Handmade Happenings, Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2012

Love Letter Bubble Pendant - Original Watercolor Necklace
by This Little Pigment

Hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving! This weekend, we have many exciting holiday events and handmade shopping opportunities to share with you. The fun starts right away at Cary Academy's Holiday Shoppe and continues through Sunday with the 20th Annual Boylan Heights ArtWalk, with lots in between. Plus, Cyber Monday may be past, but the deals are still on in several of our member shops. Hope to see you soon, whether in person or online!

Thursday - Saturday, Nov. 29 - Dec. 1
10th Anniversary Holiday Shoppe - Cary
More than 100 unique vendors mean you are sure to find something for everyone on your list. Free & open to the public.
Where: SEA Building, Cary Academy, 1500 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary, NC 27513
When: Thursday - 10 am - 5 pm;
Friday - 10 am - 5 pm and 6:30 - 9pm; Saturday - 10 am - 4 pm
Artist to visit: Artfully Out Loud, Beyond Words, Gilded Lily Glass
More info: http://www.caryacademy.org/page.cfm?p=1214

Friday, November 30
Raleigh Mompreneurs' Holiday Sip and Shop - Raleigh
Enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres while you shop local and support moms with small businesses!
Where: Wine and Design Raleigh, 219 Bickett Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27608
When: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Artist to visit: Heebie Jeebie Designs, Piecefully Home
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/335860783179125/

Saturday, December 1
Santa's Village Christmas Bazaar - Apex
This year’s craft festival will feature over 40 crafters and vendors, live entertainment, food vendors, and a giant bake sale. You can shop for Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, unique gifts, and many raffle items.
Where: St. Mary Magdalene School, 625 Magdala Place, Apex, NC 27502
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Artist to visit: Heebie Jeebie Designs
More info: http://events.fayobserver.com/apex_nc/events/show/291468785-holiday-art-and-craft-fair

5th Annual St. Nicholas European Christmas Market - Cary
A fun event for the whole family, includes an exhibit on the life of the real St. Nicholas, free refreshments, and lots of ideas for celebrating Advent and Christmas. Enjoy lunch, listen to the Little German Band, and shop the world under the big white tent!
Where: Sts Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, 2510 Piney Plains Rd, Cary, NC 27518
When: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Artist to visit: Bordeaux Lane Studio
More info: http://www.saintnicholasmarket.com/

Saturday - Sunday, December 1 - 2
Holly Days - Raleigh
150 vendors with items including jewelry, food, holiday decor and more.
Where: Sanderson High School,  5500 Dixon Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27619
When: Saturday - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Artists to visit: Split Infinity Jewelry, Karen's Soaps, Piecefully Home
More info: http://events.fayobserver.com/raleigh_nc/events/show/293571365-holly-days-at-sanderson

Saturday - Saturday, December 1 - 8
The Holly Daze Shoppe - Cary
A "pop-up" style holiday market, featuring 15 different local artists. Hosted by the Town of Cary, which also sponsors the Lazy Daze Festival in August, so you know it will be a great collection of talented vendors!
Where: 120 East Chatham Street, Cary, NC
When: Monday-Friday - 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Saturdays - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Artist to visit this week: Linda Searcy Jewelry 
More info: http://www.townofcary.org/Departments/Parks__Recreation___Cultural_Resources/events/holiday/heartofholidays.htm 

Sunday, December 2
20th Annual Boylan Heights ArtWalk - Raleigh
Over 100 artists display and sell their work from porches, homes and studios. This is a wonderful opportunity to stroll through an historic neighborhood and shop for special gifts for the holidays.
Where: Boylan Heights (S. Boylan Avenue & surrounding area)
When: Noon - 5:00 pm
Artists to visit: Loriola, Gilded Lily Glass, This Little Pigment, Orange Cat Art, Melsie Glass, Designing Impressions Crochet
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/142257189244723/
 
Shop Local Online! Team Member Etsy Shop Sales!
- Flowerthyme - Buy 1 arrangement, get additional bouquets at discounts! See shop for details - through December 7
- Marla Faye Creations - 5% off use coupon code CHANSALE2012 or free shipping use coupon code CHANFREESHIP2012 - good through December 7
- Precious Lambs Gifts - Get 10% Off your Entire Order - use code PLG10 OR FREE Domestic Shipping - use code HOLIDAYSHIP
- Shams & Coverups - CHRISTMAS2012 to get 15% OFF! select items
- JD Footloose - Free shipping on select items in the FREE SHIPPING shop section

We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello.  Check in each week for more handmade arts & crafts festivities throughout the holiday shopping season! 

(Members, if you have an event or sale coming up, send your information to Orange Cat Art to get onto the calendar! )

Handmade Happenings, November 8-11, 2012

Whirlybird Chainmaille Pendant
by Split Infinity Jewelry

The weekend starts early with shopping events on Thursday & Friday! Then we have a variety of activities all around the Triangle area for you on Saturday. No matter where you live, we have something close by! See you there!

Thursday - Friday, November 8-9
Holiday Vendor Fair - Apex
Hosted by the Preschool at Salem Baptist Church.
Where: 1821 North Salem Street, Apex, NC 27523
When: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm both days
Artists to visit: Heebie Jeebie Designs, Beyond Words, Piecefully Home 
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/150970325049693/

Friday, November 9
Trunk Show - Chapel Hill
A special event for UNC's homecoming weekend at Cameron's in University Mall! Cockamamie Jewelry is bringing her own vintage eclectic style to Cameron's - a gallery with an great mix of gifts, clothing, and jewelry.
Where: 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
When: 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Artist to visit: Cockamamie Jewelry
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/385401171536206/

Saturday, November 10

4th Annual Holiday Fair - Cary
Shop from over 40 local crafters, artists, & direct sellers!
Where: St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Parish Center, 804 High House Rd, Cary
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Artist to visit: Beyond Words, Heebie Jeebie Designs
More info: http://www.stmichaelcary.org/

Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair - Raleigh (Wake Forest)
Handmade jewelry, arts and crafts, basket raffles, food and much more! $5 admission, children under 12 free. Bring a canned food item for $1 off admission!
Where: Wakefield High School, 2200 Wakefield Pines Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614 
When: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Artist to visit: Designing Impressions Crochet, Karen's Soaps, Orange Cat Art, Tracey Gurley Bath & Body, Piecefully Home 
More info: http://www.wakefieldhsconnect.org/ 

Holiday Art Market - Butner
Hosted by the Granville Arts Council - artisans, crafters, live music, raffles, and fun! Get your Christmas shopping started early and enjoy the performances!
Where: National Guard Armory, 105 Central Avenue, Butner, NC 27509

When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Artist to visit: Split Infinity Jewelry
More info: http://www.granvilleartscouncil.org/ 

4th Annual Lochmere Arts & Crafts Show - Cary
Come enjoy amazing art created by your friends and neighbors! Pottery, stained glass, jewelry, basketry, decoupage, and more!
Where: Lochmere Pavilion, intersection of Kildaire Farms Rd. and Lochmere Dr., Cary, NC
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Artist to visit: Bordeaux Lane Studio
More info: http://www.lochmere.org/community/lochmere-news/110-third-annual-arts-and-crafts-show

The Handmade Market - Raleigh
Hip, handcrafted goods from more than 50 of the best and brightest independent artists, designers, and crafters from North Carolina and beyond!
Where: Cobblestone Hall (City Market), 215 Wolfe Street, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27601
When: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Artists to visit: Melsie Glass, metamorphosis metals, Flytrap
More info: http://www.thehandmademarket.com/ 

Wednesday, November 14 
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Fresh-off-the-farm produce; pasture-raised beef, poultry, and pork; free-range eggs; honey, jams, and preserves; delicious baked goods; knits & fiber, and more!
Where: 150 S. White Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587
When: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Artists to visit: Poppy and Purl, A Stitch Niche
More info: http://www.wakeforestfarmersmarket.org/  

We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello.  Check in each week for more handmade arts & crafts festivities throughout the holiday shopping season! 

(Members, if you have an event or sale coming up, send your information to Orange Cat Art to get onto the calendar! )

Handmade Happenings, November 2-4, 2012

Star Wars LEGO C3PO and R2D2 Switchplate
by CWV Designs

Ah, November - time to start thinking about the holidays! Each week, we'll bring you a list of terrific local events where our artists & crafters will be offering their creations. We hope you'll join us in shopping local & handmade this year! See you there! 

Friday, November 2
First Friday - Raleigh
 Join us for a fun-filled introduction to Raleigh's exciting art, music and dining scene with local art galleries, art studios, museums, retail, restaurants and alternative art venues!
Where: Downtown Raleigh
When: 6:00 pm - ??? (times vary by venue)
Artists to visit:
* metamorphosis metals has an open house at her studio in The Carter Building from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
More info: http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh

Friday - Sunday, November 2-4
Autumn Artfest - Raleigh
Artist reception Friday night, great art & handmade crafts all weekend long! Woodworking, pottery, jewelry, scarves, painting, knitted & quilted items, candles, stained glass, textiles and more!
Where: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27607
When: Friday - 6 pm - 9 pm; Saturday - 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday - 10 am - 2 pm
Artist to visit: Bordeaux Lane Studio
More info: http://uufr.org/special-events/230-art-fest

Saturday, November 3

The Giving Market - Apex
Arts & crafts vendors, plus opportunities to learn about and support local and global mission projects.
Where: Apex Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 110 South Salem Street, Apex, NC 27502
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Artist to visit: Heebie Jeebie Designs
More info: http://www.apexbaptist.org/#/ministries/women

Winter Wonders Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair - Apex
A day of fun, food and shopping! Come out and support local artists offerings such as: mixed media mosaics, pottery, handmade quilts, handbags and backpacks, toys and mobiles, knit and crocheted works, and more! 
Where: Middle Creek High School, 123 Middle Creek Park Avenue
Apex, NC 27539 
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Artist to visit: Jus Shar Designs
More info: http://mchs-ptsa.com/2012/10/craftfair/

Sunday, November 4
Holiday Crafts Fair - Raleigh
Looking for that perfect holiday gift? Come browse our selection of unique, high-quality handcrafted items! Pottery, glass & wood art, photography, jewelry, purses, knitwear, baby items, clothes & accessories, holiday & party items, all natural bath & body products, and much more!
Where: 7400 Falls of Neuse Road (across from Ravenscroft School), Raleigh, NC 27615 
When: Noon - 5:00 pm 
Artists to visit: Marla Faye Creations, Karen's Soaps, Lilac's Loveables, Orange Cat Art, Sew Shellz, CWV Designs 
More info: http://www.facebook.com/events/442078779163637/ 

Wednesday, November 7 
Wake Forest Farmers Market
Fresh-off-the-farm produce; pasture-raised beef, poultry, and pork; free-range eggs; honey, jams, and preserves; delicious baked goods; knits & fiber, and more!
Where: 150 S. White Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587
When: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Artists to visit: Poppy and Purl, A Stitch Niche
More info: http://www.wakeforestfarmersmarket.org/  

We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello.  Check in each week for more handmade arts & crafts festivities throughout the holiday shopping season! 

(Members, if you have an event or sale coming up, send your information to Orange Cat Art to get onto the calendar! )

Handmade Happenings, Dec. 17-18, 2011

Let the NC Triangle Team artists help you with your last minute Christmas shopping this weekend! It's not too late to shop local & handmade this holiday season!

 

Saturday, December 17

The Rock & Shop Market - Durham

An indoor fashion, art and music market featuring independent, emerging designers and bands from North Carolina, plus local beer and food trucks! Come out to shop, support and celebrate the state’s burgeoning indie arts scene of professional designers, artists and musicians. Designers are chosen through a juried application process and hail from across the state, resulting in a diverse mix of fashion, art, jewelry, stationary, furniture and more. North Carolina bands Phil Cook & The Small Ponds will be providing music. Admission is $5.

Where: Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham, NC 27701

When: Noon - 6:00 pm

Artists to visit: Afternoon Owl Designs, Melsie Glass, Curious Goods Curios, Turtle Grass Body, Bijou Savvy, metamorphosis metals, Tracey Gurley Bath & Body, Flytrap, Michelle Smith

More info: http://www.rockandshopmarket.com/

We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello.  Check in each week for more handmade arts & crafts festivities throughout the holiday season!

(Members, if you have an event coming up next weekend, send your information to Orange Cat Art by Wednesday night to get onto next week's calendar!)

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes from all the artists in the NC Triangle Team!

Merry Christmas!

Want your team treasury added to the blog? Just convo Hermosa84!

Etsy Around the World: La Chapina

Etsy Around the World holiday trip takes us to Latin America to visit a shop with some local color. La Chapina recycles beautiful textiles into ornaments, and fabric mosaics. Come with me to Guatemala for a twist on traditional materials.


Who are you (actual name and/or shop name)?
My name is Erin, and my shop is called La Chapina. (You can read more about Erin at her blog http://huipil-crafts.blogspot.com/)

Where are you located?
I've been living in Antigua, Guatemala, for a little over a year and a half, but I'm moving back to the US in about a month.

What do you create?
I make things like ornaments, dolls, cards, mosaics, and fabric art from used Guatemalan textiles called huipiles (traditional hand-woven blouses worn by indigenous women in Guatemala). I also make jewelry from eco-friendly seeds from the South American rainforest.

Have you ever visited North Carolina (if so, what was your favorite part of that trip)?
Yes, I went on a family vacation to North Carolina when I was a teenager. We stayed in a cabin and went canoeing.

What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown (and why)?
Antigua, Guatemala, isn't my hometown, but it's been a great place to live and is very popular with tourists. The site below shows provides a lot of information about things to do here. I especially like getting an ice cream cone and walking around the central park.

http://www.aroundantigua.com/antigua.htm

What inspires you?
Browsing at the local mercados (markets) and shops is what inspires me. The colors here are amazing, and I always manage to find something interesting that makes me think, "Somebody could make something really cool with this!" And sometimes that somebody is me :)

Why did you choose your shop/company name?
There are affectionate nicknames for people from different Central American countries. For example, the nickname for a person from Nicaragua is nico (masculine) or nica (feminine), and in Honduras it's catracho (masculine) or catracha (feminine). In Guatemala, it is chapin (masculine) or chapina (feminine). Because it is almost always women and girls who weave the beautiful Guatemalan huipiles, I have named this site La Chapina to honor them and their beautiful work.

What is you most popular item that you create (any why do you think that it’s so popular)?
Recycled huipil Christmas ornaments have been my most successful product. I sold hundreds of sets last year. I think they're popular for a number of reasons: They're colorful, they provide a touch of Guatemala to holiday decor (important to those families who have adopted from here), they are eco-friendly, and they are unique - I've never seen any other ornaments made from these textiles.

Why did you choose your medium?
At a local shop last fall, I came across scraps cut from used huipiles at a local store and began sewing things like Christmas ornaments, baby dolls, mosaics, and fabric collages from them. After posting some photos on my personal blog of things I'd made, people started wanting to buy them. Learning about where the different textiles came from and the methods of making them became a new passion for me.

Do you have any advice to share on how you have made your business grow?
My Etsy sales took off when I began offering related supplies. Realizing that Etsy is a market full of creative people, I began selling craft supplies like fabric scraps, beads, and embellishments, all from Guatemala or other Latin American countries.

What is your most cherished handmade item that you own? why?
One of my most treasured handmade items is a baby quilt made by my great-grandmother for the occasion of my mother's birth in 1951. It's got wonderful pastel vintage fabrics and little animals hand-embroidered in the squares. My mom gave it to me when we started the process to adopt our daughter!

Etsy Around the World: Snow Fish

Are you ready to begin your Holiday decorating? This is the shop to start in. Our world wide shopping spree takes us to the UK for some handmade decorations and goodies.



WHO ARE YOU?
My name is Kirsty New and I run three Etsy shops:
SnowFish.etsy.com - Handmade Christmas goodies BigFish.etsy.com - Colourful Supplies
PaperFish - Unique bunting, brooches and badges

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
I am a UK designer and Maker. Blog: Kirstyfish.blogspot.com - i LOVE to blog and keep it regularly updated with my Crafty Life x

WHAT DO YOU CREATE?
I love to work mainly with felt, fabric and buttons!! I am addicted to buttons.
I make bunting, badges, brooches, decorations...

I have NEVER visited North Carolina, sorry x I did go to Disney World once though!
There is no place to 'visit' in my hometown - I live in the middle of rural countryside so i visit alot of trees and fields with my dog, a fat chocolate labrador.

WHERE DO YOU CREATE?
I work from a very chaotic Art Room in the English Countryside near Oxford. It is BIG with a huge 10 seater dinner table and loads of shelves. There is no spare inch in that room and it is crammed full of supplies. I keep meaning to tidy it.... I am also a Mom to the best little 4yr old girl so i do my creating wherever she is playing.

What do you do when you are not creating?
Truly, i only ever walk, yoga and create... all day, every day.
Creating is something i have to do. A project or idea springs into my head and i cannot settle until i have tried it out. My partner says I am 'obsessed' by crafting, but that isn't true! Crafting just makes me happier than almost anything else! It is the biggest part of who I am and I'm not happy unless I am cutting, sticking, sewing or selling!

When did you start creating?
I have always created. All my family are Business People, Inventors and Entrepreneurs. We all work for ourselves and not one person in my dads side or moms side works for another company. Even my partner just started his own business. We are all very creative people! AND, we must all be either very hard to work with or very wacky and un-controllable!

The key to success?
First decide what it is that you think is 'success'. Always be yourself.
Never copy what other people do or sell. Work hard and Play hard. Put the whole of yourself into a project and you'll get what you want in return. To me, work and play are the same thing and i love every minute of what i do x

What online activities have brought you the most noticeable success?
Etsy has totally changed my life and bought me so much business. It has given me a great base to work from and meet so many other talented crafters who have become friends.
Also, my blog http://kirstyfish.blogspot.com/ it is a great way to connect with people and i love to share my crafty life with people who are just as passionate about MAKING as I am.

The Most Cherished Handmade Item i own...
That is so difficult - having a 4yr old means i get cherished handmade crafts given to me every day, with dripping paint and loose glitter everywhere! But at this moment, it is a pair of knitted mice that i bought from a church craft sale last weekend. They are a pair ready to get married, knitted by a 92 year old lady! They are for daughters Christmas present and she will ADORE and cherish them

"My NCTriangle Christmas Gifts" by Lynnscrafts

Since joining the NCTriangle team I had wanted to put together some hand made Christmas
sets from the team. I am on my way and thought I would share it with you.

First I needed something to hold the items and I found Carolinaweaver when I saw her article on the blog. I purchased some hand made baskets from her, 8 in total.
Now to fill them I purchased from karenssoaps some of her wonderful foaming hand soap.
The picture shows "A Day at the Beach" and it is a wonderful scent. I also purchased the same
scent in her sample bar of soap and an cherry vanilla lip balm.
Some wonderful bulb ornaments came next from DinnerTimeChimes, this goes well with
the basket.
For my daughter who knits I purchased some stitch markers from Worldofmyowndesigns -aka-
craftsbyalice.
On the way is some hand lotion from HelloCrafty.
Baskets are getting full but I am always looking for more small items to fill them, have a lot
to fill. So don’t be surprised if you see me sneaking around all your shops.
Thanks for letting me share,
Lynnscrafts

--If you'd like to share your NCTriangle shopping fun, craft show experiences or other handmade goodness contact us... we'd love for you to share!