Open free parking was available, and the craft show is in a fairly new building on the ground floor.  Instead of a large open room, the booths were set up all up and down the main halls of the building.  All was on the ground level.There was a large selection of crafts in over 50 booths.  I saw crochet, jewelry, decorations, candy, totes, pottery, and baby items in the mix.  A luncheonette section, where one could buy food and sit down to enjoy, was located centrally.Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes of MKC Photography in Philadelphia had a table that showed several different crafts all in her one booth.  A creative artist indeed!  I first noticed a resin pendant that pictured a pink hydrangea, one of my favorite flowers.  It was encased in a silver bezel and strung on a ribbon. 

Next, there was an illustrated height chart made from vinyl with a sticky back that could be moved several times.  I thought that was a great idea to be able to move the chart if needed.  If that wasn’t enough, Michelle designs her own cloth and sews them into pennants, or buntings as they are sometimes called.

Yet another item are her archival photographic prints showing her imagination and sense of whimsy.  Here is a print of ruby slippers asking a question that perhaps one may not want to answer.   Please note there is already the assumption of being a witch!  All of these photos should enlarge if clicked.The show was held on a Saturday with great fall weather, and it was fairly well attended.   I shall unscientifically note that there seemed to be more lookers than buyers.  It was a nice show to get in your holiday shopping, and there was a nice mix of handmade items for those contemplating a booth for next year.

Written by Diane Olivia

So, with that on my mind,  I sat down and made the connection between a half Sun Salutation (a flowing series of yoga poses) and Creativity. Below is the result.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday season – may it be filled with lots of love & art!

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Making Art – Inspired by the Sun Salutation

Stand firmly with your feet facing forward – parallel, weight distributed evenly on all four corners of your feet.

Stand firm in your creativity. Do not be afraid to express yourself. Keep your feet firmly planted and allow your head to reach for the sky. When your foundation is stable, you are free to move.

Reach your arms out to the sides, take up all the space you can grow taller, dive forward, and down.

Do not hesitate, but do not rush. Take up all your desk space, floor space then clean it all up. Be free like a child, dive in head first, then swim up to the surface.

Rise  up halfway, back flat, crown of your head reaching straight out in front of you, fingertips touching the ground.

Let your mind be focused and clear, never lose sight of your foundation.

Your ideas will flow right out in front of you.

Melt forward, feel your heart melting as you bow in gratitiude.

Be thankful for your gifts as an artist. Share them with everyone you can. Thank yourself everyday for being you. Notice how your heart gets bigger and happier when you do this.

Rise up, lift your arms up toward the sky. Bring hands to your heart center. Close your eyes and feel your breath as it breathes you.

Notice the beauty in yourself, your heart and your creative mind. You bring beauty into the world by things you make, the words you speak and the thoughts you think.

Namaste.

Photo by MaryJo

MaryJo Rosania is an artist and yoga teacher living in New Hope, PA.

Cardinal O’Hara High School is located in Springfield, PA, on Sproul Road.  They have a craft show each Spring and Fall.  I recently attended their November show.  There was plenty of open and free parking when I arrived.  The craft show itself is in the school cafeteria.  One must descend quite a few stairs to enter the show, which is something to keep in mind if you plan to transport and set up your craft display booth.  The show runs for the weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.

One of the crafters there was Handmade Philly’s own Pidge Molyneaux of MWM Designs in Drexel Hill.  She displayed some lovely artisan jewelry.   Her work is stylish and current, using crystals and semi-precious stones.  One of the pieces that caught my eye was a very elegant yet lifelike autumn leaf pendant.   The fiery red was beautifully offset by cylindrical turquoise beads.Pidge explained to me that it was a real leaf painted and sealed with precious metals.  What a great way to wear the beauty of nature!  Another lovely piece was a ceramic pendant depicting a tree, which was strung with silver and leather.  I imagined wearing it with a cowl sweater on a chilly winter’s night.   Clicking on the photo will bring you better detail.The show itself appeared well-attended, and many shoppers carried bags of goodies they had purchased.  The majority of the items for sale were at the lower price points, and very few items went over the $50 mark.  Most items were handmade crafts, there were some vintage items, and a few things that looked to be imports.  I saw home decor, paper crafts, needlecraft, photography, wood work, ornaments, soaps, baked goods, chocolates, and novelty decorations.  Many of the home items would be fitting for an American country casual style.   One of the exhibitors told me that her success was mainly “hit or miss”.  I did see more activity in the booths that either had food or the lower priced practical housewares.

All in all, it was a nice way to spend a nice fall afternoon, and because of the high traffic, it is a show that might interest a prospective exhibitor.

Written by Diane Olivia

Mad Men fans who have fallen in love with Don Draper and the three-martini lunch will love Art & Copy. The world of advertising is not just the face of every manipulative salesperson, but the brains of brilliantly creative minds.  George Lois, Mary Wells, Dan Wieden, Lee Clow, Hal Riney and others featured in Art & Copy were responsible for “Just Do It,” “I Love NY,” “Where’s the Beef?,” “Got Milk,” “Think Different,” and more. This documentary is not just about advertising, but about inspiration and a dynamic impact on culture and society. Starting from the “creative revolution” of the 1960′s, film director Doug Pray exposes some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time.

If you want to be outraged this Christmas watch The Art of the Steal. This documentary uniquely impacts us, because it takes place right here in our hometown. According to 37-year-old documentary filmmaker, Mr. Don Argott, Philadelphia is the thief.   His controversial documentary relays the story of intrigue, politics, and the art world surrounding an art collection owned by the deceased Albert C. Barnes.

Barnes was born in 1872 and made his fortune in business but kept his focus on collecting Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modernist paintings. In 1922 Barnes set up the Barnes Collection in a unique way. His art was not categorized by time period, school of art or artist, but by aesthetic appeal.

The Barnes Collection is worth billions, and Mr. Barnes made sure to preserve his wishes for the collection in his will. To find out what ensued, you’ll need to watch…

Elizabeth Wann {Writer & Designer}

For ways to help the Bethesda Project, click here.

For the pattern and instructions: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-paper-ornaments

Thank you again to West Elm and to Etsy for such a meaningful event!

Come join the Handmade Philly team at West Elm from 5-8* on December 1.

Please come make ornaments with us and help a worthy cause:

West Elm is donating a Christmas Tree to the Bethesda Project and also collecting any other items people want to donate for the shelter.  If you know anyone who would be interested they need anything such as food, clothes, toiletries, socks, etc.  West Elm is encouraging people to buy ornaments for the tree that night as well so we can donate it decorated.

So if you are coming by to make an ornament that night and want to bring some other items to donate, they would appreciate it!

The beginning of the holiday season is the most fun for me. I have yet to get all turkey-ed out, yet to be annoyed by all the shopping traffic and yet to be stressed that I didn’t get all the gifts I need. This is the most fun time to just peruse all the lovely items out there to see what might be the most fun present for each of my recipients. So I hope you don’t think I’m too early with this holiday shopping spree guide! Enjoy scrolling through all these great items and know, you have pleeeenty of time to pick up items for everyone on your list!

Stained Glass Mosaic Candle Holder from Earth Mother Mosaics

Phrenology Pillow from Thimbletop

All Purpose Skin Healing Salve from Lilith’s Apothecary

Vintage Pendant from Light Mosaics

Fabric Kit to make her Block Holder Books (found in the Fresh Fabric Treats Moda Bake Shop Book) from Jaybird Quilts

Scones from Kitchen Witch Cookie

Earrings from Glamorosi

Bracelet from Clare McDermott

Soaps for him from Mamoucha Soaps

Original collage from 111CollageDesign

Necklace from PleaseBikeThanks

Serving platter from Little Flower Designs

Earrings from Finch and Flower

Visor beanie from Mels Bells

Flower notecards from Allison Ostertag

Journal from Blue Toad

Many many many more items available here! Happy holidays to you and yours!