Posted by Renee on November 16, 2009
Handmade Holiday at Lincoln Park Barn On Saturday, November 14 was a HUGE success!!
I would like to personally thank:
All of the wonderful, talented artists and crafters, who, without their enthusiasm and willingness to participate, made the first Handmade Holiday a reality. Thank You!!!
The shoppers who braved the cold and kind of nasty weather.
The Palisade High School Speech & Debate Team who got to the barn at 7:00 (on a Saturday) to set up the tables and chairs, and to make sure that everything ran smoothly on the floor during the show, and then back again at 4:00 to take down the tables and chairs.
My Family:
My husband Bob, who was very supportive through the months of planning, and who did a great job with coordinating the drawing and the donation table.
My 2 sons, Joe and Greg, who never cease to amaze me – always willing to step up to the plate when I need them. They never grumble or complain and are always quick with a”yeah, sure.”
I know this probably seems like an acceptance speech, but I am truly grateful to everyone involved.
I am ready to start planning another show in the Spring – are you game?!
I have pictures that I will be posting soon, so keep an eye on the blog.
I know that I will see some of you in the next few weeks at shows. Those of you that I don’t see – I hope you have the best holiday season ever.
Remember – handmade is the way to go!!!!
Thanks again ALL,
Posted in Handmade Holiday | Tagged: art, art and craft show, colorado, crafters, grand junction, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, lincoln park barn, support local, western slope | 1 Comment »
Posted by Renee on November 12, 2009
Posted in Handmade Holiday | Tagged: Handmade Holiday, handmade, lincoln park barn, grand junction, colorado, art, Handmade Holiday Artisans, crafters, western slope, art and craft show, support local, kids aid, feeding kids, backpack program | 1 Comment »
Posted by Renee on November 9, 2009
What’s your name? Renee Gibson
What’s your business name? Casual Gal
What do you make? One-of-a-kind Handcrafted Sterling Silver Jewelry – Pendants, Rings, Bracelets.
Tell us a little about yourself – After years of moving around the country as a little girl with my family, going to college in Wisconsin, working for a large bank in Texas, and working in the restaurant business in Las Vegas, I landed and set down roots in Grand Junction, Colorado. I met my wonderful husband here 10 years ago, and am stepmom to his (now) teenage boys. I finally found my niche, I don’t think there can be a better job than to have an influence on young people, and watch them grow into “productive”, giving members of society. I am truly blessed.
How did you get started creating your artwork?I started jewelry making about 6 years ago. My first purchase was 3 tubes of seed beads, some cheap clasps and beading thread. I quickly started incorporating Swarovski Crystals, natural gemstones, and precious metal findings. About 3 years ago, after alot of research, I jumped into the world of metalsmithing, and have been designing one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessory pieces ever since.
Where does your inspiration come from? I don’t always have a plan for my creations, and sometimes that works out best, because I end up with a design that is truly unique.
Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) Yes, all of the above!!! My husband was gracious enough to give up one wall in our garage for my bench. I also have a nice little set-up in our family room with a small desk and two storage units. You would think that would be plenty of room, but it spreads – you know what I mean?!
Where do you sell your work? I have an etsy shop at Casual Gal. I also do festivals and craft fairs around Grand Junction. You can find me at the Art & Jazz Festival in downtown Grand Junction on Mother’s Day weekend and the Palisade Peach Festival in August. I really like the face-to-face selling much more than online, it is so much more personal.
Is your business full time? No, not really. Like most of you, it was a hobby at first and fortunately has blossomed in to a business, but not there yet to support my family, ( just my addiction!)
What’s your best selling item? My Wonky Hearts and my Initial Charm Bracelets.
What do you do in your spare time? What spare time? Remember, I have two teenage boys in my house!! I like to read, I love doing puzzles, and (you may have already guessed this) I love to be on the computer. I need to get out more…… Funny, when I have a few minutes I go out to my bench and make something.
What other talents do you have? I play the flute, have a green thumb, good with numbers, and a decent (still learning) photographer.
Is there anything else you would like to share? I belong to the Art Jeweler’s Guild, here in Grand Junction and Sateam on etsy.
Why do you think people should buy handmade? Not only is the buying public getting good quality items for gift-giving or themselves, they can meet and get to know the artist behind the great design. It is a much more personal experience than buying off the rack at the local chain store or off the internet. They are able to use all of their senses, and make a decision based on actually seeing, touching, hearing, smelling and tasting what catches their eye. They not only get the sensory satisfaction, they are also supporting local entrepreneurs and keeping money in the local economy.
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: art, art & jazz festival, art and craft show, art jewelers guild, bracelets, casual gal, colorado, craft, crafters, etsy, grand junction, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, jewelry, lincoln park barn, palisade peach festival, pendants, rings, sateam, sterling, sterling silver, support local, western slope | 7 Comments »
Posted by Renee on November 6, 2009
What’s your name? Sheena Lange
What’s your business name? Kitsune Winter Wear and Nekomimi
What do you make? Fleece hats, scarves, hoods, ear warmers, and nekomimi (which means cat ears in Japanese), all in the style of Japanese cosplay, cat ears, wolf ears, bears ears, and bunny ears. all my things are made with fleece, faux fur, cotton, silks, satins, brocades and sometimes up cycled knits.
Tell us a little about yourself and How did you get started creating your artwork? I’ve been married for 5 years when my husband and I got married we went straight to his station (he was in the navy) in California.And I was shocked to find out I was a navy wife with nothing much to do. So I made the decision to start sewing again which I had learned to do as a child and didn’t really care for it then. But once I had tried it again I was delighted to discover that I loved creating cute things to wear. Also I had found a new love and longing for the snow and winter, when every year I would visit my family here in grand junction during Christmas. So I started my journey of wintery things by of course getting a Siberian husky puppy (which I had to mention because he’s my fluffy puppy even if he is 4 years old and 50 lbs now lol), lots of fleece and a brand new sewing machine(thank you mom and dad for a perfect birthday gift). A friend at my scrapbooking group told me about etsy and tada my shop kitsune winter wear was born. my husband and i have since moved back to Grand Junction and I am now a student at mesa state.
Where does your inspiration come from? My love for the Japanese culture, anime, manga, nekomimi which means cat ears in Japanese, my dogs fuzzy ears heehee and keeping myself warm in the winter when I’m out with my husky puppy.
Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) I have a desk set up in the dining room in place of a table lol where I do all my sewing. But sometimes I like to work in my room on my bed while I watch anime or the food network which I love. Who doesn’t like ace of cakes or iron chef America. 
Where do you sell your work? On etsy at kitsune52.etsy.com I also have another etsy shop fairiescloset.etsy.com where i sell fairy wings and fairy tale inspired items.
Is your business full time? It has always been part time but I would love it to be full time someday with college though its probley good that it’s part time right now. school and etsy keep me very bizzy.
What’s your best selling item? I would have to say right now it’s the wolf ears hat, very popular with the twilight series out and the new twilight movie new moon coming out.
What do you do in your spare time? I love my dog and my hubby of course so we spend lots of time together at the dog park in canyon View Park.
What other talents do you have? I scrapbook, make jewelry, photography I love very much, also I like to work on the computer making banners and things in photo altering programs and recently painting has caught my attention and I love it!
Is there anything else you would like to share? My huskies name is inuyasha hahahaha try and say that 5 times fast! It’s Japanese and it means dog forest spirit. Inu=dog – yasha=forest spirit or sometimes translated dog demon.
Why do you think people should buy handmade? I think people should buy handmade because your supporting you local artists, you get one of a kind items which are made better and with more detail then if you bought it at a chain store if you can find it at one, and it supports your community and helps you get to know your artist neighbors.
Sheena will be at Handmade Holiday on November 14 at Lincoln Park Barn.
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: Handmade Holiday, handmade, lincoln park barn, grand junction, colorado, art, craft, Handmade Holiday Artisans, crafters, western slope, etsy, art and craft show, support local, Kitsune, fleece, hats, scarves, hoods, ear warmers, japanese cosplay, wolf ears hat, twilight | 4 Comments »
Posted by Renee on November 5, 2009
What’s your name? Cindi Nelson
What’s your business name? Cinful Handbags
Tell us a little about yourself – I am a married mother of 3 children
How did you get started creating your artwork? I was severely injured in 2002 and unable to do a lot of things. I took up sewing to keep my mind busy.
Where does your inspiration come from? I just think about what I want and need in a handbag.
Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) I have a room in my house where they are created – start to finish.
Where do you sell your work? Home Parties
Is your business full time? Not yet!cin
What’s your best selling item? My $55 bags.
What do you do in your spare time? Hike and listen to music. I also love to read.
What other talents do you have? Home decor
Is there anything else you would like to share? All of my bags are original 
and a lot of my fabric is leftovers from bigger jobs.
Why do you think people should buy handmade? Because handmade is created, not duplicated.
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: art, art and craft show, colorado, craft, crafters, fabric, grand junction, handbags, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, home parties, lincoln park barn, recycle, support local, western slope | 5 Comments »
Posted by Renee on November 4, 2009
What’s your name? Hello, My name is Corey Najarian Rice. Owner of and designer for Corey’s Totes and More, wife of one, mother of two.
What do you make? I started out making tote bags and have blossomed into making all manner of things including drawstring bags, lavender sachets, lavender eye pillows, eyeglass cases and most recently paper creations like one-of-a-kind gift tags and miniature paper gift bags. Oh! and decorations out of things from my garden, mainly corn.
How did you get started creating your artwork?
I have been creative my entire life. Everyone I’ve ever known has urged me to take it public and now I have.
Where does your inspiration come from? Most of my ideas have been running around in my head for years but what they all have in common are using one thing to make another. I started by repurposing beautiful fabric I found at here and there. I have moved on to new fabric to make reusable items. I also find inspiration in my garden. I like to grow things I can use to make other things.
Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) I have my own room. Around here it’s called “Momma’s Room” and it is mostly off limits to anyone but me. I have dreamed my entire life of having my own little space and it turns out a small enclosed front porch does the trick. Occasionally my projects spill out to the larger floor areas and often the hand sewing is done outside in the hammock. At my house that’s call nap time.
Where do you sell your work?
I started out at our farmer’s market in May this year. LOVE the farmer’s market! I also have some items consigned at area health food stores. I sell to friends often, and I have an Etsy shop with more listings on the way. www.coreystotes.etsy.com
Is your business full time? Part time whenever time allows. I mostly skip sleep since I am raising two small ones.
What’s your best selling item? Totes bags! People love their bags, for sure.
What do you do in your spare time? There’s a line in a song called Son of a Preacher Man, “Makin’ time to make time”. That’s me. I steal my spare time here and there. I read a few pages in a book, fuss in my garden, organize and reorganize my Room.
What other talents do you have? I sing.
Why do you think people should buy handmade? This is why…
Corey will be at Handmade Holiday on November 14 at Lincoln Park Barn in Grand Junction, Colorado
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: art, art and craft show, colorado, corey's totes, craft, crafters, drawstring bags, etsy, eye pillows, eyeglass cases, farmer's market, gift tags, grand junction, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, lavender sachets, lincoln park barn, paper gift bags, support local, tote bags, western slope | 6 Comments »
Posted by Renee on November 3, 2009
What’s your name? What’s your business name?Hi, my name is Mary Rister, and my business is Truly Scrumptious Clothing and Gifts.
What do you make? I make clothes for 18″, 15″ and Barbie dolls, also I make baby gifts, bibs, receiving blanket-burp pad sets, wearable blankets, and carseat covers.
Tell us a little about yourself -I live in Crawford, Colorado which is at the base of the West Elk Mountains. I have 2 grown daughters Donna 27 and Carol 25, I am raising my oldest granddaughter Morgan who is almost 8 and calls me mama. I have 4 other grandchildren Isaiah 6, Noah 4, Noel 11/2, and Richie 15 mos. They are all of course the cutest and smartest children ever.
How did you get started creating your artwork? I have been sewing and crafting for over 45 years. I started to sew in 4-H many years ago and from that moment I was hooked. For years I made bridal and formal wear, did alterations which I still do occasionally under protest but it pays the bills, I have been making baby and childrens clothes and dolls and doll clothes for over 30 years.
Where does your inspiration come from? I guess that my inspiration comes from my love of dolls, I am still a little girl at heart. Also I love to see the look in little girls eyes when they see all the doll clothes and blankets.
Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) I work out of a room in our home, It is actually my own fabric shop but don’t tell everyone, they will be jealous.
Is your business full time? I do this business full time, Morgan and I travel to craft fairs all over. Eventually I would like to take her out of school, home school her and just travel the country doing fairs.
What’s your best selling item? My doll clothes, bibs and wearable blankets are my best sellers, but this seems to change from show to show.
What do you do in your spare time? In my spare time I love to spend time with Morgan, crochet, read and sew.
Mary will be at Handmade Holiday on November 14 at Lincoln Park Barn in
Grand Junction.
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: art, art and craft show, baby gifts, barbie dolls, bibs, carseat covers, colorado, craft, crafters, doll clothes, grand junction, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, lincoln park barn, support local, Truly Scrumptious, western slope | 1 Comment »
Posted by Renee on November 2, 2009
What’s your name? Barb Johnson
What do you make? Crochet, knit and embroidered dish towels, pillowcases, rag rugs, dish rags, and scrubbies
How did you get started creating your artwork? I had to have something to do during the winter months
Where does your inspiration come from? Friends and my husband – doing things that make people smile and appreciate
Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) I create my work at the kitchen table and the couch
Where do you sell your work? Craft shows and Farmer’s Markets
Is your business full time? yes & no, I stay busy at it all year
What’s your best selling item? scrubbies
What do you do in your spare time? oil paint, work in the yard & garden and help people
What other talents do you have? oil painting
Why do you think people should buy handmade? I know it costs a little more, but it’s something that someone has put alot of time into & love – not a machine – everything that we do has meaning and our pride into it. For some people its their way of earning a living.
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: art, art and craft show, colorado, craft, crafters, crochet, dish rags, dish towels, embroidering, grand junction, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, knitting, lincoln park barn, rag rugs, scrubbies, support local, western slope | 3 Comments »
Posted by Renee on October 30, 2009
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: art, art and craft show, Beta Tau, cakes, candy, colorado, cookies, craft, crafters, Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, grand junction, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, lincoln park barn, support local, western slope | 3 Comments »
Posted by Renee on October 29, 2009
What’s your name? Debra Hesse 
What’s your business name? By My Hands
What do you make? Jewelry with beach glass and lots of precious gems
Tell us a little about yourself - I work at St. Mary’s Cancer Center, and beading is my therapy to forget all about
what happened at work today. I am a proud wife of 38 years, and mother of two wonderful adults.How did you get started creating your artwork? I brought some shells and beach glass to share with our patients,
and my favorite patient, Julia, told me I could make jewelry out of it! I was fascinated and searched the web to find out how to attach it to my ears and neck! From then on I have been having way too much fun.Where does your inspiration come from? The colors of the earth and sky
Where do you do all of your creating? (Do you have a studio? Kitchen table? Couch?…) I have a home studio
Where do you sell your work? I am in nine stores in Colorado, two in North Carolina, and lots of girlfriends who like to shop at
my store :o)
Is your business full time? No, but my “beading therapy” is how I can do my full-time job.
What’s your best selling item? The pieces I find from Kathmandu, Tibet and my soothing beach glass.
What do you do in your spare time? There’s always shopping for more beads! We like to visit our friends in Cabo San Lucas,Mexico where I find most of my beach glass. Walking along many beaches, looking for shells, glass, and drift wood.
What other talents do you have? I make fabulous picture frames with beach glass and shells, and beach glass
suncatchers hanging from driftwood. I also have a very green thumb and always have to give away pots of my cuttings.
Is there anything else you would like to share? I love to see my gems adorning the neck and ears of lovely ladies ~ I want my pretties to get out of their box and in the sun.Why do you think people should buy handmade? There is something rare about a piece of art that someone crafted just for you………
Debra will be at Handmade Holiday on November 14.
Posted in Featured Artist | Tagged: art, art and craft show, art jewelers guild, beach glass, colorado, craft, crafters, grand junction, handmade, Handmade Holiday, Handmade Holiday Artisans, jewelry, lincoln park barn, support local, western slope | 3 Comments »
How terrible is it that kids don’t eat on the weekend?! That’s why Handmade Holiday will be accepting donations for the Kids Aid Feeding Friends Backpack Program this Saturday, November 14 at Lincoln Park Barn. 100% of all donations will go to Kids Aid.
