Handmade Happenings, October 21-23, 2011

We have another "Road Trip Edition" of the Handmade Happenings for you this weekend!  Head towards Charlotte for a jump start on your Christmas shopping in Concord, and while you're in the neighborhood, visit the Barbeque Capital of the World for their festival. If you're staying in town, come out to the Raleigh Amphitheater! See you there!

Friday, October 21 - Sunday, October 23
31st Annual Christmas Made in the South - Greater Charlotte Area
Amazing craftspeople, outstanding art, unique gourmet food, and diverse entertainment to whet and satisfy every demanding appetite. Handmade, one-of-a-kind designs populate the booths that fill the festival: silk wearables to fabric bags, dichroic glass jewelry to close-up photography of nature's funniest and fiercest creatures all await and more!
Where: Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Hwy 49 N, Concord, NC
When: Fri & Sat - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm; Sun - 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Artist to visit: ShoreDebris
More info: www.madeinthesouthshows.com/Cabarrus_Christmas.html

Saturday, October 22
28th Annual Barbeque Festival - Lexington
The streets of Historic Uptown Lexington transform into a great big playground with food, entertainment, shopping and lots of family fun. The uptown area is filled with arts and crafts vendors, six entertainment stages, street performers, and festival food. Three large tents serve up thousands of pounds of barbecue sandwiches, freshly made from the festival’s official area restaurants.
Where: Lexington, NC
When: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Artist to visit: Izzy's
More info: http://www.barbecuefestival.com/

Bud Light City Fest - Raleigh
Motley Crue's Vince Neil will be playing the hits of Motley Crue at this weekend's show.  Enjoy the Bud Light Rage Cage on Lenoir Street featuring food vendors, art vendors, and more!
Where: 500 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
When: 5:00 pm - until?
Artist to visit: latedaadornments
More info: http://www.raleigh-amphitheater.com/event/bud-light-city-fest-2000


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 fall!

(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!)

Handmade Happenings, Sept. 24 & 25, 2011

Time for the Road Trip Edition of the Handmand Happenings! This weekend our member artists are hitting the road for 2 great events.  They are in different directions, but don't let that stop you -  Go west on Saturday to the West End ARTSfest in Winston-Salem, and then head east on Sunday to catch the 2nd day of the International Folk Festival in Fayetteville.  ;)  See you there! 

Saturday, September 24
Historic West End ARTSfest - Winston-Salem 
"Experience the arts amid the artistry of nature." This special event features the work of more than 60 fine artists working in a variety of media. Local musicians perform in the Grace Court gazebo, and children can participate in a special arts and crafts area. Local restaurants provide specialty foods and drink. The event is free. 
Where: Grace Court Park, Glade and W. 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
When: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sellers to look for: OrangeCatArt (booth #4), LORiOLA (booth #33)
More info: http:// www.artsfestwinstonsalem.com 

Saturday & Sunday, September 24 & 25
International Folk Festival - Fayetteville
Fayetteville has a rich and long history of celebrating its multicultural population. Years ago, a group of forward thinking citizens got together to create the International Folk Festival as a celebration of our diversity. Now in its 33rd year, the International Folk Festival has become a weekend-long celebration. Show features live entertainment, authentic cuisine, unique arts and crafts, children’s area and more!
Where: Festival Park, Fayetteville, NC
When: Craft show - 12:00 - 6:00 PM both days
Seller to look for: Shore Debris
More info: www.theartscouncil.com/international-folk-festival.php 

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 fall!

(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!)

Handmade Happenings - June 4-6, 2010

Several exciting events this weekend to keep you in the summer holiday spirit! The indieNC First Friday Market is part of the First Friday fun happenings in Downtown Raleigh. If you're a little farther south, stop by the Shops of Varina Merchantile or the Celebration of the Arts in Fuquay-Varina. Or, a little further north, visit the Granville Arts Festival, just this side of Oxford.
Hope to see you there!

Friday, June 4
indieNC First Friday Market
Shop local North Carolina! Now you can shop in person from emerging designers selling their wares each First Friday. From the producer of The Rock & Shop Market. See you there!
Where: 131 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh
When: 6:oo pm - 10:00 pm
Seller to look for: LivngoodJewelry, LORiOLA, sissyandjacks
More info: http://www.newraleigh.com/articles/archive/indienc-first-friday-monthly-market-returns-this-week/

Saturday, June 5
Trunk Show at the Shops of Varina Merchantile
A special opportunity to shop for handmade jewelry and loose beads/jewelry supplies with Vicky of Shore Debris!
Where: 601 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina
When: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Seller to look for: ShoreDebris
More info: http://www.theshopsofvarinamerchantile.com/

7th Annual Celebration of the Arts
Music, great food, fun activities and more than 100 incredible art vendors! Part of the town-wide festival called Celebrate Fuquay-Varina, which includes the Run the Quay 5K.
Where: Main Street, Historic Downtown Fuquay-Varina
When: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sellers to look for: HopePhotoArt, LindaSearcyJewelry
More info: http://www.celebratefv.com/?page_id=105

Granville Arts Festival
A full day of live music, dance & theater performances, and a pavilion full of wonderful artists & crafters!
Where: Granville Athletic Park, 4615 Belltown Road, Oxford
When: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sellers to look for: indigoarts, scentfullydelightful
More info: http://www.granvilleartsfestival.com/index.html

We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello!

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

Handmade Happenings - May 22 & 23, 2010

Your brain may have already left for the beach, but if your body is still in the Triangle, come check out these arts events & shopping opportunities this weekend!

Saturday, May 22
Spring Arts Festival
30 talented vendors displaying handcrafted jewelry, books, whimsical mosaics, wall hangings, stained glass, soaps, candles, candy bouquets -- and much more! A family event with activities for creative kids, as well.
Where: Church of the Nativity, 8849 Ray Road, North Raleigh
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sellers to look for: OldBroomStreet
More info: http://www.nativityonline.org/reg.html

Trunk Show at the Shops of Varina Merchantile
A special opportunity to shop for handmade jewelry and loose beads/jewelry supplies with Vicky of Shore Debris!
Where: 601 E. Broad Street, Fuquay Varina
When: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Seller to look for: ShoreDebris
More info: http://www.theshopsofvarinamerchantile.com/


We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello!

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

My Rainbow

ShoreDebris also created her first team treasury...

--If you also create a NCTriangle treasury or PosterSketch, please send a screenshot to DinnerTimeChimes so it can be included on the blog!

Handmade Happenings - March 26-28, 2010

Several of our local artists and crafters are heading out of the Triangle proper this weekend for the Spring Festival in Clayton. It's just a short drive southeast of Raleigh, so if you're looking for a fun activity on Saturday, we hope you'll stop by!


Saturday, March 27

Spring Festival 2010
Sponsored by Hope Church, this festival offers games, food, vendors & fun for the whole family! (There are even rumors of a car show?)
Where: Clayton Middle School,
490 Guy Road, Clayton, NC 27520
When: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sellers to look for: ellesbeads, lindasearcyjewelry, naomievelyn, oldbroomstreet, scentfullydelightful, ShoreDebris
More info: Hope Church, Clayton


We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello!

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

Triangle Holiday Arts & Crafts Calendar (Week 4)

Wintry weather has arrived in the Triangle, to get you in the mood for holiday shopping! We have a wide variety of opportunities for you to shop outside of the big box this weekend, in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Pittsboro & Chapel Hill. Hope to see you out & about!

Friday, December 4
First Friday
Where: Downtown Raleigh
When: 6:00 pm - until...
(see website for more information on specific locations & times)
Sellers to look for: Beautiful Details Jewelry at The Carter Building from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm; and MegRNC at Designbox from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
(*Brand Fandango VIII continues at Designbox through Dec. 23.)

Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5
Holiday Shoppe
Where: Cary Academy, 1500 Harrison Avenue, Cary
When: Friday - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Saturday - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Seller to look for: GildedLilyGlass

Saturday, December 5
Holiday Craft Show
Where: St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church & School, Apex
When: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Seller to look for: The Brooks Boutique, Vintage Scraps

Holiday Shoppe Craft & Art Show
Where: St. Thomas More School, Chapel Hill
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sellers to look for: OldBroomStreet , LindaSearcyJewelry

Holiday Open House
Where: When Pigz Fly, 11125 Six Fork Road, Raleigh
When: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sellers to look for: Karen's Soaps, Orange Cat Art

Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6
Brier Creek Holiday Bazaar (benefit for Second Chance Pet Adoption)
Where: Brier Creek Commons, Raleigh
When: Saturday - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm; Sunday - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sellers to look for: ShoreDebris, Just Beautiful Designs Sunday only: LindaSearcyJewelry, OldBroomStreet

Holly Days
Where: Sanderson High School, Raleigh
When: Saturday - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Seller to look for: AlloverArt

The Fearrington Holiday Market
Where: Fearrington Village, Pittsboro
When: Noon - 4:00 pm (both days)
Seller to look for: MegRNC

Sunday, December 6
Boylan Heights Art Walk
Where: Historic Bolyan Heights Neighborhood, Downtown Raleigh
When: Noon - 5:00 pm
Sellers to look for: Orange Cat Art, Gilded Lily Glass, Liv'nGood Jewelry, Good Girls Studio


We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello!


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

Triangle Holiday Arts & Crafts Calendar (Week 3)

We all know that this weekend is the "official" start to holiday shopping, and that most of the attention will be on the early bird sales at the malls & big box stores. But there will still be opportunities to find unique gifts that are handmade by local artist & crafters! Hope to see you out & about!

Friday, November 27

Black Friday Trunk Show
Where: Cameron's, University Mall, Chapel Hill
When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sellers to look for: AshleyBrodieJewelry

Saturday, November 28

Designers Downtown Market
Where: Ornamentea parking lot and surrounding area at 509 N. West Street, Downtown Raleigh
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Details: More than 60 vendors - biggest November market yet!
Sellers to look for: Smutopia, Shore Debris, Nice Shirt Kid, Blue & Green Designs, AraLeighStudios, Knotwork, and Liv'nGood Jewelry

We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello!
(If you're more of an on-line shopper, many of our NC Triangle Team members have special sales in their shops this Black Friday through Cyber Monday weekend!)


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

Triangle Holiday Arts & Crafts Calendar (Week 2)

Buying local & handmade this holiday season is easy & fun! This weekend we are featuring events in several "Triangle area" communities, as well as a two-day event in Durham. Hope to see you out & about!

Saturday, November 20

Fall Harvest Craft Show
Where: Galloway Ridge at Fearrington, 3000 Galloway Ridge Road, Pittsboro
When: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sellers to look for: OldBroomStreet

Holiday Art & Craft Bazaar
Where: Hillsborough Elementary School, 402 North Nash Street, Hillsborough
When: 9:00 am - 2:oo pm
Details: PTA Fundraiser
Sellers to look for: Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs and Shore Debris

Holiday Craft Fair
Where: St. Michael the Archangel Church, 830 High House Road, Cary
When: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Details: Local artists, crafters & direct sellers; Door prize raffle to benefit programs for children in need in our parish & community.
Sellers to look for: JemmDeeCreations

Saturday & Sunday, November 21 & 22

Durham Art Walk
Where: Downtown Durham (map, directions & parking info)
When: Saturday - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday - 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Details: More than 400 participating artists, in venues all around Downtown; look for the Red Dots! Free shuttle service available.
Sellers to look for: Vintage Scraps and Orange Cat Art in the Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan Street, and MegRNC will be helping out at the Scrap Exchange, 548 Foster Street


We hope you'll visit our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello!

Special thanks to LuckyGirlTrading for last week's photo of her Bands of Red and Gold Temari.

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

Triangle Holiday Arts & Crafts Calendar (Week 1)

Buying local & handmade this holiday season is easy & fun! Here are just a few of the great opportunities around the Triangle this weekend:

Friday, November 13

Temple Beth Or Pre-school Holiday Fair
Where: 5315 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh (directions)
When: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sellers to look for: Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs, and Shore Debris

Saturday, November 14

Highlands Holiday Bazaar
Where: Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh
When: 9:00 am - 3:oo pm
Sellers to look for: Old Broom Street

Raleigh Jewelry Art Show
Where: 6911 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh
When: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sellers to look for: Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs, Shore Debris, Liv'nGood Jewelry, and New Byzantium Designs

Womenade Holiday Craft Fair
Where: Interact, 1012 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
When: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sellers to look for: Purple Daisies

Sunday, November 15

Christmas Craft Show
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes (Fallon Hall), 2718 Overbrook Drive, Raleigh
When: 10:00 am - 11:00 am; 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sellers to look for: Old Broom Street


We hope you'll visit the tables of our NC Triangle Etsy Team members and say hello!

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

Local Featured Seller: ShoreDebris

Who are you?

Hi, I'm Vicky Brown and have just opened Shore Debris on etsy. I run the online portion of a family crafting affair... my mom (Deenie), my aunt (Lori), and my Grandmother (Rita) are the other crafters.

Where are you located?

I live in Sanford (well, my address is Sanford, but I'm actually closer to Spring Lake), and I do all of my crafting/etsy work out of my home.

What do you create?

Right now, Jewelry, Wall Decor, and Note cards from sea shells and other beach-oriented themes. We are always finding new and interesting projects, so next year it will be jewelry and something else (we love jewelry and that will probably never totally go away).

What is your favorite place to visit in the "triangle"?

My favorite place nearby is the town of Cameron. My neighbor and I go there as often as possible. We'll park a car on NC-27 closest to where we live, start down the right side of the street and hit every shop... stop for lunch at the end in a little tea house (can't remember the name right now) and come back down the other side of the street. I find looking at antiques gets the juices flowing for reclaimed/recycled ideas for creating crafts and decorating my house.

When did you start creating?

I have always been around crafters and artists (although my Aunt Lori is the only one that went to college for an actual art degree). Paintings in our home, the roman shades, the pottery, our jewelry, our clothes, the comforter on the bed, the lampshades, the Christmas ornaments, the baskets, the wreaths, etc, etc, were handmade.

What is your most cherished handmade item?

The doll house my dad made for me when I was little. He spent about 14 months in my mom's dining room carefully cutting little pieces of wood, painting them perfectly, wallpapering the inside of the rooms, and every other minute detail. He even wired some Christmas lights to it like light bulbs so that I could light up the house and peek in the front windows. I have taken this with me everywhere through all my moves as an adult. In my very first apartment (it was actually a town home, but I'm not sure a smaller town home exists) and nothing but a bed fit in my bedroom, so the doll house was actually in my kitchen.

Why did you choose your medium?

I believe I sort of fell into it because I was surrounded by shells. My grandmother has a garage and has shells floor to ceiling sorted by type and color, etc. My mom has a shell shed (most people have a shed for their gardening and lawn care stuff... my mom has an entire shed full of shells and nothing but shells). I went to a few craft shows and a few stores that sell handmade only, and was trying to figure out something that no one else does.... That's when I got the idea of the wire-wrapped sea shell pendants. I thought I was pretty cool because nobody does these.. well, after I found etsy, I found out that many people makes these. I really like the pendants though, so I'll probably do them for a while.

What inspires you?

The beach - in the early morning when it's still slightly cool and maybe a bit foggy. The only 2 other people you see out is one runner off in the distance and one old, weather-beaten man fishing. It's so quiet and meditative with the waves pounding and no tourists or kids up yet, so you can feel isolated from the rest of the world. When I'm having trouble getting an idea, I like to think of a picture like that and it normally calms my mind down and lets it get creative again.

Where do you create?

Everywhere in the house. I'm supposed to be confined to my "office" but I have expanded to the coffee table in the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, and the entire space above the garage. I'm hoping that in a few weeks I can stuff it all back into my "office" without it bouncing back out so fast.

Why did you choose your company name?

Our original name was She'll Shell (my grandmother came up with that and it was sort of the idea that "She will shell, and she will continue to shell until she can't"), but when we tried to do our own ecommerce site (I didn't know about etsy at that time), we found out that Shell Gas owns all names that even remotely look like Shell so after another brainstorming session earlier this year, my grandmother came up with Shore Debris... since that's technically what shells are anyway, right?

What are your goals?

I just stopped working full time on 1 April this year and am hoping that I can make crafting my full-time job. Long-term goal would be to do enough craft shows and sales on-line that I never have to get a job again.

What do you do when you are not creating?

I play with my dog, expand my garden, and do minor construction projects around my house - just finished the fence and now I'm off to either put a roof over my deck or build a shed (still deciding on the next project).

--If you'd like to find out more about this group of ladies, check out their blog.