Isn't it funny how we are so ready afraid to accept a new year - and then, when it's here - we turn so quickly away from the last year?
Crazy that just a few weeks ago I was setting up to sell my purses nearly every weekend - and taking Mondays off! Austin is one of those cities where there are always many things to do every night - and many, many, many holiday shows to choose from!
I have been fortunate in doing Holiday Shows around Austin since 2002 - and 2009 brought some old favorites and new additions to the year. If only doing my taxes was as fun as all these shows!
Cherrywood Art Fair
The first year I did Cherrywood Art Fair - in 2003, left a strong impression on me. I remember just about everything - all the nice people, the purse I had in the silent auction - excitement that I was 23 and really doing this purse thing as a business - and best of all, both of my parents came and bid on my auction item. There is nothing like your business-minded Dad showing up at an event to make you feel "real."
For 2009, The organizers at Cherrywood asked me to participate in a program called
"Little Artist Big Artist." My Little Artist was 12 year old Sinclaire - a talented young lady who tricked me into believing she already knew how to use a sewing machine... only to prove she didn't really even need lessons!
Over the course of several weeks, we worked to create two fantastic fiber art bags. I got to know this artistic girl, and she reminded me of how much I loved to learn and be treated like a grown up at age 12. It also helped fuel the fire that started the idea for Frontier - The Scholarship Program from The Lone Star Ladies.
If that experience wasn't rich enough - there were even more talented artists at Cherrywood this year - first time participants
The Naughty Secretary Club,
Jamie Jo Fisher, and
Ape-Gear all added a new, kitschy fine craft element. Long time participants
Metalsgirl,
Bolsa Bonita and
Soy Delites provided shoppers with Holiday favorites.
You can view all my pictures from Cherrywood and The Stitch Lab in the Slideshow below! See if you've Been Happened at any of these Haute Austin Events!
Cherrywood always provides me with great community interaction, and a feel-good show experience - knowing that I helped to raise money for CHULA, the neighborhood improvement non-profit that produces the event, met a new young artist, caught up with old friends - oh - and sold TONS of bags!
The Indie Craftivity Scene at The Stitch Lab
Sew is Leslie Bonnell's favorite verb! As in, This event was SEW exciting! Leslie is the owner of The Stitch Lab - the little sewing studio that could.
A few years ago, Leslie retired from the professional world of Costume Design to start her own business. She built a small addition to her house in "Old South Austin" - and started teaching classes, and charming students with her wit, kind encouragement, and sassy attitude! As her business grew - she dreamt of moving into a bigger space - and viola! We were all invited to celebrate the Grand Opening of The Stitch Lab's new location at 1001 S. 1st, Austin, Texas the weekend of December 19th & 20th, 2009.
Leslie kindly accommodated over
20 artists into her new Sewing Pad - a cute bungalow with freshly refinished wood floors, brightly painted walls and adorable crafty decor! You can see the interview with lovely pics from
Apartment Therapy online!
What a weekend it was! I got to set up with delightful Milliner Jean Cannon (wearing one of her hats at left!) and Wood Artist Aldo Valdes Bohm (who just happened to custom make all of the delightful wood shelving in The Stitch Lab). They were so fun to be around and helped me make sales!
With
The Austin Chronicle and
KEYE TV showing up to shoot footage and do interviews, I would say it was a way to end the Holiday Shopping Season with a BANG!
Look for exciting new Crafty Events with *annemarie* this year, as well as
new classes with her at The Stitch Lab!
xo,
Anne Marie Beard
Share
