MARCH 2, 2008
It was an absolutely gorgeous day today. You couldn't ask for a sunnier, more beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was perfect for taking a drive to North Park to THE OTHER SIDE CAFE to meet all the new Crafty Debs and founding members of the SAN DIEGO NORTH PARK CRAFT MAFIA.
I got there around 12:30pm. The place was hoppin'! The cafe is very large and there were tables set up on two walls.
I immediately recognized the work that I had studied on all the individual websites.
All the girls were dressed up. They had on tiaras, gloves and Craft Mafia corsages of pink and black with their logo skull and crossbones. SO cute! I was so happy to see them all dressed up and looking like the crafty divas that they are. After all -- this is their coming out party and every debutante has to wear a tiara, doesn't she?
I walked around and admired all the beautiful artwork -- sewing, knitting, jewelry-making, painting, collage and sculpture!
I am thrilled to announce that I will be amongst them at THE SPRING LINE-UP craft event featuring 60 vendors. I was SO lucky to be included in this event, as it seems every crafty diva in San Diego wants to show her work there! The event takes place on Sunday, March 30th from 12-6 at the SILVER GATE MASONIC HALL, 3795 Utah Street, San Diego, CA 92104.
My first stop today was at the table of Karen Jorgenson's ALTERED PROVISIONS. Karen creates all her pieces from mostly recycled and repurposed materials. They make great gifts for all those people looking to organize their lives a little more beautifully. Each piece has a quote from a family member, which gives it an even more personal meaning. They are truly beautiful and I was really taken with the images she uses. As you can see, she is very creative and clever!
On her business card it says, "Don't worry, we'll get you through this."
Next, I visited the booth of Sarah Sweeney, artist and owner of PYP ARTS & DESIGNS, which stands for Piedras y Pretties. Her jewelry collection was gorgeous with beads of every shape, size and color. I especially liked how she would mix her beads and add something unexpected, which made her pieces not only beautiful, but out of the ordinary.
I wish I had gotten a shot of Sarah's shoes, because they were SO sexy and cute!
My next stop was Margaret McLean's booth, THE WEE SET, where she sells accessories for hip babies and parents. Margaret creates adorable burp cloths and blankets in the cutest and funkiest fabrics. Definitely a step above anything else out there for new moms and Dads!
Not only were the fabrics adorable, but they were SOOOOOOOOOOOO soft and cozy!
Next I visited an extraordinary young artist named Lisa Yednorowicz of OLD CAKE PAINTINGS. In my opinion, her work is more suited to an art gallery, rather than a craft fair, but she was definitely a great addition to today's event.
The picture above is called "Goldylocks" and depicts her with the three bears in a totally new way.
Lisa paints on paper, wood, canvas and even paints figurines onto tiny bowling pins!
Next, I met one of the founding members of the NORTH PARK CRAFT MAFIA, Svea Komori, whose company BELLE PEPPER COUTURE, produces "a little bit of glamour for the fashionable pet." She had two "models" -- her adorable and well-behaved Chihuahuas. They just wanted to be held by Svea and were so sweet.
Svea creates clothing, collars, toys and jewelry for the pampered pet. Everything was so fabulous -- perfect for the diva dog in YOUR life!
After admiring the adorable dogs and their cute outfits, I next visited Penni Hawkins of P-STARR PRODUCTS. Penni, another of the founding members of the NORTH PARK CRAFT MAFIA, creates guitar straps, handbags, hats, accessories and more -- all perfect for the rock star in YOUR life! My favorite were her felt flower pins. SO adorable!
Isn't Penni gorgeous? I just love this picture of her, below.
Teresa Salazar of VELVET KLAW was next in line. Teresa is the third of the founding members of the NPCM. She and I had communicated via email and I was so happy to meet her. She is as sweet and beautiful in person as she was online! Her handmade fashions include bracelets, pins (sculpted of plaster and then covered with sparkly beads), handbags (which she hand screens with her own drawings). She also creates the NPCM t-shirts (shown at the top of this entry), bumper stickers and other artwork for the group.
Once again, I'm sorry I didn't get Teresa's legs in the picture, because she had on the cutest sneakers and fishnet stockings!
How cute is that bunny on her business card?
Above are Teresa's pins and ornaments hand-made with plaster, hand-painted and then covered with sparkly beads!
Right next to Teresa was Amy Smock of DESIGNS de LUNA. She sells Jewelry, Fiber Arts and accessories, greeting cards, soap, costumes and knit scarves. Today she was mostly featuring her jewelry collection. Everything was so colorful and sparkly. I just loved her jewelry. She makes pendants of pressed bamboo and uses bottle caps for pendants, too! I just loved the ingenuity and creativity!
Last, but certainly not least, was Stefanie Histed of MADE WITH LUV. Stefanie and her busines partner's creations include bibs, fabric-covered photo albums, aprons, and pillows. Their choices of fabric are mostly vintage-inspired and are SO adorable and colorful. She makes the cutest felt magnets to bring life and character to any fridge!
My favorite piece was the "Paris Cats Pillow", seen below, with the pom pom trim!
I told Stefanie I felt a kinship with her, since I put "Made With Love By Peppy" on the bottom or back of every piece I create. Her company MADE WITH LUV has a fabulous logo -- a pink swan that forms the shape of a heart. I just loved it!
It was so wonderful to meet these lovely ladies and get to see their creations. I was inspired and exhilarated by everything I saw. I encourage you all to visit ALL their websites, where you can buy their hand-made, one-of-a-kind products!