by Noella Noelophile®
Memorial Day Weekend is here! So first of all, we’re acknowledging it with love, gratitude and thanks to our veterans, active members of our Armed Forces and their families.
And secondly, we’re headed into summer! Here are a few of the special arts and crafts events you might like to keep in mind and/or put on your calendar–starting with today.
Today, Saturday, May 23rd, at noon, at Seaside Studios San Pedro, you’ll get a chance to learn French-style silk painting with artist Susan Patricia! Her work incorporates vibrant colors and airy scenes that feel like she’s captured summer itself. (But words can’t do her justice–see what you think of her portfolio!)
There are still a couple of seats available in the workshop, which runs from 12 to 4 pm. Participants get to create a 22’x22″ Chinese silk for either framing or a pillow, and a 15″x60″ handrolled Chinese silk scarf. The class fee of $85 includes materials, and you can pick up your projects next weekend. Space is limited, though, so call Regina, at (562) 673-7660, to reserve.
Seaside Studios San Pedro is located at 525 No. Harbor Blvd. #3, between Beacon and O’Farrell Streets.
While you’re in the San Pedro area–this weekend or any other summer weekend–you might like to catch the local trolley and pay a visit to CRAFTED. 
They’re a year-round crafts marketplace, open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm. Their vendors offer handmade jewelry, artisan candies, clothing, purses, home decor and a lot more. They also have live music in the afternoons, along with a different DIY workshop every weekend. Today and tomorrow, they’re having hat-and-visor-painting classes at their “Creation Station” from 11 am to 6 pm.
CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles is located at 112 E. 22nd St, at Miner, in Warehouse Number 10. Admission and parking are free, but you may want to catch the waterfront Red Car down from the cruise terminal. It’s a lot of fun, with some great views of the harbor.
Tomorrow, Sunday, May 24th, a total almost-summer favorite returns to Santa Ana: the Patchwork Show Modern Makers Festival! This is a free event we absolutely love: eclectic crafts, artisan foods, great music and DIY workshops.
The Patchwork Show Modern Makers Festival runs from 11 am to 5 pm at Second and Sycamore, in Santa Ana. And if you can’t make this one–you get another chance next month! They’re coming to Long Beach on Sunday, June 7th, from 11 am to 5 pm, and they’ll be located at Marine Stadium (Appian Way and Bayshore) in Long Beach. 
OK, I keep talking about Southern California here–but Northern Cal is getting ready for an iconic summertime celebration! San Francisco’s 39th annual free Union Street Festival happens June 6th and 7th, from 10 am to 6 pm, on Union Street between Steiner and Gough. In addition to crafts, local technology and fitness, they host a fashion show, along with live performances. One element here that makes this one more of an over-21 venue than some of the others: beer and wine sampling.
What else is going on this summer? Well, back to Seaside Studios San Pedro–as proprietors Regina Fernandez and Gayle Fleury make sure there are plenty of creative “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” options for everyone!
For the littler kids, their first session of “Summer Kids’ Art Camp” starts Monday, June 15th, and runs through the 19th, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Young artists between 7 and 13 get to spend a week painting, doing wire wrapping/sculpture, working in ceramics, weaving baskets, and more. There will also be a second session in July, from Monday, July 13th through Friday, July 17th. The fee is $150 per child, per session, but some discounts are available for siblings or pre-enrollment, according to Seaside Studios San Pedro’s Facebook page. Call Regina (562-673-7660) or Gayle (310-221-2914) for more information.
Thankfully, Regina and Gayle haven’t forgotten us “big kids”, either! Seaside Studios San Pedro is hosting a one-day Glass Art and Glass Clay Class with world-renowned glass artist Paula Radke, on Saturday, June 27th from 1 pm to 5 pm. Here’s the link for more information.
But–as usual–there’s more going on in the creative community than there is time to enjoy it all.
(Graphic courtesy of Diana Hatcher, and used with permission.)
Of course, Saturday, June 27th, 10 am to 5 pm would also be the date and time of the twelfth annual Ojai Valley Lavender Festival. This is a celebration of all types of ways to use lavender (cooking, soaps, oils, lemonade, ice cream, etc.) as well as another gathering of talented artist entrepreneurs with their one-of-a-kind handmade creations. Their program includes live music, all day, as well as speakers on the topics of all things lavender. (Where is J.K. Rowling with her “Time-Turner” mechanism when we really, really need her?)
The twelfth annual Ojai Valley Lavender Festival happens in Libbey Park, at East Ojai Avenue between South Signal Street and South Montgomery Street. Parking and admission are free, and free shuttles are available.
And as we get into July (bring your parasol for this one, it’s always hot and sunny, but fun!), we certainly can’t forget Renegade Craft Fair, which returns to Los Angeles on Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th, from 11 am to 6 pm. Renegade has been showcasing indie craftspeople since 2003 (before they were called “makers”!), and always has an impressive lineup of unique jewelry, fiber art, woodworking, glass, ceramics and much more. Their Los Angeles location will be Grand Park LA, at North Grand Avenue between Broadway and Spring, and admission is free.
Then, the following weekend, it’s off to Northern California for the talented Renegade community! Their San Francisco Fair happens Saturday and Sunday, July 18th and 19th,11 am to 6 pm,.
Renegade San Francisco Fair will be located in the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd, on the corner of Marina Blvd. and Buchanan St. Again, admission is free.
Also, if you happen to be a wholesale buyer of crafts for your own business, Renegade hosts their “San Francisco Wholesale Market” on Friday, July 17th, from 12 noon to 5 pm. RSVP is required to attend on Friday; here’s the link.
Now, how’s that for a “crafty” start to Summer, 2015? Have a safe and creative holiday weekend.