11.09.2012

Craftopia: Rhode Island & Why you should buy handmade for the Holidays - Really!


Hey everyone! Get ready for HOLIDAY SHOPPING!


I know, people really get ruffled & fluffled
 when they start to think that "Holidays = Gifts".  

 The fact is that the Holidays present a TON of opportunities to gather with friends and family, go to parties and spend more time together than at other times of the year. That's a good thing, right?
When you visit others, it's always nice to have a hostess gift, or bring something for the children. It's tradition for many to give for 8 days Hanukkah or for Christmas. It happens every year, and I hear people freak out about it every year. *The Holidays and gift giving shouldn't feel like hell.


Handmade gift-giving is what makes shopping and giving FEEL REALLY GOOD*. When I buy something handmade, I often get to meet the person who actually used their hands to create a beautiful product. They put a lot of thought into making it. I put a lot of thought into buying it.
 I think about the person I am giving this to. See all the thoughtfulness? 
It's not made up, and that's the important part. 
If you shop at a local boutique or gallery, a craft show or on etsy online- it will directly affect the buyer (you), handmaker (me) and the gift-getter (that's now a word) in a positive way. 
Win /Win /Win! No tears! No tearing your hair out!


(See how happy I am at Twist - Northampton MA Nov 2012)

My advice- go to a local craft show. Go to my craft shows (of course!). Go to Craftopia (and the million other ones on my show list). Bring a list of people you want to make feel really special and buy a handmade gift for them. Now it's done and you haven't gone to the mall.



If you want to go a step further- I recommend you make gifts yourself! I'm not kidding. Seriously! If you don't want to buy something from me or all my crafty show friends, we won't mind. In fact, if you invite us over to make stuff too, all we require is wine (yes, that's how we do it). Go to Martha Stewart online and get some crafty gift ideas. Holidays are happy times!





11.06.2012

Open Studios at the IO Mills! Jewelry, Photography & Hair Accessories Trunk Show w/ the Popko Sisters



The Dane Gallery welcomes you with lively music and a new show by all the artists.

Visit this Saturday and Sunday, Nov 10 & 11
to see 50+ Artists and their studios! 

I'm having a trunk show with butterfly jewelry, fused glass jewelry and accessories, lockets, silver jewelry, earrings, rings,  everything you can imagine that I make will be there! I have a ton of space, so unlike a craft show, I can have it ALL out on display and for sale. Hooray!



I'll personally be there on Saturday 12-4pm. 
Sunday, my space will be open 12-4pm with an assistant on hand (thank you mom!) 
while I am away in RI for a craft show. Please stop by and have some cheese and crackers and maybe a cocktail or two- its after noon! 

There will also be a free raffle drawing in my studio! Ooh la la!





 My sister Ann-Marie (www.annmariepopko.com) will have a full gallery display in my studio where you can purchase her work and see the gorgeous photography that she makes. 

She is taking orders for your custom photo wall art for the Holidays. Now is the time!






One more perk! My mother is super talented- how do you think we got creative? She will be part of the trunk show with her sewsoft products- quilts for your baby (crib and carriage quilts), sewn placemats, napkins, and holiday table runners. She's awesome and so is her work.



I hope to see you on Saturday!



11.01.2012

Hello TWIST, Hello Holidays! Northampton Show this weekend:

Twist Craft Fair

It's that time of year again! The first of many Holiday shows always begins with TWIST! 

This time, it's also the very LAST Twist ever, 
so come say hello to me, and farewell to the most fabulous fair in Northampton.

Find me there with NEW things, yes for real! I have more rings, brooches, earrings and new necklaces as well. I've been working very hard (and still am in the studio all day and night) getting ready for you guys. So come over! 


I have 3 free guest passes, so get in touch with me if you want to be on my list.  
Comment here, or head to my facebook page to holler louder.


My sister AnnMarie (annmariepopko.com) will be there again with her photography and graphic goodies too. She has notecards, wall art, photographs and more lovelies. 
She also does custom photo art for you -editing & mounting your personal photos 
onto wood panels and making them beautiful- 
 which is good for gift-giving, so if you plan now you can have them for Christmas!





Twist Craft Fair