Doing Arts and Craft shows

Today I read a great post on Lenox Knits blog, all about doing craft shows. She is really organized, as she is already planning for Fall shows that she will be attending! So her post got me to thinking about some of the shows that I do as well as some that I would like to do. Most of the shows that I am involved in are in the Fall, usually between November and early December which are designed to attract the Christmas shoppers. I do a couple of the local shows in the area that I live in, which is west of the city of Calgary, a city with over a million people. The shows can attract a good amount of city folk who will travel the 30 minutes west out here to the country to attend these Christmas craft shows. These shows are usually fairly well attended, unless there is some freak snowstorm, and then attendance can be way down. The only beef I have with these shows are that they are billed as Arts and Crafts shows, however there are also a number of vendors that are just selling the mass produced "made in China" stuff, everything from purses to jewelry to ornaments etc! You know we artists cannot compete with those cheap prices, and quite often the cheap prices win out!

The other really good Christmas art and craft shows, some of which are juried, can be incredibly expensive to rent a booth at. There are some fantastic shows in Calgary, but it can cost up to $1500.00 and more to rent a spot for 2 or 3 days. I have no idea how anyone could afford that kind of pricing...certainly not me! However, artisans do attend so they must do well. I think some shows must keep many artists and crafters from renting a booth due to the high costs, which is too bad. I think that buying local and supporting local artists is definitely important, especially these days.

On outdoor shows...I attended my first as a vendor this past weekend. Luckily the weather was great, however there can be wind issues, so the whole table display needs to be rethought. Then there is the tent factor! Oh yeah, that can add a hefty cost, renting one of those babies...but you gotta have one to protect you and your merchandise from the elements. Also on Lenox Knits' blog she mentions the disadvantages of being next to a food vendor, and the cooking odors left behind on her scarves! Mmmm...never thought of that, but certainly a good point!
Please check out Lenox Knits blog for all of her tips, and if you have any more interesting comments on your experiences from doing craft shows, I would love to hear them! Pin It

Calgary Lilac Festival

The Lilac Festival was great. The weather was hot...almost too hot, and there were swarms of people...almost too many! It was so crowded it was difficult for some people to actually get to the different booths along the roadway. I was right next to the music stage so I was able to hear all the great musicians and bands through out the day. The "people watching" was very entertaining as well! Among other things, I sold my Champagne Super Nova pearl necklace and matching earrings. In the top photo, check out the "legs", that display my anklets! I still have a good supply of finished jewelry pieces, so I plan on listing new items in my Etsy shop this week.
Here I am in my booth, I was next to a lady selling paintings!

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Hot Rocks Summertime fun!

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

On Sunday I will be selling my wares at the Lilac Festival in Calgary. The Lilac Festival is a one day street festival that runs for 19 blocks, featuring artists, vendors, musicians, dance and theater performances, comic entertainers, face painting etc. This festival has been taking place for 20 years, and between 80,000 and 100,000 people attend. I have been busy building up my stock of jewelry for this event, so along with making a plethora of earrings as well as some pretty anklets, and necklaces, I made these fun summer bracelets that will be at this weekends show.

"In the Summertime"

"Summer of '69" Pin It

Aquamarine

Sea goddesses were said to cleanse aquamarine in the ocean, at night by the light of the full moon. Aquamarine which means "water of the sea", is a transparent form of beryl, related to the gemstone emerald, and is the birthstone for the month of March.

It is a lucky stone for sailors, keeping them safe at sea and warding off sea sickness. Aquamarine is supposed to bring the wearer peace by helping one to deal with anxiety, restlessness and fear.

This gorgeous blue green stone is also the anniversary stone for the 19th year of marriage, and it is said that if you wear this stone you will have a happy marriage full of love and affection!. Pin It

Victoria Day

It is the Victoria Day long weekend here in Canada, with Monday being a statutory holiday. Victoria Day, celebrates Queen Victoria's birthday so I thought I would share with my readers some pictures taken in and around the beautiful city of Victoria, named after Queen Victoria, which is also the capitol city of the province of British Columbia.

The view from Butchart Gardens.
Floating homes in the inner harbour.
The regal Empress hotel
Beautiful Butchart Gardens
Sydney Island Marine Park

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Bummed!!

Well yesterday was the day I had been waiting for since January...the big Fleetwood Mac concert! Just as we were ready to go out and meet our friends for dinner, before we all headed down to see the concert, the news came... The Fleetwood Mac concert is postponed! Ugh...no.....what a let down! Apparently one of the band members was ill, not sure who, but just hours before the show, they had to let everyone know that it was off. Well, these things happen, everyone tends to get sick from time to time, and the show is supposed to be rescheduled. So looks like I will have to wait a bit longer to see one of my all time favourite bands. My thoughts go out to whoever is sick in the band, and I pray that they get better very soon. Pin It

Champagne Super Nova!

An ancient Arab legend says that pearls were created when dew drops filled with moonlight fell into the ocean and were swallowed by oysters! I created this original design by combining nature (freshwater pearls) with modern industrial (sterling silver cubes).The contrasts provide an interesting texture, and takes the traditional pearl necklace to something slightly more edgy! These are huge baroque freshwater pearls in shades of soft pink, cream and silver interspersed with champagne quartz cubes, sterling silver cubes, tiny aquamarine rondelles and Swarovski crystals.There are also some lovely big vintage beads in a softly textured champagne pink shade. Perfect for adding that "something old" for your wedding attire! This one is named after the Oasis song :Champagne Super Nova". This is also the birthstone for the month of June. Pearls are also recognized as a symbol of modesty, chastity and purity. A stunning bridal necklace!

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Wildflower

Featuring a gorgeous lampwork blossom by Lynn Nurge, some fabulous lemon quartz beads that I wire wrapped, as well as faux pearls, tiny Swarovski crystals and Venetian glass beads I created this whimsical summertime necklace.I named this one Wildflower, after the hit song by the Cult. However, many artists have songs by the same name such as Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow and remember the band Skylark! Oh yes, they too had a tune called Wildflower (waaaaay back when?) with these lyrics:

Let her cry, for she's a Lady
Let her dream, for she's a Child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower, growing wild.

So take your pick of Wildflower songs, depending on the lyrics, and whether you want to rock out or be mellow!

Wild flower Your'e the star of my dreams Most beautiful thing Wild flower I love you every hour Wild flower I love you every hour
The Cult

Perfect for proms, grads, and weddings....available now in my Etsy shop. Pin It

Tagged!

I was just tagged by Wendy at Sand and Sea Designs, where every time I visit her blog I salivate over the gorgeous bracelet on her front page! This is a game where you have to have 8 answers for a few questions, and then in turn tag 8 more blogs. So here goes:

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1 Summer and warm weather!
2. Going to the Fleetwood Mac concert on Tuesday.
3. Going on summer vacation to British Columbia and the west coast.
4. Watching the flowers come up and bloom in my garden.
5. Mothers Day!
6. Spending time with my friends.
7. Spending time with my husband when he retires from work...still several years away.
8. One day traveling to Italy, Greece and France, the Cook Islands and Australia.

8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Exercised for 45 minutes with my Wii Fit.
2. Made some jewelry.
3. Went grocery shopping
4. Cooked a stir fry for dinner.
5. Hugged my son.
6. Helped my son clean the hamsters cage.
7. Did laundry.
8. Watched American Idol... Love Adam!

8 Things I Wish I Could Do
1. Live to 101 with my husband, both of us being in good health and sound mind.
2. Math!
3. Go to Maui every winter for the rest of my life.
4. Have an unlimited budget for bead buying!
5. Hire a maid to do all the housework so that I can have more time to make jewelry and spend with my family.
6. Ensure that my family and friends are healthy for life.
7. Be able to travel the world with my husband.
8. Stop all the war, poverty and crime in the world.

8 Things That or Shows I have Watched
1. Cirque de Soleil
2. Watched sea lions swimming in the bay near our vacation home on Vancouver Island.
3. Saw The Rolling Stones in concert.
4. Watched whales in the ocean off the coasts of Maui and Oregon.
5. Watched 3 of my 4 children graduate high school. ( The other one is only 11 years old, still a few more years to go!)
6. Saw U2 in concert.
7. Watched a lynx stalk a prairie chicken in our back yard...very neat!
8. The changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.


Blogs that I have tagged:
BonhomieJewelry
Deronda Designs
Funky and Folky Sculpture
Gaffergirlsaregafferglassusa
Musings
Unique You
Not your average JoJo
Originals by Terri

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Animal Prints on Safari

Animal prints are found in fashion as well as home decor. They are certainly a classic, and never seem to go out of style. Adding something to your look or to your home, in an animal print, is sexy, exotic, daring.... a little bit wild! Animal prints were all the rage on the Spring and Summer catwalks, featuring spots and stripes, and by pairing them with hot bright colors such as lime green and fuchsia, you get a very trendy look. By limiting animal prints to accessories, like scarves, handbags, shoes and jewelry and by pairing these with black, grey, camel or denim, you get a very chic, glamorous look. In your home, a few cushions, a special chair or a lovely faux print rug adds timeless style with pizzaz.
One of my favourite pair of shoes are a leopard print kitten heel by Guess, that I love to wear with jeans .Oh yes, I am a bit of a shoe-a-holic!

Want to learn more about animal prints? Then please visit the Animal Print Essentials blog, where yours truly is currently featured as the guest artist!! Author, and interior designer, Maria DeGange, has some wonderful information on fashion, home interiors, art and Etsy crafters as well as food, such as cakes such as this one pictured here, done in animal prints! How cool is that?

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