the spark

Dear me, I'm so absent-minded these days...

A special note for the enthusiastic young lady who bought two pairs of fingerless gloves from me: I should have told you those gloves are made from wool, so don't wash them in hot water. Wash them gently (no rubbing them together!) in cold water, press the water out between two layers of towel, and let them dry flat. Hot water + agitation applied to wool = felting & shrinkage.

The Shop-a-do is finished, and I'm tired, but happy. It was a good show for me; in the company of lovely people, surrounded by beautiful art and crafts, and finding my own wares appreciated by others. Thank you to modmoxie, Woolies, and Moira Geoffrion, you ladies were wonderful companions... it would be hard to summon the energy to do these shows without friends to share the time with.

A special note to nice man who bought the two green baskets, if you should happen to read this: when I said the baskets were "waterproof," I misspoke... I should have said they were non-absorbent. Knitted things are full of holes; there's no way they can be waterproof. ;)

Still have some last minute gift shop to do? Come to the Tucson Banditas Shop-a-do this Saturday! I'll be selling, as will modmoxie and Woolies... But speaking as a shopper, it's well worth coming to the Shop-a-do. I did a good bit of my own Christmas shopping at the last Shop-a-do on December 6. The variety and quality of booths was wonderful--and the things for sale are beautiful handcrafted items that you couldn't get in a department store. I picked up some wonderful pottery items by Lauren Allen and sweet little "healing" gifts from an artisan named Lisa... (I can't remember her business name). And there were lots of other things I may pick up since I have a second go at them... cute little pillow-shaped vases for tiny flower arrangements... adorable skirts and aprons with monster patches... yummy handmade soaps and body products.

The location may be a little hard to find at first, but it's just one street east of 4th Avenue, behind the Surly Wench pub. When you find it, it's like a surprising oasis of handmade delights. :)

Woolies tagged me and I didn't notice until just now. So here are six bits about me:

1. My middle name is Rae because I was named for my dad, Raymond.
2. I have an addictive personality: when I get a video game I really like, I'll play for hours at a time. If I get into a book, I'll stay glued to it until it's finished, even if I have to stay up all night. That's partly why I don't drink... I recognize that there's something in me that will continue behaviors even when they're not that good for me.
3. I'm a little bit like Mr. Micawber (in David Copperfield) - I work to better ends when I'm working for someone else. When I'm working for myself I tend to drift a little. I'm not as motivated as when I'm working for someone else.
4. My honey Michael and I met when we were in middle school. But we didn't get to know each other until our 10-year high school reunion.
5. I don't have a favorite color. Or a favorite band or favorite food. The things I like best change depending on the day and my mood.
6. I'm a Tucson native. Sunshine is a real necessity for me. If it's cloudy for too long, I have really low energy and low spirits.

Now I'm going to tag... Melanie (Cozy Comfort for Kids), Regina (Creative Kismet), and Laura (Coati Banter). Your turn, ladies!

I've added a little something to the dragon's spark site—free desktop wallpapers. Two are inspired by my favorite fabric patterns, and two are original designs. I'll probably be adding more as inspiration strikes. 

Time to replace that picture of you and Rover at the park? Want to add a little indie pizazz to your computer desktop? Download one of these wallpapers! They're like gift-wrapping your computer ...in love ...from the inside out. Something like that. Anyway, they look cool and they've got my Web address on them, in case you want to pick up a gift of the non-virtual type.

It's March! That means...it's time for another artisan fair at Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea!

Sunday, March 16
9 am - 1 pm
1730 E Speedway Blvd (see map)

Besides me, participating artisans include:
Rainestorm (handmade pillows & plushes, & upcycled items)
Handmade by Diana (jewelry & handmade satchels)
Vistah Soap (handmade soap, lotions, & scrubs)
Old Pueblo Earring Co. (beaded & bottlecap jewelry)
Woolies (knits, plushes, & other felted goodies)
Modmoxie (elegant handmade jewelry)

Enjoy yummy Bentley's coffee and eatables while you browse handcrafted items made right here in Tucson!

We will also be having fairs on April 5 and May 4.

The 2008 Civano Spring Artisans Fair is happening this weekend! Beautiful weather, spring flowers, and great handmade items... what more could you wish for? The vital information:

Saturday, March 1st - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 2nd - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Civano Nursery
5301 S. Houghton Road, Tucson 85747

I'll be participating on Saturday. Some of my friends will also be participating, on either or both days. That means handmade goodness throughout the weekend! Here's a sample of the goodies you could see up close and personal.

by rainestorm

by dragon's spark

by modmoxie

by handmade by diana

by creative kismet

I'm going to be at an artisan fair this Sunday, February 10 at Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea. (That's in Tucson, folks.) Also in attendance will be a number of splendid artisans in jewelry, plushes, hand-painted ceramics, clothing, handbags, and probably more things I'm not remembering at this point. Here's a partial list of who's selling:

• Corinne Elaina
• Cozy Comforts for Kids
• Dragon's Spark (that's me)
  
• Half Moon Jewelry
• Hand Made by Diana
• Modmoxie
• Old Pueblo Earring Co
• Rainestorm
• TnKerr
• Woolies

We're also having a little giveaway... everyone who signs up for our team's newsletter will get to pick an item from our "mystery bag." You might get a charm (I'm contributing some), a notecard, a pin, or something else handmade with love from one of the above artists.

Come out and get something really special for a loved one or yourself, just in time for Valentine's Day. We'd love to see you there!

Show us something you made.

Funny, I'm always doing this, but hey, I'm up for it.

Here's an oldie:

I made this watch some months ago. It's my own personal, not for sale, watch. (Though I wouldn't be averse to custom orders, you understand). ;-)

I had just started sewing on my very own tiny sewing machine, and I was figuring out a lot of things, like how to close up the end without the stitches showing, and how put eyelets in. Figuring out how to fasten the watch face on was an interesting challenge, too.

I'm there, baby: Arizona Daily Star article on the Sonoran Artisans.

I'm a little embarrassed by how I was quoted in the article.... In my interview, I said some things about how I felt that buying handmade helped you to feel better about how you spent your money, because presumably the craftsperson from whom you are buying is charging enough to pay themselves a decent wage. But instead of quoting that, the writer quoted something I said that was vague and poorly constructed. (^_^;) Oh well.

Here's the watch that's pictured in the article. It's in my Etsy shop.