4th Annual Londonderry High School Class of 2017 Craft and Vendor Fair

This beautiful, sunny Saturday was the backdrop to the holiday craft fair at the Londonderry High School. This year was my 3rd year attending the fair and it has the charm and feeling of community that a school fair has including the great addition of having the students helping and making the whole event run smoothly. 

cafeteria vendors

cafeteria vendors

cafeteria vendors

cafeteria vendors

a view of the lobby vendors

a view of the lobby vendors

student volunteers

student volunteers

the raffle section in the lobby

the raffle section in the lobby

Olivia was here with her grandmother (?), who gave the ok along with Olivia to take her picture with the darling little heart she bought.

Olivia was here with her grandmother (?), who gave the ok along with Olivia to take her picture with the darling little heart she bought.

I was so happy that Kathleen bought a gourd arrangement from me.  As cute as they are and people say to me, the sales have been down from when I first made some.  She's going to set it outside her window so she can look out and admire it.

I was so happy that Kathleen bought a gourd arrangement from me.  As cute as they are and people say to me, the sales have been down from when I first made some.  She's going to set it outside her window so she can look out and admire it.

I did get to take pictures of my customers at this event, thankfully.  It makes it more interesting for me and I hope my customers like being in my blog.

What a great picture of Sherie and her mother, Ardie....lovely smiles.

What a great picture of Sherie and her mother, Ardie....lovely smiles.

As I said in my last blog, I need more tapestry bags. I made a few more which this tapestry bag bought by Judy and Athena was one of.  I loved it and knew it would sell, but I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of it.  I had it mostly done, finished in the beginning of the show and sold it before the show ended.  I'm fine with it, but I knew it would be liked.

Judy was at the fair with her godmother, Athena.

Judy was at the fair with her godmother, Athena.

At my next show in Nashua at the Crowne Plaza, I will have some fresh holiday evergreen arrangements.  Looking forward to my first show there!

The Great New England Craft Fair

A beautiful fall Sunday morning at the NH Dome's Great New England Craft Fair begins the 2nd day of this wonderful mix of artisans and crafters.  Walking around I see such talented people intricately involved with their products and displaying and explaining their techniques and incredible items.  Certainly something for everyone! 

I made some new heart designs this week and had this opportunity to display them here at the dome.  I have recently used some Redheart wood for the first time and inlayed some with a golden mother-of-pearl heart for contrast and used it as an inlay heart on curly maple for that contrast.  To enhance the light curly maple color on the above heart, I used not golden, but this more dark mother-of-pearl as a mosaic and as critical as I am of my own work, this design blew me away!

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of having someone with me in my booth for the whole day................Wow!  Thanks Laurene!  I always welcome visitors to my booth, thanks to all my PEEPS :) that do visit/help, but it was a treat to have conversation all day long.  It can be quiet with just myself, until customers come along and then I have a lot to say if they like me to explain my products.  Laurene aided me with accolades of my items to the customers and the right things to say to encourage some sales.

On Sunday, my customer, Maria, chose my new redheart design.  She reciprocated my asking for her picture to have me reach in her own cute, little velvet bag to retrieve a stone and mine said "joy".  I felt joy from this gesture.  Thank you Maria!

Lori also liked the small heart, this one with the pearl dot inlay.  

Lori with her small heart (only the one in her hand), a good sport letting me take her pic.

Lori with her small heart (only the one in her hand), a good sport letting me take her pic.

Patti, who wants to put the small hearts as an embellishment on her gifts this holiday...........well, I love that!

Patti, who wants to put the small hearts as an embellishment on her gifts this holiday...........well, I love that!

Maria with her velvet bag of stones.

Maria with her velvet bag of stones.

I can see the "love" between these two "lovely" customers, Sonia and Jade.

I can see the "love" between these two "lovely" customers, Sonia and Jade.

Later on, Sonia and Jade purchased one of my old favorites, the rustic "love" rosewood heart that surprisedly, but so interestingly developed a curve in the heart that was not planned.

And then there was Patti, my customer of the day, purchasing 10 hearts!  She loved them.......I loved her!  She did MY HEART so much good.

Of course, these remembrance hearts have to be special ordered so the particular initials can be inlaid.

Of course, these remembrance hearts have to be special ordered so the particular initials can be inlaid.

I received my first order for a remembrance heart!  I have given one as a remembrance of a deceased loved one, but hadn't gotten an order yet.  I was given a pocket angel when my brother passed away and the comfort I got from reaching in my pocket and feeling that angel was pretty amazing, to feel ANY comfort.  I have always loved the cool, smooth feel of my hearts and I thought that they could have the same effect with the added beauty of the heart that can be displayed.  My customer gave me another thought and chose a heart with a pearl heart inlay to do the initials on the other side and so both sides have inlay.  We had a little confusion about what she wanted, but this idea only makes it more special.  Thanks Kerry!

I had a few other special requests and of course I will try to make them happen for everyone.  I will be looking for that lavender color fabric for the clutch-size bag that Linda was looking for and I did put aside the bag Donna wanted and hope to fill that request also.  In preparing for this show, I have not updated my Etsy shop and website which will be up-to-date this week with the complete list of upcoming shows and current/holiday items listed.  Thanks to all that made this event so terrific and looking forward to more shows there and all the holiday shows coming up this year! 

Shiloh Community Church Harvest Fest

Everyone was wowed by the beauty and majesty of the Mounted Police Horse.

Everyone was wowed by the beauty and majesty of the Mounted Police Horse.

A wonderful hidden gem of fall events last Saturday was the Shiloh Community Church Harvest Fest in west Manchester by the Piscataquog River.  Such a fun, friendly event with all kinds of games and activities for kids including  food and drinks for everyone and all for free!

Pastor Will, Lisa and the volunteers welcomed all to participate in the fun including ball games, pumpkin/face painting, bouncy houses, picture taking, eating and visiting with the local police and fire. 

Free Harvest Pictures!

Free Harvest Pictures!

Vendors aligned the church lot with many great gift items for the holidays or any day and on the far left was a farmer's market.

Vendors aligned the church lot with many great gift items for the holidays or any day and on the far left was a farmer's market.

Sales were good, the friendly vibe was all around.  I sold hearts and keychains and bags and especially 2 of my funky big totes that I made for my summer shows.

And another of one of my favorite clutch-size plush bags!

Even the vendors could participate for free!  How great is that!

Thanks to everyone for all the help and for sharing the good times.

Made in NH Expo: Sunday

Sunday was another stellar day at the Made in NH Expo!  I think the not-so-stellar weather helped attendance a bit.  Lucky for all involved.  It was a very steady stream of happy faces enjoying the sights and sounds and surprises from different vendors throughout.

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Made in NH Expo: Saturday

What a great day at the Made in NH Expo Saturday!  It seems like the place to see and be seen.  So many nice people, families, friends, having so much fun checking out all the different vendors, sampling wonderful foods, and enjoying the entertainment.  It was a crowded day, but all baby strollers, wheelchairs and walkers were welcomed and all people seemed happy to take their time and go with the flow.  I had so many wonderful customers to talk with and share my story to.  Some asked of all my seemingly unconnected products, "So what is the story behind this display?"  I was happy to fill them in.  Here are pics of some good-hearted people that let me take their picture for my blog. 

Pam and Debbie checking out my hearts.  Thanks for letting me take your picture after your purchase!

Pam and Debbie checking out my hearts.  Thanks for letting me take your picture after your purchase!

Thanks Donna, Dot and Betsy for allowing me to take your picture after your purchase!  (Sorry for the closed eyes, I didn't have my close glasses on)

Thanks Donna, Dot and Betsy for allowing me to take your picture after your purchase!  (Sorry for the closed eyes, I didn't have my close glasses on)

Some of these bags have been sold, but they will be 10% off today.

Some of these bags have been sold, but they will be 10% off today.

Well, I will be leaving for the final day of the expo and my special for this day will be 10% off all of my bags!  This was my first year and I am so proud to be a vendor at this expo.  It means so much to me to be a part of the artisan community of NH.  Thanks!

Karin will put my heart on her beautiful lit tree in her home with all her special, collectable items.  The Osage Orange wood will certainly sparkle with the lights.  Thanks Karin!

Karin will put my heart on her beautiful lit tree in her home with all her special, collectable items.  The Osage Orange wood will certainly sparkle with the lights.  Thanks Karin!

Ernie is my example that my products are not just for women.  Thanks Ernie for letting me take your picture and for purchasing some bags for your, as you told me, Large collection of pouches.  I also had a gentleman purchase some bags, one…

Ernie is my example that my products are not just for women.  Thanks Ernie for letting me take your picture and for purchasing some bags for your, as you told me, Large collection of pouches.  I also had a gentleman purchase some bags, one to use for his chess pieces (it was very soft and velvety.)

And you didn't want your picture taken!  What a great picture and thanks to Staci and Beth for this bag purchase.

And you didn't want your picture taken!  What a great picture and thanks to Staci and Beth for this bag purchase.

And last...........but CERTAINLY not least is the Wolfman from Clarks Trading Post!!!  Like I said......"see and be seen!"

And last...........but CERTAINLY not least is the Wolfman from Clarks Trading Post!!!  Like I said......"see and be seen!"

Made in NH Expo

Well.....the Made in NH Expo 2016 began yesterday!!!  This is a long standing expo lasting 21 years!  There are so many great vendors with unique and really beautiful products.  You are "missing out" if you don't "check it out."  I have a few free admission tickets left if anyone wanted to contact me for Sunday's show (I'll be unavailable and at the show today.)  I wanted to post my show special which will be a big discount price for my latest dollhouse for $300.00.  If anyone is looking for one now or in the near future, it's a great price!

My booth # is 527 if you are coming down and of course, I've got to go NOW!!!!   See you there!

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In the Workshop: Heart Production

Producing in the workshop, making new items, gearing up for the Made in NH Expo at the Radisson end of April, always a lot to do!  

resawn exotic hardwoods

resawn exotic hardwoods

Tiger Caspi hardwood hearts, not finished

Tiger Caspi hardwood hearts, not finished