Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Artist Feature: Curviosity Designs

I'd like to introduce you to Nan Miner of Curviosity Designs.  
Nan and I spent a very wet day a few weeks ago at the Taste of Yountville art and wine festival in Napa Valley.  (See the post below for all the soggy details).  Nan is a creative apparel designer and talented seamstress, working out of her home studio in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Nan draws on her background in Theatre Arts to design everything from beautiful one-of-a-kind bridal garments to detailed Halloween costumes.  She currently has a new line of petticoats that you have to check out, they're form fitting at the waist, not bulky, and flare out below the knee - perfect for twirling around! Nan in fact procured a custom order from the handmade leather boot seller in the booth next to us at Yountville. The petticoats are available in a variety of eye-catching colors, and custom made to your measurements - because as Nan says "One size fits Nobody".

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Rained out in Yountville, CA

Yesterday I participated in the annual Taste of Yountville festival in beautiful Napa Valley.  No, the day didn't look like this photo (courtesy Mars Lasar), not in the least.  It rained the entire 8 hours that it took me to drive there, set up my spot, sell my jewelry (or try to) and pack up and drive home.  Thankfully I was sharing my 10x10 tent with Nan of Curviosity Designs and we had a blast.  I'll tell you more about Nan later this week in my Artist Feature.
Foot traffic was slow and I give people credit for coming out at all.  Most passersby said 'hi', some looked at us like 'why on earth are you still here?', but we kept laughing and carried on.  It was nice to meet some of my fellow San Francisco Etsy Team members at the fair, and to run into some members who I met at last year's fair.  By 3:00pm though we had really had enough of the freezing cold and non-stop rain.  My shoes and socks were soaked through and I was worried the canopy tent was going to blow away, as two of my earring displays had done.  We packed up and headed home.
The way most of us crafters and artists go into these situations is to have high hopes and low expectations. So miserable weather and poor sales aside, it was a great day, spent with talented people sharing their passion for handmade.  I'll be back next year!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cross Stitch Cards


Today I received some adorable business cards from my friend Gail, the "Chief Stitcher" at Cross Stitch Cards. I'll be singing her praises and handing them out to one and all! I know first-hand the quality work that goes into Gail's handmade greeting cards as I bought a beautiful card from her last year, to give to my mom for Mother's Day.  Gail has a new shop at ArtFire, please take a look at her wonderful handiwork. http://www.CrossStitchCards.artfire.com

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Welcome to my window on the creative world.

I'm a lover of all things handmade and have a deep appreciation and respect for all crafters and artisans.  My aim here is to highlight artists of all kinds who have passion in their work.

My creative outlet is making jewelry and I'm a bit of a magpie; attracted to bright, colorful, and shiny objects.  My style is as varied as the fun and funky beads I come across at estate sales and second hand stores.
I also find much creativity in being a wife to a great husband, and mom to two wonderful teenage boys.  Yes, they really are wonderful.

Take a look around and let me know what you think.
XO Christina