woodrow Carpenter, who dedicated his life to the art and science of vitreous enamel. Carpenter invented lead-free enamel and other glass products. 

Tom told us he, Carpenter's daughter, and other supporters are working to raise the profile of the facility through social media, more classes, and other marketing efforts. Popular metalsmith Richard Salley is going to be teaching soon, and some well-known enamel artists are lined up too. The roomy space, great equipment and inspiration from the museum make this an underused resource. Help these great folks and spread the word! For more information www.wwcef.com.
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