You're Invited This Sunday – Local Shopping at its Best

Greetings, early holiday shoppers! If you are ready to get a jump start on your gifting, I've got the perfect event for you. This Sunday, I am honored to be participating in an Open House event in York, Maine. Local artist Laurie Wallace is once again opening her home for this wonderful event and I hope to see YOU there!

Sunday, November 3rd

1:00 - 4:30 pm

31 Avon Avenue (off Long Sands Rd.)

York, Maine

(click for directions)

Lofted Designs will be there with gifts for everyone on your list: a new assortment of handmade necklaces, earrings, tie bars, sterling silver rings in many sizes, pet tags and handcrafted collars. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and wine! 

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OTHER PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Laurie Wallace -- Hand-Spun Knits by Laurie
Gorgeous and soft hobo gloves, alpaca cowl neck scarves, alpaca hats and more! So much care goes into these lovely pieces.

Amy Clark -- Ocean Fire Pottery

One of my favorite local artists, Amy makes beautiful handcrafted wheelthrown stoneware. Preview items on her website or Facebook page. 

Erin Donovan -- Twig Naturals
Handmade candles, coasters and cards — they're all gorgeous and make wonderful gifts!

Janice & Pam -- Gingerloo Cookies 

All-natural cookies baked in small batches locally. Visit their website or Facebook page to learn more (and to drool over gorgeous cookie photos).

***Please note:

This is my only planned show for the holiday season (so far). More may be added, but this is the only one that's been confirmed. Don't miss your chance to shop Lofted Designs in person for the holidays!

2013 Close Buy Catalog - New England's Finest

The 2013 Close Buy Catalog is in the works and I am so incredibly honored that Lofted Designs has been included again! In case you aren't familiar with this awesome organization, Close Buy is a fundraising catalog available to schools and non-profits throughout New England that features handmade goods MADE in New England...genius, right?

Their next sale starts September 1, 2013, so if you are affiliated with a school or non-profit in New England and looking for a unique fundraising idea, look no further. Schools and non-profits interested in using the Close Buy Catalog this fall can sign up until July 22 by emailing hello@closebuycatalog.com.

Two popular Lofted Designs pet tags will be featured this year in the "Puppies, Kitties + Babies" section. Here's a sneak peek of the listing:

I love supporting this organization and I hope you will get involved, too! See who's participating and learn how you can sign up for the catalog on their website. 

Dover Arts Market - Debuting Sunday, June 2nd

I am very excited to announce that Lofted Designs will be part of the inaugural Dover Arts Market this coming weekend, a brand new juried, outdoor artisan and fine arts market!

This Sunday, June 2nd (and every Sunday through October), you can find a very talented group of artists, crafters, painters, potters, sewers, and more gathered in the Cocheco Millworks Courtyard at 421 Central Avenue in Dover, New Hampshire.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2nd

9am - 3pm

The Dover, New Hampshire arts market is the newest in a well-established series of reputable artisan events run by Katy Solsky, who has been operating the Concord Arts Market for six years. She is all about quality and variety, so you can expect to discover some really great handmade finds!

Katy is also (quite ambitiously) starting up the Claremont Arts Market this summer. And all this in addition to launching her own fabulous new company Simple City Dress featuring handmade skirts, dresses and more. Simple City Dress will make its market debut this weekend at both the Concord Arts Market on Saturday and the new Dover Arts Market on Sunday.

You can read more about the Dover Arts Market in this recent Seacoast Online article. Hope to see you there this Sunday!

Buy Local Open House – Sunday, December 2nd

This coming Sunday, December 2nd from 12 - 5 pm, I am honored to be participating in an Open House Holiday Extravaganza event at Ocean Fire Pottery in York, Maine.

Each year, Amy Clark of Ocean Fire Pottery invites her favorite artisans to display their goods at her studio and this year Lofted Designs is invited! I'll be ready with a table full of necklaces, earrings, tie bars for men, sterling silver rings, pet tags and leather dog collars (made by my husband Patrick). There will also be refreshments, pottery mini-lessons, wool spinning demos, and kids art activities throughout the day!

A sampling of Lofted Designs jewelry

Other participants include:

Amy Clark – Ocean Fire Pottery (our gracious hostess)
One of my favorite local artists, Amy makes incredible handcrafted wheelthrown stoneware and combines elements of the earth to create functional art that evokes joy every day. I am the proud owner of several Ocean Fire Pottery pieces. You can preview her creations on her website or check out her Facebook page.

Laurie Wallace – Hand-Spun Knits by Laurie
Handspun items including hobo gloves, soft alpaca cowl neck scarves and hats, handwoven belts and dog leashes.

Erin Donovan – Twig Naturals
All-natural, hand poured soy candles scented with essential oils that smell amazing! Erin also makes beautiful lightboxes, collaged original art, coasters, and gorgeous pocket mirrors that would make perfect stocking stuffers. 

The Details:

Sunday, 12/2/12

12:00 - 5:00 pm

23 Woodbridge Road, York, Maine

Click here for directions

Click here to RSVP

* Plenty of parking is available at Kennebunk Savings Bank, diagonally across the street from the studio

Craft Fix - Sunday, 11/25 - Kittery, Maine

Greetings, holiday shoppers near southern Maine & Portsmouth! If you are sick of maddening big box doorbusters, crazy check-out lines, and crowded parking lots, I've got the perfect event for you. Come hang out at Craft Fix on Sunday! 

Lofted Designs will be there with a table full of sterling silver necklaces, rings, tie bars for men, sterling & vintage button earrings, NEW Jamaican beach stone earrings, pet tags, leather dog collars from P.D. Barkington, and more! 

The Details:

Buoy Gallery (next to the Black Birch)

2 Government St., Kittery, ME

10am - 5pm*

*Come early to avoid the crowds and get the best selection!

I'll be part of a truly great (and diverse) group of vendors this year. From jewelry, greeting cards and handbags to fresh caramels, knits, yoga mat bags and paper cut creations, you'll be able to shop for handcrafted and vintage items for everyone on your holiday list! Artists include (click the links for a sneak peek):

• Megan Stelzer (organizer extraordinaire)
• Annika Wisswaesser
• Danica Carlson
• Byrdy Dilando
• Jennifer Richmond
• Amy Jane Larkin
• Amanda Telford
• Amelia Davis
• Liz Battle
• Dylan Metrano
• Elizabeth Doherty
• Glenn Dilando
• Dan Blakeslee
• Margaret Dilando
• Erin Molloy
• Virginia Davis
• Lauren and Josh of Green Foundry
• Sophia Selden
• Tracy Mastro
• Frostline

BONUS: While you're in town, check out the incredibly beautiful exhibit at Drift Gallery around the corner and also the open artists studios down the road at Art on the Hill!

Etsy Maine Team Online Cash Mob In One Week

The Maine Team Cash Mob on Etsy is just one week away! Show your support for the truly talented members of the Etsy Maine Team.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Nearly 700 shops represented!

Now with over 13,000 unique handcrafted and vintage items!

Here's how it works:
1. Visit Etsy.com (or use the Etsy app on your tablet or smartphone)
2. Type "maineteam" into the search bar (one word)
3. GO SHOPPING!

For more specific results, you can also search for "maineteam jewelry" or "maineteam pet tags" (for example) to narrow your search.

You do not need to live in Maine to participate in our cash mob. This event is open to the world. Many shops will also be offering coupon codes and discounts valid on this day only (check individual shop announcements on Etsy for details).

Come join the fun, get a jump on your holiday shopping and show your support for Maine's online small businesses. Here's an easy link to take you directly to "Maineteam" items on Etsy: click here and start marking your favorite items now!

York Village Marketfest

This Friday & Saturday!
October 12 & 13
9 AM-4 PM

Visit Lofted Designs this Friday and Saturday at the annual Marketfest celebration in historic York Village, Maine. The forecast looks lovely and I can pretty much guarantee you've never seen more beautiful fall foliage in a such a quintessential New England village setting. 

As if Lofted Designs wasn't enough of a draw, this festival features:
• Dozens of talented artists and craftspeople
• An amazing variety of delicious foods
• Sidewalk sales
• Musical performances
• A "prisoner performance" (WHAT?) at The Museums of Old York
• Petting zoo
• Scarecrow contest (vote for your favorites!)
• Book sale
• MUCH more! You can seriously make a whole day of it. 

I will have a booth just behind the big food tent on Friday and Saturday from 9AM - 4PM. Unfortunately, the event website has virtually NO information on it, however this newspaper article lists a schedule of events. I've also created a Facebook event with all the details. 

Artsy Affair - This Thursday, Nov. 10th, 5-9pm

Well, the outdoor shows are over for the season and the tent has been stashed away until next summer. This Thursday marks the official start of my holiday craft fair season! I am excited to be trying out a new fair in Maine — Artsy Affair.

Thursday, November 10

5:00 - 9:00 pm

The Inn at Brunswick Station

Brunswick, Maine

visit this page for directions

Artsy Affair is the self-proclaimed "indie style craft and artisan fair" featuring craftspeople from Maine's mid-coast region and a few of us from beyond (like me from York). They are doing a great job of highlighting participating artists on their blog each day leading up to the event, so be sure to check it out for a sneak peek.  Several of my products were featured on the "7th day of Artsy" post!


Artsy Affair is juried (i.e. not cluttered with junk...only the best handmade goods around) and offers a unique holiday shopping experience for the community where shoppers can meet an amazing group of artisans and enjoy the start of the holiday season with delicious food, live music and local art.


Get a jump start on holiday shopping and keep it local.
Hope to see you there!


P.S. Like their Facebook page for updates leading up to the event.

Get Your Craft Fix - This Weekend

Buoy Gallery — 2 Government St., Kittery, Maine

Saturday, November 27th, 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday, November 28th, 10 AM - 5 PM

After you get your fix of doorbuster deals or finish celebrating Buy Nothing Day on Friday, head on over to Buoy for CRAFT FIX, where you'll find locally handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list! Some of the seacoast's very best artists and craftspeople will be there, so skip the outlets and head into town. more info

2010 Holiday Show Schedule

The Lofted Designs holiday schedule has been set! I applied to five juried craft fairs and art shows this season, thinking I'd get accepted to one (at best). Instead, I got into three for a very full schedule starting this coming weekend.

I'm so excited to announce the dates, and I hope to see some of you at the following events. All of them offer FREE admission and tons of fantastic holiday shopping. If you love to buy handmade and support local artists, here are three great events for you:

CRAFT FIX

Buoy Gallery — 2 Government St., Kittery, Maine

Saturday, November 27th, 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday, November 28th, 10 AM - 5 PM

SHOP -A-DO Craftastic Art Sale

SPACE Gallery — 538 Congress St., Portland, Maine

Friday, December 3rd, 5 PM - 9 PM
Saturday, December 4th, 10 AM - 6 PM

PICNIC PORTLAND HOLIDAY SALE
Maine Irish Heritage Center — 34 Gray St. & State St., Portland, Maine
Saturday, December 11th, 12pm - 8pm
Sunday, December 12th, 12pm - 5pm


Details to follow soon! Of course, if you live far away you can always shop online.