Where to Find Hudson Valley Etsy This Weekend

Outdoor Shows Return as Spring Arrives

 Why not treat Mom on her special day?

Felted wool vase cover by HuzzahHandmade 

Spring has finally bloomed across our beautiful Hudson Valley and outdoor markets and shows are popping up again like fields of flowers.  Kathryn of Huzzah! Unique Handmade Wearables will be at opening day of The Makers' Market on the Green in beautiful downtown Warwick N.Y.  Sunday, May 10th from 9Am-3PM. 

This intimate, outdoor market is right in the heart of the village is within easy strolling distance to restaurants, shops and the Farmers' Market.

Here's a link for more information and directions.

hudsonhandmade.com

Handmade Nuno felted silk scarf by HuzzahHandmade

Vendors wanted! 22nd Annual Fishkill Fine Art & Craft Fair

The Fishkill Business Association is back with it's annual Fine Art and Craft Fair. This year, the fair is moving back to MAIN STREET in Fishkill. The street will be closed off and vendors will line the street with their beautiful work.

There are vendor spots still available for this fun day. You can get more information and view the application here. 

"Do You Work?"

I cringe when I'm asked that question.

"Yes, I'm an artist." I reply.

Awkward silence.....

"Well what do you do?"  

What follows is usually my elevator pitch--

" I sell my art on a variety of items and surfaces. Mainly at

Art and Craft Fairs and Gift Shops. I also sell on ETSY and 

other on-line venues"

"Oh....I see....that's nice. But do you work?"

I find it impossible to convey the amount of time and effort that goes into our way of making a living to most people who ask. On the surface it appears to be such an easy way to earn a dollar. To us in the craft fair trenches, those of us who get up at 4 am to travel 2-3 hours to set-up our booth and be ready for a 9 am opening, we are the ones who truly know how hard this work is. We try to gently pack all of our handcrafted items at the end of the day, when we are dog tired from standing and selling all day. We say silent prayers that nothing breaks on the trip home. You all know....it's not easy. There is also the shipping and packaging that comes with an on-line sale. Those items don't wrap and pack themselves.

I love it though.

I have met some delightful people on-line, I wish that I could spend some face to face time with them.

I love my fellow vendors. I have learned more from talking to them than I have learned from any book that I purchased.

I love the people that come into my booth even the ones who don't purchase, sometimes I love them more... the ones with the lovely words but who cannot afford to buy.

The little ones who are intrigued by my items and want to touch, but gently tap the top of the head of one of my birds.

I love the excitement of planning and packing and traveling.

I could do without rain though.

And heat.

But worst of all....wind.

Sue DiGilio - DiGilio Designs

More Signs of Spring

More Signs of Spring

with the Hudson Valley Etsy Team 

Hydrangea Card by Cynla

Sunshine Pillow by Quarter Life Luck

Little Bunny Keychain - Crochet PDF Pattern by the Pudgy Rabbit

Flower Bouquet Hair Comb by Pulp Sushi

Jody

a Studio by the Sea

Congratulations To Etsy!!

Etsy reached a huge milestone yesterday by going public and began trading in the NASDAQ market (ETSY).

As Etsy sellers, many of us here in the Hudson Valley are able to sell nationally and globally and Etsy has provided the outlet for that.  We are excited to see what the future has in store for Etsy and it's community!

Etsy took over Times Square yesterday to #sellerbrate the occasion and set up a Pop-Up Market just outside of the NASDAQ building.   Sellers were brought in from around the world (!!) to showcase the diversity of makers that make up the Etsy Marketplace.

They could not have asked for better weather and there was a ton of media present for the event.  It was very exciting to witness even if I was just a spectator.