Extravaganza!?...not quite!

ex-trav-a-gan-za (noun)

1. lavish entertainment: a lavish and spectacular entertainment

2. spectacular display: any spectacular or elaborate display

The Holiday Craft Extravaganza took place this weekend at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, OH and considering the definition of the word extravaganza, it fell quite short of one's expectation. Now, I don't consider my expectations too terribly high...at a craft show I expect to make sales...and at the very least: have shoppers who are exposed to me and my work.
However, we (Kerri, my craft show warrior and myself) were not afforded such a luxury this weekend.
Honestly, this show was a joke...and I think it was because of inept management (Darroch Events), ineffective and/or nonexistent marketing and a total lack of knowledge concerning craft shows and the artists who participate.
And while I feel much better about getting that frustration out, I don't need to go into the bitter details of the misery that was this weekend...there were a few bright spots and I believe a Top 5 list of the best things about the Extravaganza is in order right now....
...in no particular order...

1. Trades I was able to trade for almost everything I really, really wanted at the show! I traded for a beautiful sterling silver and resin pendant with a tree on a dark background from Allie of Allie M. Designs....check her out at http://alliem1.etsy.com
I also acquired a pair of super-cool lampworked earrings from Dan Rushin of Creative Glasswork...check him out at http://creativeglasswork.etsy.com
Last but not least, I scored a stunning clutch purse with a cute little handle and a delicate vine pattern in the perfect shades for fall. This amazing bag was created by Michelle R. Hudson of Sprinkle Totes.

2. Lorrie Kerri and I were lucky to be booth neighbors with a wonderful woman by the name of Lorrie Powell. She is the owner and creative vision of Lorrie Powell Studios and she's been evolving in the craft world for many years. She was quite possibly, the best booth buddy that a gal could ask for. She was funny, even in the style of my own humor....she was interesting, she's been supporting herself as a productive artist all over the country....and she was willing to share her knowledge with us! I loved her handpainted, personalized signs so much that I even did a bit of Christmas shopping done for a lucky little girl named Cameron. Check her eBay store at: http://stores.ebay.com/crafters-studio-outlet-and-signs

3. Raffle Items At the upcoming Open House for Fusion Studios we are holding a raffle for original Cleveland art and we secured one raffle item from Lutz Greenhouse. It is a holiday floral wall hanging. It will bring a beautiful holiday to one lucky winner. Check it out at: www.lutzgreenhouse.com
And we had interest in donating from a number of other artists...yah!

4. Other Artists who Rock! There were a ton of other artists who were amazing this weekend. I really enjoyed the time that I spent with all of them. It was the amazing vendors that were the bright spot this weekend....
Mary Juhasz of Burnin Beads.....absolutely amazing lampworked beads and jewelry!
Samara Peddle...Photography & Art for social change....thought provoking and conscious-stirring images. See her work at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samarapeddle
Letha of Pursenality....Super-cute, handcrafted purses and bags!
Jack Nething of Strands of Color...Beautiful jewelry and clay art.
Adriel, Eric (and Ryken) Meyer of AEMCrafts...Stunning metal work and playful felt art! Oh...and their son, Ryken, is the most adorable and well-behaved boy that you will ever meet! Check out their online gallery at: http://www.yessy.com/aemcrafts
Gretchen Gaede of Sable Studios...Gorgeous color photography! Check her out at: www.travelart4u.com and search for her name under Featured Artists.
Celeste Martin of Creations by Celeste...Beautiful jewelry using pearls, gemstones, vintage treasures and sterling silver. Check her out at: http://www.creationsbyceleste.com
Nicole Dietz, The Artist Nomad....Painting and Murals, I love her tree paintings. Check her out at: http://www.nicoledietz.com
Olivia Gamboa of Oly's Jewelry...Fashion Jewelry for all occassions and styles! Check her out at: http://www.olysjewelry.com
Francis Whited of bebop beads...Stunning beaded jewelry created by freeform stiching with seed beads...absolutely beautiful and meticulous, you have to check it out at: http://www.bebopbeads.etsy.com
Naomi Lucas of Nome de Plume...Hand turned pens, pencils and bottle stoppers
Cassandra Steiger of Cassandra's Eggs by Design...Amazingly beautiful and detailed Fabrege style eggs.

5. Kerri Frech Last but not least, my fearless, partner in crime, fellow craft warrior...the amazing, the talented, the awesome....Kerri Frech! I enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time (alot of time actually) with her. She's fun, intelligent, sweet and very patient....I know soon she will be the artist formerly known as starving! Make sure you check out all of her beautiful stained glass and bead cabochon necklaces online at: http://frechstudio.etsy.com . Go look now....and start your holiday shopping early! Her work is amazing and would be a much appreciated gift!


All in all the weekend was not a total loss but a gain in so many fabulous ways! Hey, there's that silver lining everyone keeps telling me about! :)

Keep posted for a Fusion Studios update....lots of exciting things happening. Don't forget the Open House is Friday, November 30th from 4:00pm-8:00pm....it's gonna be awesome! Be there or be square!

Until then....
Jenn
http://firetamerglass.etsy.com

Busy weekend

What a busy weekend it's been....Friday was spent at the restaurant, a productive shift but a long day. However, I did manage to get some beautiful pictures taken of my work during my break between shifts. I have posted those pics on my Etsy site at http://firetamerglass.etsy.com ....make sure to check out all the new stuff! I have even sold something that I posted last night...yah!! See, hard work does pay off...well, sometimes atleast!

On Saturday, Kerri and I ventured to the Farmer's Market....it was a brisk day but the sun was out and it turned out to be a beautiful day. I did well and met some great new customers!

One couple was preparing for a trip to Russia to visit their daughter who is studying abroad. They were searching for a thank-you gift to bring for the host family....they finally decided on a beautiful red-orange speckled hand-blown glass ornament. Very soon my glass will be traveling across the globe...I will be an internationally exhibited artist!! Yah!

Kerri also made her first market sale...YAH!....it was a stained glass OSU-inspired suncatcher that will have a new home in a baby nursery...what a lucky baby!
Get your own at her Etsy site at http://frechstudio.etsy.com . Perfect for your favorite buckeye! Go Bucks!

Sunday was devoted to working on Fusion Studios. The Open House is now less than a month away....yikes! Kerri and myself, accompanied by the Master Craftsman Dad, constructed the frames for the studio work tables. My dad designed and spent a boat-load of his free time cutting and assembling the table parts and we helped him put them all together. We were very helpful gluers and wood holders, but we would have been no where without his expertise and skills! Thanks Dad!

It is certainly exciting to see things coming together in the studio....I know we will be ready to go soon! First the tables and soon the supplies and before long we will be filled with students and beautiful artwork! We even got our first donation for the local artwork raffle that will be held during our Open House (November 30th)! Kelly from Scarlett O creations has donated a fabulous, handmade belt for the raffle! Thanks Kelly! Keep posted for more information about Fusion Studios and the upcoming events! Great things are happening!