Happy 2010

Happy New Year from the Hudson Valley Etsy Team!

Holiday Homeshow

On Friday December 18, 2009, some members of the Hudson Valley Etsy Team held a last minute holiday shopping event at the home of Letitia from MaryJane's Heirlooms. A Holiday Homeshow! It was a great way to meet and socialize with fellow teammates, check out some great work, and celebrate everyone's creativity. Please enjoy some of the shots below...

Anjali Creations

Beyond The Picket Fence

Abstract Heart

Karmabee

MaryJane's Heirlooms

Gemini River Rocks

Rock Painting Workshop

This past weekend I had the privilege of being invited to give a workshop on rock painting at the Rural Women's Conference in Binghamton, NY. This was the fourth year for the conference whose purpose is to provide an opportunity for rural women who often experience isolation due to "location, launguage, culture, or resources" to come together to network and develop strategies for change.

These workshops are usually geared towards health, social justice, domestic violence, families, and various resources. This year they decided to offer two creativity workshops as well, acknowledging that this is an area that is often neglected and yet so important to nourishing a healthy life.

Jill Austen was asked to do a session on storytelling, encouraging women to examine their own stories after hearing one that she would share. I was to provide a class in rock painting. As Jill and I were discussing how to arrange the room, we decided that the two workshops could blend together very well. I often find that the stones I paint tell stories, they allow people to share the things that are important in their lives, the things that make them laugh, or that give meaning to their days.

Rock painting is a great way to get people to engage in art. So many folks tell me about how they used to do it as a child. It's so unintimidating - you can start with just some color. Maybe the shape suggests a theme. And the focus on something small is utterly relaxing. The women who attended the workshop were exclaiming how wonderful it felt to just have a little time and space to play like that.

I love the idea that I am able to take something simple like this, that has added so much joy to my life, that has led me to a very different way of being in the world, and share it with a larger community. Creativity is contagious.

This weekend in the Hudson Valley (& NYC) Dec 5 + 6

With the holidays fast approaching, the first weekend of December will be a BIG selling weekend for the members of HVNY so remember to shop local and handmade. Let's check out who is going to be where....

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Saturday, December 5th

Melissa from Hobo Camp Crafts will be at the 2nd Annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Shambala Yoga Center at 4 South Chestnut Street Beacon, NY. Handmade gifts all priced under $75. 11 am to 5 pm.

Kim from Pink Snake Jewelry will be at St. Denis' Christmas Silver Tea and Craft Fair in 604 Beekman Road Hopewell Jct. from 10 am to 4 pm. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while you listen to the sounds of our holiday music selection. Browse our crafters' tables and select the perfect gift for that someone special.

Tamara from Angel Dog Designs will be at the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale located at the Starrett-Lehigh Building, 601 West 26th Street, 9th Fl. in Manhattan from 12 pm to 6 pm. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's Holiday Craft Sale, open to the public for the first time. Dozens of artisans and crafters, including many from within the Martha Stewart family, will be selling their handmade projects and crafts. As a Martha Stewart Living alumni, Tamara will be selling her handmade jewelry at this sale along with many other talented artisans.

You can also check out Tamara's workat the 15th Annual Craft and Art Sale at The Lodge (Bldg. #8), Tilly Foster Farm, 100 Rte. 312, Brewster, NY. This sale runs from Dec 5-20, Tuesday-Sunday, noon - 5pm. Find out more at Putnam Arts Council

Marilyn from Pulp Sushi will be in New York City both Saturday & Sunday for two big holiday events. The Holiday Handmade Cavalcade with The {NewNew} Etsy Team in Nolita at the Open House Gallery on the 5th, 11 am to 8 pm.

Norma from Dough Roses will be St. Joseph's Sugar Plum Shoppe in Millbrook on Saturday, Dec. 5th.

Marcieann from ExquisiteCustomJewel will be at St. Augustines Craft Fair in Ossining, Saturday, December 5th.

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Sunday, December 6th

• Pulp Sushi will at the Bust Holiday Craftacular at the Metropolitan Pavilion on 18th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue, 10 am to 8 pm.
  
  

Miracles of Hanukkah Sale

Anjali Creations is participating in the Miracles of Hanukkah Sale with Teams EtsyChai and EtsyIsrael. The treasure hunt is over, but if you can tell Hema from Anjali Creations where the Miracles of Hanukkah image is hidden in her shop, by sending me a convo with the link to the item, she willl ship any purchase for free!

Don't know the secret word? Then read this post at our blog, closely, and you'll know.

This offer lasts until December 11, 2009.

Van Wyck historical Museum Craft Fair

If you want an alternative to the strip malls, how about taking in some local history and handmade shopping instead? Letitia from MaryJane's Heirlooms will be at the 15th Annual Craft Boutique on Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum in Fishkill (Rt. 9 right off the 84 exit).

Happy Thanksgiving

From the Hudson Valley Etsy Team....

Open-weave Cowl Knitting Class

Learn to knit an open-weave cowl!

A great way to get started using circular needles.

Saturday, November 21st, 10:30AM-12:30PM
at Clay Wood & Cotton, 149 Main St., Beacon

Cost: $40 + materials

This bulky neck warmer is made in the round with no seaming necessary. It is such a quick knit you could make one while on your way to the mountains for a Wintery adventure. The stitch pattern and bulky warmth make this a one of a kind piece you will want to wear all season long.

Materials needed:
60+ yds of bulky yarn
#17 or 19 circular needles
large crochet hook or darning needle for finishing

Jill's handspun yarn will be available at a discount; needles and pattern will be available for purchase.

About the Instructor
Expert knitter Jill Draper (pictured) hand spins her delectable merino yarns (also pictured) in Kingston, New York.

A 50% deposit is required to hold your place (cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the class in order to receive store credit).

There are two easy ways to pay:

~Drop by the shop and pay in person located at 149 Main Street, and are open Thursdays, Fridays, and Mondays 12-7, and Saturdays and Sundays 11-8.

~Give the shop a call with your credit card number at 845-481-0149, during the same hours.

This Weekend in the Hudson Valley ~ Nov 19 + 20

On Saturday, Judy from Jsmetalworks will be at the Wappinger Elks Lodge Craft Fair located at 1195 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 from 10 am to 3 pm.


On both Saturday & Sunday, Becky from Gemini River Rocks will be selling at the Fine Art & Craft Market at the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club (135 South Hamilton Street) in Poughkeepsie from 10 am to 5 pm.


Sunday, Norma from Dough Roses will be selling flower creations at the 17th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Arlington High School, Route 55, Lagrangeville, 3 pm to 9 pm.

Shop Local Shop the Hudson Valley

Help support local artists and cut your cabon footprint this holiday season with wonderful handmade wares from local artisans! The Hudson Valley is filled with talent!

Here are just a few things you can find here:

Westchester

Rockland County



Orange County

Dutchess County

Ulster County

And this is just a sample! Check out our team page

http://www.hudsonvalleyetsyteam.etsy.com/

to find everything you need to fill those shopping lists!

Coming soon we will be highlighting local shops that are offering handmade this holiday season!

This Weekend in the Hudson Valley ~ Nov 14 & 15

Angel Dog Designs will be vending at Toquam School Holiday Craft Fair with 40 other vendors (several are other etsy artisans!). Located at 123 Ridgewood Avenue, Stamford, CT. Hours are 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Norma from Dough Roses will be selling her beautiful flower pieces at the Mount Alvernia 2009 Craft Bazaar at 158 DeLavergne Ave., Wappingers Falls, NY, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

This weekend in the Hudson Valley

Saturday, November 7th, Becky from Gemini River Rocks will be at Alternative Craft Fair at Vassar College where there will be various vendors from the Poughkeepsie area showcasing their craft and fair trade products to Vassar students and the community, including jewelry, art, and food from Twisted Soul. Sponsored by Operation Donation and the Interfaith Council of Dutchess of County. 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM


Also on Saturday, Norma from Dough Roses will be selling her beautiful flower pieces at the St. Columbia School Hall in Hopewell Junction during their Altar Rosary Society Craft Fair, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

On Sunday, November 8th, you can find Beyond The Picket Fence at the Beacon Farmer's Market.


The market sits right on the waterfront. The ferry from Newburgh leaves you just steps from the market. There are wonderful vendors selling everything from baked goods to orgaic veggies, and pottery to bath & body! Make sure you stop by and pay Gwen a visit!!

Visit http://thebeaconfarmersmarket.com/

Beyond the Picket Fence's Etsy Video

I worked with some great people from Etsy awhile back to create a little video showcasing the process of making soap. The experience was wonderful, and the outcome is pretty good too!

Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it!



Thanks for stopping by!

Autumn Inspiration Challenge

It's that time of year again when school begins, the weather cools and the colors of nature are truly amazing. Yup, autumn is finally here. In most parts of the Hudson Valley it feels a bit more like winter these day, brrr, but it definitely fall. The leaves have turned, pumpkins and gourds abound, cider and doughnuts are readily available and the holidays are quickly approaching.


Our team of fabulous Hudson Valley artists took on our very first design challenge; create something, anything at all, using the inspiration of autumn. Having such a diverse group of crafters made the challenge that much more exciting. Everyone who participated created something truly unique and beautiful and definitely with autumn in mind.


Here are the links to our final designs in our individual Etsy shops, I hope you enjoy our creativity:) Happy Fall!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32204754

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16294869
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32571858
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32688235
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32695656
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31186682
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31295810

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15794700