Indie Craft Parade

Indie Craft Parade from Indie Craft Parade on Vimeo.

I'm so excited about this! I've applied and hope to hear whether I'll be participating at the end of June. This is a great little video promoting the event. Great stuff even if you don't plan to make it!

Have you hugged your local artist lately?

Free Hugs by kimberlyg on Flickr
Well, have you?

Sometimes we go to some piddly little craft fair or flea and you see someone there, maybe who obviously doesn't belong there amongst the cheesy crocheted dish towels or dollar store regurgitation or crappy plastic yard sale junk you wouldn't have given to the local thrift store. But hey, they are there, selling their stuff along everyone else. Maybe you buy something and maybe you don't, because you weren't anticipating finding such lovely goods amongst the trash.

OR, maybe you're the entrepreneurial craftsperson or artist just trying to get yourself out there and funds are limited and you think that you'll get your feet wet by dipping them into the local waters and seeing where it takes you. A local joint, where the fees are lower, but maybe the clientele may or may not be welcoming. You hope your work speaks for itself....

Sometimes it's nice to reach out and give those artists or craftspeople a hug. Maybe not in the actual physical sense. But in the encouraging sense. I've been in both circumstances, on both the selling and buying end. As a seller, I'm so encouraged when I get a kind word after the sale is done. Maybe someone comes back for another purchase or sends me positive feedback on Etsy, or just sends me a note to say, "I REALLY LIKE THAT. KEEP DOING IT!" Not all of us live in metropolitan areas where there are a variety of customers to keep coming and coming. More of us live in suburban or rural settings where many folks may wander by and think, "That's nice but I can buy it at (insert discount store here) for way less..." and keep walking. It's harder for us.

So, I've decided, as a point, when I buy something I really enjoy from a local business or individual, to THANK THEM. Whether in person, or in the form of a note or feedback, that I'm grateful to have them in my community. I thank them for their effort, for their product or service, and tell them what I like about what they do.

It's a lonely world out there for us artists and craftspeople sometimes, give a little love.

Giving Goodness!

A great way to start out monday! Since I first posted them, I have sold 9 of my Hearts for Haiti! Thank you so much! I started out Monday morning by sending $90 to Doctors Without Borders! Thank you so much to all who have generously purchased a bead! If you are still interested in purchasing one, they are available here

Hearts for Haiti

As I mentioned yesterday, I began designing these beads in anticipation of Valentine's Day but then the devastation in Haiti took place and I couldn't think of a more poignant message to send.

For each of these beads purchased, $10 will be donated to Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontieres)

You will be able to track the progress of my donations here at my blog: where I will post weekly progress of my donations. I will continue to sell these beads as long as the need remains and they continue to sell.

Each bead comes with a loop and jump ring at the top. You will be able to readily string it onto a cord or chain upon arrival.

Each measures around 18mm x 30mm (3/4" x 1 1/4") but each are handmade and may be slightly smaller or larger approximately.

Each bead is handmade with love and will arrive on a card wrapped in cellophane.

New Stuff and a message....

I've been busy! Have you seen??? And there is more to come....

New for this week so far are bezel rings and pendants! Set in Copper, they have a lovely antiqued feel. I will be adding more sizes and colors throughout the coming weeks, so stay tuned!!! They are currently in the shop.

I have also been working on some cute, fat, hearts, in limited edition for Valentine's Day.

In light of the recent devastation in Haiti, I will be donating $10 from the sale of each of these heart pendants to Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontieres). From the reports, this organization has endured it's own loss in Haiti, with all 3 of their facilities that were already in place in this impoverished nation being decimated. Health care will be a primary function in this time of need.

I will continue to sell and donate $10 from the sale of these beads as long as the need remains. Please look for them tomorrow where I will repost this message along with photos of the fat l'il hearts!