Sock Monsters Are Up On Etsy!

Finally, a sock monster is available on Etsy.  Customizable, no less!  So from my last post, you can now take a look at what these little creatures have to offer.

this funny rocker dude is going to be in the hands of a happy little boy very soon!

a little blurry, but cute!  she's been sold, though.

this floppy little guy is still available, but not for long!

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.)

Halloween Display

The Howe Branch of the Albany Public Library has its decorations up for Halloween... I was lucky enough to have been asked to design the background for the display -- out of what, you ask?  Well, cut paper of course!  Check it out:

The fireplace is a carved stone journey through Rip Van Winkle, and is original to the library, which was built in 1928.

Craft Fair Dates, New Inventory, Etc.

Craft Fairs

Last weekend was a good kickoff for my craft fair season! Upcoming Fairs include the following:

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (FUUSA) Holiday Craft Fair and Bazaar

http://fuusalbany.org/

Sat., Nov. 12: 9AM - 4PM

Sun., Nov. 13: 11AM - 3PM

(405 Washington Ave., Albany NY 12206)

TightKnit Black Friday Holiday Market

http://www.tightknitindie.blogspot.com/

Fri., Nov. 25: 5PM - 10PM

(Frear Bldg, corner of 3rd & Fulton, Downtown Troy)

You should also be able to check me out at the Delmar Farmers Market, Saturdays in November and December (excepting Sat., Nov. 12th).

New Inventory

One new item I've added to my repetoire is Sock Monsters. If you love my repurposing of magazine paper, fabric, beads, etc., you'll love these funny creatures! Made from repurposed socks and fabric, they love to look at you sideways and give silly glances.

I'm also taking custom orders for Sock Monsters, Ornaments, Bags/Purses and Jewelry! So feel free to email me or post a comment on my blog, send an Etsy convo, text or even do what they did in the olden days -- telephone!

Gift Wrapping is available, too!

Craft Fair Weekend!

Come check out the Upper Union Harvest Festival in Schenectady on Saturday, October 15th, 10AM - 3PM. I'll have a vendor tent set up there!

I'll also be selling my art and crafts at the Upper Madison Street Fair on Sunday, October 16th, 1PM - 4PM. Come check it out!

Both festivals should be lots of fun -- music, food, art, games, family stuff, etc. You don't want to miss it!

Etsy Feature

My piece Transformation of Knowledge has been featured in an Etsy treasury! Check it out:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjM5MzQxOHw3MjM4NzY4NDg/shapeshifter-alchemy-metamorphisis

It's inspiring to see other work based in tradition and the metaphysical -- if we as artists don't do the work to bring ideas specific to certain cultures to the forefront of collective consciousness, allowing us as humans to connect with each other in deeper ways, who will?