Craft fair season is almost upon us!

While your out and about checking out craft fairs make sure you pencil in the following dates. You wouldn't want to miss your chance to meet the lovely people behind these great New Hampshire made crafts!

Holly Rose Aromatherapy:
September 8th - Manchester, NH 10-4 Mill City Festival
September 29th and 30th - Andover, MA Greater Lawrence Vocational Technical school
November 10th - St. Mary's Craft Fair at Dover High School 9-3 Dover, NH

MuchachaK:
The South End Holiday Market in Boston, December 8th and 9th.

For more info please check out the following link: http://southendholidaymarket.com/vendorguidelines.htm

Scrappy Seller:
November 3rd - Dover Parents Music Club
November 17th - ExeterAnnual Yuletide Fair

Bonny Jewelry:
September 22nd - Fall Fling Craft Fair, Concord NH
October 20th - Harvest Craft Fair, Somersworth NH
November 3rd - 5th Annual Holiday Craft Fair, Northwood NH
November 10th - Memorial HS Craft Fair, Manchester NH
November 17th - Saint Thomas Aquinas Christmas Fair, Derry NH
December 1st - GFWC Hudson Craft Show, Hudson NH

Bags By Melanie:
October 20th - First Church in Sterling MA

Happy House Quilts:
November 17th - Bow PTO
December 1st - Gilford High School

Pandys:
November 10th - Memorial High School Craft Fair, Manchester NH

Deedaloos:
November 24th - Kingswood Regional High School
We hope to see you there!!!!

Check out your buds at Magpie

Or in Cambridge

Don't forget the South End Open Market; or the one in Providence or the one in Mashpee!



Next week look for folks in Hamden, CT

What shows are you doing & signed up for this fall?
post 'em here!

NEST Interview: Scribble Nation

Name: Mary Helen & Michelle (B.F.F.'s!!)

Shop Name: Scribble Nation

If you have your own web site – list it here too: Mary Helen's blog

Where are you located? Southwestern, CT (Danbury & Sandy Hook)

How did you end up in New England?
Mary Helen: I was born in Maine to a couple of wayward fish-folk. Later on, we moved to Yonkers, New York to taste the finer things of life. A few years later the wind swept us one state over and we settled in Connecticut, where I've spent most of my life.

Michelle: Born and raised by parents who were born and raised by their parents who were born and raised.

How did you hear about Etsy?

Mary Helen: I found out about Etsy through one of my all-time favorite websites, Craftster.org.

Michelle: Mary!

What do you make? Why do you make them? (what's your inspiration) How did you learn to do it?

Mary Helen: The inspiration for Scribble Nation comes from the cockles of our creative organs. Michelle and I are both compulsive crafters. I find that the I am happiest when I am creating, and not worrying about what will or won't sell. I make what I feel like making when I feel like making it. Scribble Nation is more like an adoption agency to me than a shop. I can't keep all of this stuff myself - so I'm happy to see my crafts find good homes.

My mom was born and raised uber-crafty and when my three sisters and I were growing up she made our clothes, our toys, she baked bread, the whole shebang. We couldn't help but pick up a thing or two. Each of us ended up crafty. For me, it's an obsession. I live to learn new crafts, I am always on the lookout for new things to try out.

Next on the chopping block is making glass beads. I just got my blow torch and I am psyched! The next big thing you can expect on Scribble Nation is Michelle's gloriously cute collection of cocktail hats. We'd like to release the first batch together. We're hoping to get them online in September.

Michelle: I make everything, whatever I can get my hands on. My inspiration? Whatever inspires me! LOL! Scribble Nation allows me to make whatever I happen to feel like making or dabbling in. I learned how to craft from mom, friends, art school and myself.

Something, a tip? Motto?, you've learned about your craft, selling online or at fairs you'd like to share with the world.

Mary Helen: Never ever stop crafting. I totally believe in "creative inertia". If you don't keep creating you lose momentum and it gets harder to create. The end result doesn't even really matter as long as you never stop making things. Don't be discouraged by the occasional flop or disaster. Even the best artists have to create piles of mediocre work before getting to a masterpiece. Besides, you can always practice and get better at something. Hard work almost always guarantees a better result but what you can't guarantee are ideas. You can't count on creativity to be there when you need it if you've left it in the back shed for the past six months. And you can't put a price on imagination so BUST that stash and USE your materials. Don't wait around for inspiration or that "perfect" project - make your own.

Michelle: You never know what people will like so dabble in everything.

Are you a vendor at any upcoming shows/events? Are you teaching any classes?

Mary Helen: We are going to attempt our first craft fairs this year - but we haven't nailed down any solid dates yet. It's a little scary, but I bet we'll rock that Mary Helen: We are going to attempt our first craft fairs this year - but we haven't nailed down any solid dates yet. It's a little scary, but I bet we'll rock that $&!%.


What's the difference between Art & Craft? Which are you?

Michelle: Do I have to decide? I am a crafty artist!

Mary Helen: To me they are one in the same. Anytime you create something from nothing it is art - because there is a piece of you in it regardless of whether it is one of a kind or straight from a pattern. And if you are an artist at heart, forget it. I can't make a sandwich without putting my own spin on things.

Favorite midnight snack? Comfort food?

Michelle: Anything chocolate. Chocolate always makes things better.

Mary Helen: Anything sold in brine or double churned - but not together. (Well, not ALWAYS together)

What is the best thing about Etsy?

Mary Helen: The best thing about Etsy is the amazing wealth of talent showcased in one place. From soap to prints to jewelry, the artists on Etsy are just sensational. At any given time I could pop on and find at least one hundred things to make my heart skip a beat. It's wild to think that there are so many talented people out there - and it's mind blowing to see so many collected in one spot.

Shipping Promos

The Biz card/ promo item shipments went out today - I was impressed with the promos and the business card designs.

The home made cards were well done; the graphics on all cards were really well done.

The promos included some pin backs and magnets; pinbacks in tiny baggies - so they had a little introduction card that explained everything!
Pretty scented soap samples
Post cards! I also included a group promo idea where we each bought a square. I love mine.
StellaBean made some tiny notebooks - this idea is pretty cool & could be customized to work for anyone.

I even included some of the goodies in my weekend orders! Keep your eyes peeled for the boxes & let me know if you don't receive yours.

~Betsy

Craft Alert!

Mark it on your shopping Calender!

September 22 from 9-5 in Greenfield MA, join the Western Massachusetts Street Team and other artists, artisans and crafters for an arts and crafts fair.

CALL FOR VENDORS -

The ETSY Western Mass Craft Fair is back on!! We have found a new and better location. It is STILL scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 from 9-5. It will take place on the grounds of the St. James Episcopal Church on Federal St. in Greenfield . The grounds are lovely and if we have good weather we can probably put everyone outside. The church is in the Tudor design and there's also a covered walkway (cloister) where people with small displays could be set up. If the weather doesn't cooperate, vendors without tents can be put inside - in 2 rooms. The church will be selling food and as this is a cooperative event, there will be some select non-Etsy vendors who will be invited.

We will require a $40 booth fee, some of which we will used for advertising. Checks should be made out to Vickie Hutchinson and sent to her at 33 Spruce St . , Greenfield , MA 01301 . Include with your check: your name and mailing address; email address and phone number, Etsy Shop name, preferred space (outdoor with tent, outdoor without, cloister, etc) table and electricity requests. Please note if you should need any special considerations as well.

The church has a limited number of 8ft tables. They will be distributed on a first request basis. Electricity is not available outside. You must supply your own tent.

Unless you have a tent and are outside, spaces may not all be the traditional 10 x 10 size. The cloister is narrow and the inside rooms can accommodate a 10 ft width but not always a 10ft depth.

Etsy is helping us with advertising by supplying us with a large sign that will be hung in front of the church a couple weeks ahead and signs that we'll put in the center of town. This is still the same day as the Old Deerfield Craft Fair and there should be shuttle buses running from the center of Greenfield . Our location is about a block from there (walking distance.)

We have no application so please be sure include all requested information By September 8th at the latest. Once we know how many we need to accommodate, we'll send you directions and instructions.

Questions should be sent to jbajgier@comcast.net. Valley Artisan Craft Fair

Seller Profile: Melba McMullin of justBe

Melba McMullin - justBe...art by Melba McMullin from Hyannis, MA

I am originally from New York. I have lived in seven different states through out my twenties. At an Old Navy General Manager Conference in Hawaii I met my future husband. Three months after we met, I moved to Watertown, MA to be with him. We now live in Centerville and have two children.

I am a Stay a Home Mama, Mixed Media Artist, Visual Journalist, and Creative Blogger.

I am hosting justBe...Connected; a gathering for Creative Bloggers October 12 -14, 2007 on Cape Cod. On Saturday of the gathering I am hosting The Creative Bazaar; an indie craft fair open to the public. Vendor applications are now being accepted.

I feel it is my mission to foster connections amongst Creative Bloggers and to create a place for indie crafsters to come together and sell their wares.

This past spring I created many items to be sold at a craft fair. After the fair I decided to put some of my items into an Etsy shop. I have been a registered user for over a year, but I was intimidated about starting a store. Once I got started I was surprised at how easy it is! I love Etsy; it is such an amazing way to sell and to share.

I make mixed media collages on canvas, boxes, composition books, jars...anything paper and mod podge can be adhered to. I love collage. I love the process and the results. I also enjoy making symbols out of wire. I usually incorporate them into my work and I always include a wire flower with each package.

Be Alive Believe Be You is my personal blog where I post my journal pages and creative challenges.

I also host a community blog called Create a Connection. Everyday there is a new post from a guest blogger based on a variety of different themes.

I can be contacted at melbamcmullin@comcast.net

Here is a recap of my links in case they get broken:

justBe...art by Melba McMullin: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=50714

justBe...Connected: http://www.justbeconnected.com/

The Creative Bazaar: http://www.bealivebelievebeyou.com/creativebazaar/

Create a Connection:

http://www.bealivebelievebeyou.com/create/

Be Alive Believe Be You: http://www.bealivebelievebeyou.com/believe/

Boston Street Team

The Boston Team takes to the streets tonight.

Showing in Jamaica Plain this evening from 5-8pm at the South Street Outdoor Mall in front of the tennis courts across the street from Harvest Foods is a selection of spectacular art & craft talent. Prints and originals, jewelry and fashion clothing.

Today's exhibitors:
Amy Olson Jewelry
Cozy Cottage Creations
Glamorpuss Creations
J. Hill Design
MuchachaK
Reclaimed To You
Relaxation Works
The Hole Thing
Zesty Betsy