Bucktown Bazaar and $5 Coupon!

Step away from the malls, people! Come on over to the Bucktown Bazaar this weekend for your fun shopping with local artisans. I'm not quite sure if I fit into the "irreverent young DIY crafter" category or the "elegant established artisan" category here, but it matters not. There is always a fun atmosphere at this show with a fantastic selection--I do a lot of my own shopping here!

Bring in a copy of this page or mention this blog and receive $5 off your Felt Inspired purchase! I'll have a fresh selection of Flamenco scarves and am introducing a scarflette version of this scarf, as well. Hope to see you this weekend!

Felting Class

Last Saturday I taught another felted scarves class at the Fine Line Creative Art Center in St. Charles. I still find it hard to believe that I'm considered "faculty"at the center--they are such a talented and experienced group and I feel fortunate that they have asked me to be a part of them.

The group on Saturday was the speediest I've had so far. It's funny--I always try to build in breaks for day-long felting classes, as felting is not a gentle fiber art. But no one ever wants to stop! I'm also always amazed at the different designs and color combinations that participants come up with--I learn something new from them each class. I wish I were a better photographer, but here are the participants and their creations.

If you are around this weekend, I'll be at the Bucktown Bazaar show on Saturday and Sunday at the Holstein Park Fieldhouse in Chicago--lots of fun artists are there and no mall crowds! I'll have a fresh supply of Flamenco felted scarves and scarflettes in fun colors.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends-

Tag, you're it!

I feel like I'm now offically part of the blogosphere, as I've been tagged. The talented Corinne has tagged me for 7 little known details about me. So here, in no particular order, are 7 random details on me:

1) My parents are Depression-era kids, which makes me believe that this recession is going to bring out the best in us: living within our means, learning to make do and being resourceful, increased importance of family and friends, making things from scratch.

2) I haven’t dated an American guy in several years.

3) I saved two people when I was a lifeguard.

4) Flannel sheets make me very, very happy.

5) I have double-jointed hips and knees (maybe I should mention this on dates…)

6) I’ve never understood the appeal of Ken Nordine’s Word Jazz on NPR. His voice gives me the heebie jeebies and creeps me out.

7) Opera music either makes my skin crawl or it makes me giggle uncontrollably.


OK, Mary, you're it!

Time to Make the Doughnuts....

Sigh...I meant to write about the Fine Art of Fiber show last weekend before it occurred. (gotta get that marketing stuff down...) It's my largest show of the year (4 days) and it's held at the lovely Chicago Botanic Garden. And I love that the focus is on fiber arts. But.... it is run by local guilds (quilting and weaving primarily) and instead of each artist having their own space, it is organized by item and the show is run collectively with tedious rules. It's fair to say that I have a real love/hate relationship with this show. Well, maybe more like love/really annoyed relationship.

I've noticed that many quilters and weavers tend to be on the Type A side and I am decidedly Type B. Add that to the fact that many show participants are from the North Shore (read: Ladies Who Lunch) and well, I seem to need a drink after the show. To be fair, I'm sure that I have the same effect on many of the people there. The whole square-peg-round-hole sort of thing.

The setting was beautiful as usual, with the trees and late blooms putting on a spectacular display. I saw many old friends and made a few ones as well. And now I'm putting the ole' sweat shop into full drive, as I try to re-stock my inventory for another show this weekend (Barrington Junior Women's fashion show) . It's a good "problem" to have but it kind of reminds me of that old commercial: "Time to make the doughnuts..."

YES WE WILL!!!!!

I am so proud to be an American and a Chicagoan right now. And I am so very relieved--my stomach has been churning all day reliving the 2000 election night mess.

After the celebrations, it is time to harness all that energy, inspiration and passion from the campaign to continue working together.