by Noella Noelophile®
(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild, and used with permission.)
Wild violets are blooming. Days are lighter, longer (and we’re not even grumbling about the extra hour of “dark”, when the alarm clock rings!).
But one of the surest signs of spring? Talent is blooming all over the place–with a whole bunch of craft shows coming up, and a local favorite happening today.
The Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild has been around for more than four decades. Not only are they an extremely gifted group of artisans–as a nonprofit, they provide scholarships to local high-school students with an interest in arts and crafts.
Their all-handcrafted Spring Arts and Crafts Faire opens at 10 this morning, and I’m severely tempted already. They’ll have more than 60 independent artist/entrepreneurs there, selling all kinds of beautiful one-of-a-kind creations. Gorgeous filigree butterfly brooches by Zorine Lewis, Susie Yarian’s windchimes and Diane O’Neal’s colorful baby quilts (above) are all on my don’t-miss list.
(Graphic courtesy of Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild, and used with permission.)
In addition, on their graphic, they’re featuring Sylvia Guitierrez’s colorful tote bags (top left); Meghan Newman’s cork picture frames (top center); Robin Tabar’s handcrafted “kitty kickers” cat toys; and Terry Madison’s embossed heart pin (lower right).
We’re also looking forward to seeing the new Wicks & Wine creations. These are handcrafted soy candles in upcycled beer and wine bottles! 
And congratulations to some favorite authors! Barbara Austin Lieberman (r) just had a launch party for her latest book, Ben’s Little Acorn, and Evangeline Duran Fuentes (l) now has her new book, A Tumbleweed Christmas, available for sale! They’ll both be onsite today.
All this, and music too? Once again, DJ Ozzie will be on the plaza, spinning music to “ooh” and “aah” by!
Can’t wait to discover some new favorites at this one! Happy almost-Spring; hope to see you there.
Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild’s seventeenth annual Spring Arts and Crafts Faire happens Saturday, March 19th, 2016 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Madrona and Torrance Boulevard. Admission and parking are free.