PA Guild Fine Craft Fair

Happy Wednesday everyone! Can you believe its August...TOMORROW! Please somebody tell me, where did the summer go??

Anyway, I had a pretty fun and productive weekend! I got the privilege to help/assist my wonderfully talented friend Nicolette Absil at the 7th Annual Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair!

She was 1 of over 190 craftsman from around the US that exhibited. Pretty awesome, right?! I am so proud of her! This was her second show ever and she did such an amazing job!  

If you're local and you'd like to get your hands on some of Nicolette's beautiful handmade jewelry you can see her at the next Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair on October 11-13 at Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.

I got a pair of thank you earrings that I just love! I wish I worked in an office so I could wear them everyday, but I do try to wear them every chance I get. Thanks Nicolette!!!!

I did get to sneak away for a bit to check out the rest of the show. There were tons of exhibitors and demonstrations. It was really something!

 After walking around a bit I found quilters!! I had no idea quilting was considered Fine Craft! I'm sure there was more, but I came across 2 textile artists that had some pretty outstanding work.

The first was Fulton Design Studio. I just loved their booth! Wife and husband duo Jan and Gary Fulton make amazing art quilts and table linens inspired by nature. 

They use mostly batiks which I think lends to the vibrancy of their work. I got to talk with Jan for a bit and she gave me some great ideas on technique and process! For more information about Fulton Design Studio visit their website here!

Next was Lorac Designs. Quilt artist Carol Heisler creates beautiful one of a kind quilts using great imagination and color theory. 

As her website states she has developed an innovative style that blends precise realism with abstract expressionism, which I totally agree! She has been featured in numerous magazines and galleries across the US. Most outstanding of Carol's booth was Carol herself! 

She had such a great personality and warmth about her I could have stayed and chatted all day! For more information about Lorac Designs visit their website here!

All in all it was a pretty good time. I hope I can help Nicolette at the next show! I really love getting to see/meet all the amazing craftsman and artists. It makes me hopeful that people continue to appreciate art and the importance of handmade work. Maybe one day I'll be the one exhibiting! But until then I'll be happy just supporting!

This Weekend

Did you all have a great Mother's Day? I hope you got to do lots of fun stuff! I happened to have a splendid weekend at the tenth annual Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philly!

With this super awesome lady.....

In case you can't tell by the picture, that's Nicolette of Nicolette Absil Jewelry. She's pretty fantastic! She makes amazing one of a kind pieces of jewelry from a process called enameling.

Pretty neat huh? Her jewelry is so beautiful. I absolutely love the way she sets gems into her pieces!! Its really unique. You can follow ,Nicolette, and discover more about her process and techniques by checking out her blog here!

The bazaar had an array of really talented and wonderful artists from around the country! I did get to go shopping at one point and picked up some really cool stuff like this hat from our booth neighbors Emily and Nick of Endless Hats. 

  
They were really great! Emily and Nick, if you ever read this thanks for the safety pins! 

 I just love craft fairs! The best part is being able to buy directly from an artist. You get to see and understand the effort and passion that goes into making each item, especially when you meet the person who made it. All in all, it was a great time and a great learning experience. I had so much fun! I'm hoping Nicolette will ask me to help her again soon!