New this week @ à la mode...

The Foundry Show closes today. It's been a whirlwind. Always a great show for both buyers and sellers. I've done very well and even had to make the decision yesterday to just stop producing. My little fingers and family can't take anymore.

The mini totes have been a huge hit. I can't make them fast enough. I think it's because they are a really fun size - great for evening or day - and at a nice price point, $58. These are available in my Etsy shop and soon in on my website.


Another popular bag has been my new traveler. They sell as soon as I display them. I've added a new red one (OOAK) that is also from my Collaborative Artist series. I've added a sailor's knot (removable brooch) by Chris Letsche (http://www.newmariner.net/). I met him in Hyannis on the Cape this summer and loved his work.




I'm off to host my first "teen" gathering for M at our house and then spend some much needed quality time with my family. Have a great Sunday!!

My booth at the Foundry Artists Show 2009

Here is my booth at the Foundry Show this year. It's my first booth of this size in which we had to construct pipe and drape walls (I'll show you how we did this in another post). This show is really great. It is in its 27th years. I ran into one acquaintance who told me she has been going to the show since she was a child. If you are local and haven't had a chance to get there, come out this weekend. I'll be working my shift on Saturday.


It has been hard for me to keep up with the sales with this show, Craftland, and my online sales (as evident in my falling off the face of the online world). But, it's great to have the business and support.

I am off to make more bags!

Hump Day Humor - You know you are too busy when...

...you can't answer an email so you pick up the phone and make a call. That is what I did this morning. Having to answer a friend's email but not having the time to sit at my computer, I simply picked up the phone and called her. We both had a laugh, but I managed to put hangtags on my items as we chatted. Who'da thunk.

The Foundry Show opens tomorrow night. I have some booth pics to share soon. My hands are numb from all the sewing. Must...seek...help!! This is such a crazy busy time of year.

Off to make handstitch another pillow whilst watching some bad TV. Hope all is well and I'll be back soon!

Craftland on the news

What a great surprise! And my switchplates got some camera time at the end. Some of my Arts in RI friends were featured as well; Kristin, a bookbinder, knitter, and illustrator and Heather, a gocco printer.

The Foundry Show ended last night with a bang. Sunday was busy and many more of my bags sold. It was a great show all around; awesome sales, great artists, new friends, and a fun time.

Happy Monday!

Well, it was an eventful weekend indeed. Starting with Friday night, I went to my first wrestling match. My oldest son is on the middle school team. I must admit, I don't understand it and I don't like it; but I must support my boy.

On Saturday we celebrated my son's birthday. Dad made his favorite dish of pasta and seafood while Nana made a favorite family cake.

On Sunday, we had our first snow. It was pretty. The kids went sledding, built snow people, and had snowball fights. My older son had a bit of an accident while sledding requiring 4 stitches inside his upper lip. Believe it or not, these were his first stitches in his 12 years. My husband insisted on stitching him up at home, much to my dismay. Turns out we bypassed the emergency room, saved some $$, and will even likely avoid a scar. My boys are pretty brave to let their father do this. Don't worry, dad was able to numb the area. Be assured, however, that I'll be going to the ER if I ever need stitches.

I was able to clean up our dining room a bit, much to my husbands surprise. I even began cleaning my office/studio. Word has it that both shows, the Foundry (http://foundryshow.com/) and Craftland (http://craftlandshow.com/), have been successful. I will be doing my shifts at Craftland on Wednesday and Foundry on Thursday and Saturday. A friend told me I need to restock my handbags at the Foundry, so that is a good sign. However, it also means I have to continue to sew, sew, sew.

Here's an aerial picture of the Foundry:

Foundry Artists Holiday Show 2008 - Opening reception

No, I didn't fall off the face of the blog world. I've been busy setting up for the Foundry Show that opened last night! It was all too exciting. I am amazed at the work that goes into each and every booth and the organization of the show in general. This show is in its 26th year!

I was very happy to see some of my friends there (thank you!!) and that their baskets were full of items! My husband and I walked away with quite the full basket as well. I found so many wonderful gifts as well as a few things for us.

Here are a few pics from last night. I plan to take more as the show goes on. It runs Thursday - Sunday, both this weekend and next. For those who are local, you must stop by. You won't be disappointed. Here's the link for info on time and directions: http://www.foundryshow.com/.

Yup, that's me.... http://alamodestuff.com

Below are pictures of several members from Arts in Rhode Island (http://artsinri.com):

Lisa - http://pinklemonadeboutique.etsy.com

Kim & friend Julie - http://kimvglass.etsy.com

Diana - http://dsbrennan.etsy.com

http://dollfacedesign.etsty.com

LAST DAY for free shipping

Today is Cyber Monday and the last day for free shipping worldwide! http://alamodestuff.com

I'm off to finilize details for the Foundry Show - http://foundryshow.com. Tomorrow and Wednesday I set-up and Thursday is the opening reception.

Monday Morning Madness - Black Friday Cyber Monday SALE

I ended last week on a very sad note. I learned that a good college friend died. She was 39 yrs old. Needless to say, I didn't have much to blog about on Friday.

Saturday, I worked like mad to get my Craftland items ready for delivery. Sunday I dropped my merchandise off and felt immediate relief, however short lived. Today, I'm onto my next deadline - the Foundry Show. I'll be sewing like crazy this week!
I have decided to participate in a Black Friday to Cyber Monday sale (November 28 - December 1). I'll be offering free shipping for those 4 days to the US and Canada. Take advantage and avoid the frenzy at the stores.

I'm also happy to announce that I finally have gift certificates available in my shop. You can purchase them in denominations of $15, $25, $50, & $100 (other amounts available upon request).
Happy Monday!

Friday's Desktop Diary - upcoming events

I'm very excited to begin looking at my fall schedule. While it can be a busy time of year, it is also a time for me to prepare for upcoming shows. This year, I've applied (and been accepted) to several new venues:

The Pawtucket Arts Festival

Slater Memorial Park, Pawtucket RI

September 13 & 14, 2008

10:00am - 5:00pm

The Arts in RI Etsy Street Team, (a select group of artists and crafters from all over RI) will have a big group presense at the 10th annual Pawtucket Arts Festival. Spanning 5 booths, we will showcase paintings, jewelry, mixed media, handbags, and more. Please look for our logo/banner and stop by to say hello.

The festival consists of a series of high-quality visual, performance and participatory artshigh-quality visual, performance and participatory art each year. Check out their website, http://www.pawtucketartsfestival.org/, for details.

The Foundry Artists Association Holiday Show

@the Pawtucket Armory

Friday, December 5th, 12-8pm

Saturday, December 6th, 10-6pm

Sunday, December 7th, 10-6pm

Thursday, December 11th, 12-8pm

Friday, December 12th, 12-8pm

Saturday, December 13th, 10-6pm

Sunday, December 14th, 10-6pm

I'm so excited to be a part of this show. It is in its 26th year and is open to the public with FREE admission, although they encourage you to bring a nonperishable food item which is donated to a local food pantry.

This show is run by volunteers. The artists work various time slots, however, are not necessarily in their booths. If you'd like to know my scheduled times, please email me.

The Foundry Artists Association is a collection of individual creators of arts and crafts in the Rhode Island area. Formed over 25 years ago by a community of artists working in their Foundry Building studios, the group has since expanded its size and scope, becoming one of the premier art collectives in the state. The group consists of artists from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, offering a wide array of hand-crafted artwork in every type of medium. Their website is http://www.foundryshow.com/.

There are a few other shows in the works. Please check back for updated show listings go to http://www.alamodestuff.com for my current event schedule.