Where To Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

Attention Lords and Ladies, don your regalia, 

summon your squires and handmaidens, 

get thee to Fort Tyron Park Medieval Festival this Sunday

 for frivolity, games, and feasting

    

White and Gold Wing Shaped Leather Mask by Dara Gallery

Fort Tyron Park is the location of the beautiful Cloisters Museum, a place not to be missed. Whist wandering the festival, you definitely should not miss Hudson Valley Etsy's Dara of Dara Gallery, purveyor of handmade leather and paper mache masks extrodinaire, as well as accessories to compliment your attire.  

Please, scrolleth down for more information.

Brown Mulberry Paper Mache Mask, by Dara Gallery

Leather Hair Slide Celtic Symbol by Dara Gallery

The Medieval Festival at Fort Tyron Park brings to life the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages. Performers, guests and festival goers dress in medieval costume. Visitors are greeted by authentic medieval music, dance, magic, and minstrels, as well as jugglers and jesters. The afternoon is concluded with a thrilling joust between four knights on horseback. Costumed vendors will be on hand to demonstrate and sell a wide variety of medieval crafts as well as food and drink.

Where To Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

To Market, To Market

Ocean Blues Pendant Fused Glass and Beads by GetGlassy

 

Nat King Cole sang about the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer," and well, they're here. Sunday's forecast looks great, so stop by the Makers' Market in Warwick, N.Y. and say hi to Patti, from GetGlassy. She will be there again this month from 9 - 3PM, along with a diverse group of artists. Look for her in Rail Road Green Park, just across the street from restaurants and shops, and adjacent to the Farmers' Market. Summer is going fast, so take advantage of these beautiful days while you can.

 

Leaves fused glass coasters by GetGlassy

Pathmakers: Women in Art, Craft, and Design Midcentury and Today

I made my first trip to the Museum of Art and Design near Columbus Circle in Manhattan to see Pathmakers: Women in Art, Craft, and Design, Midcentury and Today (through September 30th). As I walked the small exhibit, I tried to take some photos of works that I thought would be inspiring to other Hudson Valley Etsians.

The first work that struck me was the Belly Button Divider by Eva Zeisel. I didn't really make the connection until I read the title, but I love the colors and the sense of humor in the piece. She calls herself "a maker of things" because innovation is not a part of her work though I wonder if many would disagree. 

Belly Button Screen, Eva Zeisel

Belly Button divider on permanent display at the Standard in Hollywood

Another ceramic work that I thought was really cool was the piece below by Rut Bryk, a designer of ceramic tiles and objects for Arabia . The abstract modular piece below was inspired by the folk art of India and Southeastern Europe. The show is very tactile so don't be surprised if you feel like reaching out and touching the pieces. 

Rut Bryk

As a pattern maker, I really loved the two examples from Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi. She worked for Marimekko and then for her own company, Vuokko Oy until 1988. She started another company, Vuokko Nurmesniemi Oy which she still runs today. She is a pattern trailblazer inspired by nature.

This knitted piece by Mary Walker Phillips blew me away. Walker Philips cut her teeth as a weaver for Frank Lloyd Wright and Dorothy Liebes but in 1960 started to focus on experimental textiles and knitting. Wow! This is such an amazing piece. I love the delicate stiffness of the string.

Habu Textiles  comes to mind for materials for your next experimental knitting project.

These are two beauties by Lenore Tawney. So light but so powerful:

ink on paper

linen thread woven form

Lenore Tawney, (1907-2007)

 Michelle Grabner's paper weavings also inspired me. It is amazing what happens when artists co-opt their kids crafts with better materials and more experience.

Michelle Grabner, Paper Weaving

So the next time you are in Manhattan, add the Museum of Art and Design to your roster. In addition to the galleries, they have a gift shop featuring local and national makers and offer programs for artists, designers, crafters. See the schedule here.

Susan - Lunule.etsy.com

Where To Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

 "And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days; Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,  And over it softly her warm ear lays." 

James Russell Lowell

Flower of the Month 3 x 3 Print by digiliodesigns

 June brings lush greenery, blossoming flowers and lovely weather to enjoy the outdoors. What better way to celebrate the glorious Hudson Valley Spring than to visit an outdoor fair or market? This weekend Hudson Valley Etsy members are out in force with a plethora of handmade wares. 

Travel to the lovely village of Warwick, NY where you can meet several of our members at The Makers' Market in Railroad Green Park from 9 - 3 Sunday June 14.  

Owl Soft Sculpture by digiliodesigns

 Sue of Digilio Designs will be there with an array of original art prints, note cards, and primitive soft sculptures that celebrate nature in the most delightful way. 

Kathryn from HuzzahHandmade will also be at the Makers' Market with her hand knit accessories, nuno felted scarves, felted home decor items and more. 

Nuno Felted Silk Scarf by HuzzahHandmade

After meeting Sue and Kathryn at The Makers' Market this Sunday, say hello to Cindy of Cynla. Cindy runs a one-woman card and design shop featuring note cards for all occasions, with emphasis on a "stress free life."  

Dog Flat Notes set of 8 invites, by Cynla

Father's Day Card by Cynla

 

 

For a complete change of pace, visit Dara of DaraGallery at the Capitol District Renaissance Faire in Altamont, N.Y. on June 13 and 14 for two days of revelry and fun. Make sure you choose a mask or accessory from Dara's finely crafted selection while you're there.

Phoenix, jester mask by DaraGallery

Celtic Cross Leather Hair Slide by DaraGallery

What's New In February

It's the last day of February and many of us on the team were cooped up in our homes letting our creative juices flow!  Today we want to share some of our new items added to our shop in February.

Agate Necklace from Pulp Sushi

Beard Oil from Hudson Naturals

White and Silver Leather Owl Mask from Dara Gallery

Monster Tooth Pillows from So Handmade

Organic Cotton Long Scarf from Huzzah! Handmade

Ugly 70s Mug from Hester Studio

Silver Heart Felt Cup Sleeve from Quarter Life Luck

Polymer Clay and Mix Stone Necklace from Melissa Anne Designs

There is a lot more where that came from. You can see our full list of February new items on our Etsy page.

Ephemera: Something Meant to be Discarded

I am intrigued by the old, the 'antique', the cast away. 

Items that show the signs of use, whether gently or greatly.

Lately it's been paper ephemera and old worn out books.

I have been using bits and fragments of these in my art.

My collection keeps growing,

an autograph book belonging to 8th grade Anna. Page after page

of little ditties that for her were a sweet memory of school friends.

Well worn readers, spelling and astronomy books. I imagine them being used year after year.

Chemistry notes from 1941...

and my prized possession  a ledger book from the 1800's.

I love to bring these items out to use in ways that never would have been imagined when they were first used.

In my curiosity boxes I try to present these lost bits and fragments of life in an artful way.

Here my newly created fabric bird, is living with pages from old books, 

game pieces, old stamps and nature items, in a box made from a found drawer.

Recycled, up-cycled, re-purposed.

Hopefully not to be discarded too soon!

Sue DiGilio

DiGilio Designs

Is Your Bowl Empty or Full?

Throughout the year, many of you probably get so many requests: to donate an item for a gift basket, an auction, a charity event or Fundraiser. Of course, we are not in business to give away everything we make, but often, a cause will speak to our hearts and we feel impelled to give.

There is a nationwide organization Empty Bowls through which potters across the country make bowls and then sell them at events to raise money for the hungry in their communities. Sometimes the bowls come with soup (for a $10 or $15 donation). Sometimes they are sold through Silent Auction. Some events have performances and music; others are quieter affairs.

When you are an artisan and do much of your work isolated in your studio, it’s so easy to get tunnel vision. But if we have a gift and a passion and can afford to do so, I believe there is nothing as rewarding as giving back to the community that sustains you.

I’ve been a part of Empty Bowls in Warwick, NY for the last several years, and when the date for this year’s event was announced, I was already feeling on overload from having committed to so many other things, and trying to keep up with stocking the stores I am in, getting ready for shows, updating my Etsy site….writing blogs…you know, the familiar gamut.

Yet there was no question in my mind that I had to make time to start making bowls because the effect of “giving” in my experience has always been life giving. It sustains me, it cleanses my soul, it makes me happy. So if there is an organization that speaks to you and makes your heart leap a little, I encourage you to make the time to get involved. I promise you that the energy you will get will be immeasurably more than you expend and will spark your creative juices in new ways.

Roberta - RG Clay Creations

The question of making a living and rolling the dice....

 I have been trying to get into larger (read: more expensive) shows and fairs over the past two years.

My latest one was the Northern Virginia Christmas Market in Chantilly, VA.

 Anticipating a great many people coming through the gate and it being a three day fair

I went into high gear for production. I tripled what my normal inventory would be. I priced each and every item. The boxes were packed and organized. I ordered tables and chairs and walls from the organizers in

order to not have to cart all that. I made phone calls to get more info about said walls....and was assured that they were solid walls.

 After packing the car, we realized that we needed the van so unpack the car and pack the van. We got a late morning start and hit the DC Beltway at rush hour :(

 Three hours to go 50 miles....

The walls were drapes, I couldn't display a lot of my art but the booth looked ok. I did have two tremendous neighbors that made the weekend a lot of fun.

 Houndstooth the Owl and several of his cronies are now living in new homes in Virginia.

 A delicious South American restaurant was nearby and the lovely Lindsay and I enjoyed it very much!

The ride home was a rainy blurrrrr......

I realized that a three day fair is only good for the promoters who can up the 'rent' fee.

Saturday is always a great day, if we could only have three Saturdays...

I recovered my investment, with a little more left over but not by any means did I make enough to gamble at it again. I also didn't need to pay for a room since my son lives in the area, if I had it would have been a wash. Now the person on my right sold an incredible infused olive oil that was to die for and she did a tremendous business. But she was the only one in my aisle that did. 

This particular venue was a bit too country rustic for my eclectic whimsical art.

But there is one called Crafty Bastards that is right in DC.........now where did I put those dice?

Have You Ever Thought of Facilitating a Workshop?

I became an Art Teacher in the NYC Public School System because when I got in front of a classroom and saw that I could stimulate imaginations and encourage creativity, that sparked something in me; something that is hard to define, but that I knew felt wonderful. I love Teaching, but also found that when I came home from a day of classes, I rarely had the energy left to pursue my own artistic expression. Since I incorporated RG Clay Creations in 2006, I have been making functional ceramics and more recently, a ceramic jewelry line that continues to evolve and never leaves me wanting for new ideas to experiment with.

However, actually creating an income making ceramic objects is, as any potter will tell you, a huge challenge. Unless you start mass producing using molds (which is not the way I like to work) the amount of time that goes into making our pieces makes it difficult. So one of the things I do to supplement my income is to organize workshops and classes. Any of us on the Hudson Valley Etsy Team who enjoy teaching can easily do this. All it takes is an appropriate space, multiple tools, a slightly larger inventory of supplies, and the ability to reach people who might be interested in attending them (advertising, word of mouth, social media networking).

Occasionally people contact me about the prospect of teaching classes. This happened with the person who every year in my community arranges for a group of Foreign Exchange students to come from Europe for a few weeks, staying with local host families. She organizes activities for them and visiting my studio was one of these. The Exchange Students (usually in a group of about 20) get a tour my studio, learn about the process I go through piece of jewelry themselves.

For other workshops I have applied to the persons in charge of organizing Educational programs. This happened with the Youth Coordinator at the Greenwood Lake Public Library where I have done workshops. And I have taught several at the Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick as well. The fees are usually negotiated individually depending on the number of hours and size of the groups. At other times, a few individuals have hired me to do workshops with people they have gotten together to do a different, fun activity on an evening out. I even participated in a Team Building Activity for the Whole Foods/Whole Body Paramus Team, who drove up to Warwick to do a workshop here, and of course got to take in the beauty of the Hudson Valley on their drive up.

I used to fear that people would learn all my “secrets” and start creating RG Look Alike items, but have come to realize that the possibilities of creativity are so limitless, that the works people create in my studio may be based on techniques I show them, but are always uniquely their own. For many, it can be an experience they will not forget, whether the participants are 6 or 60 years old. And it just might spark a new passion for them, a greater appreciation of handmade items, and that is sheer joy.

Roberta - RG Clay Designs