by Noella Noelophile®
Remember how, on December 6 of last year, there were craft fairs popping up everywhere?
OK, we seem to have the spring edition of that, next weekend.
A favorite, that I’m sorry to have to miss, gets the first mention here, as they prepare for their show next Saturday, April 25th.
(Graphic created by Oscar Rosales of Bleenkies, and used with permission)
Handmade in South Bay’s shows are seriously addictive. According to their Facebook page, their all-handmade exhibiting artists will include Que Sera Designs, with beaded jewelry that looks almost good enough to eat; The Delightful Bee, offering whimsical felt flowers and magnets; and iDesignforyou, with some beautifully-stitched spring and summer purses. The suede seventies-look handbeaded fringe is a total favorite!
HMSB gives back to the community with every show; this time, they’ll be donating a portion of their proceeds to HoneyLove Urban Beekeepers. So, part of their special event will be a “Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden” workshop by Lara Hughey. (Barb Lieberman of Seeds of Inspiration e-mailed that the workshop’s happening from 1:00 to 2:00 that afternoon, and there’s a charge of $20 per attendee for the session.
A DJ, young entrepreneurs’ section and Artists’ Alley promise to keep things “buzzing” with activity.
Now, I’m going to stop with the silly bee jokes for a minute, to ask you to consider helping HMSB’s special guests.
Arts and Services for the Disabled, of Long Beach, will be at the show this Saturday, displaying their work and collecting donations. Not only do they create some gorgeous art–they also offer life-long learning in the arts, and career opportunities, for people with disabilities.
And in March, their main office was burglarized twice, resulting in the loss of their computers, cameras and a flat-screen television. According to their website, their loss totals around $12,000, counting the revenue from classes they had to cancel as a result, along with the stolen equipment.
So, they’re determined to push forward (and a big hug to them, they’ve been supporting artists since 1982!). They’d like to ask the community for support. Please consider helping if you can? (You can also get a look at their work on their Facebook page.)
Barb e-mails that, while they can always use cash donations, they do have a “wish list”, which is as follows:
– Art supplies
1. Paint brushes
2. Watercolor paper
3. Acrylic paint
4. Watercolor paint
5. Low-fire clay
6. Disposable latex gloves
7. Aprons
8. Colored pencils
9. Markers
10. Paint pens
They would also love to have iTunes gift cards, since their programs have iPads. If you can deliver any of the above to them at HMSB’s Spring Boutique, it would be much appreciated.
As if HMSB’s Spring Boutique weren’t a “honey” of a show already, they’re also hosting an Author Alley. Rumor has it that Seeds of Inspiration proprietor and author Barb Austin Lieberman just MAY “sweeten” things by offering a peek at her third book, Message on the Wind, scheduled for a launch party at CRAFTED the following day!
I’m “stung” that I can’t “bee” there–OK, OK, I’ll stick to my day job.
HMSB’s Second Annual Spring Boutique is a free-admission event, happening Saturday, April 25th, 11 am to 6 pm at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, 112 East 22nd Street, near Miner, in San Pedro.
(Photograph courtesy of Artisanal LA, and used with permission.)
Ever eaten your way through an event–while shopping for handcrafted items? That opportunity’s going to be available next weekend, too.
(Graphic courtesy of Artisanal LA, and used with permission.)
Artisanal LA, created by Shawna Dawson in autumn of 2010, is a mecca for “foodies”. Homemade bread, family-recipe preserves and sauces, macarons and hand-dipped chocolates have been just a few of the yummy samples available to attendees in the past. The last time we went, there were almost 100 vendors there, with much more than soup to nuts, and DIY workshops and presentations throughout both days. If Mom loves any or all of the above, you may want to take her along, as your guest–or surprise her with some special handcrafted edibles for Mother’s Day, in a couple of weeks.
In addition to food and workshops by chefs and urban farmers, Artisanal LA offers handcrafted gifts. Total favorites from before included Angela Price’s mini-terraria, through her small business, Eden Condensed…
.. and these great mugs by Marie and Robert of Lustered Walnut.
Artisanal LA’s Spring Show happens Saturday and Sunday, April 25th and 26th, from 11 am to 6 pm at The Reef, 1933 South Broadway Street near Washington Boulevard, in Los Angeles. Tickets are available at the door or online.
And…something new has been added, for Spring 2015.
(Graphic by Jonny Blackburn, and used with permission.)
This brand-new Art and Craft Fair, Jackalope, makes its debut that same weekend (of course! I wish I had a time machine, so I could attend all of these!).
According to their Facebook page, Jackalope’s vendors will include Accessory Alchemy (which we love; had the opportunity to meet Alexandria at HMSB last year, and just managed to snag the last of her Christmas-tree steampunk necklaces!). 
Visitors to this new event will also get to experience the delectable Coldwater Canyon Provisions (think yummy preserves and pickles from Rondo Mieczkowski’s family recipes!). There’s also a vendor with whom I’m unfamiliar, at this point, but which sounds intriguing: The Angry Mushroom Emporium offers handcrafted guitars!
And in addition to offering juried selections from more than 200 vendors, they’ll also have workshops. SoCal Etsy Guild hosts a “Kids’ Crafting Corner”, both days of Jackalope, and the workshops for us “big kids” include how-to’s on terrarium building, making beaded bracelets, making lip gloss, and blending essential oils.
Jackalope Art and Craft Fair is happening next Saturday and Sunday, April 25th and 26th from 11 am to 6 pm, in Central Park, at 275 South Raymond Avenue near Del Mar, in Old Pasadena. Admission is free.