Craft Fairs, Sock Monsters, and More!

Come check out my upcoming craft fairs!  I'll be at the Delmar Farmer's Market (www.delmarmarket.org) every Saturday through Dec. 17th, 9am-1pm, and this coming weekend I'll be at the Congregation Beth Emeth "Walking in a Winter Shopping Land" craft fair, Sunday Dec. 5th, 10am-4pm.

I mentioned before that I've added Sock Monsters to my product line.  Now, I've had some "Ugly Doll" comparisons/comments come up in the last few weeks, and I'd like to dispel any myths and associations with those fine products... my Sock Monsters are made from repurposed/recycled/"upcycled" materials.  They are hand-made.  They have unique postures and personalities.  They do not have names.  They are yours to name when you give them a home.

Some of these "monsters" are like the monsters you live with -- your pets, parents, children, aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents -- you name it.  These little guys become family.  They are monsters in the most loveable sense.  Sometimes bordering on adorable.  And sometimes they have a special meaning.  Recently I sold my "Say No To Sweatshops" monster, who had a "Made in Macau" emblem sewn on his belly.  He was not made in Macau by tiny impoverished and underpaid hands.  Rather, he was made by a loving, thinking artist who is still slightly impoverished and underpaid.  But I will admit that my opportunities are greater, my choice pool is broader, and my quality of life is higher.  So support local artists, not money-grubbing conglomerate corporations who outsource their jobs to starving people who they do not adequately pay, and rather feed off of their deprivations like parasites.

I didn't get a picture of this sock monster before he was bought by people who will love him.


I will also be featured in a group art show at the Howe Library this 1st Friday, December 4th, 6:30-8:30pm.  Reception, refreshments, and live music will accompany.  I wouldn't miss it.

Delmar Farmers Market, Albany Fall Craft Beer Festival

This past Saturday I hocked my wares at the Delmar Farmers Market for the first time.  In the winter time it moves inside Bethlehem Middle School, and goes from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.  This coming weekend I'll be at the FUUSA Holiday Bazaar in Albany (see previous post), but then I'll be back to Delmar every Saturday through Dec. 17th, so definitely come check it out. 

I also teamed up to lend a hand to The Cheese Traveler on Saturday evening at the Albany Fall Craft Beer Festival at the Armory.  The Cheese Traveler is a premier purveyor of fine, hand-crafted local artisan cheeses, and they can also be found at the Delmar Farmers Market every Saturday.  They do cheese plates for parties, events, dinners and holidays, and they sell cheese on special order, too.  Email them at thecheesetraveler@earthlink.net and like them on Facebook!  (You can like me on Facebook, too.)