BDN Maine Food and Gift Fair - A Recap

The BDN Maine Holiday Food and Gift Fair was held in Portland, Maine, yesterday – Saturday, November 30th – and I was very excited to take part. I do love food, and was sandwiched between Dean's Sweets and the Super Stick Food Flipper booth for the day.

Here's a look at my very official looking booth – it's the first show I've ever done where they put up pipe and drape! And my very own sign! This made it feel much more legit than the fairs I typically do.

The foot traffic was a bit light, and I'm not exactly sure why. Most people I talked to thought the event was well-advertised in local papers and online, but for whatever reason – possibly location – there just weren't too many people making their way out the Portland Company Complex. It does take a little extra effort to get there and parking can be an issue in Portland.

But no matter. I can ALWAYS find the silver lining. I had a great day getting to know my neighbors and admiring their work. I also made some excellent trades...

I traded with Eliza of Morris & Essex for a gorgeous box of letterpress holiday cards.

I satisfied my sweet tooth by bartering with Kristen and Dean of Dean's Sweets

Lucy from Lucy's Granola proposed a very tasty trade.

This one wasn't a trade, but was totally worth it! Peanut butter chocolate chip from Stone Fox Farm Creamery. The creamiest ice cream I have ever tasted.

The biggest highlight of the day for me was when a couple of gentlemen purchased a pair of my rubber chicken earrings for none other than Sally Struthers! They are friends of hers and when they saw these earrings they instantly thought of her. Hope she loves them!

Holiday Food and Gift Fair - Portland, Maine 11/30

When and Where:

November 30th, 2013

11am - 6pm

FREE admission!

58 Fore Street, Portland, ME

I'll be bringing along a new assortment of Lofted Designs necklaces and earrings (seaglass, beach stones, sterling silver, vintage buttons and more!), plus new bracelet designs, new ring designs, and a great assortment of pet tags. If you haven't seen me in person in awhile, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I actually plan to get most of my holiday shopping done at this show...it shouldn't be difficult. I'll be in great company with these incredible Maine-based food and gift vendors (this is just a small sampling of the booths I'm looking forward to checking out – there will be many more):

Casco Bay Butter Co. – All-natural artisan butters made from local dairy farm cream.

'Cue Culture – Small batched barbecue sauces

Dean's Sweets – Amazing hand-dipped truffles. Enough said.

Flowfold – Durable wallets & bags handmade from sailcloth

Jared DiSimio Maker – Bags & accessories made from vintage, antique and salvaged materials, each with a story to tell. 

Vena's Fizz House - Mixology Shop and Natural Soda Bar

Morris & Essex – The most stunningly designed & silkscreened, letterpressed and block-printed goods I have ever laid eyes on. Shirts, cards, scarves, bags and more. I want everything Eliza makes. All of the things.

Maine Blanket – 100% grass-fed sheep's wool blankets, solar hand-dyed in seawater and woven on antique looms. How cool is that? 

Baobab Organics – Sustainable, organic cotton clothing for kids

Fiber and Water – Natural burlap wall art featuring hand-pressed designs.

You can find more info and RSVP on their Facebook event page. Hope to see you there!

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!

Before & After - Post-Holiday Clean Up

The Loft - Before & After

December was downright insane in my tiny loft studio. Don't get me wrong, I totally knew where everything was (most of the time). My work space was just, shall we say, creatively re-arranged for awhile. When my jewelry-making time is very limited but in high demand, there just isn't time to neatly put things away between projects. In fact, there is no such thing as being "between projects". I was making no less than ten different items at a time with constant overlap, so to put things away would be undermining my productivity. At least, that's what I told myself every night around midnight. 

But inevitably, the orders from my online shop slowed down after Christmas and I took a moment to look around. I was horrified. How did it ever get THIS bad? Every surface was covered in metal shavings and silver dust. Every tool was out. Things were even overflowing from my workbench onto the FLOOR. 

It had gotten way out of control. So I did what any sensible person would do in this situation...I avoided the studio altogether for several weeks. :) When I was finally ready to face the mess, cleaning up was such a rewarding project.

Behold! The clean studio!

Of course, it won't stay this way for long. Craft show season starts in a couple of months, not to mention the flurry of Valentine's Day orders hopefully coming soon. But for the time being, everything is in order and all is right with the world.

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

Bazaar Bizarre Boston Features Lofted Designs

What an honor! What an exciting time! The Bazaar Bizarre Boston has featured Lofted Designs on their blog!! (And yes, I am blogging about a blog.)

I haven’t even announced my participation in this event yet because I am still pinching myself, but I am very pleased to tell you that I’ll be a vendor at Bazaar Bizarre Boston this December 16th! Read the full interview here and learn everything you need to know about shopping at this fantastic event on their Shopper Info page.

This show will be HUGE and I can't even believe I will be there with all these other amazing vendors. Until then, I'm signing off because I've got a LOT of things to make. :)

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!

Craft Fix - Kittery, Maine - This Sunday!

Buoy Gallery — 2 Government St., Kittery, Maine

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

11 AM - 6 PM

Craft Fix is back for another year! So happy to be participating in this creative event. 

After you support Buy Nothing Day on Friday and Small Business Saturday, come over to Buoy in Kittery for CRAFT FIX, where you'll find locally handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list! Some of the seacoast's most talented artists and craftspeople will be there, so skip the outlets and malls and head downtown.

Sneak Peek at some Lofted Designs goodies for Sunday!

All types of handmade crafts will be represented including handcrafted jewelry, tote bags and purses, greeting cards, sculptures, pottery, photography and more. RSVP here or just show up! I'd love to see your face supporting handmade businesses this season!

***Note: If we are very, very lucky, the brand new Black Birch restaurant may be open in time for this event. It is right next door and looks very promising. Like them on Facebook to learn when they open.

Picnic Arts + Music Fest is Tomorrow

In case you’ve been living under a rock, I’m here to tell you the 4^th Annual Picnic Music + Arts Summer Festival is tomorrow! This is my third year participating and I am excited beyond belief. My booth is across from the Info booth. Mention that you saw my blog post or that you follow me on Facebook or Twitter for a 10% discount off your Lofted Designs purchase! 

Original screenprinted posters by Kris Johnsen will be for sale at Picnic!

Here are the basics:

Tomorrow (Saturday, August 27^th)

Rain or shine

Lincoln Park (corner of Congress Street & Franklin Arterial)
11am – 6pm

There will be live music! (view schedule)

The forecast is looking great for daytime outdoor activities, but I encourage you to come early! Before the good stuff is sold and before the weather possibly turns in the afternoon. 

This event it juried and pretty darn selective, so you are sure to see the best of the best here. This isn’t your grandma’s craft fair. A list of vendors can be found here. 

Here are some links for additional info:

Facebook page 

Twitter feed

Also, don’t forget about the HillyTown Official Afterparty at Geno’s! Facebook event page 

Come on out and have some fun before Hurricane Irene puts you on house arrest. Hope to see you there!

Celebrate December with FREE Shipping

Here it is, my gift to you! From now through December 12, 2010, enjoy FREE SHIPPING on all purchases from the Lofted Designs Etsy shop. Free shipping will be automatically applied to your order.


Thanks for supporting the handmade movement this holiday season!

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.