The Spark

Shop-a-do note #2

2008-12-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

Dear me, I'm so absent-minded these days...

A special note for the enthusiastic young lady who bought two pairs of fingerless gloves from me: I should have told you those gloves are made from wool, so don't wash them in hot water. Wash them gently (no rubbing them together!) in cold water, press the water out between two layers of towel, and let them dry flat. Hot water + agitation applied to wool = felting & shrinkage.

Shop-a-do wrap up

2008-12-20T22:02:00.000-08:00

The Shop-a-do is finished, and I'm tired, but happy. It was a good show for me; in the company of lovely people, surrounded by beautiful art and crafts, and finding my own wares appreciated by others. Thank you to modmoxie, Woolies, and Moira Geoffrion, you ladies were wonderful companions... it would be hard to summon the energy to do these shows without friends to share the time with.

A special note to nice man who bought the two green baskets, if you should happen to read this: when I said the baskets were "waterproof," I misspoke... I should have said they were non-absorbent. Knitted things are full of holes; there's no way they can be waterproof. ;)

Shop-a-do this Saturday!

2008-12-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Still have some last minute gift shop to do? Come to the Tucson Banditas Shop-a-do this Saturday! I'll be selling, as will modmoxie and Woolies... But speaking as a shopper, it's well worth coming to the Shop-a-do. I did a good bit of my own Christmas shopping at the last Shop-a-do on December 6. The variety and quality of booths was wonderful--and the things for sale are beautiful handcrafted items that you couldn't get in a department store. I picked up some wonderful pottery items by Lauren Allen and sweet little "healing" gifts from an artisan named Lisa... (I can't remember her business name). And there were lots of other things I may pick up since I have a second go at them... cute little pillow-shaped vases for tiny flower arrangements... adorable skirts and aprons with monster patches... yummy handmade soaps and body products.

The location may be a little hard to find at first, but it's just one street east of 4th Avenue, behind the Surly Wench pub. When you find it, it's like a surprising oasis of handmade delights. :)

6 bits about me

2008-04-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

Woolies tagged me and I didn't notice until just now. So here are six bits about me:

My middle name is Rae because I was named for my dad, Raymond.
I have an addictive personality: when I get a video game I really like, I'll play for hours at a time. If I get into a book, I'll stay glued to it until it's finished, even if I have to stay up all night. That's partly why I don't drink... I recognize that there's something in me that will continue behaviors even when they're not that good for me.
I'm a little bit like Mr. Micawber (in David Copperfield) - I work to better ends when I'm working for someone else. When I'm working for myself I tend to drift a little. I'm not as motivated as when I'm working for someone else.
My honey Michael and I met when we were in middle school. But we didn't get to know each other until our 10-year high school reunion.
I don't have a favorite color. Or a favorite band or favorite food. The things I like best change depending on the day and my mood.
I'm a Tucson native. Sunshine is a real necessity for me. If it's cloudy for too long, I have really low energy and low spirits.

Now I'm going to tag... Melanie (Cozy Comfort for Kids), Regina (Creative Kismet), and Laura (Coati Banter). Your turn, ladies!

free desktop cute

2008-04-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

I've added a little something to the dragon's spark site—free desktop wallpapers. Two are inspired by my favorite fabric patterns, and two are original designs. I'll probably be adding more as inspiration strikes.

Time to replace that picture of you and Rover at the park? Want to add a little indie pizazz to your computer desktop? Download one of these wallpapers! They're like gift-wrapping your computer ...in love ...from the inside out. Something like that. Anyway, they look cool and they've got my Web address on them, in case you want to pick up a gift of the non-virtual type.

april fair at Bentley's

2008-04-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

It's that time again—time for another Bentley's fair. Pretty much everything I said about the last one applies to this one, so I won't repeat myself.

One circumstance worth mentioning is that our fair is happening on the same day as the last day of the 4th Avenue Street Fair. It'll be interesting to see whether that helps us or hurts us. I'm hoping people may stop by to see us on the way to or from the big fair. We'll see.

march artisan fair at Bentley's

2008-03-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

It's time for another artisan fair at Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea!

Sunday, March 16
9 am - 1 pm
1730 E Speedway Blvd (see map)

Besides me, participating artisans include:
Rainestorm (handmade pillows & plushes, & upcycled items)
Handmade by Diana (jewelry & handmade satchels)
Vistah Soap (handmade soap, lotions, & scrubs)
Old Pueblo Earring Co. (beaded & bottlecap jewelry)
Woolies (knits, plushes, & other felted goodies)
Modmoxie (elegant handmade jewelry)

Enjoy yummy Bentley's coffee and eatables while you browse handcrafted items made right here in Tucson!

We will also be having fairs on April 5 and May 4.

civano artisans fair this weekend

2008-02-28T17:32:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Civano Spring Artisans Fair is happening this weekend! Beautiful weather, spring flowers, and great handmade items... what more could you wish for? The vital information:

Saturday, March 1st - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 2nd - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Civano Nursery
5301 S. Houghton Road, Tucson 85747

I'll be participating on Saturday. Some of my friends will also be participating, on either or both days. That means handmade goodness throughout the weekend! Here's a sample of the goodies you could see up close and personal.

by rainestorm

by dragon's spark

by modmoxie

by handmade by diana

by creative kismet

local fair this Sunday

2008-02-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be at an artisan fair this Sunday, February 10 at Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea. Also in attendance will be a number of splendid artisans in jewelry, plushes, hand-painted ceramics, clothing, handbags, and probably more things I'm not remembering at this point. Here's a partial list of who's selling:

We're also having a little giveaway... everyone who signs up for our team's newsletter will get to pick an item from our "mystery bag." You might get a charm (I'm contributing some), a notecard, a pin, or something else handmade with love from one of the above artists.

Come out and get something really special for a loved one or yourself, just in time for Valentine's Day. We'd love to see you there!

me, in print, #2

2008-01-28T15:27:00.000-08:00

I'm there, baby: Arizona Daily Star article on the Sonoran Artisans.

I'm a little embarrassed by how I was quoted in the article.... In my interview, I said some things about how I felt that buying handmade helped you to feel better about how you spent your money, because presumably the craftsperson from whom you are buying is charging enough to pay themselves a decent wage. But instead of quoting that, the writer quoted something I said that was vague and poorly constructed. (^_^;) Oh well.

pendants

2008-01-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

I've been making these lately. It's fun... I like drawing and I like jewelry... this is both.

Most of these are available on DaWanda. A couple are in my Etsy shop.

me, in print

2008-01-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

...Possibly. For those of you who read the Arizona Daily Star, I might get a mention in this Saturday's Accent section. There is going to be an article about Tucson artisans/crafters who sell on Etsy. I was interviewed by the freelance writer doing the article, and my products and I may get a mention. Here's hoping!

buttoned cowl

2008-01-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

Just made this tonight... I think it's gorgeous. ;-) I really love this yarn—it's wonderfully soft and thick and such a beautiful color.

This cowl is now for sale on Etsy.

striped gauntlets

2007-11-13T12:53:00.001-08:00

Just made these yesterday:

a couple of shows

2007-11-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

I have a couple of craft shows under my belt now, and I feel like I'm starting to get a feel for it. I did a fair in October and one on Thursday of this week. The things show pretty well, and I'm noticing which pieces get the most positive responses.

I'll be at an arts and crafts fair at St. Mark's, December 1! Please come out and see me if you can... you'll be able to see all my wearables and such in person, and maybe go home with some nice gifts for the holidays. (^_^)

A couple of things I've made, but haven't yet put up on the Web site:

heading back to class

2007-08-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

So, I'll be heading back to classes soon... That's a constraint, but also liberating in a way: I now feel freed from the obligation of “trying to make the business work”—and consequently, I'm branching out in my crafts and being more creative.

Also, I stumbled on a few great bargains, picked up a bunch of yarn and some knitting looms very inexpensively, and have been rediscovering the pleasures of yarn crafts. I made some lovely knitted baskets, and the act of making them was such a pleasure, too. It's nice to feel yarn again, even if the wool does make my eyes itch a little! ;-)