Dunbarton Arts on the Common May 11 & 12, 2019
The Dunbarton Arts on the Common this Mother’s Day weekend had some adverse weather to deal with, but was still a fun success! Saturday was sparkling-ly sunny, but at times very, very windy and Sunday was a bit chilly. I dressed in many layers as I’m sure most other participants did and it was no problem.
The cold weather this spring kept the bulb flowers in check so that there were blooms all over the Town Hall area, as well as all along the roads to the town center……very beautiful.
My booth was by the road as we faced inward. The vendor booths were throughout the grassy property, in closer rows sometimes and more spread out in other areas.
The cold temperatures made it amazing to me how fabulous the musicians were. A musician myself, I know the fingers have a tough time when it’s as cold as it was. The music was constant throughout the hours of the event on both days and it really added so much to the experience. There were speakers on the opposite side from where the gazebo was so that everyone could hear the music with good quality instead of off in the distance. People could get something good to eat from Cusano’s Cafe and sit and watch the performers as they take a break from checking out all the great artisans.
The performers entertained the visitors with original music, old traditionals, and old and new familiar tunes. There were all kinds of different instruments played between all the musical acts. The gallery below shows photos of all the performance groups. Some members did double duty with working at the event and Charles from Pickett Hill ran the sound.
https://www.pegncheryl.com/ https://www.facebook.com/EntangledStrings/
As the musicians serenaded the crowds, the artisans displayed their creative and special items. A few of them I have highlighted in previous blogs and I was so happy to see them here; Clayton’s Way Farm, KRM Chocolates and Kitty Stoykovich Designs. Here are their links:
https://www.facebook.com/KittyStoykovichDesigns/ https://krmchocolates.com/ https://www.facebook.com/claytonswayfarm/
My vendor neighbors were artisans of pretty popular items, jewelry and soaps. P*Miller Metalsmith’s booth was to my right and Pam does jewelry design and fabrications, a few examples below. You can contact her @pmillerjewelry@gmail.com
Another Pam was on the left of my booth with wonderful and fragrant soaps and sachets from Pamomile. She makes fine handmade soaps in wonderful designs, herb pillows and scented hangers. Her fabrics are from France and the pictures are vintage.
Getting a break from the “Blue Apron” volunteers (they assist vendors, especially single vendors) (a huge Thank You!), I walked by the booth of the artist James O’Brien and had to take some photos and ask to include in my blog. His paintings are so beautiful and simple, yet evoke so much emotion.
Also during my travels I searched to meet up with a coworker from many years past, Pat from Dunbarton Arts and Gardens P.D. Murphy. Her concrete “Pot Heads” are just the greatest!
It being Mother’s Day weekend, of course many mothers and sons and daughters and grandchildren (and fathers) attended and it made such a loving, family atmosphere. I love to make “Giveaway” hearts and I gave them to the mothers that came to my booth both Saturday and Sunday because they deserve it!
There were also MANY dogs visiting along with their masters and one of them came to visit me……this bad boy…..Gus!
I sold some items this weekend that I love. One was of my new line of wedding/bridal/shower/gift bags shown here. I recently acquired many beautiful pieces of sheers, embroidered fabrics, and 100% silks to use for these elegant small bags. Actually, if someone buys a bag and puts a gift inside, it is like giving 2 gifts because the gift inside probably will be used separately from the bag which can then hold a special collection. This bag has 3 outer layers, 2 sheers with one that has embroidery, and an underlayment…as well as the silk lining. The photo gallery below shows the 2 different outer sides and the lining inside.
Many people come to an event like this (with many artisans to check out) and spend time walking around the whole area at least once to see everything. They get an idea of what’s available to purchase and then go back to a certain vendor and make their purchase. When a thoughtful daughter/mother herself, came back after such deliberation and purchased my 3 Heart hanging piece, I was overjoyed!
And I also received 2 orders for my Remembrance Hearts. I am making to order per the specific initials, hardwoods, adding a split heart on the opposite sides of each, and shipping to my customer free of charge. It will take about a week to make and finish with poly. Below are a few past examples.
A few of my other new items got a lot of looks and attention, but no purchases on them. Ready for the next show of course. The Ebony heart was made from a special scrap piece and I shaped the heart to follow the point and the raw edge. Ebony finishes like glass….it’s beautiful.
These Travel Totes are made of very durable, carpet-like material with lots of room for overnight items. These big bags are not really for everyday use (they are large and could be too heavy), but with some clothes and lighter items, they can be a fun and funky way to tote them around for a quick trip. I always try to coordinate or compliment the fabrics with each other (and the linings) and tie colors together. The reasoning for the tote in the center is an odd one. I looked at the fabric on the left and saw the classic, traditional curving vines and leaves. Then I matched it with the fabric on the right, which to me is the modern, pixelated version of curving vines and leaves. I don’t think anyone would be able to figure my reasoning out on their own. Well, I like the bag anyway!
Intown Taco Tour 2019
The Intown Taco Tour 2019 went off with a bang even though………..it was FREEZING!! I can’t imagine how many people would have attended if the weather was nice. It was a tough night as a vendor, but these large, friendly crowds made it so worth it.
As can be seen in the above photos, lines for all the different venues tacos was no problem, and they went on for hours.
My booth was right by the front entrance of the Brady Sullivan Plaza and because this was my first year, I brought a minimal setup. I wanted to participate primarily to share another local event with local people, not for the sales really. Because of that, I also wanted to have a Free Raffle of a bag design I made for the Families in Transition Cinco de Mayo Annual Party Event. These are the 2 bags below. I can make more for orders and I will definitely make more regardless.
There was also entertainment along Elm Street. I only got to experience the performers by my booth, but the ever-popular, local musician, Amanda McCarthy, accompanied by Kristian Veech, warmed and delighted everyone with her music choices. It was so cold, being a musician myself, I wondered how the fingers even moved, but the sound was beautiful! I’ve included a photo I have of her performing at Veteran’s Park in 2016 and I saw a video recently of her appearing on Rob Azevedo’s Granite State of Mind radio show.
A shout-out to the DPW workers for the great job they did of keeping things looking good and taken care of.
I was so happy to sell a couple of my new line of small wedding-type bags. One was for a little girl which I always felt these bags were so perfect for, to hold some treasure(s) of hers. I love it!
One other sale that was of a heart is a funny trend. I make remembrance hearts with the name or initials of a loved one that has passed away. It never fails, whatever initials I choose as just the example heart, someone with those initials buys the heart! I mean, no problem, but I just can’t keep the example for people to feel and hold. But that’s what I do….make hearts. AND, I made an example for my new wedding bag line of a “Mahogany Thin” larger heart with the initials of the couple roughly routed out and I just hung it out on my tree display, no tag or anything and that one sold also!
Because it was such a tough night, I didn’t get pictures of my customers unfortunately (especially for me, I love them), but I did get one celebrities photo….Max for the Monarchs!
See you next time!
Wedding/Bridal/Shower Gift Bags
DiZigns newest line for 2019 are small, exquisite drawstring bags made in whites, off-whites, antiques, ivory (plus other colors) and include layers of shimmering sheers and lace, pearl and rose accents. These smaller bags (6, 7” or so) can be a great fancy or feminine gift bag for any occasion, but also can be made in multiples for a bridal party or used as a wedding gift bag, alone or with a treasure inside.
All the bags are beautifully lined.
DiZigns bags are usually unique and one-of-a-kind items, put together from the vast designer fabric choices in my collection.
Below is an example of 6 gift bags for perhaps a bridal party and each of them is different. These bags do not have layers of sheers or any extra embellishments and with an order of 5 or more, the price would be the least expensive. Adding extras would bring the price up accordingly, and to make the bags with specific fabric from the customer or to be purchased would be determined with the specifics.
The gallery of the bags below shows the 6 bags individually, fronts and backs. I love coordinating different front and back fabrics to make the bags more beautiful and interesting. The last bag has the same front and back fabric.
click on the bag images to get a closer look at the incredible fabric