Meet Makers-on-Hudson!

We have exciting news to share with you today!  After being known as The Hudson Valley Etsy Team since we formed in 2008, we are changing our name and will now be known as Makers-on-Hudson!

As we continue to grow as a group, we wanted to identify ourselves as more than just Etsy sellers, although you can still find all of our shops there! We call ourselves different names - artists, designers, crafters, but the one thing we all identify with is that we are "Makers."  We are passionate about what we do and support the handmade movement which continues to thrive in the Hudson Valley.

Our name is a play on the "on-Hudson" towns located in the Hudson Valley like Hastings-on-Hudson, Croton-on-Hudson, Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Annandale-on-Hudson.  In the end, "Makers-on-Hudson" was agreed upon as a nice way to who represent who we are and where we're from.

If you follow this blog, update your bookmarks to our new blog makersonhudson.blogspot.com.  All of our Social Media accounts will be switching over to our new name shortly.

Our Etsy page has been updated which you can check out by clicking here and our official website is now www.makersonhudson.com.

THIS SATURDAY! Meet us at The Howland in Beacon - Holiday Craft Fair!

We are just days away from our 7th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at The Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, NY. Will you be joining us?

Here is the last group of vendors joining us this Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.  View the full list of vendors here. 

Phoenicia Honey Co.

Duane Lakin Photography

Mary's Dream Studio

Knit In Color

Ehstern Silk Jewelry

Reclaimed Designs

2015 Holiday Craft Fair Sneak Peek #3 - Beacon, NY

Today we are happy to share with you the second batch of vendors you will find at our Holiday Craft Fair this year.   We will have a nice mix of members of the team as well as other local artisans and makers bringing you a great collection of fun and unique gift ideas for your shopping list.  Go back and view our first and second batch.

If you are on Facebook and plan on joining us, click here to RSVP!

Beyond The Picket Fence

Pulp Sushi

Hudson Valley Makers and Artisans Cooperative

Indigo Lane Jewelry

A Visit To The Howland Cultural Center, Beacon, NY

We want to take a moment and thank our wonderful host for allowing us to have our holiday craft fair in their space for the last seven years, The Howland Cultural Center​.

Originally built in 1870 when Joseph Howland commissioned his brother-in-law Richard Morris Hunt to design a home for a subscription library he donated to the state of New York.  It was known as the Howland Library until 1976 when the library moved to it's currently location just a couple of blocks west on Main Street.

The Howland Cultural Center was established to preserve the building (which became a registered historic site in 1973) and to host special performance events, curated art exhibits, as well as public and community meetings.  It is a beautiful building to visit and a real gem on Main Street, Beacon.

Check out the beauty of The Howland during Second Saturday on December 12 and come shop at our 7th Annual Holiday Craft Fair from 10 am to 5 pm!

2015 Holiday Craft Fair Sneak Peek #2 - Beacon, NY

Today we are happy to share with you the second batch of vendors you will find at our Holiday Craft Fair this year.   We will have a nice mix of members of the team as well as other local artisans and makers bringing you a great collection of fun and unique gift ideas for your shopping list.  View our first batch here.

If you are on Facebook and plan on joining us, click here to RSVP!

Harp and Thistle

Huzzah! Handmade

Rockerbox Spice Co.

Omi Silver Jewelry

Kokma Toys

2015 Holiday Craft Fair Sneak Peek #1 - Beacon, NY

Today we are happy to share with you the first batch of vendors you will find at our Holiday Craft Fair this year.   We will have a nice mix of members of the team as well as other local artisans and makers bringing you a nice mix of fun and unique gift ideas for your shopping list.  If you are on Facebook and plan on joining us, click here to RSVP!

Digilio Designs

Kmiotek Art Works

S2 Stationery and Design

Squirrel Den Studio

Knot By Gran'ma

A Visit To Hudson, NY

Wandering on (and off) Warren Street is a great place to start your visit to Hudson, NY. The shops on Warren Street are amazing and very high end. Many of the antique stores (over 300) sell museum quality pieces with price tags to match. Creativity and style is everywhere. 

Hudson combines the best of both worlds: nature and the kind urban ease that you would expect to find in the city.

As an artist and maker, a visit to Hudson is inspirational. The window displays are imaginative and styles are tightly curated. Katherine Moore, founder of the Hudson River Exchange says the Hudson Valley is "...an ideal place for creating. Setting up a sustainable living here poses several questions. Part of what we do (at Hudson Exchange) is seek people from the greater maker community to stimulate that dialogue." They have a lovely pop-up shop on Warren Street (just closed on October 18) with locally crafted items and studio spaces. They organize local events offering visual and community inspiration as well as platforms for commerce and exchange for local makers.

There is also a lot that you can do on the cheap in Hudson says founder of The HudsonRiver Exchange, Katherine Moore: "There are two art stores - Sketch up by the park and Spotty Dog - along with a lot of parks including the river front. Grabbing some art supplies and heading to the river is amazing. Another nice thing to do in Hudson is just wander Warren. Go into antique stores and just look at the oddities and eras of design. There is one antique store Hudson Mercantile in the 300 block of Warren. You can buy little industrial trinkets from a dollar or two. There is also the Red Chair in the 600 block. Also sells small little items from France." 

Our favorite spot was the Spotty Dog Books and Ale: a bookstore, watering hole, art supply shop rolled into one. Beer on tap is mostly local and always delicious. Growler friendly. Also loved the funky vintage clothing shops on and off Warren.

Hudson River Exchange upcoming events include: a workshop on Visual Merchandising with Nick Blaine of Hawkins New York (a design shop and brand on Warren Street in Hudson) on October 27th. 

The workshop will be directed towards market booths as we approach the holiday season, but will include foundations of visual story telling relevant for people selling on Etsy as well. Importantly it will also be attended by other creatives and is a great way to connect with peers. 

We ventured out of Hudson on two day trips. One to Frederic Church's Olana and the other to the home of Church's mentor, The Thomas Cole House. Both locations offered insight into each artist's work and passions and hosted a contemporary art exhibit called, River Crossings. The surrounding landscape was also quite beautiful. The Hudson River School artists painted the American landscape and our relationship to nature through themes of wilderness, discovery, exploration, and settlement. The artists often traveled to remote locations and painted from memory or from an amalgamation of sketches.

Looking forward to exploring more of the Hudson Valley. 

For more info about Hudson, NY check out the following websites:

Design Sponge Hudson Valley Guide

Hudson River Exchange

What are your favorite places in Hudson or the Hudson Valley? 

Susan - Lunule

Vendors Wanted! Holiday Craft Fair - Beacon, NY

It's our most exciting time of the year! Getting ready to return to the Howland Cultural Center on Saturday December 12, 2015 for our annual holiday craft fair!

You can find our application here. The deadline is October 31st.   We also have a special Facebook page just for the event which you can like and follow.  Here are some pictures from last year early in the day as we were setting up.  This show has become one of the most popular events hosted by the Howland. We also hear that people in Beacon have asked them about it throughout the year so it's become a great event to look forward to.

Be A Guest Writer For Hudson Valley Etsy's Blog!

We love blogging and sharing with you what is new with the team, but we are also looking for guest writers to contribute to our blog.  If you are based in the Hudson Valley with a small business or you provide a service in the Hudson Valley helping artist and small businesses, we would love to hear from you!

Maybe you're an Accountant in the Hudson Valley with some tax preparation tips for small businesses. Or you're a Wedding Photographer and would like to share how you scout locations in this beautiful part of New York state.  You can be a Farmer or Gardener - we love locally sourced food too!

We would also love to hear from charities in the Hudson Valley.  With the Holidays approaching, we know this time of the year puts people in the giving mood. We would love to help you spread the word for your cause.

Our goal is to not only support our local handmade makers, but the greater community that we live in.  If you are interested, please email us at hvetsy@gmail.com and we'll get back to you!

Join the Hudson Valley Etsy Team!

Are you an Etsy seller in the Hudson Valley looking to connect with other handmade businesses in the area?   The deadline to apply for the Fall is TOMORROW!   You can read more our team criteria and how to apply on our website and while you're there, don't forget to check out our gift guides!

Where To Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

 

Harvest Moon Lunar Cycle Necklace by Incarnate Anew

 

As we head into the last full week of Summer, Hudson Valley Etsy members have both sides of the Hudson River "covered." 

On Saturday, meet Erica, from Incarnate Anew  at The Town of Wappinger Community Day with her unique copper, brass, silver and gemstone jewelry. Erica incorporates hand beading, and hand stamping in her unusual work.

 

 

On Sunday, a trip to the Village of Warwick would make for a great day. At  The Makers' Market you can say hello to Cindy, from Cynla designs as you stroll the village green. Cindy's notecards and paper goods are all based on her lovely original artwork. You will find beautiful cards and invitations for every occasion in her collection.

 

Summer is winding down, but Hudson Valley Etsy is going strong, with some great events yet to come, so stay tuned for much more in the weeks to come.

Where to Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!

Percy Bysshe Shelley

 

Alpaca Capelet with Faux Fur Trim by HuzzahHandmade

  

 For some, this weekend marks the "unofficial" end to summer, although technically, we are still enjoying summer's slow fade. We begin to anticipate cooler days and brilliant colors. Harvest Festivals begin to abound. On Sunday from 11-4, you'll find Kathryn, of HuzzahHandmade at the Rosehaven Alpaca Festival at Bethel Woods with her hand knits and felted accessories, many of which feature luscious Alpaca Fiber. The Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods features a farmer's market, two handcrafts tents, music and food. One entire tent is devoted to Alpaca products, live animals, and demonstrations, so make it a destination and have a great day.

Large Felted Bowl in Jewel Tones, by HuzzahHandmade

Where To Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

To Market, To Market

Ocean Blues Pendant Fused Glass and Beads by GetGlassy

 

Nat King Cole sang about the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer," and well, they're here. Sunday's forecast looks great, so stop by the Makers' Market in Warwick, N.Y. and say hi to Patti, from GetGlassy. She will be there again this month from 9 - 3PM, along with a diverse group of artists. Look for her in Rail Road Green Park, just across the street from restaurants and shops, and adjacent to the Farmers' Market. Summer is going fast, so take advantage of these beautiful days while you can.

 

Leaves fused glass coasters by GetGlassy

Where To Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

Wither Wilt Thou Goest This Weekend? 

"Love, whose month is ever May

 Spied a blossom passing fair 

Playing in the wanton air."

Mulberry Flower Renaissance Fair Mask 

Shakespeare's  words celebrating Love and the month of May are the perfect theme for this week's post. Spring is here, the world has again turned green and it's time to visit member Dara of DaraGallery at the MayFaire on the Green in Holland Patent, N.Y. on Saturday and Sunday May 16/17. Dara will be bringing her beautiful, handmade masks to the Faire. Each one is handcrafted and exquisitely decorated, plus they are available for Lords and Ladies alike. www.mayfaireonthegreen.com

Blue and Silver Brocade "couples" masks

 For something completely different, yet equally joyful and full of love, why not find Joann of Lollypups Designer Petwear at opening day of the Chappaqua Flea this Saturday May 16. Choose the perfect ensemble for your pooch from her selection of stylish, whimsical, harnesses, coats and costumes for your best friend.  www.chappaquaflea.com

Patches. Harness, vest and matching leash

Spring Song harness vest, and leash

Rounding out our Spring Weekend tour, you will find Gwen, soap artisan and shopkeeper of Beyond the Picket Fence, back at the Beacon Farmer's Market Sunday May 17, from 10-3. Stop by and treat yourself to some of her handcrafted bath and body products including soaps made with local craft beers. www.beaconfarmersmarket.org

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.

Card design by The Illustrated Rat

What's New In February

It's the last day of February and many of us on the team were cooped up in our homes letting our creative juices flow!  Today we want to share some of our new items added to our shop in February.

Agate Necklace from Pulp Sushi

Beard Oil from Hudson Naturals

White and Silver Leather Owl Mask from Dara Gallery

Monster Tooth Pillows from So Handmade

Organic Cotton Long Scarf from Huzzah! Handmade

Ugly 70s Mug from Hester Studio

Silver Heart Felt Cup Sleeve from Quarter Life Luck

Polymer Clay and Mix Stone Necklace from Melissa Anne Designs

There is a lot more where that came from. You can see our full list of February new items on our Etsy page.