by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Zachary from Pixabay.)
When is the best time for Christmas shopping?
June, July and August. Without a doubt.
Sunny, summery days mean you can take your time and have fun choosing gifts for everyone. And if you love outdoor crafts shows, you’re in for a great time this season–starting with tomorrow!
I don’t know how this managed to sneak up on me, but TOMORROW, June 7th, is the 31st Annual Studio Arts Festival, in Irvine.
More than 100 local and regional artists will be exhibiting their work in a beautiful outdoor setting: Heritage Community Park. Ceramics, fine art, photography, jewelry and glasswork will be included among the media on exhibit.
And one of my favorite artists will be there.
(Photograph courtesy of Freda Nelson Evans, and used with permission.)
J. Michael Evans, of Ozarks Wood-N-Stuff, crafts hand-turned bowls and plates, made from exotic and local woods. He also creates pens, seam rippers and mechanical pencils, with similar pride in his craftsmanship.
And every one-of-a-kind creation gleams in a way that makes you want to reach out and touch the rich, polished surface.
But my all-time favorites, among Michael’s work, are his Christmas ornaments. I hang up a gleaming finial he designed in our doorway, every year.
Thanks to Michael’s wife, Freda Nelson Evans, who is an artist in her own right (she’s a talented actress and singer, who portrays Mrs. Santa Claus annually!), for the alert on the show. Look for Ozarks Wood-N-Stuff near the gazebo, Freda emails, and they’ll be right near the lake.
Freda mentioned that Michael has made lots of new bowls, as well as his writing pens, mechanical pencils and seam rippers.
No word on whether he’s made any more Christmas ornaments, this time–but it’s certainly worth asking him!
And plan to spend the day. It’ll be a great day for browsing the other 99+ artists’ exhibits.
The Festival’s website also mentions they’ll have a “Create a Button” DIY activity inside the Irvine Fine Arts Center, adjacent to the park. There’s also a 2 pm storytime, courtesy of the Irvine Public Library, scheduled inside Heritage Park Community Center.
But if you can avoid buying any of the beautiful items you see at the Festival, you’re a better shopper than I am.